New Job Archives - The Career Success Doctor

Job Seekers Need To Stop These 5 Job Search Tactics

Written by Natalia

Happy May Day everyone! Spring has officially sprung and today‘s date has a double meaning in the Nothern hemisphere: spring festival and International Workers’ Day.

If spring‘s message for a new beginning this year means a new job to you, keep reading because this article will help you a lot in your job hunting. Are you sabotaging yourself by using the ‘wrong‘ job search tactics?

Whether you are looking for a career change, a different working environment, or you‘re currently unemployed and looking for a new job, chances are that as a job seeker you do have a strategy in place. From how to write a winning CV and prepare for interviews, to how to promote yourself and include the hidden job market in your search.

We‘ve shared a lot of tips for finding a new job and we‘ve covered a lot of job searching tactics in different phases of the process in our articles so far. However, the article I want to share with you today by Heather R. Huhman, published on Doostang, discusses all the things that you shouldn’t do. A beautiful wrap-up of the job search tactics that won’t get you the desired result.

Among the things discussed in this article are the importance of doing your research before applying for a job, the negative impact of proceeding your job search based on fear ending up with a job offer you don’t like and outdated cover letters.

” Ever had a really great interview or found a job posting that seemed like an absolute perfect match? Then, after landing the interview, you may figured you were a shoe-in for the position. So you sat back and waited for the offer letter to come through.

But nothing ever came.

There are currently 6.7 million job seekers in the U.S. and, although job prospects are getting better, the reality remains that there are still a number of qualified candidates looking for jobs in a limited job market. The position you were perfect for likely had at least 20 other perfect candidates apply for the job as well. The bottom line? In order to be successful in your job search, you just can’t afford any slip-ups.

So, if you want to land your next job, stop taking part in these job search tactics immediately: ….. ”

Read the whole article here: “5 Job Search Tactics You Need To Stop Now”

Are You An Active Job Seeker? The Hidden Job Market

Written by Natalia

If you are currently an active job seeker, you certainly need to take the hidden job market into consideration for maximum results in your job search.

It is said that way more than half of the job vacancies are never advertised. Which means that if your job search relies only on job boards you are missing out -big time!

No matter which part of the planet you live in, these hidden job markets exist all over the world, although the way they work might have some cultural differences.

Understanding The Hidden Job Market

So, why does the hidden job market exist to begin with? There are many reasons: lack of time, lack of money, and a huge waiting list of candidates from previous interviews are some of them.

According to a recent Jobvite study, 64% of recruiters rate referrals as the highest-quality source of hires. On the other hand, 40% of job seekers have found their “favourite or best” job through personal connections.

The key here to include these hidden markets in your job search is, first of all, doing your research about the companies you want to work for and contact them directly (doing your homework is always the most important step, just as in the “open market”), and -of course- networking. The more people know you’re searching for a new job, the more chances you have to learn about a job vacancy through ‘word of mouth’.

For further reading on the hidden job market and how to find these hidden job vacancies, I have two articles that I’m sure you’ll find helpful.

The first one is by Chris Manley, from The Careers Blog of The University of Warwick:

70% of all vacancies are never advertised, or so the story goes. This figure has been quoted for as long as I’ve worked in careers and I’m not sure anyone knows exactly where it comes from. In many ways it doesn’t really matter whether it’s 7% or 70% as long as you factor this ‘hidden’ side of the job market into your job search strategy. If you’re spending all your time on job portals (good as they are) you’re potentially missing out. By dedicating a small fraction of your time to unearthing unadvertised vacancies you may well find a wider range of opportunities than advertised vacancies alone.

The second one is from Career Advice Online:

Up to 80% of jobs don’t get advertised

Finding hidden job vacancies is all about being proactive

Digging out unadvertised vacancies shows potential employers your commitment towards and enthusiasm about a particular job or company

Networking is crucial

The speculative approach can produce good results if used well.

It may come as a surprise to many job seekers to learn that up to 80% of jobs don’t get advertised. These ‘invisible’ vacancies are referred to as the ‘hidden’ job market.

What are your thoughts about this?
Are you going to include the hidden job market in your job search?

How To Answer Salary Questions In A Job Interview

Written by Natalia

Many job seekers feel uncomfortable when asked salary questions in a job interview. I had a phone call today from a friend who is currently searching for a new job, and he told me he landed two interviews last week. That’s excellent news! And then the question arose: “The recruiter asked me about my salary expectations. What’s the proper answer to this question?”

It is a fact that interview questions like “what are your salary expectations?” are considered to be among the difficult ones. You really have to be careful because your answer could either lead you to miss a good opportunity if the wage you propose is too low, or even miss the job if it’s too high. Other trick questions like this could be “what was your last salary?”, or “would you be willing to take a lower pay than what you were getting in your previous job?”.
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So, how should you answer salary interview questions?

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Research

First of all, it is vital to do your research before the interview. This means that you have to learn as much as you can about the company including its compensation policies. A web search will help you with this if you do not know any of the employees in person. In addition, Ellen Gordon Reeves, the author of ‘Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview?’ proposes to go straight to the source: “You can call the HR department of a company and simply say, ‘I saw a job advertised at your company and I’m wondering what the entry-level salary is for this department.’”

Of course, I am assuming here that you have already done your homework, and you know what salary to expect for this position according to the industry, your location, skills and experience.

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Diplomacy

Unless you are a psychic, you can’t possibly know the exact figure the recruiter has in mind. That’s why it is a good idea to give a diplomatic answer ‘throwing the ball back’ to the interviewer. Don’t be too open though (like “I’m willing to take whatever you give”), as you don’t want to sound weak.

A good example could be saying that you need more information about the job responsibilities before discussing salary. You could also ask the interviewer back what the company typically offers to someone with your qualifications, or what is budgeted for this position.

Always remember that what we say is not the only important thing. How we say it is quite significant as well. Your body language, your voice, your pauses and the way you talk are crucial to communicate your message. You don’t want to sound aggressive, right?

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Set a range

If they insist on a figure from you, it is best if you reply with a range. This will give you room for negotiation in case what you have in mind does not agree with what the company is offering. This is where all the research you have done becomes handy.

You could say something like “Based on the industry rates, my skill-set and previous experience, my requirements are in the $55.000 – $60.000 range, depending on the scope of work. Is that the range you had in mind?”

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Room for negotiation

Supposing you did your homework, the range you proposed was an acceptable one. Nevertheless, you will probably be offered a salary closer to the low end of your range. That is why it is wise to structure your proposal in a way that there is room for a counter-offer, in case you are not happy with the compensation the recruiter suggests. Lisa Gates in her article on The Daily Muse explains perfectly how to wiggle.

Negotiation conversations are made up of anchors (putting a number on the table), counteroffers, and concessions. Simplifying wildly, you need to know two things—your target (what you really want) and your reservation point (your walkaway or resentment number).

Remember to never try to negotiate anything until there really is an offer on the table.

Also, don’t forget that salary is not the only aspect of a job offer. Bonuses, employee benefits, or even share percentages are also parts of the package. If the benefits are more than you had expected, maybe a slightly lower salary isn’t so bad. On the other hand, if they are less you could use that as a justification for a higher salary.

For further reading on how to answer salary questions in a job interview, I have two more articles for you:
– The first one is by Aimee Bateman on Undercover Recruiter
– The second one, on BioSpace, by Carole Martin, provides some really good examples of Q&A’s

A Job Offer You Don’t Like? 5 Things To Consider Before Accepting

Written by Natalia

When you’re searching for a new job, chances are that you won’t like every job offer you get. Maybe the salary is lower than your standards, the required working hours don’t leave you any time for your family, or the company culture doesn’t suit you.

It is completely normal not to like each and every job offer you have. We all have our preferences.

However, there are times that people choose to accept a job offer they don’t really like. Sometimes it is due to financial reasons, especially if they are searching for a job for a long time and their savings account is getting lower. Another reason would be that their job hunt has lasted more than a couple of months and they have lost their self-confidence. In difficult times it’s easy to lose hope and feel desperate.

Nevertheless, whatever the reasons are that drive us to accept a less-than-ideal job offer, we should never forget the power of negotiation. You’ll never know what you could have accomplished if you don’t at least try!

Of course, there’s also the option to turn it down. Sometimes, a greater opportunity could be just around the corner. If you can afford to wait for it and chase it, it might be the best move.

If you are in a situation like this, trying to decide what to do, Heather Huhman, in her article in Glassdoor, suggests 5 things to consider before accepting a job offer you don’t like.

“Imagine you’ve just finished interviewing with several employers. Out of all of the interviews, you received one job offer. It wasn’t exactly what you wanted. Do you accept it?

If you’ve experienced a long-term job search, you’re probably feeling like you should take what you can get. But when you encounter offers you don’t completely love, you must ask yourself if you will accept the job offer, attempt to negotiate, or wait for a better opportunity to come along.”

Read the whole article here: “5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Accepting a Job Offer You Don’t Love”

The Right Time To Find A New Job – Part 2: Leaving Your Job

Written by Natalia

Of course, you never search for a new job in your current workplace

Leaving your job on good terms

In our last post, we talked about the importance of knowing when it’s the right time to leave your current position and find a new job.

I completely agree with Alexia Vernon’s approach (the author of our featured article) and her point that, if you’re planning to leave your job it’s well worth making sure you do so on good terms.

Leaving a job is a phase that you will encounter many times in your life. According to statistics, adults 45 to 55 years old have changed jobs at least 6 times in their working lives on average. What most people don’t realise, though, is that this phase is actually as important as the hiring phase. Or maybe should I say “more important”? How you leave and what you will do during your last days is how people are going to remember you. Hence, if you start being mean to your colleagues or your boss, for example, this is the lasting impression you are going to leave. This is how these people will remember you, regardless of your hard work or how much you have helped the company all these years.

So, let’s assume that you have answered “yes” to Alexia Vernon’s questions, and you are ready to find a new job. How are you going to leave with grace?

Why Is it Important To Leave Your Job With Grace?

First of all, because it is important to yourself and your mind-set (remember the part “The way you walk away from your company is the way you will show up to a new one”?). The sense of accomplishment will boost your confidence levels which is a key ingredient for success.

Secondly, and as importantly, because you don’t want to burn bridges. Even if you hated your job and you don’t want to leave an open opportunity to come back some time. Even then, it is best that you won’t be negative, and you will try to be your greatest self.

I can’t emphasise enough that in a workplace the last impression counts as much as the first impression! You left a good first impression and that helped you get the job, but the last impression is what will help you maintain good relations with your current co-workers and employer : you never know when you’ll meet them again People do change jobs! And of course, a good recommendation or reference from you boss is going to give you more opportunities later on.

The fact is that, once we make a decision to change something in our lives in the near future, our brain tends to get there before we actually take action. We have the picture of that change in our mind and we start considering ourselves more as a part of that picture rather than a part of what is going on right now.

The same thing happens when we decide to leave our company and find a new job. We start being disengaged. We become less productive, maybe miss deadlines, or even arrive late at work.

What to do to leave gracefully

There is a way of leaving your job gracefully, strengthening bridges instead of burning them. The following advice will help you make the transition positive for everyone.

Take the time to plan and get organised

Deciding to leave your job and move forward might seem an exciting opportunity for you, but don’t let your excitement guide you into making any rushed moves. Take the time to think your next steps thoroughly.

Make sure you remain engaged and complete any tasks left

Remember those tasks on your to-do’s that weren’t so important and you had left them for the day you wouldn’t have much work to do? Now is the best time to complete them. Make a list of any other task you need to have completed before you leave, along with the time each one will need. That way you will have a clear picture of how much time you need to accomplish everything before your departure, and it will give you an idea on when it’s the right time to tell your boss. Besides, having a draft plan on your own with a task list on hand will help you with your discussion with him/her.

Clean up your PC

There is always the case of not returning to your office after handing in your resignation. Don’t leave it for the last moment, and of course, don’t forget it! Remove from your computer any personal data (including passwords, emails, photos, etc.). Also, if you are using your company’s email address to login to various websites or social media don’t forget to change it with your personal email address. Another good idea is to erase ‘cookies’ if you have enabled them in order to login automatically. This is for your own protection and security.

Talk to your boss

Your boss has to learn your decision from you and not from someone else first. That’s why it is important not to share your thoughts with any other colleague, no matter how much you trust them. Remember that you want to leave in good terms and in a professional manner.

If you have a preferred date when you want to leave, make sure you give your employer enough time to prepare. It is best to give as much notice as possible. You might need to check your contract or the company’s policies to figure out how much time in advance you should inform your superiors. If there isn’t anything stated in your contract, a month’s notice is generally considered acceptable, although this varies between companies and countries.

When you announce to your boss that you are leaving, do not mention any negative experiences or thoughts you might have about the company. There is no point in being negative; you are leaving after all. Instead, focus on the positive parts of your working relationship. Thank them for the opportunities they gave you to grow and for everything you’ve learnt while working in the company. Now it’s time for you to move on.

Be prepared for different reactions. Of course, there is a chance that he or she will be supportive, but there’s also the chance that they will feel desperate without you, especially if you were working there for many years and they know what an excellent employee you are. They might even propose you a raise in order to keep you. The smartest thing to do is not to accept it. Firstly, because you need to stick to your plan. You decided to leave for a reason. You have dreams; don’t throw them away. Secondly, because you don’t want everyone in the company (including your boss) to think that you manipulated the situation to your benefit.

Discuss your departure plan with him/her and follow their lead

Now that your boss/manager/employer is aware of your plans, you need to create your departure plan with them.

No matter what their reaction was, let them decide what happens next.

If your organisation’s terms and conditions of employment require you to inform the HR department, ask your boss when you should notify them.

The cohesion of the department you’re leaving is now your boss’s number one priority. Consequently, if they don’t want you to share your news with your colleagues yet, you should respect that.

Inform them about your pending tasks and how long it will take you to complete them. Ask them how you can help throughout the transition. Your “job” now is to be as helpful as possible!

Offer to help with the training of the employee who will replace you. If you have someone in mind who could be right for the position, don’t forget to mention it. Chances are that your boss will be more than relieved if the replacement can be done quickly.

Write your resignation letter

Even if you have discussed everything with your boss, the right thing to do in order to show professionalism is to hand in a written notice as well. Your resignation letter should be short and simple. Again, just like when you talked with your boss face to face, do not focus on any negative points. Thank them for everything they have done for you and don’t forget to mention how dedicated you are to make this transition as smooth as possible for your employer.

Inform your co-workers personally

It’s true, a mass email would make it a lot easier, but it is best if you can spend some time with your colleagues and inform them about your departure personally. It is expected that they will ask you a lot of questions regarding your next plans and your decision to leave, but you should keep it vague. Don’t brag about the new position you are after, and of course do not make negative comments about the company or the boss.

Don’t forget to ask for their contact details so that you can keep in touch, and give them yours as well.

Send farewell emails individually and thank those who have supported you during your time in the company.

Help your replacement

Be as helpful as possible. Remember how it was for you when you first came in the company. Your job might seem easy to you but keep in mind that just like with everything new, your replacement will need some time to acclimate.

What you are aiming for here, is to make your departure as painless for the company as possible. There is no need for competition. Your boss already knows that you can’t be replaced. But what you need is to help your replacement to be the next best alternative.

If you are leaving before the new girl/guy comes, make sure that you leave notes for them to help them familiarise themselves with the job. You can write a manual for all the daily tasks. Alternatively, if there is a manual, you may need to make special notes. Tricks you might have found to process specific tasks faster. Or tips that will make their life easier. Try to remember everything you know and note it down (file locations, key contacts’ cell phones or emails, etc.) Also, don’t forget to get a copy of the material you created and give it to your boss.

Remember to collect what you need (that is not property of the company)

Before you leave, make sure you have asked your managers for recommendation letters. It’s better having them now, than trying to reach them in the future.

Furthermore, you might need to collect contact details of clients that you have established relationships with. (Although be careful of any clauses in your contract which limit you from contacting clients for a given period).

Lastly, get an copy of your employment record from the HR department. They should give you one, although you may have to press them for it.

Be sure that you know your rights

Make sure that you know exactly what you are entitled to receive upon leaving (payment, remaining vacation time, pension plans, etc.)

Return company property

Return any company property you might have in your possession. That includes keys, cell phone or laptop provided by the company, documents and anything else that does not belong to you.

Clean your desk

Nobody likes cleaning up someone else’s garbage. Take your personal items with you and throw away anything that no one else would find important. Cleaning your desk and leaving it ready for your replacement to use it, shows your responsibility and your dedication in helping with the transition as much as you can.

Remain positive and engaged until your last day

Commit yourself to be fully focused the whole time. Be there completely until the day you leave. You have so much to do, after all, that this will help you remain engaged.

As time goes by, and the departure day is coming closer, you might feel an impulse to emphasise the negative stuff. To get it off your chest. You should keep yourself from bad-mouthing the company with your co-workers at all costs! There is truly no need for that. Maintain a professional attitude.

If you are required to participate in an “Exit Interview”, the same rules apply. Keep it professional. Emphasise the opportunities you were given and the expertise you gained and mention that is time for you to move on. Bear in mind that anything you say in your exit interview can make it to your boss and follow you everywhere. You don’t want to close any doors definitively. At the same time, if you have constructive ideas for how things could be done differently, it’s worth mentioning them. If you really have had a bad experience, and your boss has been a complete fool, then you need to think about how you can share some of this in the exit interview. Sadly, in my experience, badly managed companies do very little with the results of exit interviews. Companies that are well-managed and genuinely have staff interests at heart do pay attention.

Time to say Goodbye

On your last day at work, you want to make time to say goodbye to your colleagues, supervisors and your boss. Shake hands, smile and say thank you. Provide your contact details and let people know you are available for any questions regarding the job you leave behind. You don’t have to arrange a leaving ‘do’, but it’s a great way to bring people together and leave a lasting (and hopefully positive) impression behind.

Keeping the door open

You were as helpful to your boss and replacement as humanly possible during your notice period. You even thought of ways to take more work off your boss’s shoulders these days to help the situation. Your employer knows that all the extra work you did was out of kindness, good work ethics, professionalism, commitment and responsibility. And this kinds of extra effort is what employers notice. This is what you will be remembered for, in addition to the work you have done, and what your supervisors will be so willing to write in your recommendation letters. These qualities are what set you apart from any other candidate in any future job search.

Make sure to inform them about your availability for taking calls and emails answering questions until your replacement is settled and everything is back on track.

Also, remember that you may not work for that company any more, but both your former employer and co-workers are part of your network now. Be sure to keep in touch after you leave, you never know when they may be handy. Email or call them just to see how they are, and be interested in knowing where they are in their career; inform them where you are in yours. Connect with them via the social media. Connect with everyone on LinkedIn before you forget people or lose track of them.

And of course, in any upcoming job interview, it is important how you will talk about previous jobs. Recruiters will ask you why you left your last job, and it is critical that you remain professional.
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If you bear all these things in mind, you ‘ll leave your job as gracefully and professionally as possible! And you’ll enhance your personal brand and chance of future career success in the process.

Make your departure as impressive as the work you do!
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