Three Weekly Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy Job Hunting Tips for October 19, 2015

Lemon Squeezy

Here are three simple job hunting tips for you to begin your week!

1. The grammar police are on patrol! It is no longer considered acceptable to have two spaces after a period; one is now the norm. Apparently using two spaces is a red flag that you're over 40 since that's how we (yes, we - and I 'm changing my habits kicking and screaming) were taught in those days. Check your resume and your LinkedIn profile to make sure you're following the one-space rule. Don't believe me? Follow this link for more information.
2. Manage your voice mail. Any company looking to speak with you will call the phone number on your resume. They most likely will get your voice mail. Is it professional? Does it clearly indicate that they are reaching your specific mailbox? I've seen many candidates eliminate themselves just by having an obnoxious outgoing voice mail message. Oh, and if you're applying for a job, make sure you have enough space for people to leave incoming messages. If the voice mail system doesn't let the recruiter leave a message, they won't. They'll probably move onto the next candidate.
3. Use the restroom before your interviews begin. You'll kill the rhythm of your interview session if you need to stop in the middle and ask to use the john.

Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. He is a Human Resources professional and staffing expert with almost two decades of in-house corporate HR and staffing firm experience, and is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC).

Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and career coaching services, including a free resume review. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.

Three Weekly Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy Job Hunting Tips – The Job Fair Edition!

Lemon Squeezy

Here are three simple job hunting tips for you to begin your week! As we get into the job fair season, please enjoy these career fair-specific pointers.

1. Know who the employers are at the job fair. Do your research as to which companies will have booths. Then make a strategic plan to visit the specific employers you particularly want to see - visit them at the beginning of the day, before everybody's too tired to care.

2. Have your cover letters ready. Cover letters? At a job fair? Yes, but not for every employer. Have letters ready for your targeted employers. It demonstrates that have you put some extra effort into your application with them.

3. Be concise, be brief. Recruiters at a job fair will meet with a seemingly-endless line of applicants. Respect their time - when it's your turn, give them your elevator pitch, hand them your resume, and smile. They'll take it from there. You'll have probably between five and seven minutes, then it's time to move along.

Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. He is a Human Resources professional and staffing expert with almost two decades of in-house corporate HR and staffing firm experience, and is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC).

Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and career coaching services, including a free resume review. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.

Job Hunting Zen Thought of the Week – October 2, 2015

Here is your Job Hunting Zen Thought of the Week!

Did you leave your last job on less-than-best of terms? It's unfortunate, but often a job isn't always a match between you and a company.

Will it hurt your chances of getting that next job? Maybe.

The best thing you can do is own it. When asked by a potential employer about why you left a position, explain the circumstances which led to your leaving, and take responsibility for your own part in it.

The employer will likely appreciate the honesty. They may still wish to validate your story, but you've saved them and you from any potential surprises.

And you have the opportunity to find a better fit.

Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. He is a Human Resources professional and staffing expert with almost two decades of in-house corporate HR and staffing firm experience, and is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC).

Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and career coaching services, including a free resume review. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.