Back to Job-Search Basics

Back to Job-Search BasicsBack to Job-Search BasicsIn this time of corporate upheaval and general uneasiness, simple details that can make a candidate stand out among their peers are often left by the wayside.Make Connecting Easy Email 101Use an email address that makes sense. Think about how email programs make suggestions when you begin entering an email address in the To line. By keeping your email address as close to your name as possible, it will be easier for a potential employer to pick you out of a list and contact you. For example, and email address that combines your initials and the year it was created isnt as instinctual as firstnamelastnameaol.com. Also, avoid including years of birth or graduation in your email there is no sense revealing this information unnecessarily.Set up your email program so that it includes the original message string in your reply. When an employer sends you a notenzeichen asking if you are available on Thursday, October 30 at 3pm for an intervi ew with the CEO, it will be helpful if your reply has their original note attached. This way, they can refresh their memory on why they contacted you.Put your name, email address, and phone number on each piece of correspondence. Make use of email signatures and be sure each page of your resume and cover letter has your contact information. Dont make recruiters go looking for your phone number or email address. Make it quick and simple for themBe Prepared and Consider the BenefitsOn an interview day, be in interview mode from the moment you get up in the morning. You never know who you will cross paths with along the way. Be polite to the security personnel in the building lobby, and be professional and courteous to the receptionist. Dont drive around the parking lot to kill time, dont talk to yourself in the elevator, dont arrive mora than 10 minutes early, dont eat at the interview facility, and dont do any number of other things that will make people question your viability as a candidate.Keep your messages positive, yet honest, in an interview. When asked why you want to leave your employer, instead of saying, My company is stifling my growth and they micro-manage everything I do try saying, I work for a small company, which means Ive reached the ceiling there now, I would like to join a company thatMap out your salary needs and best-case requirements long before you abflug negotiating with an employer. Think about not only the salary you want, but also the benefits you are seeking. Consider the following negotiable benefitsSign on and performance bonuses401K programsStock optionsMedical and dental insurance benefitsVacation / PTO daysFlex-time hoursTermination benefitsTransportation compensationUse of communication devices.You should decide which benefits you are willing to compromise on or trade for another. As an example, weigh the following offersOffer A$150KFull tuition reimbursementFive weeks vacationFlex-time hoursOffer B$200KNo tuition reimbursemen tThree weeks vacation50% contribution to health insurance premiumsWhich will you accept? What will you propose in response?Establish Your ExpertiseMake your expertise apparent in writing and in conversation.To start, give your resume a logical filename that reflects your expertise. Using Jeffs Resume Updated 2008.doc doesnt lend itself to branding you as an expert in your field nor does it provide any name association for you. By naming the document Jeff Grossman HR Operations.doc you immediately remind the reader of both your name and your profession.When writing your thank you note following an interview, be sure to provide information that will jog the persons memory of who you are. It might be as simple as saying, Thank you for meeting with me yesterday. I enjoyed learning about the operations management position and especially valued the connection you made between effective gruppe leadership and increased revenues. This strategy also demonstrates to the potential employer t hat you paid attention during the interview and understand the position.To extend your expertise through conversation, provide examples to demonstrate your experience in any given situation. When an interviewer asks what you will do to handle a dispute between two subordinates, do not simply say, I would meet with the individuals. Instead, tell the interviewer how youve handled that situation in the past by laying out the incident, At ABC Company, there was a situation in which two associates were Use the S.T.A.R. (Situation, Task, Action, Result) strategy to tell the story, complete with outcomes and achievements.Also remember to maintain a distinction between your work and that of your team. Employers are interviewing you, not your entire group. When discussing your experience, you need to demonstrate your value. Use phrases like, My role on the team was to effectively communicate your specific contributions on a large project.When the employer asks if you have any questions have some Ask about the management style of the company and your direct supervisor. Ask how others have failed and succeeded in the position. Ask about the interviewers progression within the company. Ask what the interviewer likes about the company and what they might change. By asking these questions (and others directly related to the company and position) you will better understand their expectations and be able to judge whether the job would be a good fit for your working style and skills.By following these simple, yet effective search strategies, your job search will be more effective and on point. Employers appreciate when they meet with candidates that have properly prepared for the entire process. It tells the employer that you understand their needs and are the solution to their problems.