You might be surprised at how quickly you can land your dream job when you take a positive and organized approach to your job search. Check out these tips and see which ones work for you.

6 Ways to Get Hired Faster

1. Always Tailor Your Resume

One of the most important things you can do when looking for a job is to ensure your resume is up to date and tailored to each position. Hiring managers typically spend less than seven seconds looking at each resume, so it’s essential to grab their attention immediately.

Start by reviewing the job posting and highlighting the essential qualifications that match your skills and experience. Then, use strong action verbs and actual data to describe your professional achievements. For example, if you helped increase sales at your previous job, you could use phrases like “boosted sales by 13%,” “grew interactions by 7% during campaign,” or “increased department output by 12%.”

Finally, don’t forget to proofread your resume carefully before sending it off. A few typos could be enough to cost you the job, so take the time to double-check for errors. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your resume will stand out from the competition and help you land the job of your dreams.

2. Utilize LinkedIn Fully

While many people think of LinkedIn as a way to stay connected with old colleagues and classmates, the platform can be a powerful tool for networking and job searching.

If you’re looking to get the most out of LinkedIn, here are a few tips:

• Optimize your profile. Include a professional photo, an up-to-date resume, and keywords that describe your skills and experience.
• Take advantage of LinkedIn’s networking features by connecting with industry professionals and joining relevant groups.
• Use the job search feature to find leads for open positions that match your skills and qualifications.

By following these tips, you can maximize your chances of success on LinkedIn.

3. Consider a Wider Range of Openings

It can be tempting to only look for jobs that perfectly match your skill set, are in your ideal location, and offer the salary you want. However, being open to different positions, locations, or salary ranges can make it much easier to find a new job that’s a good fit for you.

The more flexible you are, the more options you’ll have, and the better your chances of finding a position you’re happy with. And while it may seem like you’re tied down to the same type of role you’ve held previously, the reality is that many of your skills will likely transfer to a new field.

4. Practice Your Presentation

No matter what role you’re applying for, ensure that you present yourself as positive and confident that you can land the job. Recruiters and hiring managers are less likely to consider a candidate who is negative or who appears hesitant.

One of the best ways to practice your presentation is to do a mock interview with a friend, family member, or professional career coach. This will help you get comfortable with answering common questions and allow you to receive feedback on your delivery.

Additionally, make sure to research the company beforehand and come up with a few questions of your own to ask at the end of the interview. By taking these steps, you can boost your chances of making a great impression and landing the job.

5. Level Up Your Follow-Up

Sending a thank-you note after an interview is always appreciated by hiring managers. It shows that you’re courteous and eager to get the job. Plus, it gives you one more opportunity to sell yourself and reiterate why you’re the best candidate for the role.

Send a personalized note within 24 hours of your meeting for the best results. If you’re emailing, keep it short and sweet, and be sure to proofread for any errors. Remember to customize each note to the person you interviewed with and mention something specific from your conversation to make it more personal.

You can improve your chances of getting hired by showing your appreciation and continuing to sell yourself.

6. Create a Routine

A job search can be draining and overwhelming. But if you let it consume your life, you won’t be putting forth your best submissions. Instead, staying positive and keeping your energy up with a weekly routine is essential.

Consider the following steps to create a healthier, more productive job search:

• Make a list of your goals. Knowing what you want to achieve will help you stay focused and motivated.
• Set a daily and weekly schedule and stick to it. Dedicating a set amount of time each day or week to your job search will help you make progress.
• Stay organized. Create a system for tracking your job search progress to see how far you’ve come and what still needs to be done.
• Dedicate time to networking. Lean on your support network for encouragement and assistance with your job search.

Getting Hired More Quickly

Following these tips can improve your chances of landing a new job quickly. Utilize all the resources at your disposal, be flexible and open to different opportunities, and stay positive throughout the process. With some effort, you’ll be employed in no time.

The post 6 Ways to Land Your New Job Faster appeared first on Job-Hunt.

But have you ever considered being the one to contact a recruiter first? If you’ve never contemplated the possibility, it might be time to examine the benefits of working with a recruiter for your upcoming job search.

What You Need to Know to Effectively Work With a Recruiter

Recruiters can be an invaluable resource for job seekers. They can help you identify open positions that fit your skills and experience, provide insights into the hiring process, and offer guidance on salary expectations and negotiation.

If you’re intrigued, we’ve gathered up what you need to know about working with a recruiter.

What Kinds of Recruiters Are There?

First, it’s important to understand that there are many different ways to perform recruiting tasks. But realistically, recruiters fall into one of two categories—internal and external.

Internal recruiters are employees of the company they’re recruiting for, while external recruiters work for a staffing agency, recruiting firm, or as headhunters.

Both types of recruiters can be beneficial to job seekers. However, external recruiters typically have more time to dedicate to each candidate since they’re not also managing other duties within the company. As a result, external recruiters can provide more personalized attention and guidance.

How Do Recruiters Work?

Recruiters typically work with candidates in one of two ways: proactively or reactively.

Proactive recruiters reach out to candidates who they think would be a good fit for a position, even if the candidate isn’t actively looking for a job. These recruiters source candidates through various industry networking resources, such as LinkedIn or exploring online company profiles from competing firms within the same field.

Reactive recruiters wait for candidates to reach out to them or apply to a job posting before beginning the recruitment process.

What Are the Benefits of Working With a Recruiter?

There are several benefits of working with a recruiter, including:

• Access to unadvertised jobs: Because they work with multiple departments or companies, recruiters often have access to jobs that haven’t been publicly posted.
• Save time: Applying to jobs and going through the interview process can be time-consuming. Recruiters can help you save time by doing some of the legwork for you.
• Guidance and support: External recruiters can often provide insights into the hiring process and offer guidance on salary expectations and negotiation.

How to Find a Recruiter

If you’re interested in the possibilities that a recruiter has to offer, you need to find one that is good match for your personality and your career goals.

There are several ways to find a recruiter, including:

• Online job boards: Many job boards, like FlexJobs, allow you to filter your job search by company type. You can use this feature to find positions listed by staffing agencies and recruiting firms.
• Company career pages: Many companies list the contact information for their internal recruiters on their career page.
• Professional networking sites: LinkedIn is an excellent resource for connecting with recruiters. You can also use LinkedIn’s advanced search features to find recruiters who specialize in your industry or field.
• Personal connections: Ask your friends, family, and colleagues if they know of any good recruiters. They may have worked with a recruiter in the past or know someone who did.
• Online search: Try inserting your target job title or field into Google and adding “recruiter” to the search field. You’ll often discover recruiters who specialize in a specific niche or industry.

Acing Your Meeting With the Recruiter

Once you’ve found a recruiter you’d like to work with, it’s time to prepare for your meeting. To make the most of your interactions with a recruiter, it’s important to understand how recruiters work and what they’re looking for.

Use the following tips to ensure that the recruiter is eager to help you land a job.

Polish Your Brand

Recognize that a recruiter is different than a career coach. While they can give you some feedback, you should have your LinkedIn profile polished, social media cleaned up, and a clear goal before you approach them.

Update Your Resume

Along those lines, ensure that your resume is up to date and ready for your career search. While your recruiter might offer you some tips on how to make it stronger, you shouldn’t be looking for them to help you write it from scratch.

Be Prepared for Interview Questions

You are essentially getting interviewed by the recruiter as they try to determine what jobs your skills are a match for. You’ll make a strong impression if you’ve practiced answers to common interview questions.

They will most likely ask you questions about your skills, experience, and career goals. It’s important to be prepared, so practice answering open-ended interview questions, such as “walk me through your resume.”

Bring Your Positive Energy

Be prepared to sell yourself. This is not the time to be humble or bashful. Be confident in your skills and experience. The recruiter’s job is to find the best team member for their clients, so you need to show them that you’re the best candidate for the job.

Don’t Forget to Follow Up

After your meeting, don’t forget to follow up with a thank-you note or email. This is another opportunity to sell yourself and reiterate your interest in working with the recruiter.

Effectively Working With a Recruiter

Following these tips will help you make a good impression on the recruiter and improve your chances of getting a job with their help.

The post How to Find Recruiters, Reach Out, and Land Your Next Job appeared first on Job-Hunt.

To better understand the difficulties job seekers face, Job-Hunt and its partner site FlexJobs surveyed over 2,200 people between February and March 2022. Their responses gave us some unique insights into what job seekers face in a rapidly changing work world.

Job Search Pain Points

From identifying the right job search keywords to finding appropriate openings to creating a cover letter and resume that helps explain why they’re perfect for the role, job seekers have a lot of work to do to find a job!

However, our survey identified two major sources of dissatisfaction for job seekers: unresponsive employers and uninformative job postings.

Biggest Job Search Frustration: Unresponsive Employers

Half of respondents (50%) said that not hearing back from employers is their number one job search frustration. Radio silence bothers them even more than jobs with low pay (42%)!

Other top job search frustrations are:

• Lengthy submission process (38%)
• Required qualifications or degrees that may not impact the ability to do the job (37%)
• Avoiding job scams (36%)
• Not finding jobs that they qualify for (32%)
• Formating application materials for applicant tracking systems (25%)
• Not finding jobs at companies they want to work for (25%)
• Not finding jobs in industries they’re interested in (21%)
• Not being able to identify the hiring manager (15%)

Biggest Job Posting Irritation: No Salary Information

Our survey found that job postings are also a significant source of frustration. Over two-thirds of respondents (66%) say that the most irritating thing about job postings is when they omit salary or pay information.

Given the soaring popularity of flexible and remote-friendly work schedules, being unclear about location requirements is the second most irritating thing about job postings (35%). Not including information about work hours and schedule or not specifying how much remote work is allowed were equally aggravating (33%).

Other job post annoyances include:

• Not providing enough detail about the job tasks (31%)
• Not making it clear which qualifications are required or preferred (28%)
• Seeing a job posted that they already applied to (27%)
• “Catchy” job titles that aren’t easy to find using common keywords (like a job posting for a Happiness Guru, not a Customer Service Representative) (24%)
• Not including information about the technology tools or programs the company uses (15%)
• Unclear application deadline (14%)
• Providing too much detail about the job tasks (10%)

New Ways to Search and Apply for Work

While the pandemic pushed more flexible ways of working to the forefront, it also changed how job seekers search for work. And with workplace culture more important than ever, one interesting finding of this survey is that a majority of respondents (69%) do not think it’s important to see photos and videos of the workplace or team when evaluating a job. However, 31% consider it very important.

Computer or Mobile?

When we asked how job seekers apply for a job, 55% said they usually or always do so on a computer. Thirty-four percent use a combination of a computer and mobile devices, while only 11% said they usually or always apply using a mobile device.

The Ideal Post-Pandemic Workplace

We also wondered what kind of workplace job seekers want. When we asked what the ideal post-pandemic workplace is, 55% said they want to be fully remote, while 42% prefer a hybrid schedule.

It’s More Than a Job

Many job seekers aren’t looking for “just” a job. They’re looking for a job that fulfills their needs and fits into their long-term career goals. Job-Hunt is here to help you throughout your career journey with the resources, tools, and advice you need to have a better job search. And if your job search includes a work-from-home, hybrid, or flexible job, our partner site, FlexJobs, can connect you to fantastic, remote-friendly opportunities.

Demographics

FlexJobs and Job-Hunt created the survey, which was promoted to general audiences and its subscribers/members primarily through social media and newsletters. FlexJobs used a multiple-choice and multi-select question format via SurveyMonkey’s online platform. The survey ran from February 23, 2022, to March 7, 2022.

Demographic breakdown of the 2,202 respondents:

Gender: women (72%), men (26%), prefer not to identify (2%)

Generation: Gen Z (8%), millennial/Gen Y (36%), Gen X (37%), baby boomer (18%), silent generation (1%) 

Education: less than a high school degree (2%), high school degree or equivalent (7%), some college but no degree (17%), associate’s or bachelor’s degree (48%), graduate degree (26%)

Career level: entry-level (16%), experienced (55%), manager (18%), senior-level manager (10%) 

Thirty-four percent had children 18 or younger living at home with them.

The post Report: Job Seekers Need More Details and Responsive Recruiters appeared first on Job-Hunt.

While you can, and should, have recommendations on your LinkedIn profile, you should also have written references. Although you don’t always need them until later in the hiring process, some job postings will request that they be submitted when you apply. Your submission will be delayed if you aren’t prepared and have to wait for a response from your references.

You may even consider submitting your list of references and letters with your resume, regardless of whether they’re requested. Or perhaps, with your thank-you note after the interview. Both actions can help you stand out from other applicants.

Who Should You Ask

Former supervisors will be the obvious first choice. They have the best insight into what it was like to work with you. Supervisors can speak professionally and frankly about your work ethic and how you contributed to the team.

Outside of your supervisors, you should ask former coworkers that you collaborated with. Their perspective will endorse your soft skills from a different perspective than your managers.

Stick to Professional References

Avoid asking friends and family. Generally, employers will recognize a biased letter of reference and discount it. They’ll wonder why you couldn’t obtain a professional recommendation and have to resort to personal relationships.

Are you new to the job market? You can ask any professors, department heads, or internship supervisors that you’ve worked with. Also, consider any professionals that you may have interacted with through a social network or a volunteer opportunity.

How to Ask For a Reference Letter

Admittedly, it can be intimidating to ask someone to take the time to write a reference for you. However, you might be surprised at how willing professionals are to do so. Generally, most supervisors with whom you had a great rapport will feel proud that you’re succeeding and that they were part of your career development.

It would be best to reach out beforehand, rather than send an email out of the blue. Especially if it’s someone you haven’t been in contact with for a while, you’ll want to reconnect. Touching base will help jog their memory about specific circumstances or skills they will highlight. Ask with plenty of time, rather than expecting them to scramble at the last minute.

Follow Up With an Email

After you’ve spoken to them, you’ll want to send an email that includes your resume, cover letter, and the job posting if you’re asking for a specific reference. Let them know if there is a deadline and when you need the letter returned for you to look over. Some recruiters will request that the letter be sent directly to them. In that case, your reference may still ask you if you’d like to review it before they send it in.

If you’re reaching out to a former supervisor and couldn’t have a face-to-face conversation, you can still request one with some flattery and a few essential details.

Sample Reference Letter Requests

For inspiration, consider a template like this for your reference:

Dear Mr. Green,

I hope you’re doing well!

I am touching base because I’m currently applying for a [job title] role with [ABC Company], and part of the process is submitting letters of recommendation.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with you and felt that the skills I learned through several of the projects we collaborated on were an excellent fit for this new opportunity. For example, I thought you’d be a great person to touch on my [example skill] and [example skill], as I thought back to the great feedback you gave me after we worked on [example project] together.

Recognizing that your schedule is generally hectic, I’m happy to help in any way that I can.

The deadline for the letter is [date]. If your schedule doesn’t allow you to fit this in prior, please let me know.

I appreciate your consideration.

Best Regards,

Your Name

Phone

Email

A Slightly More Casual Template

If you’re reaching out to a supervisor or coworker that you could connect with, you can be slightly less formal. Although, you’ll still want to ensure you have all of the information included.

Hi Jessica,

I hope you are doing well today. It was great touching base with you again yesterday. I appreciate your willingness to write a letter of recommendation. To help you brainstorm, I’m including a few of the job duties that I’m tailoring my submission to, along with the projects we worked on together that I feel supported those skills.

[Example #1]
[Example #2]
[Example #3]

The deadline for submitting this is [date]. If anything comes up and you cannot complete the letter, please let me know as soon as possible.

Again, I truly appreciate it, and if I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Best Regards,

Your Name

Your Phone

Your Email

Network Your Way Into a New Job

One of the best things you can do for your career is maintain your network. It’s much easier to ask for a letter of recommendation if you’re in regular contact with your references.

While you’ll want to maintain contact information for five to 10 professional references, there may come a time when you’re required to (or would like to) submit a letter of recommendation. Having a generic one on file to submit with your resume can help you land an interview.

However, if you’re specifically asked to submit one during an interview process, it’s an excellent opportunity to tailor your references for the role. The templates above will help get you started as you reach out to your network.

The post How to Ask for a Reference Letter (With Examples) appeared first on Job-Hunt.

Close It Out with the Right Closing Sentence

Ending a letter consists of two parts.

The first part of your letter ending is the closing. This is one or two sentences that sum things up. It can express gratitude, invite the reader to act, or whatever is appropriate for the situation and audience.

Here are some closing examples:

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to connecting.

I look forward to seeing you at the [event] on [date].

I appreciate everything you’ve done, and I hope we can work together again soon.

10 Endings for a Letter

Once you’ve summed things up, you can end your letter.

This “final word” cements the overall message of your letter. So, consider your relationship with the recipient and the reason why you’re writing.

For example, if you’re writing a resignation letter to your boss, you’ll likely choose an ending that’s professional and polite, as opposed to mean and spiteful. Likewise, the ending of a cover letter is very different from how you might end a complaint letter.

Because there’s no one “right” way to end a letter, here are 10 suggestions to help you out!

1. Sincerely

A classic ending, “Sincerely” is as polite and neutral of a letter ending as you can get! When you end a letter with this, you’re signaling that you’re honest, genuine, and straightforward.

2. Respectfully

“Respectfully” is another classic ending. To some, this ending is a step up from “Sincerely” in that you are signaling your respect for the reader.

However, depending on the nature of the letter and your relationship to the reader, it’s possible that “Respectfully” could be read, ironically, as disrespectful. Sometimes, people use “Respectfully” and its variations (“With Respect,” for example) to indicate that while you respect the reader’s right to whatever it is, you are not on the same page.

3. Yours Truly

Though some may consider it bland or even outdated, “Yours Truly” is a safe, polite, and generally neutral ending for a letter. It’s unlikely to ruffle any feathers or be misinterpreted.

4. Thanks (or Thanks Again)

“Thanks” and “Thanks Again” are generally great options when you are truly thanking your reader.

However, like “Respectfully,” you may need to exercise caution when writing “Thanks.” If, for any reason, the reader doesn’t believe you are thankful, “Thanks” could have a flat landing or even read as sarcasm.

5. Appreciatively

If you’ve already thanked the reader once (or even more than once), “Appreciatively” is a fantastic alternative. And unlike “Thanks,” there’s less of a chance it lands the wrong way, as people don’t often use “Appreciatively” in the same negative way “Thanks” is sometimes used.

6. Regards (or Best Regards, Warm Regards, and Kind Regards)

One of the many meanings of “regards” includes feeling respect and affection. Because most readers won’t associate affection with “Regards” or any version of it, this is usually a safe bet to end your letter.

7. Best

“Best” is another common letter ending. It implies that you only have “the best” wishes for the reader and that you hope they experience only good things. 

“Best” is an informal ending, though, and should generally only close a letter with people you’re familiar with. You can use “Best” on a business letter as long as your relationship with the reader and the situation merit it.

8. Cordially

Though some might say that “Cordially” is a bit stiff and formal, it does indicate that you are sending sincere or deeply felt wishes. It’s usually associated with pleasant and friendly feelings, although “cordial” can be used to indicate strong negative feelings.

Also, “cordial” is a liqueur, and though your ending probably has nothing to do with alcohol, depending on the situation, you may want to skip the cordial wishes!

9. Speak to You Soon

“Speak to You Soon” is very straightforward. You are clearly stating that you want to and likely will speak with the reader soon. 

While there’s nothing wrong with this ending, depending on the situation, it can seem threatening, so it’s generally best to use this closing only on pleasant letters.

10. Nothing

When in doubt, it’s perfectly acceptable to end your letter with nothing. Simply close your letter, then sign your name. 

While leaping from closing to your name without an ending is a bit abrupt, sometimes it’s better to end things than choose an ending that is misinterpreted.

In the End

From beginning to end, your letter should be a cohesive message for your reader. Make sure you finish your letter on the right note by selecting the ending that best fits your relationship with the reader and the situation.

The post How to End a Letter (Example Closings and Sign-Offs) appeared first on Job-Hunt.

Yes, recruiters cannot do their jobs without you, but they could refer someone else next time — one of your competitors.

So, playing nice is a good idea as well as good manners. The nicer you are, the more referrals and information you may receive from them.

You may not need to send this message immediately because they will probably call you — or ask you to call them — as soon as the interview is over. But, this is a very nice follow up a day or so later,

As Jeff Lipschultz, Job-Hunt’s Working with Recruiters Expert who is also a full-time agency/external recruiter, has suggested — keep the recruiter informed about what is going on.

Since recruiters usually speak directly with hiring managers, they can be an excellent source of information for you.

This thank you is an easy and graceful way to stay in touch, even long after the job interview happened, especially if you want to remind them of your existence (not a bad idea).

[To learn more about internal recruiters vs. external recruiters, read Working with Recruiters.]

How to Thank a Recruiter

See the formal sample job interview thank you letter and the less-formal sample job interview thank you email for tips on the how to best use each method of sending a thank you. (If the interview didn’t go well, check out the sample thank you after a bad interview — still a good idea for a number of reasons.)

Adapt the text in the sample to your circumstances, and customize it as described in Sending Your Thank You’s After the Job Interview.

In most cases, the recruiter will appreciate receiving an email message, so that is the format used in this sample. If you feel that the recruiter who referred you is more formal, use the thank you letter format instead.

Sample Thank You Email to Recruiter For Arranging a Job Interview

Replace the Italicized text with whatever terms are appropriate for you and your situation.

Subject: Referral to [company name] [job title] position, interviewed on [date].

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:

Thank you very much for referring me to [company name]! I interviewed for the [job title] position [today or yesterday], and I think it went pretty well.

Interviews started at [time] and ended at [time] at their location in [city or neighborhood if the employer has several locations].

I spoke with:

• [name], [job title]
• [name], [job title]
• [name], [job title]
• [name], [job title]
• [name], [job title]

[Describe how the interviews took place – one large room with several people asking you questions or just one person at a time or however it occurred.]

They told me that they would be making a decision on who to hire [or when the next round of interviews will begin] by [date], and would be in touch with me then.

This employer and job feel like a very good match for me [include only if true!]. I like this type of employer [or name a different type of employer you would prefer], and would be happy to meet other similar employers for jobs which leverage my skills and experience in [name of your skills and experiences].

If you can, please let me know how interested they seem to be, and what I should be doing for follow up, in addition to the thank you notes I have already sent.

Looking forward to working with you in the future [again, only if true!].

Best regards,

[Your name]
[Your tagline, like “eCommerce Customer Support Specialist”]
[LinkedIn Profile URL]
[Phone number — not your work number if you are employed]

Be Open with External Recruiters, But Professional

Carefully share information with external recruiters.

Remember: Recruiters work for the employer, not for you.

But, they will be paid if you are hired and become a successful employee, so they have a vested interest in helping you succeed — when they have found a job that is a good match for you.

But don’t confuse a recruiter with your best friend or mother. Don’t confess all of your sins or use potty-mouth language. This is a professional relationship, but you can share your hopes and ambitions with them. They may be able to help you achieve them — if you have the right skillset and experience for their clients.

Be Extremely Careful with Internal Recruiters

Unlike external recruiters, internal recruiters are employees of the company where you interviewed. While they are often nice people, willing to help you, this is not a friendship (yet).

So, definitely treat them as you treat everyone else who interviews you at the employer — professionally and carefully — and send them the standard thank you that you send to other members of the employer’s staff.

More About Recruiters:

• Understanding Recruiters
• The Waiting Game After the Interview – by recruiter Jeff Lipschultz
• Keeping the Recruiter Informed – by recruiter Jeff Lipschultz
• Job-Hunt’s free Guide to Working with Recruiters

About the author…

Online job search expert Susan P. Joyce has been observing the online job search world and teaching online job search skills since 1995. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a recent Visiting Scholar at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Susan is a two-time layoff “graduate” who has worked in human resources at Harvard University and in a compensation consulting firm. Since 1998, Susan has been editor and publisher of Job-Hunt.org. Follow Susan on Twitter at @jobhuntorg and on Facebook, LinkedIn.
More about this author…

The post How to Write a Thank You Note to a Recruiter appeared first on Job-Hunt.

LinkedIn is THE social network for job search, so it is definitely the place to be.

5 Ways to Add Recruiters on LinkedIn to Your Network

Building on the information in the previous article, take these steps to add recruiters to your LinkedIn Network.

1.  Search for Recruiters on LinkedIn.

Adding recruiters to your network takes only a little effort on your part. You can find members by typing the word “recruiter” (singular not the plural form) in the search box, and then entering your current (or desired) location in the “Location” box.

You can also search by employer name and connection level (1st, 2nd, or 3rd degree). Click on “All Filters” on the right side of the “People filters” bar to see all of the search options.

To find people with whom you share a school, type the school name into the search box or click on your school name in your Profile.

If you know the recruiter’s name, simply type it into the search bar, and LinkedIn will show you the person’s Profile link. When you know the person’s name, you don’t need to be connected at any level to see their LinkedIn Profile.

If you’re in the same LinkedIn Group(s), you can leverage that to send an invite. Or you can use InMail or a common connection for an introduction. It is important to state a little bit about you so that your invite does not seem too generic.

For a LinkedIn invitation message to a recruiter, I would simply say something along the lines of:

Hi [first name], I am currently in a job search and connecting with others to build my professional network. You appear to be a recruiter who might be interested in my background for current or future roles you seek to fill. Feel free to request my resume once we connect on LinkedIn.

Much appreciated,
Name

If the recruiter doesn’t reach out with a LinkedIn message or an email AFTER connecting, a follow-up message can be:

Thanks for connecting with me on LinkedIn. As mentioned, I’d be happy to provide you with a resume for future opportunities. I am mainly looking for roles such as x, y, and z. I am currently at a level of (Manager, Director, etc.), but am open to all levels of responsibility or sole-contributor.

Thanks again,
Name

You can also grow your network by leveraging LinkedIn’s PEOPLE YOU MAY KNOW tool in the “My Network” section — some of these folks suggested to you are 2nd degree connections that you actually know. Some you will not know, but will be good people to network with. Reach out with a customized invitation to connect.

2.  Become More Visible on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn offers ever-increasing ways to grow your visibility, but do tread carefully. Avoid being rude or nasty, and pick your topics carefully.

Join LinkedIn Groups relevant to your profession, employer, and industry. Share and make professional comments in Group “conversations.” Share updates from your LinkedIn home page — industry news and other information relevant and important to professionals like you.

If you like to write and can write well, publish articles on LinkedIn. As usual, the best idea is to stay “on topic” for you and your profession. When an article is published, share it in your updates, on Twitter and Facebook, and your other professional visibility.

3.  Use Keywords to Describe Yourself AND to Demonstrate Credibility Throughout Your Profile

It is still good advice to use keywords in your job descriptions—at least a few sentences beyond your title. Just because you list Software Developer, doesn’t mean a recruiter knows the kind of programs you worked on or what tools you used.

Endorsements:

Beyond job descriptions, it is very easy to share your skill set on LinkedIn using the Skills section which includes Endorsements by other members, hopefully. These are not as substantial as Recommendations, but as you collect Endorsements for your top skills, you’ll build credibility and are more visible in LinkedIn Recruiter searches.

Feel free to endorse others as they will be notified and likely endorse you in return. As long as you are accurate in picking skills in which they excel, I see no reason not to “trade endorsements.”

[Read 4 Steps to Leverage LinkedIn Skills & Endorsements for a More Powerful Profile for more information.]

Recommendations:

Recommendations are now listed within each position you have held. All the more reason to ask for recommendations (just a few per job will do) to validate the work you did. In the past, some readers of your Profile may have missed the Recommendations at the bottom, but now they are very noticeable.

Volunteering/Causes:

Another nice feature in LinkedIn is the Volunteer Experience Section of Background. This can be leveraged to share your non-work activities that round out your personality. For some hiring managers or recruiters, it may give them an ice-breaker to start a conversation with you (they might even have similar experiences).

[Read the 25 Best Keywords for Your Job Search. Also check out 10 Steps to Better Ranking in LinkedIn Search for more detailed LinkedIn SEO strategies.]

4.  Provide Contact Info

Details for contacting you are at the top of your Profile in the “See contact info” in your Profile’s “Introduction Card” which is the top section of your Profile. You can include email, telephone, address, websites, and Twitter. Do NOT make your home address or birthdate visible!

Depending on your Profile settings and use of InMail, not everyone will be able to see your email address. So, recruiters may not see your email address to contact you directly (outside of LinkedIn) unless you place that information in your Profile’s Summary. This is a personal decision as you may get a lot of email from recruiters, depending on your abilities and experience.

By the way, if you don’t want recruiters contacting you about contractor roles (or permanent roles), feel free to state this. They tend to listen. If you only want to take on side projects, share that, too.

Also, I highly recommend you use your personal email as the link in your LinkedIn account/mail. You might be surprised to hear how many job seekers I’ve seen using the work email. Not usually a good idea.

[Read Safely Publish Your Contact Information for more details.]

5.  Be Open to Connections

LinkedIn has evolved to be a “place” to make contacts, not just archive the ones you already have. Employers know that smart employees are always building their networks (heck, your boss probably is, too).

Inside LinkedIn, your visiblity in LinkedIn People search results depends on the number of connections you have since search results include only people in your network (1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree connections). So, the more connections you have inside of LinkedIn, the greater your LinkedIn visibility will be.

On your Profile, LinkedIn now has a section near the top called “Articles and Activity” which includes anything you’ve shared with the LinkedIn world. While LinkedIn automatically makes anything you publish visible to your 1st-degree connections, anyone can “Follow” you by simply clicking that button on your Profile.

If you don’t want to allow anyone not a 1st degree connection to follow you, you can opt out in your Profile’s Settings & Privacy controls.

Bottom Line on Connecting With Recruiters on LinkedIn

Particularly in the USA, but increasingly across the globe, LinkedIn remains the go-to resource for recruiters and hiring managers to learn more about your professional experience. Some hiring managers will also use it to determine common connections and ask those connections of yours about you (without you knowing). Even the simplest of Profiles gives you a chance to be found by recruiters, but the more you put into it, the more likely it can lead to connections to your next job.

If you haven’t read the first part of this series, here it is — How to Be Found by Recruiters on LinkedIn.

More About Working with Recruiters:

• How to Be Found by Recruiters on LinkedIn
• Smart Answers to Interview Questions
• 3 Steps to Interview Success: Build Your Interview Checklist
• Your Stories: The Secret to Interview Success
• 9 Secrets for Nailing Your Phone Interview
• The Starting Salary Question
• How Your Social Media Reputation Impacts Hiring Decisions
• How to Manage Your References to Close – NOT Kill – Opportunities
• Over 50: Managing the “Age Issue”
• How to Gracefully Leave Your Old Job
• How to Find a Job While You Have One

About the author…

Job-Hunt’s Working with Recruiters Expert Jeff Lipschultz is a 20+ year veteran in management, hiring, and recruiting of all types of business and technical professionals. He has worked in industries ranging from telecom to transportation to dotcom. Jeff is a founding partner of A-List Solutions, a Dallas-based recruiting and employment consulting company. Learn more about him through his company site alistsolutions.com. Follow Jeff on LinkedIn and on Twitter (@JLipschultz).
More about this author…

The post How to Connect With Recruiters On LinkedIn (with Sample Messages) appeared first on Job-Hunt.

Their key concern in job interviews: How can you assist them in solving their problems during the pandemic?

That is THE question, so be prepared to answer it.

Seize the opportunity to answer it at your next interview, demonstrating your ability to be nimble, to deal with ambiguity, and to show calm in the middle of this storm.

Be sure to clarify the type of interview (video or in-person), and then ask questions so you are well-informed and well-prepared for the interview. Read Questions to Ask Employers in Coronavirus Pandemic Job Interviews for good Coronavirus-related questions to ask before and during interviews now.

The Employer’s Questions for You

The employer will want to understand what experience you have had working remotely and how adept you are navigating this new way of working. Your participation in a video interview will be the first indication of your comfort level with using technology.

Make sure all systems are “go” with your equipment, software, and connectivity by working out any glitches in advance of the interview.

  1.Have you ever worked remotely? If so, what changes did you make to adapt to an at-home work environment?  

Companies want reassurances that you have a dedicated workspace and can be productive from home. Do you have the proper connectivity to conduct business on their behalf?

While you should not reveal your personal situation (kids, home schooling, etc.), you can indicate that your environment is free of distractions, allowing you to execute work on a timely basis.

Consider: Build out your resume and LinkedIn profile to include remote work experience. If you are a recent college grad, refer to your success at online learning.

If applicable, add the terms “remote work” and “work from home” to your LinkedIn profile plus the technologies you have used, like Zoom, Skype, and Google Meet. Those are valuable keywords being searched much more frequently now. Other keywords critical for today’s job market include self-directed, agile, and worked in, or managed, distributed teams. Read How to Job Search Effectively for Remote Work for more details.

  2.What aspects about working from home did you enjoy, and which did you find most challenging?  

An employer will get better insight into the kind of work environment you thrive in-home or office. The other aspect they may be probing is your comfort level with the technology used to conduct business — Zoom, Microsoft Teams, even basic technical trouble shooting (e.g. recovering from printer problems, scanning, etc.)

An employer’s workforce planning may not only address filling vacancies but might also include identifying positions or employees who would be eligible for permanent remote work. Consider the type of working environment you prefer.

  3.When working remotely, how do you organize your day?  

It takes self-discipline, and no set of eyes are supervising your work each day. So, explain your daily routine to the interviewer. This will be easier to answer if you have had experience with a remote job.

An employer will be assessing how much hand holding you may need vs. your ability to work autonomously.

  4.What ways would you communicate with your manager and co-workers in a remote setting?  

First, express an understanding of the accountability needed and the communication expected when working remotely. Give examples of how you have kept in touch. Do not assume you know the new manager’s personal style.

Be prepared to demonstrate how you will collaborate with team members to get things done. Give specific examples.

  5.What are your thoughts on how our teams can collaborate and how we can safely interact with clients once we return to work?  

Organizations have, or are now formulating, the ergonomic plans for conference rooms, workspaces, common areas, and are interested in how forward thinking you are. Employers are also gathering input from current employees and candidates to help shape, then support plans they will be implementing to reconfigure office space. Be prepared to share your vision of a safe workplace.

If travel was a significant component of a job, offer views on how to travel safely and/or alternate ways to keep clients and stakeholders engaged.

  6.How have you handled the stress of Coronavirus?  

Acknowledge the reality of the stressful situation and explain your coping techniques. Do you have a positive outlook? What are the ways you have used to deal with stress? Daily walks? Meditation during work? Connecting with friends?

Employers will probe your ability to be productive in light of stress — this will not be the only time you will face a difficult situation. You may want to also use this opportunity to ask how they are supporting employees who may be dealing with stress related to isolation.

  7.What would you personally do to maintain safety in the workplace?  

The employer is not solely responsible for keeping the workplace safe. They will also depend on their employees. How do you practice safety in your personal life? Hand washing? Social distancing? What would you do if you saw someone at work engaging in an unsafe practice?

Companies are focused on the health of employees but are also concerned about the liability if a worker gets sick. Demonstrate your willingness to participate in making it a safe place to work.

  8.What life lessons have you learned during the pandemic?  

This question resembles the classic one concerning how you dealt with a difficult situation. Are you taking advantage of the free online resources offered — webinars, podcasts, etc.? Did you assess the viability of the industry you were in and determine if a career change is needed? Have you developed a greater appreciation for the value of other people? Does networking make more sense now following time in isolation?

Employers cannot grow unless the employees invest in personal and professional development. Tell them the positive impacts the pandemic has made in your life, like learning the new skills and technologies to successfully work remotely.

  9. Will you be willing to work in an office again when/if working remotely is no longer required?  

Since managing remote employees is a relatively new concept for many organizations or not a practical, long term solution, for the work they do, an employer may be hoping to return to a more “normal” work environment. If they are able to do that, they will want to know if you will be comfortable with that change to a more traditional work environment.

The World Has Changed and So Have the Interview Questions

Expect several questions aimed at your remote-work technical savvy, and ability to be self-directed without the infrastructure and management support available in a physical office.

Conventional advice surrounding interviewing has always included the need to prepare for questions an interviewer is likely to pose, as well as those you are eager to ask.

The pandemic generated new concerns for most employers so expect them to have new questions to ask job candidates. The pre-pandemic questions will still be asked, of course, because employers need to understand your ability to do the job and fit into the organization.

To prepare, spend time reviewing Smart Answers to Common Interview Questions and Smart Strategies plus Sample Answers for Behavioral Interview Questions. Also be prepared to ask your own COVID-related interview questions to understand how the employer manages the new work environment.

Anticipate a different focus in three primary areas representing top-of-mind issues:

• Safety
• Remote work
• Management’s coronavirus response plan

Get ready by preparing and practicing your responses.

Your answers should demonstrate not only the relevance of your experience, but also the currency of your knowledge about the evolving employment landscape and your ability to adapt to the new reality.

The Bottom Line

Employers are hiring, but they often have many applicants to choose from. With your answers and your preparation, demonstrate to the employer that you can successfully do this job in spite of the complications caused by the pandemic.

More About Coronavirus Pandemic Job Interviews

• How to Succeed in Coronavirus Job Interviews
• Questions to Ask Employers in Coronavirus Pandemic Job Interviews

More About Job Search During the COVID-19 Pandemic:

• Guide to Coronavirus Pandemic Job Search
• Coronavirus Pandemic Job Interviews
• 5 Steps to Successful Job Search During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• How Hiring Happens During This Pandemic Quarantine
• How to Job Search Effectively for Remote Jobs
• Key Coronavirus Pandemic Network Building Strategies
• Effective Job Search Networking During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Top 100 Employers

More About Job Interviews:

• How to Ace Your Video Interview
• 12 Keys to One-Way Video Interview Success
• 9 Secrets for Nailing Your Phone Interview
• How to Succeed in Your Phone Interviews (a.k.a. Phone Screens)
• Smart Answers to Common Interview Questions
• Smart Strategies plus Sample Answers for Behavioral Interview Questions

About the author…

Barbara Schultz is an HR executive, career coach, writer, and co-author of Adulting Made Easy(er): Navigating from Campus to Career. Barbara has held senior HR leadership roles in entrepreneurial settings and gives a unique perspective to job seekers from a life spent on the “other side of the desk.” She is also the owner of CareerStager.com, helping people successfully navigate their careers. Follow Barbara on LinkedIn.
More about this author…

The post Answering Interview Questions Employers Ask During the Coronavirus Pandemic appeared first on Job-Hunt.

Of course they are!

But, successful job seekers don’t make recruiters work hard to hire them.

Smart and successful job seekers focus on positioning themselves to be easy to hire!

YOU MUST Tell Them What You Want to Do – The Job You Want

Don’t send a generic resume and expect a recruiter or employer to look at it and figure out what you can do and where you could fit into their organization.

• BAD:
  “I’m tired of [whatever], and I’m ready for change.” Or “I need a bigger paycheck.” These are too generic and unfocused to be useful.
• BETTER:
  “I’m looking for something in marketing or sales.” Or “I’d like to work in IT.”
• BEST: “I’m looking for a job in B2B marketing or sales, preferably for a large consulting firm.”Or
  “I’d like a job in network security for a financial services company.”

  These are focused and clearly describe the desired job. Of course, these are only examples. Use what is appropriate for you.

Most employers or recruiters are too busy to provide you with career coaching and/or mind-reading services, so be as clear as you can about what you want. [To learn more about how recruiters work, read Working with Recruiters written by recruiter Jeff Lipschultz.]

Networking contacts, no matter how well-intentioned, won’t be able to help you without knowing what you want to do. They can’t read your mind any better than an employer or recruiter.

Make it easy for people to help you by telling them the job that you want. Apply specifically for a job you are qualified for and that you know they have open or suspect that they will have open in the future.

Clearly Align Your Experience with Their Requirements

When you are submitting your resume for a job, don’t make the person reading your resume wonder why you applied for their job.

Show them why you applied in these 4 ways:

1.   Only apply for jobs for which you are a good fit.  

   Focus on the right jobs for you.
   Look at the job’s requirements and the skills, experience, and education they want in an applicant.

   Don’t waste your time, or the recruiter’s, applying for something that’s not a good match.

   You are thinking, “Why not give it a try, just in case?”

   If a human actually sees your resume or application, they are thinking, “Can’t this idiot read?” Do this often enough with the same recruiter, and you’ll be training that recruiter to ignore you.

   These days, most employers use technology to separate the “possible” from the “unqualified” candidates. Without the appropriate keywords for the job, your resume or application will not pass the screening technology (a.k.a. “applicant tracking system” or “ATS”), so it will not be seen by a human being.

   When you apply for a job, take the time to do it right:

   • Customize your resume and cover letter to this opportunity, using the terms the employer has used to describe the job (Personal SEO).
   • Make sure that your LinkedIn Profile and other online visibility that supports your goal.

2.   Tell them how you are a good match in the cover letter, and show them in the resume.  

   In the cover letter, list the job’s requirements, and then match those requirements specifically with the skills or experience you have that are appropriate. (Read more on reaching out to recruiters).

   Customize your resume so that the relevant skills and experience are highlighted. Leave out the things that aren’t relevant to this job, unless your resume is only one page long. If you haven’t had much response to your resume, have a friend look at it, or get professional help. (For help with your resume, read Job-Hunt’s Guide to Resumes and Cover Letters and review the sample resumes).

3.   When responding to a job description, use the same terms (keywords) the employer has used to describe the job.  

   If the employer has named the job “Administrative Ninja” and wants someone with extensive experience with “Microsoft Office products, particularly Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook,”
   be sure to include exactly those terms on your resume or application.

   Using the appropriate keywords for the job means your resume or application have a better chance of standing out in the ATS and being reviewed by a human being, as described above.

   Correctly using keywords is called Personal SEO, finding and using the best keywords for you. Understanding Personal SEO is an essential skill for job search success today. Read The Top 25 Keywords for Your Job Search for more details.

4.   Make sure they find the right LinkedIn profile – YOUR LinkedIn profile!  

   Before inviting you for an interview (or making a job offer), the employer will research you online to verify the “facts” on your resume and get a sense of your personality.

   Most employers expect, and want, to see your LinkedIn profile. Make it easy for them to find your LinkedIn profile by including your profile’s URL in your resume, application, and email signature block.

The key to success here is to clearly connect the dots between their requirements and your skills and accomplishments. This enables employers to see that you meet their requirements.

Follow the Directions

Duh! Who doesn’t follow directions? You’d be amazed! Job seekers in a rush, apparently…

Recently, a recruiter put a sentence in a Monster job posting asking applicants to include a one-paragraph description of their most significant accomplishment of the past year.

• Only four out of twenty applicants included an accomplishment, as requested.
• Only one of those four linked that accomplishment to the job they were seeking.

So, only one out of every twenty applicants got through the initial screening. By actually reading the entire posting, following the directions, and aligning their response to the needs of the job, they beat ninety-five percent of their competition!

When you do follow the directions, whether it’s the preferred format for your resume, what to include in your application, or when and how to contact them, you are demonstrating that you pay attention to details.

This is a soft skill that many people claim, but few demonstrate clearly — a skill most employers want.

Don’t Make Them Remember

Follow up your resume and cover letter with a phone call, but do not expect them to know or to remember you.

• Give them the context. Tell them your name, the job you want (and its requisition number or any other administrative identifier it might have, if you know it), and when you applied for it.
• Identify yourself and your goal. Follow with a “soft” sales pitch, giving a summary of your qualifications for the job and emphasizing your interest in it.
• Ask for an update.
  
  Politely ask what is happening with the job you are seeking (what progress is being made, when are people going to be called in to interview, when the decision is going to be made, etc.)

Stay in touch, in context.

Ask for Permission to Stay in Touch

After you’ve discovered the status, ask them if you can call back in a week (or 2 weeks or the end of the week – whatever seems appropriate after you’ve learned the status of their applicant search). Most times, if you are in any way qualified, they will tell you it’s OK to stay in touch.

However, if they tell you not to bother, then move on to another opportunity, if you have one. If it’s a job you really want, but they’ve told you not to bother staying in touch, you might try one more contact to see if you just caught someone at a bad time or in a bad mood.

If you receive 2 “go away” messages, pay attention, and move on.

Polite Persistence Is Powerful

When you have permission to stay in touch, DO stay in touch. Politely. Infrequently!

When you said that you would, or when they told you you could.

Follow up. Find out what’s happening with the job you want — ask them for other similar opportunities if this one falls through. Check their job opportunities to see if anything appropriate for you has opened since you applied for the other job.

Keep things in context — don’t expect them to remember you, although by the 3rd or 4th phone call to the same person, they probably will.

If you make it through the interview process, but don’t get the job offer. Continue to stay in touch — IF you really want to work for that employer!

Send a thank you note after you have been rejected often turns that rejection into an opportunity.This is a VERY powerful move, and often puts you at the top of the list for their next job opening.

The Bottom Line:

It always seems to take too long to land a job, but it will happen. Just keep trying and keep your spirits up. If you have a good network, you many not need to go through the job application and resume submission process.

More About Successful Job Search Today

• Tapping the Hidden Job Market
• How to Make Employee Referral Programs Work for You
• Guide to Job Search Networking
• How to Be Found by Recruiters on LinkedIn

The post Be Easy to Hire: Don’t Make Employers or Recruiters Think or Remember appeared first on Job-Hunt.

“No” Doesn’t Mean “Never!”

Because, as we preach continually, when an employer says “No” it doesn’t mean “Never.”

The rejection only means “Not today.” Not this job. Not now.

You can do exactly what our client Barry did below, every time you are “rejected” for a position.

Simply write or call the employer and ask, in effect, “Could you please provide feedback about why I was not considered for this job?”

Doing this gives you two important advantages in your Guerrilla Job Search:

1. It will usually provide input from employers as to why you did not make the final cut.
   
   Use this! Fine-tune what jobs you’re applying for, what you’re saying on the phone, what you’re writing, how you’re interviewing, etc.
   
   This information is priceless and you can use it to continuously improve, which will reduce the time you spend looking for work.
2. You may prod employers to reconsider your candidacy, simply by asking them to explain why they turned you down.
   
   This is what happened to our client, Barry. As you can see from his emails below, the persistence he demonstrated by following up and asking “Why?” got his name back into contention for the position. Shazam!

The three emails below are in the order we received them from Barry.

The email you should pay the most attention to and learn from is the one dated: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 4:52 PM

————– BEGIN EMAILS FROM BARRY

From: XXX@abc.net
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2008 11:27 AM
To: David Perry
Subject: Re: Executive Director

David,

I wanted to forward the emails below to you. You suggested I contact some of the companies again to follow up on rejections, and it looks like I may be now back in the mix for consideration. I’m a bit shocked, but I wanted to share a success from another of your tactics.

Barry

—–Original Message

From: XXX
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2008 11:27 AM
To: XXX@abc.net
Subject: Re: Executive Director

Dear Barry,

We received an incredible amount of excellent resumes, but since you continue to express great interest in this position, I will contact your references and have the search committee once again review your resume.

—– Original Message

From: To: XXX@abc.net
To: ‘xxx
Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 4:52 PM
Subject: RE: Executive Director

I want to begin by thanking you and the committee for considering me and my record as the Executive Director for your XYZ Project. I am humbled and quite appreciative of your consideration and wishes for my job search. I believe that I could be an asset with the XYZ Project, but also understand your need to choose only those candidates that you feel are best suited for the job.

I would like to ask you a question: Is any part of the decision to not move forward with my candidacy related to that fact that I do not live in Illinois at present? If that is not the issue, could you give me some feedback as to what may have not brought me into the group to be further considered?

I ask this only to gather feedback as I continue my search for the right position to use my skills, experience, and passion, and I appreciate your time and willingness to respond.

Also, should there be a reason that the XYZ Project would like to reconsider my application, I would be open and interested in speaking with you or the committee.

Thank you in advance for your response.

Sincerely,
Barry

————– END EMAILS FROM BARRY

Why can following up like this after a rejection work?

First, regular follow-up with employers proves that you are persistent and thoughtful — two qualities every hiring manager is looking for. (Why hire lazy dolts?)

Second, no other candidate is likely emailing hiring managers after being turned down to ask why. And I mean nobody is doing this — are you?

So … how much easier could it be for you to stand out and impress employers than this?

Finally, there’s a marketing maxim that applies perfectly to your job search: It often takes at least seven contacts — emails, phone calls, in-person appointments, letters by mail, etc. — before the average person will make a purchase.

So, you should make a plan to contact your ideal employers at least seven times before you can expect them to “buy” — even if it’s to follow up after being rejected for an interview.

Because, to end where we began, “No” from an employer doesn’t mean “Never,” it only means “Not today.”

Now, go get ‘em Guerrilla — today, tomorrow, and every day after that!

More About Recovering from Rejection:

• Turning Rejection into Opportunity by sending a thank you note (IF you really liked the people and the organization).
• How to Ask for Feedback After a Job Rejection

About this author…

Job-Hunt’s Guerrilla Job Search Expert David Perry is a recruiter, co-author of the book “Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters” and managing partner of Perry-Martel International. Find David on LinkedIn.

The post Sample Email Example To Be Reconsidered for a Job appeared first on Job-Hunt.