April 8th– The #LetteroftheDay is “Q” as in Questions
More often than not, employees will allow you at ask questions to them towards the end of an interview. This is a part of the interview that some candidates ignore or simply use as a time to find out further information about the job or company. A more effective strategy is to ask questions that will either elicit information that you can use to your advantage at subsequent interviews or to ask questions that will open a dialogue where you can position yourself as the best applicant.
Some of my favorites are:
- What is the biggest challenge facing the company?
- What is one piece of advice you would give to help someone succeed with your company?
- What does success look like for this position?
- Ask a question based on information you learned while doing your research. (I see that your company just announced that they are building a new plant in China, how will that impact this plant?)
April 9th– The #LetteroftheDay is “R” as in Readiness
You never know when opportunity will coming knocking, therefore, it is essential you have an updated résumé at all times.
I receive calls each week from potential clients who need a résumé within a day or two because a recruiter called, or they found out about a job opening from someone in their network. Unfortunately, most of the time I can’t help these individuals because my schedule is booked solid.
Bottomline, even if you are not actively seeking a new job, update your résumé at least once a year just in case an opportunity presents itself.
April 10th– The #LetteroftheDay is “S” as is Synergy
Synergy is defined as a state in which two or more things work together in a particularly fruitful way that produces an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects.
Your LinkedIn profile, or lack thereof, plays a critical role in your ability to garner interviews.
According to a recent study published in Fortune magazine, applicants who included a link to a “comprehensive” LinkedIn profile on their resume were 71% more likely to get a job interview than applicants who didn’t have a LinkedIn profile at all.
Résumés featuring a “bare bones” LinkedIn profile, which is a summary of under 500 characters, less than or equal to 5 connections, and no descriptions completed for any of the work experiences listed, were even less likely to nab a job callback.
An effective LinkedIn profile is designed to enhance your résumé, not duplicate it. The most successful job searches are those that leverage the power of LinkedIn with an accomplishment-rich résumé.
April 11th– The #LetteroftheDay is “T” as in Tailoring
Applying for a job? You’ve probably heard the advice plenty of times to tailor your resume for the position. What does tailoring your résumé actually involve?
Here are a few simple steps to help with tailoring your résumé:
- Read and understand the job you are applying for
- Identify what is important to the company
- Find the keywords you need to match your résumé content with the job description
- Revamp your bullets and/or core competencies to match relevant experience
- Provide evidence that you are the best candidate for the position
- Create a customized cover letter
April 12th– The #LetteroftheDay is “U” as in Unemployment
An Addison Group 2019 Workplace Satisfaction Survey of 1,000 jobseekers found 79 percent of respondents say they are likely — or very likely — to look for a new job after a single bad day at work.
One of the top reasons why that may not be the right choice is that “unemployment discrimination” is a real thing. Both research and anecdotal evidence have found it’s harder to find a job when you’re unemployed than if you’re job searching while you’ve got a job.
One recent survey measured the difference. According to “The Science of the Job Search (2018)” survey by TalentWorks, “People who showed they were currently employed (even if creatively) saw a 149% hireability boost compared to their previously-fired or laid-off competitors.”
If you are among the 79% that would look for a new job after a bad day, begin the process today of contacting an employment professional to help you with the next step. Remember, every accomplishment begins with the decision to start.
April 18th – Job Searching Details
