How to Prevent a Bad Interview [Top 5 Ways]

Interviews are a stressful process. Sometimes, this stress can cause you to fall into common traps and even make wacky mistakes during your job search. For instance, just because you were too nervous to eat before the interview doesn’t mean you should empty the interviewer’s candy dish into your pocket. Employers tend not to hire people who steal their candy! This is just one example of some over-the-top ways job seekers have bombed interviews from a recent CareerBuilder survey.

The truth is, mistakes aren’t usually as dramatic as getting on the phone with your current employer to fake an illness while your interviewer looks on in horror. In fact, you’re probably good at the broad outlines of the interview process. You know to be polite, show up on time, and avoid candy theft. It’s the more subtle aspects of the interview process you might be getting wrong.

Interview success is only around the corner…if you know to avoid common mistakes. Prevention is key and knowledge is power. Here are five ways to prevent a job interview from going south and nab your dream job instead: [Read more...]

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Are Recruiters Hiding Behind Social Media?

The mass abandonment of the telephone is getting extreme in my opinion.  A quick scan across my inbox, social platforms and notifications and I have messages requesting me to email someone else; tweets with email addresses requiring a reply of more than 140 characters (with more than one contact there are a series of tweets and emails attempting to schedule in phone calls and too many to breakdown conversations that I am both tagged but not interested in nor adding any value to – thanks anyway though!). Me on the other hand – I have been on the phone making calls all morning (I’ve stopped to write this post but I will be on the phone again later). These are calls that are not scheduled, that I have not been asked or invited to make. I’m not being rude or nosy or intrusive – I am being professional and proactive. Since when did it become normal to have to schedule phone calls? Are we really THAT busy? Really? [Read more...]

Lysha Holmes

Lysha Holmes is founding director of Qui Recruitment established in 2005 to completely challenge the traditionally poorly perceived service offered by other Rec 2 Rec providers. Lysha and Qui Recruitment are dedicated to representing the best talent to the best suited roles, focussing on placing recruiters of all levels.

How to Nurture Your Network [4 Useful Tools]

Nurturing your network takes time and effort. You know you should be keeping in touch with people you have met along the way, however, you find the thought of it overwhelming and time-consuming. Instead of ignoring your network, perhaps the question is, how can you make it easier. There are tools to help simplify the process of keeping in touch. However, tools are only the mechanism. Your message still needs to be sincere and reciprocal.

Rapportive

Email is still the most important communication tool. So how can you get more bang for your buck here? Rapportive is a Gmail plug-in that shows you the email sender’s picture, location and social networks from inside your inbox. Before you send an individual an email, wouldn’t it be nice to see what they are doing or saying? You can. You see their most recent updates on Twitter and Facebook (if connected) and can leverage this information to tailor your message. For example, maybe they are celebrating an important event or shared a particularly interesting article. In your email, you can reference that information and in doing so, build a stronger connection. If, for some reason, you are not connected on a social network, you can easily connect from within Gmail. If you use Outlook, never fear. There is a similar tool called Xobni (inbox backwards).

LinkedIn

linkedin job search app outlookYou most likely have a LinkedIn account. But how often do you log in? Add LinkedIn to your daily routine by checking your network’s status updates. Or, if you don’t want to log in, check your settings for “frequency of email” to ensure you are getting individual emails for network updates and status changes. Send a congratulatory message to someone who has recently been promoted or changed jobs. Did you enjoy someone’s recent status update? Leave a comment or if you are in a hurry, just like it. LinkedIn’s newest “endorsement” feature enables you to support someone for their skills and expertise. Or you can set and skim the news feeds on “LinkedIn Today” to keep up with industry trends. When you find a particularly good article, share it with someone in your network you think will enjoy it. There are so many ways to use LinkedIn to forge stronger relationships - use it.

Google Alerts

GoogleIf you are trying to develop new relationships or there are some people who aren’t within your network yet, Google Alerts are terrific. Creating “alerts” by company name, industry keywords, city, or person will trigger Google to send you an alert whenever those words hit the web. This is great for target company monitoring.

The Telephone

Don’t forget about the telephone. Reach out and touch someone! There are people you know a lot and a little and one way to keep in touch with them is a good old fashion phone call. Do you have all your contacts in your mobile? The next time you have time to kill (think about your drive home, waiting to pick up your kids, time between events or meetings) pick a friend to call. It doesn’t have to be a long call, just a quick, “Hi, I am checking in.” (Please be sure to use hands free or avoid making calls in public places, that’s dangerous and annoying, right?) Perhaps texting a simple, “Hi, just checking in” message is more your style – that will work too.

These are just some of the many tools and tricks out there for monitoring and nurturing your network. When you maintain and strengthen your network to increase your knowledge, understand industry trends, get answers to questions impacting your work and productivity, you build a strong career safety net! Stay connected!

How are you keeping track of and in touch with what’s going on in your network?  Leave us a comment below to let us know – your tips are always welcome!

Hannah Morgan

Hannah Morgan provides no-nonsense help for new job seekers. She provides advice and serves as a guide to traverse the treacherous terrain of today's economy by focusing on pro-active strategies for job search and leveraging social networks. Career Sherpa is one of many outlets where Hannah shares her information. Follow Hannah on Twitter @careersherpa!

How To Say Thank You During a Job Search [INFOGRAPHIC]

As it is Thanksgiving tomorrow, many Americans are reflecting on little ways that they can express how thankful they are. While you might say thank you after being passed your first slice of pumpkin pie, it’s often all too easy to forget the weight those two words when they’re put together. A simple thank you has more power than we often give it credit for…and there are a million ways to show your gratitude.

The way you say thank you (or don’t) could make or break your chances with potential employers. This infographic from Careerleaf will provide you with everything you need to know about saying thank you during your job search.

Takeaways:

  • DO send a handwritten note after the interview (91% of HR manages considered this very, or somewhat, helpful) and make sure you post it on the day of the interview.
  • DO connect through social media and DO send an email – 87% of HR managers agreed it is appropriate to send an email after an interview.
  • DO be creative with your thank you – online videos are 5.33 more effective than text.
  • DON’T send a thank you gift – this may be seen as bribery.
  • DON’T forget to say thank you – 22% of HR managers say they are less likely to hire a candidate who doesn’t say thank you after an interview.
  • DON’T show up at the office, DON’T send something too long and DON’T call the day after – these can all be off-putting or seen as agressive.

RELATED: 6 Clever Ways to Improve Your Job Search Tactics [Read more...]

Heather R. Huhman

Heather R. Huhman is a career expert and founder & president of Come Recommended, a career and workplace education and consulting firm specializing in young professionals.