With technology today, you may have been “interviewed” without even knowing it. There are several types of interviews with each method serving a different purpose.
Online Detective Work
Human resource receives an interesting resume. One of the first “checks” or unofficial job interviews will likely be conducted over the internet. Your name is Googled for news or social media persona to see what you say, do, think, and post. Does it match their company philosophy and the resume in hand? You will likely never know they have done this online detective work.
Why Phone Interviews?
Phone interviews allow management to evaluate your phone manners, communication skills, and professionalism as they might relate to their job opening with no physical distractions like “body language.” Body language and personal appearance are graded later during personal meetings.
Second or Third Interviews
Never assume the previous interviewer has shared any of your info with these new interviewers. They rarely do. Therefore, treat each interviewer as your first contact with that company. Assume nothing of value has been shared.
Start Now to Enhance Your Image
Most job seekers only place importance on the in-person interview. Huge mistake. If necessary, get your online persona cleaned-up before starting your job hunt. Additionally, even if using an employment agency, dress appropriately for the job. If you do not take this seriously, no one else will.
Bottom line, be prepared for every type of contact with little or no advance notice and never assume your information has been shared. Do this, and you will be way ahead of your job seeking competition.
Having a difficult time staying motivated during your job search? Feeling a little lost? By working a routine, you will not only increase your motivation, but shorten your time between jobs.
While you can’t control the job market, you can control your day. Set minimum goals and think of yourself as self-employed. Now your job is task oriented in activities most likely to result in a job offer.
Over 60% of new jobs are filled without ever being posted. Meaning, you never had a chance. Why? Because the majority of all jobs openings, including the 60%, are filled through referrals. So, your time on the job boards should be no more than 30% of your total search effort. Instead, make a list of your employed friends and other influential people that you know from church, school functions, clubs, business associations, or other organizations. These people need to be employed or actually know people who know people. Educate this network on your skill set. Ask for referrals and recommendations. This is how most of the jobs are filled. Friends recommending friends.
Find a special friend, family member, or business acquaintance with a talent for making you. Arrange “business” meetings to help you keep on track. Follow these steps and you will continue to be motivated throughout your search.
It is also worth your time to view our live interactive online training webinars. In a short period of time, these videos will provide you with critical training that will give you an advantage over other job seekers. Locate these videos on our Career Portal:
1. Log in at totalplacementjobtools.com
2. Click on the Webinar tab for upcoming programs
3. For past recordings, Click Library, All Topics, then Webinars
Questions? Give us a call. We are here to serve you.
The Staff at Total Placement
Why should someone hire you over your competition?
Almost daily, applicants question why they were not chosen over someone else. Rarely do they grasp the reality the job search is a competition against other applicants with the one with the most marbles wins. If you know why you should be chosen over all other applicants, share it. This should be included in your application and/or in your resume. Selling yourself to the prospective employer is important to a successful job search.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to see hastily assembled resumes and poorly written applications with no intention of customizing them for each job inquiry. Bad mistake. Would you hire someone who spent little effort on these two very important items, and what do you think an incomplete application says about someone?
Want the stability, respect, and recognition a great job can afford you? You must put some effort into selling yourself. Toot your own horn to receive the attention and recognition you have earned from past positions. Ask yourself what values you bring to the table and address those in a brief summary.
Take whatever time is necessary to create an attractive paragraph of your best marketable attributes and skills. You may even want to create different summaries to directly address different types of jobs. Remember, you have to at least get your foot in the door for an interview. Step one.
Companies look for stability and practiced skills that are important to the success of their business. Do you possess those qualities? If so, quickly outline those traits in a brief statement. This will be the introduction to your resume, cover-sheet for your application, or included within your job responsibilities.
Create a summary enticing enough to stop the employer from flipping applications and focus on you. Doing this one simple task will place ahead of 80% of your competition.
