9 Job Seeker Frequently Asked Questions (and answers)

9 Job Seeker Frequently Asked Questions (and answers) There are probably 100s of questions running through your mind during your job search. You need answers. Here popular job seeker frequently asked questions (and answers)! Too often, Ive worked with job seekers who dont ask enough questions during the process.  Or, they make assumptions about what they think they should do. Heres what you need to know. No two companies or recruiters have the same process, opinion or requirements. The only sure way for you to know what you need to do is to ask. Remember, knowledge is power. I want you to feel empowered, not victimized by a process you feel you have no control over. The more you know, the more successful you will be during your job search. Remember, knowledge is power. I want you to feel empowered, not victimized by a process you feel you have no control over. The more you know, the more successful you will be during your job search. So to help give you confidence, here are answers to the most frequently asked questions by job seekers. Should I connect with human resources or an interviewer on LinkedIn? The answer depends on the preference of the person you want to connect with. The only way to find out is to ask. During an interview, ask your interviewer if its OK to connect on LinkedIn. Otherwise, you can send an email and ask if you can connect. But, have you thought about why you want to connect and what the benefit is to the other person? If a recruiter connected with every person that applied or interviewed for a job, how would that help them? They want a network of people who are potential employees. If the recruiter doesnt think youd be a fit in their company, why would they want to stay in touch with you or have you in their network? Just because youre connected doesnt mean much. Likewise, why would you want to connect with someone you werent interested in keeping in touch with? There are other ways you can stay in touch. Its called email. You can also learn the difference between connecting and following on LinkedIn. When do I follow up after an interview? The best way to get this question answered is to ask the interviewer during your interview. Always ask when you should follow up and the best way to reach out to your interviewer. Once armed with this information, follow the recommended steps to the letter. If you are looking for more advice on follow-up, you can read Advice On How To Follow-Up During Job Search What if I dont know anyone inside the company? Should I just apply online? Have you asked everyone you know if they know anyone who works there? Did you search LinkedIn and Facebook for people who work inside the company (past or present)?  Until you have tried both of these things, you wont know for sure. As a last-ditch effort, reach out to either the hiring manager or someone who holds a similar job in the company you are interested in. Explain you are interested in acquiring more insight on the company and would like a few minutes of their time. Give them a couple of days to respond before you follow up one more time. The insight and potential for help from an insider is invaluable and worth the effort and risk. Should I use a separate resume for every job? No two job descriptions are the same. Take time to review the job description carefully and research the company. Make sure your resume includes the required skills and technology requested in the job description. If your resume already does, then youre set. If not, you must make sure these words and terms are in your resume. In short, you will probably need to customize your resume for each and every job you apply to in order to make it through the applicant tracking system (ATS). You can learn more about how ATS work by reading 5 Things You Need To Know About Applicant Tracking Systems Why havent I heard back from the company after I applied? Did you follow up? If you dont follow up with an email or phone call, how do you know the company received your application? While it would be nice to receive an update from the company, it doesnt always happen. Take control by following up and get the answer to your question. Ask where they are in the review process and then ask if they received your application. I think my past boss is giving a bad reference. What do I do? If you suspect a previous manager is negatively impacting your job search, the only way youll know for sure is to call him or her. (No, an email wont work in this case.) It isnt an easy conversation to have, but you need the answer. But before you go there, what concrete facts do you have that make you think your boss is bad-mouthing you? If you dont have proof, there could be  many other things to fix first. If you need to have this conversation with your past manager, try opening the phone call by informing your boss about your job search and ask if he or she would be willing to serve as a reference. If they say yes, probe further by asking, Can you think of any reason why you wouldnt positively recommend my performance? This should open the dialogue between you and your past manager. The bottom line is  if you suspect your past boss is unable to say anything positive, find someone else in the company to serve as your reference (and dont list their name on your application). Can I take notes during an interview? Taking notes during an interview may not have crossed your mind, but it should. The interviewer is taking notes, shouldnt you? During important meetings, you probably take notes to help you remember important details. The same should be true during an interview. Early in the interview, show you value confidentiality by asking the interviewer if its OK to take notes. PS: You can also bring a list of questions you want to ask the interviewer. Here are 30 questions YOU can ask. How do I respond to a request for salary expectations? You will come across this question while completing the online application, during the phone interview and when you meet for an in-person interview, too. It starts by knowing an appropriate range. This means doing salary research. On an application, never put a salary that is too low or too high. The recommended strategy is to say that your salary is negotiable. However, a better way to respond, when speaking with a recruiter, is to ask what the company has budgeted for the position. Once you have that number, you can respond with an appropriate range. Learn how to research salary. Should I (fill in the blank)? If you wonder whether you should write a cover letter, send a thank-you note, or have any question, the answer is, if it takes more time and is more difficult for you to do, then YES! When you opt for a more time-consuming or more difficult step, it will help you outshine the competition. There are many people who take a lazy approach to searching for their next job. These job seekers apply to tons of jobs, many of which they are not qualified for, and then wonder why they arent getting any nibbles. The better approach is to always take the harder route. Invest more time in doing the little things that make a big difference in showing you are truly interested in the job and the employer. This post originally appeared in US News World Report

Is Your Job Secure

Is Your Job Secure There are layoffs happening at your company. Are your skills going to be able to weather the storm? How secure is your position within the company? There are some things you can do to ensure your place with the company. It all comes down to profitability for the company. Is the department you work in having problems or struggling? It is often not the fault of the employee when they are laid off. No matter how long a person has been with a company, when headquarters sends the word to downsize, the company has no other choice. If a company is operating at a profit, you may have nothing to worry about. If the company has lost money over the last few months, be careful. Be wary of the company whose financials are down from the previous year. If a company has been in business for quite a while, you probably dont have anything to worry about. When a corporation is trying to decide whom they can afford to layoff, they do not do it at random. They have to layoff those who are no longer an asset to the company. When a company is struggling, they will first downsize or get rid of certain departments first. It will be those that will not be necessary for the success of the company. For example, company consultants will probably be some of the first to go. The marketing department would also suffer losses in the companys cost cutting efforts. When a company is no longer as successful as it has been, they do not see advertising as important as it was. The accounting department is usually stable since you cant run a business without the financial aspect of it. Salespeople are also in a fairly safe spot. For the company to continue, they will still have to have salespeople. If there is no sales team, there is no revenue. You should never be so secure in your career that you dont keep your resume updated. Even before you begin to fear that your job is in jeopardy, revamp your resume. Take a look around the job market and see what positions seem to have the lowest percentages of layoffs. Then, see how your skills and interests can fit into these positions. Find out what skills are in high demand and cater your resume to demonstrate how you would be a perfect fit for a position. Always be aware of the stability of the company you work for and do what is necessary to keep that position. If you cant, then look for other positions that are more stable in todays job market.

How to Write an Expected Graduation Date in Resume

How to Write an Expected Graduation Date in ResumeWriting expected graduation date in resume can be very hard for those who are not sure what to write or how to write it. Below are some tips that will help you come up with the best possible one.One: Think first about your future college life. When you are planning on going to college, do not think about the specific date of your graduation. Instead, focus on what lies ahead of you. You should remember the decisions that you would make during college life, and the decisions that you would take in the future.Two: When writing your future plans, you should keep these in mind. First, is your ultimate goal in college to go to graduate school? Second, does it look like you are not going to have enough money to pay for tuition? Last, think about what career you want after college.Three: When writing the term college, think about your interest in pursuing a bachelor's degree. If you like the field of journalism, why not put a journalism term in your resume? This way, it would look more professional.Four: Do you need money for your education? If you do, you may want to include the word 'need' in the term 'need money.' This would make it seem like you are in dire need. Keep in mind that it is in no way a negative sign.Five: Word plays a vital role in the preparation of resume. There are some places where you may want to leave out the word 'have.' Consider putting 'may'will' instead.Six: Think about what you need and what you do not need. If you need money for school, the word 'need' may not sound too professional. Similarly, 'want' may sound too formal, but think about how formal you want it to sound. Take your time to think of the best possible way to present your career aspirations.

The Unexpected Truth About Writing a Resume for a Night Job

The Unexpected Truth About Writing a Resume for a Night Job The Fundamentals of Writing a Resume for a Night Job Revealed Tailor the wording the same manner you optimized the work description. If do not have any experience in customer support, no issue! Every job differs so that you need to study the organization or companies that the client wishes to apply too. Individuals often downplay themselves, it's your job for a writer to obtain the nitty-gritty particulars and make your client a star. Writing a Resume for a Night Job All you would like to do is receive an opportunity to speak with a person over the telephone or sit with someone to spell out your situation and the way you've changed since you've been released. You are working to communicate to somebody else, so think about what they need to see. Prioritize the info supplied for each position starting with the most relevant and important details in connection with the job that you are applying for. There is not anyt hing wrong with sending a quick email letting the person know who you are, the positon you want and exactly what you may bring to the provider. Anything not directly about the job should be taken off. An excellent editing job will take just a little longerand some particular tactics intended to catch resume errors. Writing your first resume may look like a daunting endeavor. Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult. What the In-Crowd Won't Tell You About Writing a Resume for a Night Job The work experience section is a good illustration of the way to depict career progression. If you're on the lookout for a job for a bartender, your introduction type ought to be dependent on the quantity of experience you've got bartending. Everybody goes through the procedure of locating a job sooner or later in a career. Actually, in regards to first resumes and job applications, the idea ought to be to take care of the process for a learning experience. Dif ferent job postings will have different key phrases, different job duties listed, and so forth. Even if it doesn't lead to a work offer, you've made contact people who might consider you for future job openings. A lot of people change jobs regularly and if they do they have a lot of applications, interviews, and red tape to experience. Teaching jobs usually need specific degrees and certifications, so be certain to highlight your education.

How Long Does the Hiring Process Really Take - Your Career Intel

How Long Does the Hiring Process Really Take - Your Career IntelThe wait to hear back following a job interview can feel endless, especially when days or even weeks pass with no news. Many job seekers wonder why the hiring process takes so long. Unfortunately, a long recruitment process is now the norm in many industries. Feel like youre stuck in limbo? Heres why the hiring decisions take so long and how to manage it to your advantage.How Long Does the Hiring Process Take?According to a report from Glassdoor Economic Research, the average hiring process in the US takes 23 days. Some industries tend to have more extended processes (government jobs take an average of 53.8 days to fill), while others make speedier decisions (restaurant and bar jobs take just 10.2 days to fill on average). Where you live matters as well Washington D.C. clocks in at 33.2 days, whereas Kansas City, MO, has an average interview process of just 16.9 days. For professional positions in mid- to upper managemen t, expect to wait several weeks or longer.Why Does the Hiring Process Take so Long?There are plenty of reasons why the hiring process takes so long behauptung days. According to the US Department of Labor, the cost of a badeanstalt hire is around 30% of that employees first-year earnings, so companies want to make sure they take their time vetting prospective employees before making any commitments. Additionally, many companies begin the hiring process with a long wish list of skills or experience theyre looking for in a new hire. In many cases, finding a perfect hire to tick all these boxes is unrealistic, but hiring managers may still need time to decide which skills are truly critical. Finally, with the cost of a bad hire being so high, companies are adding more stakeholders to the interview process in hopes of avoiding a hiring mistake. The more stakeholders involved, however, the more difficult it is to reach a consensus on decisions, especially if someone is out of the office or tied up with an urgent project and cant weigh in immediately.How to Handle a Long Recruitment ProcessAdjust your expectations.Even if the hiring manager gives you great feedback and you walk out the door feeling like youve nailed it, you should still mentally prepare for a long wait between each step of the hiring process. situation realistic expectations from the beginning will help you to maintain a positive mindset.Ask about next steps after each touch point.At the end of each interview, go ahead and ask the hiring manager about the timeline for next steps. Youll get a sense of whether theyve just started speaking to candidates or are looking to make a decision soon. Make sure that the hiring manager has everything he or she needs from you as well, and answer any requests for additional information promptly, ideally within 24 hours. You dont want to be the cause of any delays.Take timeline promises with a grain of salt.The hiring manager might tell you that the company is look ing to make a quick decision and hopes to make an offer to the best candidate next week. Thats exciting news but dont celebrate just yet. From background checks to formal offer packages, each step in the hiring process often takes longer than anticipated, so be prepared for the inevitable delays.Follow up with the correct people. You might be tempted to reach out directly to HR if you havent heard anything back from your recruiter, but thats generally inadvisable. Companies usually retain recruiters precisely because they dont want to manage communication with candidates on their own, and they may be annoyed if you try to contact them directly. Youre also unlikely to win friends by bypassing your recruiter and HR and reaching out to your potential boss. When you ask about next steps at the end of your interview, clarify who you should be in contact with and then follow those instructions. Chances are if the right contact doesnt have news for you, no one else will either, so its not worth ruffling feathers.Dont get frustrated. Some interview processes will drag on for weeks with no news, even after multiple rounds of interviews. Companies may not even contact you to let you know theyve chosen someone else. While this is understandably frustrating, youve got to grin and bear it. The worst thing a candidate can do is fire off a nasty email to the hiring manager or recruiter. If youve made a good impression, those hiring managers and recruiters may keep you in mind for future opportunities even if the job you initially interviewed for doesnt work out. Theres no sense in burning bridges unnecessarily. Instead, channel your energy into applying for other jobs. This will keep you too busy to agonize over any one role and might even result in multiple employers competing to hire you.No one likes waiting by the phone to hear whether theyve landed their dream job, but in todays market, its an inevitable part of any job search. Stay confident, follow up appropriately, an d continue searching for other leads, and youll land a new position before you know it.

Should You Disclose a Disability on Your Resume

Should You Disclose a Disability on Your Resume Should you disclose a disability on your resume?Should You Disclose a Disability on Your Resume? According to U.S. Census data, nearly 57million Americans have some type of disability. The US Department of Labors bro of Disability Employment Policyreports that the 2011 unemployment rate for adults with disabilities was 15 percent,72 percent higher than the 8.7 percent unemployment rate for adults without disabilities.Furthermore, more than 13 million 16- to 64-year-olds reported difficulty finding a job or remaining employed because of a health condition. These statistics suggest that people with disabilities may have to work harder to land a new position. The most important job search tool -- the resume -- has to be in top shape. Here is some expert advice on how to address a disability on your resume.Should you mention a disability?The first thing job seekers need to ask themselves is, Can I do the job? says Jonathan Kau fman, president of DisabilityWorks.com. If the answer is yes and the disability doesnt affect job performance, then dont mention it.Jeff Klare, CEO of Hire DisAbility Solutions, has a similar view. Never reveal a disability on a resume, he says, citing the possibility of discrimination or preconceived, inaccurate notions about disabilities as the primary reasons to avoid the topic.Dr. Daniel J. Ryan, author of The Job Search Handbook for People with Disabilities and director of career planning at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, concurs. Employers use resumes to weed people out, so anything on the resume that would allude to a disability -- given the realities of the marketplace -- will probably work against you, he explains.The top three reasons you should avoid disclosing a disability areFewer bewerbungsgesprch invitations Not securing an interview is one of the major potential pitfalls of revealing a disability on a resume, Klare says.A reason to eliminate you Your resume is a marketing document. Show that you have the requirements the employer is seeking, and eliminate anything that might move you to the reject pile, whether thats typos, coffee stains on your document or having a disability, Ryan says.The law is on your side Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you dont have to say anything, Kaufman points out.I would only reveal a disability on a resume if I knew that it would increase my chances of getting the job, says Ryan. This is rarely true, except for when applying for programs designed specifically to recruit people with disabilities, or if the disability is related to the position -- for example, a visually impaired counselor for those who are visually impaired.Disability-related employment gapsHow should you handle employment gaps caused by medical-related absences? If theres a big gap (two or more years), it helps to have a filler, suggests Klare.But Klare advises against disclosing your disability on the resume or cover letter as the reason for the gap. There are many ways to fill gaps, he says. Options include volunteer work, continuing education or other activities you performed during your time away from the workforce.Additional resume pitfalls to avoidBe careful about including achievements on your resume that could unintentionally reveal your disability. That doesnt mean you have to omit all references to organizations that are tied to your disability, but use common sense.Clearly, Gold Medal, 2006 Special Olympics, implies you have a disability, says Ryan. However, Treasurer, American Cancer Society Chapter does not.bewerbungsinterview concerns People with visible disabilities (e.g., noticeable impairments to speech, hearing, sight or mobility) might want to disclose the disability so there are no surprises at the interview. Ryan advises against this. Get your foot in the door for interviews, and if the disability is visible, put their minds at ease early on in the process, assuring em ployers that you have the skills to do the job, he says.Special accommodations Each disability has a built-in accommodation requirement, from none to many, says Klare. So you need to know the accommodations you will need for your disability and pose proactive solutionsonce theres mutual interest in your candidacy. For example, a diabetic might need two 15-minute breaks for insulin and access to a refrigerator, but its best to discuss this after you get the job, he adds.Klare recommends knowing what equipment may be needed to accommodate your disability and where to source it. Become a team player from the beginning, he says.Kaufman points out that the average cost for accommodations is $500 or less. And many times its nothing, he says, adding that employers can often leverage or adapt technology, resources and other tools already in place.Klares final advice Use the resume to open the door, and then let the person come out in the interview.Give yourself an edgeIts not always easy to decide what to put on your resume and what to leave off. Basically, you want to do whatever will give you the strongest chances of getting a hiring managers attention. Could you use some reassurance that your resume is ready for a job search? Get a free resume evaluation today from the experts atMonsters Resume Writing Service. Youll get detailed feedback in two business days, including a review ofyour resumes appearance and content, and a prediction of a recruiters first impression. Let the experts at Monster help give you an edgeon your way to a great new job.

If You Read Nothing Else Today, Read This Report on Resume Help

If You Read Nothing Else Today, Read This Report on Resume Help Details of Resume Help Enroll today and get access to information you have to be prosperous. Another benefit of using erreichbar tools for seeking work is that its instant. Eventually, people who demand public services will need to engage with an elaborate system theyre unfamiliar with. Scannable resumes need specific page designs because computer scanners cant read certain products. Resume help lets them produce a fantastic resume that companies will most likely be excited about along with interview help may enable them to make certain they will do fantastic on any sort of interview they have and have a better possibility of acquiring the job. Writing resumes can be challenging for some individuals, and therefore dont be scared to find some assistance from the experts. You should provide an expert presentation which stands out from the remainder of the group. You dont need to create a hiring manager wade thro ugh your resume in hopes of locating relevant info. The work market is full of candidates eager to find work and the HRs will need to appear through so many resumes each and every day. Most people today really like to speak about themselves and their jobs and are prepared to provide realistic, and free, advice. Our job is to discover the very best talent out there and we make sure we possess the best resources to achieve that. Perhaps you dont need to need to relocate for work. Jobs are no longer readily available. Keep in mind that your resume is the exact first step in obtaining a job which you want, so make it a resume that gets the work done. Your very first job wont be your very last job if you dont would like it to be. What Is So Fascinating About Resume Help? If you wish to find attention, you should use keywords and action words throughout your resume. Whether you get resume assistance from a professional resume creation business or fashion your document from scra tch, it is going to have to stick out from the competition as a way to acquire your skill set and talents noticed. Resume writing is the most essential step in presenting your abilities and receiving the job that you desire. However polished your writing skills are, at times its much better to employ a professional who can frame your experiences in a manner that permits you to command the interest of the greatest companies in your industry. You will see ideas for how to produce your resume stand out from the rest and become noticed. While no 2 resumes are the very same, you require a person to ascertain what sections you need resume assistance with. Resume writing can sometimes appear a bit overwhelming, particularly for anyone whos just putting together her or his initial one.