Saturday, May 30, 2020
The Most Off-Putting Things Candidates Say to Recruiters
The Most Off-Putting Things Candidates Say to Recruiters A huge part of the fun of working as a recruiter is getting to speak to so many different people all the time. Helping them on their way to getting their dream role with your client is a great feeling! Its always interesting learning how different candidates have navigated through their careers to date, and representing top performers is exhilarating. However, some conversations with candidates are simply painful. Like any job, recruiting has its pitfalls, which often come in the form of bitter candidates giving you bad attitude for no reason. Theres nothing more disheartening than stumbling across an excellent CV, only to have them say these things to you: Yeah put me forward, whatever really, I just want to move No, no, no. This is not something a recruiter wants to hear. Desperation is an ugly look for candidates. Their case for being the best suitor to the role must be compelling, and you dont want to be representing them for a role that they really couldnt care less about. I dont want to discuss my salary details with you Sorry mate, we need to address this. Salary talks are never fun, but part of being a good recruiter means you are able to match the clients budget to your candidates worth. Sure, candidates dont have to reveal everything to you over the phone the first time you talk, but if youre going to represent them, they need to be open with you. I dont care if Im being unrealistic Working with a candidate who is confident and knows what they want out of their career is always the ideal situation. What isnt ideal, is when they are totally unrealistic about the level or salary theyre reaching for. Being foolishly cocky or self-assured and refusing to budge on outlandish expectations is not worth the hassle dealing with. My friend moved and got X salary When a candidate turns around and backs up their outrageous demands with a poorly referenced anecdote from a friend thats when you need another coffee immediately. If you dont put me forward or Ill go direct As the recruiter, it is up to your expertise to discern the strongest shortlist of candidates, not the candidate themselves. There is nothing more off-putting than a candidate who threatens to go apply directly with the organisation. I didnt have time to prepare Representing a candidate who interviews with your client, only mentioning afterwards that they never looked at the prep material you sent them is very painful to hear. Why are you asking me so many questions? As a recruiter you have to understand your candidates position thoroughly and be able to make educated judgements about the types of roles that might suit them with your clients. Candidates who get defensive at your many questions just show theyve probably got loads to hide. Im basically doing my bosss job for them Wrong. Candidates who claim to be doing their bosss job are a bit delusional. A candidate who wasnt bragging and simply being truthful would word it in a different way anyway; theyd instead explain that they feel they are operating at the same level / have similar responsibilities to their boss and have no room for promotion, hence looking around for a role where they have some room to move. They wouldnt come out and claim they are better than their boss. Have I missed any? Tweet me and tell me what other off-putting things are said by candidates!
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
How to careers guides for postgraduates University of Manchester Careers Blog
How to careers guides for postgraduates University of Manchester Careers Blog As postgrads, I know that youre a pretty self-sufficient bunch. Point you in the right direction and youre more than capable of getting to where you want to go. Thats why Ive created eighteen new How to self-help careers guides specifically targeted at postgraduates, now available on the Careers Service website*. They can be used throughout your postgraduate degree from day 1 to graduation (and after). There are postgraduate-focused hints and tips on each page, with links to further resources if you want them. They also help you find the other sections of the Careers Service website which might be particularly useful for postgrads. Ive grouped them under five headings (more on why Ive chosen these five in a future blog post): Explore expand your options and stretch yourself Explore your strengths and add to them which skills are important and how you can add more Explore postgraduate career options in person ways of finding and using contacts to uncover the wide range of jobs you could do as a postgrad Explore postgraduate career options online the types of jobs Masters and PhDs do, plus why the UK graduate job market is different to many other countries, and what that means if youre considering working outside the UK Find jobs for postgraduates which are not advertised how to find a job using contacts, agencies, speculative approaches or getting a foot in the door Find academic jobs getting noticed, finding ads and considering moving university, including academic jobs and career paths around the world Find adverts for PhD jobs outside academia PhD entry-level programmes, PhD specialist jobs, experience hire posts, targeted job searches, and whether you should consider graduate jobs Find additional funding during your postgraduate degree academic and research funding (mainly for current PhDs), employer or non-academic competitions (often targeting Masters) and a link to our resources for funding your next postgrad degree Connect build and get the best from your network Make the most of careers events as a postgraduate why there are very few postgrad careers fairs, whether you should go to graduate careers fairs or events, and what you should ask if you do go Find potential career contacts making the most of who you already know, finding mentors, using social media, and international networks and resources Network without hassling your contacts the right approach to networking meetings, plus advanced suggestions to get the most out of meetings Reflect recognise your skills Reflect make sense of what youve done Yeah I know, youre just going to skip to the CV guide, arent you? But if you havent reflected, its odds on that all your hard work on making your CV look good will be wasted. You get a real advantage in the job market if you can reflect effectively and tease out whats important for an employer. Its about understanding the story youve got to tell, making sense of it to an employer, and pointing out why they should bother to listen to you. Its the bit thats missing when you send an untargeted application and thats the most common reason why people get rejected from jobs. Communicate get your message across to different audiences Influence others advanced communication skills, including how to adapt your approach so others take note of you Communicate to non-academic audiences improve your presentation, communication, interview and assessment skills, and put them into practice, inside and outside the university Communicate your research to academic audiences improve your presentation skills and develop your elevator pitch Market your postgraduate degree to employers outside academia what do employers think of postgraduates, work out what youve got to offer and what employers want, create a good first impression and how to deal with the thorny overqualified issue Write CVs and applications, as a postgraduate slides, podcasts, handouts and web guides for all sorts of jobs, including academic, experienced hire, part-time and international jobs Get through interviews and assessment, as a postgraduate slides, podcasts, handouts and web guides covering interviews (including case studies and interviews by Skype) and assessment centres, plus how interviews differ around the world Persevere learn from setbacks and keep going Recover from setbacks postgrad study is never easy, so here are some tips on reflecting on your triumphs and disasters, getting support from others, asking for feedback and persevering with networking Let me know what you think of them, if there are any other topics you think would be generally useful for postgrads, and suggestions for improvements. (*OK, these guides are new to our Careers Service postgraduate website, but if youre a regular here, you may recognise chunks of some of them, craftily previewed on this blog!) All Postgrad-highlighted Postgraduate academia applications international jobs international students Interviews job hunting networking Options
Saturday, May 23, 2020
Forget Fad Diets! Listen To Your Body!
Forget Fad Diets! Listen To Your Body! With all the focus on weight in our society, the growing number of trendy fad diets is not surprising. You may have wondered about (or even tried) one of the many diet trends Paleo, Keto, Alkaline, Gluten-Free, Atkins, Weight Watchers, the Master Cleanse, or others. Let me assure you that despite the enticing claims you may hear, There are no foods or pills that magically burn calories or fat. No one, even a self-proclaimed expert, can prescribe a diet that is one-size-fits-all. If a diet sounds to good to be true, it probably is. Each body has its own unique metabolism, blood type, and biochemistry. Each body has a different shape, size, age, and level of activity. And, each body changes and has a different state of balance or imbalance on any given day. Subjecting yourself to a diet regimen that specifies exactly so many calories, so much protein, and so much fat denies these individual differences. Generally, trendy diets require you to eat a specific amount of food on a specific schedule, or make sudden, drastic changes, such as completely eliminating an entire food group, or dramatically cutting your caloric intake. Some fad diets emphasize one particular food or type of food. By following such restrictions, you may disrupt your natural metabolism, resulting in lethargy, weight gain, discomfort, digestive problems, and potentially additional negative consequences. A well-recognized scientific principle is that a truly balanced diet includes a variety of foods. And no one food group should be entirely relied on or completely eliminated. As opposed to a trendy diet, a balanced lifestyle change is more effective. And more likely to lead to sustainable and healthy long-term results. Diet Done Right! Next to breathing, eating is our most vital bodily function. We are healthy when we are able to fully digest everything we take in, extracting and utilizing what is nourishing and eliminating what doesnât serve us. This vital process applies not just to our food, but also to our relationships, jobs, and all life experiences. My work as The Core Expert⢠promotes living a better life by focusing on how your body feels, strengthening the ever-so-important Mind-Body connection. I believe our bodies instinctively understand that: Balance is needed by your body to feel healthyâ"clearly that means a balanced and healthy diet; Fueling your body with nutritious fresh produce, protein, good fats and carbohydrates, assures optimal performance and a feeling of wellness. The challenge for each of us is to let our busy mind trust our bodyâs innate knowledge. Undoubtedly you have experienced that the healthier the food you eat, the better you feel after a meal. And, the more unhealthy food you eat, the more likely you are to feel uncomfortable, bloated, nauseous, or drained of energy. Pay attention to what your body needs. Focus on how you feel after eating and you will foster healthy habits and tastes. Listen To Your Body My mission is to help you experience the power of true health. The Mind-Body connection shows that when you feel focused, clear, and grounded, you make better choices about your life, including what you eat. Our intuitive selves, the part of us that is organically connected to our deepest truths and is always attuned to what we need in Body, Mind, and Spirit is what leads to optimal health. As Hippocrates said, Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food. This advice applies as much to your energy and mentality as it does to your physical body. By developing Consciousness of how your body feelsâ"based on what fuel you put in it, you can learn to understand and appreciate what is essential for your Body, Mind, and Spirit. Choosing nourishment from a place of awareness, feeling, and consciousness is a great recipe to help you feel, function, and live better! This guest post was authored by Jessica Schatz Jessica Schatz uses her extensive knowledge, skill, and heart to motivate others to live better, happier lives. Her diverse clientele includes professional athletes, dancers, actors, as well as anyone who desires transformation into optimal wellness. Sheâs worked with: Fashion mogul Ashley Olsen NBA star Wesley Matthews of the Dallas Mavericks The company of Wicked (while in residency at Los Angelesâ Pantages Theatre) Members of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater And many more.
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Get Your Career Unstuck Virtual Bootcamp Starts This Tuesday
Get Your Career Unstuck Virtual Bootcamp Starts This Tuesday WHO: Young professionals. Recent college grads. Soon to be college grads. ANYONE who feels stuck in their current job and overwhelmed with the job search process. WHAT: A virtual bootcamp to figure out how to get you out of your current job you hate and into a job you LOVE before 2013 starts. Ill hold your hand and walk you through my proven 7-step plan which teaches you EXACTLY how to find the right career path fo you based on your interests, experiences, motivations, skills and personality so that you can wake up every morning and say I LOVE MY WORK! just like I do! WHERE: Online and over the phone with webinars on November 13th, November 27th, December 4th, December 11th, December 18th. WHEN: All calls at 5 PM Pacific/ 8 PM Eastern WHY:Because you are tired of feeling confused and stuck. Instead you want to feel challenged, fulfilled and happy. HOW: BRAND NEW 7-Step Get Unstuck Blueprint Sample checklists, timelines, worksheets and network organizers Your own unique personality profile and career assessment The BRAND NEW Get Your Career Unstuck workbook binder shipped to your door! Videos of special interviews and advice from career coaches, authors and successful businesswomen Individual coaching session with me for the first 11 who sign up And more â"hereâs the link to read all about it yourself: classycareergirl.com/love/ **NOTE: I just reduced the price to $197!! I dont want money to be an excuse for you not to find your dream job! I can pretty much guarantee that I wont be doing this course again at this price so please take this opportunity to invest in yourself today!! I really want to help you personally!
Saturday, May 16, 2020
How to Write a Resume For Students With No Work Experience
How to Write a Resume For Students With No Work ExperienceResume writing for students with no work experience is an easy job, especially if the student has worked diligently in school. There are certain rules that can be followed when it comes to a resume. For example, there are no longer guidelines on the type of font or how long it should be. Of course, there are also guidelines on the length of each section and on the amount of information to include on each page.Resume writing for students with no work experience is all about finding one's ideal niche. One example is the requirements for the position of web developer. The line on how long each section should be is now based upon the individual's own preference.Technical writing is the way to go for many, as the industry remains very technical. This is also where a lot of the highest paying technical positions have been located. In this case, the resume should cover technical skills that can be found on the resumes of these jobs.I f the student has no work experience, a resume should focus on teaching as an experience. There are a number of teaching programs out there. Some require a resume that talks about the teaching methods that were used in a school. Other schools may not consider this necessary, but as a result of the 'no work experience' you must be sure that you talk about the teaching experience from a previous job.Writing for these types of jobs is just as tedious. A decent resume writing for students with no work experience should outline that one has a minimum of two years of experience. The amount of work experience is not the only thing that is good to mention. It is a wise move to include the teaching experiences that the student had in a previous school. These experiences are usually not talked about during the interview process.What is recommended is that when looking at a resume for a position, a student asks the person doing the hiring if they can make any additions or changes to the resume . If there are some that are already on the resume, a candidate is suggested to find out what the potential employer needs to see on the rest of the resume. Many times, the list of things that the candidate can change has already been completed.When a student is working on a resume for a position, there are some things that can be worked on. For example, the amount of credit hours that were worked are a bit hard to miss, so what the student should do is work on highlighting them in their resume. Many times, the student can change the date of their first job, or their first full year of work experience. The resume should not list anything that is not needed, though. For example, it is a good idea to give the candidate's specific details about their accomplishments.The number of hours worked over a period of time is a key fact in determining whether the person can handle a full-time job. If the student can write that off as part of their education expenses, then they should do so. Als o, a student should not forget to indicate their leadership or team member positions. The things that are already listed should be talked about, though.
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
4 Ways To Get Called Back After A Job Interview
4 Ways To Get Called Back After A Job Interview 4 Ways To Get Called Back After A Job Interview Job Interviews / Job Transition You know achievement-based resumes get much better results than boring lists of responsibilities and job duties. However, a strong resume can only help get you in the door. Then itâs up to you. During the interview, itâs up to you to sell yourself to the employer. You need to convince the interviewer to invite you back for the next round. And eventually to hire you. If you want to make it to the next round of interviews, itâs essential to be prepared, stay in the moment, and treat everyone with respect. Here are 4 things to remember. Know Your Resume Cold Make sure you know the story behind every, single thing written on your resume. If youâve increased client business by 23% be prepared to explain to the interviewer in detail how you accomplished that. If you list qualities like strategic planner or innovative manager among your skills, be ready with concrete examples that illustrate these qualities. Everything you claim on your resume (or social media profiles) is fair game for the interviewer Donât Be Afraid To Pause Job interviews are nerve-wracking to say the least. When youâre sitting in the âhotâ seat itâs easy to get distracted by that voice in your head that is wondering âwhat do they think of me?â or âhow long have I been here?â or âhow many other people are they seeing?â But you need to quiet that voice in your head because if you donât focus on the hiring manger you may miss something, maybe something important. During your next interview turn off that inner chatterbox, thatâs busy planning your response before the hiring manager is even finished asking a question and listen. Itâs perfectly OK to pause for a moment to think about your response. Have A Few Questions To Ask Toward the end of the interview most interviewers will ask if you have any questions. While they may not have any questions in mind, they donât want to hear ânoâ or that youâll get back to them if you think of something. Before you head to your next job interview take some time to research the company. Read through the About Us section on the companyâs website. Look for a mission statement. Review the staff bios, particularly anyone you may be meeting. Google them to see if theyâve been in the news. Take a look at their social media. Listen carefully during the interview. You may want to ask what your biggest challenge might be or how your success will be measured. Be Nice, To Everyone Be nice to everyone when you interview. Donât save your smile and friendly hello for the HR director or hiring manager. Spread the joy. You have no idea who is standing next to you in the rest room while youâre freshening up before the interview. It may be the person who will be interviewing you. Also, you never know who will be asked about you once you leave. Itâs not uncommon for the boss to ask the admin and/or the receptionist how you treated them. Interviewing for a job is a process. During your first interview focus on getting called back. Then concentrate on the next step. Donât be discouraged if it takes some time. Remember the hiring manager is not on your schedule. While getting hired may be a priority for you, interviewing candidates is only part of his or her job. She may be in a hurry to fill a position. She may not. Get an edge by sending a thank you note. Follow up, without stalking. Be patient, but donât stop looking until you have a written offer in your hand. P.S. Be sure you dont make any of these 10 Interview Mistakes.
Friday, May 8, 2020
8 Things That Differentiate You From Other Candidates - CareerAlley
8 Things That Differentiate You From Other Candidates - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. What makes an employer choose you over another candidate, especially when you both have the same skills? A lot of candidates find it stressful to compete for a role without quite knowing what their competition is like. Similarly, being able to catch a glimpse of another applicant, through their LinkedIn profile or in the waiting room can be equally destabilizing. It opens the door to comparison based on the level of information you can access, namely their appearance or the background data that is visible on a strangers profile online. Knowing exactly what your potential employer seeks in an employee is going to be one of your strongest weapons. You must focus not on selling yourself, but on selling the version of yourself that will do the job. Tweet This In other words, you are wasting your time comparing yourself to people you dont know. Additionally, its the kind of behavior that is likely to make you nervous before an interview. Its in your best interest to pay as little attention as you can to other candidates, especially when you dont know all the facts. Personalized interview coaching Price: At TopInterview, each session is tailored to you and your unique goals. Your choice of comprehensive packages make it easy to get the help you need to nail your interviews. TopInterview offers three plans based on your needs Ace your interview We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Nevertheless, there is one person who knows all the facts and who will use them to compare you against others, namely the employer. How many applicants wish they could receive a heads up about an employer and their company? Research can only get you so far. However, dont think you have no way of making your application stand out. You can, even without gaining privileged knowledge, use differentiation to your advantage. Here are some ideas to get you started. Be a different kind of candidate #1. You can show you have the experience There is no denying that the way you present your experience on your resume matters. Thats precisely why recruiters recommend tailoring your resume to the job youre applying for. Indeed, too many candidates have the necessary experience, but fail to display it clearly on the resume. Admittedly, recruiters and hiring managers know what you did when they read through your work history the job title sums it up adequately. But you can help them to see you are a suitable candidate by demonstrating youve got the best experience for the role. With the sheer volume of job seekers on the prowl, it can be hard to get an employers attention. Most companies today use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to scan resumes and weed out irrelevant candidates. The systems use keywords and phrases that describe the required skills, education and experience to place the most qualified resumes at the top of the list. So, how do you make it past the gatekeeping technology?Pay close attention to the employers or recruiters instructions for submitting your resume on each posting. Careerbuilder.com Your experience is a combination of your professional duties, responsibilities, and achievements. To put it clearly, what recruiters want is not to see what kind of work you did. Theyre interested in all well you managed it. For a start, if youre applying for a junior or mid-level position, you should include detailed descriptions of the relevant positions and make a brief mention to other positions in your career. You can list the most pertinent achievements using keywords that match the job description, such as a waitress applying for a customer service job listing her experience in delivering a positive service and managing issues for customers. #2. You have the degree Too many candidates apply to positions that require a degree in further education. While there is no discussion that a recruiter will first consider whether you have the appropriate degree, it doesnt mean that these roles are off-limits if you have not pursued your academic education before entering the work market. It is never too late to prepare for a managerial position with an MBA course, for instance. Indeed, you will find plenty of reputable and high-quality online universities that provide just the right level of follow-up you need to manage your career and your studies at the same time. You can also earn your degree faster than on-campus students through specialist study models. In other words, if youre looking for career progression, it can be advantageous to take the time to add new academic qualifications to your resume. Demonstrating that youve got the right degree and that its a recent achievement can tip the scales in your favor. #3. You write a personal cover letter Cover letters might sound like that last thing you want to produce, especially in an age when all it takes to apply for a job is a few clicks. Nevertheless, when most candidates share a common background, your cover letter can make the difference between another resume in the pile and a promising candidate. Your cover letter is necessary; it is designed to catch the attention of a recruiter. In fact, a clear cover letter can help you to convey your brand and value proposition, which can potentially put you in the top 2% of applicants. As many candidates create a perfunctory cover letter that serves as a preamble to the resume, you can use it as a tool to make your first impression. You have between 250 and 400 words at your disposal to introduce yourself. source Use the cover letter to show that youve done your research about the company and the hiring manager; it is proof of your interest. Finally, make sure to use the letter as an incentive to check your resume. #4. Youre going the extra mile to share relevant material For mid-level to high-level positions, you can maximize your chances by giving a little extra to the recruiter. Take a look at Airbnb Nina who was so keen to work for her favorite holiday rental company that she created a tailored website to get their attention. At the time Nina got in touch, Airbnb didnt have a job opening to suit her skills. But she decided to be proactive and produce research material that could prove useful for the expansion strategy of the company. Her efforts got her noticed, by Airbnb and many others. In the end, Nina didnt get the job with the tourism company, but she landed an exciting position with a company that needed her data-driven analysis, Upwork. Photo by Lost Co on Unsplash #5. Your LinkedIn profile is trustworthy The first thing a recruiter checks when they receive your resume is your LinkedIn profile. You need to ensure that your profile is up-to-date and mirror the information youve provided in your application. You can be sure that candidates who embellish their resumes get rapidly busted on LinkedIn. Needless to say, you should pick a tasteful and friendly profile picture, without being too unprofessional. But a recruiter will also be impressed by your endorsements. Indeed, you can boost your endorsement score, directly by asking your contacts to endorse you be sure to promise to do the same for them. LinkedIn Learning Price: LinkedIn Learning provides over 10,000 business, technology, and creative skills development courses designed for in-depth instruction and just-in-time microlearning Enhance Your Skills We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. #6. You have volunteering experience While volunteering experience might not be a game-changer at first, it can make the difference between equally attractive candidates. Indeed, volunteering gives you the opportunity to learn new skills and to show dedication and motivation that isnt money-oriented. This is the perfect platform to demonstrate transferable skills to a potential employer. How to Make Yourself Promotable: 7 skills to help you climb the career ladder Price: $9.90 Buy Now from Amazon We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Last Updated: March 2, 2020 #7. You speak a foreign language Its fair to say that unless a job requires you to speak a foreign language on a daily basis, most candidates assume that their linguistic skills are irrelevant. In reality, while the position you apply for might not have a need for your language skills, the business strategy might rely on your abilities for future growth. Speaking Chinese, Spanish or Arabic can be a substantial differentiating factor. Indeed, with 1.2 billion native Chinese speakers in the world, no business can ignore the importance of the language in trade agreements. Spanish is the second most spoken language in the US. Arabic gives you access to the Middle East market. #8. Dont rock the interview, run it Last, but not least, you can use the interview to demonstrate your enthusiasm. Aside from researching the company, you should be preparing questions. Ultimately, a recruiter is looking for someone who is so excited about the role that they are asking most of the questions. Asking about the department growth strategy or how to make a difference in the job may not provide you with clear answers, but it will indicate you care about the position. The secret to land a dream job is to get noticed by the recruiter at every stage of the process. Your resume and cover letter need to be pushed on top of the pile from the moment an employer reads them. And you should use the interview time to showcase your interest as well as your skills. Resume Book Recommendation links Price: CareerAlley's resume book recommendation list. Great Resume Resources We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to nail the interview and get hired. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. Itâs about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. 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