Ask a Career Coach: Help! I’m Not Getting Interviews, But I’m Doing Everything Right – Kyle Lee

Jul 172017
 

Dear Kyle,

I’m stuck in what I would say is a “rut.” I’ve been employed at my current position for a little over eight years and am sort of stuck. There’s no chance of advancement. I’m bored and know that I have many transferable skills (in pharmaceutical sales); however, because I don’t have direct experience in the area I want to take my career, I can’t even get an interview.

I’ve been sending out my resume for over a year now. I had it professionally assessed by someone experienced in this line of work, so I know it’s professional and highlights my transferable skills. I feel incredibly confident that if I could just obtain an interview, I’d be well on my way to getting the job. Any suggestions or insights on how else I can promote myself to stand out? I’m at a loss!!

Signed, Stuck-in-a-Rut

Dear Stuck-in-a-Rut,

You just struck a chord with 90% of people who have tried to apply for jobs online. It’s tricky; you can’t ignore the standard application process, but what do you do when the portals become black holes? Assuming you’ve already been tweaking your resume and customizing your cover letter every time you apply for an opening, following up, and still getting no response, it’s time to take other action.

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Job Seekers Must Have Patience During the Hiring Process – Roy Maurer

Jun 192017
 
Typical time from application to hire is just under 28 days

Various labor market reports forecast that hiring will continue to be strong in 2017. But the competition will be fierce, making it hard for job seekers to land their choice role, according to a new survey report.

San Francisco-based recruiting software company Jobvite analyzed over 14 million job applications and their outcomes in 2016 to measure the chances of getting a job by industry, the typical length of the hiring process and the best method to get recruiters’ attention.

According to Jobvite’s data, the most competitive industries for open positions are technology, media, education and e-commerce, with companies like Grubhub or Zappos considering 66 applicants per hire.

Industries like insurance and energy, on the other hand, are substantially less competitive, with less than 20 applicants considered per hire on average. “For those seeking stability and the prospect of long-term growth at a company, these industries may pose an attractive alternative,” said Amanda Van Nuys, Jobvite’s senior director of marketing communications.

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Five Questions You Should Be Careful About Asking In An Interview – Avtar Ram Singh

May 302017
 

You’ll find countless studies telling you that quite often, recruiters or interviewers tend to cross candidates off their list of candidates aren’t dressed appropriately, don’t show up on time, don’t know enough about the company they’re interviewing at or don’t seem enthusiastic enough.

Of course, those are a given – and they’re hygiene. If someone is serious about a job, they’ll dress properly, research the company and the work they do, show up on time and be courteous and eager for the role. Beyond that however, there are a couple of things that candidates often forget, something that I’ve experienced in countless interviews.

The importance of asking the right questions to your interviewer during the various stages of the interview process should not be underestimated. The questions you ask in an interview showcase a lot about how you think as a candidate, but more importantly, as an employee. They reveal what your priorities are, what you’re looking for in your next role, and paint a very clear picture to your interviewer and potential future employer.

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This LinkedIn Recruiter’s Tips For Showcasing Soft Skills On Job Interviews – Brendan Browne

May 152017
 
“It’s more about who you are than what you do,” one LinkedIn insider explains.

If you’ve heard a lot about “soft skills” lately, it’s at least partly because employers want you to develop them. According to our Global Recruiting Trends study here at LinkedIn, more employers are rolling out “soft skills assessments” to test job candidates on the cognitive and personality qualities you don’t go to school to learn: critical thinking, adaptability, learning agility, communication, etc. By all indications, these factors are trading at a higher value in 2017 than they have in the past.

“Come to each interview armed with anecdotes about how you reacted to a major change.”

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Everything You Need to Know About Job References – Alison Green

May 082017
 
Contact your references ahead of time and go over what you’d like them to discuss.

When an interviewer asks you for a list of references, are you confident about the names you hand over? Do you wonder what kind of questions they might be asked, or whether you’ve picked the right people? Are you supposed to list your current manager, or is it OK not to?

Here’s a quick rundown of the basics that you should know about job references.

[See: Famous CEOs and Executives Share Their Best Career Advice.]

What kind of questions will your references be asked?

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Make a Job Fair Work for You – Kim Thompson

Apr 242017
 

If you are in an active job search, more than likely you will hear about job fairs as a good way to meet employers. That’s true. Job fairs where broad to narrow industries are represented bring employers to you. Most job fair events are designed to give you opportunities to meet employers face to face, a chance to engage in a real, live conversation, even though it might be brief.

Half the challenge in searching for a good job is meeting people in person to talk about their hiring needs and your experience. Yet some people find job fairs helpful while others leave without real leads and that’s true with any type of networking event where potential employers are present.

The key to making a job fair work for you is planning and being selective. A good job fair will advertise the industries represented as well as specific employers, but not every event will match your background. Taking the time to research the companies and requirements before you attend will help make your time more effective.

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5 Tips For A Winning Cover Letter – Arnie Fertig

Apr 172017
 
How to secure that initial interview.

When writing a cover letter, describe how the job requirements match your experience and skills.

Virtually every career professional, recruiter or human resources staffing professional agrees that under normal circumstances, you must have a stand-out resume and LinkedIn presence to introduce yourself to a perspective employer.

Conventional wisdom (for what it’s worth) suggests that cover letters are ignored altogether about half the time. The problem for the job hunter is that you never know in advance when it is carefully evaluated by an employer, and when it is simply ignored.

[See: 8 Ways Millennials Can Build Leadership Skills.]

You should assume, at a minimum, that this introductory communication remains important for roles which will require you to compose varied forms of communications, such as reports and correspondence.

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6 Common Job Search Questions Answered – Marcelle Yeager

Mar 272017
 

There are many questions about job searching out there, and unfortunately, a wide range of answers. This is because each employer and every single recruiter is different, and hiring practices change over time. That makes it very hard to nail down one answer to every question. However, among the most common job search questions, the answers that you get will generally be along the same lines. Let’s dive in.

[See: 10 Things They Don’t Tell You About Your First Job.]

“Do people even get hired anymore without knowing someone?” Yes! It is surprising how many job seekers think this isn’t true. You actually can apply to a job online and be asked for an interview and receive an offer, or be contacted by a recruiter and have it lead to a job offer. Shocked? Apply away, but be smart about where you apply and what you spend your time on. If you don’t meet the minimum qualifications, you are probably wasting your time.

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4 Things College Students Can Do To Nail Any Interview – Liz Wessel

Mar 202017
 

When you’re interviewing for an internship, knowing how to put your best foot forward is a key part of getting hired. As CEO of WayUp, I often get asked by students about what they can do to stand out from the crowd. Here are my top four tips for nailing any interview. You can remember them through the acronym, REAF :

1. R: Do your research.

Having a great interview experience begins with doing your research on three things: the company, the position and the person you’re interviewing with. Start by taking a look at the company’s website and social media pages and learning everything you can about the company culture and its mission. To really impress the interviewer, you’ll want to make note of any unique things you find out and mention those during your interview. For example, if you’re interviewing for a marketing role and you find out a cool fact about one of the company’s branding campaigns, be sure to bring this up and to explain why it’s important. This will show the interviewer that you care about the company and that you’re passionate about their work.

Once you have a sense of what the company is all about, it’s time to learn about the role. A great place to start is the job listing. This will give you an overview of the position as well as highlighting key responsibilities. You can also take a look at the company’s career page and make note of any team members who are currently in that position and who may have specific projects listed in their bios.

Last but not least, if you get the interviewer’s name ahead of time (it never hurts to ask!), it’s important to research the person you’ll be meeting with. In addition to reading the person’s bio on the company page, I recommend looking at their Twitter, Instagram or Facebook to learn more about who they are as a person. This is also a good way to identify whether you have anything in common with them which might help you establish a connection during the interview.

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Want To Succeed In Your Job Search? Here’s the Secret Sauce… – Billie Streufert

Mar 132017
 
Personal connection is the key to a successful job search.

When it comes to finding jobs or internships, most applicants limit themselves to the positions only advertised online. Instead, it is more effective to build relationships and arranging conversations with others.

Through these premier interactions, you gain advice about the application process, insider information about the culture of organizations and personal endorsements that enhance the status of your applications. As Undercover Recruiter highlighted, these referrals are the most effective strategy employers rely on to source talent. If nothing else, these discussions permit you to practice professional communication and interview skills.

How to you land these valuable conversations? You simply ask.

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