The Two Things You Need To Prove In The Job Interview Process

The Two Things You Need To Prove In The Job Interview Process Ive been interviewing job candidates since almost the beginning of my career. And, Ive been in my fair share of interviews. Ive come to realize that there really isnt anything secretive about the process sometimes they feel wonky, or weird. But there are just two things that you need to somehow get across in the entire process. Note that the entire process includes every communication you have with people who are making the hiring decision, which includes your resume, LinkedIn profile, online social presence, etc. The first things you need to prove is that you are technically competent. Can you actually do the job? Most of the job seekers I talk to think they are the best fit for the job because theyve gone through the job description and know they can do every bit of it really, really well. In my job last year at Bamboo I went through the job description and thought I can do all of this (with one exception), and my heavens, no one should have this weird of a background or list of proficiencies!   (The exception was a bullet point that was mistakenly copied over from another job description for a completely different role. The lesson there is that not all job descriptions are bullet-proof, and many of them would probably be about a C-) Can you do the job? If so, how do you prove it? Do you use stories? When I had this role before, I found that the processes were too limiting and my team wasnt able to really contribute the way they should have. We worked on optimizing some processes and policies, which allowed my team to work much more efficiently, and get more work done.  I was able to create those optimizations because Ive worked in similar teams for years, and had an intimate understanding of what needed to happen. Not a super story, but you get the point. Do you use quantifications? One of the most important things you should have on your resume is a list of quantifications of how what you have done has made improvements. Did you raise scores at the school? Did you sell more widgets than anyone else? Did you open more offices, help more people, improve the satisfaction score? Where you working with hundreds of thousands of dollars, or millions, or billions? Put numbers on those things, and impress me. Give me something I can sink my teeth into. Do you use testimonials? I find that allowing other people to talk about my proficiencies is sometimes more powerful than me bragging about them. You can ask for testimonials (you should do this!) and coach people on how to give one that has merit, and isnt just a good-ol-boys-club-fluffy- statement. Or, you can say something like People I have worked with would say or People who have hired me or People who have reported to me and then some statement that, once again, makes your case in a meaningful way. Perhaps you prove your proficiency in other ways, but those are the main three I can think of right now. Of course, the vehicles you use to do this could be varied, depending on your audience. Maybe you use a personal blog, or LinkedIn articles, or write on Medium, or speak at local events the list goes on and on. But dont use those vehicles without understanding WHAT and WHY. One last point on this: if you asked me to coach you on this, I would suggest that this is a career management strategy, not just a job search strategy. In other words, this is a long-term strategy, not just something you do while you are in a job search. The second thing to prove is that you will fit into the culture of the team and organization. I have interviewed people who, technically, would have been excellent hires. They would have done such a good job at the job. But, they were not cultural fits. This comes down to how nice you are. What your emotional intelligence (EQ) is. How perceptive you are. Look, I know that sometimes there are some very technical things that need to be done and it just doesnt matter whether the person is good with people or not. Maybe you can isolate them, or by the very nature of the job, they will not be around people. But in todays world that isnt super practical. Team members want to enjoy who they work with. They dont want to go to work with anxiety because of a conversation that might happen (Ive been there). Working with horrible people who are good at the technical part of their job is miserable. How do you show that you are not a horrible jerk? You could tell people how nice and great you are. But I know a narcissist who is excellent at convincing people about how nice and great they are. Ive seen people, who were supposedly nice and great, hired, and became a cancer to the organization. How do you help convince people that you really are cool? Again, stories. These stories could be about pulling a team together, or working with difficult people, or how you have contributed to a team culture. Tell me about a time when and relate it back to how you work with others, which can give me insight into how you will work with me, our team, and our customers. Again, quantifications. Perhaps these quantifications have to do with helping employees stay in a company or on a team longer (which is a real issue), or bringing more people to your team (growth), or satisfaction scores. How can you quantify any part of your niceness and previous cultural fit? Again, testimonials. Let others talk about and for you. This is how most LinkedIn Recommendations are focusing more on your soft side and how great you are to work with. There is nothing wrong with asking people for specific testimonials and recommendations, but there is something wrong with not having any to show. Im not sure I can say which is more important: the ability to do the job, or the culture fit. I think it will depend on many factors, including what the pain points are the company has experienced. Maybe they had someone that was a jerk but good at what they did, and they are reeling from that pain. Or, they have a bunch of nice people who arent good at what they do, and they know they need to hire better for competency. Your job, as a job seeker, is to someone prove both of the things above. Feel free to let me know how it goes! The Two Things You Need To Prove In The Job Interview Process Ive been interviewing job candidates since almost the beginning of my career. And, Ive been in my fair share of interviews. Ive come to realize that there really isnt anything secretive about the process sometimes they feel wonky, or weird. But there are just two things that you need to somehow get across in the entire process. Note that the entire process includes every communication you have with people who are making the hiring decision, which includes your resume, LinkedIn profile, online social presence, etc. The first things you need to prove is that you are technically competent. Can you actually do the job? Most of the job seekers I talk to think they are the best fit for the job because theyve gone through the job description and know they can do every bit of it really, really well. In my job last year at Bamboo I went through the job description and thought I can do all of this (with one exception), and my heavens, no one should have this weird of a background or list of proficiencies!   (The exception was a bullet point that was mistakenly copied over from another job description for a completely different role. The lesson there is that not all job descriptions are bullet-proof, and many of them would probably be about a C-) Can you do the job? If so, how do you prove it? Do you use stories? When I had this role before, I found that the processes were too limiting and my team wasnt able to really contribute the way they should have. We worked on optimizing some processes and policies, which allowed my team to work much more efficiently, and get more work done.  I was able to create those optimizations because Ive worked in similar teams for years, and had an intimate understanding of what needed to happen. Not a super story, but you get the point. Do you use quantifications? One of the most important things you should have on your resume is a list of quantifications of how what you have done has made improvements. Did you raise scores at the school? Did you sell more widgets than anyone else? Did you open more offices, help more people, improve the satisfaction score? Where you working with hundreds of thousands of dollars, or millions, or billions? Put numbers on those things, and impress me. Give me something I can sink my teeth into. Do you use testimonials? I find that allowing other people to talk about my proficiencies is sometimes more powerful than me bragging about them. You can ask for testimonials (you should do this!) and coach people on how to give one that has merit, and isnt just a good-ol-boys-club-fluffy- statement. Or, you can say something like People I have worked with would say or People who have hired me or People who have reported to me and then some statement that, once again, makes your case in a meaningful way. Perhaps you prove your proficiency in other ways, but those are the main three I can think of right now. Of course, the vehicles you use to do this could be varied, depending on your audience. Maybe you use a personal blog, or LinkedIn articles, or write on Medium, or speak at local events the list goes on and on. But dont use those vehicles without understanding WHAT and WHY. One last point on this: if you asked me to coach you on this, I would suggest that this is a career management strategy, not just a job search strategy. In other words, this is a long-term strategy, not just something you do while you are in a job search. The second thing to prove is that you will fit into the culture of the team and organization. I have interviewed people who, technically, would have been excellent hires. They would have done such a good job at the job. But, they were not cultural fits. This comes down to how nice you are. What your emotional intelligence (EQ) is. How perceptive you are. Look, I know that sometimes there are some very technical things that need to be done and it just doesnt matter whether the person is good with people or not. Maybe you can isolate them, or by the very nature of the job, they will not be around people. But in todays world that isnt super practical. Team members want to enjoy who they work with. They dont want to go to work with anxiety because of a conversation that might happen (Ive been there). Working with horrible people who are good at the technical part of their job is miserable. How do you show that you are not a horrible jerk? You could tell people how nice and great you are. But I know a narcissist who is excellent at convincing people about how nice and great they are. Ive seen people, who were supposedly nice and great, hired, and became a cancer to the organization. How do you help convince people that you really are cool? Again, stories. These stories could be about pulling a team together, or working with difficult people, or how you have contributed to a team culture. Tell me about a time when and relate it back to how you work with others, which can give me insight into how you will work with me, our team, and our customers. Again, quantifications. Perhaps these quantifications have to do with helping employees stay in a company or on a team longer (which is a real issue), or bringing more people to your team (growth), or satisfaction scores. How can you quantify any part of your niceness and previous cultural fit? Again, testimonials. Let others talk about and for you. This is how most LinkedIn Recommendations are focusing more on your soft side and how great you are to work with. There is nothing wrong with asking people for specific testimonials and recommendations, but there is something wrong with not having any to show. Im not sure I can say which is more important: the ability to do the job, or the culture fit. I think it will depend on many factors, including what the pain points are the company has experienced. Maybe they had someone that was a jerk but good at what they did, and they are reeling from that pain. Or, they have a bunch of nice people who arent good at what they do, and they know they need to hire better for competency. Your job, as a job seeker, is to someone prove both of the things above. Feel free to let me know how it goes!

Writing a Resume For a Social Work Position

Writing a Resume For a Social Work PositionWriting a resume for a social work position can be the most difficult part of applying for a position. After all, you have to convince the employer that you are the right person for the job and that you will be an asset to their organization.The first and most important aspect that you must address is your skills. In order to write a resume for a social work position, you need to show the employer that you are qualified to fill the position and that you will fit in with the organization. This can be done by listing your previous experience in the category of jobs you've held.It is highly recommended that you list all of your past positions in chronological order and including dates of employment. If possible, contact former employers to see if they would be willing to speak to your current employer if you are asked about their experience.When writing a resume for a social work position, make sure to keep in mind what your goal is for the pos ition. What do you hope to gain from the position? Do you hope to gain the promotion or more responsibility? If so, you will need to write about these goals in your resume.The next important aspect is the education that you have. You can include any certificates or degrees that you have that relate to the field. However, unless you plan on submitting one of these to a specific company or department, it is highly recommended that you do not include them in your resume.Include any volunteer work that you have done in the past but do not list this information. It is highly recommended that you stay away from past employment or internships. These should be left out and listed in the section of achievements rather than the achievements section. It is highly recommended that you submit a cover letter to the previous employer. List your past references in the reference section of your cover letter. This is a good way to increase your chances of being called for an interview.Writing a resum e for a social work position can be the most challenging part of the job seeker's life. Take the time to fully research each position and choose one that will enable you to excel in the position.

Real Career Girls featuring René Banglesdorf

Real Career Girls featuring René Banglesdorf René  is a  woman that has proven that no dream is too far out of reach, and that loving what you do can help  you reach incredible heights.   As much as Amelia Earhart has raised the banner for women in flight, aviation is still quite a testosterone ruled industry. Meeting a woman who works in the flight business is still a jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring experience. When  women conquer the challenges of such  a male dominated industry,  they really turn out to be truly noteworthy people because in order to succeed they not only have to put in the hard work, they also have to turn up the confidence and  chutzpah. René Banglesdorf, CEO and Co-Founder of Charlie Bravo Aviation is one Real Career Girl to really look up to. Read on to learn more about the amazing story of this entrepreneurial icon!   What exactly do you do? I own (and run) a company that buys and sells private jets and helicopters. How did this path open up to you? I started out doing marketing for a similar company where my husband worked. We decided to go out on our own in 2008 and started Charlie Bravo Aviation. As our kids grew up and I learned more and more of the business, I fell in love with aviation and the job and took on the CEO role. How does a woman like you manage everything with a husband and children?  Do you have a routine or trick to keep balance? A lot of women  quit even before they begin, discouraged by the challenges that lay ahead of them. René  encourages women to  keep dreaming and  keep going, all while staying gorgeous in your best heels (or boots, in her case!) René  is a  woman that has proven that no dream is too far out of reach, and that loving what you do can help  you reach incredible heights.   Loved Renés story as much as we did? Tweet us or comment below! You can also visit their website to check out their cool jets and choppers at  http://www.wepushtin.com or tweet them at @charlieaviation  

5 Tools for Creating an Infographic Resume

5 Tools for Creating an Infographic Resume It is natural for people to be attracted to aesthetically pleasing images and visuals. In fact, according to Salesforce, 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual. Taking this into account, people would rather process information and data visually through imagery and video. This is why there is a magic to the art of infographics. Infographics tell a story and allow a great visual to be created. This explains why people are increasingly creating infographic resumes to showcase their skills and talent. Infographic resumes can make you stand out from the crowd due to the hundreds, or thousands of resumes that hiring managers have to go through on a daily basis. So how do you create a great infographic resume? Here are 5 tools that will help: 1) Slideshare: On SlideShare, you can create an infographic resume through your LinkedIn profile. You connect via LinkedIn, pick a template and publish your journey. Its as easy as that! 2) Resu-me: Resu-me  by Adecco Group turns your resume into a short movie. Resu-me also uses data from your LinkedIn profile and automatically creates a video which you can edit after. Then you can share your movie on your social media pages  and download your infographic. 3) Vizualize.me: On  Vizualize.me  you can create an infographic with LinkedIn or sign up through email. This site shows you a variety of imagery that you could use such as pictograms, treemaps and bubblegrams. 4) Accenture India: Accenture  India offer a tool where you  can  enter your details or once again use your LinkedIn profile to transform your data into an infographic. 5)  ResumUp: ResumUp  allows you to create an infographic resume from either your LinkedIn or Facebook profiles or to create it manually yourself. Which tool do you like the best? Let us know or send us an example of an infographic resume you have created! RELATED:  Creative Resumes â€" How Much Is Too Much?

An Introduction to Artist Resume Writing

An Introduction to Artist Resume WritingArtist resume writing is an art form in and of itself. You need to carefully craft a resume that showcases your talents, talents that have made you a superstar at what you do. If you are looking for tips and strategies that will help you write your artist resume, this article will give you some important details to keep in mind.When you begin creating your artist resume, you first need to consider what type of resume you want to present. Do you want to present your resume as a student, an artist who has just graduated or even an emerging artist? Once you know the type of resume you would like to present, you can move onto the next step of the process.After you have decided on the type of resume you would like to present, now it is time to really hone in on your writing skills. It is important to write a resume that will stand out from the rest of the competition. Not only must you be creative but you also must be well-organized. You should cons ider including all of your most current projects and previous work experiences. After you have written down all of this information, you can begin writing your introduction.You should include the most important pieces of information that your prospective employer is looking for when writing your introduction. The introduction should consist of information about yourself, including your job title, contact information, education, experiences and skills, and the reason why they are hiring you.Another important component of your resume is your cover letter. Many times when applying for a job, employers will view this letter as a formality and there is no need to include it. This is true especially if you don't have any formal training or professional experience. However, when you have impressive credentials, you must make sure that your cover letter is strong and stands out from the rest of the competition.When writing your resume and cover letter, it is also important to remember to fo rmat them correctly. The formatting of your resume will show a potential employer that you put in the effort to learn about their company. Make sure that you include all of the pertinent information for the position. Include the name of the company, the job title, the job description, your educational background, your work history, and the reason why you are being considered for the job. If you don't put it all together, the potential employer will not know if you know what you are doing or not.After you have finished writing your resume and cover letter, it is time to put your creativity into action. Artistic resume writing is about communicating with the employer in a personal way. Many people think that they can't put their personality onto a resume but this is not true. You can include your own personality in your resume, but you also need to include your career goals and your qualifications. For example, if you are seeking employment in a different field than the one you curren tly hold, then you need to list these qualifications.As you can see, artist resume writing is not just a piece of paper that you need to cut out of a magazine; it is a skill in and of itself that you must practice and master. When it comes to your future employer, you must be able to present yourself in a positive light. If you do your job right, your resume and cover letter can help you land the job of your dreams.

Why You Need to Get a Good Executive Resume Writing Service

Why You Need to Get a Good Executive Resume Writing ServiceA professional, comprehensive, and competent executive resume writing service is also known as an executive resume writing service in Portland. Such services are in demand from employees and business partners of all sizes. An executive resume writing service or company will deliver a prepared or customized executive resume that matches and meets the requirements of the company and its clientele.With an executive resume writing service, clients will get quality, customized, and pre-formatted resumes to suit their career objectives and requirements. As such, it not only helps to meet the needs of the business as a whole but also the company's clients.A comprehensive executive resume service Portland or Florida would give clients a variety of executive resumes to choose from depending on the client's needs. Moreover, these types of professional executive resume writing services understand the needs of all types of businesses, fi rms, or organizations. That is why they can customize executive resumes to accommodate and meet any individual's needs.Whether you are starting out or are an established business person, or even an employee, it is important to keep your professional profile updated. In order to achieve that, you need to have a new look and updated personal information. Through the help of a professional resume writing service, you can quickly get started on a new job.The service of a professional executive resume writing service is just what the doctor ordered. It takes all the guesswork out of your professional career. These services ensure that clients get access to professionally written executive resumes as well as a job search tool that lets you meet and interview with potential employers without leaving your home.A professional resume is just what you need to take your career to the next level. You need to take charge of your professional future and ensure that you are able to join the growing ranks of the professional world.A professional resume writing service is the only way to help you reach your goals. With these types of professionals at your disposal, you are assured of exceptional results. These types of executive resume writing services are the perfect solution for both internal and external business transactions.You do not have to spend thousands of dollars on an executive resume writing service because there are affordable, professional and excellent services available for you at affordable rates. So if you want to give yourself the best chance of finding the perfect job, you need to put some time and effort into preparing an executive resume for your career.

HCL Technologies puts employees first - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

HCL Technologies puts employees first - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog This is not only one of the best recruitment videos Ive ever seen its a stirring tribute to employees everywhere: Its from Indian IT company HCL Technologies. Read more about the video here you can even give them your company name and logo and generate a version of the video specific to your company. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Aprils Spectacular Sponsors!

Aprils Spectacular Sponsors! April! April! April! April! April! (Can you tell Im excited for my last schmemo session this month?) Hooray for my Spectacular Sponsors! Everything Little Miss is a Boston-area design studio that produces  whimsical + eco-friendly paper goods. We have a full collection of greeting cards, and we also work closely with clients on custom design projects. Weve designed business collateral, personal stationery, and wedding invitations. In fact, we love working with couples so much, that we just introduced  wedding suites to the Everything Little Miss collection. If youre looking for darling note cards or have an idea for a fun custom project,  get in touch! Just for you:  When I Grow Up readers get a 10% discount in the Etsy shop by entering  WIGU12 at checkout. I love olives, sangria, David Bowie sheep.   So, those four things may be mentioned on my blog.   Other things?   My list of things I want to do in my lifetime (and posts about marking things off of that list.   And adding more.   All.   The.   Time.), photos of my sweet dog Squirt, food of delicious meals Ive eaten or made, lots of tea talk, knitting crocheting projects Ive done (or am working on finishing.   One of the items on that list), and just everyday life things.   Hope you enjoy! Vibrant home decor and womens bags made in collaboration with international artisans!  ThreadWritten Textiles is  currently fundraising to travel to Hungary to produce its first line.  Support the merging of traditional embroidery and modern design with a silkscreened tea towel or bag, or by donating to the cause.  Crowdfunding campaign has begun! You shine, you’re driven, passionate, and creative! But just like our bodies need attention to stay healthy, our creativity needs to be nurtured. What better way to reignite your creativity than hanging out with other fiery, creative women? We’re planning a getaway just outside beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico, to recharge ourselves. Come and work one-on-one with Alexandra Franzen, Jessika Hepburn, and others, as we find ways to get our creative fires burning once again. Through workshops, discussions, and play, you’ll find yourself inspired and will walk away with fabulous tools and techniques to help keep your creativity flowing. Are you brave enough to push yourself past your comfortable creative limits? If so, come and get inspired up with us! I’m Erin, Your Blog Doctor and I’m here to help. Perplexed by WordPress? Confused by coding? Flummoxed by Photoshop? I’m your hero in the red cape wielding a CSS sword. I will take your slacker blog and whip it into shape in no time. I’m a WordPress whiz who eats HTML for breakfast. Get in touch if you need one-time or ongoing help to wrassle your blog into submission. Prints, paintings, doodles and love of home at LaBelle Avenue. Fun, free and chaotic colors. A gift from me to YOU, use coupon code MICHELLE when placing an order to receive free shipping. Hi, my name is Stacy Kathryn and I am an artist and illustrator! Creating art has been something I’ve gravitated towards my entire life. My dream is that my works find their place in this world, and help others create their own views of the world in the movement of the brush strokes, the vivid colors, and the concepts of life as only art can reflect. I’ve recently started creating magnets, cards, and one-of-a-kind art pendant necklaces that are now available in my shop. This path is an adventure, and I’d love for you to join me on it. Check out my blog and website for more art and inspiration. Handmade accessories for your sweet tooth! Go Green with reusable snack bags and coffee cozies, or   give your e-reader some much needed love and style with a new padded case. A luggage tag or two for your spring getaway is a must for quickly finding your suitcase amongst a sea of black bags. The Plaid Cupcake: Stylish. Practical. Sweet. From Michelle: I’ve been a Vistaprint-er for years, ordering my business cards, notecards,  letterhead, and even wedding thank yous from em! And for serious,  never go  to Vistaprint  without checking out  Coupon Cabin first, even if you have a customer code to use. Itll bring the  price down so low you cant afford to not get your custom  stationary from em! Interested in becoming a Spectacular Sponsor for May or beyond? You can make it happen for as little as $20/month, reaching my ~6,700 twitter followers, ~1,800 Facebook fans, and ~15,000 monthly site visitors . Contact me for the deets and Ill get back to ya lickety-split.