Be the next to follow.
Your resume showcases all the things an employer is looking for and each has certain expectations that they would like you to fulfill. It’s important to show them in your resume how/why you are the perfect fit.
Check out these tips on how to make your resume stronger and desirable to employers!
1- Have the qualifications for the job Increase your chances of being hired by tailoring your resume specifically to jobs that you are qualified for and are interested in doing. You don’t always need to meet 100% of the requirements that job postings ask for, but do make sure that you have at least 75% of the qualifications. Present them in easy-to-read sentences and bullet points. Highlight your past accomplishments to show how you can excel at the job.
2- Make it easy for them to contact you Place your contact info right up at the top of your resume. Be sure your email sounds professional. If it begins with cutiepie107 or a bunch of random letters and numbers create a new one with your name, such as Jsmith for example. Keep it professional! List your phone number as well and make sure that once you put it out there you are checking your messages.
3-Show that you want the job The first thing an employer is going to notice is if your resume is relevant to the job that they are hiring for. Do you live close enough to the job to reasonably commute to it? Does your title closely match the job you’re applying to? Describe your experience and accomplishments to demonstrate how they benefit the employer. Remember, it is about THEM, not you. Employers don’t want to guess how your credentials apply to the role they are looking to fill.
4- Be a spelling and grammar whiz Reportedly 75% of employers noted that they wanted a stronger focus on written communication skills. Your resume is their FIRST impression of you, so if it is riddled with spelling mistakes, type-o's, or grammatical errors you will likely not be considered for the role. These type of errors show your lack of attention to detail and gives off the vibe that you just aren’t professional or interested. Avoid this by ALWAYS making sure to have a friend or family member read your resume. It’s tough to catch your own mistakes sometimes, they are sneaky! Be sure to use spell check and you can even download Grammarly for a free and easy guide to use as you write.
For info on how to easily create your resume right here on Jobcase please check out @LailaNashat 's posts [here] (https://www.jobcase.com/community/topics/JobcaseInsider).
Have questions? Please comment below!
Liked this article for a quick read and some hints on good words to put into your Jobcase profile!
https://www.businessinsider.com/34-words-to-put-on-your-resume-that-show-recruiters-youre-a-leader-2017-11?utm_content=buffer7a081&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin.com&utm_campaign=BI-linkedin#words-that-show-you-can-manage-the-money-2
Now that the job fair is over the most important part is here, following up!
Following up is a critical aspect of the job seeking process. It does a few things. It lets the employer know you are serious, reminds them of who you are and your qualifications, and keeps the hiring process moving along. So let’s take a look at how following up works.
•When- Send your follow up at least 1-2 business days later.
•Who- You must be sure to reach out to the right person! Whether you jotted the employer’s email address down in a notebook or found it on the website, make sure to reach out directly to the person you spoke to or the hiring manager. By sending it to an individual (and make sure to address it to them) you will avoid it being lost in the shuffle.
•How- You can follow up with a call, email, or [thank you card] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/6f8322ea-b3fd-5930-98b9-d8d30b735880). Email is suggested as it’s instant and will give you the proper amount of time to gather your thoughts, however, there is also something wonderfully personal about receiving a handwritten note if you can send it quickly. See what to say in your follow up [HERE] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/3a2695c7-ced7-5bea-af4e-8789f758e97b).
•What- Make sure it’s personal. Remember that employers have likely met and spoken to MANY candidates so it’s unlikely they will automatically remember you. If you had a good conversation during the interview, make note of something you discussed and mention it. Perhaps you both went to a certain college or own black labs. It’s all about forging a connection! Also be sure to convey how excited you’d be to work for them. Mention the main reasons why you would be the right person for the job by emphasizing your strengths and capabilities while demonstrating that you are a great fit. Keep it short and straight to the point.
A follow up is also a great way to include those final things you may have neglected to mention at the job fair, so make sure not to forget to take the time to do so now.
Please comment with any questions!
Happy following up ; )
Check out these tips to make sure you are all set for the job fair on March 22n'd!
Remember, it's never too early or to prepare!
-Lay out your clothing the night before. By planning ahead you don’t have to scramble trying to find something in the morning. Also, be sure it's clean and wrinkle-free. Check out some tips on what to wear [here] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/60d77b2f-6640-5331-8816-dca310ec58bf?from=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.jobcase.com%252Fcommunity).
-Grab those resumes. Pack at least 50 copies and place them in a folder, or notebook and then tuck them away in a bag. Just make sure your resumes are easily accessible when an employer requests a copy, so you don't have to go digging for it!
-Eat a good breakfast. It’s true what they say, breakfast IS the most important meal of the day. It will fuel your brain/body first thing and last until lunchtime! When in doubt bring a snack to eat later to help keep you energized!
-Go to bed early. Even if you’re a night owl, put on those pj’s and climb into bed early enough the night before so you get a full 8 hours. You will look rested tomorrow and feel much calmer and more focused.
-Get to the fair on time. Plan how you will get there and how long it will take with Google maps. If you can, arrive a little bit early to calm your nerves and take a lap around the room.
-Practice your pitch a few times that morning. Whether it’s in the shower or on the ride over, say it a few times so you build up that confidence! What will you say in 20-30 seconds to grab that employer’s attention?
-Know that company’s mission/culture. If you haven’t researched it yet, take some time to see what they are all about and jot down some notes! Remember, your pitch should be tailored to what YOU bring to that company based on what they do.
-Nervous? If you are not sure what to say when you first meet an employer, use a few of these [conversation starters] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/6d46f61d-c53b-5ec5-9d7c-69cc61713f6a) to get things rolling!
Wishing you the best of luck at the job fair! : )
For those in the West Virginia area wishing to attend, grab all the [info here] (https://www.jobcase.com/hiring_fairs/d31bcc06-dfea-4e9a-ac08-132d09bbe586)!
Have questions? Please ask!
Check out these tips to make sure you are all set for the job fair on March 5th!
-Lay out your clothing the night before. By planning ahead you don’t have to scramble trying to find something in the morning. Also, be sure it's clean and wrinkle-free. Check out some tips on what to wear [here] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/60d77b2f-6640-5331-8816-dca310ec58bf?from=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.jobcase.com%252Fcommunity).
-Grab those resumes. Pack at least 50 copies and place them in a folder, or notebook and then tuck them away in a bag. Just make sure your resumes are easily accessible when an employer requests a copy, so you don't have to go digging for it!
-Eat a good breakfast. It’s true what they say, breakfast IS the most important meal of the day. It will fuel your brain/body first thing and last until lunchtime! When in doubt bring a snack to eat later to help keep you energized!
-Go to bed early. Even if you’re a night owl, put on those pj’s and climb into bed early enough the night before so you get a full 8 hours. You will look rested tomorrow and feel much calmer and more focused.
-Get to the fair on time. Plan how you will get there and how long it will take with Google maps. If you can, arrive a little bit early to calm your nerves and take a lap around the room.
-Practice your pitch a few times that morning. Whether it’s in the shower or on the ride over, say it a few times so you build up that confidence! What will you say in 20-30 seconds to grab that employer’s attention?
-Know that company’s mission/culture. If you haven’t researched it yet, take some time to see what they are all about and jot down some notes! Remember, your pitch should be tailored to what YOU bring to that company based on what they do.
-Nervous? If you are not sure what to say when you first meet an employer, use a few of these [conversation starters] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/6d46f61d-c53b-5ec5-9d7c-69cc61713f6a) to get things rolling!
Wishing you the best of luck at the job fair! : )
For those in the Cincinnati area, wishing to attend, grab all the [info here] (https://www.jobcase.com/cw-job-fair)!
It's important to take a little time to properly prepared your elevator pitch. In case you’re wondering, an elevator pitch is a brief synopsis of who you are, what you’ve been up to career-wise, and where you are going.
This short persuasive speech also helps tell employers more about yourself and sparks their interest. An elevator pitch is also a FANTASTIC way to prepare yourself for the [“tell me about yourself"] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/9796b664-0776-527a-b369-0f636b312f99) moment.
To make it a bit easier on yourself think of your pitch as a story.
The BEGINNING:
This could be something about why you chose the field you are in now. Maybe it was school, job experiences, a family member, etc. How did you begin? What sparked that passion?
The MIDDLE:
What have you been up to in your most recent job? Tell them what problems you have solved or contributions you have made to the job(s) you’ve had in the past. Offer clear examples and make sure to emphasize why you are interested in the position. The middle of the story should help to make you shine!
The END:
You landing the job there! Employers are going to wonder, what's in it for them? Make sure to connect what you’ve done with what they need NOW in their company. This means doing a little exploring on their website before you head to an interview to determine what they do and how you can be an asset to them. By helping them imagine you working there and how you would best serve them you are putting a positive message in their minds.
Make your story stand out, and don’t forget to:
-Connect the phrases to each other, don’t plop in random things that have nothing to do with that you previously mentioned. Plan it out in advance!
-Have it flow naturally and smoothly, one thought always leads to the next otherwise you will seem all over the place.
-Don’t rush or ramble! Remember, good storytelling isn’t hurried, but a long story is sometimes boring. Keep it simple and pace it out.
-Memorize key points and practice what you will say to friends/family before you have the interview!
So what is YOUR story? ; )
Have questions?
Please comment and I will be glad to help!
One of the most common questions asked during an interview or at a job fair is…
Can you tell me about yourself?
Other variations could include... -Why should we hire you? -Why do you want to work here? -What is it about us that makes you want to work here?
Answer these 5 questions to help you plan what to say and impress employers!
1- What are the three strongest reasons I am a great fit for this job?
2- What are some positive things I can say about the company, and how can I connect what they do with what I can bring to them?
3- Why do I really want this job beyond having a steady paycheck and perks?
4- What are three AWESOME things I did in my previous position that I can also offer in this new role?
5- What is the EXACT job description (make sure to write it down) and how do MY skills match up with it? Be as specific as possible.
Answering these questions will help you feel prepared to go in with some great things to say which will also boost your confidence!
Have a question?
Please comment and ask! : )
Instead of sitting quietly, building a rapport with your interviewers before getting into the nitty-gritty details of the job can give you a major competitive edge over other candidates. Plus the interview will feel more like a friendly conversation which can certainly help calm those nerves (bonus)!
The key is to find something in common, and when in doubt always bring it back to the interviewer and the company. Remember, it's less about you, more about them. Try these out during your next interview or even at a networking event!
1. It's a pleasure to meet you. How was your weekend (or how has your week been)? This demonstrates to the interviewer that you're confident, proactive, and friendly.
2. What was the most pleasantly surprising thing about working here you learned once you were on the job? It a good idea to keep the conversation focused on the interviewee and their positive experiences with working at the company.
3. What's the most memorable thing that has happened to you since joining the company? This will show you are a positive person and care about others.
4. I read a really compelling article this morning on the way to the interview. Discuss it a little and if the interviewer seems interested, continue, if not gracefully move on. Again, don’t monopolize the conversation! Although it is technically YOUR job interview, this is more about them than you.
5. What's one of the most interesting projects or opportunities that you've worked on? Interviewers will love the chance to reflect and respond on what it is they’ve worked on or are currently working on. This will also provide further insight into what they are doing now in the company, as well give the interviewer a chance to talk about their own accomplishments.
Remember to keep bringing it back to the interviewer/company and your interest in it!
Good luck : )
One of the most common and difficult questions asked during an interview or at a job fair is...
Can you tell me about yourself?
Similar questions are: -Why should we hire you? -Why do you want the job? -What is it about us that makes you want to work here?
Just know that employers are not looking for you to actually tell them about your personal life, like your favorite shows or how awesome your spouse is. They are expecting you to tell them about yourself while giving them a brief overview of who you are, professionally speaking.
You should be ready with a one-minute answer that summarizes where you are in your career, generally with an emphasis on your most recent job while highlighting your strengths.
Answer these 5 questions to help yourself plan what to say and impress employers!
1- What are the three strongest reasons I am a great fit for this job?
2- What are some positive things I can say about the company, and how can I connect what they do with what I can bring to them?
3- Why do I really want this job beyond having a steady paycheck and perks?
4- What are three AWESOME things I did in my previous position that I can also offer in this new role?
5- What is the EXACT job description (make sure to write it down) and how do MY skills match up with it? Be as specific as possible!
Answering these questions will help you feel prepared to go in with some great things to say.
Have questions? Need some help? Please ask and comment below!
Whether you’re looking for a job or have one now, the time will come when you understandably will want to make more money. So, when you feel the moment has arrived to ask for a raise; follow these steps to help make it happen!
1- Make a plan Decide when you will ask and whom you will speak with. If it’s not your boss then who should this discussion take place with? Timing is also important, if your boss is going through a particularly stressful week it might be better to ask at another time!
2- Know it’s ok to ask It doesn’t make you greedy or entitled, so don’t be nervous! Your manager has likely been through this many times before and he/she expects it to happen. Be strong in your ask and know this is what is best for you. If the answer is no, you didn’t do anything wrong. My suggestion would be to follow up and ask them what would be needed to earn a raise! This way you have something to work towards to make that possible. You will also know where you stand and why.
3- Share where you want to go Companies like to know that you are in it for the long haul. So, stop and think about where you see yourself in another year. What can you bring to the company during that time? What do you personally want to accomplish? This is the time to speak up about positive things you want to progress towards at the company.
4- Know your worth and the market It’s important to know how much you are being paid compared to the current market. Sites like GlassDoor and others will help with this! Simply search for your job title, area in which you live, and then look for jobs with similar responsibilities to the ones you have now. This will give you a baseline. If you feel you are being underpaid comparably save the data you have found. This will help you put together a number in your mind that is reasonable and on target with the current market for your position!
5- Map out what you’ve accomplished This goes hand in hand with your plan! Before you ask for a raise spend some time putting together a list of all the things you’ve done over the time you’ve been there (or since your last raise). Note how far you’ve grown from the beginning to end. Be sure to pay attention to any specific accomplishments and highlight these! This will help you prove to your manager that you not only have done great things but are continuing to achieve more.
Good luck : )
Please comment with any questions or suggestions on how to earn a raise.