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careeramp-blog · 5 years

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How to Choose a Career Coach in 2019

Are you looking for a job?

You might be thinking –

Do I need a career coach?

How will I find a good career coach?

How can I evaluate the career coach?

Do I need a career coach?

The answer is yes, a good career coach will improve your job search. Whether you are a college student choosing a first job or internship. A professional feeling stuck or looking to pivot in your career. A person returning to the workforce. Ultimately, working with a career coach will help you.

Finding a good job takes work and can be stressful. Everyday life can get in the way of your career transition. A good coach adds process and accountability to the search. Also, a coach can help college students get over the pressure to find the perfect job. For professionals in mid-career, it can be difficult to know where to start. Additionally you may be out of practice interviewing and networking. If you are returning to the workforce, you can benefit from support and expertise launching your job search.

How will I find a good career coach?

The coaching relationship is personal. Therefore, focus on the right fit for you and your unique situation.

Start with research and create a list of possible coaches. The best place to start is to ask for recommendations. Some coaches are better than others. If a friend or trusted colleague has had a good experience that is a plus. Next, check with your college career development or alumni website, and industry associations for recommendations. Then look on LinkedIn or generally online.

As you develop your list, read websites and blogs. Career transition information is available on-line, in periodicals and through college and industry sources. Once you have read a few articles you will have a feel for current trends and topics. Also, ideally you will find a coach who impresses you as a thought leader.

After doing some research, consider your goals. What is your agenda? Are you looking for help in career planning and choosing a career path? Or, are you more interested in the basics of job search? Are you stuck looking for your first job? Have you recently lost your job and want support moving forward? Your situation and your goals will affect the decision.

Sometimes referrals and research will lead you to your top choice. Otherwise, at this point you should speak to the top 2 or 3 coaches on your list.

How can I evaluate a career coach?

A good coach listens, reflects, and when appropriate – challenges. The coaching style will be apparent in your first conversation.

Consider the coach’s personality. Are you comfortable speaking with the coach? Is the coach actively listening to you. Look for indications that there is a commitment to your goals. Keep in mind, a good coach is unbiased with no outside or personal agenda.

In the initial conversation you can ask for information about coaching process and philosophy. Next, ask about work experience and training. Has the coach worked with people in situations similar to yours? Exact experience may not be as important as training and philosophy, depending on your priorities.

Certification – People enter the coaching profession through training, work experience or through a combination. There are institutions committed to advancing the coaching profession through coach training and industry research. Certification can help ensure that the coach has an academic, philosophical and ethical foundation to their coaching.

You can ask if the coach is certified and from which program. A quick check on the programs will help you better understand the training and platform. For example, certification programs are offered through the ICF, Columbia Teachers College CCP program, and Georgetown University.

Finally don’t forget a few smaller items. Understand timing and the coach’s availability to your schedule. Confirm that the conversations are confidential. Don’t forget to ask about cost!

Conclusion

Your life is complicated and busy. The right coach can partner with you to create the space needed to take small regular steps toward success in your job search.

My Professor, and a great coach, Professor Terry Maltbia, describes a coach as someone who moves valuable people from where they are to where they want to be. Enjoy the opportunity for support and the extra value a coach will add to your job search

About the Author

Debbie Matson is a Career Coach, Recruiter and Founder of CareerAmplify. She has an MBA from Cornell University and is a certified Executive Coach trained at Columbia University Teachers College. Her passion is empowering students moving from academics to full-time employment, and helping people at all stages of their careers find the next great job.

#CareerCoach #CareerAmplify #CareerAdvice #CareerTips

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careeramp-blog · 5 years

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Preparing for a Skype Interview

Some Great Tips for a skype interviw are as follows:

Practice on Skype prior to the Interview Don’t begin your practice with your first job interview. Practice with Skype before the interview. Play with it. Learn how it works and what it can do. This way you will increase your familiarity with Skype and how to make it work best for you. Your job interview is the one time you can’t afford to wing it. Practice diligently!

Keep Eye Contact It is especially important to remember you must look into your camera and not your screen; this is one of the most noticeable errors made. Maintain eye contact much like you would with an actual person. Don’t sit as close to the computer as you normally would, sit a bit farther back so that your face and upper shoulders are in the shot. Additionally, place the computer slightly higher than you normally do, so that it’s capturing you face-on and you’re not looking down at it.

The camera will record your smiles and facial expressions so try to loosen up and relax as much as possible. Smiling makes you look positive, confident and enthusiastic about the job you are applying for. Remember to blink and try to keep from nervous gestures such as twirling your hair or picking at your nails during the interview.

Practice makes perfect, try to practice with a friend by having them Skype you for a mock interview.

Dress for success

What i wear to a job interview. This will put you in the right frame of mind and help you present a professional first impression to your interviewer. Darker colours typically work best on camera and try to avoid stark white as well as overly busy patterns. High gloss lips and glittery jewellery can also be distracting.

Be careful reading from notes Use notes if you feel they are helpful, but make sure you are very familiar with them so that if you need to refer to them you can do subtly. Reading your notes like a script or sounding like you are delivering a pre-prepared speech can break the natural flow of the interview and detract from how genuine you sound.

#SkypeInterview #PhoneInterview #JobInterview

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careeramp-blog · 5 years

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Entry Level Jobs After College

Are you wondering how to find an entry level job after college graduation? Outlined below is some information to help you succeed in your job search.

What is an entry level job?

Entry level jobs are roles that require little or no professional work experience. Titles can vary greatly depending on the company. Possible titles include Assistant, Associate, Analyst or Coordinator.

As you develop your resume cover letter and outreach for an entry level job, consider how the skills you developed in internships or part time positions during college relate to the job description. In addition, volunteer work, fraternity/sorority leadership roles and participation in athletics are all areas where you have developed the attributes an employer looks for in an employee. In an entry level job your goal is to learn and develop the professional and social skills needed to grow within the company and industry. Corporate training and leadership development programs offer great development opportunities.

How to find a good entry level job that offers training and development?

Entry level jobs differ in terms of the amount of training they actually offer. Do your research. Use your network and ask friends, relatives and recent graduates for recommendations of companies with strong training and development. Speak to alumni who work in your target field. Ask people how they started and for suggestions for your job search. The economy is good. In today’s job market companies are using training and development as a way to attract great candidates. Check out the company website and Facebook page to learn specifics. You may be surprised at the range of companies offering structured training and development to new employees, from Bonobos to Burger King there are many opportunities. If you are someone who wants a small company or start-up, enjoys learning by doing, and teaching yourself, you may not be looking for a training program. During your job search consider other important factors such as company culture, opportunities for promotion and key skills needed to reach next levels.

Does the degree need to match the job title or career option?

The short answer is no. If you majored in computer science, software engineering, or data analytics, you have probably found a range of entry level jobs within your major to consider. You will need to sort opportunities by considering the industry, growth opportunities in both the role and the industry, company culture, salary, work/life balance and your passion and energy.

For liberal arts majors, the first job or industry may not be so obvious. Look for an entry level role in a growing company that interests you. Consider the types of people you meet in the company and learn about the potential career paths. Employers hire people for their ability to solve problems and get things done. Liberal arts majors can show that they are critical thinkers and lifelong learners. If you do not have a specific technical skill to demonstrate, show competencies you have developed that will add value to the organization.

For more discussion, see our interview in the Kenyon College Kenyon at Work newsletter.

Good luck and enjoy exploring your opportunities. Contact us at CareerAmplify if you have questions or would like to discuss your job search. We look forward to speaking with you!

About the Author

Debbie Matson is a Career Coach, Recruiter and Founder of CareerAmplify. She has an MBA from Cornell University and is a certified Executive Coach from Columbia University Teachers College. Her passion is empowering students moving from academics to full-time employment, and helping people at all stages of their careers find the next great job.

#JobSearch #EntryLeveljob #JobAfterCollege

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careeramp-blog · 5 years

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10 tough interview questions and how to answer them

Have you ever gone to a job interview prepared to talk about the organization, your skill set, your passion for excellence, and had the interviewer ask the one tough question you had not considered?

Interviews come in all shapes and sizes: the telephone screen, AI screen, behavioral interview, situational interview, technical interview, case study.

The more you practice, the better your conversation with the hiring manager will go. Below are 10 common interview questions and sample answers

Question 1. Tell me about yourself?

Your first panicked thought - What? Didn’t you read my resume? My carefully crafted cover letter?

The tell me about yourself question is an opportunity for you to craft a story that will help your future employer learn more about you. There is no wrong answer.

You can briefly describe your background including previous jobs, activities and geographic locations in a way that helps the interviewer understand what makes you a good fit. A chance for you to edit the story and highlight skills and experiences that may not be obvious.

Your answer should help move the listener to appreciate more about you and gain a better overall understanding.

Don’t speak for too long!

Question 2. Why are you interested in our company?

Of course you researched the company, the role and the interviewer before the day of the interview!!!

The interviewer wants to know if you have done your homework. Can you differentiate this company from the competitors in the same industry. Do you have a real desire to work here. What makes you excited about this company and this job.

Every organization has a distinct culture, the better your research, the better you will answer why you and the company are a good fit.

Question 3. What is your major weakness?

Your first thought might be No!!! I am afraid to answer this question.

Clearly, if you are interviewing for data analytics roles, do not list math as your weakness.

The interviewer is interested in how you answer this question as much as in the answer itself. One suggestion is to talk about an area where you would like to further develop your skills. This is your chance to show that you are thoughtful and self-aware.

Question 4. What motivates you?

Money? Power? Job satisfaction? Develop skills? Save the world?

The interviewer wants to understand more about your priorities and whether they align with the company and with the team.

For example, if you are interviewing for a sales role, you may want to talk about enjoying competition and the ability to see the direct results of your work, as motivators. In other positions, this answer might not be appropriate.

Be honest with yourself as you look at jobs. Both you and your future employer want a good match in terms of motivation and priorities.

Question 5. What salary are you looking for?

Don’t we all just hate this question?

Research is the key. You need to understand the salary range for a job before you go in to the interview.

If pressed for an answer, offer a range that you know is within the salary band. You can also say that you would like to understand the full job description more clearly before committing to a salary.

Ideally salary is negotiated at a later point in the interview process, and at the offer stage.

Question 6. Tell me about a time when you have served others?

You may think, I have never been in a customer service job before!!

The interviewer is trying to understand whether you have the ability to consider other peoples’ needs. Are you able and willing to put yourself in the position of the customer (inside the company or outside the company) and understand their goals.

As you frame the answer, think about examples from paid or volunteer work, or an experience you have had with a friend, teammate or fellow student in need. You can be creative and demonstrate the ability to work in an environment that is customer focused.

Question 7. Tell me about a time you had multiple competing priorities and deadlines. How did you deal with the situation?

Love this type of question.

Here is an opportunity to give examples of teamwork as well as highlight a skill or a project you have done. Everyone has confronted this situation somewhere, either in work, school, sports or volunteer work.

In answering this question you can also show your awareness of management styles and your ability to negotiate and prioritize.

To answer this question, try the STAR method.

Describe the Situation, explain your role or Task, outline the Actions you took and conclude with the Results.

Click here for a review of types of interviews and more about the STAR method

Question 8. If there was one thing you want us to remember about you after this interview, what would it be?

You may be thinking – I want this job!

Probably not the best answer

This question gives you the opportunity to highlight an important connection between yourself and the role. Consider what differentiator or skill you would like to reinforce. Connect yourself to the job or to something that was discussed in the interview.

Question 9. We are looking at doing a deal with an overseas media company. What are the steps you would take to analyze the transaction and what model would you use?

This question was asked in a first round, telephone interview. The position was for an internship in private equity.

The candidate’s first thoughts. Oh No! This is such a quantitative question. This is supposed to be the cultural fit interview.

If you are interviewing in private equity or consulting, you will be reading and practicing for case interviews. But, it is possible in any interview to get a question that takes you far out of your comfort zone.

Take a deep breath. The interviewer wants to see how you respond, how you think, how you process and solve problems

Ultimately it is not the answer but how you think about it.

Question 10. We cannot hire everyone in this room, if you had to fire someone, who would it be?

Do employers really ask this question. Yes! This was an actual question asked during the last phase of a group interview for a summer internship.

Such a tough and horrible question for so many reasons. I like this answer from a candidate who said, I analyzed everyone in the room and picked the person closest to myself in skills and experience. I figured that he was my closest competitor.

If you find yourself in a high stress interview, stay cool, be kind and be creative.

As you interview, enjoy exploring your opportunities.

At CareerAmplify we specialize in career transition coaching. Contact us if you have more questions or would like to discuss your job search. We look forward to speaking with you!

About the Author

#JobInterviewQuestion #JobSearch #CareerCoach #Interview

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careeramp-blog · 5 years

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How to Create a Cover Letter for a Job

Do you need a cover letter as part of your job search materials? Yes! In fact, your cover letter may be the most important document you send to a potential employer when applying for a job.

Your cover letter is your first introduction to a hiring manager and first impressions are important. Make the letter as powerful and informative as possible.

A good cover letter will capture the attention of the hiring manager and outline why you stand out from the competition. Therefore, you will need to describe what makes you different and more valuable than all of the other applicants.

Review the position requirements carefully. Focus on how you can help your new employer in your new position. Show that you have done your research and include some language evidencing your knowledge of the company’s business and operations. Let them know you are ready to contribute immediately!

Avoid restating the information included in your resume. Your cover letter is your opportunity to add to your resume and explain how you would add value to your future employer.

Also avoid using clichés when describing yourself in your cover letter. Everyone is intelligent, hard-working and a team player. Include information regarding projects and prior experience and other specific examples of what sets you apart from all of the other applicants. This your chance to shine!

Cover letters come in a variety of formats but usually include three sections:

A brief statement of interest

Bullet point illustrations of your skills and experience relative to the target job

A short conclusion, call to action and thank you.

Your College Career Center’s office may have a preferred format. Start there but remember that your letter needs to stand out from everyone else’s letter. Accordingly, don’t be afraid try something a little different.

Who should the cover letter be addressed to? What if you can’t find any name to use? There are ways to determine, or guess the information you need. Spend a few minutes researching the target department. Ask personal contacts within the target company to give you the right name. Otherwise find the name of the Department Head, or Talent Acquisition leader and address the letter to them. Do not open your letter with “To Whom it May Concern”!

Good luck! Enjoy the opportunity to reach and speak to potential employers.

About the Author

#CareerCoach #CoverLetter #JobSearch #JobInterview

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careeramp-blog · 5 years

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Salary Discussion and Advocating for yourself can be Challenging!

Should you negotiate your salary? The answer is yes!

Some facts to consider

Fewer than 40% of workers negotiated salary after receiving their last job offer

50% of men and 70% of women have never negotiated salary

The median salary for women is 22% less than for men

Many hiring managers expect some negotiation

Before salary discussion in an interview, do some research:

As your salary discussions with HR, or the hiring manager progress, do your research.Salary information including salary bands are found in websites such as PayScale and Glassdoor. You can check by job title and target company.Postings for job openings and industry association sites are good sources of information. If you can’t get an exact number, you will find a salary range. Many LinkedIn job postings will give you salary ranges.

Speak with someone you trust about the job opening:

Close contacts who will be honest with you

Someone in the industry – possibly a hiring manager who will have a sense of salary level and range

College alumni working at the company

Consider your goals and personal financial situation:

Can you afford to live at the lower end of the salary range being offered?

What salary will you accept?

What factors are most important to you?

Evaluate the Total Offer – Look beyond the base salary:

In addition to the salary, and job title, you should evaluate the total offer

The components of a compensation package can include:

Health care coverage – medical, dental, your contribution, family coverage

Vacation, sick, and personal days

Bonus potential – what is the target and how can it be achieved?

Company sponsored savings plans – 401 K’s and any company match

Type of pension plan – defined contribution or defined benefit

Long-term incentives – stock options, shadow equity, performance contingent shares

Reimbursements for daycare, transportation, parking

Maternity/paternity leave and flexible work arrangements

Non-Financial Factors to consider in your salary discussion

The salary may be great, but keep in mind:

Physical location – downtown or suburban office park?

Commute time and cost – do you need a car or is there public transaction?

Work environment – open floor plan, cubicles, hot desk

Opportunities for learning and advancement

Corporate culture and style

Potential for advancement and learning

Planning the salary discussion:

Once you have researched and considered the total offer, you need to plan the conversation.

Express your interest in the role; be positive and enthusiastic, not combative or aggressive

Ask for any clarification surrounding the salary and benefits being offered

Articulate your goals and briefly present any research that supports your goals

Consider how the person you are speaking with communicates and receives information. Try to match your style to what will be most comfortable for them

Agree on a time frame to continue the conversation if no decision is reached

Thank the hiring manager for the opportunity to discuss your goal

I was proud to be part of a panel organized by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, St Louis Chapter, discussing this important topic and offering ideas and strategies for negotiating your salary.

Contact us if you have more questions or would like to discuss salary negotiation further. We look forward to speaking with you!

About the Author

Debbie Matson is a Career Coach, Recruiter and Founder of Career Amplify. She has an MBA from Cornell University and is a certified Executive Coach from Columbia University Teachers College. Her passion is empowering students moving from academics to full-time employment, and helping people at all stages of their careers find the next great job.

#CareerCoach #salarydiscussion #salarynegotiation #jobsearch

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careeramp-blog · 5 years

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How To Find a Job After College : A Step by Step Guide

Looking for find your first job after college?

Overloaded with career advice?

Stay calm and start building a plan. Don’t let the pressure of finding a dream jobderail your career exploration

Below is a step-by-step guide to help you find a job after college!

Step 1. Commit to a Job Search Process

Step 2. Impress hiring managers by writing a strong resume and cover letter Step 3. Create a consistent message on social media starting with your LinkedIn profile

Step 4. Pay attention to your contact network

Step 5. Locate job postings for entry level positions

Step 6. Plan your outreach

Step 7. The interview process

Step 8. Salary research

Step 9. Evaluate the job offer

Step 10. Start on your career path

Step 1. Commit to a Job Search Process

To find a job after college, set goals and create an organized job search structure.

Success comes from process, organization, accountability and creativity.

Commit to an amount of time every day or week

Don’t waste of time worrying about what to do

Choose a dedicated time and place to work. Pick a location that is comfortable and motivating for you. Some people need to work in quiet, peaceful locations. Others need noise and companionship. If you have friends who are on the job hunt, it might be a good idea to meet regularly and support each other in the search.

Find an inspiring personal activity to enhance your job search

Don’t let job search stress get in the way of exploring other interests and opportunities while you have the chance

Now is the time to explore volunteer work, sports or, activities you haven’t had time for. Volunteer activity can be personally rewarding and helpful in your job search.

As a volunteer you will have the chance to meet people and develop skills that can lead directly to a job. According to an article in Forbes, 60% of hiring managers surveyed agreed that volunteer work makes you more marketable.

Pay attention to the people you meet. Your shared passion may enable you to develop a friendship or a career contact. Do a little research, inquire about their professional work, ask for career advice and insights. You may be working with your future hiring manager.

For further thoughts about volunteering and its place in your job hunt, see the article about volunteering

Step 2. Impress hiring managers by writing a strong resume and cover letter

When finding a job Don’t let resume writing slow you down and side track the real work here.

Consider your resume a constant work in progress and move on as quickly as possible.

A few tips: As a recent college graduate, your resume should be one page long. Use simple, direct language and an easy to read font. Most schools have a resume template available on the Career Development Office website. This template is a good place to start.

Don’t let lack of paid work experience stop you. Focus on competencies you have gained in school, volunteer work or social service.

No work experience, or limited job experience? Consider the competencies you developed as a volunteer, in sports, religious organization, or a fraternity or sorority. When you staffed a front desk, organized a charitable function, managed the kitchen, or captained a sports team, you have developed skills that translate into work experience. Make sure to highlight goals, challenges and achievementsfor any significant roles whether or not you were paid.

When applying for a specific position, tailor your resume and focus on skills and achievements relevant to the job posting.

Most resumes are initially scanned by a computer, using artificial intelligence as a first pass, to assess your possible fit for a job. Look at the job description, highlight experience relevant to the target role.

Create a cover letter

https://careeramplify.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/student-taking-notes.jpg

Consider your cover letter the opportunity to show interest and to give more specific details around the question – why you for this job?

The cover letter should include three sections:

A brief statement of interest

Bullet point illustrations of your skills and experience relative to the target job

A short conclusion, call to action and thank you

Who should the cover letter be addressed to? What if you can’t find any name to use?

There are ways to determine, or guess the information you need. Spend a few minutes researching the target department. Ask personal contacts within the company to give you the right name. Otherwise find the name of the Department Head, or Talent Acquisition leader and address the letter to them. Do not open your letter with “To Whom it May Concern”!

Step 3. Create a consistent message on social media starting with your LinkedIn profile

Create a three to five line pitch that you are comfortable saying. Make sure family and friends can also repeat your message

Deliver a unified message in your speech, on your resume, and in other social media accounts

Clean up your social media accounts. Don’t alienate a future hiring managerwith inflammatory opinions or drunken posts.

Your pitch can include.

Who you are,

What you studied,

What interests you

If you have a specific passion or experience that is relevant, include that information in your message.

Create or update your LinkedIn profile

There is plenty of information about creating a great social media presence. Let’s consider a few of the ideas regarding LinkedIn.

LinkedIn is a key platform for you to present yourself to possible employers and key contacts.

Use the Summary section to make sure recruiters and future hiring managers find you in a search and pay attention. Write in the first person and use key words from your industry or target job description. Recruiters will be searching using key words, so make sure you are describing skills and experiences utilizing these words.

The Summary is a chance to show who you are, what you do and what you are looking for. You can include your passion, interests, key skills and motivations. If you are in an active job hunt, make sure to end the Summary with a call to action about the job you are seeking, and include best way to contact you.

Step 4. Pay attention to your contact network

Your contact network as a powerful job search tool

As a recent college graduate in seeking full time work for the first time, parents and friends’ contacts will be particularly valuable to you

Consider a recent Korn Ferry survey that cited 77% of executives who say networking is the most important part of a job search

A goal in building your contact network is to find the top 20 people who will help you take the next step to landing a job.

Whether for an entry level job or a very senior role, contacts are key to success.

As a first step, look as near to home as possible. Consider your closest friends and family. Speak with parents, professors, friends. Your softball coach, your neighbor or your parent’s best friend may play a key role in your target industry.

What can you gain from a contact?

As a college grad finding a first job, the goal is to learn from your key contacts and to get assistance in being noticed by a hiring manager. You are still going to have to do the hard work. But a contact can make all the difference in introducing you to a recruiter or employer, and in explaining company culture or helping with interview strategy.

Whenever you identify a target job or company, check to see if you can find a contact to help navigate.

Below is a short article about networking

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/winning-networking-event-john-link-m-s-/

Step 5. Where to find job postings for entry level positions

Prioritize your sources

As a college student or recent college graduate, check first with your Career Development Office and on the Career website.

Create and update your profile on the school’s job platform.

Speak to an advisor and ask for advice

Ask Professors and other industry experts connected to your major

Alumni of your school may prioritize candidates from their alma mater, pay attention to this valuable resource

Key contacts may be able to flag a job posting and get it to you early in the process.

Timing is important. Industry statistics say that 75% of roles are filled before they are advertised. If you have done a good job getting your message out, you may see a job posting ahead of your competition.

Company websites and Corporate LinkedIn pages are sources of job postings

Before submitting an application try to discover the name and contact information for the recruiter or hiring manager. Think about how you will follow up after your application is submitted

Job Sites

These websites are filled with roles that may interest you. It is harder to be noticed when applying through a portal that can attract a very large pool of candidates.

Research first and strategize about ways to reach the company, recruiter or the hiring manager so that your application will be seen.

Step 6. Plan your outreach

Explore best practices for follow up and outreach. These are skills you will need at all stages of your career path.

If you have been recommended for a role or introduced to a potential contact, ask for advice about the best outreach method. For example, you may like to use Snapchat for communication, but the person you are trying to reach may be a regular Twitter user. Ask for guidance.

In general, try email first but recognize that most people have email overload and may not respond.

Keep a spreadsheet of your outreach efforts and follow up.

Don’t overwhelm your target contact, so consider spacing out your communication.

If email fails, you can search your target on-line and see how they communicate. If a person uses LinkedIn frequently, a private message on LinkedIn might be a good second step.

Don’t text or get too casual unless given guidance that this form of communication is appropriate.

Outreach is challenging and can be frustrating. Stay organized and on top of the process and you will get results.

Step 7. The Interview Process

Preparation is the key.

Research the company

Review your application materials

Practice answers to common questions

Interview formats

Telephone screen

Digital interviews

Skype interviews

One-on-one interview

Panel interview

At different stages of the interview process you will be asked different types of questions.

The first interview is often a telephone screen. The purpose can be to understand more about you and to assess your cultural fit for a position or a company.

The phone screen may be followed by an assessment or digital interview.

If you are asked to do a digital interview, make sure to prepare as if you are having a Skype or other video communication.

You can read more about digital interviews here

During the next stage of the process you will be asked more detailed questions. Be prepared for different types of questions:

In a Behavioral Interview you should be ready to give examples of how you have dealt with a challenge, worked on a team, solved a problem.

Technical Interviews will focus on specialized knowledge in a field

Specific industries will have you do a Case Study to assess your ability to solve a business problem

You cannot over-prepare. Create succinct and compelling answers to possible interview questions using the STAR method:

Situation: Describe the situation, give a little background to set the scene

Task: Explain your role or responsibility in the situation

Action: What did you do to resolve the problem or add value

Result: Share what outcomes your actions achieved

Talk about yourself as an individual and as part of a team. Demonstrating teamwork and collaboration is key

Thank you!

Don’t end an interview without contact information for your interviewer. Send a thank you by email within 24 hours of the conversation.

Step 8. Research salary

At some point in the interview process you may be asked for your target salary. This is a tough question when seeking an entry level position. As you research potential jobs and industries, make sure to learn about salary.

Salary information including salary bands are found in websites such as PayScale and Glassdoor. You can check by job title and target company. NACE, the National Association of Colleges and Employers publishes information on salary and benefits. See recent information here.

Postings for job openings and industry association sites are good sources of information. If you can’t get an exact number, you will find a salary range. Many LinkedIn job postings will give you salary ranges.

Speak with someone at your Career Development office

Step 9. Evaluate the job offer

As you consider your job offer, look beyond base salary and assess the total offer.

In addition to the entry level salary, and job title, you should consider the total compensation package

The components of a compensation package can include:

Health care coverage – medical, dental, your contribution, family coverage

Vacation, sick, and personal days

Bonus potential – what is the target and how can it be achieved?

Company sponsored savings plans – 401K’s and any company match

Type of pension plan – defined contribution or defined benefit

Long-term incentives – stock options, shadow equity, performance contingent shares

Reimbursements for daycare, transportation, parking

Maternity/paternity leave and flexible work arrangements

The salary may be great, but keep in mind non-financial factors:

Physical location – downtown or suburban office park?

Commute time and cost – do you need a car or is there public transaction?

Work environment – open floor plan, cubicles, hot desk

Opportunities for learning and advancement

Corporate culture and style

Potential for advancement and learning

Step 10. Start on your career path

Congratulations on finding a job!

Once you start your new job do some final housekeeping:

Send thank you’s to everyone who has helped you

Review the contact list you created and update any information you received

File your resume and cover letter in a folder on your computer

Update your LinkedIn and other social media accounts

Enjoy learning and developing skills in your new role!

About the Author

#CareerCoach #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #JobInterview

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careeramp-blog · 5 years

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Preparing for a Skype Interview

At its core, a Skype interview isn’t that different than a face to face interview. You need to learn about the company and preparing for a Skype interview questions about yourself and what you can bring to the company.

In addition to a phone interview, your job search will probably include a Skype (or other visual platform) interview.

It is important to spend time preparing your environment and testing the technology before the interview.

As with a phone interview, if you are on campus and living in a dorm or other shared space, identify a quiet spot where you will be free from interruption and have good reception. You may need to ask Career Services to give you use of a quiet room.

Once you have identified your space, test the platform you will be using and see how you look, how the background looks and whether the camera and the microphone are working properly.

On the day of the interview, dress as if you are meeting the interviewer in person. Pay careful attention to your grooming, your teeth, and any makeup

During the interview: Turn off your phone ringer. Smile and engage in eye contact with the interviewer, do not stare at yourself in the camera. Take notes

As with all interviews:

Before the call ends, make sure to get full contact details for your interviewer. Understand timing and next steps. Express your interest in the role, thank the interviewer.

After the interview, reflect on your notes, what have you learned, is there anything you might want to clarify or add in a follow up thank you email.

Say thank you!

Send the thank you email within the day, or at the latest, within 24 hours. Anyone who helps you should receive a thank you note and an on-going progress update. If you find an article or information that is relevant, send it to them to show that you are a thinker and that you appreciate their attention.

If you want another opinion reinforcing the need to say thank you, check out this article on cnn.com How to Write a Thank you Note

Good luck and enjoy exploring your opportunities! Contact us at www.careeramplify.com or [email protected] for further help with your job search.

#careeradvice #phone interview #skypeinterview #jobsearch

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careeramp-blog · 5 years

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Career Tips Every College Graduate Needs to Hear in 2019

Congratulations on graduating college! I hope you are enjoying the summer. You may be thinking about finding a job.

A few career tips for every college graduate as you venture on your career path. Don’t worry about getting a dream job. Just consider getting work experiencein a great company, a target industry or with inspiring people Tasting the real world of work is an important experience in itself.

A successful job search combines creativity, tenacity, process and maximizing all the great resources available to you. For the majority of people, the most important job search resource is your contact network. We’ll talk more about that later.

Below are few career tips to help you get started as a job seeker

Looking for an entry level job

The search for an entry level position after college is about much more than your resume, but you will need a resume. Create a basic resume. You can and will continue to update it.

Sample resumes are everywhere. You can use the format recommended by your college or university. Other models include resumes of people in your target industry, or that you admire. Google docs and sites like Etsy all have creative and visually appealing resume templates.

If you have a dream job or target industry, identify a font and style that reflect this goal. Focus on your skills and accomplishments and make sure to emphasize both individual and team work. If you don’t have actual work experience, consider school projects, community service and sports activities as some areas to highlight.

Once the resume is done, have a relative, close friend, or mentor review it. You can keep adjusting based on the information you receive during your search, but don’t let resume creation paralyze your search.

You might enjoy this article from The Muse suggesting several interesting resume templates For more resume templates visit here

Cover letter for the job hunt

Create a cover letter. For employers who care and do read it, the cover letter may be the most important document you send.

Don’t let the problem of creating a cover letter stall an application later. Your basic outline can include 3 sections: a brief statement of interest;

bullet point illustrations of your skills and experience relative to the target job; a short conclusion and call to action.

Your message drives your job search

Create a consistent message to help you take first steps in your career path. Everything you say, do, and post on social media should reflect this message. Don’t assume that parents, family or close friends really understand what you are looking for or can articulate your skills. Explain in 3 to 5 lines, what you studied, what you are looking for, and how they can help.

Social Media

Create a LinkedIn page or edit your current LinkedIn page. The Summary section is a great opportunity for you to speak directly to prospective employersand recruiters. The Summary is where your personality can shine. If you did a great project or learned something, talk about it. Articulate your goals and what you are looking for.

Review all of your personal social media platforms. Take the photo down of you chugging beer at a party. Eliminate inflammatory political arguments. Make sure poor decisions you have made are erased.

Your goal is to deliver a consistent impression to companies that are hiringwithin your target industry or geographic area. Don’t distract from the chance to connectwith a great job opportunity.

Check out this article about LinkedIn as a tool for finding a job

Stay in touch with the Career Development Office

Your school’s Career Services department is an important resource. Call and check in. Log in to the Career Services website. As a recent graduate you can access job postings and information. Many hiring managers favor their alma mater and will post entry level positions with their college career services.

Contacts drive job hunt success

Start creating a contact network database. Your goal — identify the top 20 people who will help you take the next steps toward a job or internship.

Reconnect with former employers, professors and anyone you have spoken to or worked with in the past. Let them know where you are in your job searchand make sure to let them know what you are asking for. If you want an introduction, make sure to say so. If you just want ideas or information, then say that

Say thank you!

Say thank you and follow up. Anyone who helps you should receive a thank you note and an on-going progress update. If you find an article or information that is relevant, send it to them to show that you are a thinker and that you appreciate their attention.

If you want another opinion reinforcing the need to say thank you, check out this article on cnn.com How to Write a Thank you Note

The real world values process

Commit to a process. Set specific dates and times to work on the search. Don’t let family or peer pressure create additional stress. You can take control of your job search.

Enjoy the job search

The job hunt can be fun. Try and enjoy exploring your options! This is your chance to seek opportunities, Use this career tips for college graduate, and learn about the world.

We look forward to working with you to make your job search successful and low stress! Visit our website for more information or please reach out by phone or email.

#JobSearch #Jobseeking #CareerAdvice #CareerTips

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