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From a Hiring Manager’s Perspective: What Are They Thinking After Your Interview?

By Miranda Wilson on Wednesday, January 19, 2011

After you interview for a job, the ever-fun waiting game begins. Will you get a second interview or a call saying, “Thanks for interviewing, but…?” Whether or not you advance in the interview process is now in the hands of the hiring manager. It’s time for the interviewer to process what they’ve learned about you.

So, what could make or break the deal? In deciding whether or not you get a call back for a second interview, here’s an inside look at two questions an interviewer is sure to ask themselves about you.

Do I like the candidate’s personality?

Can this interviewer see you getting along with the team? Would you fit in well with the company culture? On your résumé, you might be a great fit, but there’s a lot that a hiring manager can learn about you during – and after – you interview. Not only will a potential employer evaluate the answers you gave during an interview, but they will take into consideration your nonverbal communication skills, investigate your online personal brand (a.k.a. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.), and check your references. All of these items are taken into consideration when a potential employer is debating hiring you to their team.

Is this person driven?

Are you self motivated and eager to learn and take on new projects? Right now, with the continued uncertainty about the economy and tight budgets, companies are still playing it safe when it comes to hiring. With fewer workers and heavier workloads, employers are looking for hard-working, motivated individuals who can stand the test of time.

To determine if you’re the employee for them, hiring managers will be taking all things about you into consideration when making a decision – your work history, your interview responses, and your references’ feedback. To put your best foot forward during the interview, make sure your résumé is up-to-date, research the company, brush up on some potential interview questions, and dress to impress. Also, contact your references so they can be prepared to give you a recommendation. The day of your interview, it’s your day to shine. Your goal is to make a lasting, positive impression that makes the hiring manager want to hire YOU!

At Work The Job Search

60 Seconds to Better Personal Branding

By Brie Hobbs on Thursday, January 13, 2011

Whether you’re on the job or on the job search, how you brand yourself can have a big impact on your future. From your résumé to your appearance to your experience, expertise, strengths, and knowledge, everything you do at work and on the job hunt says something about who you are to employers.

Every effort, big or small, you make helps to develop your brand. So, take 60 seconds today to boost your brand by making your email signature count.

Having an email signature that represents you well is a must. It not only makes it easier for co-workers, business contacts, and perspective employers to find your contact information, the right email signature can show your professionalism and demonstrate your attention to details. Make sure your email signature has these three things for a better brand.

1. Contact information
First and formost your email signature should contain correct contact information like your name, phone number, and email address. So make sure you provide the right information whether it’s adding your extension, or twitter handle to make it easy for people to contact you. And, don’t forget to update it from time to time when information changes like when you get a promotion and need to change your job title or you get a new cell phone number.

2. The right look and feel
These days, you can go way beyond the simple name and contact information, so make sure your email signature has the look and feel that’s right for you and your brand. If you work in a creative industry for example, consider a fun font and layout for a more exciting signature. You can left justify your signature, center it, bold specific content, change font sizes, add colors, and more!

Have fun with your signature to make it stand out but also remember to keep it professional. If you’re representing a business, keep company branding in mind as well. For example, my work email signature integrates my company’s colors in the links I share. Also, remember to be mindful of fonts and images that may not be compatible with other computers. If you’re emailing perspective employers, you may want to stick with a basic font like Arial, Tahoma, or Times New Roman to make sure they receive it correctly and it’s easy to read.

3. Share links to social media information and more
If you have a LinkedIn profile or a Twitter or Facebook account that you’d like to share, make sure you add the correct links to your email signature. You can even share your or your company’s website. Just make sure that your social media efforts and website information also support your brand. You don’t want to direct a potential employer to your Facebook profile if you have information posted you wouldn’t want them to see.

You can do a lot to help brand yourself for the industry you’re in and every little thing helps. So, take 60 seconds today and reinvent your email signature to help you and your contact information stand out.

At Work Career Advancement

Free Time? Propel Your Career Forward Today

By Job Journey on Thursday, December 30, 2010

Whether you’re looking for a new job or planning to move up in your current position, now is the perfect time to focus on your career. Between use-it-or-lose-it vacation policies, inclement weather, and time off during the holidays, many people find themselves with additional free time during the winter.

Here are five ways to make the most of your time off and keep your professional life going forward.

Take a break: It may seem counterproductive, but give yourself permission to relax. A few days off can change your perspective, especially if you spend the time doing something you enjoy. You’ll come back to work or the job hunt with a refreshed viewpoint.

Update your résumé: Make changes to your résumé that reflect expanded job duties, additional volunteer work, or continued education. Double check that everything is current and take extra time to check for typos. Check out these tips to get your résumé into shape.

Write a new cover letter: Cover letters are a way to summarize your goals and strengths. Writing one can be a succinct way to prioritize your goals, even if you’re not planning to make a career move soon. Having a polished cover letter available also comes in handy if a dream position or promotion should become available. Not sure where to start? Check out these 30 power words that can help your letter get noticed.

Check out social media: If you don’t already have a LinkedIn profile, create one to connect with other professionals in your industry or the industry you’d like to work in. LinkedIn is a great place to find out about local networking events, and showcase your job skills. Also use this time to check your Facebook privacy settings and remove any questionable content a potential employer might see on your profile.

Sort through your wardrobe: Clean your closet and give those items that no longer fit your professional goals to charity. Dress for Success and Career Gear, national organizations that help disadvantaged women and men reach their goals of self-sufficiency by providing them interview clothes, provides receipts for tax-deductible donations. Take the time to try on your clothes to determine what you like, don’t like, need to have tailored, or sent to the dry cleaner. Replace essential items and organize your closet or dresser for speedier prep time on busy mornings.

These are just a few examples of how you can still be productive, but relaxed, during free time. A few minutes spent on tasks like these can reduce anxiety when you’re faced with a job interview or pivotal moment in your career. You’ll feel more confident and prepared, a terrific start to propelling your career.

At Work Career Advancement Job Interviews My Entry-Level Life New Job Tips Resumes and Cover Letters Teamwork The Daily Grind The Job Search

Have You Had More Jobs Than Barbie?

By Brie Hobbs on Wednesday, December 1, 2010

This winter, Barbie will embark on her 126th career, this time as a computer engineer – an unbelievable number, considering she just turned 50. Over the years, Barbie’s résumé has included everything from rock star to astronaut. She’s climbed the corporate ladder from secretary to CEO. Whether it’s a race car driver or a presidential candidate, Barbie has worn a variety of hats in the workplace.

While 126 jobs in 50 years might be frowned upon in the real world, gone are the days where individuals worked at the same company for their entire career. So, we want to know, how close do you come to Barbie’s record?

poll by twiigs.com

Career Advancement Career Options Resumes and Cover Letters

6 Ways to Advance Your Career in 60 Seconds or Less

By Brie Hobbs on Friday, November 19, 2010

Moving up the career ladder can sometimes seem like an impossible feat – more like climbing the highest mountain than reaching for the next step. But steps are exactly what it takes to get where you are going. With each step you take forward – even a little one – you’re that much closer to your goal. So, in honor of Career Development Month, here are seven steps you can take in 60 seconds or less to help you develop your career and move up the ladder.

1. Rehearse your elevator speech.
As the saying goes, practice does make perfect. So, take a minute to practice your elevator speech because you never know when you’re going to need a short, targeted message to grab the interest of a potential employer.

2. Get a professional e-mail address.
If you’re looking to advance your career in a new job, make sure you have a professional e-mail address to help your résumé make a great first impression to employers. You’ll be surprised by what a difference it makes.

3. Type out a quick e-mail to request a letter of reference from a past employer.
A glowing letter of recommendation is a must for job seekers. So, take just a moment to e-mail or call a past employer and request a letter of recommendation you can use in your job hunt. They can even post their reference on your LinkedIn page!

4. Scan your résumé for typos.
Typos on a résumé are an absolute don’t. So, take the time to clean yours up by scanning your résumé for any errors before sending it out to potential employers. And, while you’re at it, don’t forget to add some power words to give your résumé the punch it needs to get you noticed.

5. Schedule a meeting to discuss a career path with your employer.
It may seem a little intimidating, but if you’re interested in climbing the ladder at your current company, schedule a meeting with your boss to discuss potential career path. It’s important to understand your options and to know what it will take to get you there. So, take the first step and get a meeting set up now.

6. Scan your Facebook page.
When you’re looking to advance your career with a new job, first impressions are everything. Many employers now search social media sites to find out what they can about potential applicants. So, if your Facebook page isn’t set to private or you don’t have a separate page for professional purposes, make sure you take a minute to scan your profile for any content or pictures that could be deemed unprofessional.

There are lots of ways you can work to develop your career, whether it’s checking out some books on leadership at your local library or taking some classes at a local college. Get started today by taking a few quick steps forward, and you’ll be surprised how far you get.

Career Options Job Interviews New Job Tips The Daily Grind The Job Search

Is Your Job Search Too Broad?

By Miranda Wilson on Monday, November 8, 2010

Looking for a new job can be a time-consuming task, full of twists and turns along the way. To better help you search for a job, some advice is to focus on niches that interest you. This will help you narrow your search and dedicate more time to finding the right job for your skills.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, many industries have seen an increase in employment. So, you might want to see if any of these areas are of interest to you!

Employment in computer systems and related services increased by 8,000 in October. Overall since June of 2009, this niche has seen an employment increase by 53,000
Professions in health care increased by 24,000 jobs in October.
Employment in retail saw an October increase of 28,000, particularly among automobile dealers, which increased by more than 6,000 and electronics and appliance stores which increased by over 5,000.
Employment in manufacturing and construction is holding steady.

As you continue with your job search or begin to embark on a job hop, be sure you have a focus. Here a few tips to help you make yourself more marketable to the industry you’re wanting to work in.

Tailor your résumé to the industry. If there are specific skills you have that would be a great fit for a niche job, list them on your résumé.
Get to know people. Sometimes getting a job depends not on what you know, but who you know. Try to get plugged into networking meetings where you could make new contacts to help get your foot in the door.
Utilize the internet. In addition to sites like Monster and CareerBuilder, also check out online niche job boards to locate jobs through specific search criteria. Here is an example of a website to check out for identifying niche markets.

Knowing which job industries are hiring and what you have a passion for doing can have a great impact on your job search success. When you narrow down what you’re looking for, your job hunt tactics can become more direct, helping you to better hit the bull’s-eye and find the right job for you.