Archive for April, 2012
Find Out If A Company Is Right For YOU
Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
Most people understandably worry about how they come across to an employer. They want to get an interview, ace the questions, and get an offer. Most candidates don’t spend even a fraction of the time thinking about how THEY feel about the company.
The reasons vary, but when eager to get a new job, most people hand all of their power to the potential employer. The interview process is a two-way street, and it’s worth taking the time to determine if you want to work somewhere – before getting hired. With a high percentage of new hires leaving within their first six months on the job, proper research will help you beat the odds and find a long-term fit. This will save you time, money, and energy in the end – the last thing you probably want to do is re-start an active job search so soon!
So, how can you find out if a company is a good fit?
1) Check out the company’s website. It sounds like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people overlook this resource!
2) Google the company, but go back several pages. This is where you’re more likely to find information NOT put out by the company.
3) Visit CareerBliss.com and GlassDoor.com. Both sites include company reviews given anonymously by employees.
Of course, nothing takes the place of talking to someone directly. Find an internal contact and see what you can learn “off the record.” Also, practice reading – and seeing –between the lines. When you go to the company to interview, do the employees seem happy? Are there numerous empty seats? These types of observations can help you get a read on the state of a company and its culture.
Though there are always unknowns, conducting a wide range of research activities will improve your odds of getting into a company where you’ll be happy to stay.
Tags: company research, informational interviewing, interview preparation
Posted in Interviewing, Job Search Strategies |
To Find Your Dream Job, Be A Remarkable Candidate
Monday, April 9th, 2012
In a crowded job market it can be tough to find relevant ways to make yourself stand out from other candidates. You may find yourself competing against candidates with equal credentials and similar experience who are willing to work for less. That’s why I found this article from Inc. Magazine so fascinating. In “8 Qualities of Remarkable Employees” author Jeff Haden outlines eight characteristics that make great employees truly remarkable. If you often feel like a fish-out-of-water, you’ll be glad to know that eccentricity makes his list. So too does knowing when to speak up, and when to stifle it.
Whether you’re writing a cover letter or seated across the table from the final decision-maker, consider what makes you remarkable, and make sure the other person knows it too.
Posted in Inspiration, Personal Branding |
Should YOUR Resume Be One Page?
Saturday, April 7th, 2012
The “one page” question is one of the most common things people ask me about. It’s not a hard and fast rule, and I end up writing two to three page resumes for many of my clients. However, there is a group that should ALMOST always have a resume that’s just one page long – college students/recent graduates.
If you worked through college, participated in extra-curricular activities, and got good grades, you may think there’s no way you could fit everything onto one page. You’d be right – and you’d have to be very selective about what you keep on. Most CEOs could fill a book detailing their background, yet their resumes don’t often go past three pages. Clearly, they’re not including everything, and the same applies to recent graduates. In addition, employers expect to see one page resumes from recent college graduates. Their professional experience simply doesn’t warrant more.
So, what do you keep in and what do you leave out?
IN: Classes that are highly-specific to your target job; volunteer activities within your target industry; internships; work experience.
OUT: Your high school diploma/graduation date; coursework not related to your job goals; any activities you quit after a short period of time.
Of course, there are always exceptions, including recent graduates who went back to school later in life. Consider your background, target job (and level), and years of professional experience to help you determine your resume’s length.
Tags: College Graduates, Entry-Level Job Seekers, Resume Length
Posted in Resumes |
