|
How to Find a Job After College
Embarking on your very first job search after college is definitely nerve-wracking. Here are some effortless steps to launch your first job search and kick-start your career! 1. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job Many employers today use applicant tracking systems to scan resumes for keywords. If your resume does not contain the right keywords, your application could get tossed out automatically. To prevent that from happening, tweak your resume to mirror the language that appears in the job posting. 2. Check New Jobs Postings Frequently The best time to apply for a job is within the first 48 hours after it is posted, so you will want to check for new job postings often. You will also want to monitor prospective employers’ social media feeds to see if they plan to add any positions. 3. Leverage Your Alumni Network To learn more about your industry or about a particular company, tap your college’s alumni network. Approach alumni by asking if they are available for a quick chat on the phone so you can learn more about what they do and if they can offer any advice. The person may be willing to help you get a foot in the door. 4. Keep Up with Industry News You will need to stay on top of what is going on in your field. There are three basic things you should be doing to keep up with industry news:
5. Prepare for Job Interviews Prepare answers to common interview questions and spend time developing your answers. https://resumeservices.biz/blog/common-interview-questions-with-sample-answers#/ Research the company so you can answer questions that concern them directly, such as, “What’s your favorite product that your company makes?” or “Who do you think is your biggest competitor?” Read the company’s website, follow them on social media, and set up relevant Google alerts. Maintain a professional appearance… Appropriate interview attire, a mature voicemail greeting, and social media profiles that do not throw up red flags! You need to set up a strategy that works… If you need help with that, feel free to reach out to me at (253) 670-8328 or check out my website at www.ResumeServices.biz. Wendy Eccles Professional Resume Writer / LinkedIn Profile Writer Licensed & Accredited Since 2009 (A+ Rating)! Featured on CBS & KOMO News! Web: www.ResumeServices.biz Call: (253) 670-8328 (ATS Optimized – Never Outsourced) (Sales | Marketing | Technology | Financial | Engineering | Accounting | Operations | Construction | Healthcare | Legal | HR | Education) Competitive Pricing… Guaranteed Interviews… Revisions at No Extra Charge! Check out my Recommendations! https://www.linkedin.com/in/amazingresumes/
0 Comments
What is a virtual interview?
A virtual interview is an interview that takes place remotely, sometimes over the phone, but often using technology such as video conferencing. If you are currently searching for a job, it is likely that you will be asked to do your interviews virtually. Here are some pointers to set yourself up for success! 1. Test your technology before the interview Virtual interviews require tools such as a camera and microphone on your computer, a software program (often Google Hangouts or Zoom), and a reliable internet connection. Prior to the interview, you will want to test all of your technology to ensure it works effectively. 30 minutes before your interview, check your internet connection and sign into the video or phone meeting provided by the hiring manager or HR representative. Test the sound and video to ensure everything is working properly. 2. Dress to impress Dress the same as you would in a face-to-face interview. You will appear professional as well as feel more confident! 3. Get prepared – Plan your answers for common interview questions – Research the company's Mission Statement – Review the job description while noting your relevant qualifications – Prepare relevant examples of your achievements and experiences 4. Limit all distractions Find a quiet location with few distractions. Make sure the room is clean and professional-looking. Place your computer on a desk or table instead of your lap or couch. 5. Always use professional body language Sit up straight and ensure your camera is placed so your face is in the middle of your screen. In normal interviews, you shake hands with your potential employer at the beginning and the end of the discussion. In a virtual interview, you will need to find other ways to greet and exude enthusiasm, like smiling while giving a confident wave. 6. Build rapport Be prepared to talk about a common interest, asking how your interviewer’s experience has been with virtual interviews, or find some other neutral topic. 7. Follow up after the interview Reach out to the HR representative or hiring manager you have been speaking with to get a list of your interviewers’ emails and send them a follow-up email within 24 hours of the interview. Focus on thanking them for their time, reiterating that you are the person for the job, and letting them know you are available if they have any additional questions. Wendy Eccles Professional Resume Writer / LinkedIn Profile Writer Licensed & Accredited Since 2009 (A+ Rating)! Featured on CBS & KOMO News! Web: www.ResumeServices.biz Call: (253) 670-8328 (ATS Optimized – Never Outsourced) (Sales | Marketing | Technology | Financial | Engineering | Accounting | Operations | Construction | Healthcare | Legal | HR | Education) Competitive Pricing… Guaranteed Interviews… Revisions at No Extra Charge! Check out my Recommendations! https://www.linkedin.com/in/amazingresumes/ Listed below are common tough interview questions with examples of how you could answer them. When preparing for your interview, think about a few different scenarios of tough questions you may be asked depending on your industry.
1. What critical feedback do you most often receive? Employers ask this question to see if you have a sense of self-awareness and that you are actively working on self-improvement. To answer this question, think of a piece of criticism you have been given, or a weakness of which you are aware of. Provide a brief explanation of the critique and how you are working to improve it. 2. Tell me about a time you overcame an obstacle. Employers ask this question to understand how you deal with difficulties. Try providing a brief summary of the situation, your role in the situation, the action you put into place to resolve the issue, and how the issue was resolved as a result. 3. How do you manage stress? Employers want to know if you will manage stress in the workplace constructively with a good attitude to maintain good company culture. You can answer this question by explaining how you typically respond with an example to support it. 4. What have been your most positive and negative management experiences? Employers will want to understand what you like and dislike in certain management styles. This helps them determine whether or not you would be a good fit under a certain manager. Always be as honest and tactful as possible. 5. Why are you leaving your current position? This helps the employers ensure the opening will be a better fit than your last one. Answer this question honestly but refrain from providing too much personal or negative detail. 6. How many pennies, if stacked on top of each other, would equal the height of the Empire State Building? (Or other questions with no right or wrong answer) Employers may ask questions like this to understand your thought processes. They want to gauge whether you can think analytically, deal with ambiguity and communicate clearly. You should take a few minutes to gather your thoughts. Even if your answer seems silly or wrong, employers are simply looking for an answer with logical support. 7. Why do you want to work here? Employers ask this question to make sure you have put thought and research into your decision to seek employment at their company. Be sure to research their Mission Statement before the interview! 8. Why should we hire you? Employers might ask this question to understand what differentiates you from other candidates they might be interviewing. Explain how your experience, skills, and attributes make you the best fit for the job. Make sure to review the job description beforehand to understand what qualities they are looking for. 9. Do you have any regrets? Let them know that you have made mistakes and you have learned from them to become better. You might also select a regret or shortcoming that is both professional and would not hinder your ability to perform the job in any way. 10. Tell me about yourself Provide a quick synopsis of your education, highlights of your professional experience, and what brought you to the position you are applying for. Be sure to focus on any achievements. 11. What is your greatest achievement? Think about a recent example that is ideally related to the job. Briefly explain the achievement, your role in it, and why it is valuable to you. 12. What salary are you looking for? You should come prepared to discuss your pay expectations. Do you research in determining a reasonable salary. Wendy Eccles Professional Resume Writer A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau… Featured on CBS & KOMO News! Call: (253) 670-8328 | Email: [email protected] | Web: www.ResumeServices.biz During this time, it is understandable to feel stressed, overwhelmed, and isolated. However, that does not mean your career needs to suffer. This could very well be the perfect moment to reevaluate your profession and consider a new direction. Instead of being glued to the television, channeling that nervous energy into formulating a career strategy could be highly productive!
Your Resume How long has it been since you dusted off your résumé or updated your LinkedIn profile? Now is the time to reflect on your professional achievements. Instead of listing your duties and responsibilities relating to each position, quantify your accomplishments. Employers want to see workers who can achieve results. Consider hiring a career coach or resume writer to support you and help you move your career forward! Resources like these can help you avoid some of the biggest job search mistakes. The Job Search Although many companies are freezing new positions and laying off workers, others are hiring like crazy! Check out Amazon… they are bringing on 100,000 workers to meet the surge in demand as more people turn to online shopping. Check out online learning companies, grocery stores, and remote meeting and communication companies like Zoom and Slack. In addition, delivery food services like Postmates, Grubhub, Uber Eats, and DoorDash are also seeing higher demand for their services. While it may seem that the world is at a standstill, now is not the time to press the pause button on your job search. Stand out from the crowd by putting yourself out there now! Prepare to Interview Remotely Many companies are now turning to virtual interview methods like video conference calls. Be prepared… make sure you have a strong, reliable internet connection. Test your software and camera prior to the interview. Dress like you would for an in-person interview. Practice looking into the lens and making eye contact. Remove all distractions (including the kids and the pets) and ensure that the interviewer will not be hearing your doorbell ring. Remember, if you prepare well before the big day, you will make a favorable first impression! Now is not the time to take a break from your career. By focusing on how to move your career forward, you will be better positioned to take advantage of opportunities when the situation inevitably bounces back! Amazing Resumes A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau Featured on CBS & KOMO News! Call: (253) 670-8328 | Email: mailto:[email protected] | web: http://www.ResumeService.biz 1. Never upload “JUST ANY RESUME” to a Federal job posting. Federal Resumes have a specific format.
2. Always read the announcement carefully. Match the KSAs listed in the announcement to your resume. 3. Ensure that your accomplishments give proof of your past achievements which are relevant to the job posting. 4. Always include start and end dates, as well as hours per week, for work history. 5. Make sure that your resume is the proper length. A five-page resume is your best bet! 6. Don’t wait until the last minute to apply. Deadlines are usually tight due to the high volume of applicants. 7. Aim for ten years of work history. HR specialist want to see what is most recent and relevant. 8. Always be sure to upload your resume along with all of the documents required. Otherwise, you will be found ineligible for the position. Wendy Eccles Professional Resume Writer Call: (253) 670-8328 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ResumeServices.biz "Dedicated to working with each and every client, at no additional cost, until they are hired!" LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amazing-resumes-23a2a816/ |
About MEWendy Eccles Archives |
RSS Feed
