Situational and behavioral style interview questions are popular and can cause the most qualified candidate to get stumped. Use the S.T.A.R method to be prepared for your next interview.

S – Situation. Describe a situation you dealt with as it relates to their question. Handling a delicate situation with a client or creating a new strategy. Be specific and keep it brief.

T – Task. What was your responsibility in the situation? Increase sales, manage deadlines, etc.

A – Action. Briefly explain what action you took to meet the challenges and overcome obstacles.

R – Results. Explain the outcome, the positives, and what you learned.

Remembering the S.T.A.R. acronym and being prepared, will help you tell your story concisely and persuasively.

In many cases, cover letters are optional in the application process. Don’t risk giving the impression that you can’t be bothered to write a cover letter or feel they aren’t relevant. Recruiters and hiring managers may not read your letter, however, including one (when possible) creates possibility. It’s a way for you to show:

• Your ability to write
• Feature your specific skills and accomplishments for the job
• Attention to detail
• Style and personality

A great cover letter can help differentiate you from the other respondents, reflects why you are the ideal candidate, and help you secure the interview.

Now is a great time to be negotiating a job offer. The current business environment gives new hires tremendous leverage to personalize job structures in their favor. Beyond just salary, consider:

• Bonus or commission structure
• Equity and stock options
• Scope of responsibilities
• Work from home vs. in-office time – workdays per week
• Paid time off and start date
• Educational reimbursements
• Relocation reimbursement
• Some tactics may backfire don’t try to leverage multiple offers against each other.

Always stay enthusiastic, flexible, and professional while negotiating – you may come away with more than you had hoped for. Get more information on savvy negotiating tactics at www.jobseekersedge.com.

90% of us settle for the default LinkedIn banner design. But with a little time and effort, you can add a unique banner that may influence recruiters to read further and remember your profile. 

• Use a background image that pops – you can find thousands of free images on canva.com or unsplash.com.
• Add text that reflects your expertise such as “Senior Data Science/Python Engineer” or “Early-Stage Operations Builder.”
• Add a relaxed but professional photo of yourself sized to 646×200.
• Get inspired – look through other LinkedIn Profiles for great examples.

To find more great LinkedIn tips, visit www.jobseekersedge.com.

Everyone who has made it to the face-to-face interview stage is qualified. The offer will go to the person best able to communicate their emotional intelligence. Even though you are being asked about experience and skills, the underlying question is “do I want to work with this person every day?” 

• Emotional Intelligence is rooted in self-awareness. Listen carefully and ask thoughtful questions.
• Read the mood of the room and strive to put everyone at ease.
• Don’t use pretentious language, speak as if you were discussing a situation with a respected colleague.
• Avoid transparent self-promotion. Think comfortably confident. 

Jobseekers Edge can help you define and present your Emotional Intelligence. Learn more at www.jobseekersedge.com.

A recruiter has asked you to complete a one-way (asynchronous) interview video. You’re given questions with a time limit on each response. It may seem awkward at first, but there are advantages: you can prepare and repeat until you are happy with your performance.

• Setup in a quiet space with good lighting. Put your camera device at head level as if you were speaking to the person in front of you.
• Dress professionally.
• Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. Script a concise answer to each question and rehearse and revise until it is perfect.
• Smile and relax. You want your personality and good nature to shine through.

Learn more about video interviewing and strategies to excel at www.jobseekersedge.com.

As soon as your name hits their radar, the recruiter or hiring manager visits your LinkedIn profile. They will quickly scan the “About” section. If they like what they see, they will read further. Put in the effort to make an impression:

• Use a relaxed, but professional headshot. Use a professional photographer if you aren’t happy with your self-produced results.
• Craft your headline carefully. Try to convey your personal brand with an engaging and friendly style.
• Use the summary to tell a brief story about your experience.
• Increase credibility in your work history by incorporating corporate and educational logos.
• Make sure that your contact information is accurate and clickable.

Get more details on how to maximize your LinkedIn presence by visiting www.jobseekersedge.com.

If you are spending far too much time sorting through and responding to dead-end online job postings or replying to recruiter inquiries for ho-hum lateral positions, follow this five-step strategy to proactively pursue the job you really want:

• Develop a list of the companies you most admire and would like to work for.
• Search LinkedIn for the names of the top-level HR and departmental VPs.
• Actively follow them on LinkedIn and other social media platforms. Make short relevant comments to their posts.
• Reach out directly to communicate your admiration of the company and give a specific reason why.
• Finally, reach out again to inquire about opportunities now and in the future. Include a brief (2-3 sentences) description of your capabilities and what you could bring to the table.

Many of us spend far too many hours applying to online job listings: scanning countless lists, filling out endless forms, and inserting all the keywords into our resume. When the truth is that many of these jobs are non-existent, unavailable, or already filled.

• Many open positions are filled via internal promotion or referral.
• The recruiter is conducting a search that will produce qualified candidates faster than tediously scanning online resumes.
• Many open positions are never posted, particularly for higher-level searches.
• Any resumes that make it through the AI Tracking System will be scanned by HR, not the hiring manager.

Automated recruiting sites can be a waste of time and energy. The best way to explore an opportunity is to identify and utilize alternative methods such as the LinkedIn network, industry-linked experts, and past associates.

One thing executive super-stars have in common is superb timing — they know
when it’s time to move on. If you are wondering if it’s time to take a look around for
new challenges and higher compensation, the answer is usually yes!

• Consider leaving a strategic decision – don’t let relationships and loyalties hold you back.
• If after 3-5 years you don’t see significant advancement opportunities with your current employer, look for them elsewhere.
• Search for a position with fresh challenges and a clearly defined upward career path.
• Assume you will increase your compensation package, but also include the value of potential advancement when making career decisions.

Job Seekers Edge can help you plan and execute your career advancement strategy.