Job Search and Career Development Coaching for People in Tech

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

3 Things that are a Must if You’re Job Hunting Remotely

If you are considering a long-distance job search, there are a few things about looking for a job remotely that you should know and be prepared for.  Finding a job remotely is going to take more time, flexibility and planning, but it’s not impossible. For people who need to move due to either personal or professional reasons, such as changes in local economy and industries, looking for a new start elsewhere might be the right choice. Here are some tips that will help you make this long-distance career move: 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