OMG you got the “Sorry. We loved you but we loved other candidates more” email. You thought you nailed the interview. That job was yours–you just had to wait for the email with the offer. These are difficult situations yet you have to recover quickly in order to get your …
Read More »Smart Interview Answers or Smarty Pants Answers?
This article has some good approaches to answering those old-fashioned and usually useless questions you may get asked in a job interview. If you’re interested in the job, don’t let a few ridiculous questions tempt you to cop an attitude or try to turn the tables on the interviewer. Not …
Read More »Hidden Job Market Networking: 3 Deadly Job Search Phrases
Here are 3 phrases that can slow down your job search success: * That won’t work for me. * I already know that. * I don’t need to do that. These are job search success killers because job search is very different today — because the world is very different. You may need to rethink old strategies and even (gasp!) getting a little outside your comfort zone. Speaking of outside your comfort zone, consider this: pick …
Read More »Cover Letter Rules that Can Make a Difference–and Shorten the Writing Struggle
As a recruiter, I can tell you there is no hard and fast rule that you must submit a cover letter. I don’t dismiss a candidate with a good resume just because they don’t have a cover letter. At the same time, a good candidate with a mediocre, form-letter type cover …
Read More »Questions To Ask BEFORE Accepting Their Offer AND A Career-Ending Mistake
Wanted to share this article with you because it does have some good things to consider before accepting a job offer. It also has some conventional wisdom that can totally backfire and mess up your career or at least your current job! There are few sweeter words than, “We’d love …
Read More »Hidden Job Market Networking: How to Pay to Play
Actively networking and making connections are essential and significant elements of your job search strategy today. Social networking is important, but must be augmented with face-to-face or at least voice-to-voice connecting. The etiquette is “ask for the help–ask for the check.” That can get expensive unless you get creative. And the good news is “creative” is not only acceptable, it can often make you stand out. These days it is quite acceptable to ask someone to join you for coffee — on you. You could even offer to bring coffee …
Read More »Hidden Job Market Networking: 8 Conversation No-No’s
I know you wouldn’t do these things on purpose. But sometimes we can feel the pressure of being in a job search, or maybe nervousness because of the meeting you’re attending or the person you’re talking to. Maybe you’re like me in that when you get nervous, or a little tongue tied, you might start babbling. It’s like when you’re running really fast down a hill. You know you’re about to go down in disgrace and you won’t …
Read More »Hidden Job Market Networking: Secret to Get into a New Industry
Here is a strategy that can be extremely useful when you would like to change industries. It will help you in your job search networking and, as a bonus, when you interview. I had to develop this technique because throughout my career, after about 18 months in a position, I wanted a new one! Especially if it could be an entirely new industry or function. If you don’t know this how your experience can be useful in a new position or industry, trust me they won’t be able to figure it out! And it really isn’t enough to just tell them your skills are “transferrable.” By the …
Read More »The 3 Essential Components of Real Listening—The Ultimate Compliment
Networking is the best way to find jobs in the hidden job market. When you’re in job search and REALLY eager to find a new job, you may skip one of the keys to successfully networking so people remember you and refer jobs to you. We are often so focused …
Read More »Hidden Job Market Networking: Why you must meet people outside your function
It goes without saying that as a job seeker you must create networking opportunities with those at the right level and in the right position to hire you. At the same time, you can significantly accelerate your search by networking with people who might not initially seem to fit that criteria. Consider networking with people who are outside your function and at least one level above you on the org chart. …
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