Everybody has had a mentor, hero, or supervisor who has been inspiring. Interviewers sometimes ask applicants “Who inspired you?” or “Who has been the biggest influence on your career?” or “Who is a role model for you in your professional life?” While it may not necessarily be a tough question to answer, it can throw you if you’re not prepared. Read More
Using Your “Elevator Pitch” Correctly in Your Job Search
Job seekers are often told to have an “elevator pitch”, a concise summary of their core skills and accomplishments that they can deliver rapidly to anyone who will listen. But used incorrectly, this little speech can kill your chances for further discussion, let alone finding a job lead. Some tips for creating a pitch that will get you in the door, not kicked out of the building. Read More
Should I Put Volunteer Work on My Resume?
Volunteer work is a great way to get involved and help make your community a better place. It might also help land you your next job. Many people don’t think to put volunteer work on their resume because it’s not a “regular” paying job. When writing your resume, include any skills or experience that will help demonstrate that you are the right match for the job. Take advantage of volunteer work by doing the following: Read More
Answering the Question “Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?”
Where do you see yourself in five years? It’s a question many people face in interviews, yet don’t take the time to prepare for it. You may be tempted to envision where you’ll be in five years on a personal level, but that’s not an appropriate way to answer the question. 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
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
10 Ways You Should Never Describe Yourself
Today our guest blogger is Jeff Haden. Jeff is a columnist for CBSMoneyWatch.com and Inc.com. He has written more than 30 non-fiction books, including four Business and Investing titles that reached #1 on Amazon’s bestseller list. Jeff learned much of what he knows about business from managing a 250-employee book manufacturing plant. Everything else he picked up from ghostwriting books for some of the smartest CEOs and leaders in business. Follow him on Twitter at @Jeff_Haden.
When other people use these words to describe your talents, it’s OK. When you do it, you just sound like a pompous jerk.
Picture this: You meet someone new. “What do you do?” he asks. Read More
Video Friday – Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch and Using it Right
Being able to share your value quickly and concisely is an important piece of a successful job search. In this video, learn how to craft an “elevator pitch” and how to use it the right way. Read More
The Easiest Elevator Pitch to Deliver
Today our guest blogger is Jeff Haden. Jeff is a columnist for CBSMoneyWatch.com and Inc.com. He has written more than 30 non-fiction books, including four Business and Investing titles that reached #1 on Amazon’s bestseller list.
Jeff learned much of what he knows about business from managing a 250-employee book manufacturing plant. Everything else he picked up from ghostwriting books for some of the smartest CEOs and leaders in business. Follow him on Twitter at @Jeff_Haden.
I’m terrible at delivering elevator pitches. While some people are great at making a wonderful first impression on potential clients, to me making an elevator pitch feels forced and obvious, so I usually chicken out and console myself by rationalizing that impromptu encounters with people in need of a ghostwriter aren’t likely anyway. Read More
Turning Internships into Jobs
Internships are a great way to gain experience in a new career field. Once thought of as just for college students or recent alumni, job seekers of a variety of ages are now taking advantage of internship opportunities. Read More