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How to Calm Interview Nerves in 2 Easy Steps

Lisa Yannett Interview Tips,Uncategorized 1 Comment

I wish there was a superfood or magical drink I could recommend that would calm your nerves during an interview. Unfortunately, scientists haven’t invented it yet. However, there is one sure fire way to walk into an interview with confidence and walk out of it feeling even better – PREPARE.

I can GUARANTEE that if you adequately prepare more than just the day before the interview, you will exude confidence and leave those pre-interview nerves in the trash. But telling you to prepare is kind of vague, so let me break it down for you.

Research

PLEASE. I beg you. Do NOT go into an interview without researching the company and its employees. Here are some ways you can research any company.

Website – Read the company’s website. I don’t mean look at it or check out the home page. I mean READ the website. Go to every page and read the content from top to bottom. Look at their most recent blog posts and think of ways you can mention them in the interview.
Search – Do a Google or Bing search of the company and look for articles written about them recently. Identify achievements or groundbreaking work they are doing. These are great things to bring up in the interview and will show your genuine interest in the company, not just the job.
Social Media – Find the company on social media and look at what they post about. You can go one step further and engage with some of the posts. You never know, the social media manager may be present during the interview and recognize your name from the notifications.
LinkedIn – I separate this from social media because LinkedIn allows you to see who the employees are for a company and connect with them. If you really want to show interest in joining the company, send connection requests with the employees listed on LinkedIn. If they accept your connection, scroll through the content they’ve shared. These could be great icebreakers.

Practice

Doing your research isn’t enough. Just like with anything you want to excel at, you need to practice. But practice what? Here are some things to frequently practice at least a week before you interview.

Answers – All interviews are intended to gather information, so most of the questions are similar no matter the position. Practice your answers to some of the most common interview questions (Tell me about yourself. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why did you leave a previous position? How will you be an asset for our company? What makes you different than other applicants?) There is nothing more nerve-wracking than being asked a question and sitting there in silence for minutes while you try and pull together an answer.
Questions – You may think that an interview is a chance for the recruiter to interrogate you, but it is a chance for them to get to know you and you to get to know the company better. Prepare some questions about the company and the position you are interviewing for.
- How would you describe the office environment here?
- Why is this position available (Is this a new position or did someone leave it? Why did they leave?)
- How will you measure success in this position?
- What opportunities are there for growth within the company?
Basics – This may seem childish, but practice introducing yourself and your handshake. From the moment the recruiter calls you back to the conference room for the interview, you can show confidence. Your handshake is a sure-fire way to start the interview with confidence. Practice standing up and shaking someone’s hand. Get your friends and family to help you. Don’t wait for them to extend their hand to you. Reach your hand out first and show that you mean business.

If you want to add an extra WOW factor during your interview, put together a leave behind. Learn more about that by clicking here to read last week’s blog post!

The Key to a Successful Interview: Leave Something Behind

Lisa Yannett Interview Tips,Uncategorized 1 Comment

You probably go into an interview with very little in your hands. Your phone is in the car, keys in your pocket, and your resume is tucked inside a notebook you will use to take notes during the interview. What if I told you that you’ve forgotten something? Not sure what it is? Let me help you. You need a leave-behind.

What is a leave-behind? I can hear your panicked voice already. You’ve been preparing for this interview, and you want it to be as successful as possible. That’s why you want to put together a folder with content that you plan to leave with the interviewer at the end of the interview.

You more than likely submitted samples of your work when you applied, but the interviewers may not have seen them or might not remember what was your work. For that reason, you want to pick some of your best samples. Showcase your writing skills or graphic design experience. If you’ve managed social media, bring some analytics that highlights your talent to reach an audience. All of these should be found in your online portfolio, but it is much more convenient for the interviewer if you have physical copies to show them and discuss during the interview.

Here are some key things you should include in your leave-behind.

Folder – Don’t ever leave a stack of loose papers. Head over to Walmart and get yourself a cheap folder with prongs and a pack of plastic paper cover dividers. You won’t impress them by buying the most expensive folder and professionally laminating each paper. Something cheap will do.
Resume – ALWAYS have a copy of your resume. ALWAYS. When you go into the interview, they will likely have a copy of your resume already. Bring several copies anyways. Some interviews are conducted with panels, and nothing is more inconveniencing than having several people lean over one sheet of paper. Print several copies, and put them in the front pouch of the folder.
References – As you know, your references should not be on your resume, so print out your references and put them as the first page in your leave-behind.
Writing samples – If you have a lot of experience writing, or the position you’re applying for requires a skilled writer, you NEED to provide proof of your writing skills. Pick 2-3 of your best writing samples, and include them in your leave-behind.
Graphic Design – Graphic design is a sought after skill these days. Many positions require applicants to have some knowledge of graphic design programs like Photoshop and InDesign. Show the interviewer that you have the skills they’re looking for by including 3-4 samples of graphic design work that you have done.
Analytics – Creating compelling social media posts is impressive, but to impress, even more, provide analytics of social media accounts you’ve managed. Include the following and engagement when you started compared to when you left.

What NOT to include in your leave-behind

Your selfie – You may think that having your picture in your leave-behind will help the recruiters remember you, but it can cause more harm than good. Including your image can open up the door for the interviewers to make a decision based on bias. You want them to call you back because of your qualifications, not your face, so focus on your skills and experience instead of your appearance.
Your address – No interviewer on the earth needs to know your full home address. While it’s fine to provide the area that you live in to assure the interviewer that you can make the commute to the office, they don’t need to know exactly where you rest your head at night.
Bad samples – Your goal is to impress the interviewer. Providing samples with grammatical errors or poor design will only guarantee that you don’t get a callback.
Plagiarized work – While it may impress them in the interview, the truth will come out, and let me just tell you – recruiters talk with other recruiters.
Group work without attribution – This falls under plagiarism, technically, but it needs to be stated separately. If you were not the sole author or creator of a piece of work, you need to attribute it to all contributors to the project. It is okay to provide group work in your leave-behind, but make sure you highlight the portions that you worked on the most.

Do you include something in your leave-behind that didn’t make our list? Put it in the comments below!

Navigating Job Boards – Finding the Perfect Platform

Lisa Yannett Job Search Comments Off

There are so many ways to share job listings or apply for open positions. We’ve broken it down and explained some of the most common job boards today.

ZipRecruiter – Most people don’t know this, but ZipRecruiter is actually a search engine much like Google and Bing. ZipRecruiter is great for job posting because it pushes your post to 100+ job boards but keeps all your applications in one place. Unfortunately, it doesn’t post to large job boards like Indeed, Monster, or CareerBuilder, but you can share your job on LinkedIn for an extra charge. It is simple and easy to create a job on ZipRecruiter, and their prices are reasonable, which is always a plus. As far as job seekers, it can be a little more difficult to find the specific job you’re looking for, but with the right search terms and an updated profile, you can find the job of your dreams on ZipRecruiter.

Indeed

Indeed gives you the ability to post jobs for free (terms and conditions apply), and is easily used on mobile devices. It also allows you to sponsor listings and get them in front of jobseekers quicker. Indeed is one of the largest job boards with over 250 million visitors each month. For job seekers, you can upload your resume and send it easily to recruiters.

While LinkedIn could be viewed as a professional’s Facebook, it is also a job board. The downside to posting your open positions on LinkedIn is that there is no free option. However, if you’re looking for someone with specific experience, you may want to consider paying to post on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a great platform for professionals to network and share industry information, but it is also ripe with young professionals looking for entry-level positions and experienced professionals looking to make a career change.

Facebook

Yes, Facebook is a job board. Though Facebook is predominately used to connect socially, it allows companies and individuals to connect professionally as well. You can create job listings, for free, on a business page, and share them across Facebook Jobs and employment groups. You can also boost your job listing on Facebook and have it reach more people much faster. Compared to other job boards, boosting your job on Facebook is a cheaper option.

Monster.com

While a little bit pricier than other options, Monster has a lot of really great features. One of the most impressive is the Job Fit Scoring that scans your interests and skills and tells you how much of a match you are for certain positions. Monster also offers free resume assessments to make sure you are putting your best foot forward with your resume. The price might be a turn off for some recruiters, but there are more users on Monster than Indeed. The cost might be worth it. You decide.

There is more research that you could do to decide which platform best works for you, but there is an easier option. Staffing agencies do the research, job posting, resume screening, and more for you! Rather than spending months trying to find the right candidate from thousands of applicants, hire a staffing agency that will only send you the most qualified applicants who are screened and ready to work. Save your company time and money that could be used in other areas of your business.

Staffing agencies are great for job seekers also. Instead of sending your resume to the closest 100 marketing companies or applying to every warehouse in the area, find a staffing agency that staffs in your industry and send them your resume ONCE. They will match you with an employer that is looking for someone with your skills.

If you’re thinking about using a staffing agency but still aren’t sure, check out this great article that further explains the benefits of staffing agencies.

You already know you want to hire a staffing agency? Perfect! Give us a call today at 912-355-5966 to find out how we can help you achieve your goals!

10 Ways to Win at a Job Fair

Lisa Yannett Job Fairs Comments Off

A job fair is a great opportunity for you to get your resume to several employers at one time, but it can be an overwhelming situation if you don’t prepare properly.

1. Do your research

Job fairs are an opportunity for many employers to attract job seekers at the same time, meaning there will be several companies looking to hire new employees. Before you go, research what companies will be at the job fair and what kinds of positions they offer. Having knowledge of who will be there and what kind of positions they are looking for will give your more confidence. Job recruiters want people who are enthusiastic and serious about getting hired, and your preparation will be an indicator of your commitment to your job search.

2. Give yourself time – Come early

Most job fairs last for several hours, but you don’t want to wait until the last minute to show up. Getting their early will not only show the recruiters that you are serious about getting hired, but it will also give you plenty of time to speak with everyone you would like to. It will also allow you to go back to tables to ask more questions and make yourself more memorable to the recruiters.

3. Create an elevator pitch

An elevator pitch is a quick summary of who you are and what you are looking for. It needs to be so quick, that you could give the whole thing to someone while riding in an elevator. Highlight your job interests and experience. Make sure you keep it relevant to the positions you are looking for. If you are trying to get hired as a daycare teacher, you won’t want to talk about your experience as a bartender. Mention positions that will highlight your relevant skills for the open position.

4. Bring copies of your resume

Your resume is a snapshot of you. It should allow recruiters to quickly see your skills and experience to determine if you have what they are looking for in their open positions. Bring several copies of your resume to leave with the recruiters. Not only will they be able to see then what experience you have, but they will also have something to take back to their office that will remind them of their conversation with you. Recruiters speak with many people during a job fair, so it is hard for them to remember each person. By giving them your resume to keep, you are making it harder for them to forget you.

5. Be open

Even though you probably have a certain company or position you are looking for, be open to other opportunities. Visit each table to see what positions they are looking to fill. You may be surprised by the types of positions some companies are hiring for. Even warehouses and construction companies need administrative personnel and clerical staff. Even though the company may specialize in one field, they may be hiring for a variety of positions across many fields.

6. Dress for success

You want to dress as if you are going to an interview because essentially a job fair is a massive group interview. Dress in a way that presents yourself professionally. Wear clean, fitted, and appropriate clothing with no holes or tears. Ladies, make sure your dresses and skirts are no more than 4 inches above your knee and that your clothes are not too tight. Gentlemen, wear slacks with a nice button-up shirt or collared shirt. Stay away from jeans, flip-flops, tank-tops, and t-shirts.

7. Be professional

You want recruiters to take you seriously as a potential employee, so you should show them that you can be professional in your behavior. Avoid slang and profanity. Make sure you are still being yourself, just your most professional self. Remain calm if you are denied a position.

8. Stay calm and confident

Interviewing is always nerve-wracking, but it is important to stay calm. You want to show that you are confident in yourself and your ability to perform in the position you are applying for. Avoid biting your nails or fidgeting with your hands. If you need to, put your hands in your pockets or fold your hands in front by your waist. Practice your elevator pitch and talking about yourself before you go to the job fair. The more you practice what you will say, the more confident you will be in your delivery.

9. Take notes

You are going to talk with a lot of people in a short amount of time. There is no way you will remember everything that is said and who it is said by. Take a notepad and pen so you can take notes while you are talking with recruiters. Some may require follow-up steps, and it is important that you get all the important information correct. Being prepared in this way will also impress the recruiters and show them that you are reliable, detail-oriented, and committed to finding a job.

10. Ask for business cards/contact information

Before you leave each table at a job fair, ask for a business card or the contact information of the recruiter that you speak with. Go ahead and input that information into your phone’s contacts. This will ensure that you can contact them easily for any follow-up steps they require. It will also ensure that you don’t decline an important phone call simply because you do not recognize the number. This way, if you get a call for an interview, you will know who you are answering the phone for and be able to greet them personally.

Do you have any advice on how to stand out at job fairs? Share it in the comments below!

Most Common Resume Mistakes

Lisa Yannett Resumes Comments Off

Your resume is the first impression a potential employer has of you and making one of the resume mistakes we talk about can be an instant disqualifier. Some employers admit to discarding a resume if they find even one grammatical or spelling error. A recruiter starts with a massive stack of applicants and resumes to go through which means their starting focus is on rejecting applicants. To make their job easier, the recruiter will look for the smallest mistake or reason to disqualify you. Help your chances and avoid these common resume mistakes.

Spelling and Grammar

The number one disqualifier for any resume is the presence of spelling or grammatical errors. A resume with incorrect spelling or grammar tells a recruiter that you lack attention to detail and the ability to proof-read. These are key skills for any employer, which is why if an applicant shows they don’t possess them, it is an instant ‘no’ for the recruiter.

Personal Pronouns – One very common mistake seen on resumes is the use of personal pronouns. Your resume should never include the words “I,” “you,” “she,” or “he.”
Incorrect Tense – This should go without saying, but when you describe a past position, make sure you use past tense. As well, when you describe a current position, be sure to use the present tense. Recruiters pay attention to details like that, and incorrect use of tenses can put you in the fast lane to rejection.

Format

The layout and format of your resume need to be clear, clean, and concise. The recruiter needs to be able to quickly skim over your resume and identify your strengths, experience, and the type of position you would be a good fit for. There are several mistakes you can make when formatting your resume.

1. Too much text

I get it, your resume is the only tool you have to impress the recruiter and land the first interview, so you want to put as much information about yourself as possible to paint the biggest picture for the recruiter. However, putting too much text on your resume can result in the opposite. By decreasing the margins and text size and crunching as many words as you can onto the page, you might overwhelm the recruiter and land your resume instantly in the ‘no’ pile. The recruiter is only going to spend about 30 seconds looking at your resume. They want to be able to glance through it and be able to identify the key points.

2. Too many bullets

On the other side of the spectrum, you can use too few sentences and too many bullets. An overuse of bullets causes the recruiter’s eyes to glaze over the same as long paragraphs of text. Bullets are meant to be used for important information, so if everything is bulleted, then everything is important, and if everything is important, then nothing really stands out. Use bullets to highlight your responsibilities at previous positions and important skills you want the recruiter to notice.

3. No keywords

Every job posting will have keywords about the job requirements and skills the applicant needs to have. Recruiters are looking for those specific words when they are scanning your resume. If they don’t see any correlation or overlap between your resume and their job description, they are moving on. People tend to think they can send the same resume on every application, but that is a huge misconception. You should rewrite your resume for every job you apply for. Reword your experience and skills to include keywords from the job description. Recruiters want to know that you have the specific experience and skills they are looking for and doing this will make sure you stand out.

4. Hard to read font

This is one of the easiest resume mistakes to fix. Stay away from cursive and italic fonts. Choose something simple and easy to read, not just printed by digitally. Many resumes are reviewed online now, and some fonts are more difficult to read online than they are when they are printed. Test out different fonts to find one that you like but also works printed and digitally.

Professionalism

Your resume should show that you are a qualified professional and you take your career seriously. There are two ways that you can unintentionally tell the recruiter something different.

Unprofessional email address – The email address you provide on your resume is a large indicator of your professionalism. We all have our first email address, but that doesn’t have to be the one on your resume. If your email is LadyKiller@hotmail.com or iheartjustinbieber77@gmail.com, then it is time for an update. I recommend having an email address that is your name. You can add numbers if just your name is not available, but make sure they are not inappropriate. The good news is, making a new email is completely free.
Irrelevant social media URLs – In some positions, it would be beneficial to include links to your social media profiles. However, your social media is not relevant to all positions. Unless you are applying to a position where you will be required to write, manage social media, or be in the public’s eye as a representative of the company, there is little need for a link to your Facebook page. If your accounts are full of inappropriate or offensive content, it will do more harm to include your URLs.

If you want more resume help, we hosted a Facebook Live Resume Workshop. Watch the video here.