Imagine you ask your friend about her recent vacation. She says “We spent a lot of time on the beach.” Sounds fun. Now imagine instead she says, “We were out on this beautiful powder-white sand beach watching dolphins out in the surf. We jumped in the clear blue water and floated in the gentle waves, then came back to the beach where we sipped tropical cocktails and watched the sunset.” Which is a better answer? Read More
The Job Search Sales Process and Why Connections Count
Do you ever get calls from telemarketers? How often do you end up making a purchase based on a cold call from a stranger? The statics say sales success based on cold calls is less than 1%. In job search, sending out resumes to strangers is like cold calling. It has a very low success rate. Here’s why: Read More
April Fools for Job Seekers
Happy April Fool’s Day! In honor of the occasion, we got to thinking about some silly job search tactics. Here are some pointers (NOT!) for job seekers on this April Fool’s Day.
Networking Short Cut
Everyone is busy. So when it comes to networking, cut to the chase. Read More
Showing an Employer You’ve Got “Fit” – Part 2: Demonstrating Your Fit
Last week, we talked about exact what “fit” means in the hiring managers’ mind. Now you understand the possible meanings behind “fit”, next step is to clearly demonstrate you’ve got it.
Showing You are a Fit
Interviewers rarely ask “Do you think you would fit in here?” Yet they are measuring fit all the time. The job seeker must proactively demonstrate fit. Given how subjective fit can be, it’s important to bring out your fit throughout the interview. Here’s how: Read More
Showing an Employer You’ve Got “Fit” – Part 1: What is “Fit”?
“They told me they decided to go with someone who is a better fit,” a job seeker told me last week. “What does that mean? I feel like I would fit in fine. Why didn’t they think so?”
It’s very common to be told another candidate was chosen due to “fit”. That word can have lots of different meanings and evaluating fit can be very subjective. Understanding what is meant by “fit” is the first step toward demonstrating you’ve got it. Read More
How To Get And Give Recommendations On LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a job seeker’s best friend and there’s a lot you can do to optimize use of LinkedIn in your job search. One important action item is to add recommendations to your profile. Some job seekers feel hesitant to ask for these recommendations. If done right, they can greatly enhance your LinkedIn profile and strengthening your impression with recruiters and hiring managers. Read More
Customizing Your Resume
Customizing your resume to each job is an important way to bring out your match to the position and the company’s needs. It takes time and thoughtfulness to rework your resume each time you learn of an open position. Here is a step-by-step guide to make it easier. Read More
Making Your Resume Stand Out
We often hear statistics about how many people apply for any given job opening. If the statistics are correct, recruiters and hiring managers sift through a lot of resumes. What’s the secret to standing out and being one of the resumes selected for follow up? Read More
Easy Ways to Thank Your Network
It’s important to thank your network on a regular basis. People are much more likely to help if they feel their efforts are appreciated. Your sincere, gracious thanks shows you notice the extra effort and are grateful for it. It also keeps you top of mind with those in your network. Here are some of the best ways to say thanks: Read More
Networking Conversations Part Two: Steering the Encounter
By now we all realize how important networking conversations are in a successful job search. For some, getting over the awkwardness and creating a great dialog can feel challenging. The good news is that there are ways to make networking go smoothly. In part one, we talked about getting the conversation started. Today, moving it along. Read More