Try as you might, you seem to be doing everything right, but no one seems interested in hiring you. What could be wrong? Use this checklist to be sure these pitfalls are not limiting you.
* What are your social networking pages saying about you? Virtually every savvy employer these days will check your background on Facebook, My Space, Linked-In, maybe even You Tube before making a hiring decision. Don't let that spur-of-the moment post for friends or family years ago, come back to haunt you. In short, if you wouldn't want your boss to see it, delete it before the interview!
* Your resume has too much personal "baggage." Height, weight, age and marital status may have had some relevance years ago, but these areas have no place in your resume today. In fact, present-day laws restrict outsider's access to most of this personal information, so why volunteer it? Likewise race, religion, even statements about recreational activities are rarely (if ever) relevant to employment and are could work against you. The saying: "If in doubt - leave it out," applies.
* Keep it honest - Virtually everything you include in your resume can (and will) be cross-checked for accuracy so don't even think of hedging in this area. Clarify any areas which need explanation (such as gaps in employment, sudden job departures etc.) Again, without being intentionally misleading, always cast such issues in a positive light.
* Watch your language - Not only keep your speech "clean" in the interview but be cautious how you portray former bosses and co-workers. Trashing your former job (even if you feel it is justified) will never help you get a new job and, more often, will further restrict your chances of being hired.
* Hit the ground running - If the company offers you a position requiring new skills, be prepared to explain why you are able to start up with minimal training and adjustment. The applicant who is willing and ready to go to work right away, will always get the job over anyone else.
* Think long-term - You're not the only one who would like a long-time job. The interviewer doesn't want to have to replace you within a few years either so be sure to be ready to explain where you'd like to be with this company, say five or ten years down the road. (If your future doesn't include the company where you're interviewing, don't bother applying as you won't be hired).
* Be specific - a job interview is no place to speak in generalities. Your boss is paying for results not "pie in the sky" promises, so use the interview to make clear what you have done in past positions and what you plan to do when hired. Detail specific reasons why they should hire YOU, and not one of the dozens of other applicants. -- Dr. Carl Windsor
* Your resume has too much personal "baggage." Height, weight, age and marital status may have had some relevance years ago, but these areas have no place in your resume today. In fact, present-day laws restrict outsider's access to most of this personal information, so why volunteer it? Likewise race, religion, even statements about recreational activities are rarely (if ever) relevant to employment and are could work against you. The saying: "If in doubt - leave it out," applies.
* Keep it honest - Virtually everything you include in your resume can (and will) be cross-checked for accuracy so don't even think of hedging in this area. Clarify any areas which need explanation (such as gaps in employment, sudden job departures etc.) Again, without being intentionally misleading, always cast such issues in a positive light.
* Watch your language - Not only keep your speech "clean" in the interview but be cautious how you portray former bosses and co-workers. Trashing your former job (even if you feel it is justified) will never help you get a new job and, more often, will further restrict your chances of being hired.
* Hit the ground running - If the company offers you a position requiring new skills, be prepared to explain why you are able to start up with minimal training and adjustment. The applicant who is willing and ready to go to work right away, will always get the job over anyone else.
* Think long-term - You're not the only one who would like a long-time job. The interviewer doesn't want to have to replace you within a few years either so be sure to be ready to explain where you'd like to be with this company, say five or ten years down the road. (If your future doesn't include the company where you're interviewing, don't bother applying as you won't be hired).
* Be specific - a job interview is no place to speak in generalities. Your boss is paying for results not "pie in the sky" promises, so use the interview to make clear what you have done in past positions and what you plan to do when hired. Detail specific reasons why they should hire YOU, and not one of the dozens of other applicants. -- Dr. Carl Windsor
