When job searching don’t put all your eggs in one basket! Job searching is a difficult task. You have to find suitable roles to apply for, send your resume and wait on the response. A common trend amongst job seekers is too fall off the job search wagon once you start interviewing with a potential employer. This can be detrimental to landing a new role and here’s why:

Putting all your eggs in one basket can reap one of two results. It’s very simple, either you get the job or your don’t. Job searching takes a lot of energy and when you are unsuccessful it can really set you back. You feel disappointed, discouraged and unmotivated to move forward. It takes a toll on your confidence. Whereas, if you are steadily applying to a number of jobs, and going on multiple interviews with other companies chances are you will be more successful. Above the success rate you won’t feel as bad when a company does reject you in the process.

Additionally, employers don’t put all their eggs in one basket. They typically interview a whole range of candidates before deciding to go forward with one. Why shouldn’t you the candidate do the same thing. Have a whole range of potential employers to interview with and pick the one that is the best fit. You may end up in multiple offer situation and create options for yourself. Not only is this a confidence booster but it will really put you in a positive space during the job searching process.

When you find yourself in job search mode make sure you are constantly putting yourself out there. Investing time, energy and emotion into one potential employer will only set you back if it doesn’t work out. Moral of the story put your eggs in multiple baskets and see which one works out best!

If you are starting a new job and are looking for some icebreakers you came to the right place! Here is your guide on how to make a lasting impression at your new job:

Take Initiative, Introduce yourself: On your first day of work come in with a friendly, positive attitude. Put your ego aside and introduce yourself to your colleagues. You don’t need to wait for an introduction or an opening. 

Bring treats: Food is the way to anyone’s heart. Bring a sweet treat everyone can enjoy (cookies, fruit, brownies etc…) Chances are no one will pass up a nice snack and this gives you an opportunity to get to know your colleagues. 

Be interested and Listen: Don’t try to be the most interesting person in the room. Listen to what your colleagues are saying, be interested and relate to them. You’ll really get to know your team if you take interest in what they’re saying. Listening is the best way to building rapport and gaining trust. 

Invite yourself to lunch: Talk to your colleagues, ask them what time they take lunch and if you could sit with them. Lunch is a nice time of day for most people. They’re able to recharge with some food and take a break. You’ll find lunchtime is the best time to really connect. 

Don’t ever forget your salutations: Always greet your colleagues/managers in the morning and always say goodbye upon your departure. Part of being friendly and positive is greeting your colleagues and people do take note when you don’t pay them any salutations. 

Fitting in at a new job seems tough – don’t wait for the first move from your new colleagues. Read through this guide, take control and create a lasting first impression.

We all know job searching is no walk in the park when you’re a new grad. The frustrations stem from a lack of experience. Many postings require 1-2 years of experience and you don’t have it. There’s no reason to fret, utilize these three tips and it will lead you to the path of a new opportunity!

Tip #1: Outline life experience on your resume/cover letter

At this point you’re a new grad and don’t have relevant industry experience. What you do have is life experience. You’ve successfully gone through the entire program, received your degree or diploma. Along the way you’ve done many group projects, volunteered, completed an internship. Whatever it is you did for your time during school highlight it. Make it the center of your resume/cover letter and relate it to why you would be a good fit for the job. 

Tip #2 – Don’t downplay small companies

Many new grads often go after the large, multinational companies. The ones where they feel they will be offered a grand opportunity to gain experience. While it is true of big companies, they’re also inundated with resumes, and have a huge pool of candidates to choose from. Do your research, find a small company within your industry. Small companies are more willing to give you an opportunity to get your foot in the door without experience. They are willing to train and mentor new grads to grow with their company. 

Tip #3 – Always touch base/follow up

One of the most important aspects of job searching is taking the time to touch base or follow up. When you first send your resume in why not call them a few days later to see if they have received it. It gives you a chance to introduce yourself, and it sets you apart from the people who don’t touch base. Subsequently, if you have interviewed somewhere follow up with them. Get some feedback and see what the status is. When you put yourself out there anything can happen.

New grads take on a whole new approach to job searching, take these tips and create opportunities for yourself!

There are so many factors when you are job searching. Resumes, interviews, second interviews, follow ups, feedback and more. It’s easy to forget about your references. When it comes to searching for a new job you need to be prepared. This is your short guide on having references!

When you begin job searching you never know where it will take you. It could be weeks or months before you get to the offer stage. With that being said, you want to make sure you are ready for anything.

Employers will typically ask for two references. One of the references should be your direct manager from your most recent job. If you are able to get two strong manager references it is all the more better. Now, it’s not always possible to have two manager references, this is where a colleague or an indirect manager will suffice. Most employers will not ask you for references from your current employer as it can make for a sticky situation. Make sure your references are from your direct last job. If your current job was the one you got fresh out of school try getting a professor reference. 

Now that we know which two references we should have the next is getting back in touch with them. The worst thing you can do is list two references down of people you haven’t spoken to in a while. Give them a call, engage in small talk and find out what they have been up too for the last little while. Then ask their permission if you can use them as a a reference. Explain why you are in the market and what jobs you’re going for. If they agree then let them know they may expect a call from perspective employers. 

Lastly, you want to thank them. Your references play a part in gaining a new opportunity. They are vouching for you. Give them a call and update them on getting the job – genuinely thank them. Even the references that don’t get called, thank them as well. This way you maintain your relationship with your references. You never know when you may need them again.

Be prepared with two references, get back in touch, brief them and always thank them. This was your short guide on having references!

By now we know that job searching is a lengthy and time consuming process. You need to stay dedicated and consistent in order to land yourself a new opportunity. Instead of using the same tips and tricks of every other candidate use these job searching hacks!

1. Create a simple formatted resume. These days resumes are new, creative and fun. While there is nothing wrong with those resumes, sometimes its nice to see a resume that is easy on the eyes. Let your summary and your experience do the talking. 
2. Schedule a time on your calendar to search and apply for jobs. Whether you are working or not if you schedule a time on your calendar and commit to it daily you are one step closer to receiving a call back.
3. Create a summary introduction for yourself. When you are invited to do a phone or in person interview one of the first few questions will be to introduce yourself. Be prepared and create an introduction that comprises your experience, education and interests in four lines or less. 
4. Interview yourself. Take the time to write interview questions, ask yourself and respond to them. Do it in front of a mirror by yourself – get a sense of how you would answer the questions and then tweak it as best you can. 
5. Always engage in small talk. When you arrive at the location of your interview, be personable. Speak with the receptionist, ask them how their day is going. When your interviewer comes and gets you do the same thing. Try to discuss common things that are present in the news, sports, or lifestyle. You want to seem relatable.
6. Send a more personal ‘thank you’ email. You should always send a ‘thank you’ email to your interviewer. Often times we have a general template that we send out with our appreciation. Instead of doing that, draw some highlights from your interview and include them in the ‘thank you’ note. Chances are this will be a refreshing change for the interviewer and will make you stand out.

Job searching is tough, it’s a winding road with different stops along the way. These job searching hacks will help you to not only be more prepared but different. Why do what everyone else is doing? The only way to get ahead is to do the things that everyone else isn’t doing.

You just got notified you didn’t get the job. You’re wondering what happened, and why. With job searching and interviewing there a lot of unknown factors. Now reasons as to why you didn’t get the job vary from person to person. Let’s take a look at the top three reasons you didn’t get the job:

1. You were not specific with your answers: When interviewers ask behavioral questions they are looking for very specific answers. They want you to provide an example to back up your answer. We all have the tendency to answer very broad and general – it happens when we are nervous and/or unprepared. Being in the hot seat requires you to answer questions you rarely ever think about, don’t let someone else beat you out of a job because you were not specific enough.
2. Slandering your current/past company: Every experience may not be a pleasant one. Some organizations are different and not everyone will leave with a positive experience. With that being said, one thing hiring managers will never tolerate is slander of an organization, managers or colleagues. No matter how much you did not like your previous job you should never outright say it. It shows the interviewer the truth of your character. Their only thoughts is if this candidate gets hired and things go south they will surely do the same.
3. High Salary Expectations: Salary is very tricky. Relating this to why you didn’t get the job, your salary expectations were unreasonably high. We all want to make more money, but the worst is when you lay out an expectation that is very unrealistic. There are many factors in getting a job and salary is just one of them. You must have a well prepared response for what your expectation is. Don’t just add $10,000 to what you are currently making and think that is reasonable. Research industry standards, take a look at what you are currently making and mesh the two together. Above all else take some time to look at the overall package, is the job closer to home, do they offer better benefits, are you getting more vacation time, are you going to grow  within the organization. All of these aspects will relate to a more realistic salary expectation. Don’t  cheat yourself out of job because you wanted to be greedy.

Take a look at these reasons, reflect on them, and the beauty of it all is you can change it all for the future and land your next opportunity!