Sunday, May 31, 2020

Communicating With An Interviewer After You Are Rejected

Communicating With An Interviewer After You Are Rejected Maggie, an interviewer, asks this interesting question (Id love to know what you think about it): I am wondering if folks that interviewed and subsequently got denied due to the choosing of another candidate should ask for feedback about what they might or might not have been able to improve in an interview. Its one of those touchy subjects where as an interviewer Id like to help the candidates for their next opportunity by giving it but some state that its not appropriate and it obviously can steer you down a legally touchy path. Any thoughts on that or something your readers might be able to shed some light on? This is a good question, Ill throw my two cents in from both sides (interviewer and interviewee) but would LOVE to hear what you think. As an interviewee, I have asked for feedback, and gotten no response. This was after multiple conversations before the we really like you but we chose someone else. It kind of miffs me because we seem to get along great before the devastating e-mail, and then communication completely ends. Its really annoying to, once again as a job seeker, get the cold shoulder. Especially when you are convinced that you are an absolute fit for the job! However, as an interviewer, I remember how busy I was during this process. Really, its a pain to have to interview a dozen or more candidates, figure out who the best is, make offers, and all that stuff. And this, on top of my normal day job! If a candidate did come back to me (this happened very rarely) to ask what they might have improved, I would totally want to help them out. Shoot, I like helping people and would love the opportunity to coach one of these folks, especially after they show initiative and interest in improving. But. There is always a but. As a company representative, I would be concerned about some kind of lawsuit. I would probably share maybe 10% of what I really wanted to share, and not say the other 90%. Just to be safe, and keep the company safe. Its really a shame, but thats the mentallity that I have Im sure HR trained me on that somewhere along the line. So, do you help and offer advice? As an interviewee, do you ask for feedback after you are rejected? P.S. This is one of the reasons why a networking or job club is so critical. You are able to network with others in a similar situation, and the information flows freely youll get plenty of advice on your interview techniques (and more!). Hopefully you can find something like Austins Launch Pad Job Club, Houstons Between Jobs Ministry, or the Scottsdale Job Network. Communicating With An Interviewer After You Are Rejected Maggie, an interviewer, asks this interesting question (Id love to know what you think about it): I am wondering if folks that interviewed and subsequently got denied due to the choosing of another candidate should ask for feedback about what they might or might not have been able to improve in an interview. Its one of those touchy subjects where as an interviewer Id like to help the candidates for their next opportunity by giving it but some state that its not appropriate and it obviously can steer you down a legally touchy path. Any thoughts on that or something your readers might be able to shed some light on? This is a good question, Ill throw my two cents in from both sides (interviewer and interviewee) but would LOVE to hear what you think. As an interviewee, I have asked for feedback, and gotten no response. This was after multiple conversations before the we really like you but we chose someone else. It kind of miffs me because we seem to get along great before the devastating e-mail, and then communication completely ends. Its really annoying to, once again as a job seeker, get the cold shoulder. Especially when you are convinced that you are an absolute fit for the job! However, as an interviewer, I remember how busy I was during this process. Really, its a pain to have to interview a dozen or more candidates, figure out who the best is, make offers, and all that stuff. And this, on top of my normal day job! If a candidate did come back to me (this happened very rarely) to ask what they might have improved, I would totally want to help them out. Shoot, I like helping people and would love the opportunity to coach one of these folks, especially after they show initiative and interest in improving. But. There is always a but. As a company representative, I would be concerned about some kind of lawsuit. I would probably share maybe 10% of what I really wanted to share, and not say the other 90%. Just to be safe, and keep the company safe. Its really a shame, but thats the mentallity that I have Im sure HR trained me on that somewhere along the line. So, do you help and offer advice? As an interviewee, do you ask for feedback after you are rejected? P.S. This is one of the reasons why a networking or job club is so critical. You are able to network with others in a similar situation, and the information flows freely youll get plenty of advice on your interview techniques (and more!). Hopefully you can find something like Austins Launch Pad Job Club, Houstons Between Jobs Ministry, or the Scottsdale Job Network.

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Writing a College Resume

Writing a College ResumeCollege resume writing can be a daunting task, and the most difficult part of the whole process. The college resume is essentially a form that you fill out, which is meant to give the college some basic information about you. Your personal and professional information will then be put into the resume, and this will form the basis of your application for that particular college. It can also help you make your college application more effective by the information you put in.Writing a college resume can seem daunting, especially if you are trying to find specific information about each candidate. If you just had a bad experience with a particular college, it is difficult to put yourself in the same category when it comes to your college application. Therefore, you must make sure that the college resume that you write reflects your situation, instead of vice versa.To begin, you should know the school's requirements before you begin the process. Colleges have diffe rent requirements for their admission, and they also tend to have different requirements for the different programs you can apply for. College students generally fill out the different sections of the applications separately. When it comes to the college application, they need to also answer questions such as 'How would you like to pay for college?' You should do your best to answer the question that is on the application form.Before you begin your college application, you need to familiarize yourself with all of the requirements that are part of the particular college. If you are unsure of any requirements that may apply to you, you should make a list of all of the necessary requirements that a student at that college may have. This will give you an idea of what sort of questions you should expect when it comes to the application process.One of the most important things to remember when it comes to college application is to choose a good college. The reason you want to choose a goo d college is because there are many different factors that will affect your application. A school that is relatively new or has had a poor record for some time may not be a good option for you.Therefore, you should always be thinking about the good points about a college before you begin your college application. Although it is not required, it is always a good idea to research a college beforehand. You may find that it has some very good attributes that you might not have previously known about. In this case, it is good to have an outline of what to expect before you start filling out the college application.For your college resume, it is important to provide information that is accurate and true. You should be careful not to falsify any information that you are asked to submit. It is also important to make sure that you are providing the information that the college requires, and that you are providing that information as honestly as possible.Writing a college resume can be diffic ult and frustrating, but it is important to complete it in a timely manner. The higher you get in your education, the more that your resume will be used, so you need to make sure that it is current. Having a college resume up to date can help you get a better acceptance rate from the college of your choice.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

How Do You React to Pressure - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

How Do You React to Pressure - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career If you are interviewing for a job, you are probably going to get the “stress” question at some point. The simple truth is this. If you can’t work under pressure, you won’t get the job. If it comes up in a job or promotion interview, there’s a reason you’re asked this question. Consider that the recruiter is doing you a kindness by telling you if a job is stressful. It’s useful to prepare by developing a story, rather than a series of pronouncements about how great you are under pressure. You’ll need to formulate a story (or two) that shows how much experience you have working or managing under difficult conditions. If you’re not ready for the question? You’ll feel anxious just attempting to answer it. So, be prepared. TIP: The most profound way to respond to this question is to thank the recruiter for asking it. Then, preempt their next question. The predictable follow-up is “give me an example.” Jump on it unprompted, to showcase just how stress proof you are (if you are). Here’s an example of a great response. Recruiter: “How do you function under stressful conditions?” YOU: “Thank you for asking. I’d like to share an example with you.   Just two weeks ago, a client of our firm called with a really urgent problem. She had given us the wrong date for her upcoming trade show. The show was actually a month earlier than she previously communicated. I reassured her that we would have some materials for her without a doubt, and that I’d see what changes needed to be made in order to meet her new deadline.   I called it a “new” deadline â€" to make sure she didn’t feel embarrassed. Also, I made sure I didn’t over promise what we could deliver. Then, I immediately began calling colleagues and vendors to make changes in the project management schedule. Turns out I needed to change the complexity of some of the communication pieces or have her pay rush charges. But all the vendors were pretty good about helping out. When I gave her the choice, the client chose to pay more to get everything done perfectly. So, I put in some extra hours each day a nd worked through one weekend to get it done. Sure it was stressful but I was really proud to make the event perfect as if nothing had gone wrong. Plus, we actually made a bit more profit on the job.” Do you see how the example showed that you handled stress well â€" without seeming false or self-serving? The other quality you showcase in this answer is that you didn’t give away the extra work for free. You gave the client a choice to pay more â€" and that means you understand that making revenue is a business goal. You were also respectful to the client and to your vendors. How good is that for your personal brand? Stories create memories about you; proclamations don’t. Your personal brand is built by knowing who you are and being able to tell stories that showcase these qualities. Even if you don’t have a story that directly relates to work or this job in particular, certainly you have a story about managing something under pressure. Your story could be a research report with a tight deadline from a professor or a volunteer event where someone wasn’t able to handle their responsibility but you pitched in to make it happen. I’d love to hear your stress story â€" and how you aced it. And, I’ll provide you with some feedback that should enhance your personal brand. Email me at Nance@NanceRosen.com. Subject line: Stress Author: Nance Rosen  is the author of Speak Up! Succeed. She speaks to business audiences around the world and is a resource for press, including print, broadcast and online journalists and bloggers covering social media and careers. Read more at NanceRosenBlog. Twitter name: nancerosen

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Personal Branding Weekly - 5 August 2013 - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Weekly - 5 August 2013 - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Every morning I throw down a   Bootstrapping Buzz Challenge on my Facebook page to remind people of what they already know and deliver it as one solid step for them to take that day that will create personal brand buzz for them in the most effective way and spending the least (to no) amount of money.   In fact, last week heres what I challenged: Fridays Bootstrapping Buzz Challenge Create a list of people you want to connect with on purpose. Every once and a while you’ll stumble across someone amazing yet its loads easier to find who you’re looking for if you know who they are in the first place. Creating buzz happens when you have a plan, execute on it and adjust along the way. Thursdays  Bootstrapping Buzz Challenge Todays Bootstrapping Buzz Challenge Instead of approaching networking with the goal of gaining favors, try reaching out with curiosity. Today contact someone you find interesting and relevant. Find out more about them, their interests and how you can help them â€" and don’t expect anything in return. Wednesdays  Bootstrapping Buzz Challenge You don’t need to know most people, just the right people. Look through your contact list and choose TWO people who: 1. Have or are current customers, refer business to you or speak highly of you. 2. Make sure you have all of their updated contact information Update all their contact info, search them out and connect with them on a social network that you use often. Creating buzz means actively working with fans and helping them become advocates. And, you need to be in and know how to contact them in order to do that. Tuesdays  Bootstrapping Buzz Challenge Brand yourself. Today sign up for Brandyourself.com and follow the steps (for free) to boost how youre found on line and to begin to manage your online reputation. To create buzz you need to take an active role in what is found about you online. If you go for the paid version, you can get a 25% discount by using this coupon code. And, no I dont sell this. And, no I do not make a commission. Its true bootstrapping buzz gem! ENJOY! Mondays  Bootstrapping Buzz Challenge You never get a second chance at now. Your child will never be this age again. The best way to tell your parents you love them is to tell them now. We tend to get so caught up in the quality of our excuses. No excuses today spend the time now. To create buzz you need to be grounded in what matters most. The implosion that happens when youre not is definitely a buzz kill. Hope youll consider joining in on my Facebook page! Heres this weeks posts: The Best Way to Leverage Your Personal Brand by Skip Weisman LinkedIn Skill Endorsements by Kevin Monahan Will Your Personal Brand Mature in 30 Years? by Nance Rosen Negotiate a Win-Win Solution in the Workplace by Ceren Cubukcu What Type of Personal Brand are You? by Heather Huhman Building a Meaningful Legacy by Elinor Stutz Time Management Tips for Personal Branding Success by Roger Parker WEBCAST: The Promote Yourself Book Launch with Dan Schawbel by Dan Schawbel Podcast: 9 Reasons for Your Personal Branding Strategy by The Young Entrepreneur Council Job Hopping: A Smart Career Strategy! by Richard Kirby Using Google+ Hashtags for Your Personal Brand by Maria Elena Duron Give Your Job Search A Boost Avoid Blame by Glassdoor.com Accountability Matters by Jeff Shuey The Power of Rehearsing by Kate Southam Too Many Emails? Some Real Causes and Solutions by Sharmin Banu Business Lessons Learned from Distance Cyclists by Beth Kuhel Make Your Resume Stand Out Using Marketing Strategies by Leslie Truex  Promiscuous LinkedIn Connections and Your Personal Brand by Marc Miller Branding by Association by Kevin Monahan Next week, well highlight: If your personal brand is tasty? Do you tell people when youre using them as a reference for a job opportunity? Networking and business contacts Reading and personal branding success. As always, please share our thoughts and comments. Thanks for spending time with us! Author: Maria Elena Duron, is managing editor of the Personal Branding Blog, CEO (chief engagement officer) of  buzz2bucksâ€"  a word of mouth marketing firm, and a professional speaker and trainer on developing social networks that work. She provides workshops, webinars, seminars and direct services that help create conversation, connection, credibility, community and commerce around your brand.   Maria Duron is founder  and moderator of  #brandchat   a weekly Twitter chat focused on every aspect of  branding  that is recognized by Mashable as one the 15 Essential Twitter Chats for Social Media Marketers. Are you busy? Here’s some quick and easy tips on  Social Marketing for busy people.

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Resume Objective Statements

Resume Objective StatementsIf you are looking for more ways to enhance your chances of getting hired, resume objective statements are an excellent method. If used properly, they can bring about dramatic improvements in your overall job application process.This is a statement that explains your career goals and what you expect to be specifically involved in the job duties. It is not the place to talk about your specific skills. The interviewer may still ask for references and qualifications in this section.If you want to be hired as a telecommuter or temporary employee, a resume objective statement that says 'telecommuter'temporary,' and 'would like additional hours' is an excellent start. Your resume objective should be both specific enough that it gets the attention of the hiring manager.The interviewer is going to be thinking of who the candidate actually is. When the interviewer sees a vague resume objective statement that is half filled with other things such as, 'Need to take so me time off from work to care for my mother,' the interviewer may give up the job on that candidate. In fact, it may be a turnoff. The reality is that the best objective statements will be honest and specific about the expectations and knowledge of the job.Although career objectives can also be used for just about any occupation, the potential impact on the interview is huge. The hiring manager does not need to contact the candidate again and is unlikely to accept an answer that is not focused on his organization and vision. The job applicant should also demonstrate to the hiring manager that he or she has the necessary skills to accomplish the needs of the company. The interview manager will likely base his decision on the fact that you have a thorough understanding of the organization and its mission and objectives.It is important to note that you do not need to be the author of your resume objective statements. In fact, you should have a number of different objectives and career plans written in order to maximize your presentation.One of the biggest mistakes made by job applicants is making sure that they cover all of the bases and find everyone they need in their statements. A few key details to include in your objective statements are your qualification, your skills, your experience, your qualifications, your experience, etc.There are times when an employer may ask for more information and to read your resume objective before he or she hires you. The interviewer will appreciate a well-prepared objective. As you can see, resume objective statements are a very powerful tool to use in your own job application.

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Interview Series - Career Experts - Mike McRitchie from Critical Path Action CareerMetis.com

Interview Series - Career Experts - Mike McRitchie from Critical Path Actionâ€" CareerMetis.com In this interview series, we caught up with Mike McRitchie from Critical Path Action who shares his expertise and insights about job search, career change,etc.in today’s marketplace.Tell us a little bit about your company evalCritical Path Action helps mid to late-career tech industry specialists and managers uncover their unique strengths, accomplishments, and cool stories to age-proof their career and land their next career opportunity.I do this by providing resume and LinkedIn profile rewrite services and job search strategy guidance.I also help side hustlers and business owners write more impactful content, whether that’s for their website What is the most exciting part of working in thisindustry? Helping people recognize the strengths they have and the value they bring, that then translates into the confidence to believe in themselves and land that next career opportunity.How do to stay abreast of the industry as an expert? Constantly reading and learning ideas from other to p experts, testing ideas and gaining insights from my clients, and staying connected with other industry leaders.What are some of the things that you see job seekers struggle with the most?Recognizing their value.What are the common mistakes that you see them do? Not focusing enough and trying to shotgun their resumes out.How should job seekers approach job search today?Don’t rely on online job postings.Leverage LinkedIn to identify insider contacts then reach out to learn about the company and role â€" ideally before you have to hunt for that next job.Unemployment is at the lowest levels, why do you think that is? The U.S. economy has been booming.With the internet global opportunities abound.And with the gig economy there is really no reason to be unemployed.What is the biggest trendMike McRitchie and Critical Path Action have also been featured in our recent compilation of the most resourceful career experts and career blogs â€"Top Career Advice Websites.

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Getting LinkedIn To A Job - CareerEnlightenment.com

As Ghosh’s experience suggests, connections don’t have to be particularly close for the power of networking to kick in. If you discover that one of your initial connections knows someone you’d like to meet, you can simply ask them to facilitate an introduction. And the more connections you have, the larger the network of people you can tap into.“Unlike in real life, LinkedIn never forgets the links,” says chemistry blogger  Chemjobber, who also found his current position as a research chemist for a chemical company through LinkedIn. CEN has agreed not to disclose his identity because it could interfere with his employment.Several years ago, Chemjobber had been eyeing a job at a company back in his hometown. Using LinkedIn, he discovered that his undergraduate adviser was connected to the owner of the company. Chemjobber asked his adviser to make an introduction, and that opened the door to an interview, which led to a job offer. “A lot of job hunting, job searching, and j ob getting these days is through personal connections,” Chemjobber says. “And LinkedIn is a very good way of helping with those personal connections.”People looking for work aren’t the only ones making use of LinkedIn. In fact, recruiters rely heavily on LinkedIn profile searches to identify qualified job candidates. According to a 2013 survey of more than 1,600 recruiting and human resources professionals by recruiting platform Jobvite, recruiters used LinkedIn 93% of the time in their recruiting activities.“What I tell job seekers is that, if you’re not on LinkedIn, you better get on it as soon as possible, because recruiters are definitely using LinkedIn as a source of candidates,” says Kerry Boehner, an executive recruiter at  KOB Solutions  who specializes in the biotech, pharma, and medical device industries. Set up a good profile, she says, and “start connecting with people, and I guarantee that recruiters will start calling.”“In today’s job market, the LinkedIn résumé is the only thing people might see before they contact someone,” says Mary Canady, founder of San Diego life sciences business development company  Comprendia. She also started the  San Diego Biotechnology Network, a networking association. “I suggest that people make their LinkedIn résumé as complete as their actual résumé. You want your LinkedIn page to come up when people are researching you for a job.”Another way to tap into the power of LinkedIn is by joining groups, participating in their discussions, and sharing your expertise, Waldman says. “People need to start to engage with their communities,” he says. “When you’re active on groups, you start to build new relationships.”That’s how chemist  James Wasas  landed his current position as vice president and director of refining operations at  Great American Mint Refinery  in Anaheim, Calif. At age 68, Wasas was not looking for a job last year when he saw a notice on one of his groups’ message boards that the new company was looking for someone with expertise in chemical refining of precious metals. Rather, Wasas was on LinkedIn to help others solve technical problems.But as luck would have it, Wasas was growing tired of living in New Jersey, where he was working for a research and development company on natural gas purification. His house had been severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and the idea of moving with his wife and children to Southern California was appealing.Wasas responded to the job posting, and after several conversations and an in-person interview with the company’s president and cofounder, Philip P. Dodge, Wasas was offered the job. He started work in January 2013.Dodge says Wasas’s activity in the various discussion groups caught his eye. “By following the chat boards that Jim was involved in, I was able to see how other chemists were reacting to his suggestions and explanations. Based upon the apparent credibility of his comments i n these chat boards, I was able to ascertain that he was worth spending some time with and talking to,” he says, adding that Wasas had built and managed several precious-metal refineries in South America and the U.S., making him an ideal candidate for the position.Dodge points out that more than half of the scientific and executive team he’s hired so far have come through LinkedIn introductions. “This business of precious-metals refining and manufacturing is fairly esoteric, and there aren’t a whole lot of people out there that specialize in this,” he says. “If you use traditional media to try and hire, you’re advertising to the masses, and very few of the people that you’re advertising to know anything about what it is that you do.”While LinkedIn can be an effective tool for job searching, it should not replace other good networking skills, Waldman says. Once you’ve made a connection online, try to take it offline as quickly as possible, he recommends. “Make s ure you’re going up the ladder of intimacy,” he says. An e-mail could lead to “a 10-minute phone call, and the next step could be meeting for coffee.” And before you know it, you could be shaking hands with your new boss and accepting that job offer.

Friday, May 8, 2020

How to Build and Manage Your Personal Brand Online

How to Build and Manage Your Personal Brand Online You can have an extensive amount of experience with unique skill sets and seem like a perfect fit for a job, but employers will still be hesitant to hire you if you don’t have a solid online presence. In this day and age, leaders have to be visible to the public. Having social proof that you are who you say you are is one thing, and seeing how you would be viewed in the eyes of potential customers is another. So how can you ensure your c-level personal branding is up to par? Here’s the proper way to build your online personal brand and how to manage it for years to come. Diversify Your Visibility You may start by working with a LinkedIn profile writing service to develop your LinkedIn profile. This is a critical component of any good online image, but it won’t build your brand alone. You also have to diversify your visibility by being active on other sites like Twitter, Facebook, your own blog and maybe even commenting on blogs written by other professionals. Any LinkedIn profile writing service will say the more visible you are, the stronger your online brand will be. So creating unique, insightful and relevant content and posting it across multiple platforms can give you the diversity you need. Clean Up Your Online Image Employers want to know as much as they can about a candidate. Most of the time it means they are going to run a Google search for your name and see what comes up. Before this happens, you should run the same search yourself and clean up anything you don’t want other people to see. The goal is to have your LinkedIn executive profile show up at the top of the search results so there’s no questioning in your online presence. Never Stop Enhancing Your Personal Brand You should never stop building and managing your online c-level personal branding. A lot of the work is done upfront with building a solid reputation, but after that it’s important to continue posting new content and staying active. Do a Google search for your name frequently just to ensure everything is still clean. The thing with c-level personal branding is you can never stop working on it if you want to maintain a strong reputation. Professional Resume Services has plenty of tips and tricks to help executives build and manage their personal brand online. Our LinkedIn profile writing service is designed to help you create a profile from scratch or even tweak and polish your existing profile. It takes time to build your personal brand, but it’s well worth the effort. Feel free to reach out to us at any time for assistance along the way.