One Way to Mitigate the Monotony of Your Job Search

Make the boring stuff easy

In general, searching for a job isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time. The repetitive tasks can make you go crazy. It's a seemingly never-ending process of finding new jobs to apply to, updating your resume for every application, tracking your progress for each position, attending networking events and sending follow-up notes.

Here are some tools to make the boring stuff a little easier:

Use VisualCV.com to easily create multiple versions of your resume

Use a free spreadsheet template to keep track of your application progress

Use a free/affordable CRM to manage your contacts

Use Yesware to track your email responses

Attend more interesting industry-related events you find on Meetup


Excerpted from "Creative ways to mitigate the monotony of the job search" http://mashable.com/2015/04/20/mitigate-monotony-job-search/

Stop Obsessing after a Job Interview

1. It could be a matter of numbers

Have you ever worried that you're no longer in contention because a job was reposted? It's true that sometimes a hiring process is reopened because there aren't any strong matches. However, that's not the only reason.

Most hiring managers don't want one awesome applicant per job opening: They want several. Why? Because not every candidate who receives an offer will accept it. So, companies want to know that if they invest the time in a hiring process, there will be more than one viable candidate for a given role. Not to mention how common it is for jobs to be reposted throughout a rolling deadline — you could be on the short list for a follow-up interview, but in the meantime the company also wants the posting to catch the attention of new applicants, so that there will be a few final round candidates.

How you can tell

Generally, if a hiring manager is reposting a position simply to cover his bases, he'll continue to be in touch with the top candidate. So, if you are on the short list for a second interview, you'll get an email regarding scheduling. And if you're a top candidate after a final interview, you'll likely get some other form of positive reinforcement in the interim, perhaps an effusive response to your thank you note. On the flipside, if the position is reposted and you haven't heard anything after two weeks, it's advisable to redouble your job searching efforts elsewhere.

2. It could be company culture

You know that there are many ways to deduce company culture in an interview. But some companies want to remove the guesswork — aiming to show every candidate how much he or she would enjoy the office environment.

Let's say your formal day of interviewing ended with a meeting, but then, your prospective colleagues invited you to join them for a drink, a meal, or a round of ping-pong. This is it, you think, I'm in.

You are in — a brand new portion of the interview, that is. Yes, it's really nice that you're being made to feel like a part of the team, but this is a still a try-out. Odds are that all candidates enjoy (a.k.a. are tested via) the same social component so the interviewer can gain a new perspective on their people skills and how they'll fit in with current employees.

How you can tell

Until you are formally extended an offer, consider all social invitations to be a part of the interview process. Yes, even if it includes throwing back beers, you're being tested on how well you can bond — and stay professional — over alcohol. Wait until after you're hired to read into what it means to hang out with your colleagues socially.

3. It could be company protocol

In the interest of fairness, many companies try to standardize the interview process as much as possible. So, it might be mandated that the hiring manager stick to a neutral script. Meaning, she won't give a stellar candidate a broad smile or positive feedback, and she won't ask an applicant giving half-answers if he'd like to expand.

Conversely, some companies encourage interviewers to individualize the process to get a clearer sense of a candidate's potential. For example, I was once in a position in which I was interviewing candidates with varied experience for fellowship programs. I was always toughest on the very best applicants. They wanted to be referred to the renowned, super-competitive organizations, and if they were in the running, I wanted to be sure they could hack it. So I'd push on harder questions and look less impressed with major (even mind-blowing) accomplishments. It was part of our system for narrowing the 12 best applicants down to the three best applicants.

How you can tell

In my case, whenever I was hard on an applicant because she was one of the best, I'd switch gears before the interview ended. I'd tell her that I put her through an especially hard interview to see if she'd rise to the occasion, and that I thought she was amazing. But not all interviewers will do this, particularly if it's protocol to test the best applicants — and not tell them it's a tactic. A good rule of thumb here is to try to distinguish between whether your interviewer is being tough (e.g., not smiling or laughing at a humorous story, asking really hard questions) or is aggravated by something you did (think: faux pas like taking a phone call, rambling, or interrupting).

It's totally understandable that you want to know if you'll be hired, preferably as soon as possible. But trying to decipher the signs — which holds real benefits early in the job search process — will only serve to drive you crazy after you interview. So, listen to those well-meaning friends: Remember the advice above and stop obsessing.

Read more at: http://mashable.com/2015/04/01/misreading-job-search-signals/

Revive that Job Search!

1. Do you have tunnel vision?

Tunnel vision makes you believe that you must land a specific position, with particular specs and hours, in the industry that you originally targeted. In reality, though, the current job landscape or your skill set may not be conducive to an easy match.

If you've received denial after denial — especially at the same stage of the process (i.e., no one has contacted you to set up an interview) — it's time to step back and re-evaluate. Assess any feedback you've received, and examine whether or not you still feel like you're a strong contender at this particular level or in this specific industry. Perhaps you'll pinpoint that your level of experience is lacking and decide that a course or internship would be helpful before you continue applying to similar roles. In the meantime, you could pivot your existing skill set to another department or industry.

Alternatively, maybe you're hearing from companies, but you're hesitant to commit. Instead of boxing yourself in and feeling like your new job must look a certain way, consider piecing together other types of jobs to give yourself more flexibility.

For example, a "bridge job" — one that pays the bills while you figure out what you really want to do — is a great option for someone who needs financial stability but wants the bandwidth to change careers or build a side business. Bridge jobs may not sound glamorous to your friends and family, but they allow you to pursue your goals in a way you wouldn't be able to if you were working a demanding corporate position.

Expanding your personal vision for your next job — with an eye toward what will best fit your particular needs and long-term goals — will help you discover interesting opportunities that may not have been in your line of sight before.

2. Are you offline?

If your job search keeps you tethered to your computer day and night, you need to evaluate your in-person job search strategy (that is, if you have one at all). The fact is, the vast majority of jobs aren't listed online, they're filled through referrals from existing employees — so if you shift from being job-focused to people-focused, you'll likely notice a change.

If you feel like you've exhausted your current network, start creating new contacts by checking out local meetups, professional organizations, or projects that need someone with your skill set. Go to industry events, meet like-minded folks, and put yourself in a position to collaborate with new and interesting people.

More importantly, for each position you apply to online, find a person — at the company, in the field, or somehow related to the work you hope to do — and introduce yourself to via LinkedIn, Twitter, or email (here's how). Explain your goals, and ask that person if he is available to connect so you could learn more about his experience.

By extending your job search beyond your computer screen (with real-life conversations and new communities), you'll gain access into circles that are otherwise out of reach. Take the initiative to show people your value beyond an online resume and email correspondence.

3. Are you spending enough time doing other things?

Before you protest, let me explain. What I mean is: Do you set aside time every week to do something you love, build out a skill, or feed a creative outlet? As you well know, job searching is tiring and stressful. One day, you could have what feels like a great interview, and the next day, a rejection email arrives from that same company. In order to keep your spirits strong and stay focused, it's vital that you prioritize time for projects that recharge you and give you a sense of achievement.


Read more at: http://mashable.com/2015/04/02/reinvigorate-job-search/

Prepare for Success on That Upcoming Interview

Check out the Decision Maker and Interviewer.

You should always get as much information about the decision maker and interviewer through LinkedIn. It will tell you how long they’ve been there, where they came from, and – if you look at the groups and discussions they participate in – their areas of interest. It will also tell you if someone else had this job and whether they left or got promoted.

I know a sales guy who turned an interview with a sour hiring manager into an instant job offer by researching his background and discovering his long military career. So, when he related his own military career to his disciplined approach to sales, he built instant rapport and differentiated himself from other candidates.

Prepare supporting points to demonstrate how you will benefit the employer.

Prepare supporting points to demonstrate how your experience, skills, and strengths are relevant and will benefit the employer. An interview is a chance for you to learn about the opportunity as well as for the employer to further determine if you are the best candidate for the job. Start by identifying the five top skills that are the most important to the job and then focus on how you have demonstrated them successfully in your career.

Some employers may ask for a rundown of your resume while others may poke at specific experiences on your resume and dig deeper for more information or examples to demonstrate your skills and success.

Go over your resume and make sure you know what you will say about each experience to make yourself shine. Be aware of what you have written on your resume so that your talking points match up and enhance the messages you’ve projected from the resume. Be ready to provide case examples to help demonstrate specific points and achievements.

Be prepared with questions for the employer.

Each interview takes on a different format, but somewhere along the way, an employer will likely ask if you have any questions. Even if the interview was packed with information, always have questions prepared to ask the employer that have not been touched on or that you can benefit from by having more information. Asking questions expresses to an employer that you are serious and sincerely interested in the company and position.

Asking the “right” questions can also help solidify a positive impression. For instance, if you have done the proper research on the company before the interview, you may have knowledge of developments happening at the company or within the industry that may have an impact on the job you apply for.

Asking questions that express you are thinking ahead about the job and how certain developments may impact the business demonstrates to an employer that you are a “smart” candidate. You are already thinking like you belong in the position and looking ahead at how to address possible challenges. These types of questions can also help the employer see how you fit right in.

Make a list of references.

Many employers ask candidates to complete an application form upon arrival. Applications often ask you to list references. Come prepared with two to three contacts you have recently been in contact with who are aware of your job search and who can provide positive feedback. You will need the references’ business information (company, title, phone number, and e-mail address).

Many employers do not resort to contacting references until they have come down to one or two candidates to choose from. Make sure you have properly obtained permission from your contacts to list their information as your reference. They should also be briefed on the position you are applying for so that they are well-informed should the employer take action to contact them.

Preparing for an interview is about having the right state of mind, but there are also other common things you must have prepared that may be overlooked. Make sure you have extra copies of your resume and pen and paper to take down important notes that allow you to personalize the thank you follow-up note after the interview. For those applying for a position such as art or writing, make sure to have a portfolio of your work to leave behind or to show to the employer.


Excerpted from : http://www.careerealism.com/information-before-interview/