31 March, 2014 | Proudly Brought to you by FindTheRightJob

The 7 Questions You Should Ask onEvery Job Interview

When you head to a job interview, don’t be surprised by the inevitable lastquestion — “Do you have any questions?”

What you say can make all the difference. Impress your potential employer byasking the right questions and avoiding the sticky ones.

1. Can you describe your company’s culture?

This question will help you gain insight about what it’s like to work for thecompany and what your experience will be like in the office, Heather R. Huhman,a Washington, D.C.-based career expert and founder of Come Recommended,writes in Parade. This is a great broad question to ask during any interview, and itcan help you to develop more specific questions. In addition, you can discuss howyou will fit into the company culture.

2. Where do you see the company moving in the next five years?

Although you should research the company prior to the interview, it’s a smartidea to ask about the company’s goals, according to Huhman’s tips in ParadeMagazine. This question will explain how the company and interviewer see thefuture and will help you decide if the position meets your career goals. Use this

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question to demonstrate how you will help the company to achieve those goals.

3. Can you share the turnover rate for this position, similar positions andcompany-wide?

This specific question shows that you’re not here for just any job. You want theirfirm to be the perfect fit, says Brad Shorr for Forbes, and you are consideringyour options. This question is presents a professional way to talk about turnover,which may give you additional clues about the company’s culture and employeesatisfaction.

4. What did it take for individuals previously in this position to do aterrific job?

Few job candidates feel comfortable asking about previous employees, but if youcouch it in this context, employers will open up, says Shorr, director of B2Bmarketing for Straight North, a Downers Grove, Ill.-based firm, in his Forbes post.He adds:

“Also, this question requires a factual, detailed response; if this cannotbe provided, the candidate may infer that success is not easy to achieve,or that you aren’t up to speed on what the job is all about.”

Use this question to determine what success looks like and if you fit thedescription.

5. How do you celebrate accomplishments and achievements?

This question can help you determine whether your values match up with thecompany’s, says Sabrina Ali, a career counselor for under-40 professionals andexecutives who is based in Canada. She says in NY Daily News:

“If you value being told to add an extra day on to your holiday nextweek for a job well done, but what the culture offers are words like‘good job’ or a team drink after work, then work is going to feel likemore work.”

This should also be a fun question for the interviewer to answer, if the companyrecognizes accomplishments on a regular basis.

6. For the first 30 days, what are your top priorities for the person who ishired?

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When you ask this question, you’ll be able to figure out the company’s immediateneeds, says Washington, D.C.-based career coach Cheryl Palmer. You canemphasize how your qualifications would help address these priorities. Inaddition, if you do get the job, you’ll know what to focus on and show that youwere a good hire, Palmer says in a Monster.com story on the NY Daily Newswebsite.

7. What is your biggest business challenge?

After you hear the answer, explain how you would help to address this challenge.On the flip side, be prepared to answer the question, “How would you solve ourbiggest business challenge?” This is the “single most important question that canhelp identify the best candidate,” says Jane Park, CEO and founder ofSeattle-based Julep Beauty, a fast-growing beauty brand, and a former Starbucksexecutive. This shows you’ve done your homework and will be ready to jump onboard, Park says in Inc.

BONUS: Avoid these questions!

Don’t ask these red-flag questions, as highlighted by Yahoo News, that show youmay have problems with time management, logistics, and professionalism:

What time would I have to arrive in the morning?

How long is lunch?

How quickly do people get promoted?

Did I get the job?

Instead, try these substitutes, which address the same topics but sound moreinformed and professional:

What’s an average day like?

What kind of opportunities are there for growth at this company?

What does “success” look like for this position?

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31 March, 2014 | Proudly Brought to you by FindTheRightJob

Finding Your Next Job Without YourCurrent Boss Finding Out

The last thing you want to do when you’re looking for a new job is tip off yourcurrent boss to your job-seeking status. But how can you keep all that networking,job searching, and interviewing on the down low? Read on for some time-testedtips.

Tips for Covert Networking

» Keep quiet with your co-workers.If you don’t want your boss to find out about your job search, don’t tell yourco-workers. They could accidentally let the news slip; plus, you’re putting them inan unfair position should the question of your loyalty arise. It’s also unwise to listyour co-workers as references.

» Stay off the company phone.

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Don’t give out your work phone or email address, and don’t include thatinformation in your resume or cover letter, either. List only personal contactinformation (cell phone, personal email, home phone) to minimize the risk ofbeing found out.

» Lie low on LinkedIn.When you update your LinkedIn profile, make sure you update your privacycontrols, too. Turn off your activity broadcasts so no one knows you’ve beenmaking changes to your profile or following new companies. Making a lot ofchanges at once can raise red flags at your current job.

Tips for Covert Job Searching

» Search at home.If you use the company phone, email, or fax machine in your job search, youractivity could be monitored. Plus, many companies have filters to see whatemployees are doing online, and it’s highly suspicious if your browser historyincludes a bunch of job sites. If you need to conduct some aspect of your jobsearch during the day, go off site on your break and use your own computer andphone.

» Be smart about social media.Don’t post anything about your job search, interviews, or networking onFacebook, Twitter, or your personal blog. And mentioning how much you hateyour job is sure to raise eyebrows and more than a few red flags.

» Cloak your resume.Many employers subscribe to resume databases on online job search sites, so youneed to make your posting confidential. Double-check the privacy settings oneach job board and job search site. Most sites allow you to hide certaininformation, such as your contact information. You’ll also want to block yourcurrent company from seeing your information.

Tips for Covert Interviewing

» Interview on your own time.Schedule interviews for a vacation or personal day, or before or after work. Alunchtime interview isn’t the worst thing, as long as you can make it back to workin time. If you’re going to take the day off, don’t say you’re sick or make up apathetic excuse that will come back to bite you. Just say you need the day off for

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personal reasons.

» Check your look.If you normally wear business casual and today you’re in a full suit, that’s a clearsign that you’re going on an interview. If you’re heading to an interview rightafter work, bring your clothes with you and find someplace discreet to change.

» Request confidentiality.It’s OK to tell employers that your job search is confidential, and that you wouldappreciate if they would tell as few people as possible that you’re interviewing.Obviously, ask them not to contact your current employer – so don’t list your bossas a reference!

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31 March, 2014 | Proudly Brought to you by FindTheRightJob

Five Things Job Seekers Should DoEvery Workday

After a friend recently graduated from college, she moved out of state to pursueher career dreams in the entertainment industry. We’ve remained in touch duringthe past few months, and I’ve seen her try to land jobs and network in acompletely new town.

It’s not easy, and every day she’s trying to connect with folks, whether going toauditions, attending industry events, or just meeting new people who may know ofpotential jobs. What my friend is experiencing is what it takes daily to search for ajob.

Here are five things to do every workday to power your job search.

1. Introduce yourself.

Introverts may find this the hardest daily task: Find one way every day to meetsomeone new. You can participate in an event hosted by local business group,such as your town’s chamber of commerce. You can attend an industry event,such as a trade show, career fair or conference in your chosen field. You can calla friend of a friend who is working in the industry where you are seeking a job, tolet them know who you are and to inquire about job opportunities. You can emailsomeone who was a guest speaker at your college and left their business card,

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inviting students to follow up, or contact members of your college’s alumni boardwho have shown an interest in assisting students and graduates.

2. Use social media in a smart way.

Being on social media can help you learn about potential job opportunities,industry trends, or people you need to meet in your desired career field. You canlike FindtheRightJob.com on Facebook and follow us Twitter as we pass along thenews about job trends and openings, too. Being on social media too much,however, can distract you from applying for jobs or sending out introductorynotes to potential employers. Set a goal for how much time you’ll use social mediadaily. For example, maybe for every Instagram or Facebook post or tweet, you fillout an application or email someone about a potential job.

3. Send out your resume.

Share your resume daily with at least one other person. We’re not talking aboutan email blast to everybody you know, but identify a friend, friend of the family,former co-worker or boss, or someone who may be in the position to pass yourresume among to others. You never know whose hands your resume may land in!

4. Update your LinkedIn account.

LinkedIn may be a tool you aren’t using to your advantage. Once you create a freeLinkedIn account, you could take a small step every day to connect with folks onthe site (we’re on LinkedIn as well). Invite people to join your network. Saycongrats virtually to someone who has gotten a new job. Link to an interestingarticle about trends or people in your career field, the job market or otherwork-related topics, or link to someone you’ve written if you have a blog.Comment on a discussion, or provide an endorsement for a professional or acompany you like.

5. Write.

Yes, spend a few minutes a day writing. Employers frequently say that writingskills are lacking among job candidates. Whether you start your own blog, write ina paper or digital journal, write about your family, or write about topics in thenews or in your industry, getting in a daily ritual of writing will flex thosemuscles, help you face a fear of writing, and show you areas where your writingcan improve.

All these steps don’t require spending an entire day but can be done quickly to

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move forward your job search and help you find the position you want!

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31 March, 2014 | Proudly Brought to you by FindTheRightJob

Five Ways to Make Your Cover LetterPop

Writing cover letters may seem like a tedious chore, but think of them as yourown personal curb appeal. If an employer doesn’t like or is bored by what theyread — just like someone buying a house – they could decide to drive by, sendingyour application to the bottom of the pile, or worse yet, into the trash.

Creating a cover letter that pops — just like a planting fresh flowers or repaintinga house – can make potential employers stop and take a longer look at you as ajob candidate.

Here are our five fun tips for improving cover letters.

1. Kick it off strong.

The first sentence and paragraph need to stand out, so avoid starting with “I amapplying for ….”

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez, CEO of Great Resumes Fast, recommends on the SPIE Career Center blog:

“Instead, try using something similar to your branding statement. Youcan easily tweak your branding statement to be a customized openingline. For example: With more than 10 years of profit-driven project

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management expertise… What’s different about this opening line? I’malready addressing the company’s need for a bottom-line-driven projectmanager; sharing my years of experience; and hitting the job title onthe dot. That’s three big points you’ve scored in the first line alone.”

2. Mention a connection.

By mentioning the name of a mutual contact in the opening of the cover letter,you can create a connection that other job candidates may not have with theemployer. If that’s not the case, consider whether any industry groups you’reinvolved with could resonate with the employer, if mentioned.

3. Show you know your stuff.

The Career Center at Tufts University suggests that job seekers “demonstrateyour research, writing, and analytical skills.” Do that by referencing the company– more than the name but information from your research – and using vocabularythat is relevant to the industry. Also realize that employers value “soft skills” suchas written communication, and the cover letter is your opportunity to show thatyou are a skilled communicator.

4. Spice up the formatting.

Use this idea carefully, but Oregon State University’s Career Servicesrecommends using italics, underlining, and bold to highlight and emphasize keythings that employers should know about you.

5. Provide some historical context.

You don’t have to be a history buff for this option, but you can link the past toyour present job search. Seth Porges, a write and co-creator of Cloth for iOS, afashion app, writes in a Forbes.com article:

“My favorite pro tip: Google around for the history of your field orcompany, and sprinkle some cool historical facts into your cover letter(or even use one as a lead) … If I were applying for a job in fashion, Imight talk about how much fashion has changed since the 80s (a lot!).Everything has a hidden history. Use it to show expertise and interest.”

Writing a winning cover letter is possible, especially when those competing forthe position may ignore the power of a cover letter that pops.

—Additional reporting by Carolyn Crist

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31 March, 2014 | Proudly Brought to you by FindTheRightJob

5 Clever Ways to Keep Your Job SearchOrganized

The resumes, cover letters, applications, job postings, career fair fliers … justmanaging a job search can be a full-time job.

You don’t have to be a neat freak, though, to keep your job search organized.Taking the time to get organized can help you stay on top of landing that job,instead of missing interviews, forgetting to follow up with potential employees,and spending way too much time feeling frustrated. You don’t want to have torummage through stacks of paper while you’re throwing on your jacket or shoesright before heading out the door.

Being organized also could increase your ability to have a positive, motivationaloutlook, which a Georgia Tech study shows can have a beneficial effect on yourjob search, especially when it’s beginning.

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Here are some great practical tips for keeping track of resumes and otherpaperwork, following up with potential employers, and using technology toconduct an efficient – and effective – job search.

1. Choose one method to keep tasks and dates organized. Whether it’s onyour phone, on a tablet, or using a spreadsheet, calendar, or another tool on thecomputer, find the one that feels natural to you and go with it, according to American InterContinental University Career Services. Or if you aren’t fullycomfortable with technology, you may find a three-ring binder, accordion file,notebooks, manilla folders, or pocket calendar could help you physically see allyour documents and make notes as needed.

2. Set up a system. If using digital files, UMass Lowell’s Career & Co-op Centerrecommends a database program like Microsoft Access, or a Microsoft Excelspreadsheet. A Glassdoor story makes a smart recommendation for keepingrecords of your job search. It suggests tracking the following on a spreadsheet:

- Company name- Position title- Job description- Company URL- Date submitted- Status of submission

3. Schedule alerts. Don’t assume you can remember everything. Set reminderson your phone or computer to send thank you notes after interviews, to follow upwith people you met at networking events, to Facebook a potential source for ajob interview, and to complete applications before the deadline passes.

4. Don’t spread out too much. Contain your job search to one room if you can.Definitely keep paper items like business cards and resumes in one spot in yourdorm, apartment, condo, or house so you won’t misplace them.

5. Be detailed. UMass Lowell’s Career & Co-op Center recommends that witheach job posting, you include the cover letter/resume, research about thecompany, and a record (with dates) of everything you did related to that jobopening, from reading about the job to emailing resume to following up via aphone call.

Try out these tips and let us know about your success in the comments section.

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31 March, 2014 | Proudly Brought to you by FindTheRightJob

The Communication Skills You Need toGet Hired

All the job seeker advice out there says you need to have top-notchcommunication skills to get hired and stay ahead of the competition. That adviceisn’t wrong – in fact, according to the 2013 Job Outlook Survey by the NationalAssociation of Colleges and Employers, the number one skill employers want fromtheir new hires is the “ability to verbally communicate with persons inside andoutside the organization.”

But what does that mean, exactly? What do excellent communication skills looklike in the workplace? We got some straight talk from Marvin Brown, an expert inbusiness communication strategies and the author of How to Meet and Talk toAnyone, Anywhere, Anytime: Simple Strategies for Great Conversations, on thespecific communication skills you need to get hired and get ahead at work.

Kick lazy talk to the curb.

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How often do you hear yourself saying “um,” “you know,” and “like” asconversation fillers? Chances are you’re not even aware of it, but your interviewercertainly is. It’ll take some work (and maybe a public speaking course), but makeup your mind to banish those utterances from your speech. “Imagine that yourwords have value, where vague and meaningless words are worthless, andspecific, interesting words cost more,” advises Brown. You want your words to beas valuable as possible so employers are inclined to pay attention to what youhave to say.

Accept compliments graciously.When someone says something nice about you or your work, how do you typicallyrespond? Do you contradict the praise by saying “It was nothing,” or perhapsbounce the words back to the complimenter by saying, “You too”? Not only doesthat display a lack of confidence, it also discounts the person who offered the kindwords. Next time, says Brown, “Take it in, and let the other person know thattheir gesture of generosity is meaningful. Smile, and say something like, ‘Thanks!You made my day.’”

Accept criticism graciously, too.If accepting compliments is difficult, accepting criticism can be a killer. No onewants to hear negative feedback about their job performance, but gettingdefensive will only exacerbate the issue. “Try to listen to what the other person issaying about your work, not about you personally,” says Brown. You want to showemployers and coworkers that you are capable of and open to change. Brownrecommends responding with a simple statement that shows appreciation, such as“Thank you for pointing that out to me,” or “That’s really helpful – you just did mea big favor.”

Keep it simple.Maybe you’re hoping to charm employers with your funny jokes and fancy words,but trying too hard to impress them can backfire and come across asdisingenuous, says Brown. “Forget about being super eloquent, clever, orpretentious,” he advises. “Keep your exchanges simple and direct.” Once you getthe job, it’s especially important to be genuine in your conversation so you canreally get to know and get along with the people you work with.

Keep the conversation going.Greeting colleagues with a “Hi, how are you?” may seem like a friendly move, but

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it’s actually a conversation stopper, says Brown. When engaging in pleasantriesaround the office or even in your interview, ditch the questions that haveone-word answers and opt for open-ended queries that spark meaningfulexchanges. Brown offers some examples: “What did you do that was exciting thisweekend?” or “How do you stay so cheerful on a Monday morning?”

With a little work, you can polish up the communication skills that every employerwants so you can get (and keep!) the job you need.

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31 March, 2014 | Proudly Brought to you by FindTheRightJob

Salary Too Low? Don’t Say “No” to theJob Yet

When you’re looking for a job, one of your first questions about the position isoften, What does it pay? You may think or have done the research that shows youand your degree are worth a certain amount, so getting offered alower-than-expected salary may cause you to shun the job.

But don’t immediately turn down a position with an unexpectedly low salary.

Jewelry designer Amanda Jaron, whose jewelry has been worn by celebrities suchas the stars of the “Real Housewives of New Jersey,” Rachael Ray, and NiecyNash, says she took a design assistant job in her field right out of college eventhough she wasn’t making much money. Her car payment took up half of hermonthly pay, and she had to rely on credit cards.

But within a year working in New York for Givenchy — a prestigious Paris-basedaccessories, clothing, cosmetics and perfume company — she doubled her salary,then doubled it again and again, until she was making six figures.

“Since the day I graduated from school, I have been in my field,” says Jaron, who

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now owns A. JARON Fine Jewelry in Naples, Fla.

She warns against accepting a job away from the field you’re passionate about,just because the initial paycheck is bigger.

“The biggest mistake I think people make is they don’t want to accept a job formoney that’s not worthy of them. They overvalue their education or theirexperience and don’t want to take an entry-level job for money that they believe isbeneath them,” she says. “Even if you have to get a second job waiting tables atnight, you still take a job in your field. Once you get in you field, you obviouslyhave the experience and you begin to know people in the industry.”

Jaron has seen that if you’re good at what you do and passionate, the higherpaychecks can follow.

As you’re looking for a job, recognize that getting your start right away in thefield you love may be worth sacrificing some dollars early on, if there is thepotential to earn more and accomplish your career dreams.

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31 March, 2014 | Proudly Brought to you by FindTheRightJob

Why You Should Not Lie on a Resume

Lying on the resume can have results of Olympic proportions. CEOs with Yahoo!and other companies, college coaches, and other officials have been caught lyingand suffered the ramifications. And if it happens to you, you could lose yourchances of getting the job you want.

Sandra Baldwin, former president of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is just oneexample of the high-profile folks who have been caught lying on their resume. Herfraudulent resume noted that she graduated in 1961 from the University ofColorado and received a doctorate in 1967 from Arizona State University, inAmerica literature. She never got the doctorate, and her graduation dates werewrong, too. She resigned in 2002.

The biggest lies are overstating your education and experience, but even littlewhite lies, such as trying to broaden your volunteer efforts with activities youhaven’t done, or wrongfully claiming you have job skills, can impact your job

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search.

Here’s why:

• People are checking up on you.

With the Internet, it’s so much easier for employers and even other job candidatesto check up on you. By simply looking at Facebook, an online bio/resume,information posted by your former employer online, and other sites, people canfind contradictions between what you say on your resume and what is true. Inaddition, potential employers may call former employers or references, who maynot be able to verify your background and what you say you can do.

• You may be asked to prove it.

Stretch the truth about your abilities, and you may be given a test that will callyou out on your lie. Even if that doesn’t happen and you get the job, youremployer would be in for a rude awakening when you start and are unprepared tohandle job duties. Instead, cast your abilities and experience in the best lightpossible without lying.

• It impacts your credibility.

If you get caught (not if, but when!) lying on your resume, your potentialemployer will question your character. Even if they discover a little white lie andstill hire you, your employer may keep a much closer eye on you, to make sureyou are not bringing any of that behavior to your job. That’s added pressure thatnobody needs to have at work.

If you are considering lying on your resume or embellishing your resume, stopand recognize that the consequences can be too great, no matter how big or smallthe fib seems to you.

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31 March, 2014 | Proudly Brought to you by FindTheRightJob

How to Match Your Personality to a NewProfession

I’m up at 10 p.m., well aware that I need one last person to interview for amagazine story due the next day. After trying several times earlier in the week toreach the guy I need to interview and failing, I put my persistent nature to workand give him a call (I know he’s a night owl and wants to do the interview, buthe’s been busy post-vacation). He answers, I get my interview and my work isdone. Whew.

Those kinds of experiences show me how being a journalist fits my personality sowell. Persistence is a key personality trait of mine, and time after time, mytendency to not give up pays off.

Here are three other personality traits and the jobs (some unexpected) that couldgo with them.

The Flirt

Potential job: Indeed, you can balance your flirty nature with a professional job.And we’re not talking about batting your eyelashes at work to get ahead ofco-workers or land a date. But consider professions like real estate agent,mediator or agent for entertainers and athletes (like a modern-day JerryMaguire), where negotiating is a big part of the job.

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Yes, the traits that make you a good flirt could help you win the negotiations. Arecent Forbes.com story cites research that found flirtation “conveysassertiveness and power, from someone who is also concerned about satisfyingtheir own interests.” According to the article, “that combination led to 20 percentimprovements in the deals negotiated by study participants.”

The Modest One

Potential job: Salesperson. A Harvard Business Review story notes that 91percent of 1,000 top salespeople who took personality tests had “medium to highscores of modesty and humility.”

The Thinker

Potential job: Software developer. You’ll need strong analytical skills to designand develop the software and applications people need to complete tasks — andhave fun — on their computers, smartphones, tablets, and other devices. Add abachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, mathematics, or arelated field, and you’ll be on your way to pursuing a job in this fast-growingprofession, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Knowing your personality can help you discover your next career — and can keepyou from choosing a career that doesn’t match well with your key personalitytraits.

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31 March, 2014 | Proudly Brought to you by FindTheRightJob

What to Wear? The New Rules of JobInterview Attire

You scored the big interview. You’re ready for all the hardball questions. But youhave one big question mark: What will you wear? Find out what’s appropriate foryour interview… and what’s not!

Back in the day, there was the interview suit — an always-acceptable outfit fit forany job interview. But times have changed, and so have the expectations of whatyou’ll wear to interview for a job. While your skinny jeans and Converse probablyaren’t right still, you can carry a little more personality in your interview clothesthese days.

“While suits are still the safest attire to wear to an interview, especially wheninterviewing for a business position, many companies welcome a crisp, businesscasual look — especially for women. The most important thing to remember is

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that you should look crisp, clean, and presentable — no matter what you wear,”says Corinne Alexaki of Shoplet.com.

Ask Around

Know someone in the industry you are interviewing in? Then ask them forguidance on what to wear. They’ll have the clue in to what’s really appropriate —and what isn’t. “We have found that the fashion and wedding coordinationindustries expect interviewees to dress and accessorize in the latest fashiontrends. These businesses want you to demonstrate your fashion savvy andpersonality in an interview because a lot of what you will be doing taps into yourability to be creative. The corporate world is more rule-focused, and rewardsthose who can demonstrate their fluency of corporate culture,” explains Alexaki.

Err on the Side of Caution

No one wants to be the one in jeans at a formal event. So always err on the side ofcaution when dressing for an interview. “When in doubt, it is always better to beoverdressed than underdressed. You want to dress for the interview one or twonotches above what you would wear on the job,” says Jodi R. Smith ofMannersmith Etiquette Consulting.

Old Advice Holds True

“Dress for the role you are seeking. If you are interviewing for the senior level,make sure you look the part that reflects the role and company,” says JayneMattson, Senior Vice President, Keystone Associates.

Attention to detail

Finally, make sure that you’ve taken the time to make your attire spotless. “Yourclothing should be pressed, lint free, and fit your body appropriately. Wearingover-sized or snug clothing could be worse than opting for less traditional attire.You don’t want to draw attention to yourself because you are wearing somethingunflattering,” says Alexaki.Getting-Dressed-for-the-Interview Cheat Sheet

Smith of Mannersmith Etiquette Coaching offered these basic rules for how todress for an interview. She says that dressing is simply a matter of taking thetypical work attire up a few notches:

If you would wear cargo shorts and a hoodie on the job, for the interview you

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would wear pressed khakis and a button down.If you would wear pressed khakis and a button down on the job, for theinterview you would add a blue blazer and a tie.If you would wear pressed khakis, a button down, blue blazer and a tie onthe job, for the interview you would wear a suit.If you would wear a suit on the job, for the interview you would wear a suit(not a tuxedo!).

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31 March, 2014 | Proudly Brought to you by FindTheRightJob

Why Your Job Search May Be Failing

Whether your job search has been going on for years or is just under way, somekey mistakes can sabotage job seekers’ efforts.

“I routinely meet people who have been looking for five years or more. They wantto know why their job search has taken so long. Most prefer to blame it on theeconomy,” says R. William Holland, a former chief human resources officer forAndersen Consulting, and author of Cracking the New Job Market: The 7 Rulesfor Getting Hired in Any Economy. “While the Great Recession has had an impact– finding suitable work takes longer – a lot of hiring has taken place in the lastfive years. The more helpful question is: Has your job search failed?”

Career and hiring experts shared five reasons why your job search may beearning a big fat “F”.

1. Ignoring the requirements for the position.Companies take time to craft job requirements, so if you’re overqualified or underqualified, it’s likely your application will be automatically removed fromcontention. “Your job is to convince prospective employers that you are the bestpossible fit, and bring attributes that are difficult to find in other candidates,”Holland says. Acting desperate typically will only turn an employer off.

2. Failing to put in the time.

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Approach the search as a full-time marketing campaign for you, says CharleyPolachi, a partner with Polachi, an executive search firm based in Framingham,MA. Employers will notice a lack of effort. Lynne Sarikas, director ofNortheastern University’s MBA Career Center, says job candidates need tocustomize their cover letters, read the job descriptions, and learn about eachcompany.

3. Depending on others too much.Friends and third parties can help identify potential jobs or employers – or evenhelp you get an interview – but you can’t expect them to do all the work, Polachisays. You can’t rely on others to make sure you are following directions, andsubmit error-free cover letters, applications, and resumes.

4. Making it all about you.It is not a good example of strong business writing to start nearly every sentencewith I, Sarikas says. Your letter should demonstrate how you can help a businessaddress the needs they are trying to fill. Carefully review the job description tofind what problems the company wants to resolve, or issues they want addressedby filling the position, Holland suggests. Then describe your skills and talents inthe same language employers uses to describe their problems.

5. Your image is unprofessional.Project a professional image at all times, even if the job is casual. “You can applyfor a job as the assistant to a photographer without showing up to the interviewas if you’re looking for a centerfold job. Casual doesn’t mean spaghetti straps andhigh heels or shorts with a polo shirt untucked and flip flops. Don’t mistake thebeach or the gym for the office,” says advice columnist and author April Masini.

Your online image is just as important. Remember that images on Facebook andother social media can be accessed by potential employers. “On the flip side,people who take the time to post professional, creative and thoughtful ideas tendto get a second look,” Holland says.

When you get that interview call, don’t take more than a day to respond or blowoff the potential employer by forgetting about the interview. Becoming a pro atthe job search process can help an employer pluck you out of the pool ofcandidates, and earn you an A+ in “Getting Hired 101.”

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31 March, 2014 | Proudly Brought to you by FindTheRightJob

How to Make the Most of Your TimeWhile You’re Unemployed

It’s tough being between jobs. Whether you were laid off, fired, or you justhaven’t been able to find work, there are steps you can take to makeunemployment less of a drag. Check out these five ways to make the most of yourtime while you’re unemployed.

Get fit.When you’re working, it’s tough to make time to get to the gym or eat balancedmeals. When you’re unemployed, you’re out of excuses. But you don’t have toinvest in a costly gym membership or become the next Rachael Ray to stayhealthy. Just going for a brisk walk or a run a few times a week – and scaling backon the fast food – can help you stay in shape and keep you from slip-sliding intodepression.

Organize your home.If your house is a mess, chances are your life feels like a mess, too. While you’reunemployed, take some time to clean out the garage or basement, or even justgive your bedroom or living space a thorough once-over. De-cluttering is neverhigh on the priority list when you’re working, but making time for it now can giveyou a strong sense of accomplishment and help you think more clearly about your

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Take a class.If you never completed your degree or you’ve never even darkened a college door,unemployment can be a great time to get your feet wet and take a class. You’lllearn something new, and you might even get some ideas about what you want todo next. Plus, going to college looks great on your resume, and the skills youacquire in school can boost your qualifications for another job.

Volunteer.Just because you’re not getting paid doesn’t mean the work is worthless. Pick aplace that interests you, like a local church, hospital, homeless shelter, etc., andfind out how you can pitch in. Even if it’s just a few hours a week, volunteeringcan give you a sense of purpose and empowerment while you’re unemployed.Plus, volunteering makes an excellent addition to your resume (you have updatedyour resume, haven’t you?).

Tap into social media.Isn’t it amazing how time gets sucked away when you’re puttering around onFacebook? Instead of playing Bubble Witch Saga for hours on end, use your timeonline to connect with people whose work you admire. Set up a LinkedIn profile ifyou haven’t already, and ask friends and former colleagues and classmates for jobleads. Social media can be a powerful, profitable tool when used for professionalnetworking, not time wasting. (While you’re at it, follow us on Twitter and Like uson Facebook.

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