Waiting is the hardest part.
Getting called for an interview is one of the most exciting things to happen during a job search (second only to being told “You’re Hired!”). However, there have been occasions when communication between the employer and applicant breaks down. This may leave one to wonder if they did something wrong, if they missed an instruction, or if the employer simply vanished from the face of the planet.
Employers may ask about gaps in your work history.
Standing out is key.
This article from AOL makes some very good points about using all available tools when job searching. In particular, I really like the idea of incorporating a QR code into an application.
Join us on Tuesdays.
Job Club is a great opportunity to practice your networking and job search skills. It is intended to be a safe and hopefully beneficial environment to practice important job search characteristics such as your 30 second commercial, effective listening skills, asking for business cards, and so forth. Practice, collaborate, and increase your comfort level!
The next Job Club will be on January 31st. This day, we will be discussing the importance of staying motivated when job searching.
Stay for five minutes, ten minutes, an hour – whatever makes you comfortable. No need to sign up ahead of time but feel free to call us at 896-3674 if you would like more information.
Interactive and Fun! Next Steps.
This month, CareerworksNova will be offering two sessions designed to practice new ideas using job search tools. These sessions are titled Next Steps because they are intended to provide participants with an environment to practice and refine their skills.
Social media is of utmost importance.
Stating that “Social media is the new 24/7 job fair…” mbaonline.com emphasizes the fact that social media is a huge part of job searching. Click this link for a view of the full infographic.
It's 2012!
CareerworksNova is excited to offer some new resources for people seeking employment!
Growing by leaps & bounds, unsurprisingly.
As a follow up to our blog post several months ago on the subject of appropriate measures for online job searching using social networking, here are excerpts of an article that appeared on Thomson Reuters this morning. The entire article, written by Natasha Baker, can be found here. (more…)
The "A-ha!" moment.
In speaking to employers daily, one of the main points mentioned to us is that they often receive dozens or even hundreds of unsolicited résumés. Yet few of those documents grab their attention. The problem lies in that there is often little or no preparation work or follow up performed by the job seeker.
Their point is that the purpose of a good unsolicited résumé is to open the door on a face-to-face meeting with the hiring manager. Taking the initiative to research the company and its people before making the application is key, as is doing some follow up in a professional manner.
Effective listening is challenging, in part, because people often are more focused on what they’re saying instead of what they’re hearing in return. When job searching, it’s important to remember that while a person needs to convey what can be offered to a potential employer, it is equally important to listen to what they are saying. This allows a job seeker to tailor a response and improve the chances of finding work.
Yes, they do check.
There’s no doubt that social networking is a great tool to use when searching for a job … as long as it’s used properly. Kashmir Hill, a noted privacy blogger, posted this chart drawn from a survey of employers. It’s worth noting a couple of things about the findings:
Apply your writing skills!
Building on the suggestions and ideas introduced through résumé discussion, we are very pleased to partner with the Truro Library to offer a Résumé Writing session! Here are the details:
Increasingly, it is important to be creative when job searching. It’s crucial to make sure you’re taking advantage of all possible avenues for finding employment.
So you’ve had an interview for an ideal job. That’s great! Make sure to show professionalism after the interview as well in order to continue making a good impression. Here are some suggestions for actions that can be performed after the interview.
Building a Résumé Takes Time.
A résumé is a summary of your background, education, and experience. As an important part of your job search, think of it as a brochure or 30 second commercial about yourself. It shouldn’t just be a list of your old jobs. Try to make it a list of accomplishments that show how you’re different from the competition.
Starting your networking journey with a phone call can help allay nervousness.
Visiting businesses in person is a great way to get your résumé to employers and let them know you’re available for work. It’s proven that well over half the jobs available are unadvertised.
However, sometimes it’s difficult to meet these people in person. Be it the inability to physically get in front of the employer (maybe it’s raining a lot) or the innate sense of What-Will-I-Say-To-Them (maybe you’re really shy), getting the initial contact over the phone is certainly better than not making any contact at all.
Interviews using Skype are common.
It’s not uncommon anymore for employers to request a video interview instead of meeting potential candidates in person. Travel costs, time constraints, and better technology are behind this shift meaning that most job seekers need to be comfortable with this form of interviewing in order to be competitive in a tough job market.
Use Skype to your advantage and know how to use its features. The following are a few ideas to help you prepare.
Given different situations, there are varying degrees of comfort when talking about past work experience. This short video discusses how to address some of the more challenging examples.
Positive thinking is an important tool.
In discussions with clients and colleagues about job searching strategies, the conversation inevitably includes the type of people with whom you are speaking. Whether these people are in a position to offer you a job or are friends and family who can offer support and ideas, they, in some form or another, often influence your behaviour. By extension, it can be argued that this influences how successful one is when searching for employment.
Thinking and acting in a creative manner helps immensely.
People often ask “What’s the secret for finding work?”
And the answer I give them is that there are no secrets. It’s usually what one does on a consistent basis that creates success.
Social Media, meet Networking.
As discussed in previous postings, networking online can be an essential part of your job searching strategy. Making appropriate connections in an online setting is crucial to getting in front of someone who may be able to offer you a job. New tools are appearing, such as the following.
Here’s a new YouTube video we recorded, this time talking about making the most of your conversations with potential employers.
Always use good ingredients.
Networking. Talking to people. Making contacts. However you describe it, most people recognize the need to get out there and not just rely on posted job ads. Increasingly, talking to employers without being prompted by a specific job ad includes doing so through digital means.
A 26-year-old man from Galway has created a campaign titled ‘Jobless Paddy’ in an effort to find a job. Here’s a link to the BBC story. Really creative!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13602341
Sometimes it happens. Negative experiences with a former employer are tough to deal with when looking for work. Here are a few steps to try and take the edge off problems during an application process. (more…)
