Category: Interviewing

Overqualified

by candacemoody

In a tight labor market, there’s only one thing worse than not getting the job of your dreams; not getting the job you could have done in your sleep. There are many reasons that jobseekers consider jobs for which they are overqualified. In a recession, high level jobs may be scarce and competition intense. When you transition from one industry or career to another, you may be forced into looking for entry level jobs in the new field, no matter how far you had advanced in your former career. Baby Boomers are opting for jobs that offer more time for family and quality of life. Others, seeking more meaning in their careers, are looking for opportunities in mission based companies or non-profits, even if the jobs pay less.

Informational Interviewing

by candacemoody

Effective informational interviewing starts with a specific job target in mind. Once you’ve done your research and know something about your goal and the industry, you can start to seek out professionals that will be willing to meet with you. You can choose to meet with people doing the job or the hiring managers. You may benefit by speaking with both. From the professional in the field, you’ll get perspective on what the job involves on a daily basis, trends in the industry, and how the job matches up with your interests and abilities. From the hiring manager, you’ll learn what companies look for in candidates, how they evaluate skills and education, and what a typical career path might look like.

Guest Post: Capitalizing on Consistency

by candacemoody

You put a lot of thought into your resume. What serious job applicant wouldn’t? All the information you want potential employers to see about you is in there – your job qualifications, your experience, your education, your skills, your interests, your references. It’s all there – tied up in one neat package. But your resume is more than just a collection of dates, places, and facts. It is the self-portrait that you put on display for the world to see. It is the face you show to people who have never met you before. It is you.

Preparing for the Interview

by candacemoody

Artie Lynnworth has over 40 years of management and hiring experience. He is the scheduled speaker for the May 26, 2011 meeting of the WorkSource Professional Network. He’s also the author of “Slice the Salami One Slice at a Time: Tips for Life and Leadership.” We had a discussion about jobseekers and interviews.

Candidate in Waiting

by candacemoody

The informational interview is a mature technique (that ‘s a nice way of saying “old;” everyone’s heard of it and used it.) Asher’s fresh technique was to call a meeting to become a “candidate in waiting.” Asher says that smart managers know that they must be ready to replace key talent at a moment’s notice. People move, have emergencies, and get promoted all the time. It’s good policy to have a network of candidates in waiting who you’ve met, vetted, and know are interested in your company.

Size Matters

by candacemoody

In the Hidden Job Market, size of the company is one of the most important features you can consider in your search. According to Donald Asher, author of Cracking the Hidden Job Market, says that large corporations are easier to find, but small companies are the ones creating new jobs. It’s also a smart strategy to be looking for work in places others don’t bother.