Steps to a New Position

I am going to write this blog about "steps to a (potential) hire". Join me at Google+ or write me at hra246@gmail.com with your feedback.

Many think that the "do all and end all" is in the resume.  This, for the most part, just isn't true.  It is going to have a profound effect on your candidacy....but many of the people for whom I've written resumes, I also mock interviewed them and enhanced their LinkedIn Profile....not to mention giving them a format for writing a cover letter.  There are 4 steps right there....not to mention "due diligence"!!

What comes first?  Due diligence.  Check out the company.  Is it the company for whom you WANT to work? Check out the LinkedIn Profiles of the people you may be encountering?  They WILL appreciate that...whether you know it or not!  They will be looking at YOU!!

Your resume is an introduction to your candidacy.  Among the issues clearly outlined are: Contact information (including your LinkedIn Profile URL), Summary, Skill Sets (both soft and hard skills), Chronological Resume (the where, when, what, and accomplishments of your resume), Education, and other areas of importance.

The second most important part of your candidacy is your LinkedIn Profile.  It must contain everything from your resume and more.  You MUST have a photo so the hiring manager can get a glimpse of you as a person.  They also want to know what kinds of groups you have joined, what kind of company you keep (connections), and other areas covered by LinkedIn.

The next most important document is the cover letter.  Yes, you cannot POSSIBLY cover everything in your resume.  You can address the specific needs from their advertisement in the cover letter.  You MUST address the cover letter to a person.  How do you do that?  By due diligence on LinkedIn and elsewhere on the internet.  Your cover letter covers 3 vital areas:  How you found out about the job, specifics on why you feel you stand out from your peers/competition, and a strong closing paragraph.

Next comes the telephone screen.  In the screen you MUST treat it as if it were the next best thing to being there.  NO drink in hand.  Think fast on your feet.  Use the S.T.A.R. Behavioral Based Interviewing style.  Don't know what that is?  Contact me and I'll explain further.  No gaps in the conversation.  No computer assistance at this point.  Short, concise answers to their questions.  No "yes" or "no" answers.  You must say "yes, because" or "no, because".

The in-person interview is next.  Dress sharply, unless notified otherwise.  Some companies prefer you visit them dressed in a polo shirt or "business casual" attire.  Check with the "arranger" first.  Ensure you carry a copy of your resume (or more if it is a panel interview).  Again, the S.T.A.R. format is likely to be used.
Eye contact and excellent body language is critical.  "Small talk" is acceptable, but must be kept at a minimum and only under THEIR direction.  There are many questions they may ask at an interview.  I will not go into them here.....but, this is definitely the time to find out if they are micromanagers or macromanagers.  Remember, you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you!

Finally, there's the follow up letter and phone call.  As you leave, ask permission to send the follow up letter and/or phone call. They will appreciate your asking permission and it is the professionalism that they are seeking.

I touched on most of the ingredients of the "successful" properties of the interview process.  I have been recruiting for over 25 years (yes, you can see my profile at www.linkedIn.com/in/howieappel).  You can also write me at hra246@gmail.com for details on having some leverage for positioning yourself for your next interview.

Remember to read your finished resume at least twice.  Many use "attention to detail" as a skill.  One typographical error will prove you wrong.  Do you want to take that chance?  Spell-Check is not always the answer to a proofreading.

Review my recommendations on LinkedIn.  You will find that I am a "babyboomer", I am a veteran, and I have been both a corporate and agency recruiter.  I now do resumes and LinkedIn Profiles for both job seekers and businesses on the grow.

Are you ready to take action?
Are you ready to take your search to the next level?
Are you ready to become pro-active?

If you said, "yes" to any or all of these questions, you are ready to work with a professional who has put his heart into every resume he re-accomplishes.  I have worked with outplacement firms, Christian HELP, and have worked on my own outplacement contracts.  As you know, there are no guarantees in life (except death and taxes).  Why take a chance?  I stand ready to take you to the next level!!