You apply for the job you want, you receive a call for an interview, and your excitement quickly turns to fear. What if I don't get the job? What if I blow it? What if they don't like me? For many people, interviews are stressful, nerve-racking, and even intimidating. However, confidence is key to nailing the interview... so how do you maintain confidence in the interview and show your tenacity? The keys to Confidence in a Job Interview Preparation is key! Practice, practice, practice! You can even hire one of our experienced Interview Coaches to help you practice. It's well worth the investment when it makes the difference between landing the job you want or never getting a callback. Let us help you review common interview questions and critique your answers. You can also practice with a colleague or family member; no matter what you do, make sure you are prepared for plenty of "Tell [...]

You only have one chance at a first impression, make it great with these tips! Show up a little early – Don’t show up super early, but you want to show up early enough to find the office, and check in at the front desk at least 5 minutes before your interview begins. This shows punctuality and responsibility to others. Dress the part – Research the company culture to determine the level of professionalism you will want to match. Some companies have a laid-back culture that allows jeans, and others require a suit. I always recommend dressing up a level higher than normal. So, if most people wear jeans to work, wear slacks, but not a suit. This shows that you are taking interviewing seriously, but you are also a good fit for the laid-back culture. Bring what you need – Make sure to bring extra copies of your resume, a portfolio, and a notebook [...]

3 Reasons You Need a Cover Letter Many people participating in the job search process may skip this step of creating a professional cover letter for each application, but it's so important to include it, and here's why: Shows Effort - Anyone can upload a file with their work history, this takes very little effort to submit a ready resume. However, your cover letter should be tailored to the job you're applying for. It shows you are very interested and willing to put in the effort.  Even if the recruiter glazes over it, which yes some do, it will show you're committed to earning the position and going above and beyond even when not asked. Don't take chances with your chances. This is one more thing you can do that will prove you want the position. Required for some Postings - This one is obvious, but if the job posting says it's required, then you had better [...]

Why You Need an Interview Coach When you are thinking about your upcoming interview, do you start to sweat and get butterflies in your stomach? Have you ever frozen up during a job interview? Interviewing is something that requires practice, just like anything else. Many people looking for careers don't have a lot of experience interviewing. You are not alone. It's time to consider an interview coach. Without preparation, you are setting yourself up to fail. You should hire an experienced interview coach to help you prepare for your upcoming interviews. Our interview coaches will facilitate a series of mock interviews and will provide real-time feedback. If you have an area that you need to work on such as body language, explaining scenarios, or confidence, we are here to help! Reasons you need an interview coach: 1. Phone screening This is stage zero of the job interview process. If you can't make it past the [...]

Tips to Consider This April Fool's Day at Work Ah, the first of April means the beginning of Spring--and of course, a day where many people partake in office pranks. While having fun at work is important, it's very important to consider a few things before you fool your co-workers into doing something embarrassing. Consider your company culture - What is the culture like in your office? While some office cultures can be silly and playful, some offices are more serious and practical. Be careful to consider your company culture before pulling a prank. Think about your audience - Not everyone shares the same kind of humor that you do, so be careful to consider your audience first. What one person finds hilarious might be way out of line for someone else. Be sure that you know what you're getting into before you pull a prank on an unwitting victim. Keep it "G-rated" & work [...]

Highlighting Accomplishments on a Resume When used correctly, accomplishments on your resume, cover letter, and interview conversations will help set you apart from the other applicants! It's important to share your accomplishments on your resume and cover letter and speak to them during your interview. Hiring managers want to know that you are capable of successfully accomplishing goals. Highlighting accomplishments also help to show that you are results driven. Being able to acknowledge your accomplishments is a very important part of the application and interview process. Consider the job description and position requirements when deciding what accomplishments to include in your professional profile. You should try to think outside of the box here if you are changing industries. For example, if you managed an event from start to finish, this is a form of project management so that you could include a successful event on a resume for a project manager position.  Select some of [...]

How to Handle a Mistake at Work Have you ever made a big mistake at work and thought you would never recover? Don’t worry—we’ve all been there! And believe it or not, even the biggest mistakes will be forgotten with time. So, what do you do when you make a mistake at work? First and foremost, accept responsibility and tell your boss as soon as possible. Don’t let your fear of getting in trouble keep you from admitting a mistake. The sooner you can start mitigating the issue, the better off you will be. Reasonable bosses will understand that human errors occur and have made mistakes before too. The mistake will come to light either way, and the longer you put off talking to your boss, the worse you’ll look. Don’t deflect blame, accept responsibility for your part in the mistake. If you get defensive or point fingers, you will only look worse. Next, it’s [...]

5 Ways to Catch your Manager's Attention The difference between an average employee and a top performer often depends on the manager's perception. Here are five ways to catch your manager's attention and improve their perception of you. Be positive - Managers appreciate employees who create solutions, not complain about problems. If you need to address something negative, provide an idea to resolve the problem. Managers look for employees who have a positive attitude that does not complain. Be reliable - Reliability is so important in the workplace. Are you on time? Do you complete tasks by their deadline? Managers want to know that if they assign you a project, they can rest assured knowing that you will complete the task on time and meet expectations. Be friendly - Personality can go a long way in the workplace. Managers want to work with people they can get along with and who get along well with others [...]