4 Ways To Tell If A Job Posting Is Fake

4 Ways To Tell If A Job Posting Is Fake

The job search process is already difficult enough. Now, throw in the fact that job seekers have to be on the lookout for fake job postings. This is an unfortunate fact of life for those looking for a job in today’s market, but luckily there are some simple ways to spot these fake postings.

You don’t want to fall victim to one of these fake postings. Not only is it a waste of your valuable time, but spammers and scammers are trying to gather your email address and other personal information to potentially steal your identity.

In some rare instances, established employers post fake openings as a way to collect resumes, or to see if any of their current employees are applying for jobs elsewhere.

In order to make the best use of your time, here are four easy ways to spot a fake job posting:

Your Research Comes Up Empty

A job seeker with a laptop is perplexed by an online job posting

A simple search of a company on the internet should contain a diverse wealth of information about a company, including a link to its website and other third-party websites that contain information about the company, such as Glassdoor, Indeed, and LinkedIn.

This is especially true now with so many companies focusing their efforts on good employer branding. Companies are pushing digital content through third-party websites, and their company websites and social media accounts, to tell their stories and give job seekers some insight into what it’s like to work at the company.

If your research on a company comes up empty, then that may be the most obvious red flag of all.

In addition, you should also be able to easily find a contact in human resources to send your materials to or reach out to with any questions. If that information isn’t included in the posting and is impossible to find, that should set off even more alarm bells.

The Posting Contains Multiple Typos And Grammatical Errors

Confused and frustrated man not sure if a job posting is fake or not

Reputable companies take the process of recruiting new talent extremely seriously. They’re going to spend a lot of time crafting the job posting, and they’re going to make sure it has been proofread.

If a job posting has multiple typos and grammatical errors, you should be very suspicious. Look at it this way: Employers will throw out a job seeker’s cover letter or resume for such errors, so job seekers should hold employers to the same standards.

The Posting Gets TOO Personal

Woman thinking about a fake job posting while on her phone and using her laptop

Whenever you apply for a job, there’s always some basic information that you must give, but there’s some information you should never give out from a job posting.

Bank Account Information – With so many people working from home now, a common job posting scam will ask job seekers to give out their routing numbers so “the company” can pay for equipment to help them do their jobs. Sound suspicious? It should, because it’s bogus. The exchange of money or banking information should never be involved in a job posting.

Social Security – Most job postings don’t ask for a Social Security number right off the bat. That usually comes much later in the process.

The Posting Sounds TOO Good To Be True

This warning sign may be a little more subjective than the others, but you should keep a reasonable amount of suspicion if the job seems too perfect.

If you’re applying for a job, there were obviously things about it that made it attractive to you, and it’s not uncommon for employers to list some perks in their job postings to entice top talent. However, if a job posting is littered with perks and promises, and has very little information about the actual job, then it’s trying too hard to attract a number of candidates, instead of the right candidates.

If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

One last thing to look for: Job postings by staffing companies may not always contain the name of the company the job posting is for. In those cases, you’ll want to research the staffing agency to make sure it’s a reputable company, not a fake posting.

By keeping your eyes open for these warning signs, you should be able to avoid falling victim to a fake job posting.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.



When You Should Leave A High-Paying Job For A Lower-Paying Job

When You Should Leave A High-Paying Job For A Lower-Paying Job

While making the most money we can (or at least enough to be comfortable) is the goal, sometimes a high-paying job costs you more in the end. You might have to give up things that are important to you like job security, stress-free work, and work-life balance. So, when should you leave a high-paying job for a lower-paying job? How do you know it’s time to find a new job?

Leave Your High-Paying Job For A Lower-Paying Job If THIS Is Happening…

@j.t.odonnell Replying to @_.michele4._ When to leave a high paying job for a lower paying #job. #jobtok #edutok #careertok #learntok ♬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

If you’re getting thrown around in a job and it’s really draining you, but they pay you a lot of money, you have what we call “golden handcuffs.” You’re trapped. And the reality is if you can’t find a way to make peace with that, if you can’t find a way to not let the way they throw you around and raise your blood pressure bother you, then it is time to move on.

Now, oftentimes when you decide to leave a high-paying job, you get offered a job that would require you to take a huge pay cut. If that happens to you, don’t assume that’s your next long-term career move. Look at this lower-paying job as an opportunity for you to get yourself back to a happy place and figure out how much more money you need. You might be perfectly happy with the lower salary, or you might decide you want to start a side hustle, or you might decide that you want to take this time to do the homework and figure out your next career move so that you can make more money and be happier no matter what.

It comes back to working on yourself. And if this lower-paying job will allow you to do that for, say, six months to a year, then I would say go for it. Leave that high-paying job for a lower-paying one. Your career and mental health will thank you.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

4 Smart Tips For Answering Job Interview Questions

4 Smart Tips For Answering Job Interview Questions

Job seekers spend hours drafting their cover letters and contacting different companies, hoping to get a job interview. A smart job seeker knows the common interview questions a hiring manager will ask in a job interview and will prepare answers accordingly. Anticipating and crafting interview questions and answers gives you the best shot at making a good impression.

Usually, employers ask a common set of questions. So, we’re going to share some important points regarding those questions and how you should respond to them. Here are five smart tips for answering interview questions:

Do Not Be Impulsive When Answering Questions

Different hiring managers speak at different speeds. Allow the hiring manager to complete the question and listen to each and every word carefully. Some questions start off similar to other questions but demand different responses.

For example, an employer might ask you, “What skills do you have to deal with a customer?” Here, if you listen to only the first part, that is, “What skills do you have…?” you will end up giving a wrong answer.

Take A Pause Before Answering A Question

A job applicant speaks calmly during her job interview

Wait a few seconds after the employer stops speaking to make sure you heard the complete question. Create a mental list of points to include in your response. Do not wander off the point, and answer directly, covering all main points of the questions. Be sure to answer all parts of the employer’s question.

Respond By Stating Your Key Points

Woman answers a behavioral question in a job interview

Repeat your key points 2-3 times while answering the question. Explain how you have applied these points in your previous jobs. Finish your answer by reiterating these points. This will highlight your skills and reinforce your case to the employer as the ideal person for the job.

Tell The Interviewer Something Unique About Yourself

A job seeker tells his interviewer a unique story about himself while answering an interview question

If you are good at creative things like graphic designing, essay writing, event planning, and so on, then you should definitely let them know about your extraordinary skills. It’s important to leave the interviewer with a lasting impression.

Each response must tell the interviewer something new. For example, when you answer questions like, “Tell me about yourself,” you can start out with “As a longtime volunteer at XYZ organization…”

Some final things to keep in mind while going through the job interview…

Listen carefully to your interviewer. It does not matter if you get the job or not, an interviewer is giving you an opportunity for professional growth and therefore deserves respect. Put your phone on “silent mode” before going into your job interview. A ringing tone or message alert may distract you and the interviewer from the discussion.

If you remember these tips during your next job interview, you’ll impress the hiring manager and stand out as a smart, capable, and qualified job candidate. Never underestimate the power of good interview questions and answers!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

ChatGPT: 6 Ways To Use AI In Your Job Search

ChatGPT: 6 Ways To Use AI In Your Job Search

Using ChatGPT to help with your job search isn’t cheating. It allows you to focus your time on the things that really matter, like interviews and conversations. In this article, you’ll see how to use ChatGPT to help you overcome some of the hurdles in your job search so you can focus on talking about […]

The post ChatGPT: 6 Ways To Use AI In Your Job Search appeared first on Career Sherpa.

What To Do If You’ve Lied On Your Resume

What To Do If You’ve Lied On Your Resume

When you land an interview with a company, the deciding factor was probably your resume—specifically, the types of skills and experiences you included on it. But, what if you lied on your resume?

Lying on your resume can come back to bite you in the hiring process. It can hinder your job search and cause more problems down the line if you do get hired. If you’re considering lying on your resume, here’s why you should think twice.

Why Do People Lie On Resumes?

Woman thinking about lying on her resume

Most job seekers lie on their job applications and resumes because they are worried that they can’t get hired based on the facts.

You can get hired with your current qualifications. Have faith! There is a job somewhere out there for you. However, it may not be as grand a role as you’d like if you haven’t earned your stripes in the trenches yet.

It’s important to know your genuine strengths and to leverage them accordingly. It’s your job to sell yourself to potential employers in your resume and in your job interview. You’re a business-of-one, after all. Lying about qualifications to get ahead faster, though, will only put you in harm’s way.

Employers won’t always know if you’ve lied on your resume or are faking your way through a new job. But if they figure it out, you are back to square one. And you’ve been fired.

One TV broadcaster in Toronto, Canada, for example, was fired over 10 years after he was hired purely for lying about completing his education. Marilee Jones was an ambitious academic administrator who attained the position of Dean of Admissions at MIT on the false claim of an undergraduate degree that had never been completed. She was promptly fired after the information was discovered. Some companies will go ahead with verifying your employment, find out you’ve lied, and never tell you. They just won’t hire you—and they’ll flag you as “Do Not Hire”…ever. Let’s avoid that.

What To Do If You’ve Lied On Your Resume

Man stressed about lying on his resume

So, what can you do if you’ve lied on your job application or your resume?

Do you try to bluff your way through for 10 years or more? On the job application form, did you tell them about your misdemeanor felony conviction—if not, then when? How can you handle this without losing out on the job?

1. Withdraw Your Application

Woman on phone withdraws her dishonest job application

This is your safest option. Simply call and say you are “withdrawing your application at this time.” If asked for a reason, tell them you’ve “reconsidered your application.”

That’s the truth.

They may assume the timing, title, or money isn’t right or that you have another job offer or you heard something that makes you think it’s not the right company for you. That’s all okay.

2. Revise Your Resume & Ask The Hiring Manager To Refer The New Copy

Man thinking about when he lied on his resume

In this case, you can tell them you “noticed some errors” and “want to correct them.” Note that this won’t work if you’ve created jobs or performance claims that were exaggerated. However, you can truthfully state that you want to be “more exact,” if you wish. They may assume you had someone else write your resume and the errors were theirs.

That said, this isn’t always going to work.

3. Come Clean

Woman on laptop stressed about lying on her resume

This may mean you lose out on the job opportunity, but sometimes people have big hearts. There’s a good chance they are going to find out about the lie(s) anyway through reference checks or your own social media presence (like LinkedIn).

Provide a corrected resume or job application and tell them the truth. In life, we need to own up to our mistakes and learn from them. Tell them that, too—that you made a mistake and you want to make it right. It’s a sign of good character to do that. People make mistakes, especially under pressure (and needing a job is a lot of pressure).

It’s best not to end up in this position, but if the deed is done, these are the top three ways of fixing the problem…

How To Avoid The Problem

You can explain job gaps and sudden departures from school or a former job in the interview. If you have a criminal record, and that would include any DUIs, be upfront about it or call immediately to tell them you neglected to mention it and would like to “set the record straight.”

Some things are not automatic barriers to employment—but lying about them may be.

Now is the time to change your resume and social media profiles, such as LinkedIn, so you never have to worry about this again. Do it today so if your dream job opens up tomorrow, you are polished and ready to stand out to employers on your own merit.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How To Introduce Yourself In An Email (Strong Examples)

How To Introduce Yourself In An Email (Strong Examples)

Learning how to introduce yourself in an email is a valuable skill that you can rely on in numerous situations. Being able to quickly connect with people and make a great impression will always come in handy! This guide will teach you how to write a self-introduction email that works. Table of contents What is […]

The post How To Introduce Yourself In An Email (Strong Examples) appeared first on Career Sherpa.

5 Tips For Nailing Your Next Phone Screen

5 Tips For Nailing Your Next Phone Screen

When you have an employer calling and saying they want to schedule a phone interview with you, that means you look good on paper and they now want to see if you are all that you say you are.
The phone screen is a critical stage in the job search process because how well you communicate and perform will pave the way to the big opportunity of a meeting at their office with the decision makers.

In most instances, the phone screen is conducted by someone from HR. They’ll primarily review your professionalism and communication skills to see if you are articulate, knowledgeable, and have the right experience and skills for the job.

The ultimate mission is to screen out candidates so that the ones who are invited for an in-person interview are the best in the bunch. So, here’s how you can ace the phone screen:

1. Watch Your Intonation & Build Rapport

Your intonation and body language account for 90% of the effectiveness of your communications. If you are on the phone with no video, your intonation is all you have so be enthusiastic and try to build rapport as people hire people they like.

At this point in the process, the screener is also looking to clear up any questions or hesitation they may have about you from reviewing your resume. Be aware of anything on your resume that may be a red flag and prepare to respond to it without coming off as defensive.

You want to be honest and address any concerns, but also know how to steer the response to something more positive that brings back the message of “this is what I have to offer that you need.”

2. Dress The Part And Talk The Part

Woman listens during a phone screen

Are you struggling with confidence before your phone screen? Wear your favorite interview outfit. The one you know you look good in. You’ll feel confident and professional.

Also, today’s “phone screens” don’t necessarily mean just voice. Many employers may request a virtual interview, so be prepared to not only talk the part but dress the part too.

How you look and sound leaves an impression, just like it would from an in-person meeting. Express energy and enthusiasm in your tone.

3. Speak Of Accomplishments When Asked About Previous Jobs And Responsibilities

Job seeker on a phone screen

Employers asking about your past experience aren’t looking for a description of your job. If you want to impress, you need to speak of accomplishments and success and how those experiences have prepared you to contribute and bring success to future employers.

Quantify your experience. Do your research and talk to the need that the job posting highlights and then talk about how you’ve been there, done that, and can directly contribute to the employer’s needs.

4. Be Prepared To Handle The Offbeat Question

Woman answers a difficult interview question during a phone screen

Some phone screens have standard questions directed toward your experience and skills, but there are also employers who may put you on the spot with a scenario to see how you react and respond.

The important thing is to not let these types of questions rattle or stump you. Keep a can-do attitude. Make sure you know your experiences, accomplishments, skills, and strengths like the back of your hand. Also, know how you can help the company reach its goals. It’ll be hard to stump you when you’ve done your research.

5. Be Ready To Talk About Salary Requirements

Man aces his phone screen

You will be asked this to see if you are in their salary range. This can be tricky because if you present a number below what the employer has budgeted, you lose any chance of securing a higher salary, one the employer may (or would) have considered. And if you present a number that is too high, the employer may decide to dismiss your application and resume even before you have had the chance to make your case in an interview.

The best way to respond to a question about salary during a phone screen is to say, “Although the job and the challenge are most important to me, you should know that I am considering a salary in the XX to YY range.” If you make it through the interview process to the last round of interviews, you’ll also want to hone your salary negotiation skills.

Each employer will have a different method of screening applicants over the phone. But with these tips, you’ll be prepared for whatever comes your way.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.


What To Email When A Recruiter Doesn’t Follow Up

What To Email When A Recruiter Doesn’t Follow Up

You haven’t heard back from a recruiter about a job you’re interested in. What should you say in your follow-up email?

When you’re following up with a recruiter on a job where you feel like they’ve ghosted you or you simply haven’t heard from them in a while, I know that you want to email them and say, “I’m just following up to see where you are in the hiring process.”

Don’t do that.

Never use the word “just” or the phrase “I’m just following up.” It sounds passive-aggressive. It’s a real turnoff. And I know you’re thinking, “But they’re the one who blew me off.” They might be, but they’re also the customer in this scenario. You want their job. They’re trying to decide whether to hire you, aka pay you (a business-of-one) to provide a service for the company. They’re the customer. We’re never rude to the customer.

So, here’s what you send instead…

How To Follow Up With A Recruiter

@j.t.odonnell What to email when a recruiter doesn’t follow up. #careertok #jobsearch #learntok #jobs ♬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

Example of a follow-up email to a recruiter:

Dear recruiter,

I wanted to be proactive and see if there’s anything else I can do to further my candidacy for the XYZ job. I’m really interested.

Sincerely,

Your name

That’s it. By wording your follow-up email this way, you’re being polite, not calling them out, and keeping it short. And that’s exactly what recruiters are looking for.

Does this email get you a response every time? No. But it certainly increases the chances that a recruiter will respond and let you know where everything’s at in the hiring process.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

4 Things To Know Before Taking A Lower-Level Position

4 Things To Know Before Taking A Lower-Level Position

It’s easy to think that taking a lower-level position means putting the brakes on your career track or even taking a step back. But in fact, there can be a lot to gain with such a decision.

Sometimes you have to take a step back in order to take a step forward in your career. There are a number of practical reasons why taking a lower-level position makes sense.

Career Changers

A large percentage of professionals making a career change will face the need to start near the beginning with entry-level workers. If you make a drastic career change, such as going from ER nursing to accounting on the CPA track, you can’t expect an opportunity to jump right to the top until you have honed skills and subject matter expertise.

Of course, if you have transferable skills from a previous career that may help to secure an opportunity above entry-level.

Field Of Practice Changers

Professional prepares for a work meeting

There are many people who choose to stay in their profession, but make a change in their field of practice. For example, you may have started your career in marketing for the travel industry, but decided to switch to the pharmaceutical industry.

A lateral move may not always be possible because, like the career changer, you may not have the industry knowledge needed in the field, especially if it is a highly specialized sector. For instance, the technical language used to market pharmaceuticals in the United States follows strict guidelines approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The approaches taken to marketing may be drastically different between the two fields.

Job Changers

A manager welcomes a new employee to the company on her first day

Job changers include individuals who want to make a switch in the type of company or organization they work for. Certainly, working for a non-profit is not the same as corporate, and going from an agency to an in-house position has its differences. So while you may take a lower-level position, the title and associated responsibilities may vary widely between employers—and it is important to consider the experiences and opportunities available with the open position.

For instance, you may go from an agency to an in-house position at a lower level. Expectations for formal promotions also may vary given the different corporate cultures involved. Essentially, you may start off in what is perceived as a lower-level position, but wind up with far more advanced experiences than you might otherwise have.

The (Extended) Unemployed Candidate

Unemployed professional ponders his career options

Times of economic uncertainty typically result in a large pool of unemployed professionals who are well-educated and qualified for positions. Under such circumstances, it’s not rare for job seekers to be unemployed for six months or longer. There are simply more qualified candidates than job openings available. So, it may come to a point where you have to make the decision to take a lower-level position in order to:

  • Bring home a paycheck to pay for essentials.
  • Maintain your marketability (after such an extended period of unemployment, it may be a greater setback to remain unemployed—your marketability withers with time away from the market).
  • Help secure a better job opportunity down the road (employers typically favor candidates who are already employed).

Regardless of the situation, here are four key questions you should ask yourself to help decide whether taking a lower-level position is the right move for you and your career:

  1. Does this type of job fit into my long-term career goals? Essentially, will it get me where I want to be down the road?
  2. After taking this position and settling in, if I go back on the job hunting track, will I be able to communicate to a potential employer how the experience has helped me grow and evolve to be prepared for this next position?
  3. Do I believe I can excel in the position and create realistic opportunities to advance within the company?
  4. Will I be happier in the position? Most people spend much of their life working, so it is important to be happy with what you do. Be wary of how dissatisfaction with a job can quickly lead to burnout.

If you answered “yes” to the questions above and can put your ego aside, making the decision to take a lower-level position can be a rational move to help move your career forward. You can expect to be happier with life and your career. However, after taking a lower-level position, you need to maintain perspective on your reasons for the decision. It is easy to let pride get in the way of things. Remember this decision is based on a long-term plan, not a short-term plan for your career.

Need more help with your job search?

Join our community to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

3 Things To Tell Yourself When The Job Search Gets Tough

3 Things To Tell Yourself When The Job Search Gets Tough

Finding a job can be a long process. You apply for a job, maybe hear back, and a month later you go in for an interview. The worst part? There’s no guarantee any opportunity will pan out. So, how do you stay positive when you’re going through so much job search stress?

It can be easy to lose confidence in yourself as time passes and you’re still without a promising job lead. But losing confidence will only make it worse.

Here are a few things you should tell yourself when the job search gets tough:

1. “No” Doesn’t Mean “Never”

Woman on laptop applies for more jobs during a tough job search

When you don’t get offered the job even though you aced the interview and did everything right, there’s a good chance you did do everything right.

The hiring process is complicated. The employer might’ve had another person in mind even before they began to interview for the open position. Or, it was a toss-up between you and another candidate, and the other candidate just so happened to be the one to get a phone call.

You will never be able to know what a potential employer is thinking. If you don’t get offered the job, don’t think of it as a loss or missed opportunity. Think of it in positive terms. You got more interview experience, you met new people, and you’re one step closer to finding the right job for you.

And remember, a “no” doesn’t mean “never.” It simply means “not now.”

2. The Right Opportunity IS Out There

Man on laptop applying for a job during a tough job search

If you’re putting your best foot forward during the hiring process and you’re actively learning from your mistakes, you’ll find the right job for you. But that requires patience and perseverance.

The key to keeping your confidence up is believing the right job for you is out there. When you remind yourself of your end goal, it puts the job search process in perspective. You walk into every interview believing this job could be the one—but if it isn’t, that’s okay too. You will try your best, of course, but also accept that you can’t control everything in the hiring process. It will take some of the pressure off.

Take responsibility for the things you can control and accept the things you can’t. Acceptance is the key to maintaining your confidence.

3. Everything Happens For A Reason

When all else fails, sometimes the best thing to tell yourself after not getting a job offer is that the job simply wasn’t meant for you. If you don’t believe this right away, chances are you will later on.

As you move on to the next interview and apply for more and more jobs, you start to feel better about the initial rejection. You realize that new opportunities are popping up every day and it really isn’t the end of the world after all.

If you still feel uncertain, that’s okay. Staying positive during a long job search isn’t easy. Just know that your mom is right: all good things take time!

Need more help with your job search?

Join our community to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

5 Tips For Building Your Personal Brand In The Workplace

5 Tips For Building Your Personal Brand In The Workplace

Even at work, you have a personal brand. What are people saying about you when you’re not in the room? Are you giving off the right vibe to your colleagues and conveying the brand you want to convey at work?

Developing your personal brand is essential for the advancement of your career. It is what makes you special, and how you’ll become more valuable to an organization.

Here are a few tips on how to develop your personal brand:

1. Get Clear On Your Unique Value Proposition

To become respected in your company or industry, you need to be very clear on what unique value you provide and how to connect that to your company’s mission.

Most people—and I see it all the time with my interview coaching clients—are not that clear on what makes them different from others. This is the reason they don’t get the jobs or promotions they are after!

Your brand should be authentic to you so notice your emotions when performing certain tasks and activities. If it is something you have passion and energy for, it should become part of your personal brand.

Spend some time thinking about what makes you different from your peers—your strengths, your passions, and your goals.

2. Ask For Feedback

Professionals talk about their personal brands during a work meeting

What do you want others to experience about you?

You might want to write down 3-5 things you’d want others to experience when interacting with you and then ask a close friend or a trusted colleague to do the same. Are the answers similar? If so, well done. If not—you have some work to do in terms of branding yourself the right way.

It is important to understand how others perceive you as this will enable you to start sending the right messages to your audience. And having a personal brand is definitely a requirement for leadership positions and will enable you to create more impact.

3. Be Consistent

Woman on phone builds her personal brand on social media

Everything you do or post on social media ultimately contributes to your personal brand. Once you’re clear on your personal brand, make sure that the way you dress, the emails you write, your body language, and so on are consistent with your brand message.

4. Use Social Media Effectively

Man on laptop builds his personal brand on social media

Platforms like WordPress make it easier than ever to promote yourself to your target audience. I blog weekly, and I’d recommend that you post a couple of times a week on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter on topics that your audience will find educational (and will also highlight your experience).

Here is a quick guide on how you can position yourself as an expert so that you get the best opportunities in your business or career.

5. Promote Your Brand In Person

Man promotes his personal brand at work during a meeting

Utilizing social media to build your personal brand is great, but make sure you promote your brand in person, too. Whether it is participating in industry groups, giving talks, or offering to lead a project that highlights your talents, what can you do to promote your brand offline?

If you want to be successful, creating a personal brand isn’t just an option; it’s a necessity. Whether you aspire to get that promotion or land your dream job, creating a compelling and consistent brand will help you meet your goals.

Need more help building your personal brand?

Join our community to learn how to create a personal brand and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

4 Signs Your Interview Isn’t Going Well (And How To Fix It!)

4 Signs Your Interview Isn’t Going Well (And How To Fix It!)

Scoring a job interview can be hard work, so you don’t want to waste the opportunity. Unfortunately, for one reason or another, sometimes the interview can go off track and before you know it, things didn’t go as well as you had hoped.

It doesn’t have to be this way! Sometimes there are subtle signs during the job interview that things aren’t going well that you can pick up in time to potentially turn things around.

Here are some of the signs you should look for…

The Interviewer Doesn’t Try To Sell You On The Company

A human resources manager presents some facts about the company during a job interview/meeting

Have you ever heard the expression, “An interview is about you trying to get to know the company just as much as they’re trying to get to know you”? It’s true. You should be evaluating the company as they’re evaluating your experience and skills.

But, if you’re doing this and the interviewer isn’t working hard to sell you on the company’s good traits, it’s probably not a good sign.

Companies want their chosen candidate to accept the job offer, so for their top picks, they’ll typically try to mention job perks, company culture, opportunities for growth, and other positives.

You’re Only Asked Easy Questions

This may seem counterintuitive. After all, if the company likes you, why would they ask you challenging questions? But interviewers ask tough questions to candidates they’re considering because they want to see how they think on their feet and will react to tough job situations.

If they aren’t actually considering you, they’ll stick with the easiest questions to answer.

The Interview Never Gets Personal

A job seeker answers questions during an interview

When interviewers are interested in a candidate, they will attempt to get to know them on a deeper level than questions like “What are your strengths?” can accomplish. They will often engage in chit-chat to make sure you’d be a good culture fit and to make sure your personality will mesh well with other team members.

If questions stay surface-level, there aren’t follow-up questions based on your answers, and the interviewer is cut and dried instead of diving into more personal questions, you’re probably not a top candidate.

There’s No Mention Of Next Steps

A recruiter goes over the next steps with a job candidate during a job interview

Typically, at some point in the second half of the interview, the hiring manager will bring up salary expectations, references, or follow-up interviews. Even if they don’t do this, they’ll at least tell you at what point you should hear back about moving forward with your candidacy, or the estimated time by which they’re trying to fill the position.

But if an interview ends without a discussion about what the next steps in the process are, it probably means there won’t be any.

3 Ways To Turn Your Interview Around

Young professional has a positive response to an interview question

So, what can you do if you start seeing some of these signs throughout the interview? There’s a chance that you may not be able to turn it around if the interviewer has already made up their mind—but there are a few tactics you can employ to give yourself the best shot.

Stay positive – Remember that there’s a good chance the interviewer is having a busy day, has a million other things on their mind, or just doesn’t have a very friendly or engaging personality. By projecting confidence and positivity, you have a chance to turn around their first impression.

Ask great questions – This approach has two potential benefits. One is that you can ask the interviewer outright if they think you’d be a good fit for the role—that way, if they bring up a specific concern they have with you or your experience, you have the chance to address it. Second, many recruiters and interviewers find that the type of questions a candidate asks says a lot about them. By asking insightful, thought-provoking questions, you may be able to increase the interviewer’s positive perception of you.

Think of it as practice – Even if you feel pretty confident that you won’t get the job based on these signs, you can at least view the interview as good practice for a job that’s a better fit for you. Try your best, and make a mental note of what you can improve next time.

Interviews are difficult, and no one likes knowing that their conversation isn’t going as well as they’d like. But by employing these tactics, you can have a better sense of what your interviewer is thinking and attempt to course-correct to get the job.

Need more help with your job search?

Join our community to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.