April 29th– The #LetteroftheDay is “F” as in Failure
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas Edison
According to the Edison Innovation Foundation, he operated on four simple principles taught to him by his loving mother:
- Never get discouraged if you fail. Learn from it. Keep trying.
- Learnwith both your head and hands.
- Not everything of value in life comes from books- experience the world.
- Never stop learning.
The job search process can be daunting, especially when things don’t go according to plan. After an interview, analyze what went well, what didn’t, and what can you do to improve and learn from it. Failure is not an option
April 30th– The #LetteroftheDay is “G” as in Gap
One question I am often asked is how to address a lengthy gap between jobs on your résumé. Often people have gaps for personal reasons— becoming a stay at home parent, taking care of a sick relative, or recovering from a physical condition.
Often, people’s first inclination is to try to hide the gap. But listing your gap on your résumé is acceptable. You do not need to go into specifics, but mentioning it is encouraged.
Additionally, what else had you been doing during that time frame? Volunteer work, taking classes, and freelancing are all common time fillers and should be addressed on the résumé.
May 1st– The #LetteroftheDay is “H” as is Hard Copy
One of the most careless and avoidable mistakes any job seeker can make is not taking a hard copy of your résumé with you to an interview.
Don’t assume the employer has one printed out, especially in today’s digital society. The lack of a hard copy makes you look unprepared for what could be a life changing experience.
May 2nd– The #LetteroftheDay is “I” as in Image
The importance of image in the workplace starts the moment you walk in the door for an interview.
It is vital that you make a good first impression, and according to the Career Services Department at Eastern Illinois University, 65% of the message you convey is nonverbal.
You need not spend money on an expensive wardrobe, however. You can present a strong image by wearing neat, pressed clothes that are clean and in good condition. Pay equal attention to hair, nails and shoes. Most importantly, walk in the door with a positive attitude and carry yourself in such a way that denotes confidence.
May 7th– The #LetteroftheDay is “J” as in Junk Mail
Each day there are about 14.5 billion spam emails sent out, accounting for over 45% of all emails.
I recommend every client to establish a new email address exclusively for their job search. A fresh email address allows you to actively monitor your junk box each day for legitimate emails from potential employers without having to wade through dozens of unwanted messages daily, where actual messages could get lost or be left unread.
Your new email address should be a professional variation of your name with a common email service such as Gmail.
May 8th– The #LetteroftheDay is “K” as in Knot
One of the worst feelings in the world is becoming tongue-tied during an interview. You know what you are trying to say yet the words escape you. Panic begins to set in, and your confidence level is shaken.
Here are a few quick tips to help you prepare for an interview:
- Write out and rehearse answers to basic interview questions – Tell me about yourself? What is your biggest weakness? Why do you want to work here?
- Practice your answers in front of a mirror or speaking directly to a friend of family member
- Write down interview questions on index cards and have someone interview you with random questions from the pile
- Make sure your answers do not come across as rehearsed but rather genuine and carefully thought out
- The more you prepare ahead of time, the less likely you are to be knotted up during the interview
May 9th– The #LetteroftheDay is “L” as in Logic
One question I have been asked how to handle pre-employment assessment tests. Some commonly used assessments are MBTI, DiSC, logic tests, skills aptitude tests, or cultural fit assessments.
Employers use these predictive assessments for a variety of reasons including gaining insights on your personality, skills, weaknesses, and how to best motivate and manage you.
If you need to take an assessment, be honest. Don’t try to “beat” the system. There is often not a right answer. The employer is trying to learn about you. If you aren’t a fit, it is better for both parties to know before an offer is extended and accepted.
