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Top 10 Job Search Tips of All Time

A successful job search is definitely not easy. First, you have to find a job you’re interested in. Next, you have to apply and wait for an invitation to interview. After that, you have to prepare for the interview, and then you have to follow up. And, that’s just the basics – there are many more small steps along the way that make things complicated and sometimes overwhelming. So, we put together our top 10 job search tips of all time – to keep you from forgetting an important step along the way.

1. Broaden your job search

2. Build a network

3. Write a top-notch résumé

4. Submit a cover letter with your résumé, every time

5. Research your potential employer’s company

6. Practice answering common interview questions

7. Prepare to ask the interviewer questions

8. Be sure to dress for success

9. Bring the proper items to an interview

10. Follow up after an interview

Landing the job you want takes time and effort. Rarely does the perfect opportunity just fall in your lap. But, you can make your job search process simpler by following these top 10 tips of all time.

Tell us what you think – did we miss one? Share your job search tips in the comments section below. We’d love to hear from you.

Standing Out in the Interview: What Your Hobbies Could Say About You

In the résumé writing process, it’s common advice to include community service, awards, and volunteering to demonstrate that you’re a well-rounded candidate.

But, have you ever thought about how your hobbies could help you stand out as a candidate in the interview? How you spend your leisure time reflects your passions in life. And in today’s job market, it’s important to interject your personality into the job search process so you can stand apart. Here are some common hobbies and how you can use them to reflect your personality – and creativity – in your interview. 

Reading

If you’re an avid reader, whatever your preferred genre, this hobby can demonstrate a hunger for knowledge or adventure. If the opportunity arises within the interview, you can tap into the knowledge-reservoir you’ve gained from this hobby by using an illustration from a favorite novel to talk about an insight you’ve applied to work.

Example: “Here’s what Lord of the Flies taught me about dealing with human nature in corporate politics…”

Crafting

Crafting comes in many forms, and it’s a great hobby that directly illustrates creativity put to practice. Have you used a logic or thought-process from constructing a craft and applied it on the job? Maybe you’ve started a part-time business selling your wares? Talk about experiences you’ve had or things you’ve learned from your favorite craft project to demonstrate your creative or entrepreneurial spirit.

Example: “Whenever I sit down to create a new scrapbook page, I go through the same planning process, but I’ve learned how to follow my instincts, too. Here’s how I apply that concept to my work…”

Pop Culture

Do you love movies, television, or other pop culture? Maybe you’re an avid fan of a specific genre or form. This hobby can do more than just produce great water cooler conversations between you and your co-workers. It can also show your hip, in-the-know side. Try talking about observations you’ve made from pop culture you admire and how that can apply to your field or discipline.

Example: “I think director J.J. Abrams has a real knack for respecting the history of a show but at the same time finding creative ways to give life to old ideas. I aim to apply that same process to building a business strategy…”

Entertaining 

Do you love cooking, hosting parties, and celebrating special events? This hobby does more than just make you the life of the party, it can show an aptitude for strategy, a flair for creativity, and an excellence at executing a plan. Talk about a unique idea you had for a recent event and how that applies to the job.

Example: “I wanted to test a new recipe before the party to see if it would appeal to kids. So, I made a batch and shared it with children in the neighborhood. Just like when I’m planning a celebration with my friends, I like to incorporate feedback to make a better project at work…”

What are You Passionate About?

These are only a few examples of common hobbies and how you can talk about them in an interview. Whatever your hobbies, whether skydiving, horseback riding, or building computers, can you find ways that they apply to your job skills?

Spend some time jotting down all of your hobbies on a piece of paper, and before each interview, check your list to see if any of them apply to the type of work you’re interviewing for. Then, find appropriate times to talk about them during the interview. This trick can also build commonality between you and an interviewer if they share the same hobby. Make sure you don’t dwell too long on a hobby, and try to talk about it in terms of how it applies to the job you’re trying to land. And, choose the hobbies you want to talk about carefully to make sure you leave the right impression. Interviewing with a traditionalist may not be the appropriate time to talk about how your fight club taught you how to resolve conflict!

Have you ever talked about a hobby during an interview? Share your stories – and how your hobbies applied to your job search – in our comments section.

Negotiating Salary in a Recession

You may think that in a recession your salary negotiating power is gone. In fact, for many people, things are so bad they would rather take a pay cut than suffer a job loss. The truth is, a recent poll showed that many Fortune 500 companies are looking at freezing merit based raises for the coming year. For many people, salaries may freeze or decline throughout 2009.

That said, highly skilled, experienced, or recruited candidates may find that now, they are worth more than ever to employers. So, if you have experience in a field that’s in high demand or have recruiters knocking on your door, don’t worry. Your salary level is probably fine. But if you’re searching for a job or are in an industry that’s feeling the economic slump, now is a great time to brush up on your salary negotiation skills. Selling your skills and experience in an economic climate like this will be challenging. So, here are three ideas for negotiating a salary in a recession:

Make it about their money.

If you’re a proven candidate who’s been successful at saving money for employers in the past, whether by cutting budgets, using innovative ideas, or changing processes, make sure to sell the value you add to a potential employer to save them cold, hard cash right now. Many people can prove they’ve spent a company’s money. But proven power in saving money in a business setting is a rare talent. So, make sure you sell your ability to save the company money by sharing actual dollar amounts you’ve saved. If you’ve saved a company in the thousands or millions, you can make your salary about saving the employer’s money, and chances are, you’ll get paid what you’re worth.

Make it about your performance.

Here’s something to consider when you’re talking money with a potential employer once a job offer’s been extended. Tell them you’re willing to base your raise or bonus on your performance. Set the stakes yourself. If you can accomplish their goals for the position before their allotted time frame, or if you can raise productivity levels in measurable ways above the last person who had the position, it would be worth it for them to pay you more. So, let your boss or potential employer know that you want a better salary but are willing to work for it. Then, give them a deadline to make the change by. Here’s an example: if you meet their goals within the first three months, they agree to give you an immediate 5% raise, no questions asked. And if you exceed them in measurable ways, they will give you another review to consider an even higher raise.

Make it about your time.

Time is money. So, if an employer says they can’t afford to pay you what you’re worth right now because of the economy, suggest that you would work for what they can afford to pay you but at a reduced schedule. For example, if you can prove you deserve to make 20% more than they’re willing to pay but they still can’t pay it, see if they’ll work out a compromise until the economy picks back up and they can afford to pay you more. Suggest that you would be willing to work 20% less time than the job description requires but at the salary they can afford for a full-time person now. If you are a valuable enough candidate or employee, this may just be the solution to meet both of your needs.

When you're negotiating salary, make sure that you approach the subject with professionalism and tact. Go into a salary negotiation discussion prepared with the facts about what you're worth, but don't alienate a potential employer by being insensitive to their business needs, especially in an economy like this. By positioning yourself as your potential employer's ally when it comes to talking about salary in a difficult economic situation, you'll be more likely to get paid what you're worth and help your employer weather the storm.

Have you successfully negotiated a new salary, even in the recession? Share your tips and insights in the comments!

4 Job Interview Musts

Job seekers worry so much about preparing for the big things before a job interview – the résumé, the research, the qualifications – that they forget about the basics. Simple job interview etiquette can be the factor that makes or breaks an interview.

So, here are a few “small” things that you need to remember before heading into an interview.

Don’t chew gum. Chewing gum is definitely a no go. The interviewer can’t concentrate on what you’re saying if you’re smacking your gum obnoxiously.

Do dress appropriately. Wearing clothes that are too tight or too baggy will distract you and the interviewer during the interview. Make sure you wear something that is comfortable, yet professional. If you’re unsure, it’s always better to dress up than to dress down.

Don’t forget your manners. “Please” and “thank you” are not a thing of the past. When going on an interview, remember to be courteous to everyone in the building. You could have a great interview, but if your manners are lacking to even one individual, you could lose your chances at landing the job. You never know who can influence your desired boss’s decision.

Do be professional. Whether you have a loud voice or tend to go into a shell when you’re nervous, make sure to adapt your mannerisms to the personality style of the person you’re interviewing with. You don’t want to go to extremes, so don’t overpower or close off during an interview.

The next time you go on a job interview, don’t assume you have all your bases covered. Remember that sometimes the little things make all the difference

3 Tips for Interviewing While Still Employed

If you’re like many other workers, you’ve probably started looking for a new job opportunity while still employed, although it wasn’t something you announced to your co-workers or supervisor. It can be tricky trying to schedule interviews around your work schedule without sharing too much information or being disrespectful. Here are three ways to help you schedule job interviews while showing respect to your current employer.

1. Schedule on your own time. The most obvious way to plan an interview, yet not always the easiest, is to schedule it on your own time away from work. Explain to your potential employer that you’re still employed and would prefer an interview time before or after your work hours, or on your lunch break. They’ll understand that you’re being respectful toward your current employer, and will appreciate your courtesy.

2. Request time off. If the hiring employer has a set time for interviews and is unable to accommodate a special request, you might have to interview during work hours. In this case, request time off from your current employer ahead of time instead of calling in sick the day of. Use your paid time off or ask to make up your missed hours at another time, explaining that you have an important appointment to attend and tried to schedule it outside of work hours but was unable to. And, keep your co-workers in mind and avoid scheduling your interview during team meetings, near deadlines, or when your co-workers need you most.

3. Keep it to yourself. There’s no need to divulge this type of information to your supervisor or co-workers. If you tell your current employer that you’re headed to an interview, they can deny your request for time off or even ask you to clean out your desk. Simply share that you have an appointment to attend and leave it at that. Don’t elaborate or construct a lie. You can also ask your potential employer for confidentiality and to not contact your current employer.

Many others have successfully interviewed while still employed, and you can, too. Use these tips to plan your interviews accordingly and your interview just might turn into the job you’ve been waiting for. Good luck in your job search!

What Do You Want to Know in an Interview? The Questions You Don’t Ask

Have you ever been in a job interview and thought of a question you really wanted to ask but weren’t sure if you should? The reality is, there are a lot of things you won’t know about a job until you actually start it. But there are ways you can ask some of the tough questions when you’re in the interview so you’ll know better what to expect.

We want to know the top questions you want to ask but won’t. Vote in our poll, and we’ll address the top questions in a later post.

poll by twiigs.com

Think of something that’s not on this list? We still want to hear from you.

Let us know the answers you’re looking for in an interview by leaving us a comment.

Interviewing a Potential Employer – 3 Signs of a Good Boss

If you work fulltime, you might end up spending more time with your co-workers than your family and friends. So, to make sure you’ll end up working with people you like, keep your eyes and ears open as you interview for a new job. Paying close attention to what interviewers say and do, and how they react can help you learn valuable information about them and their personality. Here are three things that can help you decide whether or not you want to work for this employer.

Watch for nonverbal cues – As you answer questions during the interview, watch how the interviewer responds. Try to see if they seem to agree or disagree with your responses, or if they seem bored or intrigued. This can help you decipher if they’re interested in what you have to say, or if they’re in a hurry to get the next word in. Do they really care about what you’re saying, or do they deem only what they say as important? Chances are, the interviewer’s actions will carry over into the workplace. If you don’t feel like they’re really listening to you, you might feel the same way on the job.

Listen to their answers – If you get your chance to ask your potential boss a few questions, listen carefully to how they answer. If they speak positively and excitedly about the company and the position, they’re likely to have that same enthusiasm in the workplace. This is important because a passionate boss can inspire you at work. On the other hand, a negative response could indicate someone who may drag you down.

Pay attention to your feelings – When you’re talking with the interviewer, pay attention to how you feel. Does the interviewer make you feel comfortable, or do they put you on pins and needles? If your potential boss engages in small talk during the interview, this might indicate that they want to get to know the people they’re going to work with. On the other hand, if they just get straight to business and skip over any chatting, this shows that they might focus on the job and concentrate less on building relationships with their employees. Make sure you know which personality you’d prefer to work with.

When you step into an interview, you’re not the only one making a first impression. So, pay attention to what goes on in the interview to make sure that you find the right fit. When you enjoy visiting with the people you meet during your interview, you’re more likely to get along with them during a long workweek.

How to Handle an Interview After You’ve Been Fired!

Getting fired from a job doesn’t have to be a bad thing – look at it as a chance to start over. But, how do you start over with a new job with the looming question “why did you leave your last job?” lurking around the corner at every job interview? The question is most likely to be asked by most interviewers, so instead of dreading the inevitable, prepare yourself for the question and ace the interview.

To help you get through the unavoidable question of why you were fired, try these tips below.

Practice. Figure out how to respond to the question, and practice it over and over again until you’re confident with your answer. A good example of something to say is, “My previous employer and I agreed that the position and company wasn’t a good fit for me, so I took time to figure out the kind of company I would like to work for and here I am.”

Don’t lie. No matter what the circumstances were for your departure at your previous company, don’t lie to your prospective employer. Most companies conduct background checks and call references. So, if you lie to them about your last job, chances are they’re going to find out. So, tell the truth but keep it brief. You don’t have to go into every last detail.

Don’t hate. Again, no matter how much you dislike your ex-boss, don’t take the opportunity to bash your previous employer during the interview. Be very brief in your explanation as to why you are no longer employed and keep the negative circumstances and name calling out of the conversation.

Being fired is a bitter pill to swallow, but you need to accept it and move on, or you’re going to find yourself in a slump without a job. Most people have been fired one time or another, so don’t take it personally. Learn from the incident, follow these tips, and then get yourself right back out there and back into a new job!

Prepare for the Worst, Hope for the Best: Preparing for Interview Disasters

In a previous post, we talked about how Will Smith’s character in The Pursuit of Happyness, Chris Gardner, went through with a job interview despite losing his shirt. Even with his bad luck with his appearance, he still managed to wow his interviewers and land the job. Here are a few tips that focus on preparing you for potential emergencies you might come across before or during an interview.

Map Out Your Drive.
Before you head out to your interview, know where you’re going. You might have an idea of where the company is located, but you need to know the specifics like streets to avoid or where to park. Be sure to check traffic reports too. By planning out your route ahead of time, you’ll know how long the drive is and other details like if you need change for a meter. The potential of a parking ticket or getting towed in the back of your mind can keep you from being focused during an interview. On your actual drive to the interview, make sure you have your cell phone and the company phone number with you. In case of any accidents or delays, you’ll be able to contact the interviewer and inform them of your situation.

Don’t Leave Home with an Empty Wallet.
Make sure you have a few dollars or change for a parking meter in your wallet before you leave for the interview. You never know if the interview might be over coffee or lunch. Having a few dollars will spare you any embarrassment.

Carry an Extra Set of Clothes.
To avoid an experience like Chris Gardner’s ruined shirt, it’s always wise to have an extra tie, shirt, or pants in your car. Hopefully your shirt won’t get destroyed like Gardner’s was, but if you’re offered coffee and spill it in the waiting room, you’ll be ready with an extra shirt. For any popped buttons, carry an emergency sewing kit. And, an instant stain remover can help with the little smudges you may unexpectedly encounter.

Making a good first impression at an interview involves more than just a smile. It involves lots of research and preparation for the unexpected. By predicting what can go wrong, you can be focused on displaying your integrity and professionalism to the interviewer.

Prepare for the Worst, Hope for the Best: 3 Tips to Impress in an Interview

“What would you say if a man walked in here with no shirt, and I hired him?” the interviewer from the hit movie The Pursuit of Happyness asked Will Smith’s character, Chris Gardner, in one famous scene. “He must have had some really nice pants,” Gardner responded. He got the job. How? It didn’t hurt that his knowledge and preparation made him a standout candidate.

While we can’t all be as charming as Gardner was, impressing an interviewer with your preparation isn’t just movie magic. By having a few things ready before an interview, you can be prepared to walk out of the interview smiling.

Bring Extra Copies of Your Résumé.
It’s important for you to know your résumé well enough that you can recite it in case the interviewer forgets his copy and needs the one you brought for yourself. But, think ahead for this situation and have multiple copies of your résumé and work samples on hand. There might be multiple interviewers, and you don’t want the interviewers passing a single paper back and forth. It causes a distraction and can break your train of thought when you’re trying to market yourself.

Have Your Research with You.
When researching the company before your interview, print out the company’s website materials, and take them with you to the interview. Consider investing in a leather binder – it includes a notepad and pen in case you need to take notes. But, as you open the binder to hand out your résumé or sample work, you can subtlety show that you’ve done your research and prepared for the job when they see the print outs of their website. Also, bring a spare pen in case yours or the interviewer’s fails, and you’ll be ready to save the day.

Ask Relevant Questions.
Knowledge of the company is a very impressive factor for interviewers. Prepare a few questions to ask the employer when they give you the opportunity. Have some questions to select from in case some of your choices were answered during the interview. By asking detailed questions that relate to the organization, you are indirectly showing that you have really looked into their business.

Check out our next post on how to prepare for an emergency before or during your interview.