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No Job Offer? Ask yourself these questions - Andy Ditlevson

No Job Offer? Ask yourself these questions!  
Andy Ditlevson - Career Services Professional 
 
Ever gotten turned down for a job and wanted to ask the interviewer "WHY?" I think we've all been in this situation -- the problem is that most employers will be very hesitant to tell you why they rejected you as a candidate. The good news is, if you can be honest with yourself, you can probably figure out why you didn't get a job offer by asking yourself these questions: 
 
1) Did I thoroughly research the employer so I could provide very specific reasons why I am interested in working for their particular organization? (Your answers should make it obvious to the employer that you really did your homework. If you give basically the same answer to more than one employer - you're probably in trouble). 
 
2) Did I read through the job description carefully so I knew exactly what the job duties were? (CLUE -- if after you answered the "Why are you interested in this job" question, the recruiter reminded you of the job duties, you probably just lost the job offer). 
 
3) Did I cite specific detailed examples to prove I met their requirements? (For example, if you're asked to talk about your communication skills, say something like: "I think my communication skills are one of my strengths. Let me give you an example --last week, I was (cite specific situation) and so I (cite specific action you took), which resulted in (describe positive outcome of your action). 
 
4) Did I dress appropriately for the interview? (If the interviewer was dressed more formally than you, the offer may have flown out the window before you even sat down). 
 
5) Did I demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for the job and employer? (If you're not sure you want the job -- there's a good chance the employer walked away from the interview wondering the same thing -- if so "bye-bye" job offer). 
 
6) Did I follow up with a thank you note? (This is one more way to show the employer that you really want the job -- no letter = little effort = no offer). 
 
7) Did I badmouth anyone in the interview? (Any negative comment about a former job, employer or colleague will lead the employer to think that you'll likely do the same thing at their organization if they hire you). 
 
8) Was I late? Did I have gum in my mouth? Did my cell phone go off? Did I sit up straight and make good eye contact? 
 
9) Did I go into the interviewing thinking "I'm not sure I really want this job"? (Candidates sometimes do this to minimize the blow of being turned down but having this mindset often leads to rejection. Even if you are not sure you want the job -- go into the interview thinking "I want to get this job offer" -- that way you get to decide). 
 
If you said "Yes" to any of these questions -- you should have a good idea why you didn't get the job offer. If you could say "No" to all of them, it is possible that someone else was more qualified than you for each of the jobs -- but if multiple job interviews result in no offers, it may be you were "out interviewed" rather than out qualified. In that event, please consider doing some practice interviews through your career center and/or with someone who has experience interviewing candidates. 
 
Inspired and extracted from https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140626164940-25240107-no-job-offer-ask-yourself-these-questions

No Job Offer? Ask yourself these questions - Andy Ditlevson

No Job Offer? Ask yourself these questions! Andy Ditlevson - Career Services Professional Ever gotten turned down for a job and wanted ...

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4 things in your resume for getting noticed and respond

4 things in your resume for getting noticed and respond 
 
1. You addressed the requirements of the job which is posted. 
 
This is so basic. Even if you don't tick all the boxes, at least acknowledge them! While you might not have PHP as a card in your development deck, perhaps you have HTML, Javascript and Objective-C. Explain in your cover letter why having those skills should fill the post with confidence that you can fill out the rest of their requirements over time. 
 
2. Tell who you are, not just what you do. 
 
While this might sound like namby-pamby new-age rot, think about how you would forge a new relationship in a social setting. You may start with what you do for a job, but what really makes you connect with someone is sharing something of yourself. Not just what you studied, but how you enjoyed the experience and how studying opened new ideas to you that you never thought you would consider. People are not looking for your life story - but if they want to work with you, they want to know that we're going to get on well. 
 
3. Examples of your work. 
 
Whether included as a portfolio or as a link to a site or blog you are working on, if they can see what you've done, it will speak volumes more than a 15-page list of all your programming languages, university awards and extra-curricular pursuits. Show people what you can do in the real world and they might just find an excuse to get you in to meet their boss. 
 
4. Be professional in your cover letter, but also be yourself. 
 
There is no bigger shock after reading a professionally-crafted cover letter and resume to find that the person you are interviewing is a Goth with multiple facial piercings and a neck tattoo. Whilst none of those things would ever stop people from hiring the right person, not showing some kind of personality in your cover letter to indicate that you are a little left-of-centre and then finding that you look like the lead singer of Nine Inch Nails in person isn't doing you any favours. While you might want to hide yourself for fear that you'll be rejected, sooner or later, they are going to see what you're like - so better that you're up-front about it now than shock us with it later.

4 things in your resume for getting noticed and respond

4 things in your resume for getting noticed and respond 1. You addressed the requirements of the job which is posted. This is so basic. ...

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Objective Can Kill A Resume - Greg Lachs

Objectives in Resume 
 
Most of the objectives we write in the resume and vague, and virtually meaningless. None of them are helpful. 
 
Below are some sample objective 
 
“To grow and be happy.” 
“To have an exciting opportunity with XYZ Industries, or any other great job at another company.” 
“To obtain a challenging position that utilizes my strengths and skills and offers potential.” 
“To pursue employment with a reputable company that will enable me to learn skills in the workplace.” 
 
In a resume, employers look for what you offer – not what you want. An objective is an “I want” statement that doesn’t help. 
 
A recruiter has up to 15 seconds to look through your resume, sometimes half that much time.  The first “real” writing they see is an objective.  
 
That objective is about what you want, not the employer. Strike One. Usually very vaguely written. Strike Two. Finally, it is the first real impression your resume has made – and it’s not a good one. Strike Three. First impressions can only be made once. Not a great start, is it? 
 
However, you can fix this with a very simple alternative. Take sentence or two and let them know what you specifically have to offer them: 
 
Effective Objectives: 
 
“10 year IT Systems Administrator with Management Experience and Budgeting. Cut Technical Purchase budget by 25% and increased productivity.” 
 
“Sales Professional who has met or exceeded quota over the last five years and has $750,000 in Office Supply Sales in the last 2 years.” 
 
“Administrative Recruiter with 5 years of experience placing talent in Fortune 500 companies.” 
 
The formula: 
 
Your Title/Profession + experience + accomplishment 
 
New to the field? Substitute your education or training for experience. For an accomplishment, that can be from a previous job in another field – or through your volunteer work. Something that anyone might appreciate. 
 
“Business Analyst with MBA and 5 years Volunteer Experience with 211.” 
 
“Technical Support Professional with A+ Certification and Customer Service Experience.” 
 
“Accountant with BA in Business Management and Quickbooks Experience.” 
 
“Electrical Engineer with BSEE and Winner of Sr. Technical Project Award from Syracuse University.” 
 
The short “Summary” you have provided is much more likely to get positive attention at the first glance. The recruiter is likely to read it a bit more carefully; you’ve given her a good reason to. 
 
Just put “Summary” where “Objective” would have been and then use the formula. 
 
Bring your resume “back to life” so you can showcase the talent, experience and education you offer in a way that gets the interest you deserve. 
 
Inspired and extracted from https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140627175348-19974532-how-an-objective-can-kill-a-resume

Objective Can Kill A Resume - Greg Lachs

Objectives in Resume Most of the objectives we write in the resume and vague, and virtually meaningless. None of them are helpful. Below...

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The Scientific Version of your resume getting a interview - Laura Hoff

The Scientific Version of your resume getting a interview - Laura Hoff, Scientific Recruiter at VERUM Staffing 
 
Order of your Resume: 
 
The order in which you lay out your resume can also affect your chances. In our prior resume articles we went over the basic parts of the resume, but we will give a basic “order of go” here. The order you should place your resume in is as follows: Heading/Contact Info, Objective (if you choose to include it), Education, Relevant Skills/Coursework, Employment/Research/Other Employment, and “Filler” (fillers include professional memberships/certifications, awards, and relevant presentations/publications, patents). Keeping your resume in this order gives the company or recruiter the best chance to find the important information quickly and easily. If you have held a position in industry, your experience may be included before the skills section. For a recent college graduate, the skills section should generally come first, unless you have held a full or part time relevant job or internship while attending school. 
 
No of Pages in a Resume: 
 
A standard rule for resume length is as follows: for 1-3 years of experience use one page, for 3-5 years use two pages, and for 5+ years it’s ok to use three pages. As we stated in our previous article, if you have information you feel is critical for the company to know…include it. But be sure that the information is relevant and highlights only the major skills or duties of that position. 
 
Spelling and Grammar: 
 
Another very common reason resumes may get thrown out is if they contain too many grammar or spelling errors. There are few things more damaging than mentioning that you “have strong attention to detail,” only to have multiple errors in your resume. Most scientific positions will involve state or federal regulations that must be followed to a T. If you can’t or won’t double check your own work in your resume, it doesn’t leave the employer with a great impression of how well you would pay attention to small details on the job! 
 
Dates of Employment: 
 
The final piece of the puzzle we’ll discuss in this article are the dates of employment on your resume. Dates that are missing, unclear, or out of date entirely will look at best like messy work on your part, and at worst like you are trying to hide something. Your dates of employment should be clear (month and year), and any large gaps between employment should be addressed (ie. If you were not working for a few months in order to travel, or tend to a family emergency, a short sentence on your resume can explain this).  
 
Updated Resume: 
 
Remember to keep your resume updated not only on your computer, but any job boards you may have your resume on as well. For example, if you have your resume on a job board, but do not update it in a year, it sends a few messages to recruiters or companies looking at your resume. First, you may have missed some new role or job you have recently assumed, so they have no idea if you are still at the company listed as your most recent employer. And second, if you are not updating on a regular basis you may look like an uninterested job seeker who can’t be bothered too much with the search. 
 
The most important piece of advice to take away from this article, is that your resume is a reflection of you as a candidate. Whether your resume if professional, up-to-date, and relevant leaves a recruiter or company with a much more positive view of you as a candidate. A resume that is colorful, outdated, and generic won’t leave nearly such a good impression. Remember that as a job seeker, your primary job is getting the job! Let recruiters and companies see you as a quality candidate by putting effort and polish into your resume. Good luck! 
 
Inspired and extracted from https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140703153747-164720631-why-your-resume-could-be-keeping-you-from-getting-an-interview-the-scientific-version?trk=tod-home-art-list-small_3

The Scientific Version of your resume getting a interview - Laura Hoff

The Scientific Version of your resume getting a interview - Laura Hoff, Scientific Recruiter at VERUM Staffing Order of your Resume: The...

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Mistakes people tend to make while going for an interview - Tom Bryan

Mistakes people tend to make while going for an interview - Tom Bryan, Managing Partner at ISGF, LLC 
 
1. Don’t try to change the tone of the interview. If the interviewer is all business or very direct, respond in the same manner. Never try to lead the conversation in a different or more casual direction. 
 
2. Saying too much – or too little. No hiring manager wants to sit and try to conduct an interview with a jabber jaws, but you do need to speak when it is appropriate. Don’t try to take control of the conversation, but DO ask enough questions to demonstrate your interest in the company and its values. 
 
3. Wearing street clothes to an interview. Never wear ragged jeans, flip flops or other casual wear to an interview. Dress conservatively, and don’t over-do it with the jewelry, make up and perfume or cologne. You want to look professional and neat – not like you just came straight from the tattoo parlor or beach. 
 
4. Arrive late. Nothing says “I’m really not interested in this job” more than arriving late for the interview. Be on time to make a good impression. 
 
5. Weak handshake. When shaking hands with the interviewer, do it firmly, but not too vigorously. You want to show that you are confident, so avoid a limp or weak handshake as well. 
 
6. “Umm”, “you know” – Ever heard someone who cannot talk without putting these kinds of words in every few seconds? This is a BIG turn-off for employers. Take a few seconds before you respond to questions and keep these verbal ticks in the back of your mind so that you will avoid using them. Practice before the interview, either in front of a mirror or with a friend. 
 
7. Inquiring about vacation time, benefits or pay. It’s really not appropriate to ask these types of questions on a first interview. Wait until a time that you feel certain you are a top candidate for the position before getting down to the nuts and bolts. 
 
8. Not being thorough in your answers regarding skills and qualifications. When job candidates are asked about experiences and skills, they often give answers that are vague. Give clear examples of your experiences and skills in a way that directly relates to the job you are hoping to land. 
 
9. Not being prepared ahead of time. Any potential employer is impressed when you ask a few questions about the company that show you’ve done your research. By letting the interviewer know you have done a little research through intelligent questions, he/she will get the message that you are genuinely interested and serious about the job. 
 
10. Not being clear that you want the job. An interview is partially for your benefit, allowing you to learn more about the company, the position and the details so that you have a clear picture of what you may be looking toward. When the interview has concluded, be sure to let the interviewer know that you are enthusiastic and interested in the job. 
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Article derived from, https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140606171100-4301732-interview-blunders-are-you-making-these-mistakes</div>

Mistakes people tend to make while going for an interview - Tom Bryan

Mistakes people tend to make while going for an interview - Tom Bryan, Managing Partner at ISGF, LLC 1. Don’t try to change the tone of th...

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How to approach a Job Interviews? - Michael Bete

How to approach a Job Interviews? 
 
As per Michael Betel, Marketing and Sales Director Specializing in Business Development and Customer Centric Care. 
 
1. Prepare, prepare, prepare: It's so important to demonstrate to the interviewers that you care enough to do your homework. You should; 
 
- know your CV and how the work you've done can be applied to this new role 
- know the company, its values, its mission, its history, its products, its people, its culture 
- know the industry, its trends, its challenges, its future opportunities 
- learn about the interviewers and the company's leaders and who they are, and what they've accomplished 
- practice sharing relevant experiences you have had, good ones and challenging ones. What did you learn from both? This is the time to remember the STAR model (Situation, Tactic, Action, Results), which really does help improve the quality and details of the examples you give. 
 
2. Research, research, research: Use multiple resources.  
 
- speak with contacts you know. LinkedIn could help hook you up with people who know the industry and the organization 
- use LinkedIn to learn about the role (others may be in a similar role) 
- Google is fantastic at opening up a world of information, including user reviews, blogs, and comments that will help put the puzzle together for you.  
 
3. Breathe, breathe, breathe:  
 
Relax and be yourself. If you pretend to be someone you're not, you're not being authentic and inevitably, you won't be happy there, even if you do get the job. 
 
It's a very competitive market now, but if you take this very seriously and do the preparatory work, you will succeed! 
 
"Chance favors the prepared mind." (Louis Pasteur). The more you prepare, the luckier you become. 
 
Article dervied from, https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140606200909-2644677-interviews-are-serious-business-are-you-ready

How to approach a Job Interviews? - Michael Bete

How to approach a Job Interviews ? As per Michael Betel, Marketing and Sales Director Specializing in Business Development and Customer C...

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Sample script for "Tell Me About Yourself"

Sample script for "Tell Me About Yourself" 
 
the question itself is so vague. When someone says "Tell me about yourself," aren't you dying to come back with "What exactly do you want to know?" 
 
All Business 
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"Well, I'm a Software Engineer who's been doing mostly chip design and who's specialized in wireless device manufacturing for the past eight years."</div>
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Life Story</div>
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"I was born in Maine, but my parents moved to Philadelphia when I was six, so I grew up there. I went to college in Maryland, studying finance, then I took a job with Accenture in Chicago after graduation..."</div>
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Best Foot Forward</div>
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"I'm a hard-working, experienced Marketing person who got the top ratings from my division VP for the last three years in a row!"</div>
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Assertive</div>
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"I'm your next Sales Administrator, and my name is Angie Smith!"</div>
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Advice:  The best answer for this question would be hear it as "Story of your Career" and answer the question by taking through your progress you made in your career and its is more specific and thus more manageable.</div>
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Derived from https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140601050937-52594-how-to-answer-the-question-tell-me-about-yourself?trk=tod-home-art-list-large_0</div>

Sample script for "Tell Me About Yourself"

Sample script for " Tell Me About Yourself" the question itself is so vague. When someone says "Tell me about yourself,...

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