What is the best way to follow up with a job lead -

What is the best way to follow up with a job lead - Sometimes, I receive questions via my contact form from people who are not interested in a quote for a resume transformation or coaching services. Some people just have a job search question and want an answer! Since I cannot respond to each inquiry individually, I decided to start answering some of the questions that are of general interest here. You are welcome to submit a question via my contact form, and please note that I am more likely to be able to respond via the blog if the question is relevant to many job seekers and is not a totally unique situation. Here is a question that is useful for most job seekers: I recently applied to a job at ( ) and I am extremely interested in the position. However, I do not have any contacts and keep thinking this is the best way to land a job, or even an interview. Do you think it would be okay to do a search on LinkedIn and then proceed to message someone at the location who specializes in (my industry)? If so, what is the best way to go about communicating with them that I applied for a job there recently and would love an opportunity to launch my career there? Thanks for your help! This is a great question and raises an important point about networking. When I coach my clients, I explain that it is important to look for a company instead of a job. What does that mean? You want to network and ask for informational meetings for informal chit-chat before a job ever becomes available. The goal is to share your ideas and credentials with people at your targeted organizations so you are the first person they think of when a job does come up. This helps you take advantage of what is generally labeled the hidden job market, and gives you a leg up when it comes to applying. Think about it if you are the one who comes to mind when they visualize the job, clearly, you have a much better chance of landing the opportunity. That said, you want to use every tool at your disposal to follow up after you have applied for a job. If you can find people via LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or any other social networking tool who are connected to an organization where you have applied for a position, absolutely reach out to them. What is the best way to approach these contacts? First of all, make sure you do not make the interaction about you and your goals. (So, focusing in on the fact that you would love to launch your career at the company is a misstep.) Dont ever make your networking strictly about YOU! It is important that you make a point to illustrate why you are a good match and what you offer. Research the organization as much as possible. Identify their successes and where their problems may lie. Think about how your skills and experiences may be able to help them solve a problem or overcome a hurdle. What do you offer that makes you special and uniquely suited to the job? (This may seem like a difficult assignment, but if you do not know, how will you be able to convince them that you are the best one for the job?) Dont be surprised if you find potential contacts unwilling to talk to you under these circumstances. The fact is, it may feel to them like cheating speaking to an applicant about a currently open positionHowever, you may find that your pitch resonates with someone. If they like what you say, you may be lucky (actually, you may have created some luck for yourself) and have an opportunity to both share what you have to offer and learn something about the organization at the same time! photo by purplemattfish

The Unusual Mystery Into Need Help Writing an Objective for a Resume Discovered

The Unusual Mystery Into Need Help Writing an Objective for a Resume Discovered Deciding on the most suitable service for your resume needs is important in ensuring that you get the outcomes you are searching for. If you locate the job of creating your resume, stressful, time consuming, or in case you don't know the best places to begin, it's a smart investment to employ an expert. If a customer's order does not fulfill the quality expected, we allow refunds. You can also locate help distributing resumes. Just don't do it foolishly. In the majority of cases, a resume objective is simply a couple of sentences long. You don't need an Objective section on your resume in the present job industry. For a superb education resume or an academic resume the principal information is the work profile. When you're asking for work, your very first purpose is to let employers know your abilities and talents align with the needs of their open position. If you're open to several forms of jobs, let us know. The Lost Secret of Need Help Writing an Objective for a Resume For example, sales professionals might need to include certain numbers in their opening statement, whilst health care workers may have to list specialties or licensing details. Though a career objective is supposed to be short and sweet, it needs to be full of valuable information which should grab the interest of your upcoming employer. Be sure your resume is small but considering all the info provided. Top Choices of Need Help Writing an Objective for a Resume Getting help writing resumes is only one of them. For instance, your personal situation may be ideal for a Certifications and Courses Completed section. Writing a resume can be an intimidating task because you should be sure you include all the crucial information whilst keeping the document to a manageable size. Writing a decent resume isn't a really mammoth undertaking. The very first thing you will need is a strong comprehension of where you are interested in being. If you own a skill that lots of people have told you, or whether you are conscious of your strong points, then mention them from the start. You are earning a career change. For some of them you will require help, while others you're able to write by yourself. Make certain you compose a career objective that you're have applied. The ideal career objective is to make certain that you know what job you can do. Whenever you wish to emphasize that you're ambitious, that you understand what you want in a career, or you have the skills for the particular job, you could benefit from a resume objective. For a seasoned person the career highlights are the most crucial place.

The Characteristics of Dos and Donts of Good Resume Writing

The Characteristics of Do's and Dont's of Good Resume Writing Things You Won't Like About Do's and Dont's of Good Resume Writing and Things You Will When a resume was already chosen, it is a great time to consider polishing it. Even when you're not actively searching for a new job, you can't know when somebody might request your resume, so make sure that you keep this up to date whatsoever times. The intention of a cover letter is to narrate your resume in your voice. If you would like to set yourself aside from the remaining portion of the candidates, then should send a cover letter together with your resume. Type of Do's and Dont's of Good Resume Writing If resume was tailored enough and you understand what you want you have a great chances. In case whenever you have enough knowledge in some area and you understand that it is possible to show something in your resume. There isn't any reason for someone's resume to go over two pages, except in rare conditions. In the ma jority of cases such resumes are likely to trash pile. Top Choices of Do's and Dont's of Good Resume Writing Your capacity to do multiple tasks may also be great for organizations in regards to succession planning, and is a vital criterion for extended term employment. Among the most stressful portions of the work search procedure is writing a resume. Whether you're trying hard to create a resume, or merely want yours reviewed by somebody who understands the process, a professional resume writer may be a tremendous assistance. Creative resumes can be useful, but just in limited instances. Be cautious to omit such an information from your resume. You should provide sufficient information regarding yourself in your resume. Listing contact information can seem like an obvious thing, but a lot of men and women become wrapped up in the bigger portions of the resume and forget about the basics the simple fact that employers ought to be in a position to get in contact with you. There are many basic resume templates readily available online. When you crafting your resume, you will need to bear in mind that it has to be effortless to read. You will never send your master resume to anybody, therefore it is irrelevant how much time it is. You will have to tailor your master resume whenever you're applying for employment. Another very good advice highlight the most crucial pieces of your experience section, the way in which the hiring manager may easily find it and read. Also it is an excellent idea to write to an expert recruiting agencies. Maybe your resume would be accepted by ATS, but you need to understand that each resume is readed by means of a hiring manager. This way, your resume will earn an excellent first impression once the hiring manager begins reading it.

4 Advantages Internal Candidates Have Over You -The JobNetwork

4 Advantages Internal Candidates Have Over You -The JobNetworkApplying for your dream job? Youve finally found it, and youre perfect for it. You fit the qualifications, and then some. This job is absolutely made for you So, whats the catch? googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) There might be internal candidates vying for the same joband they have a leg up. Here are 4 things internal candidates have going for them that will net them your dream job alfruchtwein every time, unless you learn how to preempt the situation.1. They know the company.Internal candidates, whether theyve worked at a distributionspolitik for two months or 20years, know the mission, goals, culture, hierarchy, values, etc. of the company inside and out. They also might have an understanding of the interior politics involved in this particular job opening. You do not.What you can do is research the company. Do your homework. And make sure that if you get asked in an intervie w about the company, youre spouting information off as naturally as if youd been working there ten years. Act like you already do2. The company knows them.Better the devil you know? Also better the angels. If a company knows an inside candidate can get the job done well, then theyre more likely to hire them again. They also have a good sense of their work ethic, their social skills, their strengths and weaknesses.What you need to do is articulate your value. Go ahead and be upfront about thisand use it as an asset. After all, not being a known entity has its advantages. Remind them you bring a fresh perspective with you. Dont be shy to share some of your new ideas in the interview. Show yourself as the most qualified person for the job, and show them they dont need to worry about your delivering on your promises.3. Personal relationships are already established.Internal candidates have a bunch of people on the insidecoworkers, contacts, friendswho are loyal and will vouch for them. That goes a long way. Theyve made inroads, and have developed relationships with their team and other teams that make lots of people in the company comfortable working with them.Your only shot here is to network. Find an in in the company, someone who could refer you or offer a personal recommendation. Or even someone youve developed a relationship with who could give you some advice from the inside on how to best prepare your application.4. Theyre already a fit.Youre still trying to figure out what the company culture is, and the internal candidate is already in it. Unless theyre not doing well or fitting in, theyve got a huge leg up on you because their bosses will already be comfortable with them, even like them. This might be the number one reason internal candidates win out in the endthey already fit.The way you prepare can go a long way towards giving the hiring manager the same sense. Do a bit of research to figure out what you can about the company culture, thenparticularly if there are values you sharego ahead and emphasize the ways in which you fit. Talk the talk, walk the walk, etc. Show them youre one of them. Put them at ease. If you can do all that and prove that youd be an asset to the team, youll have a good chance of beating out your competition from within.

Ditch Breakfast in Bed Here are 5 Things Moms Really Want for Mothers Day

Ditch Breakfast in Bed Here are 5 Things Moms Really Want for Motzu sichs Day Mothers Day is a time when we slow down and appreciate the moms in our lives. Moms often receive lovely handmade art projects from their kids, breakfast in bed, flowers or a meal out. But is that what we really want for Mothers Day? Its notlage that were not grateful. Its just that in my coaching work and interviews with moms, the resounding answer is, while all of these gestures are lovely, this is what she really wants1. Peace.Family life can be fun, loving, messy and stressful. Kids battle each other over who was there first, who gets the remote control, who took whose toy... the list goes on and on. Parents and kids argue over screen time, messy rooms, getting out of the door to school on time, finishing homework and eating vegetables. When it comes to Mothers Day, some families even argue over what to do to celebrate mom. Heres the thing mom wants peace, so give her that.2. Freedom from planning.Moms are needed. A lot. By a lot of people. All. The. Time. A weekend where she is not expected to make plans in reservierung to meet other peoples needs would be a stellar gift. Mom wants to sleep in, have someone else plan the never-ending meals and snacks required to sustain a family through a weekend, not have to plan whos going to wash the dishes (heck, she may just stay out of the kitchen completely) and not have to answer any questions about what the family is going to do that day. Her Mothers Day wish? Not to have to plan a darn thing.3. Emotional space.Moms receive and absorb a lot of baggage, needs, stresses, anger and disappointments from other people. Giving mom time to herself and space to be completely off emotionally is invaluable. To give her this space, it probably means someone else needs to take the kids out for a day or maybe the weekend. (Also, dont text mom to ask questions or to complain about how things are going.)4. Mental space.Moms often juggle everyones daily schedules, lists, assignments, and, in fruchtwein families, most of the logistics related to home and life. This massive responsibility and often invisible work, termed the mental load, is a 24-7 weight. Gemma Hartleys book,Fed Up, does a great job of unpacking the mental load and explaining how it affects womens lives. Stepping up to take some of this load off of her plate without her having to ask would be a great gift. For example, you might make a list of all of the majors tasks that are required to run the family, and then ask each family member to take responsibility for specific tasks. Maybe mom usually makes the grocery list, the doctors appointments, the school lunches, the vacation plans and the carpool schedule. Or perhaps she makes sure there is clean laundry, the kids have required clothes for school/camp/performances, forms are signed, homework is done, birthday presents are purchased and parties are planned. Stepping up to own chunks of responsibility that are usua lly on her plate, and ensuring that all important tasks are completed, would be an awesome gift. 5. Better care for other moms.Nearly 1,000 women die every single day from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth. The organization Every Mother Counts (EMC) is devoted to raising awareness about the barriers and solutions to maternal care. Through their site, you can donate or use your purchasing power to help make pregnancy and childbirth safer for moms.6. To do what she wants.Moms research and plan activities that would appeal to all members of their family, often putting their personal preferences last. For Mothers Day, mom would like to do activities that she loves. Every mom is different. For some this means a family hike, a trip to a museum or brunch with girlfriends. For others it means a day at a spa, volunteering for a cause they support or doing nothing at all. Bottom line, let her do whatever she wants.So buy the flowers, make the artwork and write the heartfelt car ds. She will love and cherish each of those. And then, give her some peace, space, and the freedom to do whatever the heck she wants. The value of that? Priceless.

4 Tips for Hiring Long-Term Employees - Spark Hire

4 Tips for Hiring Long-Term Employees - Spark HireWhen you are hiring for any position, you want to be sure you are hiring long-term employees. You dont want to have to fall back into the hiring process all over again. Especially since, on average, it takes about 65 days for a hiring manager to fill an open position. With those 65 days comes a loss of productivity, a loss of revenue and the potential for a lot of stress. Needless to say, when you hire once you want to be sure you wont have to do it again for quite some time. So what can you do to be sure you are hiring employees that are in it for the long-haul?A lot of that depends heavily on you and how much you probe in the hiring process. You need to ask specific interview questions that can give you insight into how long this candidate is willing to stick around. Recently Spark Hire touched on how you can tell if you are interviewing a right now job binnenseeker. In light of that, lets take a look at how you can tell if you are speaking with a candidate that will stay in your company longer than just a few months.Know the Manager/Supervisor Over the RoleManagement style is a big reason why employees choose to leave their jobs. In fact, 17 percent of employees stated management or general work environment as the reason for leaving their previous company. Therefore, in order to make a great hire you should definitely know your management style or the management style of the person above this particular role. That way, when a candidate tells you what kind of work environment they prefer you can gauge if they would be a good fit or not.Also, asking interview questions about preferred working environment will give you insight into how long this candidate will be able to stick around. If an employee does not fit in with the company culture you have then chances are they will leave as soon as another opportunity arises. Whats great is that you can use video interviews to ask interview questions like this right aw ay in the hiring process. If their answer does not fit with your needs, then you can move onto another candidate. No time is wasted on your end- or theirs.Accurate Job DescriptionsNot too long ago we discussed how important it is for employers and hiring managers to compose accurate and in-depth job descriptions for job seekers. For starters, if you are not depicting a clear bild of the job you are trying to fill, then you likely wont attract top talent. Job seekers want to know what they are in for when they apply for a job at your company and what the role entails. Not doing so can result in recruiting job seekers that are simply looking for any kind of job and a paycheck. On top of that, if they start the job and are expected to execute tasks that were not discussed in the job interview or in the job description, they may feel cheated and confused. That can easily lead to them leaving your company and trying to find a new job. Dont be a bait and switch employer. Instead, attract long-term employees with accurate and clear job descriptions.MobilityYou should find out early on in the hiring process if your job seekers are looking for a stable position or one they can easily and quickly move up the ladder. If you hire job seekers that are looking to advance their career in a short period of time, then they will likely be disappointed when it never happens. Or when it happens at a pace they feel is too slow. Considering 32 percent of employees leave their employers because of this exact reason, you need to be clear and honest about the position. Ask interview questions early on in the hiring process to see where this candidate wants to go in their career. Are they looking for a position they can take hold of and grow? Do they want to move up the ladder in the next 5-10 years? Are they simply looking for a specific role they can stay in for years?You can find the answers to these interview questions early on in the hiring process when you use video interviews. I n your one-way video interviews with job seekers you can ask them what their career goals are right now. Where do they see themselves in five years? You can also probe deeper in a live video interview and discuss this with them face to face. What do they expect from this role and the company? Find out early on to be sure you are bringing on employees that will stick.SalaryFinally, its no secret that a lot of employees leave a company to seek higher pay. The figure is 22 percent to be exact. So in order to retain employees and be sure they are satisfied, you need to make sure you are offering a competitive salary. Know the industry standards for this position and factor in the candidates experience and skills. If they are top talent and you are not willing to pay them adequately, remember that some other company will.What are some interview questions you ask in the job interview to make sure you hiring long-term employees? Share with us in the comments section belowIMAGE Courtesy of Flickr by A Pillow of Winds

3 Tips to Spring Clean Your Resume

3 Tips to Spring Clean Your Resume3 Tips to Spring Clean Your Resume3 Tips to Spring Clean Your ResumeIts time to dust off that resume and make it shiny and new just in time for spring. TWEETYouve cleaned your closet and donated those old clothes to the Salvation Army, moved furniture around to find about $10 hiding in the corner, and dusted every bunny with a vengeance. Spring cleaning doesnt have to stop there. Theres still time to dust off that old resume and polish up the edges. Here are three hidden gems to get your resume shining again.Resumes are no different from that closet jammed with belastung years lineup. There may be a few hidden surprises, after all, just as dust seems to gather under your couch, dust accumulates on your document. Not to worry, editing those two pages hopefully theres no more is not as hard as your previous chores. But its a lot more rewarding. So grab a highlighter and red pen and jump to it with this resume help.Step 1 Get rid of last years junkNot hing says stale resume like twenty year old experience. If your resume reads like a fairytale think Once Upon a Time in a Distant Kingdom its time to move on. No one is really interested in your internships or entry-level positions, unless youre still starting out fresh. Resume tip everything old and outdated must go. Here are a few sections to pay close attention toTechnical ProficienciesExperience and InternshipsCollege Awards, Scholarships and MembershipsOld LicensesOutdated SkillsStart at the bottom of your experience list, assuming its in chronological order from most recent to least recent, and cross out all jobs and experiences more than 15 years old. This includes large and small positions. If you feel the job is important, highlight it, and we will come back to these important events.Next, look over your certifications, professional development and technical skills. Delete all software, training and development thats no longer in use. For example, if you have experience w ith all versions of Word, delete all but the last two versions. They are still in use. The exception to this rule is Windows XP. Many businesses didnt upgrade to Vista, 7 or 8. They still used the solid XP version. This is still a relevant skill.In other words, examine all of the content on your resume and make sure that every piece of information youve chosen to include demonstrates your current and most relevant values. Old information is detrimental to your career path. It screams you are lazy and not willing to advance yourself or the company, so be sure to take this resume help into consideration.Step 2 Look for those hidden gemsLets look at the experience you highlighted in the first step. If you think there are older experiences still valuable to your career, it is best to highlight these as a standalone notable contribution. If the position itself is important, list it as additional experience. Listing additional experience is simple. Delete all job descriptions, dates, loca tions and identifiers. Leave only the company name and title. Here is a simple formatted example for listing these positionsAdditional Experience JP Morgan Chase, Operations Manager Wachovia Bank, Client Access Manager Bank of America, Collections Asset Protection Manager Bank of America, Branch ManagerNext, look at your job descriptions. We can list these as either notable contributions or key skills assessment. Choose ten of your descriptions that had direct, quantifiable results on the businesss key areas (i.e. client retention, marketing initiatives, revenue, workforce reduction, etc.). Pull up the numbers for these results and rewrite them into achieving statements. For example, Served on the Executive Budget Committee for two years is easily translated into Reduced re-work by 27% and cut expenses by $435,000 annually by...Step 3 The dust has settled, whats missing?Look at your current job or last position and see what skills, job description and professional development youve added to your portfolio. Did you include it in your resume? Are your most important skills and areas of expertise up to date with current keywords? These are items hiring managers look for in new applicants.Next think about the job you want. What are the requirements? Research keywords and skills. Look for training and development matching your own. Does your old experience match these conditions? You may be surprised to find you have the skills necessary for that promotion or new job. Preparation Goes a Long WaySpring cleaning is easier when you do monthly maintenance work around the house. Many people clean their filters, move furniture and clean out closets more frequently. The same is true with resumes. Dont wait until you start looking for a job. Sometimes you may not have time to freshen up the resume before a job opportunity comes knocking. Every three months, look over your resume and take steps to keep it fresh. Schedule times in your calendar to remind you to take on the task.Stay up to date with career blogs. Many career search sites have great career advice to maintain your resume. Visit your local community college or Department of Labor. These organizations frequently have resume editing and review services. Some even have resume writing and mock bewerbungsinterview classes to help you stay in the job game.Always remember, a little effort and resume help goes a long way in finding a job and keeping your resume looking its best.Need more resume tips? Our TopResume writers can help