An Inside Look

Boost your job search with an inside look at the recruitment process from the perspective of Human Resources.

Take a look at this interview below with Lauren Griffiths HR expert from the tech industry, while she breaks down the stages of the hiring process and what you need to expect when entering the interview stages with a recruiter.
 
Applying with a recruiter is a lot different than going directly to the employer on your own. Recruiters are more likely to have information about the company's needs, the competition, and what to expect in terms of benefits or salary. They could already have a strong relationship with the employer, which raises your chances of getting selected.
 
However, not all recruiters are the same. It's important to seek recruiters or recruitment agencies that specialize in your field. Find out what they can do for you and set goals with them early on.
 
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Maximize Your Mentorship

Mentored employees find better success & satisfaction in their careers. As a mentee, how can you make the most out of your mentorship?

    1. Before seeking a mentor, ask yourself if your situation is better suited to a coach.
    Coaches are around for a short period and focus on improving your skills or performance. Mentors are long-term; they tackle broader issues and guide their mentee through a career path using their personal experiences.

    2. Be clear about your needs and objectives.
    As experienced as your mentor may be, they can't predict your needs. Explain exactly what your career goals are. Be honest about your weaknesses so you can also build a plan that improves your personal development. Don't leave all the preparation to your mentor either; be proactive in setting deadlines and scheduling a timeline to keep everyone accountable.

    3. Don’t expect your mentor to have all the answers for you at once.
    Don't get too eager to request favors or expect to receive all their advice in the first meeting. Your mentor is taking time out of their schedule, so your progress will come at a slower pace. Make it your goal to build a long-term, lasting relationship and take everything a step at a time.

How did your mentor shape your career journey?

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Maximize Your Mentorship

What to Do Before You Leave Your Internship

Summer internships are coming to a close, so what can you do to leave a lasting impression?

    1. Stay in touch with your co-workers. Add colleagues on LinkedIn, grab coffee with people from different departments, and learn everything while you're still with the company. Use this opportunity to build your professional network.

    2. Summarize your projects for your supervisor. It helps the company see your work to completion, shows initiative in thinking of the long-term impact of your role, and frames your achievements for your manager to reference.

    3. Thank your supervisor and co-workers, especially those who played an integral role in your success. Showing your appreciation leaves an enduring impact even after you've left.

    4. Ask for feedback, advice, and even a recommendation from your manager. Be gracious when asking for a recommendation whether or not they agree to write one for you.

    5. Stay up to date with news on the company, and follow up with your network on the company's success. Being actively interested can make you a front-runner for a recommendation to a full-time position.

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What to Do Before You Leave Your Internship

When networking with more experienced people, how do you offer value to the relationship?

Networking is about building a relationship; you have to give before you can get. What if you're networking with someone more experienced than you? How do you offer something back when you're in a junior position?

Don't underestimate your knowledge or resources whether you are a student, an entry-level employee, or someone at the start of their career. Tap into your unique life experiences to offer insights to your experienced connections. No matter the level of expertise, there's always something new for them to learn.

Your senior contact might also be looking to reach out to a certain type of person. In that case, suggest someone from your personal and professional network. Even liking and commenting on their LinkedIn posts or sending a thank you note shows support from your end.

Most of the time, just the act of offering your help speaks volumes about your character. You show that you're looking to build a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship. Even if your senior connection isn't looking to receive anything from you, they know that you are a reliable connection.

Do you agree? What are the other ways you can give back to a senior connection?

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When networking with more experienced people, how do you offer value to the relationship?

Stand Out at Your Next Career Fair

Networking at career fairs can be challenging. Some say career fairs aren't worth attending because the recruiters would be too overwhelmed to notice your efforts.

With the right strategy, however, you can stand out from the crowd and land a position.

    1. Have a game plan outlining your purpose, whom you're meeting, and what you want to learn. Take a step further and message the company representatives the day before letting them know that you’re excited to meet them.

    2. Distinguish yourself from the other candidates with an elevator pitch that mentions your specific expertise, your personal projects, and your skills that make you a great cultural fit for their business.

    3. Don't ask questions that show you didn't do your research like "What does the company do?" or "What qualifications are required for the open position?". Ask something related to your knowledge of the company or the recruiters.

    4. Close the deal. Ask for a business card and connect with the representative afterward with a request to meet up. Leaving them your business card is a great way to remind them of your meeting.

What're your experiences at a job fair, and how did you stand out?

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Stand Out at Your Next Career Fair

This is what’s going wrong with your job applications

From an anecdote by our CEO Gavin Ryan:
I recently posted a position for a marketing specialist that garnered 360 online applications. 359 didn’t call, email or message me about their application; they just clicked apply and hit send. The first person to get an interview was the one that bothered to show initiative and let me know they’d applied.

As a job seeker, do you realize how competitive the process is? How are you standing out from the hundreds of applicants you compete with?

So, what were the 360 applicants missing?

Initiative! Are you making an effort to be proactive in your job search? If you illustrate this during the hiring process, you will show that you are an all-star performer.

Be sure to follow up at every stage of the hiring process. Send a thank-you note after an interview, email the recruiter about your application, or message the professional you spoke to after your coffee chat. Following up helps people remember you and demonstrates your sincerity & dedication to your career.

What are your thoughts? What's the one thing you’ve done to make yourself stand out?

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This is what’s going wrong with your job applications

Avoid Doing These at Your Next Coffee Chat

Here's how you might be turning your next coffee chat or informational interview sour:

    1. Not doing your research
    Don't arrive with no background knowledge of your connection or no pre-written questions. Have a clear purpose and use that to prepare specific questions related to their expertise.

    2. Not listening
    Creating a genuine connection should be your number one goal. Actively listen and take note of their advice, and be aware of the agreed time limit.

    3. Immediately asking for a job
    Outright asking for a job looks insincere and may seem like you're using them to get an "in" at their company. If you do want to make your interest known, phrase it differently towards the end of your coffee chat. Asking them to keep you in mind for any opportunities is one way to let them know you're job seeking.

    4. Not following up
    Initiative is always a winning trait. Follow-up afterwards while referencing topics from your conversation. You can keep connecting with them through LinkedIn or sending periodic emails. Think long-term for your professional relationships; they might be able to help you out years down the line.

What’s the wackiest interview question you received? How did you handle it?

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Avoid Doing These at Your Next Coffee Chat

Bizarre Interview Questions

Why are manhole covers round?

Sounds absurd? This is an actual question asked at an interview at Google. You probably already ran into some variation of this like "What animal would you be and why?", or "Sell me this pen."

So how do you answer bizarre interview questions?

First, know that there isn't a right or wrong answer! The purpose of asking weird questions is to see if you did your research, can think on your feet, come up with creative solutions, or are updated with industry news. Interviewers want to move away from rehearsed answers and see you demonstrate your skills.

Next, always explain how you got to your answer. You may not know the exact answer to "How many windows are in NYC?", but showing how you arrived at your conclusion instead of blurting out a random estimate reveals your ingenuity as a candidate.

Finally, make sure to use your answer to prove you're the best fit for the position. Try to connect your answer to the company values or your skill set. Doing this will show your dedication to the position.

What’s the wackiest interview question you received? How did you handle it?

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Bizarre Interview Questions

5 things you SHOULDN'T have on your LinkedIn profile:

    1. Older job roles
    When you've got years of work experience, you don't need to add your high school summer job. Dedicate the space to positions from the past 10-15 years that display your expertise.

    2. Irrelevant recommendations
    Your endorsements should help position you for where you aim to be in your career. Discard those that are vague or unrelated to your current line of work.

    "Unemployed" or "Seeking New Opportunities" in your header
    Recruiters and hiring managers don't use those terms when searching for candidates. Instead, indicate your specialties using keywords that highlight your career.

    4. An unprofessional profile photo
    A professional head shot communicates your value and puts a friendly face behind the qualifications. Also, a profile with no photo is not as credible and could get you fewer clicks.

    5. Inappropriate LinkedIn posts or comments
    Your LinkedIn should focus on work-related activities. Don't post or comment crass, controversial content that alienates you from potential contacts.

What would you never include in your LinkedIn profile?

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5 things you SHOULDN'T have on your LinkedIn profile:

Tips to create your best elevator pitch.

Picture this: The hiring manager of your dream company steps inside your elevator. You rack your head for the best thing to say; but before you open your mouth, the doors open and the manager walks out.

Maybe something similar happened to you at a networking event or an interview? You have a short amount of time to make a strong impression. What do you do?

The elevator pitch is a short, persuasive speech that gives a snapshot of your personal brand. When crafting your elevator speech, remember 3 things:

    1. You don't have to craft a one-size-fits-all elevator pitch. Adjust your speech to different times or content depending on your audience. Practice so you don't fumble through your words.

    2. It's not just a summary of who you are and what you do. It has to contain your unique selling point. What makes you stand out? What trait or achievement would interest the person listening? Sell yourself and be persuasive!

    3. Don't end there! Include a question to keep the conversation rolling. Getting the other party to engage helps create a meaningful connection in a short amount of time.

What are your elevator pitch tips? Has it made a difference in your networking?

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Tips to create your best elevator pitch.

Level Up Your Networking Game with Business Cards.

In the age of LinkedIn, are business cards still relevant?

For many, it's seen as unnecessary. You can just add a contact on your phone or social media app, right?

Business cards are a staple in networking.

Exchanging information with a business card establishes a more personal connection in comparison to fumbling with a phone in the middle of a conversation. It's the easiest way to swap contact information, especially your email address. Business cards are also an excellent way to communicate your brand creatively.

Most of all, business cards make you more memorable at networking events!

So if you don't have a business card, where do you start? Your business card should have a simple design with all your up-to-date contact details. Make sure they aren't crumpled up in your pocket, and be discrete in handing them out; don't aggressively distribute them.

Top tip - always ask for a card. Is more important than giving one out. Don't forget to follow up!

What's your stand on business cards? Are you still using them?

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Level Up Your Networking Game with Business Cards.

How to keep growing when you hit a career plateau.

Most people attribute career growth to vertical growth, but just because you're not chasing down that next promotion or looking for a bigger paycheck, doesn't mean that you can't keep evolving in your career.

  1. Aim for new & different projects in your current role. Breaking the monotony and adding new duties to your position helps you build new skills.
  2. Broaden your education and develop new areas of expertise in your job. You may find new methods to approach your everyday tasks
  3. Seek or offer mentorship. A mentor will bring you new insight about your position. A mentee will challenge you to refine what you know so you can pass that information on to someone else.
  4. Your career shouldn't be stagnant because of the lack of challenge in your work or a fear of change. Let your work compel you to get out of your comfort zone.
  5. Most of all, be kind to yourself. Stability in a career plateau shouldn't be a source of shame. Comparing yourself to other people's career journeys is counterproductive to the real progress you've made.

Do you have tips to share for growing in a career plateau?

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How to keep growing when you hit a career plateau.

How low emotional intelligence is derailing careers.

Low emotional intelligence derails 75% of careers. This stems from an inability to resolve conflict, adapt to change, and relate to others. You could be hindering your success if:
  • You put yourself over the needs of others. Find yourself getting into a lot of arguments? You might think that you're only defending your opinions, but it could show that you don't value collaborative decision making.
  • You lose control over your emotions. Not being able to cope with emotionally charged situations sends a message that you are untrustworthy and unable to be a pillar of support. Or perhaps you’re easily offended?
  • You don't take time to empathize with your peers. Work relationships require emotional vulnerability and support. The same goes for establishing a good rapport with your clients and leading a team. Being able to read emotions helps you anticipate their needs.
How else can low emotional intelligence impact your work relationships? What kind of issues have you noticed in your workplace or classroom that have this kind of impact?
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How low emotional intelligence is derailing careers.