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6 Tips To Ace Your Phone Interview



If your resume has made it into the "yes" pile, then the first thing a company will do is a phone screening. The purpose of this is to test your communication skills and to do a quick check of your skills and experience to determine if it's worth bringing you in for an interview.

Here are six important tips that will help you ace your next phone interview:

1. Be Prepared


Basic preparation steps include having your resume in front of you, making sure you are on a good phone line where there are no disturbances, and allocating enough time for the phone interview, even if it goes beyond what was scheduled.

2. Research The Company And The Interviewer


Job seeker researching before phone interview

The first question I used to ask job seekers was, "What do you know about us?" If I did not think they had spent the time to do their homework, they were immediately downgraded. So, spend some time researching the company before your phone interview. Check out their website and social media accounts, and see what employees say about them on Glassdoor.

Also, go to LinkedIn and review the background of the person conducting the interview. Check if the manager you will be reporting to participates in LinkedIn groups and discussions, and see if you have anything in common.

3. Exude Energy And Interest


Job seeker showing interest during phone interview

The words you use account for only 15% of the effectiveness of your communications. Intonation and body language are most important, and since you are on the phone, you live and die by your intonation. Put energy in your voice and demonstrate a high level of interest. An old telemarketing trick is to have a mirror in front of you and smile when you speak since that automatically affects your tone in a positive way.

4. Ask Questions And Build Rapport


Woman answers the phone for her phone interview

People hire people they like, so it is important to turn the interview into a conversation by asking intelligent questions. Show off your expertise by following up their question with an insightful question of your own. Those who just answer questions and wait for the next question will lose here. Use a conversational tone, as if you are having lunch with a friend, telling a story, instead of just responding to questions.

For example, here are two ways to respond to, "Can you tell me about your experience at Bank of America"

"At Bank of America, I was hired to oversee the integration of systems that were the result from acquisitions."

Or...

"You know, that was a really challenging experience because I had to integrate all the different systems that were the result of acquisitions. You can just imagine how tricky that would be since there were so many differences between them, and I had to research and document the trade-offs from an integration of each one."

Which is more interesting? I did some interview coaching with a highly accomplished technical manager at Intel who was getting interviews and no call backs. It was immediately clear that he was just responding to questions in a fairly monotone manner and was about as interesting as a memory chip. After some coaching on how to build rapport using the above technique, he had three offers in four weeks.

5. Ask The Most Important Question


Professional woman asking questions during phone interview

Companies have a reason they are looking for talent and it is your job to find out what their chief source of "pain" is. Do this by asking:

"What is the biggest challenge someone will face in this job in the next six months?"

This lets you target your responses and demonstrate how you have successfully handled these challenges before.

6. See If They Have Any Concerns


Job seeker acing phone interview

Don't just end the call wondering how you did. Ask them. If you are going for a sales position, this is mandatory. State something like:

"Based on what we discussed today, do you think I am a good candidate for this position?"

Now, when they respond, you can handle any concerns they may have.

By using these six simple techniques in your next phone interview, you'll be sure to make a good impression on the employer and, hopefully, move on to the next step in the hiring process.

Need more help with your job search?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.


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6 Tips To Ace Your Phone Interview

How To Use A ‘Connection Story’ To Get Hired



Are usually you struggling to obtain discovered by employers? Could it be hard for you to set up a reference to certain firms? If so, this survive event is for people!

We get it. Is actually difficult to be passionate regarding a job when everyone have no connection towards the organization. How do one show enthusiasm within your protect letter and job job interview if you don't completely love what you'd become doing, or where you needed be doing it?

Fortunately, there's a good easy way to display your enthusiasm for a new company during the software and hiring process.

With this training, you’ll learn how to:

  • Identify the significance behind 'connection stories' and exactly how these will help you will get hired
  • Pinpoint the various kinds of cable connections that you can begin to understand certain businesses
  • Understand precisely how to stand out making use of your own 'connection story' to ultimately land some sort of job with one associated with your dream companies

Sign up for our CEO, J. To. O'Donnell, and Director that will train Development & Training, Christina Burgio, for this specific live event on Wed, September 14th at twelve pm ET.

CAN'T GO TO LIVE? Which okay. You will have access so that you can the recording and this workbook after the program!


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How To Use A ‘Connection Story’ To …

5 Things I Wouldn’t Do If I Was Looking For A New Job



I'm jumping on this bandwagon of the five things I wouldn't do based on my profession as a career coach if I was in job search mode right now.

If I lost my job due to a layoff, want to change careers, or hate my job, I would not do these five things...

1. I Wouldn't "Spray And Pray"


@j.t.odonnell 5 things I wouldn't do if I was looking for a new job right now... #5things #careeradvice #resume #linkedin #sprayandpray #careertok #jobsearch #edutok #jobtok #jobsearchtips ♬ original sound - J.T. O'Donnell

I would not get on a job board and start applying for everything under the sun. First of all, you don't want 90% of those jobs and there's nothing more demotivating and depressing than getting rejected from companies you weren't interested in. That's exactly what's going to happen. Less than 3% of people ever get contacted when they apply online. So, don't rely solely on job boards, and don't apply to every job you see. It's ineffective and a waste of time.

2. I Wouldn't Create An Over-The-Top Resume


Man looks at a resume

An over-the-top resume is a resume where you put everything you've ever done on it. You really try to hype yourself up. Unfortunately, it comes across as narcissistic and desperate. It's also difficult to read and usually gets you tossed. Instead, customize your resume for each position you apply for, and focus on quantifying your work experience.

3. I Wouldn't Skip Using LinkedIn


Woman uses LinkedIn in her job search

LinkedIn is the number one place recruiters search for potential job candidates, and they search for them based on keywords (skill sets). So, if you want to get found by recruiters and hiring managers, you need to learn how to optimize your LinkedIn profile.

4. I Wouldn't Skip Interview Prep


Man prepares for a job interview by writing down his answers to interview questions

I would be practicing right now before I even start looking for a job. You need to know how to answer those tough interview questions because it'll help you stand out, and it can help you not only get the job but get more pay as well. Never skip interview prep, no matter how qualified you think you are.

5. I Wouldn't Skip Networking


Happy woman on laptop networks on LinkedIn

Your network is your net worth. What you need to do is create a bucket list of employers you'd like to work for and start strategically reaching out and connecting with those people on LinkedIn as a way to gain visibility when you start applying for their roles. Networking is always the best way to get a job.

There are other tips and tricks I would recommend, but those are definitely the five things I wouldn't do if I was looking for a job right now.

If you would like to learn more about what you should and shouldn't do in your job search, sign up for Work It Daily's Power Hour Event Subscription. I look forward to answering all of your career questions in our next live event!

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5 Things I Wouldn’t Do If I …

7 Essential Questions To Ask In Your Job Interview



Asking questions in your job interview not only makes you stand out in positive ways. It also helps you find out things you need to know (during the interview and before you take the job).

Asking these seven questions in your job interview will put you miles ahead of your competition and give you a better shot at the job:

1. If Your Ideal Candidate Walked Through The Door Right Now, What Qualities, Skills, Or Experience Would They Have?


Man listens to an interview question

Why would you ask a question like this and potentially highlight how you're not perfect for the job? It's because there is no such thing as the ideal candidate. They can wish all they want, but they probably won't get it.

Where you benefit from this question is that, when you hear what's important to them, you can then talk about those or similar things in your own experience—which elevates you as a candidate. It's almost like getting a cheat sheet for your interview answers.

2. Was The Last Person In This Role Successful? Why Or Why Not?


Woman asks a job candidate an interview question

Knowing the story of what happened to the last person in this job is important.

First, it will help you better answer their questions. If the last person didn't do well, you can talk about how you would do it differently. If the last person did spectacularly well and got promoted, you know what you need to do to be considered successful. Second, you may even discover a few clues that will help you determine if you want to take this job or not.

3. What Will A Typical Day Look Like In This Job?


Man answers a question in his job interview

Their answer to this will help you determine everyday tasks as well as company culture. Is this somewhere you can fit in and be successful?

4. What Are The Biggest Challenges Going To Be For The Person In This Position?


Woman talks during a job interview

When they talk to you about their biggest challenges, you'll know exactly what stories to tell about how you have tackled (and conquered) similar challenges. You will be showing them that you are a great fit for this job.

5. What Do You Love Most About Working Here?


Hiring managers smile while interviewing a job candidate

Asking a positive question like this one will help you get a better idea of the employer and the kind of experience you could expect to have if you were hired, helping you figure out whether the job is a good fit for you or not. This will also be an opportunity for you to connect with your interviewer and stand out in the hiring process.

6. How Will I Measure My Performance In This Role?


Hiring manager asks a job candidate an interview question

By phrasing the question this way, you're taking full ownership of your work, and the employer will notice that. You are sending the message that you will be accountable for your actions.

Plus, if they can't explain how you'll be able to measure your own performance to make sure you're having an impact, that's a huge red flag. This question will help you weed out the positions where there's little opportunity to develop your skills, receive promotions, and earn raises.

7. What's The Next Step In This Process?


Absolutely never, ever leave an interview without knowing what and when the next step is. Employers expect you to ask about it. If you don't they may assume that you're not that interested in the job. So, ask it to let them know you're interested and to give yourself some peace of mind about what to expect.

Find out more questions to ask, how to research the company, the best interview answers, and cutting-edge interview tips in our Free Job Interview Prep Kit.

Always be sure to prepare a few questions to ask the hiring manager before the big day arrives. Write them down if you have to, and review them before the job interview starts. Good luck!

Need more help with your job search?

We'd love it if you signed up for Work It Daily's Power Hour Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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7 Essential Questions To Ask In Your …

How To Decline A Job Offer



It's easy to get excited when an employer is interested in you, especially when you haven't had any luck getting interviews or job offers. But what if the job proposal isn't a good fit for you? How do you decline a job offer?

Some of you might be thinking, "Decline a job offer? Why would I do that?"

Here are some of the reasons why you should reject potential employment:

Reason #1: It Doesn't Feel Right


"You are a company," says professional development coach and facilitator Henrieta Riesco. When you're looking for a job or being offered a job, what the company is looking for is what Riesco calls, a mutual benefit.

For companies, it's important to find ways to be a better company, and as a job seeker, you have to adapt to that same mindset.

The ultimate goal for your "company" (you) is to thrive and excel at your professional talents. If the job description doesn't make you feel like your company can progress, then it probably isn't a good idea to take the job.

Reason #2: Your Values Don't Align With The Company


Serious man thinks about declining a job offer

It's one thing to say a job position doesn't feel right. It's another thing entirely when your professional values are not in line with the company at all.

Riesco uses the following analogy when describing why having mutual values with a company matters.

Let's say you're a person who's an advocate for preserving the environment and the company that's really interested in you is an oil company. That probably doesn't align with your values if you're an environmentalist. In fact, you probably never should've applied for the job in the first place, and you could have avoided wasting time on this employer if you had made an interview bucket list.

"You have to look at the bigger picture of the company and really find out if you want to support that," says Riesco.

Reason #3: The Employer Wants To Exploit Your Skills


Hiring manager talks to a job candidate during a job interview

This might be a no-brainer for some, but it's important to point out because when an employer wants to exploit your skills, rather than use them in a way where you're still comfortable practicing those skills and enjoying them, then the job is no longer about how you can benefit yourself and the company with your professional abilities.

Rather, the job becomes something only your employer controls, and exploiting your talents is how they choose to use your expertise.

Declining The Job Offer


Serious man on laptop holds his phone as he declines a job offer

So, how does one reject an unwanted job offer?

Riesco states that when it comes to rejecting a position, you have to think about that mutual benefit between yourself and the employer.

"Tell the employer why you don't see a match," says Riesco. "State the possibilities, areas, and interests you have right now," and explain why it doesn't match with their company.

By talking about the things you have to offer, you allow the employer to get a clearer sense of who you are as a professional and what you can provide for the company.

It also clears up any misunderstandings about the position. By highlighting your concerns, the employer could clear things up in case you got the wrong idea.

In addition, crafting a rejection that allows an employer to respond is also key when declining a job offer. It shows that you don't want to burn any bridges.

We can do this by saying the things we would want to hear from an employer when rejecting us for a position. "Treat others how you want to be treated," says Riesco.

Nowadays, a lot of employers who aren't interested in certain candidates don't even take the time to respond to them. This is not the way you want to handle your rejections. Really think about the things you want to express about the position and why you feel it isn't a good fit.

Be honest and authentic.

Emphasizing that the position isn't right for you at this time is also something you want to make sure you include in your rejection.

"I would love to keep in touch with you and would love to know what other opportunities you would have in the future," are some good things to say to keep that connection with the employer, according to Riesco.

This shows that you're not rejecting the company entirely by declining the position, and hopefully, sometime in the future, you could contact that employer and see if you'd be a better fit for the company at that point in time.

It's never an easy decision to decline a job offer, especially when you've been struggling to get hired. By following these tips, you'll make sure you don't accept a job offer for a position you don't really want.

Nothing is worse than accepting a job offer and then realizing a few weeks in that you've made a huge mistake!

When the job feels right, you'll know.

Need more help with your job search?

We'd love it if you signed up for Work It Daily's Power Hour Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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How To Decline A Job Offer

5 Things To Do Before Your Next Job Interview



Congrats! You landed a job interview. Now, how are you going to ace it and move on in the hiring process?

There are a few things that are absolutely CRITICAL to interview success. If you want to get a job offer, you've got to do these things before an interview.

Research The Company


Before you go into an interview, whether it's a phone screen, in-person, group, panel, or virtual interview, you MUST do your homework on the company. You want to understand the companies to which you're applying BEFORE the interview. That way, when they ask, "So, what do you know about us?" you'll have a solid answer and won't be flustered. (P.S. The last thing you want to say is, "Oh, not much. I was hoping you'd tell me!")

Understand What Salary Range Is Competitive


Woman smiles during her job interview

Always, always, always understand what's the going rate for your position in your industry. The hard truth is you might not make the same salary as your last job. You need to understand what's a competitive salary BEFORE you apply for a job (and especially before you get into the interview process). Otherwise, you risk pricing yourself out of the job right off the bat, or worse, selling yourself short.

Know What You Bring To The Table


Young job candidate talking about what he can bring to the company during a job interview.

Know exactly what you bring to the table in terms of value. Why are you going to be an asset to this company? What problem are you going to solve and how will you solve it better than the 'other guy'? You need to understand this inside and out. Otherwise, you're going to have a hard time selling yourself to the interviewer.

Prepare Some Examples Of Your Wins


Man writes down his answers to interview questions

Examples help you back up your claims. They're proof that you've been there, done that, and did it well. Prepare some relevant, quantifiable accomplishments that you can bring up during the interview to reinforce your skill sets.

Practice Your Delivery


Young woman practicing her delivery with two co-workers before her next job interview.

Practice makes perfect! The more you practice, the more comfortable you'll be when you're in the interview. You'll look calm, focused, and confident. Consider doing a mock interview with a friend or a career coach beforehand to get you warmed up for the real thing!

By doing these key things, you'll be one step closer to acing your next job interview and getting an offer. Good luck!

Need more help with your job search?

We'd love it if you signed up for Work It Daily's Power Hour Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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5 Things To Do Before Your Next …

How To Sell Yourself In An Interview With Confidence



Do your spirit get the best regarding you during job interview? Do you feel ashamed if you talk regarding your accomplishments to other people? In that case, we're here for you to show the ways to help sell yourself within an meeting with confidence!

Job search is usually challenging enough already, nevertheless when you don’t have got confidence in yourself like a job candidate, it can make it even harder towards sell yourself for possibilities.

Confidence is definitely critical when it arrives to getting a job. A person might not even Understand that you have low self confidence that’s sabotaging your achievement. In case you can’t BANISH this particular innocent, yet destructive way of thinking with regards to marketing yourself throughout the interview process, you’re going to fall in to a longer, more annoying situation than you’re inside right this moment. That’s why it’s critical to get the mindset in the proper place if you want that will find a job.

In this coaching, you'll learn how so that you can:

  • Determine what's impacting your employment interview confidence
  • Enhance your mindset before (and during) a job appointment
  • Sell your self in an interview along with confidence

Join our TOP DOG, J. T. O'Donnell, plus Director to train Advancement & Coaching, Christina Burgio, for this live occasion on Wednesday, September seventh at 12 pm AINSI QUE.

CAN'T ATTEND LIVE? That's okay. You will have access to the documenting and the workbook right after the session!


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How To Sell Yourself In An Interview …

How To Choose The Right Skills To Include On Your Resume



When you begin the job application process, you need to make sure your resume is optimized and ready to be sent out to employers. The struggle isn't so much finding enough things to include on your resume. Rather, it's choosing what skills, experiences, and accomplishments to include on your resume to boost your likelihood of landing an interview.

Choosing the right skills to include on your resume is easier said than done. What skills will really stand out to recruiters and hiring managers? What skills demonstrate why you'd be a great fit for the position? What skills best represent what you bring to the table?

Fortunately, there's an easy process you can follow to ensure you're answering these questions and setting yourself up for job opportunities.

Here are four steps for choosing the right skills to include on your resume:

1. Decode Job Descriptions


Before you hit "apply" on a job posting, it's important to read through the job description and understand what the job actually entails.

You have to analyze the job description, then think about how you would fit into this "mold" of an employee that they have in mind for the position. Start to think about the core responsibilities you've had in your previous jobs.

Do your previous core responsibilities translate into skills that this job posting is asking for—skills that would make you a great fit for the position?

2. Ask Yourself "Can I Quantify That?"


Man thinks about which skills to include on his resume

Once you've decoded the job description and determined if you have the skills the employer is asking for, it's time to think about which skills you should include on your resume (because you can't include them all).

The key to getting your resume past the ATS is to include only hard skills on your resume.

Hard skills (skills that tie directly to core responsibilities) are what applicant tracking systems (ATS) and hiring managers want to see. They're quantifiable. If you can't quantify it, it's probably a soft skill. Soft skills DO NOT belong on your resume.

So, when deciding what skills you should include on your resume, ask yourself, "Can I quantify that?" If you can, it's a hard skill, and it belongs on your resume.

Both industry-specific and transferable hard skills can go on your resume. After decoding the job description, you will know which hard skills the employer is looking for.

3. Think About Your Brand


Woman on laptop thinks about her personal brand

The next step in deciding which skills should go on your resume deals with personal branding. You want to make sure you are "branding" yourself correctly for job opportunities.

By that, we mean knowing what type of service you provide for a company—and what skill sets support that service.

After all, here at Work It Daily, we know every job seeker is a business-of-one. Are you branding your business (yourself) correctly in order to attract customers (employers looking to invest in you)?

Know your brand, and own it!

4. Customize, Customize, Customize


Man on laptop customizes his resume

The last step in deciding which skills should go on your resume is customization.

Customizing your resume is very important. You'll probably have to highlight different skills for the different jobs you apply for. That means customizing your resume for each job application.

  • What projects did you work on?
  • What expertise did you gain?
  • What skills should you be emphasizing?

If you ask yourself these questions for each job you apply for, your answers will most likely differ. That's how you'll know you're customizing your resume correctly and giving yourself the best chance to land an interview.

As you're thinking about your resume, remember you have more skills than you realize. Your job is to make it easy for employers to see the connection between your skill sets and the skill sets needed to do the job. When in doubt, ask yourself, "Can I quantify that?"

The goal at this stage in the job search process is to get an interview. You can only worry about getting the job after you know you're in the running. What skills are going to get you in the door?

Need more help with your job search?

We'd love it if you signed up for Work It Daily's Power Hour Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

As you're thinking about your resume, remember you have more skills than you realize. Your job is to make it easy for employers to see the connection between your skill sets and the skill sets needed to do the job. When in doubt, ask yourself, "Can I quantify that?"

The goal at this stage in the job search process is to get an interview. You can only worry about getting the job after you know you're in the running. What's going to get you in the door?

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How To Choose The Right Skills To …

17 Good Questions To Ask A Recruiter In 2022

Knowing the best questions to ask recruiters can make your job search simpler and save time for everyone involved. But a lot of job-seekers aren’t sure how to approach recruiters when it comes to finding out information about a company or position. Fortunately, we’ve put together this list of questions to make the process easy. […]

The post 17 Good Questions To Ask A Recruiter In 2022 appeared first on Career Sherpa.

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17 Good Questions To Ask A Recruiter …

The Best LinkedIn Tip You’ve NEVER Heard Before



We guarantee you've never noticed this LinkedIn tip prior to. You might realize that interviewers get on LinkedIn to consider candidates, and they uncover the right candidates by simply searching specific keywords. Today, if you have individuals keywords in your head line, you may rank higher around their search results. That is where this tip is available in...

Up-to-date Your LinkedIn Headline Each 2 Weeks


@j. t. odonnell 1 Tip Might NEVER Heard About Making use of LinkedIn! #linkedintips #linkedinprofile #linkedin #careeradvice #careertips #jobsearchtips #jobsearch #careertok #edutok #careerchange #recruiter ♬ original sound -- J. T. O'Donnell

If you have the correct keywords in your acte, you're telling recruiters and even hiring managers you might have those skills together with that's where your knowledge is. But did anyone know that every 2 weeks you need to go in to LinkedIn and upgrade the couple of keywords on your headline?

You should keep track of LinkedIn headline every single two weeks because the particular algorithm is always seeking at people who have got recently updated their report. The very first time you update the profile, you'll notice a new lot of activity, much more profile views. Then you are going to notice it starts for you to drop off because if you're not ranking as full of search results anymore. Yet if every two several weeks you go in and additionally swap something out during that headline and strike "Save, " it activates the algorithm to position your profile higher.

And that's exactly how you consistently get employers to look at your own personal profile.

This particular is one of the numerous tips of which I teach in Exactly how To Navigate LinkedIn Effectively . It's an hour-long workshop that I'm training this week. You acquire a workbook, and also you find the recording. If people can, attend live. If you're going to learn the biggest launch of the century to get more interviewers to contact you in LinkedIn.

Need more help together with your career?

I'd love that if you subscribed to Function It Daily's Power Hr Event Subscription ! I actually look forward to responding to all of your career questions for our next live occasion!

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The Best LinkedIn Tip You’ve NEVER Heard …

Red Teaming – Defining Objection Handling Strategies & More



What’s a “red team”?

On August 2nd, 1990, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, and so started the “Gulf War.”

The United States and Western allies formed a “coalition of the willing” to remove the Iraqi Army from Kuwait.

A group of military planners, known as the “blue team,” set up shop in a hanger in an air base in Saudi Arabia, and created the basic plan for Operation Desert Storm in 24 hours.

This plan was passed on to another team, known as the “red team.” They were given the following instructions: “You are the Iraqi high command. You have all the known resources, materials, and manpower available to the Iraqi military. A spy has given you the alliance battle plans. You have 24 hours to prepare your response.”

The “red team” prepared their response, which was then passed back to the “blue team.” They spent another 24 hours building countermeasures and contingency plans to foil the “red team’s” responses.

The rest is history...

What’s This Got To Do With Me? I’m A Sales Guy!


Business people work on a sales strategy together

​When you face your customers, there are questions you would prefer they didn’t ask.

They may relate to your product’s weaknesses. They may relate to a change in the market which affects your product’s pricing or availability. They may relate to reputational damage caused by an embarrassing lawsuit or complaints on social media.

You have two choices. You can sit and sweat and hope they don’t ask you these questions, or you can “red team” it by asking yourself what nightmare questions they can ask you.

Write these down. Go back to “blue team” mode and prepare your answers.

Your answers may not be that convincing, but at least you have something to say if they ask.

What’s This Got To Do With Me? I’m Looking For A Job!


job search, looking for a job concept

Job seekers attend interviews. Interviewers ask questions that you don’t want to answer, such as:

  • “Why did you leave your previous job?”
  • "Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?”
  • “Tell me about your greatest weakness/strength/mistake?”

There are others which are related to your personal situation, or to the job you are applying for.

“Red team” it by imagining you are a hostile interviewer. Think of the worst questions they can ask you.

Write them down. Go back to “blue team” mode to prepare your answers.

You may want to try these out on a friend (who can “red team” for you) and see how she reacts. If she’s not convinced, you may need to improve your answers. Better to do that before the interview.

What’s This Got To Do With Me? I’m A Student!


Students work together on a project

Everything!

I was a student too, and, to be honest, not a very good one! I was interested in military history, however.

When it came to exams, I adopted the mindset of a general preparing for battle. I reviewed each subject and “red teamed” it. What was my nightmare question? Where was I weakest?

That was where I made extra effort when revising and doing practice questions.

I really am not the smartest guy in the room. I did manage to get myself a bachelor’s degree, a teaching qualification, and an MBA, so I must have done something right.

Game On!


Bullseye concept, business

Got a big sales meeting coming up? Looking forward to a challenging job interview? Studying for a professional qualification and preparing for exams?

Get into “red team” mode and anticipate your “enemy’s” worst moves.

Prepare for them.

Be ready to use them.

Let me know how you get on!

Further reading...

Before you start “red teaming,” you need a position to defend!

Here is an article I wrote on building a business case: “What’s In It For Me?” The 3-Stage Guide To Answering This Question

Here’s one on preparing a sales presentation: Sell The Hole, Not The Drill! How To Make A Successful Sales Presentation

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Red Teaming – Defining Objection Handling Strategies …

How To Apply For A Job You’re Not 100% Qualified For



One of the biggest job search struggles is figuring out which jobs you should apply for. You have to look at the job description, the skill requirements, and the overall qualifications for the job, and then determine whether it's a viable employment opportunity for you or not.

It's often more difficult discerning which jobs you're qualified for (the ones you really have a shot at) than you think. So, how do you know if you're actually qualified for a job or not? Should you apply for jobs you're not 100% qualified for?

The short answer: Yes, you absolutely should.

Here's how to apply for a job when you're lacking some of the qualifications.

1. Use The 90% Rule


The first step to applying for a job you're not sure you are qualified for is determining whether you're qualified enough. This is where the 90% rule comes into play.

After studying the job description, the list of qualifications, and the skill requirements, you should have a good idea of what the employment opportunity entails. Now, after looking at your resume, do you think you're qualified? If you have 90% of the skill requirements, you are qualified for that job and should apply for it.

When you apply for a job, it's always important to include all relevant skill sets, experience, and keywords on your resume, so it gets past the applicant tracking system (ATS). This is especially true when you only have 90% of the qualifications, since leaving out just one skill could prevent your resume from ever landing in the hands of the hiring manager.

Customize your resume for every job you apply for to avoid this mistake. This way, it'll make it easy for employers to see that you do have most of the qualifications and skill requirements for the position. Remember: 90% is the magic number. Any less, and you'd be wasting your time if you apply.

2. Close The Experience Gap


Man writes his resume on his laptop

In order to close your experience gap, you need to offer the employer something else they won't find in most job candidates—and that's excitement for the job opportunity.

What you lack in experience you can make up with a common connection. Convey to the potential employer your enthusiasm and excitement for the company's products, services, or mission. Explain what you respect and admire about the company. Even if you don't have some of the experience and qualifications the employer is looking for, you have the internal motivation and desire to work for their company.

In addition, this connection shows that you would be a great cultural fit within the company. Whatever skills you don't have, they can probably teach you. But employers know you can't teach cultural fit. This is where you would stand out among other candidates for the position.

A great way to establish that connection with an employer is to write a disruptive cover letter. Tell your story, convey your excitement, and land that interview!

3. Network Your Way Into The Company


Woman networks on her

Here at Work It Daily, we believe your network is your net worth. And the statistics agree. Over 80% of jobs are gotten via referral. So, receiving a job offer usually comes down to who you know.

If you're not 100% qualified for a job, your networking skills will play a big role in your ability to get an interview. Use your network to get introduced to someone who works at the company. Begin by reaching out to current employees of the company or friends who might happen to work there, and ask what it would take to stand out and get hired. Note: you're not asking for the job. You're just asking for more information.

This strategy is extremely effective at opening doors with potential employers and getting your resume in the right hands.

When you have most of the qualifications and a great connection story explaining why you're passionate about a company, networking is the perfect final step. Next time you're debating whether to apply for a job or not, remember the 90% rule. Employers know there's no such thing as the perfect job candidate. But with these steps, you can be a great one.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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