My single best tip

My single best tipMy single best tipIn fifteen years writing this newsletter, the single best tip Ive given, that has come back to me over, and over, and over again, is thisWhen it gets to that part of the interview with your future boss where they ask, well, do you have any questions for me?, say yes, and askHow do I help you get a gold star on your review next year?This bit of advice has helped mora people in more interviews than any other bit of advice Ive shared in the belastung decade-and-a-half that Ive been writing to you.Why?Well, the interview process lends itself to self-absorption. We spend so much of the time talking about ourselves that we can sound like one of those people who talks only about themselves.Or, conversely, we become job analysis engineers and ask all sorts of questions about the job and reporting structure and how it fits in with the companys five-year plan and so on. I love getting questions from candidates in interviews, but I do have to admit that I fee l theyre not quite getting the point of a face-to-face interview when they pull out six pages of typed, single-spaced questions and promptly bury their nose in their papers without making eye contact.We get so obsessed with the details of the job that we forget about the work.Working together and being a good addition to the team mean being concerned with how you are making the team successful. And that means being concerned with how well you are helping your boss succeed.Asking this question shows that you have empathy. It shows that you have an interest in your boss career and future success. It shows that you are not just a self-absorbed whats-in-it-for-me kind of person. And it shows that you know you are there to give as much as you are there to get.Hundreds of members like you have told me how the interviewers face lights up when asked this question. I have heard time and time and time again from our almost ten million members how effective its been in interviews.(And, remembe r, you want the vibe to be a cool relaxed Vince Vaughn, not an obsequious Steve Buscemi.)The gold star question is an easy tip to implement in your job search its easy to do, easy to understand, and its easy to measure.And that makes it my best bit of career advice in over a decade of doling it out.So thank you, folks, for paying attention, trying it out, and letting me know how it goesIm rooting for youMy Single Best TipThis bit of advice has helped more people in more interviews than any other weve shared. In the decade-plus Ive been writing this newsletter, the single best tip Ive given, that has come back to me over, and over, and over again, is thisWhen it gets to that part of the interview with your future boss where they ask, well, do you have any questions for me?, say yes, and askHow do I help you get a gold star on your review next year?This bit of advice has helped more people in more interviews than any other bit of advice Ive shared in the last decade-and-a-half that I ve been writing to you.Why?Well, the interview process lends itself to self-absorption. We spend so much of the time talking about ourselves that we can sound like one of those people who talks only about themselves.Or, conversely, we become job analysis engineers and ask all sorts of questions about the job and reporting structure and how it fits in with the companys five-year plan and so on. I love getting questions from candidates in interviews, but I do have to admit that I feel theyre not quite getting the point of a face-to-face interview when they pull out six pages of typed, single-spaced questions and promptly bury their nose in their papers without making eye contact.We get so obsessed with the details of the job that we forget about the work.Working together and being a good addition to the team mean being concerned with how you are making the team successful. And that means being concerned with how well you are helping your boss succeed.Asking this question shows that yo u have empathy. It shows that you have an interest in your boss career and future success. It shows that you are not just a self-absorbed whats-in-it-for-me kind of person. And it shows that you know you are there to give as much as you are there to get.Dozens of subscribers have told me how the interviewers face lights up when asked this question. I have heard time and time and time again from our nine million subscribers how effective its been in interviews.(And, remember, you want the vibe to be a cool relaxed Vince Vaughn, not an obsequious Steve Buscemi.)The gold star question is an easy tip to implement in your job search its easy to do, easy to understand, and its easy to measure.And that makes it my best bit of career advice in over a decade of doling it out.So thank you, Readers, for paying attention, trying it out, and letting me know how it goesIm rooting for you

Refresh Your Career in Time for Spring

Refresh Your Career in Time for SpringRefresh Your Career in Time for SpringRefresh Your Career in Time for SpringSpring for some better career habits.March is the time when many New Years resolutions have gone flat. So maybe your shiny January routine of going to the gym 4 times a week did not stick, or your healthy-eating resolve crumbled in the face of February sleet. No matter spring is here, and you can use the blue skies and the warmer days as the ultimate inspiration to refresh yourself professionally with some work organization and spring cleaningA spring re-boot is a great way to assess where you are, breathe a new life into a stagnant job search, and chart your course towards making this a great year for your professional growth. Here are five Spring steps to get you inspired and moving in the right directionGive yourself a performance review.Your manager may sit down with you once a year to go over your professional goals and deliver feedback, which is often followed by t he raise or promotion conversation. Why not do it for yourself? You might even take yourself out for a nice lunch while you are at itWhere do you abflug? Consider using the saatkorn format as your manager would, especially if you have the benefit of well-defined goals and metrics that you are being measured against. If your job does not offer a clear set of expectations and benchmarks, you can develop your own based on your job description and industry norms. Decide on what matters most, then grade yourself on a sliding scale. At this point in the process, it is best to be a tough judge of your own performance. Identify what you did well, what could have been done better, and what needs to change going forward.Pro tip for those who are unemployed and in active job search mode you might complete the same exercise to assess your networking and interviewing efforts. After all, looking for a job is your job now and you will benefit from a periodic re-boot and evaluation. Whats working? On what hard tasks might you be procrastinating? By taking an honest hard look at your efforts and results, you might just get the job search process out of a rut. Re-assess your salary.Most professionals do a formal or an informal assessment of salary levels for comparable positions when they are considering several job offers. Websites like PayScale, Jobstar and Salary.com offer a great starting point to research typical salaries for your job in your geographic location. Unfortunately, few people use these resources once they are employed. I recommend turning this into an annual exercise and looking for trends as opposed to zooming in one any one number.What you do with the information you find will depend on the results of your search and your personal situation. If you learn that you are being underpaid compared to similar positions in your area, you might begin by taking an honest look at your contributions and performance over the past year or so. Are you a superstar performe r with no raise for a year or more? Consider if your company is in a dire financial situation, and assess whether you are still getting the right opportunities and prospects to grow or if this is the time to jump ship.Freshen up your resume.Another common mistake? Dusting off the resume right before you need it for an interview That is a recipe for last-minute hassle and regrets as you realize you have forgotten to add a brand-new skill or experience that would highlight your readiness for the next opportunity.The good news is that keeping your resume up to date does not require much time. By reviewing it once or twice a year, you can be sure to update your list of responsibilities, accomplishments and awards while they are fresh in your mind. After your resume is supplemented with current information, be sure to do the same to your LinkedIn profile. Take stock of your network.Speaking of virtual and real-life networks, Spring is a great time to reconnect with decision-makers, form er colleagues and industry contacts. Most professionals dont think of reaching out to their connections unless they have a specific question or request, because they feel they need a reason to say hello. There is nothing wrong in wanting to be respectful of busy professionals time.However, remember that a friendly touch-point just because can be effective and welcome. Consider sending a quick email to share personal or professional news, a handwritten note to thank them for something they did for you in the past, or a book that reminded you of them. Small thoughtful gestures can do a lot to generate goodwillPrune down your to-do list for greater focus.Many professionals use to-do lists for work organization, but few do it effectively. Case in point if your list has had the exact same tasks pushed back day after day as you never seem to find the time or the motivation to address them, your list needs some pruning. Look at those perpetual back burner tasks critically. Do they matter? If so, must you be the one to do them? Ideally, you want to remove them from your list for good, delegate them, or get them done once and for all.You might also try creating a side by side comparison of your annual goals and your daily to-do list. If the two bear only a vague resemblance to each other, you need to re-focus your daily priorities in order to have any chance of accomplishing the big-picture goals that matter. You may want to involve your manager in this process to ensure that you have his or her buy-in.Professional spring cleaning for a stronger year.As you take a good look at your performance, resume and daily priorities, remember that no career is ever advanced in solitude You need a change of scene and some fresh airinspiration and motivation are sure to follow. Seek out professional associations, alumni networking events, conferences and other opportunities outside your office. By mingling with other professionals and exposing yourself to new ideas, you have a bett er chance of giving your career an energy boost.Need help with your resume? Take advantage of our free critique today

How to Choose Between Two Strong Job Candidates

How to Choose Between Two Strong Job CandidatesHow to Choose Between Two Strong Job CandidatesHeres an interesting (and enviable) dilemma for employers When two outstanding candidates are vying for the same position at your firm and they have been neck and neck throughout the recruitment process, how do you decide which rolle to hire?Many employers today struggle when conducting a candidate search because skilled talent is in short supply. But once in a great while, something amazing happens You hit the hiring jackpot. You come across two outstanding candidates whose resumes stand above the crowd. Even better, they both bewerberinterview well. In fact, you could see yourself hiring either one of them.Its a fantastic problem to have until you realize you literally cant decide which person to hire. Youre paralyzed by the thought of making the wrong choice.But the longer you wait to make your decision, the greater the risk of losing one or both candidates to another employer. So how do you make the right choice when you come to this hiring crossroads? And how can you do it quickly? Here are three strategies to considerTake a long-term viewYou are hiring to address an immediate need at your firm, but dont ignore the future. Look beyond the requirements for the open position and examine each candidates potential to grow at your firm over time. For example, does one candidates leadership potential stand out more than the others? Or does one of the candidates have knowledge or skills in an area that isnt essential for the job at hand but could nonetheless add value to your business?FIND YOUR NEXT GREAT HIREThink about fit with the corporate cultureThis is an important consideration in any hiring situation. However, employers dont always devote as much time as they should to assessing whether a candidate will fit well and thrive in their companys work environment - especially once that exciting new-job feeling subsides. One strategy for gauging fit with the schreibst ube culture is to introduce potential hires to your team before extending an offer. It could be as part of the interview process or more informally as a quick meet and greet. Getting others opinions on how a potential hire might mesh with the team and workplace culture can be very valuable.Assess both interest and enthusiasmYouve interviewed both candidates - probably more than once. Looking back on those meetings, which person seemed to be the most engaged in the process? Who asked the most questions? Who asked more insightful questions? How quickly did each person follow up with you after the interview? And, just as important, what is your gut feeling about which individual seemed to want the job the most? As you reflect on these things, its likely you will identify the more interested and enthusiastic candidate, even if its only a hairsbreadth difference between the two.Seize this rare opportunity (if it makes good sense)If youve weighed all the above factors and still cant deci de which job candidate to choose, heres another option Hire both.Of course, that can be easier said than done. The decision depends a great deal on the budget available to you and the structure and needs of your team. But if you have the means, its worth considering.The reason is simple Good people are hard to find and no company will suffer from having too many of them on board. The needs of your business can change rapidly, and you may find yourself on the hunt for another hire before long. At that point, though, you may not be as lucky as you were this time around.Just be koranvers that your decision is sustainable. There needs to be enough work to keep both hires engaged and feeling like their contributions make a difference. A good starting place is to think about projects that have been pushed to the back burner because your team doesnt have the time to devote to them. Could one of the new hires help move these initiatives forward? Could they reduce the workload for other empl oyees who are overloaded or close to reaching that point?If you ultimately decide the best course of action is to extend only one job offer at this time, keep in touch with the candidate you dont hire. Connect on LinkedIn and check in with the person occasionally to pass along news about the company and get updates on their career. You never know when your next hiring need will arise. Paul McDonald Paul McDonald is senior executive director at Robert Half. He writes and speaks frequently on hiring, workplace and career management topics. Over the course of more than 30 years in the recruiting field, McDonald has advised thousands of company leaders and job seekers on how to hire and get hired.McDonald joined Robert Half in 1984 as a recruiter for financial and accounting pro fessionals in Boston, following a public accounting career with Price Waterhouse. In the 1990s, he became president of the cowboyfilm United States overseeing all of the companys operations in the region. McDonald become senior executive director of Robert Half Management Resources in 2000, and assumed his current role in 2012. He earned a bachelors degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from St. Bonaventure University in New York.

This is the tool to narrow the gap in the equation of career happiness

This is the tool to narrow the gap in the equation of career happinessThis is the tool to narrow the gap in the equation of career happinessThroughout my years as an executive coach I have seen people triumph over immense hardship while others falter over minutiae. Ive seen a sense of urgency spearhead achievement while chronic victimization hamstring progress. Ive been party to personal transformations because people risk vulnerability with great courage and Ive seen stagnation be the end-product of complaining about unmet expectations. Most often the underachievers carry self-doubt that they dont know how to convert to confidence.Its pretty clear to me what makes people happy and empowered to create the life they want and what does not. Its a simple equation.The golden rule of happinessThe shorter the distance between what you want and where you are the happier you will be and the mora risks you will take.You want a better jobLets say you want to move up in your career, possibly ch anging companies. And right now you are in a miserable role. There is an undeniably huge gap between what you want and where you are. I liken it to a child who is learning to crawl and sees an animated toy that he really wantsm across the room. He rocks back and forth, trying to propel himself toward the prize. He inches forward on his knees but cant quite get his hands to synchronize. And he comes to a moment of truth. Can he get the toy or should he give up? Will he risk with determination to challenge his body, or will he pacify himself with something closer, giving up the goal.The tool to get thereOne of the reasons I enjoy being an executive coach is because people who seek one are not only determined to create the life they want but have the courage to admit they cant see what is holding them back. They get curious about themselves the same way a little boy gets curious about how to reach what intrigues him. He doesnt know what to fear because he hasnt experienced failure. If he touches a hot stone he likely wont touch it again. For adults this takes great risk because we have experienced many hot stoves in our lives.The key is to allow a difficult experience to be a situation, not an edict. It takes mindful vulnerability to view a situation from a third-party perspective and not internalize it as personal. Curiosity is the tool that builds vulnerability. Adopt the innocence of a child and the world will be much larger than you think it is.Narrowing the gapLets revisit the fact that you want a better job with curiosity. No more blindly applying for positions or ruminating that nothing works. Ask yourself, WHAT does better actually mean? More flexibility? Less travel? A culture that shares your values? The ability to broaden your skillset or mentor under a high performer? WHAT does your ideal work day actually look like?WHEN will you compile a formal list of companies you want to work for so you can target your resume toward their mission, goals and the j ob description? WHEN will you update your resume with measurable key accomplishments instead of simply a list of your current responsibilities? WHEN will you call former bosses and colleagues and ask them to write a letter of reference for you, giving them bullets from your list of key accomplishments to make it easy for them?Get curious about WHO might help you answer the previous questions. Who inside your organization will you meet with monthly to discuss your career? WHO will you call or reach out to on social media networks to ask about the culture of their organization?When you get curious about the details of your goals it provides you with actionable strategies that narrow the gap between what you want and where you are. You embrace the unknown with the curiosity of a child. This acceptance of your own vulnerability allows you to set aside the expectation of being perfect and builds the confidence necessary to risk. It also provides clarity and context around what your ideal life will truly be like as opposed to theorizing it. You step into the life you create.MaryLeeGannon, ACC, CAEis an executive coach and corporate CEO who helps busy leaders get off the treadmill to nowhere to be more effective, earn more, bemore calm and enjoyconnected relationships with the people who matter while it still matters.Watch her FREE Master Class training on Three Things to Transform Your Life and Career Right Now atwww.MaryLeeGannon.com.

The Benefits of Career Objective Examples for Resume

The Benefits of Career Objective Examples for Resume What You Should Do About Career Objective Examples for Resume Starting in the Next Eight Minutes Finally, its not essential to have a quantifiable stat for every single point on your resume. Therefore, our aim is to offer you the very best tools you must succeed. Now youve really defined your goal youre prepared to go. What You Need to Do About Career Objective Examples for Resume A well-written one is going to impress on the hiring manager the manners in which you are a best candidate for the job. You look through the listings and select a job which you want, then tell the company what you need to get paid and when youre able to finish the job. Look through the work description to decide which qualities the organization is the most interested in, then emphasize your strengths where they fit the work ad, too. To begin with, examine the job description to see whether it indicates the kind of skills the dienst is seeking. A ctuary There are various job positions in the area. You are able to work a number of jobs at the same time in case you need or youre able to take a rest or vacation anytime you really feel like it. Possessing a strong resume will enable you find several great jobs. There are a lot of job abilities and behaviors that are essential for successful job performance in an assortment of different career fields. Writing a resume has never been simpler If youre attempting to obtain work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. Everything about your resume is selling one product you and if you want to work in retail, you will need to prove that you understand just what it requires to sell yourself. Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult. Characteristics of Career Objective Examples for Resume Today you must control all you do to make sure you win the respect of others and motivate them to reach their targets. Along with the abilities and work history sections, you also had better place them in the resume objective. In a lot of ways, an objective replaces a lot of the detail you would set in your professional experience section. Entry-level objectives can be particularly hard to write since you likely dont have loads of work experience, but you do want to solidify that you know the sort of career youre searching for. Career Objective Examples for Resume Explained Teaching is thought to be among the noble professions on earth. There are various courses for teaching at several levels. The best thing about a teaching job is it isnt restricted to any 1 field or region of study. Teachers, employers and parents would also gain from taking the courses because it will teach them how to handle volatile personalities. A History of Career Objective Examples for Resume Refuted You might also have a peek at some useful resume keywords to further increase your resume. The sphere of information technology grows more imp ortant every single day. Theres a lengthy field of career objective examples that can be put in on entry level resumes. Another reason it is much better to be more specific than general is that if you own a track record at a senior level and are seeking a role, a recruiter sees it as a given that you may deliver. Transferable Skills There are a lot of core abilities and competencies that may be applied to a number of different careers. A very clear statement about how youll utilize your strongest relevant abilities and professional experiences to satisfy the specific role youre applying for 3. You are more inclined to obtain an interview if you comprehend the role youre applying for, and explain the value youre able to add to that specific role. Accounting and finance managers may wish to see your technical understanding. How to Choose Career Objective Examples for Resume You will require a plan and you ought to start small. You are able to use our resume building software to create your own from scratch. The huge benefit of starting your own company is there are no background checks. Your resume was made to sell 1 productyou. Career Objective Examples for Resume - the Conspiracy Then, in addition, there are vacancies for machine operators. Various kinds of work in the food tafelgeschirr industry require resumes with a number of the very same skills. Also show youre a well-rounded worker. Not to mention, theres a lack of certified accountants on the planet. Job seekers deserve to come across decent content quickly. Lists, as a rule of thumb, are also simpler to write. You are able to also Simple Resume Template. If you choose to include an objective statement, make sure youve got a targeted job, you know what skills you need to mention or youre applying for a specific position. You may discover extra information for the job that you want on LinkedIn. You will need a resume targeting the specific position youre applying for. Career in Ins urance There is an assortment of positions in the field at which you can work and earn a career.

What Everybody Else Does When It Comes to Resume Writing Lee Hecht Harrison Pdf and What You Should Do Different

What Everybody Else Does When It Comes to Resume Writing Lee Hecht Harrison Pdf and What You Should Do Different Resume Writing Lee Hecht Harrison Pdf Fundamentals Explained Most resume writers dont have this experience. It doesnt make a difference that you have not actually had this work title in years past but its important it is a plausible next step in your professional career. If its not your dream job, it can be a short-term place holder until you discover a mora suitable career move. Lee Hechts Gagan claims that the notion of the job-search work team is to assist people approach the work search as if they were managing an undertaking. Finding meaning beyond work can help you define yourself beyond your work. Then Lauren replies, please offer your contact info. Dont plan to take your vacation in this time if youre serious about your job search What Is So Fascinating About Resume Writing Lee Hecht Harrison Pdf? 1 misconception that numerous companies have is that the reservist is going to be ready to come back to work within a couple of days of their return to the United States of america. While many that are looking for work have a tendency to become depressed at this time of the calendar year, they need to instead see the holiday season with a positive attitude for a time ripe with opportunity. Take a minumum of one hour to determine how you are going to achieve them. Going to the office allowed me an opportunity to meet and network with different professionals. The Debate Over Resume Writing Lee Hecht Harrison Pdf Its also unlikely that youll be in a standort to depend on a specific timeframe for those reservists return. Set and Hold Daily Work Hours If youre unemployed, your occupation is now to find a new job. Your job loss might even hook you up with dormant sections of yourself. During times of stress, its important to keep a precise and constant stream of communication. The Dos and Donts of Resume Writing Lee Hecht Harrison Pd f Discover what people currently in your preferred industry need to say. This infographic consists of all you need to understand about producing an impressive resume. Besides, how many people may actually say their name means something that everybody wants to seek. Apparently whenever your name is Aqueelah, individuals are surprised whenever you have class and intelligence. Your objective is to quantifiably prove that you are able to. It can be challenging, but set a minumum of one goal thats three to five years later on. The target of your resume is to secure you the interview. Let your target stretch you.

The surprising things Americans do when they get home from work

The surprising things Americans do when they get home from workThe surprising things Americans do when they get home from workAmericans are watching TV mora than ever and talking to each other less. It seems were a nation of TV-addicted hermits.The 2016 results of the American Time Use Survey, done by the U.S Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, came out this week. It shows some chilling data about how Americans spend their time at home.The short answer? Americans come home from work to watch TV and avoid human contact.Americas eyes are glued to TV screensWatching TV is Americas favorite leisure activity, according to the Census Bureau data. Sitting in front of a televisions took up 2.7 hours daily, or just over half of the total free time Americans have each day.The survey found that American men spend 5.5 hours watching television programming on an average day- compared to women who spent 4.8 hours doing so.The survey also broke down how long people watched by age, em ployment position and more. Older people took more time out of their day for TV- those 65 and older watched more than four hours daily on average. On the other hand, the 15-44 age group watched the least, about 2 hours daily on average. The unemployed also spentmore time watching daily on average than those with jobs- 3.78 hours- versus 2.10 hours for people with either full-time or part-time jobs.That means that even people with jobs are spending most of their time, on average, watching some kind of television programming.No wonder Netflix and Amazon are doing so well.https//twitter.com/moorehn/status/880156956501176322America is not excited about physical fitnessThe flipside is that 21% of Americans in 2016 exercised after work in 2016, with 22.7% of men and 19.2% of women getting into motion. While thats a big bump from 2003 - when 17% of people reportedly engaged in sports, exercise, or recreation on a regular day - it still means that the vast majority of Americans are not making time for physical fitness each day.To break it down another way if you took any four Americans, only one of them would go to the gym after work.We multitask - a lot - while watching TVThe BLS had an expansive understanding of leisure activities, saying that this category included watching television reading relaxing or thinking playing computer, board, or card games using a computer or the Internet for personal interest playing or listening to music and other activities, such as attending arts, cultural, and entertainment events.The fact that catching up on TV is a classic American pastime is no secret- but neither is the concept that we tend to do a bunch of other tasks while viewing.A separate study, the 10th edition of Deloittes digital democracy survey,found that 92% of people are multitasking while the TV is on. People between the ages of 14 years old and 32 years old do an average of four extra things while theyre watching TV. People ages 33-49 do three extra things on average at that time, while those who are 50-68 and 69+ doone extra thing on average.Translation even though were in front of the TV, were not really engaged with it.Heres how much we like to be active and be with othersEmployed adults who had no kids under 18 in their houses were far more active than working parents. The employed adults with no young kids did leisure and sports activities for 4.5 hours daily, according to the BLS. This is 1.2 hours more than adults with jobs who also had kids younger than age six at home.Caveat That 4.5 hours included watching sports as well as playing them. It also included recreational activities such as yard games like croquet or horseshoes, as well as activities like billiards and dancing.What most Americans arent doing is talking to other people. The socializing and communicating category includedtalking in person, or going to or leadingevents, and tookup an average of a paltry 39 minutes per day. On weekends, this number was 59 minutes- compared to 31 minutes on weekdays.Watching TV with no human interaction is probably not the America we want to be. When your other responsibilities outside of work are taken care of, instead switch gears and use your free time to relax, reflect and reconnect with others so you can return to work recharged.

Signs That Your Job Interview Went Well

Signs That Your Job Interview Went WellSigns That Your Job Interview Went WellHow do you know if a job interview went well? Whats the best way to tell if you have a good chance of being invited to a second interview, or better yet, an offer of employment? Sometimes, its a gut feeling. Other times, its not so clear. However, there are signs to look for that will help you determine if your interview welches successful. There are many variables, so it is important to consider more than one thing to get a complete and accurate impression of your experience.For example, if you are interviewing for a large, corporation, the level of personal engagement you experience during theinterview processmay be significantly less than if you were applying with a abflug-up company, but that doesnt mean those dry interactions imply you wont get the job. If your interviewer herself isnt a warm and fuzzy person, her mannerisms may not reflect your likelihood of getting the job- and same goes if she is an especially nice person.Make sure you consider the big picture rather than reading too much into the little details. Remember, trust your gut, but be fair to (and aware of) yourself. If youre the type who constantly doubts yourself, and you think youblew the interview, your judgment may not be accurate. Try to be as objective as possible when considering your interview performance. Review the experience without engaging in too much emotion.If the interview didnt go well, it could be a sign that this isnt the right job for you. Then, review these signs that will indicate if you did a good job on the interview. If you didnt do as well as you expected, consider it a learning experience and practice for the next time around. 01Youre Asked About Your Interest in the JobDid the interview ask you what you thought about the job and the company? Its a good sign if your interviewer asks you questions about your interest in the job orwhere else you are interviewing. If she or he wasnt interest ed in hiring you, your desire for the job- or interest in other companies- wouldnt matter. Inquiries about your interest suggest the interviewer is considering whether or not youwould accept a job offer.02Getting Specific About the Job ResponsibilitiesDid your interviewer dive into the specifics of the job and the daily responsibilities of the individual in that role? For an interviewer to take the time to get into the nitty-gritty can mean he or she felt confident enough about your capabilities to take the conversation to that level.Bonus points if the interviewer referred to you in the role for example You would be reporting to Martha, the digital marketing manager, each day. If the hiring manager is talking this way, it means he or she can foresee you in the role.03Your Interviewer Gives Positive bekrftigungIf the interviewer provides positive feedback during the interview, youre on the right track. This can be an obvious but tell-tale sign of a successful interview. Listen to ho w your interviewer responds when you answer questions.Positive responses like, Thats exactly right, Great answer, or Yes, thats just what were looking for are key indications that an interviewer likes you and will give your application further consideration.04You Get an Invitation for a Second InterviewWith this one, its easy to tell if the interview was a success. Getting asked to come in for a second interview is the best sign that your first one went well Remember, though, dont let the berichterstattung get to your head, as there is a good chance other candidates are also coming in for round two.Embrace your confidence, but definitely dont dismiss the need to prepare for a second interview just because you think you have the job in the bag.05Your Interviewer Sells You the JobIf the interviewer spends some time promoting the highlights of the position, the company culture, and why he or she loves working there, this is a good sign. Your interviewer probably wouldnt try to sell you the job if he or she had zero intentions of considering you for the position.Another good sign is when an interviewer asks when you could start work if you were hired. Wanting to get an idea about when you can start is a good indicator that youre in contention for the job.06The Interview Runs Longer Than 30 MinutesDid the interviewer spend time asking quality questions, listening to your answers, and discussing the details of position with you? If you felt like you came away with a thorough idea of the position and your interview lasted for 30 minutes or more, consider it a good possibility that the interviewer was interested in hiring you.However, in a case where there are multiple interviewers, however, one of them may feel the need to ask questions just to ask them in order to make it seem like theyre doing their job. So, bonus points if its just you and a single interviewer and the discussion still carried on for a significant amount of time.07Exchange of Contact InformationIt is excellent news if your interviewer gives you a business card, or some direct line to reach him or her, like an email or even a cell phone number. Even better if he or she encourages you to reach out anytime if you have questions or concerns08Youre Introduced to StaffConsider it positive news if your interviewer toured you around the office and introduced you to staff. Its even better if he or she brought other staff members in during your interview for personal introductions and work-related discussions.09The Interviewer Responds to Your Follow-upOnce youve sent your thank you note expressing your gratitude for the interview opportunity, gauge how long it takes your interviewer or human resources contact to respond. A prompt response can be good news, but also keep an eye out for the tone of the message.A message like, Thank you for coming in to meet with us We very much appreciate it and look forward to following up with you later this week. Have a great day bodes much better th an something short and dry like, You are welcome, and thank you. Speak soon.10Salary Comes Upfruchtwein interviewers wont get into the (sometimes awkward) discussion of money unless theyre serious about hiring you. Interview questions about your current salary, past salary, and what salary you are expecting to receive can be good signs that they are seriously considering you for the job.If none of these things happen, remember that it might not because of anything you did or didnt say. There are many reasons candidates dont get invited for second interviews, and some of them have nothing to do with the applicant.

How to Write an Irresistible Technical Resume

How to Write an Irresistible Technical ResumeHow to Write an Irresistible Technical Resume In the midst of a record-low unemployment rate , the prospects for job seekers - especially for those with in-demand technical skills - have almost never been better. Today, there are more jobs available than qualified candidates, meaning job seekers have their veritable pick of the litter when it comes to choosing where they want to work next.Just because companies are urgently seeking employees, though, doesnt mean theyll hand out jobs to just anyone who wants them. Above all, recruiters are looking to hire people who are the right fit, so its still on job seekers to prove that theyre worth the investment.The best way to do communicate your talent is by crafting an impressive technical resume - with the right mix of relevant experience, accomplishments and skills, recruiters will be knocking down your door with opportunities. But what exactly are technical recruiters look ing for in resumes, and how can you best incorporate that?To find out, we reached out to the Talent Acquisition team at Northrop Grumman - heres what they had to say.A fancy-looking resume wont mean a thing if it buries what recruiters really want to see.A candidate has 20 to 30 seconds to capture a recruiters attention - so make koranvers your resume is well-formatted, easy-to-read and that your most noteworthy accomplishments/skills are captured near the top of page one, says Kortnie Sullivan, a Talent Acquisition Business Partner at Northrop Grumman, who primarily recruits information technology professionals.When looking at a technical resume, I look to see if the candidates technical skills/tools match or are comparable to the needs of the position. I also go over the two most recent positions to see if the candidate has experience doing the same or similar tasks that they would be doing in the new role. shares Albrenna Richardson, Talent Acquisition IT Recruiter.Other im portant things to prominently feature are education, certifications and clearance level, if you have one, says Melissa Wallace, a Talent Acquisition Business Partner who focuses mainly on engineering and other technical positions.I want to be able to quickly glance at a resume and make sure they meet the criteria for the level of position Im looking for and then if they do, Ill read their resume more closely, Wallace adds.A generic resume is a guaranteed way to lose a recruiters interest, so make sure that you take a good look at the specific job description(s) youre applying to in order to highlight what matters most.Taking time to build a strong resume that is customized to the position gives you more control in the process. It takes the guessing away from the recruiter and hiring manager and makes a clear, immediate case that you should be interviewed, explains Jessica DeVilbiss, a Talent Acquisition Business Partner at Northrop Grumman focusing on aerospace systems. Its wort h the time investment for roles that you are interested in and targeting for your next step.In particular, DeVilbiss recommends that job seekers read the specific skills that are listed in the position and include the applicable skills in your resume.And when detailing your work history, make sure to connect what youve done in previous roles with the job youre applying to.I like clearly-written resumes that allow the reader to have a thorough understanding of what they did and how it relates to the position that they are applying for, Richardson says.While its important to share your skills and the technical tools you use, its not enough to simply list them without providing any additional information. Richardson recommends that candidates provide specific detail on how they have used those tools under the description of their current and past positions.As a recruiter, I am looking to see that the tools you listed are something that you have actually used in your work or class proje cts and how you have used them. So instead of simply listing Java and Linux in the skills section , add a statement like this I developed X website using Java and Linux on the backend. You might also want to consider detailing exactly how familiar you are with the various tools and skills you mention.Its especially helpful if candidates rank their skill level with technologies from beginner to expert level, DeVilbiss explains.Beyond giving context to your skills, youll also want to give context to your achievements at work. One of the best ways to do that is by describing the concrete results of your efforts in your work history bullet points.I really like when a technical resume calls out specific examples using real data and numbers. It immediately builds credibility with me and the hiring manager, DeVilbiss shares.When considering which sorts of metrics to include, think about what would be important to an employer , Wallace recommends. If you saved the company money by someth ing you were responsible for, by all means, make sure it is on your resume.A few example bullet points from Sullivan includeOne other note on including metrics, in addition to numbers, percentages can tell a powerful story, especially if your experience is from a company of a different size than where you are applying. For example, saved the company 15 percent on annual expenses in X category due to Y activity/process.When looking at a technical resume, recruiters primarily care about relevant skills and experience - but that doesnt mean they wont notice typos, a clunky design or other common resume mistakes .One issue in particular that job seekers should watch out for is accidentally name-dropping the wrong company. There is nothing more cringe-worthy than a candidate expressing interest in your competitor when applying for a job at your company, Wallace says.Another tip to keep in mind Spell out technical acronyms, Richardson says. Technology is continuing to evolve at a rapid rate and it will assist the technical recruiter if the technology is clearly stated. Acronyms can mean one thing at one company and a different thing at another.Familiarity with the right skills and tools is critical for technical roles, but soft skills like communication , leadership and collaboration are often equally important. But when it comes to including soft skills on your resume, its best to be subtle about it.When highlighting soft skills , make them bulleted and targeted based on what the role is seeking, and then again, use facts and figures, if possible, to demonstrate your competency, DeVilbiss advises. For example, if you are saying you are a skilled lead, talk about the number of people youve led and mentored and/or your specific achievements in a project.A couple more ways you can show off your soft skills List a handful of extracurricular activities you are involved in and if youve had any leadership in those roles, and list some accolades youve received, for e xample, a top performance rating or an on-the-spot-recognition, Wallace says.One of the biggest mistakes Sullivan sees in technical resumes? Unnecessary length.I tell candidates to keep their resume to two pages - a recruiters eyes departure to glaze over if it goes beyond two pages, Sullivan explains. And really, that first block of experience/work history on page one is what needs to catch the recruiters eye.Theres no doubt that writing a technical resume is challenging. After all, its no easy feat to condense your years of experience, achievements and skills into one short document. But the importance of resumes in the job search cant be overstated. Theyre the number one tool you have to catch a recruiters attention and convince them that youre worth spending time on, so a little extra time spent tweaking it is well worth the effort. Keep these tips in mind, and youll be well on your way to an impressive technical resume - and hopefully, the job of your dreams.Want to learn mor e about Northrop Grumman and the opportunities available at their company? Check out their open jobs here