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Tips for Working with a Recruiter
Tweet Share on Facebook March 10, 2011 Comment (2)When you need a job, it can be hard to get a recruiter to take your call. Yet when you aren't actively engaged in a job search, it seems like every industry recruiter comes knocking on your door.
Maintaining some key relationships with internal and external recruiters in your field is an important piece of your career management—whether you are looking or not.
Here are some ways to build those contacts and some of the most common issues you might face in working with a recruiter:
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Job-Search Lessons From American Idol
Tweet Share on Facebook March 9, 2011 CommentIf you ever take a break from your job hunt to watch American Idol, it’s time to connect the dots. No doubt a show that’s about winning the ultimate career break for a singer—a recording contract—holds some important lessons for job seekers.
So after you vote for your favorite singer this week, consider these essential lessons gleaned from one of America’s favorite television shows:
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How to Get a Second Interview
Tweet Share on Facebook March 8, 2011 CommentIt’s the cliffhanger that’s used in countless TV shows and movies: “To be continued...” We already know that the sequel is never as good as the original, but when it comes to searching for a job, that rule doesn’t apply. Part Two has to be better than the original.
When you go on a job interview, your goal is obvious: get the job. But it’s also wise to take a step back and think short-term. If we break the interview process into bite-size pieces, your goal is to get a second interview. Unlike a boxing match, you can afford to let it all hang out in Round One. After all, you’re not guaranteed to see another round. But holding back a little something, a tiny little “to be continued...” of your own, can help you land the second interview.
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Stop Job Hunting—Create Your Own Job
Tweet Share on Facebook March 8, 2011 CommentThis economic revival is like a slow train chugging up a steep mountain—with a heavy load and too many conductors. As politicians bicker over how to get the world economy moving again, job seekers are struggling, waiting for good news.
Some job seekers, anyhow. Others are proactively creating their own jobs. Last year, Americans started their own businesses at the highest rate in 15 years, Inc. Magazine reported, based on data from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
So if you’re out of work, and your prospects aren’t looking much better than they did a few months ago, stop waiting.
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Don’t Underestimate the Power of Your Cover Letter
Tweet Share on Facebook March 7, 2011 Comment (4)If you’re applying for jobs without customizing your cover letter every time, you’re missing out on one of the most effective ways to grab an employer’s attention.
A cover letter is your opportunity to make a compelling case for yourself as a candidate, totally aside from what’s in your resume.
That because for most jobs, picking the best candidate is rarely solely about skills and experience. Those obviously take center stage, but if that's all that mattered, there would be no point in interviews; employers would make a hire based off of resumes alone. But in the real world, other factors matter too—people skills, intellect, communication abilities, enthusiasm for the job, and simply what kind of person you are. A good cover letter effectively conveys those qualities.
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Signs You’re About to Get Fired
Tweet Share on Facebook March 4, 2011 Comment (1)Too many times after someone gets fired, they say, “I should have seen it coming.” But most of us don’t see the signs because we don’t want to see them. They’re there, sometimes right in front of us.
Here are some cautionary signs your last day may be coming sooner than you think:
There’s been a “change” in your boss’ behavior towards you. This isn’t always a fatal sign, but you should be sensitive to it. If you sense your boss isn’t being as friendly or open as usual, something bad might be brewing. If she no longer acts in a way that makes you feel secure and comfortable in your job and relationship with her, like dropping by the cubicle unannounced to sit and shoot the breeze or seeking your advice, it could be a sign of trouble.
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How Loving Your Job Helps You Succeed
Tweet Share on Facebook March 3, 2011 Comment (11)For college seniors across the country, the clocking is ticking down to graduation and a new career. As you make your decisions about what path to take, thousands of new graduates will be asking questions like, Where can I make the most money? What’s the quickest path to the top? What career am I expected to pursue?
But there’s another question to ask, one that’s more important than any of those: What lights me up?
For the last ten years, my focus has been helping people create careers they love. That focus has given me a front row seat on both the positive impact of loving what you do and the negative impact when your career is out of whack. It’s not just the fact that work is more enjoyable when you love what you do. There are also real benefits that directly impact your career success.
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Ways to Stay Positive During Your Job Hunt
Tweet Share on Facebook March 3, 2011 Comment (6)Rejections are an unavoidable reality during a job search. You’ll talk to many companies before you find the right fit. It’s discouraging, especially when you thought you had the job and you’re surprisingly passed up without reason or feedback. It's okay to be disappointed, but set a limit on how long you’ll sulk, and then move on.
An important part of your job search will require you to evaluate yourself. While you won’t win them all, one of the most important aspects is to recognize the possibility that there may be something you can change, and if so, be open to it.
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How to Get a Job When You Lack Experience
Tweet Share on Facebook March 2, 2011 CommentWhen you’re early in your career and lacking work experience, are you totally out of luck as a job seeker? What about if you’re in the midst of a career change and your background doesn’t quite live up to what your targeted job descriptions require?
While you can’t create experience you don’t have, you can think outside of the proverbial box to help make yourself more qualified.
Here’s how to make yourself more marketable for jobs that might be considered a reach:
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Looking for a Job When You’re Already Employed
Tweet Share on Facebook March 1, 2011 Comment (1)If you have a job today, you should feel fortunate, confident, and satisfied. After all, it’s a tough job market out there.
But many people who have a job don’t feel any of those three emotions. Even if you’re employed, you might be feeling these emotions:
Worried: Your department’s budget got reduced. Sales are off and there’s rumor of a pending layoff.
Cheated: Your manager failed to deliver on big promises regarding a promotion or new responsibilities for you.
