Interview Tips: Why You Shouldn’t Say You Were “Terminated” From A Job

Interview Tips: Why You Shouldn’t Say You Were “Terminated” From A Job

If your position gets terminated, should you mention that in your next interview? Many job seekers face this dilemma in their job search when they’re newly unemployed. First, you need to determine what type of termination occurred.

There are two types of termination: voluntary and involuntary. If you quit, that’s called voluntary termination. If it’s involuntary termination, there are two types of that: you got fired or you got laid off. And those are also very different. Fired means you did something wrong and they couldn’t keep you. Laid off means you did nothing wrong. They were in financial trouble and they couldn’t keep you. So as you go down that decision tree, you’ll have to clarify what type of termination happened—what “terminated” means in your case.

Don’t Say You Were “Terminated.” Say This Instead…

My personal advice as a 20-year career coaching veteran is if you quit a job, make sure you tell the employer that information and explain why you quit. If you got fired from a job, you want to try to explain that as objectively as you can without making any excuses—owning your mistakes. And if you got laid off, tell them you got laid off. It was beyond your control.

I wouldn’t use the word “terminated” at all. Instead, I’d get very clear on what happened and I would use the “Experience + Learn = Grow” model to answer the “Why did you leave your job?” question in a way that’s very factual and succinct, that has a beginning, a middle, and an end, and is structured.

That kind of structured response is the most important thing to do in this situation because it shows that you’ve really thought about what happened and want to make sure they properly understand.

This is how you score points in a job interview. I see people every single day who have been fired or laid off from jobs using the “Experience + Learn = Grow” model to answer difficult interview questions. And then the recruiter and hiring manager say, “Great answer,” and move on because these things happen. They’re out of our control sometimes, or they’re in our control and we learn from them.

You need a better response. So don’t use the word “terminated.” Get really clear and remember the “Experience + Learn = Grow” model. You can do this.

Good luck, and go get ’em!

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Introducing The Happy Grad Project

Introducing The Happy Grad Project

You’ve always been told college is the best time of your life, and everything changes once you’ve graduated and set foot into the “real world.” The “real world” has always had this scary, negative connotation to it. But why?

The Happy Grad Project will unite recent grads, encourage them to get excited about their next step, and prepare them for their life and career.

Live Webinars

Each week, we’re featuring a LIVE webinar that’s specifically for recent grads. We also have weekly LinkedIn classes for you, too!

Click here to meet our contributors.

Inspiration

Stop listening to the “You Can’ts” and start saying “Yes, I CAN!” Check out our Inspiration Wall (we created it just for you!).

Career Fairs: 7 Best Practices

Career Fairs: 7 Best Practices

A major part of job search is getting yourself out there. What better way than to attend a career fair?  First, there are usually open jobs at companies that attend career fairs. Second, you’ll have the chance to meet employers and others face-to-face! If you are going to go, do some serious preparation. In order to make the most of […]

The post Career Fairs: 7 Best Practices appeared first on Career Sherpa.

3 Things To Convey In Your Job Interview

3 Things To Convey In Your Job Interview

The job interview—this is where it all really begins! While your resume may have impressed the hiring manager and helped you get your foot in the door, now you really have to bring home those points on the resume in person. Failing to convey the right message in the job interview means it is game over!

Don’t expect a callback from the employer if you fall short of conveying key messages. There’s a lot that can be done to prepare for the job interview so that you go into it confidently. However, it’s one thing to be prepared and it’s another thing to perform well in the job interview.

Along with proper preparation, here are three things you must convey in the job interview…

You’re A Go-Getter!

Job seeker conveying three things during a job interview

Employers desire employees who have a real passion for the work. During the job interview, demonstrate that desire, passion, and excitement for the challenges that lie ahead with the position.

Make the interviewer believe you’ll be able to hit the ground running on the job by demonstrating you have the experiences and skills to succeed on the job. Ask what the biggest challenge is and present examples of previous relevant work where you’ve been in a similar situation and what you accomplished and achieved.

The research you’ve done ahead of time should also allow you to demonstrate that you are knowledgeable about the company, its business, and more.

You Fit Right In!

Job seeker conveys they are a good fit for the position in a job interview

Fitting right in is not so much about being agreeable but being likable. Come off as friendly and share your understanding of working in a workplace like the employer’s. Ask questions during the interview to further understand the type of work environment that exists and then make an effort to demonstrate you have similar experience working in such an environment.

Another way to create the feel that you’ll fit right in is by building rapport with those you speak with. The interview should not take on a model of a Q&A session; you want to turn it into a dynamic conversation. Find ways to build rapport that will help show how well you understand the ins and outs of the business and working in a workplace like theirs.

You’re A Character With Great Personality!

Hiring managers understand that job candidates may come into a job interview nervous, but those who are able to overcome their nerves and show some personality are more memorable and attractive as a candidate for the job opening.

When you present your personality, it’s easier for employers to see how you stand out from other job candidates. Presented the right way, you can also come off even more likable.

When there’s the opportunity for it, don’t be afraid to add to the conversation by talking about your personal quirks or likes. It’s what makes you you! When there is a lack of personality in a character, the individual can come off as boring and dry. It also doesn’t hurt to show how you differentiate from the next candidate with similar experience and skills.

Find opportunities throughout your job interview to weave into the conversation these three things above. In the end, you’ll come off as a more memorable and desirable candidate for the job!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How “Unproductive Discomfort” Is Slowing Down Your Job Search

How “Unproductive Discomfort” Is Slowing Down Your Job Search

Do you have “unproductive discomfort”? As a career coach, I work with a lot of people who sit in unproductive discomfort, meaning they have a lot of anxiety, stress, anger, and frustration around their situation, but they’re spending more time worrying about it and thinking about it than doing something about it.

Now, that’s not to say that you’re not trying. I know that you are. I know that you’re trying different things, but nothing is working. And every time you try something and you don’t get results, it eats away at your confidence and gets you into this really uncomfortable space—unproductive discomfort.

How To Overcome “Unproductive Discomfort”

The only way to fix this is to not assume that a fairy godmother is going to come along or you’re going to get a magic pill that’s going to solve your problems. Yet human nature is always searching for that quick fix, that thing that will take us out of our discomfort. And it doesn’t work.

In 20 years of being a career coach, the fastest way I know how to get you out of unproductive discomfort is to have you basically trade up pain, trade up discomfort, and take it from a lower level to a slightly higher level temporarily. We call it highly productive discomfort.

Imagine if, in just 15 minutes a day, I could teach you something new. I could take you through exercises that help you improve your skills and your attitude, make you feel more positive, and dispel some beliefs or assumptions you have that are holding you back. Because those three things are what are keeping you in this unproductive state. But if I can, for 15 minutes a day, put you in this temporary but productive discomfort of learning and growing, you’re going to make big leaps in your progress.

These are the breakthrough moments that the people we work with at Work It DAILY have every single day because inside our program we have courses, coaching, and community all designed to address your discomfort and get you out of it as quickly as possible by giving you the things that you need.

So, if you’re willing to go back to school a little bit and throw out any outdated beliefs and negative mindsets to get the results you’re looking for, then I hope you become a Work It DAILY member and sign up for a free trial today.

Good luck, and go get ’em!

3 Things To Convey In Your Job Interview

3 Reasons Why People Ignore Your LinkedIn Requests

You’re told you need to network. You’re told that one out of four job seekers have found their favorite job through networking. You’re told that “it’s all about who you know.” Networking, networking, networking. Great!

LinkedIn is a big part of networking these days. It’s a great platform to manage and nurture your valuable connections. But are you networking on LinkedIn the WRONG way? Are your LinkedIn invitations not converting to connections? Are your LinkedIn requests getting ignored?

Here are three reasons why people might be ignoring your LinkedIn connection requests, and what to do instead…

You Don’t Provide A Personalized Message In Your LinkedIn Invitation

Businesswoman writes a personalized message to potential LinkedIn connection.

If someone just walked up to you on the street and said, “Hey, you don’t know me, but let’s be friends!” and walked away, would you welcome them with open arms? Well, maybe you would, but to me that behavior ranks pretty high on the Creep Meter.

Well, when you just send out a generic LinkedIn invitation to a stranger without explaining yourself, that’s basically what you’re doing. Introduce yourself and let them know why you want to connect. It really makes a big difference.

TIP: Go to the person’s LinkedIn profile and use the connection button there when you send out your invites. It will always let you write a personalized message.

You Don’t Have A Professional Photo (Or Worse, You Don’t Have A Photo At All)

Professional headshot of businesswoman

This might sound shallow, but it’s true. If you have a profile picture, people are more likely to take your LinkedIn request seriously. If you have a professionally done photo, your chances are even better.

People want to know who is trying to connect with them. Not only that but if you don’t even have a LinkedIn photo, people might assume that you don’t take your personal brand seriously.

Your Headline Is Awful

Does any of the following sound like your current LinkedIn headline?

  • You use “Looking for opportunities” or “Seeking new opportunities.”
  • You don’t use proper capitalization, punctuation, or grammar, and/or have spelling mistakes.
  • Your headline doesn’t accurately showcase your brand.

Stop. Just stop. No one will take you seriously if you do any of the above. Check out this amazing post that shows you what you need to write in your LinkedIn headline.

Once you’ve improved your LinkedIn profile, you can take things to the next level and reach out to recruiters. Here’s some advice on how.

By optimizing and updating your LinkedIn profile and personalizing your LinkedIn connection requests, you’ll find that fewer people will ignore your invitations to connect, and you’ll successfully build your professional network.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

4 Tips For Writing A Powerful Resume

4 Tips For Writing A Powerful Resume

The first challenge with your resume is getting it into the hands of an actual person. Over the past decade, getting through applicant tracking systems (ATS) by including the right keywords has become the holy grail of job seekers. The palace guards were put in place so that overloaded hiring managers could keep out the riffraff.

And it was necessary.

Surveys report that more than half of the resumes submitted for any job posting are from completely unqualified candidates.

The ATS is meant to boil down the deluge to an actual candidate pool. As a job seeker, you should be concerned with and aware of how your resume will make it past the guards. As a serious professional, you need to take your resume further. Make sure that when it makes it to the hands of an actual person, it will impress and get you to the next step.

Here are four resume tips for accomplishing this goal:

1. Lead With The Results

Look at your resume as if YOU are the hiring manager. Does this resume help solve the problem that needs solving with this position? Not just the “because Henry quit” problem. The thing that makes this position valuable to the company.

Your resume must show how you are the solution because you’ve done it before. Structure your experience so that each sentence is front-loaded with results. Instead of, “Evaluated current processes and led efforts that restructured operations, leading to a reduction in costs and an increase in revenue,” try “Slashed overhead costs by 20% while simultaneously increasing revenue by 45% by completely overhauling sales processes and operations for optimal efficiency.”

If you think like management, you can pick out what management most cares about, and make sure you highlight that in your resume.

2. Quantify Your Accomplishments

Man updates his resume

In other words, use numbers. By adding figures to your accomplishments, you provide measurable, credible proof of your performance.

For example, “Added $4 million to the bottom line…”

Beyond showing revenue, numbers can help provide context for your results through comparisons.

  • “Ranked #1 out of 45 sales reps for top sales performance.”
  • “Achieved 95% customer referral rate, a figure 2 times higher than the company average.”
  • “Conducted company-wide training for 500 employees.”

This is one of the things a lot of people struggle with, but it is vital. Quantifying your accomplishments solidifies them in the mind of the reader. It turns an abstract statement into a hard fact.

3. Use Active Words

Businesswoman works to customize her resume

Fill your resume with verbs that convey energy and action. Carefully selected verbs also help you create concrete statements that create a visual for the reader. Instead of, “Put in processes that led to a significant reduction in costs,” try “Decreased costs by devising efficient sales process.”

But be careful. Don’t use the same verbs over and over. Do the work and find powerful synonyms.

4. Trim The Fat From Your Resume

Man reads a resume

This may be the most important tip for creating a powerful resume that will get read and noticed. The hiring manager or recruiter may have dozens of resumes to review, so make sure yours is easy to get through. Write succinctly, be specific, edit out filler words, and trim the unnecessary detail that doesn’t add to your qualifications for the position.

Review and edit. Then review and edit again.

The digital age has brought challenges to the job seeker, but they can be overcome. Spend the time to create a powerful resume. Make sure it gets the attention that it deserves.

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.

3 Things To Convey In Your Job Interview

LinkedIn For Beginners: The #1 Thing Job Seekers Need To Do

A common question I get from job seekers on LinkedIn is, “What is the best way for employers to notice your LinkedIn profile and how should it be set up?”

Well, the answer is pretty simple.

Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile So It Matches Recruiters Search Criteria

Optimizing your LinkedIn profile so it matches the search criteria of recruiters is the most important first step for beginners. Here’s why…

Recruiters search for candidates on LinkedIn by conducting keyword searches based on skill sets. They choose and use the skill set definitions you find in the “Skills” section of your LinkedIn profile.

Their initial searches are pretty basic. They put in a couple of the key skill sets the hiring manager said are must-haves for the job, add a location, and then LinkedIn’s search technology goes through and finds all people who have the most amount of keywords in their profiles with those skill sets in that location and ranks them.

Now, LinkedIn’s search algorithm takes in a few other things like how much traffic your profile gets (aka how many people are already visiting your profile) and how many followers or connections you have. There are other factors, but the overriding one is your skill set because it’s your relevance to the job.

If you don’t know how to optimize your LinkedIn profile to make sure the right skill sets are in the right place, and if you haven’t figured out what the five or 10 key skill sets are that recruiters are constantly using to search for the type of position you want, then you are getting bypassed by recruiters because they aren’t seeing your profile. It’s not being included in their search results!

How Can You Tell If Your LinkedIn Profile Is Working?

Young man on laptop properly optimizing his LinkedIn profile so it gets more views from employers

You’ll know when you’ve properly optimized your LinkedIn profile for keywords because you will see a lot more views on your profile. And the more views you get on your profile, the higher up you land in a recruiter’s search results.

It’s just like internet searching and SEO. That’s how you get employers to find your LinkedIn profile.

The takeaway? Optimizing your profile with the right keywords is the secret to getting noticed by recruiters. If you want to be found, you’ve got to give them the right data in your profile!

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.


2 Ways People Fail In Job Interviews

2 Ways People Fail In Job Interviews

Most people don’t properly prepare for job interviews. As a result, they usually make one of these two common mistakes in their job interviews, and it costs them the job.

You might think you can get away with doing minimal interview prep in your job search, but hiring managers can tell if you haven’t done your research and are struggling to answer questions.

If you’re not doing enough interview prep in your job search, you’ve probably run into one of these two problems during your job interviews…

Lack Of Interview Prep = Saying Too Much Or Too Little

In job interviews, people often make two major mistakes related to the Goldilocks principle: either they provide too little information and clam up or they talk excessively, sounding self-absorbed. To succeed, it’s crucial to strike the right balance by following the “Experience + Learn = Grow” approach, which ensures well-structured answers.

It’s very important that you structure your interview answers in a logical format so that you give hiring managers the right amount of information. Behavioral interview questions require more than a simple “yes” or “no” answer. By following the “Experience + Learn = Grow” model for answering behavioral interview questions, you’ll effectively answer any question the hiring manager throws your way.

This takes practice, though. And practice is a huge part of proper interview prep. So, do your research on the company, review your resume, and practice your interview answers in a mock interview with a trusted friend or colleague. You’ll never fail a job interview by talking too much or too little again.

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

3 Ways You’re Slowing Down Your Job Search (And How To Fix Them!)

3 Ways You’re Slowing Down Your Job Search (And How To Fix Them!)

If you’re wondering why your job search isn’t working, or why it’s suddenly slowed down after a few good leads, then you’ve come to the right place.

One of the biggest concerns we hear from our members is how long the job search seems to take nowadays. When all other aspects of our lives seem to have sped up, the instant gratification we crave from our careers just isn’t there. How can we successfully change jobs or move up in our careers without spending six, seven, eight, sometimes even nine months on a job search?

As it turns out, most job seekers are actually making some critical job search mistakes. Here are three ways you’re slowing down your job search, and some tips for how to fix them:

1. You’re Applying For As Many Jobs As You Can

Young woman / recent college grad on laptop applies for jobs

Here at Work It DAILY, we call this job search strategy the “spray and pray” method. When it comes to a successful job search, your mindset shouldn’t be “the more the merrier.” Rather, it should always, always be “quality over quantity.”

A lack of strategy in your job search will only cost you time and money, and it won’t yield many viable employment opportunities—if any at all.

2. You’ve Never Written A Disruptive Cover Letter

Man looks at his cover letter while on his laptop

Many job seekers also underestimate the importance of a cover letter, and how great of an opportunity it is to demonstrate how you connect with the company and why you would be a good cultural fit.

A cover letter shouldn’t be a summary of your resume. It’s not the place to brag about your accomplishments. It’s the perfect place to tell a story, one that will instantly make you stand out from other job applicants.

3. Your Resume Isn’t Streamlined

The reality is that outdated resume templates aren’t read by recruiters or hiring managers. You only have six seconds to show a potential employer you’re qualified for a position and have what they need in a job candidate.

Employers are looking for keywords and numbers on a resume. There’s a good chance that if your resume isn’t streamlined, it isn’t even getting past the ATS. That means if your resume isn’t a 90-100% match, it most likely will never be seen by a hiring manager.

At the end of the day, if you avoid doing the three things above, you’ll see a significant difference in your job search. It’s all about finding where you can improve and taking charge of your career—once and for all.

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.

If You’ve Been Looking For A New Job For More Than A Month, You May Need To Hear THIS!

If You’ve Been Looking For A New Job For More Than A Month, You May Need To Hear THIS!

In today’s competitive job market, it’s taking job seekers longer to find and secure jobs. A long job search can be frustrating, but there’s an easy way to shorten your job search and stand out to employers in the hiring process.

Have you been looking for a new job for more than a month? Are you frustrated by the lack of progress in your job search? Can you count on one hand how many times you’ve heard back from an employer? We know just what you need to hear to get your job search on the right track…

What You Need To Hear As A Job Seeker

If you’ve been job hunting without success for a while, it’s likely because you skipped some crucial steps in the job search process. Many people start by hastily creating a resume and then tweaking it when they face rejection. However, the key to success lies in understanding your unique value proposition to employers and building a clear job search strategy. You can begin by using this free job search checklist to help you get on track.

Our free job search checklist will change how you look for work. It’s a step-by-step guide to getting the job offer you want AND deserve. By following our job search checklist, you’ll speed up your job search and find a job that’s aligned with your career goals.

Remember, you’re not alone in this, and with the right approach, you can find the job you’re looking for.

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!

3 Things To Convey In Your Job Interview

5 Things That Will INSTANTLY Make You More Employable

Whether you were fired, laid off, let go, want to make a career change, or just quit your job, it’s important to find activities that will make you more employable when you’re out of work. Otherwise, you’ll have a hard time keeping up with qualified job candidates who aren’t desperate for a job.

Also, you’ll have a lot of explaining to do when it comes to addressing employment gaps on your resume. Your goal is to fill those employment gaps with productive activities that are relevant to your field.

So, when you’re unemployed, don’t waste valuable time just sitting around applying for jobs online. Instead, make yourself more employable by doing one (or more!) of these resume boosters:

Upskilling

Upskilling is one of the best ways to give your resume a boost. Think about skill sets that would give you an edge in your industry or target job. Then, determine how you can get those skill sets.

Consider certificate programs, online courses, workshops, free webinars and video tutorials, or professional clubs. Even though you’re not currently working, you’re proactively finding ways to stay relevant in your industry. That fact alone can give you a huge leg up in your job search.

Temp Work

Happy young man working on his laptop at work while he pets his cat on his lap

Working with temp agencies (or staffing agencies) is a great in-between-jobs option for professionals.

These agencies will match you with companies and place you in temporary jobs. This type of work can lead job seekers to some great opportunities because it allows them to get paid for their work (although minimal), network with different companies, figure out which companies could be a good fit, and potentially receive a full-time job at one of the companies.

Part-Time Work

Young woman works a part-time job while seeking a full-time position

If you can find a part-time job that allows you to hone your current skill sets or build new ones, this is another great way to get a paycheck as well as fill those pesky resume gaps.

Remember, while it would be ideal to find something in your industry, you don’t always have to do that. Think about what transferable skills you can gain from a part-time opportunity. How will the skills you use in this part-time job transfer to your target job?

Volunteering

Unemployed professionals take advantage of volunteer opportunities

While it doesn’t pay, volunteering is a great way to keep yourself busy, sharpen your skill sets, and network with like-minded people. Find organizations in your area that relate to your field or interests and start making a difference in your community!

Blogging

Happy young woman on her laptop writes for a blog while looking for a job

When blogging first came on the scene, people used it as a way to share their diaries, opinions, and useless knowledge with the world. While some still use blogging as a tool to share their personal lives with the world, others use it more strategically—and you should, too! Think about your industry. What advice, insight, ideas, or issues can you write about?

Writing about things that matter in your field can help you establish yourself as an expert in your industry. When recruiters Google you and they see that you’ve been actively writing about your industry, you’ll score brownie points because you’re taking steps to be a thought leader in your field (and most employers dig thought leaders).

Instead of spending all of your time sitting on your couch simultaneously searching for jobs while watching reruns of Friends, find ways to stay active in your field. It can really pay off!

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.