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#JobSearch : How to Keep Busy While You Wait for that Interview Call. How to Use this Time Wisely.

As if job searching isn’t stressful enough, throw in a global pandemic to push you over the edge. Many companies are laying-off employees or have hiring freezes on. So you may be wondering what you can do to keep busy while you wait for that interview call.  By the way, companies will hire again, so don’t lose heart.

Instead of dwelling on it, use the downtime to your advantage.

See if Other Companies Match Your Interests

Every executive resume service will tell you to not put all of your eggs into one basket. While you should spend a significant amount of time researching a company before sending in your targeted resume, don’t stop there. Move on to the next company to see if your personality fits with their culture and if you have the skills they are looking for. Most people have a specific list of companies in mind that they want to work for, but may discover other opportunities in the meantime they didn’t expect.

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What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

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Make A New LinkedIn Connection

You can use your downtime to update your LinkedIn profile and come up with strategic ways to utilize the platform. Take some time to find executives from other companies of interest and reach out to them. There’s never any harm in introducing yourself and making a new connection. Just don’t go overboard by building your list of connections so large and not knowing half of them. Making connections through your LinkedIn profile can lead to various opportunities later on. 

Thank Your Past and Current Mentors

Waiting for a job interview call is a good time to reflect on where you’ve been and look forward to where you want to be. I know I love hearing from past colleagues, especially when they are thanking me for something I may have done to help them. Reach out to your past and current mentors to simply thank them for how they’ve helped shape your career. They will appreciate the gratitude more than you think, and you never know if they’ll be able to provide you with one last nugget to help you move forward.

Even though we are living in unprecedented times, it doesn’t mean there aren’t action steps you can take to keep yourself moving forward in your career. Take this opportunity to reach out in new ways to set yourself up for success.

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog |  April 3, 2020

#JobSearch : After Losing Your Job…7 Tips for Job Searching Success.

Everything has been going along just fine with your career—nothing exciting, but things are stable. But, are they really stable? Do you know what’s around the next corner in your company? And, are you established enough in your career just in case something does happen?

Most companies, many industries, and the economy, in general, are constantly evolving. What does this mean as a worker in this twenty-first century? It means that you have to be prepared for uncertainty and a potential job change.

As a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), I have partnered with over 1,000 clients in developing forward-thinking, eye-catching, and industry-appropriate resumes and cover letters. Unfortunately, many of those clients contact me only when they have lost their jobs and need to quickly rework a 20+-year-old resume or are starting with no documentation.

Along with needing a new resume, there are other things to consider if you lose your job.

#1 – Don’t be ashamed of the job loss. First, job loss can happen to anyone. Companies, merge, businesses close, and organizational needs change. Tell people that you are actively seeking new employment opportunities. Did you know that most jobs are found via networking and existing contacts? It’s a much better way to find a job then replying to hundreds of job postings online.

#2 – Be sure your resume is up-to-date. Although it was mentioned before, it deserves repeating. If you have let others know that you are seeking a new job and they ask for your resume, it doesn’t look good to make them wait for an updated document. Be sure to include your most recent job and know that you don’t have to list why you left that particular position.

Quick note, even if you update your resume with above, today’s resume is more complexed than it was one year ago. You must have keywords that are picked up today by AI systems & algorithms.

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What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

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#3 – Get a new email address. Many of us are tied to our job email address, which is obviously gone if you have lost your position. And, home email addresses could be checked by multiple people in the household. Instead, open a new email account that is used specifically for job hunting. Then, you can be sure you will be the only one checking the email account. And, always use your name or a portion of your name as the email address. Don’t use your graduation year, birth year, or other information that could detail your age. Keep it professional and simple.

#4 – Join LinkedIn as your preferred social media outlet. LinkedIn is a professional resource for social media content, updates, company profiles, and job searching. If you already have Facebook, Twitter, and other profiles, then be sure there is nothing out there that could harm your job search. While it is true that everyone has a personal life, it is also true that a quick Google search of your name will generate hits on your social media profiles.

#5 – Attend networking events. Again, most people find job opportunities through contacts they know. If you can attend a local chamber of commerce expo or a local networking group, take the chance and do so. And, if those aren’t available to you, then schedule a lunch appointment with a contact you haven’t seen for awhile. The more people that know you are seeking opportunities, the more eyes and ears are out there assisting you with your job search.

#6 – Never badmouth your ex-employer. Never. Ever. Do. This. Have you ever heard the saying, ‘don’t burn your bridges?’ Well, this rings true when seeking employment. The more you badmouth your ex-employer, the more you are viewed as a critical, sad, and annoying ex-employee. Furthermore, you never know who may know the people and/or company that you are criticizing. It doesn’t matter if what you are saying is true—just don’t do it.

#7 – Take on part-time work, freelance projects, or volunteer opportunities. If you are unsure of your career direction or can’t seem to find the perfect full-time job opportunity, then grab the chance to volunteer with an organization close to your heart, find a part-time opportunity that meets your family needs, or be open to the idea of freelance work. These short-term gigs show future employers that you kept busy during your time away from the full-time workforce and still honed your skills while networking with entirely new groups of people.

Remember that you are not the first person to lose their job and you certainly won’t be the last. By keeping a positive attitude, being proactive, and establishing a network of people that are also seeking opportunities for you, you can be on your way to a new opportunity that may meet your needs even better than your previous position.

FSC Guest Author: Dr. Heather Rothbauer-Wanish has a BBA in management from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, an MBA from Lakeland College, and a Ph.D. in Organization and Management from Capella University. She LOVES helping people position themselves for today’s job market. She can help boost your confidence by creating a resume that helps you land your DREAM JOB. Visit her website @ https://www.feather-communications.com

 

FSC Career Blog | March 29, 2020 | FSC Guest Author, by  

LinkedIn Tips: Are You Building Your Executive Personal Brand with LinkedIn Comments? Great 2 Min Read!

Your executive LinkedIn profile brings you more benefits than simply the ability to connect with other professionals. When you incorporate LinkedIn comments into your job search strategy, you can give your online presence a boost, naturally grow your network, demonstrate your expertise and always be at the top of the mind of other professionals. Of course, the type of comments you leave makes a difference as well, so never post anything negative about anyone.

Here are some effective ways LinkedIn comments can help with your c-level personal branding efforts:  

Comment On Original Articles

Part of your LinkedIn profile development may be to publish original articles periodically. It’s a good strategy to implement and you’ll notice others have a similar strategy. One way to earn even more credibility is by commenting on those articles by your peers. You should only write a few short sentences about the article, stating what you liked most, what you agreed with, what you found or anything else you deem to be appropriate. The author will appreciate the time you took to comment on it and will likely return the favor at some point.

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What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

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Be Active in Group Discussions

LinkedIn groups are also a great place to build your c-level personal branding. People who actively comment in groups can demonstrate their brand and what they represent as a person and a professional. The biggest challenge with LinkedIn groups is finding the ones relevant to you and your job search and knowing who to communicate with. You never know whom you may encounter in these groups, but active communication can open up many doors.

 

Always Look Out For Updates From Connections

When your connections post significant updates, don’t hesitate to comment and congratulate them on an achievement or start a discussion with them. Also, be sure to post updates on your executive LinkedIn profile as well so people have the opportunity to comment on your updates. You don’t want to go overboard with your updates at any given time, but it is valuable to post an update once a week or so. When your connections see you comment on their updates, your c-level personal branding efforts will get a boost since they believe you have a genuine interest in what’s going on in their professional life.

Something as simple as commenting on someone’s original article can go a long way in boosting your c-level personal branding efforts and can promote great discussions. Being active on LinkedIn can tap you into the hidden job market in many different ways, so schedule time every week to make sure you are staying current and active on this all important branding platform.

FSC Career Blog Author:  Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

                                                                                                          FSC Career Blog | March 14, 2020

Career Coaches on the Biggest Mistakes People Make in the Job Search

How often, during a tough week at the office, have you heard your friends say, “Time to update my résumé!”   You’ve probably said it, too.

Most people take this approach to the job search, and it makes sense. There’s so much you can’t control about the process, but adding new bullet points to your résumé feels actionable and straightforward.

But when it comes to thinking about your next career move, this isn’t the best place to start, says Jenny Foss, a career coach, certified professional résumé writer, and the voice behind the popular career blog JobJenny.com. “Job seekers will be in much better shape if they think about what they do (and don’t) want in that next job BEFORE they update the résumé,” she explains.

What other not-so-intuitive traps do we fall into? Here, seven experts who coach people through these very scenarios share how to job search the right way:

MISTAKE 1: NOT STARTING WITH YOU

Founder and lead coach Evangelia Leclaire agrees that people often initially focus too much on job search tactics, like their résumé and elevator pitch. “I suggest you focus on you first as the foundation,” she says. “The beliefs, attitude, and energy a smart person will bring to a job search will determine their success.”

Specifically, she advises spending time building up your confidence. Because you’re often competing with hundreds of candidates, it’s easy to doubt yourself, but that’s counterproductive, she explains. “We behave how we believe. So, if you believe that you are not enough or think, ‘I don’t have enough,’ your attitude, approach, and actions will reflect that.”

Some practical tips to boost your confidence? Leclaire suggests jotting down your competencies, character traits, and core strengths and using those to create a vision for your next chapter. She also recommends crafting a narrative about your future ambitions and repeating it daily, both in your mind and out loud.

These mental exercises can be powerful motivation. “You don’t want to end up in a job you hate, or simply tolerate, because you weren’t honest with yourself or didn’t believe you could grow into bigger and better opportunities,” she says.

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What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

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MISTAKE 2: THINKING LIKE A HISTORIAN, NOT A MARKETER

Once you’re clear on what you want, is it time to update your résumé? Yes, but maybe not in the same way you’ve done in the past.

Foss often tells her clients that a résumé is a marketing document, not an autobiography that details every role and responsibility you’ve ever had. “Just like in marketing, you’re trying to prompt a purchase decision. In this case, that purchase decision is, ‘Invite you in for an interview,’” she shares. “The easier you make it for decision makers to quickly connect the dots between what they need and what you can walk through their doors and deliver, the better the odds they’re going to want to talk.”

What does this look like in practice? Foss recommends digging into job boards and companies’ careers pages. Pull a few postings, and find the themes and criteria that keep coming up. “For instance, if you pull five job descriptions and four of them indicate in some form that they need someone who can solve complex problems and navigate ambiguity—and you can absolutely do these things—then you need to make it clear very quickly on your résumé that this is you.”

MISTAKE 3: NOT LOOKING AT THE BIG PICTURE

With that said, don’t forget about all of the skills that you bring to the table. “The biggest mistake smart people make during their job search is not looking at their experience in a holistic way,” says Dorianne St Fleur, a career strategist and the founder of Your Career Girl, a career development agency for black women. “While it may seem like a no-brainer to solely focus on your project management experience if you’re applying for a project management role, consider highlighting the complementary skills you bring to the table as well.”

For example, she explains, if you’re a project manager who also has experience in web design and operations management—and those skills are relevant to a specific role—find a way to highlight them. “Showcasing how your specific background allows you to bring a new perspective to your work will help you stand out among the hundreds of job seekers vying for the same position,” she explains. Just make sure to make it feel like a value add, not a random sidebar of your career. “It’s your job to connect the dots.”

MISTAKE 4: OVEREMPHASIZING WHAT YOU WANT

Another part of your job? Showing a company what you can do for them, not vice versa. “One of the biggest mistakes even the savviest job seekers make is they put too much emphasis on what they want,” explains Emily Liou, career happiness coach and founder of CultiVitae. “When asked, ‘Why do you want to work here?’ or ‘Why are you interested in this role?’ . . . they may catch themselves stating, ‘I want to grow and am ready for greater challenges.’”

But, she cautions, employers don’t really care—at least not initially. “What they want to know is: How will you make our lives easier? What are you going to immediately contribute? How are you going to solve my problem?”

 

FastCompany.com | December 2, 2019  | BY ADRIAN GRANZELLA LARSSEN 

#CareerAdvice : How To Avoid The Five Emotional Pitfalls Of A #JobSearch . A #MustREad for All!

Spoiler alert: your job search will be anxiety-inducing, frustrating, and at times, painful. It doesn’t matter how far you’ve come in your career; conducting a job search is emotionally taxing and it can shake your confidence and wear down your patience.

But like most trials in life, knowing what to expect can help you avoid making things worse and lessen the blow as you go through it.

So if you are considering launching an active or even passive job search, here are the things you can expect and need to prepare yourself for.

1.   Knowing what you want is harder than it sounds

The fastest path between two points is a straight line, but few people clearly know precisely where they want to go when they start a job search. You don’t want to narrow your options too soon, so you likely cast a wider net, sometimes remaining flexible on everything from title, company mission, business size and culture to the type of work and compensation.

There is a trial and error process to seeing what is available to you and then deciding what you want to pursue most. In the meantime, you may feel confused and a bit indecisive, but this is natural; most job searches, especially those where you are seeking greater purpose or impact from your work, require additional time and effort to get through an exploratory phase.

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What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

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2.   Proving your value breeds insecurity

Even the most experienced CEOs question themselves during a job search—nobody is exempt from vulnerability. Having to convince people that don’t know you that you are competent, valuable and they should want to work with you every day, brings back all the old fears from being chosen for a team on the playground. You want to know that your peers deem you as a strong player and an asset to their group.

Interviewing forces you to open yourself up to the possibility of rejection. It’s a real fear because you may indeed be rejected; there are a lot of reasons why someone else may get the job you want. Be prepared to keep your insecurities at bay when you can and to give yourself a break when you can’t. It’s okay to have a bad day and let yourself feel the sting of losing out on an opportunity you wanted. Job searches are hard on the ego.

3.   Your best instincts will play against you

One of the things that makes you great at what you do is that you take the time to think strategically, reduce risks and plan out details. Unfortunately, these normally productive skills may backfire during your job search. Trying to control or predict the process will at best cause you an incredible amount of frustration, but at worst it will lead you to become overly aggressive and signal desperation or a lack of cultural fit.

Know that launching a job search will require that you strengthen your ability to be at peace with uncertainty. You will not know when the next opportunity will come your way, if you’ll get it or if you’ll have multiple options in the end. You have to trust the process and take each step one day at a time.

4.   The highs and lows will drain you

By now, you may have the impression that every day of a job search is a struggle. Thankfully, that isn’t true either. You will have many good days, days when you are filled with optimism and excitement. What’s taxing about this cycle is the constant spike of ups and downs.

One day you’re excited because you got a call out of the blue on something you may be interested in, while another day, you are left sulking at home after making a mistake in an interview. Some weeks see good activity while others require you to endure the silence of emails that aren’t coming in and a phone that isn’t ringing. All of this is normal—just be prepared for it.

5.   People will disappoint you

The largest frustration of your job search will be waiting for people to do the things they promise to do, be that favors, such as making connections or introductions, or getting back to you with feedback as promised. It’s hard to wait, but following up leaves you feeling like you’re nagging people or being a burden.

It’s irritating when a recruiter or professional acquaintance fails to keep up with the timing they promised, but it’s downright hurtful when it’s a friend, family member or someone you’ve done a lot for professionally in the past. Try not to take it to heart. Most of the time, they truly don’t mean to offend you or let you down—life gets busy and they lose track of the promise. Instead, let it be a reminder to you about how you want to treat people in the future when the shoe is on the other foot.

Kourtney Whitehead is a career expert and author of Working Whole. You can learn more about her work at Simply Service

Follow me on LinkedIn. Check out my website.

I’ve spent my career helping people reach their work goals, from executive searches to counseling to career coaching, through my leadership positions at top executive re…

 

Forbes.com | September 10, 2019

#CareerAdvice : #JobSearch -5 Things That All Successful #JobSeekers Do . A Two(2) Min #MustRead !

Successful job seekers have a few things in common. In terms of character, they’re determined and they don’t give up. In terms of taking action, they put in the work to land a new job.

Make a great first impression.

Your absolute first impression on a hiring manager starts well before you meet them face to face. It’s your resume and cover letter that get the true first impression, so it’s important that you take the time to tailor both of these to the job you’re applying to. Avoid using fancy fonts, graphics, or too many colors, as these can be hard to read. Ensure that your resume is easy to skim and important information is listed first. For a cover letter, keep your paragraphs relatively short and put a space between each paragraph for easier reading.

The way you introduce yourself to the hiring manager sets the tone for the rest of the interview. Make direct eye contact, speak clearly, shake their hand, and mind your posture. You want to come across as self-assured and confident, not nervous or standoffish. The first impression will carry through the rest of the interview, so the stronger you can start out, the better.

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What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

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Follow up.

Follow up after every single interview. This is non-negotiable, something you absolutely must do 100% of the time. It’s a gesture that showcases your professionalism and dedication to the job search. Even if you think the interview went poorly, send a follow up note anyway. Be sure to personalize your note with the hiring manager’s name, the position you interviewed for, and something that you took away from the interview. You can get creative here – follow up messages aren’t limited only to emails.

Ask meaningful questions during the interview.

During a job interview, you want to ask questions that will help you learn more about the role, the culture, the people, or the company itself. Ask open-ended questions that allow the hiring manager to provide you with details. Avoid questions that can be answered with just a yes or a no unless you’re simply seeking clarification.

Asking meaningful questions benefits you in two ways. One, it shows that you’re actively engaged in learning more about the role. Two, you’re learning more about the role. It’s an easy win-win.

Research.

You need to research the company you’ll potentially be working for. This is imperative to do before a job interview, but that’s not the only time you should be doing research. Before you apply for a position, it’s always helpful to find out a few details about the position, like potential salary range and company reviews. Sometimes a position isn’t what it looks like in the job advertisement, and by doing a bit of quick research you could save yourself the time of applying to a position you ultimately wouldn’t want.

Before a job interview, you’ll want to scour the internet to find out as much as you can about the company. This allows you to get a better sense of the company culture and what working there might be like. It also helps you think of questions to ask during your interview.

Utilize your network.

Your network is your strongest asset. You can tap into your network to get a direct connection to a hiring manager, help you prepare for an interview, and get advice and feedback. Companies value recommendations, so having someone from your network make a direct connection increases your chance of your resume actually being seen by a person and turning into an interview. You never know who might be able to help, so put yourself out there and ask for what you need.

Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website.

Ashira is a Multi-Generational Workplace expert helping organizations understand, manage, engage, attract, and retain Millennials & Gen Z and bridge the gap between

… 

Forbes.com | August 27, 2019

#CareerAdvice : Which Of These #JobSearch Mistakes Are You Making? #Recruiters Reveal What Makes Candidates Stand Out.

As a recruiter for over 20 years, I have my own opinions on what makes candidates stand out for good and for bad. However, I also like to collect feedback from my recruiting colleagues, across a range of industries, and you can see earlier interviews with recruiters from financial servicesmanagement consultingadvertisingtecheducation, and non-profit.

Some of the pet peeves include:

·      Being too overbearing when you’re Type A, or being too quiet when you’re an introvert

·      Refusing to discuss compensation (note: in states where it is illegal to ask about salary history, you might still get questions about salary expectations!)

·      Talking too much about why you want the job and not why you are good at it

·      Not having details to back up your work

·      Too much perfume or cologne.

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What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

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On the positive side, things that impress include:

  • Strong follow-up – one recruiter called it “the balance of patience and persistence”
  • Passion for their work
  • Having an action plan once you understand more about the job
  • Being prepared (i.e., researching the company in advance of the interview)
  • Referring others and not just promoting yourself.

Recently, I had occasion to add two more recruiters to my informal survey on what helps candidates stand out in the job search:

1- Geri Kalinsky recruits in-house as Vice President of Talent Acquisition and Mobility for Warner Music Group. She also stressed the importance of details, follow-up and preparation.

Caroline Ceniza-Levine: What is an example of something a strong candidate did very well or that impressed you?

Geri Kalinsky: I appreciate it when candidates proactively share their career journey, beyond the obvious resume and LinkedIn profile. I have met a few candidates over the course of my career who created presentations or portfolios to showcase their career journey in detail (including links to their work, etc.). The candidates who take the extra time to tell their stories are the ones I find most impressive, and it makes it easier to more fully assess their experience.

Ceniza-Levine: What is a pet peeve or deal breaker that candidates may unwittingly or carelessly do?

Kalinsky: I will mention a pet peeve of something that many candidates don’t do: send thank you notes. It’s such a basic form of etiquette, but many candidates don’t bother. It’s not a deal-breaker, but I expect candidates to take the time to send customized thank you emails to every stakeholder they have met with. Please, send a note – it makes a difference!

Ceniza-Levine: What is one favorite piece of advice you’d like to share with jobseekers to make them more effective in their searches (and better candidates for your searches)?

Kalinsky: Take the time to read the job description the employer posts, and please don’t apply if you truly don’t think your experience matches the needs of the role. If you do feel your experience matches the role, then do everything possible to make your application stand out. Include a customized cover letter, include work samples, anything that will help showcase you and make us take notice.

2- Lesley Klein is an agency recruiter as Managing Partner of Miller Klein Group, LLC, a firm that specializes in placing HR and administrative support across industries. She also mentioned the importance of details – highlighting what not to share:

Caroline Ceniza-Levine: What is an example of something a strong candidate did very well or that impressed you?

Lesley Klein: Consistency. When a candidate is consistent in their level of professionalism across all modes of communication (phone calls, in person meetings, emails), in their resume and in interviews, that typically corresponds to a high caliber candidate.

Ceniza-Levine: What is a pet peeve or deal breaker that candidates may unwittingly or carelessly do?

Klein: Sharing too much personal information because it is irrelevant to the role the candidate is pursuing. For example, if a candidate is seeking specific hours, that’s fine. I don’t need to know about their family situation as support of why they want those hours.

Ceniza-Levine: What is one favorite piece of advice you’d like to share with jobseekers to make them more effective in their searches (and better candidates for your searches)?

Klein: Exude confidence. You have to display confidence in yourself if you want a potential employer to feel confidence in you. [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][For example,] firm handshake, stand tall, great eye contact and selling their skill set including having specific examples of what they do vis-à-vis the job description. Saying “here is what I do, and I can learn how to do it the way the executive likes it done or how the company likes it done”. So often I find that candidates are afraid to demonstrate confidence as they are concerned it will come across as arrogant. I talk them through that.

Recruiter insights are only helpful if you act on them

Now that you know what stands out for good and for bad, assess how you fare in these categories, and outline a plan for closing any gaps:

·      Do you exude confidence?

·      Do you share enough detail, but not too much personal information?

·      Do you exude professionalism consistently?

·      Are you prepared – and therefore able to sell yourself for the job?

·      Can you tell a compelling story, not just in your resume or LinkedIn, but with a presentation or portfolio if appropriate?

·      And don’t forget to send a thank you note!

Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.

I am a longtime recruiter, career coach and creator of Behind The Scenes In The Hiring Process, a job search e-course. Take the FREE mini-course, 5 short video lessons, …

Forbes.com | August 26, 2019

[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

#CareerAdvice : #JobInterviewing – Here’s Your #JobInterview Preparation Checklist.

So you applied for a job online, and just got a call from the recruiter asking if you can interview with the hiring manager. You are super excited until you hear that the interview is happening in 48 hours. 2 days. OMG!

Don’t panic; just prepare! Glassdoor has got you covered. Complete with timing and strategy, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of essential ways to gear up for your interview and knock it out of the park. Ready, set, prep!

As soon as you hang up with the recruiter:

1. Study for your interview like it’s a final exam.

  • Find as much information as you can on the company or organization, and commit as much of it to memory as possible.
  • If the job you’re interviewing for requires knowledge in a certain field, do all of the learning and brushing up you can on information that will be relevant to your interview.

2. Generate a list of potential interview questions (and their answers!) beforehand.

  • Base your list of questions on both what you expect them to ask and the real life experience of others
  • Reach out to people who worked in similar companies and positions as you are interviewing for and ask them about their interview experience
  • Use tools like Glassdoor’s interview question database to look up real interview questions and their answers.

36 hours before the interview:

3. Write out answers to every question you anticipate, and practice delivering them out loud.

  • Even if you don’t remember your responses word for word, you can fall back on certain key points and phrases.
  • Write your own list of questions for the interviewer, and be prepared to ask them when the time arises.
  • Make sure your questions are nuanced and well-researched. Never ask for any information that can be simply found online.

4. Compare your skills and experience to the job description.

  • For each component of the job description, brainstorm your relevant skills and experiences, and think critically about how you want to present them.
  • If there’s a preferred skill or experience you do not have, be able to demonstrate you’ll be competent without it.

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What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Continue of article:

12-24 hours before the interview:

5. Be rested and healthy for the big day.

  • Before getting good night’s sleep, try to imagine yourself acing the interview.
  • Eat wholesome, healthy meals for the days preceding the interview.
  • If you are prone to anxiety, try breathing techniques or meditation the morning of the interview, and even directly before.

3-6 hours before the interview:

6. Dress for success

  • Keep your fashion choices subdued and classic – don’t wear clothes that will distract the interviewer.
  • If you’re unclear on what type of clothes to wear, don’t be afraid to reach out to your interviewer and ask.
  • Wear clothes you feel confident in. Don’t be afraid to invest in an “interview outfit” or two that you feel your best in.

7. Empower yourself

  • Practice a firm handshake, strong posture, and attentive body language in advance.
  • Think of a mantra you can call upon for self-confidence, like, “no matter what, I will do my best.”
  • Try to imagine yourself not getting the job. While it might be painful to think about, what can you see yourself having learned from the interview experience?

8. Don’t leave any unnecessary unknowns.

  • Plan what to bring (extra copies of your resume!) and even what transportation you are taking to the interview way in advance, so there’s no added uncertainty the day of.

During the interview:

9. Keep an interview journal

  • During or even after your interview is over, take a few minutes to jot down what parts you felt you aced, and where you could have shone brighter. These notes can serve as a valuable guide for your future interviews.

6-12 hours after the interview:

10. Follow up.

  • Extending the conversation shows that you’re passionate about the job. Don’t call every day asking if you got the job, but a simple thank you note can speak volumes about your commitment to the position.
  • And if you didn’t get the job? Let them know if you’re still interested, and ask what you can do to be a more attractive candidate in the future.

 

 

GlassDoor.com | |

#CareerAdvice : #CoverLetter – 5 Strong Ways to Close a Cover Letter. Must REad!

Writing a cover letter isn’t an easy task for many job seekers. There’s a lot of pressure because, sometimes, the cover letter is the only piece the recruiter will read. Therefore, your cover letter must be a piece of writing that describes your achievements, and how you will help the company succeed.

Additionally, you want your cover letter to illustrate how you are the best fit for the company, and for the reader to believe you have the qualifications they seek. If you want to land an interview with your cover letter, you don’t want to sound vague or wishy-washy. Your cover letter should illustrate why you are the best fit, and how you will help the company or organization reach success.

However, when writing the closing paragraph of your cover letter, it’s easy to have a passive voice because you don’t want to appear overconfident. For example, if you say, “I look forward to hearing from you,” that’s great –but that alone doesn’t seal the deal. The closing paragraph of your cover letter must be one of the strongest elements because it is the last impression you leave in the reader’s mind.

Here are five phrases to include in the final paragraph of your cover letter that will help you seal the deal for your next interview:

1. “I AM VERY EXCITED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY AND SHARE HOW I WILL BE A GREAT FIT FOR XYZ CORPORATION.”

Strong cover letter closings are enthusiastic and confident. You want the reader to have the impression you are truly passionate about the position and working for their company. This statement will also illustrate your ability to fit into the company culture, and how your personality and work ethic is exactly what they’re looking for.

2. “I BELIEVE THIS IS A POSITION WHERE MY PASSION FOR THIS INDUSTRY WILL GROW BECAUSE OF THE XYZ OPPORTUNITIES YOU PROVIDE FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES.”

It’s always a good idea to explain what you find attractive about working for the company, and how you want to bring your passions to the table. By doing this, you can illustrate how much thought you dedicated to applying for the position, and how much you care about becoming a part of the company.

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & type(#career, #leadership, #life) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Continue of article:

3. “IF I AM OFFERED THIS POSITION, I WILL BE READY TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AND HELP XYZ COMPANY EXCEED ITS OWN EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESS.”

By adding this piece to your conclusion, you will be able to add some flare and excitement to your cover letter. The reader will become intrigued by your enthusiasm to “hit the ground running.” Employers look for candidates who are prepared for the position and are easy to train. Therefore, this phrase will definitely raise some curiosity, and the reader will want to discover what you have to offer for their company.

4. “I WOULD APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH YOU TO DISCUSS HOW MY QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO YOUR ORGANIZATION’S SUCCESS.”

Remember, you want to make it clear in your cover letter how the employer will benefit from your experience and qualifications. You want to also express how your goal is to help the organization succeed, not how the position will contribute to your personal success.

5. “I WILL CALL YOU NEXT TUESDAY TO FOLLOW UP ON MY APPLICATION AND ARRANGE FOR AN INTERVIEW.”

The most essential part of your closing is your “call to action” statement. Remember, the purpose of your cover letter is to land an interview. Don’t end your cover letter saying you’ll hope to get in touch. Explain to the reader the exact day and how you will be contacting them. When you state you will be following up with the employer, make sure you do it!

Remember, the closing of your cover letter is the most important element that will help you land your next interview. By crafting a strong, confident, and enthusiastic closing paragraph, you will leave the reader feeling like you could be the best candidate for the position.

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FastCompany.com | January 27, 2019 | BY HEATHER HUHMAN—GLASSDOOR 3 MINUTE READ