The world of job seekers is deeply divided over the subject of cover letters. Some say they are a waste of time, others say they are a valuable tool. So which is it? It’s really both! Any given cover letter may be completely ignored or it may be the piece that gets you noticed and in the door. Read More
Video Friday: Getting Started Building a Network
You know having a network is important to your job search. But how do you get started building one? In this video Jobfully’s Carrie Krueger has help for recent grads and others who are building a network from scratch. Read More
Easy Ways to Stay Connected with Your Network
As a job seeker you are probably hard at work building your network. But a strong network isn’t just about having lots of people, it’s about really connecting and harnessing the power of that network. Your networking relationships should be mutually beneficial. Here are five ways to help your network, and five ways your network can help you in your job search. Read More
Balancing Being Confident and Being Humble
Job seekers are often given two pieces of potentially conflicting advice:
- Be humble
- Sell yourself
The two seem contradictory. Is there a way to do both? The answer is yes, but it takes great communication skills, self awareness, and practice. First understand the reasons behind each piece of advice. Read More
Getting Your Job Search Materials Ready
When I was in the midst of my search for an internship, I was excited to see an email from a company that I had just submitted my resume to. I was immediately asked for writing samples from my portfolio. Unfortunately, my portfolio was scattered all over the place and it took a considerable amount of time to find and then format them. I learned the hard way that organizing ahead of time would have saved me a lot of stress and would have made the process a breeze. Learn from my mistakes with this step-by-step guide that will help you stay organized. Read More
How To Answer “What Do You Know About Us?”
“What do you know about us?” It’s a common but puzzling question that gets asked at many interviews. Last week we talked about how to research companies. Today, how to present the information you gathered in a way that shows you did your research and highlights why your skills and background would be an asset to the company. Read More
How to be a Graceful Power Networker
Job searching involves a lot of networking which sometimes comes with awkward or sticky situations. Your ability to handle them with grace and style is vital to your success. Here are solutions to common networking situations, and ways to bring out your grace in the process. Read More
10 Things to Do Right Before a Job Interview
When you walk in the door for a job interview, you want to be calm, cool and confident. Here are ten things to do on the day of the interview that will prepare you for success: Read More
Purposeful Follow-ups
Follow-up is a part of the job search that many job seekers feel uncomfortable with, especially when they constantly hear about the importance of following-up but just don’t know what follow-up actions would be appropriate and effective. Earlier, we talked about the general guidelines on the etiquettes and timing of follow-ups. Today, let’s clear up some common confusion job seekers have about follow-ups. Read More
The Importance of Stories During Interviews
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