Get the Job July 2019

Thursday, August 1, 2019

get the

JOB

2 - Get the JOB, Thursday, August 1, 2019

Get ORGANIZED If you’re disorganized during a job hunt, it’s likely that it won’t result in your favor.

Use a Spreadsheet

cations you send at once also is helpful.

To organize your job applications, using a spread- When you only have a few to focus on, it’s easier sheet can keep everything organized in a neat pack- to follow up. For instance, it will be easier to manage. When developing this data tracker, here are age sending thank-you emails to hiring managers some important things to include in your list: following an interview.

• Company name and point of contact; If possible, apply for a few batches that meet

• Email addresses and phone numbers of Because you may find yourself applying for mulyour criteria at once, rather than sending applicatiple positions, it’s likely your resume will be fine- company; tions to every company on a hiring website. tuned to meet the keywords and requirements of • Date applied and application summary; a hiring manager. Forgetting which copy you sent • Interview dates, follow-up actions and Nail the Interview where can lead to embarrassing mistakes or worse, post-interview status.

This will give you a clear perspective of which Once you get an interview, being organized a dishonest and unprofessional impression.

Getting lost in the shuffle when discussing career stage you are in for each position you have applied gives you the opportunity to learn more about the company. By keeping track of the hiring manager’s opportunities can lead to missed interviews, blown for and how you should move forward. details, you can search online for their business perdeadlines and misplaced contact information.

Stay on top of the organization during your job Reduce the Number of Applications sona to get an idea of their professional goals. Take hunt by following these helpful tips.

While a spreadsheet is effective to organize mul- advantage of interests you share in your own career tiple job submissions, limiting the number of appli- path and call on that information in an interview.

MEET Daily Goals While landing a dream job is the ultimate goal when seeking employment, there may be several obstacles to overcome before it works out. Don’t simply dish out resumes to everyone who is hiring.

Instead, focus on a few options that fit your experience and talents, then plan daily goals to enhance your chances for an interview.

Get Online There are many ways to find great companies who are hiring in your area. Online tools make it simple to narrow down job openings by location, experience and qualifications. Save time by setting specific instructions to search engines.

Be Loud on Social Media Think of these platforms as a chance to advertise your skills and network with other professionals. You should try to join groups with other job seekers in your community. Help each other find leads for positions. It just may lead to connections that will assist you later.

Stay in Touch Once you begin the interview process, don’t forget to touch base with the human resources department regarding your application. Here are some tips to follow to ensure a successful follow-up approach: Send thanks. HR recruiters and hiring managers love handwritten correspondence that shows you’re serious about the opportunity. Mention something that was brought up in your initial interview for brownie points.

Don’t give up. Hiring managers are busy. Stay top of mind by sending out a follow-up note every week or so. Depending on how quickly the role needs to be filled, you may have only a couple of weeks to make a good follow-up impression. Stay in touch with respectful, sincere messaging.

Even if you don’t land a position, try to keep in touch with the hiring manager. They may recommend another opening for you.

Looking Elsewhere If you don’t hear back from a group of employers regarding your application, it’s back to the drawing board. Keep a journal of the techniques you used during the first round of applying and interviewing and adjust your strategy. It can be helpful to let a professional peer critique your notes and make suggestions.

The Brookings Register, Thursday, August 1, 2019 - 3

4 - Get the JOB, Thursday, August 1, 2019

The Brookings Register, Thursday, August 1, 2019 - 5

6 - Get the JOB, Thursday, August 1, 2019

Use Your NETWORK Meeting New Peers If you have spent time in the Building a network isn’t difficult but requires professional world, it’s likely you plenty of work on your end to execute efficiently.

Take advantage of professional social media outlets have built a network of peers such as LinkedIn to display your career goals and and managers. accomplishments while connecting with like-minded peers.

You also should be aware of conventions or job Did you know that up to 80 percent of jobs are fairs in your area. Consider different ways to marnot published? According to experts at Career Horiket your brand and explain your openness to new zons, most of these spots are filled by recommenopportunities during conversations. A good way to dations from others in the field to place the perfect make a lasting impression is by creating a memoracandidates. ble business card.

When finding it difficult to gain traction after applying to online listings or in person, it may be time to take a new approach. Make a list of your pre- Facts on the Hidden Job Market vious work relationships and reach out to contacts To understand the importance of networking, check out these statistics from the Association for to discover potential job leads.

If you plan to enter a new field, there also are great Talent Developers regarding the hidden job market. situations to take advantage of when building a new • 51 percent of top organization leaders find networking web. new hires from current employee referrals;

• The expected period for job retention of net workers is eight years — only four for job searchers; and • The average annual income is 6 percent higher for those who are referred to a position.

Reconnecting with Former Peers It may feel awkward to reach out to a peer you have lost contact with to ask for a referral or recommendation letter. To lessen the stress of this situation for both parties, don’t begin the conversation with an agenda to land a job.

Instead, send a short email or request to connect on social media outlets to catch up. Once you feel comfortable with bringing up your agenda, do it in a way that benefits each of you. For example, ask what you can do for them — not what they can do for you.

The Brookings Register, Thursday, August 1, 2019 - 7

Use the STAR FORMAT During an interview, you will likely be asked questions that catch you off guard. Instead of answering with short answers, prepare to discuss portions of your job history with stories It’s a quality skill to master and can make the interview process more comfortable.

While it may feel awkward to brag about your career accomplishments during an interview, it’s what a hiring manager wants to hear. However, how you do it can make or break how they feel about you as a candidate. If you’re unfamiliar with the STAR — or situation, task, action, result — format, you should become accustomed to how it works and its impact during your job hunt.

questions can make a difference. A STAR response should contain a desirable trait or skill when describing a professional experience.

According to experts at Balance Career, here are a few things an interviewer will be listening for in your answers.

• Problem-solving skills and analytical ability; • Creativity and perseverance through failure; and • Teamwork orientation and quantitative skills.

Action Now you should explain the steps you took to resolve the challenges you faced.

Make sure to discuss your role rather than an outside influence like another peer or manager.

The action step should showcase your skills to manage trying situations.

Result

Now, include how the final results generated Here is how you should use the STAR format when through your situation, task and action demonstraanswering behavioral questions. tion. This should highlight a positive outcome by showcasing what you accomplished.

Situation

Explain in detail a challenge you faced at work.

This could be a time you spent working in a group Utilize During Interview It’s impossible to know which behavioral quesor were involved in conflict between coworkers. tion an interviewer will ask, so practice the STAR method beforehand. Make a list of your qualificaTask Describe the role you played during the situation. tions, skills or experiences as they relate to a job Were you in charge of meeting deadlines during the posting. Practice incorporating a STAR explanation What is the STAR Format?

To stand out during a meeting with a hiring group project or responsible for diffusing a conflict? into common interview questions that are likely to manager, how you answer behavioral interview come up during the interview.

8 - Get the JOB, Thursday, August 1, 2019