Candiate Resources

Eleven Reasons Candidates are Rejected in the Interview Process

A great, short read on some of the reasons a candidate is rejected by a hiring company. Some of these points do bring a different perspective.
 

Poor attitude. Many candidates come across as arrogant. While employers can afford to be self-centered, candidates cannot. Appearance. Many candidates do not consider their appearance as much as they should. First impressions are quickly made in the first three to five minutes. Review the appearance checklist. Lack of research. It's obvious when candidates haven't learned about the job, company or industry prior to the interview. Visit the library or use the Internet to research the company, and then talk with friends, peers and other professionals about the opportunity before each meeting. Not having well informed questions to ask. Asking questions shows your interest in the company and the position. Prepare a list of intelligent questions in advance. Not readily knowing the answers to interviewers' questions. Anticipate and...

Job search tips for workers over 40

Abridged: Kare 11

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - A resume is not a history book. Your resume should focus your skills and accomplishments while matching the open position. One way to overcome the perception that your age is an issue, is limiting what you include on your resume from a chronological perspective. Avoid the stigma of being considered "too old" by emphasizing accomplishments, not years of experience.

When writing your resume and your cover letters, there's no need to mention every job you've ever had. Limit the experience you include on your resume to the most relevant jobs you've held. Address the Technology Issue Head-On. Your resume must confront any reservations the prospective employer may have regarding your technical aptitude. One concern employers have about hiring older workers is that they haven't kept up with technology. So you should flaunt what you've got in this area, whether it's an impressive list of certifications or a simple mention of office-productivity software training...

Make sure you can be found on LinkedIn

Staff Writer, The Career News

LOS ANGELES, CA - Two hundred million users can't be wrong. LinkedIn has exploded onto the employment search scene and is now used across 200 different countries. It has sparked a recruiting revolution of sorts, as many hiring managers search its massive database of prospective employees before even announcing a job opening. Is your profile being found? 

If the content within your profile is a simple copy-and-paste from your resume, you could be damaging your chances of landing that dream job. The Career News recommends having your profile overhauled by "LinkedIn Builder", the professional writing service with a rapidly growing list of happy clients. The company will turn your LinkedIn content from passive to powerful in 72 short hours. Here's how: Precise, targeted headline; Conversational summary section with a perfectly social tone; Optimized job descriptions crafted to ensure maximum visibility; 100% profile completeness; Fast, email delivery with easy upload...

New rules for landing a job in today's market

Abridged: Work Coach Cafe

MARLBOROUGH, MA - You need a LinkedIn profile! It would be unwise to conduct a job search today without one. LinkedIn has become one of the most popular resources to find talent. Think like a marketer and build an online presence through a website, blog, or social media. Promote yourself by sharing content and visuals to generate interest and attract opportunities. 

First impressions are lasting impressions. Smile, act and look contemporary and dress for the role you are pursuing or one step up. Make your resume a proposal. This requires you to customize your resume for each company in order to uniquely spell out how you will add value to their company. Rehearse your interview answers out loud. You only have one shot to nail the interview. Your answer should last around 60 seconds. Rambling or spelling out every detail will not win the interviewer over.

Know how and when to negotiate. Almost every job offer has some elements that are negotiable. Be sure you know what'...

Here's how to find a good recruiter in your industry

Staff Writer, The Career News

LOS ANGELES, CA - When looking for a job, you may want to consider networking with a recruiter. Recruiters, otherwise known as head hunters or search consultants, are hired by companies to find candidates for them, and often know about unadvertised jobs.

It's important to note, that recruiters do not charge the job seeker. The company pays a fee, typically when a candidate is hired. When contacting a recruiter send a resume and cover letter just as though you were applying for a job. If a recruiter calls you, always call back - even if you are not currently job hunting. You never know when circumstances might change and you might need job search assistance.

How to best work with recruiters

Abridged: Globe St. News

DALLAS, TX - You've finally decided it's time to start thinking about your next career move. So, you started putting together your strategy and are wondering how to best work with recruiters. Recruiters are indeed a valuable part of one's job search and overall career management.

Big picture, recruiters should play only a limited, but important, role in your job search and in your overall career planning. But, as part of that strategy, definitely reach out to recruiters, particularly to those who you know are leaders in your industry or niche. Be aware that it's hard for recruiters to keep up with the number of requests they receive from job seekers. So, if you do not fit a current search, either the recruiter will be non-responsive or will send you a note that they're putting you into their database for future searches and to check back periodically. Do not take that as a form of rejection; it's just reality. 

Make sure that you have a strong LinkedIn profile and a...

Way to conduct a secret job search

Abridged: The Ladders

NEW YORK, NY - Don't use company equipment. Your corporate laptop, smartphone, and wifi are all off-limits for your confidential job hunt. Even if you clear your browser history religiously, there's no way to be sure that Big Brother isn't watching you. Put in 100% at your current job. Don't leave before you leave. Tempting though it may be to disengage completely, if you're still collecting a check, you should put in the work. 

Don't lie, at least, not more than you have to. Everyone has had the fake dentist appointment that covers a job interview, but unless there's no other way to get time off, don't lean on these excuses. It's far better to take a personal day, if possible, and keep the fibbing to a minimum. Be careful on social media. You'll have to network and using LinkedIn is crucial, but remember to be covert, to avoid the risk of your current boss becoming suspicious. Don't change all your online headlines and bios in such a way that your boss will be forced to...

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