Interviews, Job Search

What Are Hiring Managers Thinking?

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 When prepping for an interview we often review a standard list of questions, do some company research and possibly look up the hiring managers or interviewers LinkedIn profile to check out their background and identify an icebreaker, like, they love the Celtics and you’re a Lakers fan. HA!
I’m guessing you haven’t thought about preparing for what the hiring manager is really looking to find out about you during the interview…Why is this important? In my experience, it calms you down during the interview process and often prepares you mentally (and emotionally) for those unexpected questions…So that you aren’t thinking to yourself “Why did they ask me that?” “Are they trying to make me squirm?”
While there are some oddball interview scenarios, more often than not, you’re going to be interviewed by someone that is ultimately trying to figure out if you have the skills for the job, if you’re a cultural fit and do you really want to work there and for them? When you think about their thought-process, as they’re sitting on the other side of the table, this way it is much easier to relax and answer their interview questions.

 

I’ve worked with 100s of hiring managers and I have come to the conclusion that they’re all trying to figure out these 3 things about you…
  1. Prepared & Articulate. Do you have the skills for the job? Are you good at articulating past projects and work that you’ve done? Does it seem like you thought about and prepared answers or examples that are directly applicable to the job you’re interviewing for?
  2. Problem-Solving. How do you solve problems? Did you ask questions? Are you bullheaded or will you reach out for help before something goes wrong? Are you good at explaining how you solve problems to a group or to a manager/peers?
  3. Engaged. Are you energetic? Do you actually want this job and to work here? Have you researched the company and did you come with ideas to solve some of the companies problems OR are you curious about the problems they solve or the products/services they provide to the consumer?

 

Don’t forget, when you’re interviewing with a hiring manager you also want to interview them as well. If you’re going to directly report to this person you want to make sure you’d like working for them too! Ask them questions about their management style and what their expectations are for this role within the first month, 6 months and the first year.
If you remember one thing from this post, remember this, the hiring manager is trying to understand your thought-process and what it would be like to work with you and trust you to do work for him/her. When you approach interviews this way it often turns into an enjoyable conversation and less like a robotic exchange of strengths and weaknesses.

 

Best of luck to you all!!! Feel free to send C.C. Coach any questions you may have!
– C. C. Coach
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Job Search

5 Job Search Tools : What? How? Why?

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There seem to be a never ending stream of job search platforms that say they’ll help you “find a job fast” with little or no effort involved. Don’t be fooled! Any tool that you use in your job search will require a lot of work and strategy on your part.
I’ve worked for several years in recruiting, talent acquisition and career coaching…the technology in this industry is finally starting to see some positive changes and we need to change with it. As technology evolves in this industry these job search will tools become more and more niche specific in how they review applicants or profiles i.e. software/tech, healthcare professions, etc…
Most people ask me (and I even asked myself this question), “Which tools work the best? And, how do I use them to get the best results?” It’s not rocket science – the hardest part of looking for a job is the interview portion – so identifying and finding places to look for and apply to jobs is the easy part. You want to make sure that your search is focused and not a free for all application fest on your LinkedIn app while you’re waiting at the DMV or line at the grocery store.
Below I’ve listed 5 Job Search tools that are easy to use and I found effective when it comes to online application platforms. Additionally, at the end of the article, I’ll provide some additional tools to help you increase your odds of gaining traction in your job search.

 

  1. LinkedIn.com (Don’t need Premium membership to be successful)
    • LinkedIn has changed a bit over the years and is somewhat “old school” in the job search world. It’s been around for a while. They are working on fixing one of the main issues on the platform which is intent on both sides (job seeker and company hiring). I can say that through connections and the job search function I was able to make several connections and get interviews without paying for LinkedIn Premium. If you find a job you can apply and then connect with the person that posted the position. The MOST important thing for applying to positions on LinkedIn is that your profile is updated!! If you have an empty or lackluster profile…they’re going to think the same thing about your application. Make sure you have detailed job descriptions, a list of your skills and RECOMMENDATIONS! Having recommendations is key. It’s giving them reference checks before they even ask for them. Also, If you don’t hear back from a company on LinkedIn you can try and go to their company website (don’t apply again) but try and find the recruiters email if listed on the site or send a polished and POLITE email to their “contact us” page. If you still hear crickets, move-on! Due to the intent issue looking for a position is a numbers game. You can’t apply for any position that “looks good” but you can’t be so picky that you hesitate to apply to one or two jobs a week. Find a focused middle ground. Before applying to a company check to see if anyone in your network works at that company. If you have are actually acquainted with them feel free to reach out and ask them if they’d refer you! You could be helping them get a referral bonus if you get hired! Everybody WINS!
  2. The Muse
    • I am a big fan of The Muse! They put out relevant content and are working to make themselves a one-stop shop for your job search. They not only have job postings but they also have options to review online courses and outreach to get advice. The only drawback would be that they may not have as many employers as LinkedIn but the positive to me was that they have different employers! Another plus is that the employers on their platform are obviously staying up with new trends are showing they’re adapting with technology which was a big factor for me during my job search. When searching for a job on The Muse site they give you a few basic search filters which I prefer (location, company size, job level and keywords). Platforms that have you narrow your job search down too much cause you to miss opportunities because you were too specific. Every company is different and may have a different name or title for the same type of work you do! The best feature by far on TheMuse.com job’s site is that they provide a ton of information on the companies that are posting jobs with them! They even have employee profiles for you to review. This is a great way to get a better feel for the company and the people they hire before you apply. It’s great intel for you AND can help you decide if it’s a company you’d like to apply to or not.
  3. Indeed (Don’t need Prime membership to be successful)
    • For me, Indeed was a necessary evil during my job search. They have a large database and A LOT of companies use them. My personal experience with Indeed was that most of the interviews I had were with companies that hadn’t really looked at my information and you could tell they had 10+ other calls lined-up that day. While I did get interviews out of Indeed it required a lot more work. I was often redirected to a companies website to upload my information into their Applicant Tracking System. I’ve also used Indeed as a recruiter. It’s a high volume resource and often delivers sub par results….granted I don’t pay for their premium or prime services so I can’t speak to their track records. The main draw to Indeed as I mentioned before is the number of opportunities. The best part about getting to review so many job listings is that I was able to create better searches for myself and see the different types of job titles companies were using for similar positions I’ve held. Indeed can also be effective for certain industries or types of jobs more than others. I know that in the past, as a recruiter, I was able to connect with some amazing Administrative applicants and environmental technicians. It’s a random mix but that’s how diverse the candidate and job pools are on Indeed. The main lesson of it all is that it’s important to have a diversified job search and using platforms with a wide breadth like Indeed can help you to discover new opportunities or companies that you may not come across on other sites.
  4. Hired.com (great for tech or freelancers)
    • Having worked for Hired.com I haven’t a different viewpoint than others. I worked directly with candidates and can attest to the how much Talent Advocates really do care about the candidates. I’ve never been surrounded by so many compassionate and hardworking people in my life. It is a high volume process but that lends itself to candidates being able to go about the process independently or they can reach out to a Talent Advocate as much as they’d like for help. While the platform at this time focuses mostly on technical and freelancing opportunities they are looking to grow. There are also several competitors in the Human Resources (HR) tech space. I’ve gotten feedback from candidates across the board that have used them all and most give Hired a good review. It often depends on if they got a job or not. This factor usually sways most peoples views and reviews of job search tools and software. Similarly to LinkedIn’s profiles, you can build a profile on Hired. They allow you to show-off your personality and have made strides in making the profile adaptable to different technical proficiencies i.e. designers (portfolios). It’s important to listen to your Talent Advocate if they provide you with feedback on your profile. They aren’t doing it for themselves…they know what works on the platform. They work with 100’s of candidates every month. If you utilize all the resources on Hired.com you’re more likely to have a successful experience. My last piece of advice regarding Hired is to be ready to be transparent. They require this of ALL of the companies and candidates on the platform and yes, that means salary/hourly rate. The main reason is that it’s important that everyone is on the same page from day one.
  5. Angel List (great for opportunities at start-ups)
    • If you’re interested in working for a start-up or a smaller company Angel List is perfect. During my job search, I was really impressed with the companies outreach and how quickly they followed-up. As long as you’re applying to jobs that fit your background and are relevant your odds of hearing back from a company are pretty good. It’s also helpful to have a completed profile on Angel List. If you’re really targeting the start-up world you should make sure to express what you’re passionate about in your work and what you’re looking for in a company. The best thing a company can find out about you is that you align with their company culture and you have the right skill-set. It’s a win-win situation. Angel List similar to Hired is a very transparent platform but does still let you maintain discretion. Only companies that you apply to know that you’re looking for a job. This can be helpful especially if you’re looking in the same city you’re working. Start-up communities are tight knit. Angel List also has a great app just like some of the other tools mentioned (Hired, LinkedIn, Indeed, etc).

 

Surprise! Tool #6. YOUR NETWORK (not online…your personal and business network) – These are people that know you, have worked with you and can meet you for coffee or lunch. Never hesitate to reach out to people and ask for their opinions, is their employer hiring, do they have any recommendations of people for you to connect with?
You have incredible resources at your fingertips! The possibilities for new opportunities are endless. If you do your research, stay focused and are consistent in your job search practices you will be unstoppable.
Please feel free to reach out OR comment if you have questions.
Best of luck to you all in your job searches!!!
– C.C. Coach

 

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Career Advice, Interviews, Job Search

Don’t Fear Failure

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Interview not go so well?…
Our failures can lead to our greatest triumphs and revelations! As long as we don’t bury ourselves in defeat…
STUDY your losses and ask yourself…
“Why do I think the interview went poorly?”
“Did I answer all of their questions thoughtfully and thoroughly?”
“Were there specific questions that they asked me that caught me off guard?”
“Did I articulate my skills confidently and concisely?”
“Overall, what did I learn and how can I apply it to my next interview?”
Even when you think you “crushed it” there are always opportunities to hone your skills. After you’ve reviewed these questions and reflected on your interview it’s important to move on and use what you’ve learned to help you in your next interview. Focus on the solution.
My most recent job search showed me that each interview is an opportunity to improve and prepare for the next one. Throughout the process, I learned more about my strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. I was able to take a good hard look at my job search. I developed a clearer understanding of my non-negotiable’s and what was REALLY important to me. It enabled me to focus and ultimately find a job that aligned with my personal and professional goals. 
If you feel it’s appropriate, you can send an email to the interviewer asking for feedback. This is a great opportunity for you to end things on a positive note and get direct feedback! Don’t be discouraged if you can’t or don’t get feedback from the interviewer – you have all the tools to figure out ways to make your next interview a success.
Don’t Fear Failure! Use it to your advantage. 
“Every time I lose, it takes a really long time for me to lose again because I learn so much from it” – (TED Talk) Serena Williams 
Good luck on your interviews this week!
– C.C. Coach
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