Category: Preparation

Pre-Interview Research

You got the interview, now what?  Time to dig in and learn all you can so you can shine in the face-to-face meeting.  Having good background on the company will make you look interested and prepared, but the research will give you valuable knowledge that will help confirm that this is in fact a place you want to work. Read More

The Art of Telling An Effective Story

Preparing for an interview can be an exhaustive process.  Do you have the proper wardrobe? Do you know how to get to the office?  Do you know every piece of your resume and why you put it on there?  If you have all of this down, you probably feel pretty prepared, but you forgot something.  Do you have effective stories to tell? 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

Top Tips on Negotiating Job Offers – Part 1 of 3

Nancy Kasmar, MS, SPHR, CCP is the Practice Lead for Compensation and Benefits Consulting at Washington Employers, a member-based organization providing real-time business results through strategic workforce performance solutions. She is a subject matter expert on compensation and assists members in attracting, retaining, and motivating their employees.

I hope if you’re reading this, you are already convinced it’s a good idea to negotiate when you get a job offer. Good news – you’re right! But the groundwork for negotiating a salary offer in your new job begins when you start the interview process. Yes, you got it. You need to do your homework before you get to the job offer stage, so you are ready to negotiate for that higher salary when the opportunity presents itself. Here are some tips for improving your next job offer, and a short illustration about why you need to negotiate. Read More

Elevator Pitch Done Right: A Step-by-Step Guide

Job seekers should have a concise summary of their core skills and accomplishments that they can deliver to anyone who will listen in a small window of time.  This is often referred to as an “elevator pitch.”  However, it is often used incorrectly.  When not done right, this little speech can kill your chances for further discussion, let alone finding a job lead.  Here is a step-by-step guide for creating a pitch and delivering properly: Read More

Revealing Questions to Ask in a Job Interview

We’ve all heard you should come to an interview prepared to ask questions. But asking the right questions and responding to what you hear can be the secret to landing the job.  While questions show your preparedness and interest, they are also a critical way to learn what the hiring manager is really looking for. Read More