Don’t accept the job offer if you face these circumstances

job interview

Accepting an unsuitable job offer is a common blunder made by many job seekers. A large portion of this is attributable to the joy of receiving a contract in the first place. Finding out you’ve chosen the wrong job can be a self-searching or blaming experience later.

However, if you’ve been listening closely or questioning yourself in the right direction, you will notice warning signs along the way that point to a rotten egg. Here are some telltale indications that the job is a flop to help you avoid making a career-altering misstep.

High turnover rate

You don’t want to work for a corporation for less than a year, do you? While this is unfortunate, certain office environments are indeed unhealthy. Consider inquiring as to what happened to the former occupant of the same post. Start examining alternatives if your interviewer begins slamming past employees or mentions anything that suggests the organization has a high turnover rate.

Dodgy on inquiries

If an interviewer brushes off your questions, he or she may have something to conceal. Because an interview is a brief glimpse into what your life may be like at the organization, you should bring up both the exciting and challenging aspects of the job. Consider it a method of determining how open people at the company are. If the interviewer avoids answering any questions, it’s a warning indication that they’re intentionally concealing the facts.

Forced to compromise

Ask yourself ahead of time what attributes you want in a position, and then see if the proposed post meets all of your requirements. Don’t make a rash decision if you find yourself sacrificing on your must-haves and then justifying those sacrifices. You shouldn’t have to push yourself to fit the work in most case scenarios since it should be the other way round.

Unclear job requirements
a man drawing on a board

Image Credits: unsplash.com

The job description said that it was a marketing role when you applied. However, when you go for the job interview, you discover that it is a mixture of everything from PR to business development. Well, many current roles do combine several responsibilities into a single position.

However, gently decline the offer if your potential boss characterizes the work obligations so generically that it seems like three positions in one, and you believe they’re imprecise on essential specifics about the scope of the position.

Even if you need a position desperately, there are instances when you just have to decline and forgo those follow-up interview tests. Sometimes it’s a negative feeling, a shady interviewer, or something strange about the job requirements that give you the goosebumps. Though we can’t advise you not to accept a job because every occurrence is different, think about the above circumstances you could come across throughout your job hunt and make an informed choice before signing on the line.

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Present-day ways to reach out to HR managers

a woman listening to a man and taking notes

Let’s be honest. When you’re sending out your resume to recruiters, the odds are that your personal information itself looks similar to the countless ones that they’ve already read. They don’t care how badly you want the job or how paper-qualified you are.

Instead of merely trying to convince an HR manager why you’re perfect for the company, go above and beyond to grab their attention! You’re sure to make your job search more fulfilling and stand a higher chance to receive an invitation for an interview – both of which work in your favour.

Here are some of the best ideas you can use this year to reach out to a recruiter responsible for processing your application.

#1: Offer a useful solution

If you’re considering a specific role that you are knowledgeable about (which you should be!), you can try to add a few well-thought-through solutions to current industry problems in your application.

In this way, you show that you have done your due diligence. It’s also an opportunity to display your experience and passion for solving problems for the company and the value you can add to the team should you be presented with a job contract.

“When you help someone solve a problem, they’ll remember you positively for your effort and be more willing to help you out in the future,” says Jon Hill, CEO and chairman of an executive search firm.

#2: Gift your recruiter something appropriate
gift box with a pink ribbon

Image Credits: unsplash.com

You must be careful with this one! While sending flowers is rather strange, you can look at giving a practical gift or resource alongside your application.

For example, one can demonstrate their market research skills by sourcing a gift that resonates with the hiring manager. Just do a search on LinkedIn, and you will be able to start “stalking” on their posts, identify their likes and dislikes, and supplies you think they will find beneficial.

A little present that shows off both your skills and your gratitude at being considered can help make them remember you – which is precisely the reason why you’re reading this now.

Jeff Neal, an operations manager, shared that a candidate actually mailed his resume alongside a packet of fly-fishing lures after learning that Neal liked fly fishing. “I was very impressed and invited him in for an interview,” he commented.

#3: Create a portfolio webpage

Most people apply for jobs that they need rather than want. If you desperately want a position, you’ve got to make sure you have enough output to “brag” about.

Job seekers can consider building a portfolio webpage to store their achievements over the years. Make sure the information is up to date before you send a recruiter a link to your portfolio.

A webpage or website is better than attaching a portfolio in the email since your recruiter can easily forward the link via Slack or WhatsApp to anyone in the management team for immediate considerations.

Or one could also consider other content platforms they are comfortable using.

“We’ve received YouTube channel videos from online creators who work daily on their cars and have vast amounts of knowledge. We also receive resumes from bloggers who run their own car blogs, which shows they already understand the work we are doing here,” shared Michael Lowe, CEO of Car Passionate.

#4: Put yourself on camera
a woman speaking in front of a camera

Image Credits: TechSmith

Most of us don’t like being on camera. Still, having a video to accompany your application often helps recruiters see you with more interest and match a face to your name.

It also aids them to understand just how much you want the job, too, because emotions transfer better through facial expressions and body language.

“A candidate used this tactic to approach me last year. While they didn’t end up having the right technical skill set, the video caught my attention immediately and prompted me to set up a phone interview less than 48 hours later,” shared Biron Clark, founder of Career Sidekick.

Need we say more?

#5: Type an attractive subject line

This is one you may have heard before, and with a good reason! That’s because when you use an attractive subject line, it immediately tells recruiters what they need to know, their interest will be piqued, and it serves as a “clickbait”.

Take a look at these examples:

  • Email subject line A – “Applying for accounting position”
  • Email subject line B – “CPA with 10 years’ experience in technology would love to do your taxes”

Is sample A or B more attention-grabbing? If you’ve chosen the latter, then you ought to know that a witty or well-conceived subject line is vital for an HR manager to click in right away.

Final thoughts
a video interview

Image Credits: deakinco.com

Reaching out to recruiters will always feel a little stressy and nerve-racking.

But by relying on one or more of the ways shared above, you will increase your chances of getting your valuable resume read amongst the sea of job applications. And since that’s what it’s all about, aren’t these methods worth a try this year?

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What’s an elevator pitch and how you can create one for your job search

entrepreneur

Do you know what an elevator pitch is? Want to make a smart guess? As its name suggests, it has got to do with a pitch you can make if you were to meet a valuable contact in a lift ride.

According to the Cambridge dictionary, an elevator pitch is “a short but effective explanation that is intended to persuade someone to buy a product or accept an idea”. It could also be “a short description of a product or business idea, especially one given to a possible investor”.

With a rough idea of what an elevator pitch is, let’s zoom in on the steps on how to create one you can use in the context of a job search.

#1: Pen down one sentence
writing something on paper

Image Credits: unsplash.com

If you’re reading this while waiting in queue to get your daily takeout, you might want to type this down on your phone somewhere. For those who are sitting at your desk right now, reach out for a pen and paper. Then, write down just one sentence why you think you’re worthy of entering XYZ company.

This move will help you get started on revolving your elevator pitch on that one idea. In other words, it’s the crux of your talk. It should be confident, optimistic, showcases your strengths, and reveals how your previous experience can assist you to be a top achiever in the new position.

Here are some examples for your consideration:

  • I’m a sales executive with extensive retail experience of the kind this role requires.
  • As a CFO in three consulting firms, I bring substantial industry experience to this crucial role.
  • I have a strong track record in HR, and I believe my accomplishments will be an asset to your firm.
#2: Craft an opening
begin with an opening

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Once the heart of your elevator pitch is ready, it’s time to move on to craft an opening. Ideally, one that is warm and has the potential to build rapport with the contact you’re speaking to.

Should you be using this opening pitch at an interview session, then your opening to your recruiter could be something like: “I’ve studied this position at your company, and I am excited by what I see.”

If you’re meeting an acquaintance who’s working in the same company you’ve applied to, and you’re thinking of gaining a tip or two, maybe you can try saying: “It’s nice to meet you here. I’m getting ready for an interview at your company and wondering if there is any advice you can give on how I can land the job I’ve applied in the HR department.”

#3: Get into the specifics
asian-business-team-discussing-work

Image Credits: Freepik

By now, you should have your core message and an opening all written down. Great work! Now, moving on to the halfway mark. In this step, you will want to go into the specifics. By that, we mean the experience and successes you’ve had in your job positions.

To prove that you’re serious about contributing to the company because you’ve done similar tasks at your previous one, list it. Give a few concise reasons why you think you should get the contract.

Here are some for your reference:

  • My track record includes administering our benefits program.
  • It also involved designing and overseeing an employee satisfaction program.
  • Finally, I have led a team of 12, and we have surpassed all our targets.

Job seekers who have been through several jobs can still get into the details by chronologically listing down your achievements from one position to the next.

#4: Add a call to action
a lady making a phone call

Image Credits: Only Simchas

Marketers would know this very well. A call to action (CTA) is a marketing strategy that involves using words or phrases to induce immediate actions from the target audience. This is crucial for job seekers because you’re now attempting to market yourself to your potential employer.

It’s not an easy task, either. Let’s say you happen to meet a useful contact who’s working in the same firm you’re planning to apply to. In this case, your CTA might be for that particular individual to provide you with a reference email or call to be made on your behalf.

For interviewees, your CTA after a seemingly pleasant conversation should be something like: “I love what I’ve heard, I’m looking forward to next steps, and I trust that you will be in touch soon. When can I expect to hear from you?”

#5: Customise according to situations
businessmen-discussing-while-walking

Image Credits: Freepik

So you’ve successfully created your personalised elevator speech. Now, it’s time to string them together and check for coherency. Be mindful that you can customise the different sections based on the situations you’re in.

Also, lest you think you have to deliver the entire script word for word, do not misunderstand. In a conversational context, especially an impromptu meeting, time may not necessarily be on your side. But having a written elevator pitch can provide you with a narrative thread at the back of mind for you to retrieve when the opportunity presents itself.

Play it by ear when the time calls for it!

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Here are 6 simple ways you can use Instagram to help you land a job

A random Instagram profile

Are you aware that recruiters are now using Instagram as part of their search for potential candidates? If no, it’s not too late to jump on the trend.

It’s probably a no-brainer that LinkedIn is the most preferred social media platform for recruiters and job seekers alike. But based on a new 2020 Recruiter Nation report, LinkedIn is facing a downward trend in job searches.

Instead, Instagram had a 20% surge with recruiters now using the photo and video-sharing social networking service as part of their scout for the best candidate.

Kelly Lavin, senior vice president of talent at Jobvite, an HR software firm, says that an individual’s Instagram content can give recruiters a personal idea of who the person really is. That is what sets itself apart from LinkedIn.

Even if you’re not desperately searching for a job at the moment, it’s still crucial that you pay attention to what you’re sharing with the world now. For those who are currently job searching, here are six simple ways you can use Instagram to help you land a job.

#1: Take charge of your content
content on Instagram

Image Credits: Leevia Blog

Should you want a recruiter to check your Instagram profile and browse your content, you will have to make it public. In other words, Instagram is now your ‘open resume’ so take charge of what you’re planning to post.

Vicki Salemi, a career expert at job search website Monster.com, advises us to think about whether the content posted reflects you as a professional. She adds that the postings do not need to focus just on your professional pursuits but should paint you as a multidimensional candidate.

At this point, some of you might be thinking it would make better sense to set up a separate Instagram account. But Lavin reveals that it may feel less authentic. Since employers are looking to get a glimpse of you as a whole person, having a version just for the sake of a job search might backfire.

#2: Flaunt your skills

 Many of us use Instagram to showcase our lives and the new happenings that come with it. While you can still go ahead and post that picture at the beach or a new device you’ve just bought, Salemi noted that it’s essential to flaunt your skills, values, experience, and professional pursuits.

“For instance, if one year ago you completed running a 1,000-person conference and managed budgets and vendors, post a photo of you from last year saying something like, ‘Hard to believe this was one year ago! Lots of hard work but seeing the results of XYZ was (a) sweet success,’” she adds.

To ensure more reach and to demonstrate professionalism, use specific industry buzzwords and hashtags alongside your post.

#3: Use it to research more about a company
onechampionship Instagram page

Image Credits: instagram.com/onechampionship/

As much as recruiters or employers are using Instagram to their advantage, you can also do the same by using it to research more about a specific company you want information on.

Salemi points out that you can quickly get an idea of a company’s culture by browsing through their content on Instagram. Other than the inner workings of the company, you can also catch sight of upcoming job opportunities on their feed.

Pay close attention to their content and decide for yourself if it’s aligned with what you’re searching for in a company. Their images and messaging can give you key clues to their employee branding. Also, knowing what’s the latest ins and outs could be useful for any upcoming interviews.

#4: Engage to get noticed
engage on Instagram to get noticed

Image Credits: instagram.com/klooksg/

Corey Berkey, vice president of human resources at JazzHR, a human resources consulting firm, advises job seekers to follow the companies that interest you and engage with their posts. But remember to do it only when your Instagram profile is ready.

Just like how you connect with key personnel and recruiters on LinkedIn, do the same on Instagram. But Lavin warns us not to overdo it. You can choose to like an individual’s or company’s posts appropriately and add to a conversation with insightful remarks to gain some attention.

#5: Play the hashtag game
Instagram hashtag

Image Credits: Instagram

Hashtags like #nowhiring, #hiring, #jobs, and other more country- or industry-specific keywords can bring to light some opportunities you might not have known before.

Salemi states that as you start following the employers that interest you, pay extra attention to the hashtags they are using. When it’s relevant, share their content and hashtags. That’s one way to show that their content resonates with you.

#6: Allow the algorithm magic to work
Instagram algorithm

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Avid users of Instagram will know how the Instagram algorithm can work to your advantage. As you follow your ‘dream companies’, the algorithm will offer suggestions for you to follow similar ones.

When the right associations and professional organisations pop up, here’s your chance to follow them to keep sight of trends and new developments in the various industries. If you can’t seem to find them on Instagram, head to the company’s website to see if you can spot their Instagram icon on their homepage.

As you slowly build your Instagram profile as a visual resume of your strengths, skills, and interests, do ensure that you do not neglect the type of content on your other social media channels too.

Set aside some time to ponder over the art of personal branding as the year slowly comes to a close.

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