Landing an interview takes a lot of work and patience. They're hard to come by, nowadays. But just scheduling an interview doesn't mean the hard part is over. There's still some work to do if you want the interview to be successful. Don't waste all your effort up to this point by not preparing for the interview. You managed to get them interested enough to speak with you in person, so don't lose that momentum. Make sure you're ready for the interview so you make an outstanding impression that makes them interested enough to hire you. The interview is not the point. Getting a paycheck is the point. So until they're offering you one, you have to keep up your effort. But it's not that hard. Here are a few of the steps you need to take.
First, if you haven't already, research the company. Go to their website and read it thoroughly. I mean every page. Seriously. You never know when a bit of trivia you picked up on their site will come in handy. Years ago I was being interviewed for a position I wasn't sure I was really qualified for. I knew I could do it if I had the chance but I wasn't sure if my interviewer would see it that way. Anyway, during the interview I mentioned some charity work that the company was involved in that I thought was particularly impressive. My interviewer wasn't even aware of the program and asked me to explain what it was about. The rest of my interview was taken with my enthusiastically explaining the program. And they offered me the job. So make sure you know about the company you're interviewing with. Get as much information as you can and make note of details that you find interesting or outstanding. Especially the ones that make you really want to work for that company, in particular. Effectively communicating why you want to work there and showing enthusiasm is probably the best way to get a job offer.
I know you see this piece of advice here quite a bit, but here it is again; Check out your online presence and make absolutely certain that it reflects you and your career in a professional manner. Start with your LinkedIn profile. Fill it out completely, including your summary. Use proper grammar and spelling. You'll kill any chances of an interview if your profile reads like your third grader niece wrote it for you. If you don't have the writing skills or aren't sure what to do, hire a professional. Next, Google yourself. Because that's what your interviewer is going to do. If you don't know how to minimize negative search results, you should know what they are and what other people are seeing. At least then you won't be surprised when they ask. Again, if you need help in that area, hire a professional.
And last, come prepared to talk about the actual job. Have your career plan in mind. Think about where you want your career to go and what type of responsibilities you'd like to acquire as time goes on. Give some thought, before you're asked, as to what you'd like to accomplish in the position you're interviewing for. That way, when they ask about the direction you see yourself going, you'll be able to give a well thought out, planned, answer. In addition to a career plan, bring along questions to ask your interviewer. When they ask you if you have any questions for them, "no, not really" is not an acceptable answer. Research what you should be asking, and why and take some time to write it down in a small notebook. Bring the notebook with you to the interview. That way, when they ask for your questions you'll have them written down and easily accessible. And making notes on their answers doesn't hurt, either. That way if you have multiple interviews, it'll be easier to remember what happened at each when you're choosing between jobs.
Finding a job or new position is a job in itself. Getting the interview is only part of the work you have to put in. Being prepared before your interview is the best way to make a fantastic impression. You'll come across as more knowledgeable, genuinely interested in working there and demonstrate your dedication to your career. Even if you're not particularly interested in working there, because really, sometimes you just need a paycheck and you don't really care who it comes from. But you don't want them to know that. They should think you're the answer to their problems. And for a while, you can be. You just have to get in, first.
We all know about Social Media. It's hard not to at this point. The big three...LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, are all part of everyday life. Even if you're not using all three, you're at least aware of what they are. Or you should be, anyway, because they can mean a big difference in the amount of time it takes you to land that next job. If you use Social Media as a job search and networking resource, you'll find better opportunities and grow your network faster and more effectively than ever before. You just need to know how to use it and which ones to use.
The most obvious place to start if you're looking to make a change in your career is LinkedIn. Before you really start using it, make sure your profile is up to date, professional and well written. This is the first place people will find you so be certain you're making the best first impression you can. Once that's taken care of, you're ready to get out there. On LinkedIn you can follow the companies you want to work for, join groups focused on areas you're interested in and find jobs listed that show how many people have already applied. Following companies doesn't need much explanation. Just search for the company's business page and click follow. You'll get notifications on their updates, including job posts. You can also see which of their employees are on LinkedIn. You may even find people you know and having a person inside is the quickest way to a job. Start following groups that focus on things like employment, job searching and whatever industry you happen to work in. You'll find information on jobs, tips on how best to apply and make new connections in your field. You can also apply for jobs directly from LinkedIn. The best part about this is that when you read a job description it will tell you how many people have already applied. If hundreds of people have applied, you know not to waste your time. If you're not using LinkedIn to it's full potential, it's time to get started.
Another great place to get information on jobs, tips on your job search or advice on interviewing is Pinterest. Now that they've started offering business accounts, more and more businesses are joining. You can find follow companies in your industry and get an idea of what's important to them by what they're pinning to their boards. This insight can help when crafting your cover letter to them as part of your application when they have an opening. You can also follow companies that focus on career coaching and job placement. They offer loads of advice on everything from interviewing and networking to dressing properly (and fashionably!) for your interview. Pinterest isn't just for great recipes, anymore. If you haven't yet, go check it out. If you're wondering who to follow, take a look at our followers. There are a lot of school alumni associations, employment agencies and career coaching services.
The next best place to spend some quality social media time is on Twitter. Again, you can follow companies you want to work for, career coaching professionals, and industry experts on any area you're interested in. There are even employment agencies that will post job openings that aren't posted anywhere else. This means there's less competition for the job and, more importantly, your resume will get in the hands of an actual person that is in a position to make a decision about who gets hired. If you need ideas on who to follow, you can always subscribe to the Career Dragon lists. Our lists are comprised of people and companies that tweet job openings and career advice. Out of any Social Media platform, Twitter is the easiest to get in contact with people and start a conversation. And once someone at the company you want to work for gets to know you a bit, you're much more likely to get an interview.
Social Media is not only a powerful resource in your career development, but a necessary one. Anyone who is not using Social Media is at a disadvantage. Many companies won't even interview someone without a LinkedIn profile and people who can't be found online are viewed as outdated and unable to keep up with today's career demands. But it's not a bad thing, Social Media is fun. Especially Pinterest. Get started there when you have a little extra time. You're going to get sucked in. But you have a great excuse, it's all in the name of growing your career.
Even without the job market being as competitive as it is, finding a job is more complicated than just responding to an ad or submitting your resume online. Make sure you're taking the following steps to ensure your job search is as effective as it can be. The good news is, it's not that hard and won't take up that much more of your time.
So, here we go....
This one seems like a no-brainer but I've seen it so many times, it bears repeating. Make absolutely certain that you have no misspellings or incorrect grammar on your resume. This alone can get your resume tossed out before anyone even finishes reading it. That doesn't just mean run spellcheck, make sure you're using correct forms of their, there and they're and its and it's. Keep in mind that your and you're are not interchangeable. They're really not. I promise. Google it if you don't believe me. I'll wait. The perception is that if you pay so little attention to detail, or just don't have a strong enough grasp of the English language, you aren't going to work out at a job, either.
Make sure you have questions prepared to ask your interviewer. When you get to the part of the interview where they ask if you have questions, a blank stare is not what they're looking for. Take some time in the days before your interview and research a few good questions to ask. Write them down in a small notebook with some room to take notes on the answer. Then remember to take the notebook with you on the interview. When they ask if you have questions and you whip out your little notebook, you'll give the impression of caring about the job and taking the interview seriously. Which, if you hadn't guessed, is a great impression to make.
Related: Questions to Ask During an Interview
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| Impress them. Ready, go! |
Be able to clearly state what kind of job or position you're looking for. This is also called your "elevator speech", as in, a concise statement of your employment objective that you can convey during the few seconds you have with someone in an elevator. Sounds simple until you start trying to put one together that sounds reasonably intelligent. It does take a little work but, when you come up with something that sounds good, practice it. Rehearse it until you can say it without thinking while making it sound natural and conversational. Like I said, it takes a little work but it's worth it.
One of the most important things to remember is to say thank you when you're networking. If someone gives you an introduction to a person that may help you find a job, remember to thank them. And when that new contact takes the time to talk to you about what you're looking for, say thank you to them, too. Make sure you're appreciative of the help people are willing to give you because, really, they don't have to help you. And if a network connection leads to an actual job, at the very least, send them a thank you card. An actual, physical card. It's a nice touch. So is taking them to lunch but that's not always possible. Besides, it's just good manners.
And the last thing, make sure you're easily found online. If someone searches for you and doesn't find a LinkedIn profile, at minimum, you'll appear to be outdated and out of sync with today's technology. And today's technology ties into every field you can name. If you give the appearance of being out of touch, they won't even give you a chance. At the same time, make sure your online image is something you don't mind people seeing. Take some time to Google yourself and remove anything that you wouldn't want a potential employer to see and promote links to things that present you in a positive light. If you're not sure how to do this, hire a professional. This is one of the services Career Dragon provides, by the way. It's more important than you probably realize. A negative or non-existent online presence can cost you a job before you're even interviewed.
Things were much simpler when a "for hire" sign was placed in a window and you could just walk in. You had the opportunity to make a great first impression in person, which is much easier than through a profile or resume. The advances in technology have their pros and cons. On the up side, employers now have access to a much larger candidate pool. Although this makes competition for those positions more intense, it also gives you more options in the location, pay and type of jobs you can apply for. But don't get nostalgic and go wandering in somewhere, unannounced, looking for a job. It's considered trespassing, now. And a bit creepy. And creepy is not the impression you want to make. I promise.
Everyone gets to a point in their career where they take a look around and think, "Is this it?". And for some, that's enough. They're happy where they are and with what they're accomplishing. But for many of us, it's a realization that we need something else. In most cases it isn't about the money but about the purpose. The work may be ok, the money may be ok but there's just that sense of fulfillment that's missing. It could be that you just need more of a challenge or maybe you need to feel that what you do makes a contribution to the world around you. So, what can you do about it? Turns out, there's plenty you can do.
It may seem that since we're in a recession, and jobs are harder and harder to come by, that making a change in your career isn't a great idea. But it still can be done if you go about it the right way. The first question to ask yourself is, what's missing from your career now that's leaving you feeling like you need a change? Identifying what's missing for you will define the direction you're going to take. Needing more of a challenge in your current industry will require a different strategy than if you're looking to change to a new industry altogether.
Looking for a new challenge in your current industry really means that you're looking to transition your career to the next level. You're ready to take on higher level responsibilities but not finding opportunities to do so where you're currently working. The good news is, this is one of the easier transitions to make. The bad news is that you may have to move to another company. But not necessarily. The first step to take is to speak to your management and let them know you're ready to take on more responsibility and find out what it's going to take for them to help you make that transition. It may very well be that they aren't inclined to promote you into the position you're ready for and if that's the case, then it's time to start looking elsewhere. Start with your LinkedIn profile, your resume is less important and should just reflect what's on LinkedIn. Write your profile in a way that presents you as the ideal candidate, giving examples of what you've accomplished and what you can offer to your new employer. Setting up a personal website that goes into more detail on your career and why you are uniquely qualified shows potential employers that you go the extra mile and are willing to do it for them, too.
If you're looking to transition into a new career altogether, you'll take a different approach. After you've decided what your new direction will be, the next thing you'll need to do is make an honest evaluation of your skills. The skills and experience you use in your current job can be transferred over to your new career, you just have to know how to present it. Take a look at job descriptions for the job you want and start thinking about how your current skills could be applied. Start your LinkedIn profile talking about the fact that you're looking to change industries or careers. Write your LinkedIn profile in a way that highlights those transferrable skills so that's its obvious how you'll be able to use them once you transition. A personal website is ideal for taking this a bit further and discussing why you want to make a change. Talk about your motivation and passion for your new career direction and why it's important that you make the change. Play up your unique background making it clear that you can contribute in ways no one else can because of your experience outside that field. Presenting yourself as the candidate with the most potential to contribute is key to getting people interested enough to interview you.
It is a tough job market right now. But that doesn't mean you're stuck. As long as you're willing to do the work necessary to make the changes you want to see, you'll be successful. Presenting your career with a complete package of information including your LinkedIn profile, a personal website and your resume makes it easier to market yourself and get noticed by the right people. Marketing yourself is easier said than done, however. It's a good idea to hire a professional to get you started. It's hard to see yourself and your accomplishments objectively like someone else will. A professional can help you show off your achievements in ways you would never think of. You can make the changes needed to have the career you want. You just have to get started.
When a job search just isn't working out, even after exhaustively applying for anything you think you might be remotely qualified for, it's time to take a step back and really evaluate what you're looking for. The fact is, everyone needs a job. Unless you were lucky enough to be born into money. But if that's you, you're probably not reading this anyway. So let's just go with how most of us were born, with a need to be gainfully employed.
When you keep hitting a dead end and get little or no response to the jobs you've applied for, you have to take a look at the real reason why. It probably has more to do with you and what you really want than it does with the tough job market. When you're pursuing a career without any real direction, ie; applying for anything you might be qualified for, you aren't taking into consideration what your heart and soul want and need. And if you ignore them, they can be real jerks about preventing you from moving forward. I'll use myself as an example...
I've had several careers. I've worked in law enforcement, fashion design, as a research chemist and now an entrepreneur. But it wasn't until I went to study Chemistry and do research that I was really doing what my heart wanted me to do. And it wasn't until then that I found the type of success I was looking for. The winding career path had to do more with well meaning people in my life giving me advice to follow the path they were most comfortable with. Having fundamental christian parents, becoming a scientist was out of the question. It wasn't something they understood and felt that it endangered my immortal soul. So they meant well. But it was still misguided. As a result, I pursued things I wasn't really interested in and never really grew in those careers. It wasn't until I started listening to my inner voice telling me what I wanted that I found the success I was looking for. My career progressed, I was published and promoted. It was the career I had wanted. But, even after getting a couple of degrees in Chemistry and doing research for a while I found that my career seemed stuck. I realized it wasn't the work that had changed, or my love of science (quantum mechanics, hooray! I understand I have issues). It was that I had changed. I had accomplished what I set out to do but needed something more. So, after learning not to listen to well meaning but misguided advice, I started my own business. And again, I'm enjoying myself and finding success in a way that I wasn't while doing research. I'm moving forward again, all because I listened to my inner voice.
If you're not finding the enjoyment, fulfillment or success you want in what you're currently doing, it's time to make a change. Stop listening to the advice of the people who care about you. They mean well but want for you what makes them comfortable. It's rare that someone close to you can give you objective advice. Take a look at what you want to do, rather than what you feel you have to do. Once you identify what you're really passionate about, start thinking on what jobs would allow you to work in that industry and what skills you have to offer. I helped a recent client go through this. He's a talented musician but success in the music industry is notoriously difficult. Turns out, he has a talent for marketing. He was the one to design artwork, advertise, book and promote the bands he was in. He was finding no success in applying to office jobs but once we started talking about marketing within the music industry he lit up. His passion is obvious and makes all the difference. He's now able to move forward and is excited about the possibilities for his career.
If things aren't moving for you, it's time to evaluate. Do a little soul searching and really think about the direction you want to take. It may be a simple matter of applying to the wrong kinds of jobs, the ones you really don't want, anyway. Be honest with yourself, stop listening to everyone else and go after what you want. You'll start to see progress, you'll get unstuck. And it will be due to the passion and interest you have pursuing what you really want. Go for it. The time will pass anyway, you may as well be doing what you want.
Things have radically changed in the job market in the last couple of years. Besides being a lot more competitive, the way you go about applying for a job is very different. And if you follow outdated advice, it could cost you an interview. At Career Dragon, our focus is keeping your online professional presence up to date. And what better way to do that than to address some of the questions we're asked most frequently by our clients.
First, let's talk about references on your resume. Don't do it. Don't even put the phrase "References available upon request". Not only is that an outdated practice but it's not very considerate to the nice people who agreed to be your references. When you give out their contact information to everyone you apply with, you're opening them up to a lot of unwanted and unnecessary queries. You may not know if one of the positions you applied for is planning on contacting your references. It's better to know ahead of time so you can give them a heads-up and tell them how much you appreciate their willingness to say nice things about you. You don't need to let anyone know your references are available if they ask. They know. It's assumed that if you apply for a job, that you can provide references. Just make sure you can. And always remember to thank your references afterward.
Another bit of outdated advice is that cover letters aren't all that important. Hiring managers do read the cover letters. A well written cover letter could mean the difference between your resume being seen and not. Take the time to write a well thought out, interesting and engaging cover letter. Indicate the position you're applying for and why you're interested. Take a couple of lines to talk about the company and why you want to work for them. The trick here is to keep it short and sweet but memorable. If you give them what they want to hear, and do it without taking up too much of their time, that's exactly what you'll accomplish. A great, memorable cover letter.
The last one we'll talk about is using some cheesy gimmick to make your resume stand out. I know, I know, I saw the guy's resume that looked like an Amazon product ad and I thought it was cute, too. But that isn't going to work for you. Trust me on this. Mostly this tactic is found to be annoying. And the last thing you want your resume to do is annoy anyone. The way to stand out is to have a professionally written resume that provides links to your online presence. They aren't going to spend a lot of time on your resume but they are going to want to see your LinkedIn profile and career website. And they are going to Google you. So make sure your profiles and sites are well written and professionally presented and you've taken care that only positive results come up in search results. If you're not sure how, just ask us. That's what we do for you.
You'll find much more success in your job search if you make sure you're using modern methods and strategies. Things have changed even just in the last two years and it's up to you to make sure you're keeping up. Looking outdated or out of touch is especially dangerous today. With the focus on Social Media in every aspect of a company or business, you appearing to be in tune with what's going on right now is essential. If you use outdated job search methods or advice, you'll appear to be outdated yourself. Keep up, stay relevant and use the Social Media tools out there to your advantage. You'll get that job, you just have to make sure you're looking for it in the 21st Century.
First, if you haven't already, research the company. Go to their website and read it thoroughly. I mean every page. Seriously. You never know when a bit of trivia you picked up on their site will come in handy. Years ago I was being interviewed for a position I wasn't sure I was really qualified for. I knew I could do it if I had the chance but I wasn't sure if my interviewer would see it that way. Anyway, during the interview I mentioned some charity work that the company was involved in that I thought was particularly impressive. My interviewer wasn't even aware of the program and asked me to explain what it was about. The rest of my interview was taken with my enthusiastically explaining the program. And they offered me the job. So make sure you know about the company you're interviewing with. Get as much information as you can and make note of details that you find interesting or outstanding. Especially the ones that make you really want to work for that company, in particular. Effectively communicating why you want to work there and showing enthusiasm is probably the best way to get a job offer.
And last, come prepared to talk about the actual job. Have your career plan in mind. Think about where you want your career to go and what type of responsibilities you'd like to acquire as time goes on. Give some thought, before you're asked, as to what you'd like to accomplish in the position you're interviewing for. That way, when they ask about the direction you see yourself going, you'll be able to give a well thought out, planned, answer. In addition to a career plan, bring along questions to ask your interviewer. When they ask you if you have any questions for them, "no, not really" is not an acceptable answer. Research what you should be asking, and why and take some time to write it down in a small notebook. Bring the notebook with you to the interview. That way, when they ask for your questions you'll have them written down and easily accessible. And making notes on their answers doesn't hurt, either. That way if you have multiple interviews, it'll be easier to remember what happened at each when you're choosing between jobs.
