Tag: Interview

Open post Mastering the Art of Informational Interviews - A Networking Strategy for Job Seekers

Mastering the Art of Informational Interviews: A Networking Strategy for Job Seekers

3 Things You Must Start Doing When You Become a Team Leader

Are you tired of applying to countless job listings without success? Have you considered using informational interviews as a networking strategy?

In this post, we will explore the world of informational interviews and how they can benefit your job search and help you build a strong network. We will also provide guidance on how to request and conduct successful interviews, including what questions to ask and how to follow up.

What is an informational interview?

An informational interview is a conversation between a job seeker and a professional in a particular field or industry. Unlike a job interview, the purpose is not to be evaluated for a specific position. Instead, it's an opportunity for you to learn about an industry or job role and gather insights and advice from someone who is already established in the field.

What can an informational interview do for you?

The benefits of informational interviews are numerous. Firstly, they provide valuable insights into a particular industry or role that can help you make more informed career decisions. Additionally, they allow you to make meaningful connections with professionals who can offer valuable advice and potentially even serve as a reference or mentor in the future.

How to find your people.

To request and conduct an informational interview, first identify professionals you would like to connect with. Look for people in your field of study or the industry you are interested in moving to, which can be done through LinkedIn, networking events, other professional communities, or an in-depth Google search. While researching people to connect with, take detailed notes so you can craft specific and interesting questions for your interview.

Requesting an informational interview.

When reaching out to potential interviewees, be clear about your intentions and goals for the conversation. Explain that you are seeking advice and insights into the industry and be specific about why you are interested in speaking with them. Mention their expertise and whatever drew you to them.

What do you want to know?

Once you've secured an informational interview, come prepared with thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in not only the industry but them specifically. This shows that you have done your homework. Some great questions to ask might include:

  • What inspired you to pursue a career in this industry, and what do you find most fulfilling about it?
  • How has your career progressed in this industry, and what were some of the biggest challenges you faced along the way?
  • What are some of the current trends and innovations in the industry that excite you the most?
  • Can you describe a typical day in your role, and what are some of the key skills and qualities needed to succeed in this field?
  • What advice would you give to someone just starting out in this industry, and what are some common mistakes to avoid?
  • How has the pandemic affected the industry, and what changes do you anticipate in the future?
  • What are some of the most important values and ethics that professionals in this industry should uphold?
  • What are some of the most exciting projects you are currently working on, and what are your goals for the future?
  • How can someone interested in this industry get involved or gain more experience, and what resources do you recommend for learning more about the field?

Remember, the purpose of the interview is to learn and gather insights, not to ask for a job. It's also important to be respectful of your interviewee’s time and to keep the conversation focused and on-topic.

Following up after your interview.

After the interview, make sure to follow up with a thank-you note or email expressing your gratitude for their time and insights. It's also a good idea to stay in touch over time, whether through periodic check-ins or by sharing relevant articles or resources.

Informational interviews can be a powerful networking strategy for job seekers. By approaching the process with a clear purpose, being prepared with thoughtful questions, and following up appropriately, you can build valuable connections and gather insights that can help you achieve your career goals.

So, reach out to people you admire, start building your network, and take your career to the next level.

If you are looking for more personalized advice, don't hesitate to reach out to us at contact@quardev.com!

 

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Open post Image of keyboard and someone typing with search bar overlay with title of blog - How to Prepare for Your Job Search

How to Prepare for Your Job Search

3 Things You Must Start Doing When You Become a Team Leader

Are you looking for a new job, but you’re unsure where to start? If you read our last blog, Not Sure What You Want to Do? Let’s Figure It Out!, you are becoming more familiar with your likes and dislikes – this will aid you well here.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed, but don’t fret–you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a simple guide to help you with a successful job search. After following these basic steps, you’ll be on your way to securing your dream job.

Do Your Research

Taking the time to dig deep into your research will set you up for success from the get-go. You can start off by just browsing job titles and descriptions to get a sense of what is available to you. Then, as you get more confident in your job goals and knowledge, you can start to do more targeted searching.

There are many tools and apps designed to aid your search. Make sure you take advantage of networking sites, job search engines, and job banks. Use a focused keyword search to find the job descriptions that best suit you. You will surely find results that interest you by playing around with different search titles and keywords.

Keep it organized

While conducting your job search, there are so many details to keep track of, and it can be challenging to stay on top of them. When your job search becomes disorganized, it may hinder your success, but could also harm your mental clarity. It could cause you to lose track of which jobs you have already applied to, and which still need tending to.

Keeping your job search organized is critically important. It will ensure that you are as efficient as possible with your most precious resource, time. To help make this easier, we have created a free Excel spreadsheet to help keep your job search on track.

Polish your professional profile

Most likely, you have already accumulated some form of a digital footprint. Try Googling your name and see what comes up. Think about the message you want to send to potential employers, and make sure that your professional profile reflects it. This means cleaning up your virtual footprint on any networking websites like LinkedIn, Facebook, or other social media platforms.

Make sure to review your privacy settings on all your social media accounts, so you can be sure who is able to see what. Your personal brand exists whether you are managing it or not, but if you are proactive and thoughtful with it, prospective employers will be able to clearly see just how amazing you are.

Working Your Network

Attending networking events might be something that you do even when you are not job-searching; to learn, and to exchange ideas with motivated professionals. The tools you have gained from these events will serve you well in your job search.

During a job search, don’t shy away from attending networking events or reaching out to professionals at organizations you’re interested in. This is a great way to learn more about a job and the company’s culture. It will also help you form connections that will help you stand out.

You don’t have to wait for an event to start networking, these days you can network from your couch. Research people working for the company you are interested in or those who are in the position you are hoping for. Follow them on social platforms and interact with their posts – you could even be so bold as to send them a message! You will be surprised by the responses you get, and any inside information either about the company or the position will be helpful to you.

Prepare for the application process

Make sure that you have everything in line to apply. This is where the information that you found in step one will come in handy. Write or update your resume for each application you submit, keeping in mind the specific organization’s requests and the jobs you are targeting.  Visit our blog for some advice on customizing your resume to fit a job description.

When reading through a job description, notice the keywords that are used, use those same keywords in your resume, and tailor your past experiences to the requirements the company lists.

Choose your references carefully, ideally, they would be professionals who are reliable and can highlight some of the best work you’ve done in the past. Practice any skills that you may be requested to perform to ensure passing any tests with flying colors. You can even practice for your interviews by reading questions that will likely be asked and formulating answers to have on the ready. It is also helpful to have someone perform a mock interview with you so that you can get comfortable answering in front of someone.

Consider working with a recruiter

If you are feeling stuck, recruiters can help you figure out your goals, gain insights into what employers look for, and provide support even after you land a job. If you want more information, check out our blog on the advantages of partnering with a recruiter.

The job search process can be daunting, but eventually, all your hard work will pay off. Stay as focused and positive as possible throughout the process — remember there are many resources out there to help you.

For job search advice personalized to your needs, please feel free to contact our team: contact@quardev.com. We are standing by and happy to help.

 

Job Hunting? Let us help! - Search Jobs Now

 

Open post Person standing on a mountain top, overlooking a mountain range

Awakening Your Confidence for an Interview

3 Things You Must Start Doing When You Become a Team Leader

Awakening Your Confidence for an Interview

You always hear how important it is to appear confident in an interview; employers want to hire someone who is cool, calm, and collected. This is great to know, but you have an interview coming up, and honestly? You’re feeling nervous. So, how can you help your future employer—and yourself— believe that you are confident when maybe you aren’t feeling it? Here are a few simple things you can do to help you exude confidence in your next interview.

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

There’s nothing more stressful than feeling unprepared. Look out for future you by taking the time you need to get fully ready for the interview. Spend time researching the company — it’s values, goals, and how you would fit into it. Practice answering some common interview questions; answer aloud and pay attention to the cadence and speed of your responses. Write out examples of your past successes, you will want these to be front-of-mind during your interview – you will be able to use them for context when asked situational questions. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will become. Knowing that you’ve done all you can to adequately prepare will give you some added reassurance as you go into the interview.

 Get Psyched 

Did you know, physiologically, nervousness and excitement are almost the exact same emotion? The only difference being the story you tell yourself regarding the emotion. You can use this to your advantage by choosing to be excited. Your mind will believe anything you tell it, just keep insisting. And you are excited! Or you wouldn’t have applied. Being nervous is natural, and it shows that you care. You can turn those interview jitters into adrenaline by changing your mind. You’re not nervous, you are excited. Tell yourself that you are excited, you are ready for this interview, and you can’t wait to show them what you know. You will surprise yourself and impress your interviewer.

 Ask Questions

An interview becomes a lot less intimidating when you think of it as a conversation, rather than an assessment of you. They provide an opportunity to determine not only whether you would be a good fit for the role, but whether the role would be a good fit for you. Don’t forget that they are being interviewed too, by you! Asking questions is a great way to show them that you are engaged, interested in the position, and considering how you would fit in their organization. It also helps take some of the pressure off you, giving you the opportunity to sit back, listen, and observe.

Listen Actively

It’s important to stay present and really listen to the questions posed. Take a moment to breathe, literally, take a breath – this will give you a moment to process what was asked and to craft a great response. It may feel uncomfortable, silence sometimes does, especially when you know someone is awaiting your response but by taking a few extra seconds you show that you are thoughtful – carefully considering what is being asked. Your confidence will be apparent to your interviewer, and they will also appreciate how attentive and engaged you are.

Interviews can be nerve-racking, but now that you’ve learned you can change your mind, you’ve got this! They would be lucky to have someone like you, with your specific skills and talents. You have quite a bit to be proud of, make sure not to keep that to yourself.

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