Hiring Managers Tell All... Why You Didn't Get The JOB

Why You Didn't Get the Job: Hiring Managers Tell All

            

 

"I'm sorry -- we've actually made an offer to another candidate."
It's a phrase any job hunter hates to hear, especially when the days drag on after your initial interview, and you begin to wonder, "Where did I go wrong?"
Of course, most of us already know the tried-and-true etiquette for landing your dream job: Don't forget the cover letter. Make sure your social media accounts are up-to-date.
But what other little hobgoblins of job hunting can really trip you up?
We spoke to hiring managers to find out the real reasons good applicants can get the axe -- and seven told us how potential hires they've interviewed have talked themselves out of a paycheck.

1. Lack of Follow Up"Not providing good follow up is almost always a killer," says Meghan Keane, vice president of editorial at Alloy Digital. "I'm always surprised when I have an interview with someone I really like, and they don't follow up. No thank you note. No outreach. It usually means they aren't interested in the job or aren't as good as I thought."
The reason this matters is that it's a good indication of how you'll perform on the job: "When you're actually working with someone, you need them to be responsible," she says. "If they can't get back to you when they really want to be hired, would they be responsive on a daily basis?"

What you should do: Be prolific in your thanks. After every interview, send a follow-up note, says Keane. Even if you immediately hear that you aren't getting the job, send a thank you for the consideration. Even if the person interviewing you was rude and you wouldn't take the job had it been offered, send a thank you because it's the right thing to do. And if you don't want the job, do it simply because you never know where your interviewer will land next.

2. Not Knowing Your Audience
You'd think there are certain things that would be givens: Like not trotting out any big, red flags that could put the kibosh on your getting the job. "In our business, you have to be dedicated to the country and the military," explains Scott Maddox, site manager at a national defense corporation. "Not to mention, you have to be able to pass a background check. I had one applicant who slyly mentioned that he does everything in his power to not pay his taxes. I couldn't believe he would say something like that to a company that works with the government."
The takeaway: Do your homework -- and that means researching not only the particular company you're interviewing with, but keeping up on industry norms and trends. Then make sure that your behavior, and the information you offer in the interview, will help your cause, not hurt it. And, as a general rule of thumb, it's almost always better to pay your taxes.

3. Being Overly Ambitious
"Of course we want employees who are ambitious and hope to move forward with our company," says Jeremy Gates, research team leader at a pharmaceutical company. "But at the same time, I don't want to hire an entry-level employee who isn't going to be happy with the job they're getting. I had one young lady who was extremely bright and very driven, but she didn't ask a single question about what her position would be now. She was only interested in how quickly she could get promoted and our advancement opportunities. If you're already looking at the job that you might be eligible for months from now, it tells me that you aren't going to be satisfied with the position you're getting."
The takeaway: There's a fine line to walk between wanting to advance -- and wanting it so badly you talk yourself out of a job you haven't gotten yet. It is OK to ask a single question about this job's advancement opportunities, or whether the company frequently promotes from within, but if you want to get hired, never announce that you don't do grunt work, and do focus your attention on proving you're the best candidate for the job in front of you.

4. Playing the Victim
"Every once in a while, I'll get a candidate who just seems to have the worst luck at everything," recalls M.C., a commercial banking manager. "They had to leave one job because of an ill parent, then they were laid off two months later, and then they had a personal health problem. They talk about their life as if it was a series of unfortunate events. And even if those events were out of the person's control, all that negativity can be worrisome. Or maybe I just don't want to bring their bad voodoo into the company. Really, I just feel like I'll spend the next few years feeling sorry for them instead of managing them."

The takeaway: Yes, bad luck can happen to good people, but airing your dirty laundry in an interview never got anyone ahead. The bottom line is that you can't expect a hiring manager to have time or energy to deal with your personal life, especially before you've even proven yourself. Remember: They're looking for someone to make their job easier, and for someone who knows how to work through problems as they crop up. Save your sad tales for your most sympathetic friend and put your best face forward in a job search.

5. Neglecting Your Body Language"Once you've done this for a while, you have an ability to read people by their behavior," says Deb Niezer, COO of AALCO Distributing. "You look at body language, the way they speak and the way they present themselves to show the whole picture. If they say, 'I'm open to new ideas,' but then sit with their arms and legs crossed, it's questionable. If they say they have management skills but don't carry themselves like leaders, it's hard to trust that assertion. The details make the difference."
The takeaway: It's not enough to talk the talk. Seasoned managers hear a lot of the same answers from prospective employees, so they have to look beyond the rhetoric to find people who really fit in with the company culture. That's why professionals like Niezer pay attention to the subtler details, like how you carry yourself.

6. Dissing Your Colleagues"For anyone looking to work in academia, it's more about inspiring students or faculty than pleasing a boss," explains the dean of a popular university. "Instead of talking about previous managers, I ask questions about how people manage those who work under them. One applicant said all the right things about working with other faculty members and the school administration, but when it came to talking about students, the applicant was dismissive, as if that was the last thing to worry about."
The takeaway: Anyone interested in management should realize that a reference from your assistant is just as important as a reference from your boss. Employers want to know that a boss can inspire the best from their workforce. Consider getting LinkedIn references from coworkers at your level and below, or listing someone at a similar level to you as a reference. And remember -- you just might be working for them someday.

7. Lacking Confidence"I remember a great candidate who went to an amazing school and had all the skills we would need, but she just reeked of desperation," recalls Aaron Sapp, an attorney in the midwest. "Any and every job, she was ready to do. Whatever the pay, she was willing to take it. It seemed like she didn't have any confidence in her work. It feels a little bad, because you get the idea that she really needed the job, but at the same time, I don't have the time to hold anyone's hand or assure them that they were doing a good job. I look for people who know their worth and ask for it."
The takeaway: What some see as "accommodating," your potential employer could see as a lack of confidence. While you obviously want to put your best foot forward, top-notch applicants shouldn't feel bad about stating what they hope to get out of a job, pushing back against unreasonable demands or refusing to accept less than a fair industry salary. After all, employers want to hire people who reflect a good image for the company, and knowing your worth is an important quality for any employee.
 

How To Get Hired and Start A New Job Before the Holidays

Holiday Hope!

Don't give up on your job hunt during the holidays! Snag your new job while others are distracted or taking time off during the "slow" holiday period.

Job seekers often suspend their job search for "the holidays," from early or mid-November through New Year's Day, on the theory that no one is interviewed or hired during that period. It's a big mistake! Employers are STILL hiring during this period (to meet the special needs of the holidays, to prepare for the new year, to replace someone who left, etc.).

Less Competition and More Employer Desperation

With so many people dropping out of the job market during the holidays, there is less competition for jobs. At the same time, many employers are trying very hard to "staff up" to 100% so they can hit the ground running on January 1.

Use the Holidays as an Ice Breaker

The common "problem" of "surviving" the year-end holidays can help you establish rapport in an interview. Even if it's just complaining about the holiday crowds or being too busy, discussing the holidays is usually a natural topic. It's also an easy way to break through the awkwardness of meeting someone for the first time in an interview or networking event, and establishing common ground.

Talk About Your Job Hunt or Employment Status at Holiday Events

If your friends and extended family don't know that you are looking for a job, let them know, casually, at holiday events. The connections that lead to jobs happen in the unlikeliest places - I've seen people make connections at a funeral that resulted in job offers, even new careers. Use these get togethers as an opportunity to let people know that you are job hunting, and ask if anyone knows someone who works at [whatever employer you want]. If you know someone who works at one of your target employers, contact them directly yourself with a greeting card and/or phone call.

Re-establish Connections

The holidays (all year around, but particularly in November and December) are a great excuse to get back in touch with someone - your former boss(es?) and co-workers, college roommates, high school buddies, people in the house/apartment next door, kid's soccer coach, etc. Think about people whom you genuinely liked but have lost touch with, and track them down using LinkedIn, Facebook, Google, etc.
Hopefully, you'll be able to re-establish a relationship that can benefit everyone involved. (Might not be a good idea to track down your high school sweetheart, though...unless you're single.)
If you really know the person well, just call them up. If you don't know them well, send a greeting card - one of the "real" cards, made of paper, put into an envelope with a stamp, and dropped off at the Post Office.

Remind Recruiters of Your Existence

Send a holiday greeting card to that nice recruiter you met back in May or August, or the hiring manager who almost hired you last month or last year. If you don't think they'll remember you (assume they won't), include a brief reminder of your last contact, who you are, and, perhaps, a business card.

Add an Update for Marketing

Include a personal note in your card, perhaps thanking them for their time in the past. If you're feeling bold (what do you have to lose?) include a short, 1 to 3 sentence update on what you've been doing since you last were in contact. The update should contain only "highlights" of the NEW news in your working life and qualifications - contract/volunteer work, education/certifications, publications, and so on -- with a very brief reminder (if needed) of your basic qualifications. You may also want to close with a sentence about getting together for coffee, a drink after work, or whatever is appropriate. Then, follow-up by phone.

Holiday Greetings for the Traditional Holidays

Beat the rush for this holiday season by sending a Happy Thanksgiving card during November. Or, send a Happy New Year card in late December, if you're determined to waste these prime hunting months and compete with everyone else on Jan. 2.
Cards for the obvious holiday (Christmas) are probably appropriate, if you know that the recipient is Christian, but more generic "Happy Holiday" cards are considered safer and more "PC," hopefully covering Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, too. Pick cards for those specific holidays if you know they are appropriate, but be VERY careful not to offend someone with a "wrong" card. Of course, your card will probably be competing with many other similar holiday cards, but not very many from other job seekers.

"Lesser" Holidays = MORE Differentiation!

Your card won't be competing with all the other holiday cards if you pick one of the holidays where sending holiday cards are not a tradition. Ground Hog Day, Lincoln's birthday, and St. Patrick's Day are some good Winter holidays, and you can usually find appropriate greeting cards for those days. Check out the greeting card section of your grocery store next time you do the grocery shopping. You might be surprised at the "holidays" you find. Take advantage of them!

Career Coach Observations

Dr. Jan Cannon, founder of the Cannon Career Center, recommends the holidays as an excellent time to job hunt because:

• Many companies have their budgets for the new year and are recruiting for people to start work in January. So, looking in January is looking too late for jobs at these companies.
• People are generally in a "holiday mood" during this time, even though shopping, vacations, and holiday party schedules may make them more elusive.
• Fewer job seekers try to find jobs during this period, so competition is not as intense, and you will have an easier time standing out from the crowd NOW.
• Holiday events are good networking opportunities.

Recruiter Perspective

Sandra A. MacKay, a Boston-area consulting recruiter, agrees with Dr. Cannon.Sandra observed that a "significant amount of hiring takes place in last quarter of the year." For example, she was engaged by one client company on September 29 with a goal of filling as many job openings as possible before the end of the year. This is typical of many recruiters and HR staffs during this time of year. In addition, Sandra recommends continuing your job search, as vigorously as you can during the holiday season, so that you are well-positioned when the traditional January 2nd job market boom begins (and everyone else begins or re-starts their job search).Bottom LineDon't take the holidays "off." Stay focused on your job search, and you'll land that next great job while everyone else is shopping or not paying attention!

Why You Should Never Turn Down An Interview

The primary meaning of interview is exchange information between two or more people about their profiles. Exchange of information is also required when an employer hires a new candidate in his organization. Thus, Interviews are conducted for selection of candidates. The employers conduct a face to face conversation and ask questions to the interviewee with the intention to examine the ability and sustainability of the interviewee. This being the only pure reason, we cannot see any harm in attending the same, regardless of current job status. Instead, it helps in nurturing networks. It’s always better to look forward and attend interviews as and when you get chance. You lose the following experience when you turn down an interview.

Expert Tips on Following Up After an Interview

The big job interview you've been prepping for and stressing over for days or weeks is over, and you can finally breathe a sigh of relief — except now comes the hard part: Waiting to hear back.
You’re excited about the opportunity, and you want to do everything in your power to present yourself as the perfect candidate for the job; one way to increase your odds of landing the gig is to follow up in a professional manner.
Landing your dream job requires a degree of finesse, from the initial email or phone conversation to negotiating salary and signing on the dotted line. In the post-interview aftermath, you want to appear interested without crossing the line and coming across as a pest. You want to be memorable in the right way; so what does this entail?
Below, recruiting experts share their insights on the dos and don'ts when following up after a job interview.

1. Yes, You Should Follow Up

Following up is critical in showing your continued interest in a job opportunity, says Allyson Willoughby, senior vice president of people at Glassdoor, a job and career site where employees anonymously post the pros and cons of their companies, positions and salaries.
Willoughby cautions candidates against becoming a burden to the hiring manager — she stresses the importance of politeness.

"You don’t want to pester until you get an answer, but rather keep yourself in [the hiring team's] minds as they make the decision,"

"You don’t want to pester until you get an answer, but rather keep yourself in [the hiring team's] minds as they make the decision," she says. "A great approach is to ask about their timeline for making a hiring decision before you leave the interview. This will help you to properly time your follow-up attempts. In addition, a quick 'thank you' [email] is always a nice touch."

Another way to stand out in your follow-up communications is to mention recent news about the company to show that you're keeping the job opportunity top-of-mind. This tidbit could be in regards to a blog post, industry news or something related to the job you interviewed for — it goes without saying that the news should be positive in nature; don’t send over a note with a mention of a company scandal.

2. Communicate in a Timely, Professional Manner

Nathan Mirizio, content marketing writer at The Resumator, a recruiting software company, agrees that there's nothing wrong with sending a gracious thank-you message, unless the recruiter explicitly states no follow-ups or replies.
Mirizio suggests using the last form of communication that you had with a recruiter as the best medium for following up (i.e. phone, email, text, mail, etc.). "Go with that medium, or follow whatever instructions have been given to you. Email is always a safe bet, but always contact recruiters through their business accounts. Personal email accounts and phone numbers are for personal friends, and trying to reach [hiring managers] at home can be an awfully quick turnoff."

3. Tastefully Follow Up When You Haven't Heard Back

In a situation in which the company says they will make a decision next week, and a week goes by without any word after you've sent an initial follow-up note, Willoughby says that it's okay to send one more polite inquiry.
"If you’re following up multiple times after each interview, that’s likely not appreciated," she says. "However,

if the company has given you a set time frame and exceeded it by longer than a week, a well-written follow-up note is reasonable.

if the company has given you a set time frame and exceeded it by longer than a week, a well-written follow-up note is reasonable. It should be concise and friendly. Don’t necessarily remind them that they haven’t gotten back to you, but rather use the time frame provided as the reason for your follow up." Willoughby suggests wording your message along the lines of, "I know you mentioned you were hoping to make a final hiring decision by the end of the month, and I wanted to follow up and see where you are in that process."

4. Learn When to Move On

If you’ve been waiting patiently for a reply from the company and they still haven’t responded, there’s a point when you have to move on — even if you really like the company and want the job. Chris Fields, a human resources consultant and expert resume writer at ResumeCrusade.com, reminds job seekers that focusing on other opportunities is the best way to move forward. "Don’t take it personally; just move along. You never know what is happening internally at a company. Here is my rule of thumb: Follow up once, and if you receive no response, follow up once more. If you still don't hear anything, move on."
Fields adds that company time frames can be tricky to predict, and candidates should take encouraging comments during an interview with a grain of salt. "Workplace emergencies happen unexpectedly and all the time, so it’s important to follow up a couple of times. But if you hear absolutely nothing, then it's time to move on," says Fields. "Some interviewers are complimentary to avoid confrontation; they tell you what you want to hear. Sometimes it’s genuine, but there is no way for you to tell. If the company wants to hire you, they will contact you, whether it happens a week later, a month later or even several months later."

5. Don’t Make Assumptions With References

A request for references doesn't necessarily mean that the job is in the bag, says Mirizio. "It’s a good rule of thumb throughout the hiring process to never assume anything," he adds.
Fields agrees. "I’ve seen some crazy stuff, like negotiations falling apart, offers rescinded and miscommunications. [Being asked to supply] references is a good sign that you are in the top two or three candidates, but it's no guarantee of employment," he says.
The ultimate goal in any job search is to receive multiple offers so that you, as the candidate, can choose the best one. Creating a strategy to follow up after interviews is just as important as the actual interview itself.

The Soft Skills Employers are Looking For

Faced with rampant unemployment and stiff competition for the jobs that are available, many job seekers are struggling to find a way to make professional inroads. However, there are still those who manage to get hired or promoted not because of their degree or technical expertise, but because of their communication and interpersonal skills, often referred to as "soft skills."
According to the National Careers Service, soft skills are personal qualities and attitudes that help employees work well with others and encourage productivity within the workplace. And these types of skills may be more important than people realize. A recent study conducted by Millennial Branding and American Express showed that 61 percent of managers surveyed felt that soft skills were more important in new hires than hard skills, or even technical skills. In fact, the same study showed that the top three characteristics managers looked for when promoting millennials were the ability to prioritize work (87 percent), a positive attitude (86 percent) and teamwork skills (86 percent).
The fact that managers are prioritizing soft skills higher than other job-related skills makes sense. As an article from Mind Tools recently pointed out, most people don't choose their dentist based solely on his or her technical skills and expertise; they go with dentists who treat patients well and take time to answer their questions. The same thing goes for other professions, whether we're talking about doctors, accountants, social workers or secretaries. Despite this growing emphasis on soft skills in the workplace, they aren't traditionally taught in school, or even on the job. Workers often have to learn them on their own, either by observing and mimicking exceptional professionals who display these traits or practicing them like they would any other skill.
The soft skills employers look for
It's become more important than ever for young professionals to display strong interpersonal skills when looking for work. Here are six areas every job hunter should focus on:
1. Communication - As author Lauren Stiller recently pointed out in an interview with Fox Business, advances in technology have, in many cases, robbed young people of their ability to communicate effectively by encouraging the use of abbreviated emails and text messages. Stiller advises young professionals to demonstrate that they can communicate without technology by engaging co-workers and clients in face-to-face conversation and sending professional emails.
2. Teamwork - Being able to work as part of a team displays one's ability to get along with, and complete work-related tasks with, many different types of personalities. Team players also show their ability to cooperate and compromise with others, which is a trait often sought after by employers and hiring managers. Professionals who want to be seen as team players should take special care to mention situations when they worked effectively with others on their resume and be willing to describe those situations in-depth.

How a good Recruiter Can Help You Find the Right JOB!

I'm a recruiter so it probably won't come as a surprise that I'd recommend using a recruiter as part of your job search.
Rather than justify my existence, I think it would be more valuable to you the reader to understand exactly how a good recruiter can add value to your career search.
Truthfully, a good recruiter can help give you an advantage over other people looking for (and interviewing for) the same jobs you are.
1. A good recruiter can help you find jobs that you might otherwise not know about.
You may have heard about the "hidden job market." Sometimes it's so well hidden, you can't actually find it.
A recruiter has two main goals in life: to find jobs to fill and then to find the person to fill it.
So first off, the recruiter needs to find open positions that they can help a company fill. Then they look for suitable candidates like you to actually present to the company for consideration for the job.
In other words, a recruiter is a person who by definition needs to know where the available jobs are and who is hiring. They do this so that you don't have to.
2. A good recruiter should help you prepare for interviews.
I don't just mean that they email you a link to the company website and read directions to the company out to you over the phone, either...
If your recruiter just does that, get a new recruiter!
A good recruiter will shed light on specific information that will help you stand out from others who are interviewing for the same job as you but who applied on their own and won't have access to this information. This can only help you!
A good recruiter will know the hiring manager (or whoever is interviewing you) and will be able to fill you in on some information you wouldn't otherwise know about.
For example, information that I always pass onto my candidates include things like:

• the personality of the interviewer(s). Imagine if you always knew before the interview what sort of people you'd be interviewing with so that you could prepare for each person individually?
• hot buttons that the interviewer/company really wants to see ie. the recruiter tells you what to focus on during the interview so that you don't forget to mention the skills and experience that the interviewer really wants to know about.
• where other candidates who have interviewed for the same job have failed. In other words, a good recruiter will tell you how to avoid making mistakes that other candidates have already made!

3. A good recruiter will help you role-play for an interview.

In other words, they will help you prepare for the interview by mimicking how the interview could actually go. It's easy to surf a company website and think of a few ways to answer possible questions that might arise during the interview.
It's another thing altogether to actually answer questions as if you were already in the interview.
Role-playing where you verbally answer questions as if you are already in the interview is far superior to simply thinking about how you will answer the questions.
An interview - especially when it's for a job you really want - is not the time to freestyle it and think that you can go into an interview and just wing it and still win the job.
4. A good recruiter understands the importance of timing.
Often, finding a new job is (among other things) a case of being in the right place at the right time. Not only does the job become available at a time that suits you, but the company comes along with a position that requires the same experience and skills that you happen to have at a time when you just happen to be considering switching jobs.
How many times have you been happily working away and not thinking about looking for a new job when a position pops up that would interest you if only it had have been presented to you in say 6 months or perhaps 12 months from now?
I've seen that happen quite a bit, where the timing just isn't right to change jobs.
Timing really is everything especially when it comes to changing jobs.
And a good recruiter who knows you well will help you find a job within your timeframe which will save you from having to constantly keep your eyes open looking for the same positions or positions that would suit you that you didn't even know about.
The best part is that you don't pay to use a recruiter, the hiring company does.
My suggestion is to find a small handful (ie. 3-4) good recruiters (you'll quickly see the difference between a good one and a bad one...) that you trust and allow them to help you with your job search.
You should also quickly see the benefits of using recruiters at this time.

Carl Mueller is an Internet entrepreneur and professional recruiter. Carl has helped many job searchers with their career searches and would like to help clear up some of the job search myths that exist while also making job searchers aware of things that they can do to improve their chances at landing their dream job.

How To Use Twitter to Find the Right Job for You!

If you already have a Twitter account, no doubt you already know the great value of this social media platform. But did you know that you can turn your twitter into a valuable resource for your industry? It's true; you can, and there are plenty of reasons why you should want to do this. Creating an industry resource with your Twitter builds your reputation and helps you gain influence. Here are the steps to follow to make this happen.
1. Make a list of influencers
Carefully construct Twitter lists of the people you'd like to emulate. These can be leaders in your industry or field, people unanimously respected in the industry, or new up-and-comers who are rapidly gaining popularity in your field. Also, you can look at other influencer's lists, such as Robert Scoble, to find ideas of people who should be on yours. You can even subscribe to public lists of other people on Twitter.
2. Start curating
Great industry leaders such as Maxwell Systems collect or 'curate' resources that will be useful for their followers. Maxwell has become well-known in the construction technology sector for being so good at finding great resources to share with their followers. So how do you find this great stuff to share? You can start by sharing the best snippets of content from the blogs that you're already reading. In addition, you can frequently find good material from your Twitter lists.
It's also a good idea to keep a close eye on news headlines. Watch for any breaking stories with relevance to your field or industry, and share them on your Twitter. Subscribe to newsletters that you find informative and like pages on Facebook that post interesting content. Be a student of your industry or field and make a conscious effort to always be learning.
Read books and magazine or journal articles written by experts in the field, and listen to podcasts by experts. Attend webinars and conferences, and always have a pen and paper ready to take notes. You never know when you'll come across some inspiration for great content.
While you're curating this content, there are two important things to consider. First, always give credit where credit's due. If you're using content created by someone else, be sure to acknowledge them for it. Also, try not to just pass along this information. If you're really serious about using your Twitter to become a valuable industry resource, you should make your own contributions to the wealth of material that's already out there.
This means that you should expound upon the material that you're curating. Why is it so good? What makes it valuable? What are some important points that the original creator might have failed to mention? Think about and explain these things to your audience.
Another important tip to keep in mind: you should be using a tool to schedule your tweets. Buffer and HootSuite are two good ones worth checking out.
3. Build a following
Once you've found great influencers and have started to accrue some great content, the next step is to build your own following. One of the brilliant minds behind Tweet Smarter, Dave Larson, says that the answer to building a following on Twitter is finding a 'Super Advocate.' And you find this, Larson explains, by becoming a 'super advocate' for someone else.
This means that you do everything you can to support that person, from retweeting their tweets to commenting on their tweets and giving shout outs that praise them on your own Twitter. Why is this strategy so effective? It all goes back to the golden rule: do unto others as you would like them to do unto you. Endorsing someone else on Twitter makes it much more likely that YOU will be endorsed on Twitter. Remember, what goes around comes around. It pays to be nice.
Becoming an industry resource on Twitter is an essential part of establishing yourself as a leader in your industry. With the right influencers, a curation of great content and a good following, there's no limit to what you can do!

 

Six Great Ways To Get Hired Today

Whether you recently lost your job or are ready to jump ship from your current one, the chances of your getting a new position through the want ads is next to nil. The good news is that there are many other avenues to pursue.
Start by updating your resume and your LinkedIn profile.  Then come up with a brief pitch, highlighting what makes you special, that you can tailor as you approach potential contacts. Here are the best ways to harness it in your job hunt.
1. Tap your network. Everybody knows somebody. Within your existing network there are probably three jobs that would be appropriate for you, but the people who could help open doors to those jobs just haven’t thought of you. Make a list of everyone you know. Set a goal to touch base with three people you have not talked to for a year or more. Meet one of them for coffee or lunch. Identify the 25 most influential people in your network and brainstorm ways to strengthen your relationships with each.
2. Connect with alumni. We generally like people who have something in common with us; who share the same values or hobbies; or have gone to the same school. Call the alumni in your region, go to meetings and grow your network. Adding three new alumni per week (through alumni directories or LinkedIn) is a solid approach–even better if these are in your industry.
3. Attend events. These include ones hosted by charities and professional organizations. Talk to at least one person at every meeting who you haven’t met yet. If you can get the list of attendees beforehand, identify at least one person who you would like to meet and make arrangements to connect there in person. Without imposing, look for an excuse to follow up—by meeting again, or getting a referral to someone else.
4. Use LinkedIn to maximum effect. LinkedIn is a powerful tool to easily connect with the right people. Search your target market based on your industry, qualifications, university and interests, and connect with the people who interest you. For example, if you work in the insurance sector, you could aim to connect with all potential bosses and human resource departments in this industry and in your market. You can even set goals for yourself, such as, “Connect to all general managers and human resource managers in the insurance industry in my city by the end of April.”
5. Check job boards. Many companies and recruiters use them to find the right candidate. Define the top job boards for your skill set and put your resume there. Choose a catchy, succinct headline that encourages the reader to open the attachment. Many show when your resume was last updated. To avoid getting shifted deeper into the pile of applicants, update it weekly.
6. Contact headhunters. Senior-level professionals are recruited almost exclusively though recommendation or by headhunters. We know about jobs that will never be advertised and we have experience finding openings. If you work with a headhunter, choose carefully. Identify several (but no more than five) whom you trust and be prepared to follow-up.

How Good Body Language can Help You Get Hired

How good body language can boost your interview success

 

Remember how your mother always told you to stand straight? She did so for a reason. To ensure that you present the best image of yourself as possible to those you hold company with. There is almost no other time where it is more crucial that you follow your mother’s advice than on a coveted job interview. Exhibiting the right body language on your interview can greatly enhance your performance according to most hiring managers.
Make sure you do the following on your next interview:
• Maintain eye contact throughout the entire interview
• Give a firm handshake both before and after the interview to all that are interviewing you
• Sit-up straight in your chair and stand-up straight if going on a walking tour with your interviewer(s)
• Lean in to listen to the “interviewer” at key moments
• Speak with your hands to illustrate your points visually
• Smile and reciprocate any light banter said by the interviewer(s)

Keep in mind that strong body language exudes confidence and a deeper understanding of the roles and duties that are expected of you on the job. Hiring managers want to make sure that they can count on you to follow through and take pride in your work. Positive body language will signal to them that more and likely you will meet those ideals and qualifications. A firm handshake, eye contact, and correct posture can go a long way in your interview. Remembering to exhibit these keystones of strong body language will likely position you as a top candidate with hiring managers for their next new hire.
Your mom didn’t give you that old adage advice for nothing. Now her advice can make the difference from back to the drawing board with your job search to new dream job.

 

What To Do When Unemployed

Being unemployed for any amount of time can be frustrating and disheartening. But for those job seekers who are considered long-term unemployed -- previously employed full time and out of work for 12 months or longer -- it can take an enormous toll. Not only can it impact morale, but being out of a job for an extended period of time can impact people's ability to provide for themselves or others.
According to a new CareerBuilder survey, the loss of a regular income has affected the long-term unemployed in various ways, such as not having enough money for food (25 percent), strained relationships with family and friends (25 percent) and maxing out credit cards to pay other bills (12 percent). Other ways they've been impacted include:

• Losing their house or apartment due to the inability to pay the mortgage or rent -- 10 percent
• Moving back in with their parents -- 9 percent
• Moving to a less expensive location -- 4 percent

Covering expenses when out of work
Searching for a job can be a full-time job in and of itself, but unfortunately you don't get a paycheck like you would with a regular job. Instead, many long-term unemployed have had to rely on their spouse or partner (39 percent) personal savings (31 percent) or side jobs (12 percent) to make ends meet. Others have borrowed money from others, including parents (11 percent) or family and friends (9 percent).
Progress can be slow
It's not for lack of trying that many long-term unemployed haven't been able to find work. Forty-four percent say they look for jobs every day, while 43 percent look every week. While not all have made progress past the application phase -- 30 percent haven't had any interviews since they lost their jobs -- the same number (30 percent) have had five or more interviews; 14 percent have had 10 or more. Others have even received job offers but they weren't the right fit -- one in ten have turned down a job while unemployed.
Challenges of finding work
One of the main concerns job seekers often have when they've been out of the workforce for a while is that they'll lose valuable skills in fact, 45 percent of long-term unemployed say they're worried that their skills have depreciated. Of these respondents, more than half say their technology skills declined.
When asked to share some of the major challenges they encounter when looking for a job, the long-term unemployed point to:

• My age or experience is a disadvantage -- 66 percent
• The longer I am unemployed, employers are becoming less responsive -- 63 percent
• The number of jobs in my profession has dropped significantly during and post-recession -- 37 percent
• I am unable to relocate or commute far -- 30 percent
• I am having difficulty transitioning skills to a new field or industry -- 16 percent

Gaining new skills
While job seekers may face challenges from being out of work, many are doing something to overcome them. They're finding ways to fill employment gaps by acquiring new skills and gaining new experiences. Some specific ways they've done this include:

• Expanded my professional network online and offline -- 20 percent
• Volunteered -- 20 percent
• Signed up with a staffing firm/recruiter -- 18 percent
• Took on part-time work -- 14 percent
• Took a class -- 12 percent
• Went back to school full time -- 5 percent

"There are many talented people in the U.S. who are having a tough time finding a job -- not because of a lack of ability, but because of ongoing challenges in the economy," says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. "While our study explores the struggles they are facing, it also brings to light the resilience of these workers who remain optimistic, look for jobs every day and take measures to learn new skill sets to open the doors to new opportunities."

Networking To Get Hired

Networking and Word of Mouth are often the best ways to get that best job for you.
 
Here is a simple exercise to get you started:
 
Make a list of every personal and business contact you can think of.  Ideally you will have at least 100 people.  If your contacts are already on LinkedIn then your work is done for you.
 
Call, email or send a note to each person.  It doesn't have to be aggressive or cheesy.  Just let them know you are putting the word out that you're in the job market.  They may know of someone now that is hiring or will at least keep you in mind if they hear about an opportunity later.  A referral to a Job Fair or a Job Placement Center could be just what you need.

Updating Your Resume

Everything needs updating every once and awhile. After having the same haircut for a few years, it's always fun to change it up a bit. When a new season arrives, it's a good excuse to clean out the closet and update your wardrobe.
When it comes to your résumé, it's smart to periodically revisit and refresh it, even if you aren't looking for a new job at that moment. Having a current résumé will come in handy should you find yourself in a position where you need or want a new job right away.
No need to panic that your résumé needs a total overhaul. There are a few basic items that you can update easily.  Here are five:
1. Contact information
This might seem like an obvious one, but if you haven't touched your résumé in a while, you may still have your old address or cellphone number on there. Also, check to see which email address you've included; you want the email address on your résumé to be as professionally sounding as possible. If your email address is still likestoparty28@hotmail.com, it's time to create a new one. Consider [first name].[last name]@hotmail.com instead.
2. Objective statement
Your objective statement may be up-to-date, well thought out and well written. The problem? You have an objective statement in the first place. Objective statements are outdated and are being replaced by professional summaries or summaries of qualifications. The difference between the two is that objective statements talk about what you want in a job; professional summaries recap your job-seeker "brand" and explain why you're the right fit for the position in question. Since this is usually the first thing hiring managers will read on your résumé, you want to make sure it grabs their attention and makes them want to learn more about your skills and qualifications.
3. Skills/areas of expertise section
The skills or areas of expertise section is usually where you list out in bullets everything you're proficient at; so anything from a certain Web design program you've mastered to your negotiating skills. Take a look at your list to make sure you can still confidently say you excel at all those skills, and see if there are any new skills you've acquired that you'd like to add. Also think about the "So what?" for each skill listed; if you can't answer or speak in depth about your expertise, don't include it. Something else to consider? Removing this section all together and incorporating your skills into the professional summary/summary of qualifications section.
4. EducationYou may be proud of your 3.9 GPA or that you graduated with honors. And if you're entry level, you should include such achievements, along with relevant coursework, on your résumé. However, if you're an experienced job seeker, it's no longer necessary to mention your GPA or go into specifics about what classes you took as an undergrad. Instead, keep this section simple, listing the college you went to and its location, the degree(s) you graduated with and years attended.
Of course, if you recently went back to school to obtain a post-graduate degree or certification, that information should be included, especially if it shows how you have gained skills that will help you succeed at the job for which you're applying.
5. Formatting
With the limited amount of space that you have to include your entire work and education history, it can be tempting to use a ton of different font sizes, bullets and section breaks to break up the content and keep it organized. If your résumé looks like an eye sore, it's time for a formatting refresh. Sleek and simple is the name of the game -- use easy-to-read fonts and clean formatting. You can use all caps or a different font color to emphasize section headers, but keep it consistent and stick with basic colors such as blue.
Sure, change is never easy, but with a few simple updates to your résumé, you'll be in good shape to tackle a new job search -- whether that's a few days, months or years down the road.