Enhance your next interview experience!
Congratulations! You’ve just landed an interview for a great job. It’s a fit in terms of your skills, experience, and career goals, and you can’t wait to get in there and wow your potential employers during the interview. Although you are excited, don’t let your emotions get the best of you. Thoughtfully prepare for the interview. Do your research and get ready to explain to the interviewers how you can do the job effectively and why you’re a good fit for the role and company overall. But don’t stop there! Consider how you can present your skills in a relevant and comprehensive way, maximize your focus and active listening skills during the interview, and illustrate how you will add value to the role and organization overall.
read moreNew year, new career adventures!
The start of a new year is a great time to think about a career tune up! The energy and resources you invest into this exercise can pay dividends that will boost or shift your career. Are you ready to move forward to embrace new and exciting career adventures? Here are three ways to accomplish just that.
read moreWhy should I hire you? Tell them this!
Why should I hire you? How would you respond? That is what employers are essentially asking you as you apply and interview for jobs. To establish yourself as a viable candidate for a position, you must possess the appropriate professional skills and experience. One challenge during the job search process is that many of the other candidates will have equal, if not better, qualifications than you. How can you set yourself apart? Consider going beyond the usual answers and integrating information based on your personality and values. This information can be a difference maker that will allow you to illustrate, unlike any other candidates, how you will be a fit for the position and organization.
read moreA job search can be complicated. Knowing these things can help!
The process of looking for a job is complicated. Understanding some basic fundamentals of a successful search can help you secure a great opportunity. Keep in mind that everyone enters the job search process with different experience, skills, and qualifications. No two people, or job searches, are exactly the same. As a result, a job search must be customized to maximize your chances for success. Addressing key fundamentals such as aligning qualifications with opportunities, searching for jobs via the hidden job market, and utilizing the right tools effectively can turn your journey from a search to a find. read more
Should you join that organization?
Yes, you should! Involvement with an organization can support both your personal and professional development. Whether you are a seasoned professional or someone just starting out in either college or the world of work, a connection with a social, professional, or nonprofit organization can provide a boost in many ways. The key is finding a good fit and making the most of the opportunities available to maximize the impact of your involvement. Consider the following benefits you can achieve by getting involved. read more
Interviewing? Your answer to this question should wow them!
What do you know about our company? It’s a common question that potential employers ask, especially in job interviews. They ask it for a variety of reasons. Some employers want to make sure you have an adequate understanding of the company within the context of the position to which you are applying. Others ask it to see if you’ve done your research. And there are some employers that ask it to see how much you care about obtaining the position in question, as your answer will speak volumes about the effort you are putting forth to secure the job and illustrate how you are a fit. As a former recruiter, I can tell you that many candidates fell short of my expectations when answering this question. Based on my experience, I feel it’s important to share (in my opinion) the worst answers you can give, a better option, and a great answer that will set you apart from the other candidates. read more
Are you a college student? If so, you need these people in your network!
A strong professional network can boost your career in many ways. It allows you to gain important information, connect with key contacts, and share material that will both help others and showcase your professional prowess. That’s why it’s important to start building your network as soon as possible, especially while you’re in college. Most people understand they should seek out seasoned professionals as network contacts, but did you know diversity within your network can provide new perspectives that will allow you to expand your knowledge and identify valuable skills that can enhance your career? To make the most of your network, make sure it includes the following contacts. read more
Safety tips for networking meetings.
An important part of career strategy is networking, which is connecting with people to share information relevant to a certain topic, professional industry, or career field. While it’s great to make an effort to connect with others, you must do so in a safe way. Even if you have some familiarity with a new network contact, keep in mind that your experience with that person is limited and you may not be familiar with his/her character. With some planning, you can avoid a situation where you fear for your physical safety or feel uncomfortable given a certain conversation. The following are ways that you can network professionally in a safe and effective way. read more
Have you identified your career super power?
A job search can be tough, and it’s much more like a marathon than a sprint. It’s important for job seekers to understand this in that it will allow them to make the most of opportunities that arise along the journey. While it’s important to create great jobs search tools (such as a resume, cover letter, elevator pitch, LinkedIn profile, etc.) and build an effective job search strategy, one element could hold the key to success. It’s your career super power! Have you identified yours? read more
Boost your LinkedIn profile in just five minutes!
LinkedIn, a professional networking platform, is a valuable tool that you should be using as part of your career strategy. Most people familiar with LinkedIn are aware of the need to create a profile and connect with other professionals, as networking is at the core of LinkedIn’s functionality. However, there are other elements that are critical to creating and implementing a successful LinkedIn presence. Investing five minutes right now to make sure you are making the most of LinkedIn will pay dividends in terms of your ability to leverage the platform for your professional gain. To do so, you will need to promote your brand effectively, create an impactful headline, and boost your credibility. read more