Three Steps to a Successful Job Search
When the job market is tight, it may be tempting to cut corners on your job search, but for the sake of landing a position, please don't. When it's a buyer's market, you owe it to yourself and your family to put your best foot forward. To stand out, there are three key factors you need to concentrate on - your resume, interview skills, and follow up strategy.
Resume
When a homespun resume would have garnered interviews in the past, in a tight market you have to step up your game. A professionally written resume can make the difference between getting called in for an interview and getting overlooked.
Interview Skills
Admit it. How many interviews have you gone on without preparing? In a job seeker friendly market when companies are clamoring for great employees the "wing it" method worked just fine. But to compete in this market, you have to invest time getting acquainted with common interview questions and sample responses.
To get you started, here are a few.
Many candidates have submitted their resume for consideration. Why should I hire you over other qualified candidates?
Keep in mind that the interviewer is interested in your candidacy. That is the reason you are interviewing for the position. When answering this question, mention the three main reasons you stand out from others. Depending on your position, reasons can include your proficiency in account management, customer service, and strategic planning.
What do you know about our company?
There is a difference between wanting a job, and a sincere interest in working for the hiring organization. There are no shortcuts to answering this question. To answer this question successfully, you will have to conduct company research.
What areas of your abilities would you like to improve upon?
This is a tricky way of asking, "What is your greatest weakness." Choose an ability that needs improvement but isn't an integral part of your job.
Follow-Up Strategies
The interview isn't over when you walk out of the interviewer's office. Chances are many candidates interviewed for the position before you did and will interview for the position after you. To remain competitive, it is essential that you write a follow up letter. This is the advice most job seekers tend to ignore. And it's a shame because the follow-letter can seal a job offer. A small percentage of job seekers write a follow-up letter so those that do take the time to write one stand out for all good reasons.
Resume
When a homespun resume would have garnered interviews in the past, in a tight market you have to step up your game. A professionally written resume can make the difference between getting called in for an interview and getting overlooked.
Interview Skills
Admit it. How many interviews have you gone on without preparing? In a job seeker friendly market when companies are clamoring for great employees the "wing it" method worked just fine. But to compete in this market, you have to invest time getting acquainted with common interview questions and sample responses.
To get you started, here are a few.
Many candidates have submitted their resume for consideration. Why should I hire you over other qualified candidates?
Keep in mind that the interviewer is interested in your candidacy. That is the reason you are interviewing for the position. When answering this question, mention the three main reasons you stand out from others. Depending on your position, reasons can include your proficiency in account management, customer service, and strategic planning.
What do you know about our company?
There is a difference between wanting a job, and a sincere interest in working for the hiring organization. There are no shortcuts to answering this question. To answer this question successfully, you will have to conduct company research.
What areas of your abilities would you like to improve upon?
This is a tricky way of asking, "What is your greatest weakness." Choose an ability that needs improvement but isn't an integral part of your job.
Follow-Up Strategies
The interview isn't over when you walk out of the interviewer's office. Chances are many candidates interviewed for the position before you did and will interview for the position after you. To remain competitive, it is essential that you write a follow up letter. This is the advice most job seekers tend to ignore. And it's a shame because the follow-letter can seal a job offer. A small percentage of job seekers write a follow-up letter so those that do take the time to write one stand out for all good reasons.
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