Your Career Q & A: Applying for Jobs Before Graduation – Martin Yate

Dec 052016
 

your-career-q-a

 

“I’m nearing graduation and wondering if I should start applying for an entry-level job now or wait until after graduation. I’d appreciate any advice you can give me”.  – Anonymous

The short answer is: the sooner you start applying, the better. Put your degree on your resume, with “(anticipated)” before your graduation date.

But before you rush off to update your resume, let’s look a little more deeply into this question that’s important to every college student. Being aware of the challenges that you—as an entry-level candidate—present to the people who hold your future in their hands gives you the ability to minimize them:

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What You Can Do Now To Ace a Job Interview – Val DiFebo

Nov 212016
 

The Fortune 500 Insiders network is an online community where the most thoughtful and influential people in business contribute answers to timely questions about careers and leadership. Today’s answer to the question to: “What’s the most important question to ask job candidates in an interview and why?” is written by Val DiFebo, CEO of Deutsch New York.

what-you-can-doThere is no one question a candidate can answer that will seal the deal and show me how they will approach a job. It’s how they answer a series of questions; how they tell the story of their own career experience and the questions they ask in return that show me what someone will bring to the table.

One way I like to start off with is to ask candidates: “Tell me your story.” I don’t like to read their resume and just infer a story – I want to hear someone lay out and share their own narrative with me: what they love; how they’ve tackled challenges with an out-of-the-box approach; what’s led them to sit at my desk and ask for this job. I’m hoping to uncover their sense of curiosity, their passion – two non-negotiable qualities at a company like ours.

By the time someone has reached my office, their skill set is not the question. They have already established themselves as a candidate with the talent and experience necessary to do the job – I’m not looking to see if they can handle a role; I’m looking to see how they will handle it: do they approach every challenge with the same linear thinking, using mainstream methods time after time? Or are they rolling with the punches, letting outside influences pique their curiosity and drive them to unearth fresh solutions to every hurdle they face?

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Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: Why You Need Both to Succeed – Ransom Patterson

Oct 312016
 

Imagine two people are interviewing for a job. On paper, both candidates are very qualified. They both have degrees from prestigious schools, high GPAs, and a few years of relevant work experience.

Going into the interview, both are well-prepared. They’ve practiced all the common interview questions, dressed for success, and are ready to throw down.

After speaking to both of them, however, the interviewer’s decision isn’t even a hard one. One candidate clearly outshone the other – hiring them was a no-brainer. How can this be?

Simple. One candidate used the interview to demonstrate their soft skills. The other had never even heard that term.

Many students think that getting a job is all about qualifications and technical skills. Those don’t hurt (indeed, they’re essential), but things like how well you work in a team, how well you communicate, and how well you understand other people’s emotions are just as important.

The things I just listed are all soft skills. They’re harder to quantify than hard skills like programming, writing, or accounting, and they’re also more difficult to learn formally.

If you’ve ever taken a business class or read a business publication, you’ve probably heard these two terms thrown around. Understanding and cultivating both are essential to succeeding not just in school and work, but in life.

Today’s post will clear up the ambiguity surrounding hard and soft skills. We’ll cover what they are, which ones employers value (hint: it depends on the job), and how you can cultivate both of them (especially soft skills).

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How to Know If You Talk Too Much – Mark Goulston

Oct 102016
 

It’s advice you’ve likely heard on numerous occasions: you need to be able to network, make connections, and build relationships in order to land a job offer. But how does one make a good impression? How can we all navigate small talk and other networking conversations successfully?

There are lots of things that you can do – and a few things that you should definitely avoid. You’ve heard that communication skills are crucial to finding a job and being successful in the workplace. There is a lot of advice out there on how to be an effective. And a large part of communicating well is knowing when to talk and when to listen.

One of the biggest mistakes a person can make in an interview or networking setting is to talk too much. If the first impression you make seems to indicate that you’re the sort of person who talks incessantly, no one is going to like the idea of sitting in meetings with you on a regular basis making them far less likely to hire you.

Your ability to talk enough, but not too much, in these initial conversations (including interviews) can make or break your chances of establishing a positive connection.

The following article discusses the importance of communicating well and how to know when you’re starting to become a little too chatty:

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Tech Pros Share Advice For New Computer Science Graduates – Ann Bednarz

Sep 062016
 

Tech Pros ShareComputer science graduates are in demand. Last year, 76% of computer science graduates were working full time within six months of finishing school — the highest full-time employment rate among new college graduates and well above the 58% average across all majors, according to a new report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). But as veterans in the tech world know, earning a degree is just the beginning of a new professional’s education. To help this year’s newcomers navigate the transition from academic life to the professional world, we asked tech pros to share their best advice for computer science graduates entering the workforce. Here’s what they had to say.

Have fun and ask questions

“Find a career you enjoy. There is nothing better than getting up each morning looking forward to your day at work. Once you’re on the job, never be afraid to ask questions. Too many times I see people just starting out who are afraid to admit they don’t know something. I’ve been in technology for 18 years and I’m still learning and asking questions.” – Jacob Ackerman, CTO of SkyLink Data Centers

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Don’t Take That Job Before Doing This – Stacy Rapacon

Aug 292016
 

Don't Take That JobWhether you’re a new grad eager to enter the world of work or a seasoned pro ready for a new opportunity, know what you’re getting into before accepting that job offer.

“The job market is strong across the board,” said Dawn Fay, district president of staffing firm Robert Half International. “It’s really become more of a candidate’s marketplace. If you’ve got some sought-after skills, you’re probably going to wind up with more than one job offer.”

Indeed, with a low national unemployment rate of 5 percent and positive hiring outlooks, the odds are in favor of job seekers. Salaries overall also are expected to be 4.1 percent higher than they were in 2015, according to Robert Half’s 2016 salary guide.

So how do you decide whether an opportunity is worth taking? Very carefully. And it all begins long before you get your offer. After all, your job is where you are going to spend the majority of your waking hours.

“For the employer, it’s a commercial decision,” said Kim Seeling Smith, founder and CEO of human resources training and consulting firm Ignite Global. “For you, it’s a life decision, so you have to put a lot of thought into taking the next opportunity.”

The first thing you should do when approaching a job hunt is figure out a three-year career plan, said Seeling Smith. This process should involve evaluating your personal goals, your career values, and your strengths and weaknesses. If you’ve figured this out, you can more easily determine whether your next job offer is the right step to take.

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The One Question You Should Ask at the End of Every Job Interview – Peter Economy

Aug 162016
 

The one questionWhile we all know that resumes and applications–and anything else we submit on paper–take priority for getting our foot in the door with a new employer, there’s one thing that ultimately determines whether or not we get the job: The interview. How do we nail it? Read on to find the one question you should definitely be asking–and why it works so well.

Interviews are crucial for employers to put a face to a name, as well as to see whether or not they think the person would be a good fit for the company. That being said, it’s of utmost importance not only to put your best foot forward, but also to show that you can add something to their team. When interviews do fail, they leave so many applicants wondering just what they did wrong. The trick to circumventing this problem, however, is actually easier than it seems.

Sometimes, the solution is simply to ask.

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11 Sloppy LinkedIn Mistakes That You’re Too Qualified to Make – The Young Entrepreneur Council

Aug 012016
 

11 SloppyA LinkedIn profile’s an awesome opportunity to shine beyond the traditional resume. Between your job history, publications, endorsements, and connections, potential employers scan your information to see what you can bring to the team that no one else can. But if your profile is riddled with typos or you don’t have an adequate picture, an employer isn’t going to see you as a viable candidate.

We asked 11 entrepreneurs and members of YEC to share the mistakes they see most often and how they hurt your professional image in an employer’s eyes. Here’s what you should avoid:

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12 Smart Questions To Ask At The End Of A Job Interview – Chris Jager

Jul 252016
 

12 Smart QuestionsMost job interviews end with a variation of the same question: “Is there anything else you’d like to know about this job?” This is an opportunity you shouldn’t fumble. An insightful and intelligent query will help you to stand out from other candidates. It lets the interviewer know that you’re genuinely interested in the business and have given the position considerable thought. Here are 12 questions that you should consider asking, courtesy of Search Party and JobAdvisor CEO Ben Hutt.

“Just as your potential employer needs to make up their mind about your fit in terms of skills and culture, you need to be sure that you’re making the right decision for you as well,” Hutt explained to Lifehacker. “That’s why asking questions in an interview is really important.”

In addition to helping you assess a job’s suitability, asking the right questions can also improve your chances of actually landing the job. When a prospective employer invites you to ask questions of your own, they’re not just being polite: they genuinely want to answer any and all queries about the position and the wider company. Coming up blank or only asking about holidays/salary isn’t going to be viewed favourably. As Hutt explains:

“Beyond understanding if a company is right for you, your other goal is to get them to hire you. This is where asking questions can also be helpful. Do some internet sleuthing beforehand and ask some specific questions about the company.

“Try to focus on positive things like interesting news coverage or recent product release. This shows that you’ve done your research and will set you apart from other candidates who prepare less than you.”

So what are the top questions to ask? According to Hutt, the most valuable questions fall into one of three main categories: work culture, career development and personal. Here are some examples of each.

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  •  July 25, 2016
  •  Posted by at 11:25 am
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  •   Interviewing, Social Skills

Four Breakthrough Topics And Questions For A Job Interview – Pollyanna Pixton

Jul 112016
 

A stack of resumes sits in front of you. You’ve read them and sorted them into accept and reject piles. You think you’ve found candidates likely to fit in your company. You want the right people in your company and on your team. But how can you decide among these applicants which are the “right” people? What do you need to look for in your new hires? Who will help you gain the competitive edge you need? Will they step up and help move your company forward? Keep in mind, it may take several months to hire the right person but it can take years to get rid of the wrong ones.

On the other side of the table, as a job seeker your resume has resulted in the opportunity for an interview. How can you find out if this is a place you want to work? Do they have a culture and environment where you can make a major contribution?

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