The Job Search Advice You're Taking Too Far

Article Originally Featured on the Muse.com

Photo of man job hunting courtesy of Shutterstock.

As a job searcher, you’re doing everything right. You have your interview answers perfectly scripted out, you tailor each and every resume you send in, and your LinkedIn connections far outnumber your Facebook friends. Every piece of job hunt advice that you’ve ever heard or read, you’ve put into practice.

But that ever-elusive job offer still hasn’t crossed your desk. What gives?

While the job search advice you’re following may be on point, the way you’re using it may not be helping your cause as much as you think. For a lot of tips, there’s a fine line between using it correctly and going a bit overboard (or even in the wrong direction).

Read on for a few great job search tips—and how they may be working against you.

Good Advice: Make Connections on LinkedIn

LinkedIn can be a job searcher’s dream. Through your connections, you may find that you have a link—and an immediate in—to your dream company. So, creating and cultivating new connections is extremely beneficial.

Taking it Too Far

Blindly clicking “connect” on hundreds of profiles and sending the generic invitation might land you a few extra connections, but it won’t get your profile a second glance.

Instead, recruiting expert Jenny Foss recommends first searching for contacts from your email address book. “Then invite them—but make it personal. LinkedIn will give you the option of sending a default ‘connect with me, please’ message, but don’t use it—sending a personal note will set you apart right from the start.”

Casting a wide net is beneficial, but only if you truly have some sort of link to those target connections. This is where LinkedIn’s “People You Might Know” feature comes in handy—to suggest classmates, colleagues, and former co-workers that you might not have previously thought of.

Good Advice: Explain That You’re the Best Candidate for the Job

Obviously, you want your potential employer to fully understand that you’re a great candidate; that you have all the skills you need to succeed in the position and that you’re the best man or woman for the job. So, it’s important to convey confidence in those abilities at every step in the process, from your cover letter to your interview questions.

Taking it Too Far

Overconfidence can actually be a downfall, as I learned from a hiring manager recently. I was in his office, talking about my writing experience. He asked me if I’m dissatisfied with my writing. “Of course,” I told him. “Sometimes I look back at things I wrote and wonder what in the world I was thinking.”

He chuckled knowingly and explained that he’d just interviewed a young man, fresh out of college, who answered the same question by asserting that he never wrote anything he didn’t like. And for the recruiter, that was actually a bad thing. You see, he wanted someone who not only had a realistic idea of the job (in this situation, that you’d have to write a lot of copy—quickly—and probably wouldn’t have time to make each piece perfect), but also had the desire and capacity to learn and grow. In the end, the somewhat over-confident graduate wasn’t deemed a good fit for the job.

While you shouldn’t discount your abilities (and you should certainly make a convincing case for yourself), there’s a big difference between showing confidence that you can do the job and conveying so much confidence that you end up coming across as arrogant or naïve.

Good Advice: Practice with Mock Interviews

Interviews are tough—and you want to make sure you’re prepared. So, asking a friend to help you run through practice questions is a great way to help you organize your thoughts, learn how to structure standout answers, and prepare yourself for the potentially stressful and awkward environment.

Taking it Too Far

Believe it or not, over-preparing for interviews can actually be detrimental to your chances of landing the job. As Foss explains, “It’s just as bad (or worse) to over-rehearse than it is to fly entirely by the seat of your pants.”

When you have too many memorized answers packed in your brain, you’re more likely to spend the interview trying to remember each scripted answer, rather than engaging in the conversation. The back-and-forth will seem unnatural and forced, and you’ll likely come across as insincere.

Instead, Foss recommends spending the majority of your prep time thinking over your career experience to date, jotting down a few bullet points about specifics you want to hit on. “Think about what you’re most proud of, what you struggled with, what you learned from the struggles, where you developed management skills, how you got to be so good at problem solving, and so on,” she explains. “When you’re confident with the specifics of your story, you’ll have a much easier time drawing from your experiences and articulating your worth, no matter what you’re asked.”

Good Advice: Use the Job Description to Tailor Your Cover Letter and Resume

When a hiring manager reads your application, you want him or her to immediately recognize how your background and experience make you the perfect candidate for the job. So, use the job description as a guide to fill your resume and cover letter with the right skills and experiences.

Taking it Too Far

Pulling keywords from the job listing and slapping them on your application materials probably won’t have the effect you’re going for. When you include every phrase from the job description, including generic staples like “hard worker,” “fast learner,” and “excellent communicator,” you’ll take up a lot of valuable space—but you won’t actually convey to the recruiter that you’re any of those things.

Instead, pull skill- and experience-based qualities from the job description (e.g., “hands-on experience with Google Analytics” or “experience with Object Relational Mapping frameworks”), and then show how (by using your past accomplishments and responsibilities) you meet those requirements.

Then, in the interview phase, you’ll have more opportunities to showcase those soft skills (like having a thirst for knowledge or being a quick learner) by telling anecdotes of how you've displayed those qualities in your past jobs.


As you can see, good job search tips can turn into bad advice pretty quickly. But by taking a step back and reevaluating your approach, you can get back on track in no time.


What other good job advice have you seen gone wrong?

How to Ace Your Next Phone Interview

Article Originally Posted on Levo League

Photo Courtesy of Levo League

 

As a stellar would-be employee, you want to sail through the interview process. But before you think that all you need is a knockout résumé and a killer outfit, think again. Nowadays, there’s a step before the in-person interview: the phone interview.


“The global economy means more and more cross-border hiring, where an initial phone interview becomes even more important,” says Sanjeev Agrawal, founder of Collegefeed, a career marketplace for college students.


Employers are increasingly opting for phone interviews to screen potential new hires. By doing so, companies can sort through candidates without committing to the expense and time required for on-site meet-ups.

A survey conducted by OfficeTeam, a staffing agency based in Menlo Park, Calif., polled 515 human resources managers, the majority (57%) of whom reported that phone interviews happen “very often.”


Furthermore, Paul Bailo, author of “The Essential Phone Interview Handbook,” says, “All jobs start with a phone call.” Meaning: Even if you aren’t scheduled for a formal phone interview, any conversation with a potential employer, however brief it might be, makes an impression.

Not being face-to-face with someone doesn’t mean that you don’t still need to bring your A-game. You might have the best intentions, but what you say and how you say it (tone, pace, inflection, etc.) can easily be misinterpreted. Here is some step-by-step advice to help you give good voice.


Step 1: Prepare, prepare, prepare

Step 2: Take care of the basics

Photo Courtesy of Levo League

Step 3: Put on your game face

Step 4: Take advantage of the invisibility factor

Step 5: Remember the 3 C’s–concision, concentration and courtesy

Step 6: Follow up

“It takes days to get ready for a phone interview,” explains Bailo. On day one, he advises, do all your research. Take to Google to find out everything you need to know—and more—about the company. Then, on day two, write out a list of questions, like, “What specific qualities and skills are you looking for in a job candidate?” or “I read that the company ____ (insert recent company success here). How do you see this position contributing to the continued success of the organization?” This will demonstrate your interest in the company, and the job, and show that you’re a highly qualified applicant. Agrawal points out, “Phone interviews are a great opportunity to find out more details about the job, the company, the work environment and the team, as job descriptions are notoriously vague.”

Another tip: Find an online photograph of the person who is interviewing you. Search on LinkedIn or on the company’s website. It’s much easier to talk with someone when you know what he/she looks like.

Nix any noisy interruptions such as barking dogs, crying children or blaring car horns. Get everyone out of the house, or make sure to have an isolated room where you can lock the door.
If possible, use a landline—a cell phone connection is less reliable, and the call could always get dropped. No landline? Then make sure that your cell phone is fully charged and that you take the call in a place where your reception is at its best. And remember to get the interviewer’s phone number in case you get disconnected

Dress as you would for a face-to-face interview; you’re more likely to feel and sound professional if you look the part.

Remember to smile: You can’t sound bored or uninterested if you have a smile on your face. Put a mirror on your desk to see your facial expressions when you talk. You have no body language with which to reinforce your personality; it’s all about the voice. To keep yours sounding tip-top, swallow a teaspoon of honey or suck on a lozenge one hour before the phone interview to reduce dry throat, and have a glass of water nearby during the actual interview.

Phone interviews are a lot like open-book tests: You can have all the information you need to know (about the company and the person conducting the interview right in front of you). Also, to cut down on the papers-rustling-in-background noise, tape a copy of your résumé and job description to the wall, at eye level, for easy reference.


Concision: Phone interviews are shorter than in-person interviews, which means you have less time to make a good impression. So avoid long-winded answers that could make you lose your audience. Keep your responses to no more than three sentences. The day before the interview, practice asking your questions aloud and, while you’re at it, rehearse your answers to some potential questions that the interviewer might ask you. (Think old standbys like, “What are your strengths?” and even the open-ended “Tell me about yourself….”)

Concentration: Stay focused and take notes during the call. It’s not the time to organize your mail or reply to emails. “If you feel you are easily distracted and drawn to multitasking, remove or turn off anything you might be tempted to use,” says Bailo. “You must listen carefully so that your responses are on point.”

Courtesy: Be professional and be polite. “At the end of the call, ask, ‘Do my qualifications meet the company’s needs?’ Then ask when you can meet with them in person,” suggests Bailo. And, Agrawal adds, “however the interview goes, end with ‘thank you.’ The last few words of a conversation are often the most remembered.”


Twenty-four to 48 hours after the interview ends, send an email thanking the interviewer for the opportunity and summarizing what you spoke about during the phone interview. The subject line should be: “Your name and the position you applied for.”

If you want this job, now is the time to restate your interest. And, if you really want to appear smarter than most, include a link to an interesting news article about the company that you already found during your preparation research.

Article Originally Posted on Levo League

Learning to Articulate That You're Awesome

Article Originally Posted on Levo League

Photo Courtesy of Levo League

Nearly every week, there will come a moment, over drinks or maybe even in the locker room at the gym, where the woman I’m speaking to, no matter her age or socio-economic status will say meekly, “I don’t want to toot my own horn….” and then in a voice barely above a whisper mention a recent success she’s had.


As young adult, if we can’t share our successes with our friends and family, then how can we expect to ace the next interview? Seal the deal on a new opportunity? Or impress a new supervisor or contact? That ability to share your accomplishments in a way that is palatable is a skill that successful people leverage on a daily basis, so how do you enhance your ability to articulate that you're awesome. Here are a few ideas:


Write it Out

Do you know what you’ve accomplished? If you just read that sentence and then looked off into the distance because you aren’t sure how to answer, I suggest taking the next 10 minutes to write out a bulleted list of what you’ve done (at work or outside of work) that you’re proud of. Once you finish this first list, take another 10 minutes to go through the list and add some facts and figures to it, flesh it out and make it more substantial. 

For example, “…contacted various media outlets to pitch new digital content” would be stronger as “…cultivated 20 new international media relationships which lead to 5 new content partnerships.”  Or another example, “Worked with young women on self-esteem and empowerment issues” would be stronger as, “I developed a personal development curriculum to support teen girls in identifying their strengths and increasing their self-esteem”. 

Once you have a personal understanding of what work you’re doing in the world and can articulate that work, you are a step closer to being able to share your accomplishments.

Now that you have language and maybe even a little more pride in what you’ve done, it’s time to practice talking about it out loud.
 
Practice With Strangers

The best way to get comfortable talking about your successes is to talk about your successes. The next time you find yourself on a plane, strike up a conversation with the person in the seat next to you, see how you can mention something that you’re proud of. Test your personal success story telling ability with the woman who sits next to you on the bus every day. Try it again and again so that you can get cozy with shining a bit brighter.
 
Don’t apologize for being awesome

Now that you’re able to articulate your awesomeness and have practiced this new skill with people you may never meet again, you’re ready for the hardest part. When you find yourself sitting with your friends and they ask, "how’s work going?", toot your own horn! Let them know what you’ve been up to, encourage them to share also. Make it a part of your relationships with your friends to share your successes. That way, when it’s time to share your accomplishments with the recruiter for the company you’d love to work for, you’re ready and able to share your value add.

Article Originally Posted on Levo League

Preparing Strong Questions to End an Interview

This article was originally featured on Levo League

The interview is winding down. You’re feeling pretty good about the conversation so far and then it happens, “Do you have any questions for me?” they ask.  Oh, the phrase that can strike terror in the heart of interviewees. If you've done your research, there are a few questions that you might already have, whether it be about the organizational structure or business model, type of work or management style. But nothing sticks out better in the mind of interviewers than a few polished, intelligent questions at the end of an interview. 

If you’re ending an interview with, “No, I have no other questions” you’re missing out on not only a chance to make a real memorable impact but also the opportunity to really learn more about the role, the interviewer, company, management style and more.

One thing we often forget is that we need to be interviewing the company just like they’re interviewing us.

Here is a list of some great interview questions you can ask.

Photo Via Levo League

What is a day in the life of this role like?

This is an opportunity to get into what the day-to-day responsibilities and expectations of the role. Be sure you understand the scope of what they’re asking, and what they’re expecting from this role.

What are the most important things (or key goals) that this role should focus on in the first 30 days to one year of employment?

One thing you want to do in an interview is illustrate that you are invested in this role and focused on what benefit you can bring to the company versus what the company can do to benefit you.

What are the 1 year and/or 5 year goals for the organization? And how do you see someone in this role supporting those goals?

Asking this question has always been a hit in my experience. It really gives them a chance to talk about where they are planning to grow the business and help you get a road map for where that role could be headed in a year or five years. This also gives you a chance to brainstorm how to support the goals and support their plans for growth.

What are the qualities of someone who excels at this role? Or what are the qualities of the person you’re looking to hire that will be successful in this role?

Giving them an opportunity to explain their “ideal employee” helps you understand what they’re really looking for in an employee and can give you clues about the company and team culture, as well as paving the way for success in this role with an understanding of what their expectations are right away.

What are the success metrics for this job?

Having them define what success is in this role, and within the company, is invaluable information for you to decide if this is a place you would want to work and feel that you would bring value and be successful. If you do get the job, you’ll want to know what they’re looking for when it comes review time.

What are some of the challenges that this role will face?

From this question, you can start to identify the problems that you’re walking into with this role, but it also gives you a chance to start to brainstorm solutions for the problem and knock their socks off.

Can you give me an example of “Stretch Projects” within the organization?

Along the same lines as asking about your career path, asking what other projects you can take on may open the door to conversation about future opportunities with the company. While illustrating that you’re not only engaged in your primary role, but you're also interested in developing your skills and supporting the company.

What is the career path for this role within the company?

Employers want to know that you’re someone that will be committed for the long haul, and learning to grown within the company. This also shows that you’re ambitious and want to grow. Although, be careful to not focus too much attention on the “next role after this one” in the interview. They might not want to re-hire again in a year if you try to get promoted in the company. This is an opportunity to you can feel them out  and find a good balance.

What do you like the most about working here?

Judging from their response, how swiftly they respond and how excited they are, or aren't, can help you decide if it’s a place you’d like to work as well. It could also be an opportunity to get even more excited about a role you like.

What is the organizations management style?

Getting a little insight into how the boss and management operate will help you discern if that style is conducive to what you’re looking for and how you best work.

What is the team culture?

You should be able to gather the company culture from your research prior to the interview, but asking about the team culture can give you a little more insight into what the day-to-day will be like.

Do you have any reservations about my fit for this role?

This can be a very scary question to ask, especially if it’s a role that you really want and you aren’t sure how the interview is going from the vantage point of the interviewer. But, this is an opportunity to gain incredibly valuable feedback from the hiring manager about how they see you as a fit for this role. It also gives you a chance to speak directly to any reservations they might have about you and to dispel any concerns.

What are the best interview questions you have heard or asked?

LinkedIn Photo Day

The Utah State Alumni Association is hosting another free Linkedin photo day! Come and get a free head shot taken to add to your LinkedIn profile. 

Find our booth at the Spring Career Fair, Wednesday February 26th from 9:30am-3:30pm

5 Keys to Unlocking the Career Aggie Network

Let’s face the facts – you need your Alumni Association as much as we need you.  How do you need us, you ask?  The Utah State University AlumniAssociation wants to be a resource to help you throughout your entire life. 

With the creation of the Career Aggie Network, we now have the opportunity to assist you not only when you are finding your first job, but as your career progresses.  You can also stay involved by becoming a mentor to a current USU student, sharing your knowledge, experience and insight with the next generation of Aggies.  

Wondering what the Career Aggie Network is all about?  Here are the key points –

• Become an Alumni Mentor – Think about those who have become mentors to you in your career.  Now it’s time to pay it forward.  Through our LinkedIn group, current students can connect with you to hear what steps you have taken to grow your career.  Share what has made you successful and offer advice to other Aggies as they begin their career.

• Job Postings – Through our collaboration with USU Career Services, you can access job postings or submit openings within your company.  Whether you want to hire an aspiring Aggie graduate for your company or find a new job for yourself, we are here to help. 

• A Resource Library – Brush up on your interview skills, refresh your resume, or find ways to better your professional self.  The library will be growing and changing, so check on it regularly as we will be posting related articles and videos.

• Grad School Prep/Testing – Is it time for you to go back to school?  Do you need an advanced degree to move forward?  USU Testing Services can help you prepare for this step, and they offer several of the tests needed for graduate school or other certification

• Fairs/Expos – As an alumnus of Utah State, you can still participate in the many fairs and expos presented by Career Services.  The annual Career Fair and the Graduate School Expo are among the most popular, so come to campus to recruit a great student, be recruited by a great company, or explore your grad school options.

How do you take advantage of this new Career Aggie Network?  It's as easy as creating a LinkedIn account!  In fact, that is where the majority of our resources will be available to you, as alumni. 

Simply log in to LinkedIn, and search for the group named Utah State University Alumni Network. Once you've found it, click the Join Group button, and you're done.

If you don't already have a LinkedIn account, don't worry. It's free and simple to sign up - so do it today and get started developing your career with the Career Aggie Network.