Along with the request of “Tell me about yourself,” this is the second most awkward/uncomfortable/difficult question for interviewees to answer.  Be prepared…. Do your homework on the company and role to craft your responses.

Be specific when responding.

• Express your personal passion for the employer’s product/service/mission and be clear about your ‘Why’.
  • i.e.  ‘X’ is very important to me, personally and professionally, because I strongly believe……”
• Explain why you would enjoy the responsibilities of the role.
  • i.e.  Analyzing data is exciting to me and using numbers to tell a story.
• Share how you see succeeding in this role, given your skills and experience.  Express confidence in your ability to succeed and grow.
  • i.e. I work best in a collaborative environment and I like to align all departments/appropriate parties to achieve our goals

.

Employers want to know that their investment in you will contribute to their success.  If you convey passion, enthusiasm, and optimism with specificity, you will leave the interviewer thinking – “We want you to work here.”

Need more assistance with interviewing, see our Nail The Interview program at www.jobseekersedge.com

The holidays are a great time to search for a new job, but where do you start? Beyond making real connections and networking, covered in previous postings, what are other ways to search for a new position? After all, it’s important to have a multi-pronged approach.

Job boards have changed substantially in the last few years, and are more prevalent than ever. But some are better than others, especially for professional-level candidates. Here are some recommended sites:

• Indeed
• Glassdoor
• LinkedIn
• Monster
• Zip Recruiter
• Career Builder

All of these job boards have tools like alerts and notifications for new positions related to your search criteria, so you can respond quickly. ALWAYS customize your resume and cover letter to suit the specific position and criteria listed in the job description.

For more information on job search, contact us at jobseekersedge.com.

We’ve been working with professionals embarking on job-search for a long time, so we can tell you exactly how long it takes to find a new job. Well, maybe not. 

Without a crystal ball, it really is impossible to predict how long your job search will take and it also depends on your efforts. But we do know a few things on how to shorten your job search.

• According to Indeed.com, most job postings stay open for around 30 days; longer for higher-level positions. 
• If your job search strategies are outdated, i.e. a self-written resume, this will increase the length of your job search.
• To shorten the length of your search, create a strategy and work out your plan.
• Expand and utilize your network.

Using our modern and customized strategies can shave months off your job search timeline.

Want to maximize your job search? Contact us for a free discovery call at www.jobseekersedge.com.

“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” 

Albert Einstein

Working smart in a job search is important. Instead of throwing resumes into the wind, create connections and start conversations with individuals who can help you discover and explore opportunities that may never be posted on job boards.

Areas for curiosity:

• Yourself; what are your goals? Where have you been and where do you want to go in your career?
• Others; network in groups that you might not ordinarily consider, ask questions during conversations, and…listen.
• The job; during an interview, ask open-ended questions, and create rapport with everyone in the room.
• Your community; explore opportunities by attending community events, get-togethers, networking events, fundraisers, etc.

For more ideas on how to stay curious during your job search, visit us at www.jobseekersedge.com.

Grab a pen, and write the word “Attitude” at the top of a page of paper, in fairly big letters. Underneath each letter, write the number value for that letter. For example, a “1” for “A” and “20” for “T”.

Spoiler alert. What you’ll find is that, if you add up all those numbers, you get the sum…100. A positive attitude is 100% of what you need to do to succeed in whatever the challenge. To stay positive for the stressful circumstances of a job search, keep in mind the following tips:

• Create a productive and positive space for working on your job search
• Don’t internalize rejection; let go and move on to the next opportunity
• Maintain that positive mindset; focus on what you’re learning and how you’re growing
• Give yourself grace; no one’s perfect, and that’s not even the goal
• Surround yourself with positive people; protect your energy

Next week, we’ll talk about how staying curious during your job search can create dialogue and open up doors. For more tips and hints on how to keep a positive mindset, visit our website www.jobseekersedge.com.

“One of these things is not like the other,” goes the children’s song from Sesame Street (™). Keep that in mind as you craft your LinkedIn profile alongside your resume.

There are similarities, of course. Both your profile and resume list work experience chronologically and in the keyword-rich language (see our article on using AI for your resume), as well as certifications, patents, and education. But your LinkedIn profile gives you a different opportunity to highlight what’s special about you.

Your “About” section on LinkedIn is a chance to show your personal brand, and tell your story about where you’ve come from, and where you want to go. Different from a resume, this section should read as if you’re speaking directly to the person visiting your profile.

Include a great photo of you, volunteer activities, recommendations, personal influences as well as interests.

For personalized advice about your LinkedIn profile, contact us for a free 15-minute discovery call.   www.jobseekersedge.com

When reading digitally, we naturally look at pictures first, then read text.  What does your LinkedIn profile photo say about you? Make the most of those few seconds when people are reviewing/visiting your LinkedIn profile page.

• Have a quality and up-to-date photo. 
• If taken with your phone, use the “portrait” setting.
• Keep backgrounds simple.
• Pay special attention to lighting and smile naturally.
• Your face should be prominent – use a photo that shows you from the shoulders up.
• Dress for success – wear a professional outfit fit for the position that you’re seeking.
• Your LinkedIn profile picture should be of you and only you.

Remember LinkedIn is a professional site – avoid photos more appropriate for other social media sites.

For more tips, visit our website:  www.jobseekersedge.com

In a previous article, we wrote about the reasons why you might want to consider quitting your job. Most of these ideas revolved around practical, measurable criteria  –  Salary increases, commute time, career growth opportunities, etc.

It might be time to leave if you’re experiencing feelings or gnawing realities that can ultimately, affect your overall physical and emotional health.

• Do you feel burned out, anxious, and/or stressed about your job? Stress can cause many health complications, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and even obesity and diabetes.
• Is your work environment toxic?  i.e. Poor leadership, and unhealthy corporate politics.
• Do you feel that your self-confidence is at risk?
• Is your work-life balance unsatisfactory? 
• Does your job fulfill your emotional and/or spiritual needs?

When thinking about leaving your job, it’s worth considering how your current job affects you emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Make a decision that makes sense for you on all levels.

Want more help? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation.

Chances are, your interviewer has met with 10, 20, or even more job candidates. Remind them why you should be their top pick by sending a brief, personalized thank you note. Remember, less is more. Be succinct – 3 or 4 sentences are perfect.

Touch on these important points:

• Thank them for their time
• Express the top reason you’re right for the job, based on their most important need
• If possible, make a brief reference to the interviewer (did they mention a hobby, pet, or recent vacation?)

Finish off your note with a sincere appreciation of their time and how you’re looking forward to continuing the process. For more tips about thank you notes, and how to optimize your job search, visit our website.

An essential tool for any job seeker, LinkedIn’s massive database can be mined for information, connections, and insider company information. Learning how to use LinkedIn for your job search gives you a foot in the door of your job search.

Did you know…

• Linked in has 830 million users, with 40% active users
• LinkedIn is one of the most used social media platforms for recruiting, at 65%
• Recruiters report that LinkedIn sources the highest quality of candidates among the major social networks
• 98% of Fortune 500 companies are represented on LinkedIn
• Over one-third of LinkedIn members are in upper-management positions

With LinkedIn, you can open and expand your network, search and connect to specialized recruiters in your area of expertise, hiring managers, other industry professionals, and job postings. Visit our website www.jobseekersedge.com to learn more about leveraging LinkedIn to level up your job search.