5 Job Hunting Tips to Score Your Dream Career
It’s not just about your résumé.
Photo: Create & Cultivate
Would you believe more than half of the people who are currently employed are considering a new job?
It feels like we’re always striving for something bigger and better to fulfill our professional and personal goals. But, before you dive into the tedious world of job hunting, be sure to take the necessary steps to ensure you’re as prepared as can be for what your future might hold. This doesn’t just mean updating your résumé; think a lot harder and deeper about how you’re portraying yourself to potential employers.
Here are a few key steps you can take before you embark on the job hunt adventure. No need to thank us when you land your dream job.
Broaden your job search.
While looking for a new job, take the time to really focus on how you want to progress with your professional career. Search for keywords that are broader than you’re used to searching. Sometimes jobs are listed under a variety of topics that you might not be thinking about. For example, if you work in marketing, try searching social media terms, and brand marketing terms to expand your search to reach more companies with even more open positions.
If you’re looking for writing jobs, try searching for magazines and other publications in the area and scouring their websites for open positions that might not show up on job search websites (Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Indeed, etc). You might end up finding something that fits exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Curate a cover letter (every time).
Some applications don’t require a cover letter, but most do. Although it feels easier to just skip the cover letter, never skip it. This is your chance to show the employer who you are and what you’re capable of in your professional field. A cover letter is the best way to talk yourself up, cater to the employer, and show off all of your valid experience.
Take the time to look up various cover letter templates to help you find a format that works for you and your career. It’s also important to read through the position you’re applying for and pick out keywords that are used repeatedly to describe the candidate the company is looking for. Input those specific keywords into your cover letter and back them up with your relevant experience.
This is the perfect way to stand out among the rest of the cover letters employers will be reading. Not only will this make you look good, but it will help boost your confidence for any tough interview questions that come your way in the future.
Follow up with an employee.
Don’t you hate being ghosted by companies? Have you ever gone a month or more without hearing back about a job? Trust me, it’s normal. Think about how many people have applied for the job and how much time it is going to take HR to sift through all of the candidates. After about a week or so, I’ve found it beneficial to search for an email address of someone who works in the department you’re looking to be a part of or someone on the HR team.
Make your email short and sweet. Simply state your name, the position you are interested in, and your desire to learn how the hiring process is going so far.
Here is an example to follow:
Dear (Employee Name),
My name is (Name) and I recently applied for the (Job Title) position. I’m very interested in this role and would love to hear how the hiring process is coming along. Let me know!
I look forward to hearing from you,
(Name)
Perfect your résumé.
This one is self-explanatory but still so important to the job hunt. Without a clean, updated, and crisp résumé, hiring managers won’t be inclined to reach out to you. The first step is to match your résumé to you and your profession. Make it artistic and colorful if you’re in the arts, make it innovative and dynamic if you’re interested in the business field, and so on. Always keep your résumé updated and always save your résumé as a PDF.
That way employers can quickly check out your résumé without the hassle of downloads, slow internet, etc. Don’t forget to input any keywords that are relevant to the position you’re applying for. Did you know more than half of candidates are eliminated from the online job search by applicant tracking systems? This is due to a lack of relevancy between your résumé and the job description.
Canva is a great tool to use to reformat your résumé. The website provides you with a variety of templates to choose from, allowing you to utilize all the space on the page, and provides fonts, colors, and pictures to fit properly onto your résumé. Take your time while creating it, have friends and coworkers look it over for basic editing and readability purposes.
Secure recommendation letters.
Before you start providing various forms of information to a possible future employer, make sure you’ve solidified a couple of recommendation letters. Reach out to previous supervisors and mentors and update them on your career endeavors and what types of jobs you’re applying for. Don’t forget to grab a current email and phone number for each person, so the employer can contact them if need be.
Not all applications ask for recommendation letters, but I’ve found them helpful throughout the interview process. If you’re on a second or third interview, it might be beneficial to pass your letters along to whoever you’ve been conversing with to give yourself a little boost in the hiring process. Any material that highlights your professional work in a positive light can only help you along in the job hunt.
Implement some of these tips right away and get started on finding your dream job. If you’re creative and looking to dive into the marketing/advertising world, check out some job listings here.
About the Author: Abbey Adams currently works at an enterprise SEO marketing company while also maintaining her music blog blondieandthebeat.com) of six years. Throughout her time as a freelance writer for a women’s magazine, she’s learned to share every story and always try to empower as many women as possible. You can usually find her typing in bed binging “Sex and the City” (for the 10th time) or at the gym sweating out her anxiety on the stairclimber.
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This story was originally published on September 19, 2019, and has since been updated.
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13 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Accepting a Job Offer
You deserve the job, but does the job deserve you?
Photo: Ekaterina Bolovtsova for Pexels
The New York Times published a piece titled "13 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Getting Married." And since a job is a marriage of sorts, we started thinking about 13 questions you should really ask yourself before accepting a job. We aren't talking first jobs, but career makers. The kind you stick with for the long-haul, through thick, through thin, through sickness and in health; marriage material kind of jobs. It's a mistake to accept a position with the intention of leaving.
In the same way that hiring mistakes can be very costly, the same can be said for accepting the wrong offer. If the position is not the right fit, you are going to end up on job boards and sending out résumés all over again. While landing a job is tough, accepting the wrong position can be detrimental to your career. We're thinking long distance, not sprints.
1. Started from the bottom, now you’re where?
Is there room for growth? If for instance, you're starting as an assistant, is the company prone to promote from within? Before accepting, make sure there is a "here" to get to.
A good way to figure this out is to check out the following:
2. What’s the turnover rate for employees?
With a little research, it's easy to find how long the oldest employee has been at the company. If the turnover rate is incredibly high, or the oldest employee has only been working there a year, consider why this might be the case.
Are there employees who started in your current offered position? Where are they now?
3. Do you want your boss’s job?
This is a tricky question to answer.
Because sure, the idea of being the boss might seem illustriously tempting to you, but taking your boss’s job should not be the end goal. Excel at your position and work to be promoted, sure, but your takeover strategy shouldn't revolve around taking over someone else’s position.
4. Are you willing to work weekends? Nights? Early AMs?
What kind of hours are you willing to clock? For most of us, the 40-hour workweek myth is just that. So think about how you're going to feel when you get an email from your boss on a Sunday.
Do you need a position that has a clear clock-in and clock-out, or are you comfortable with stress-related rapid-fire texts from your boss on the weekend? (They happen. They're real.) Your heart needs to be in it, in order to win it.
5. Could your boss double as a mentor?
Is your potential boss someone you admire and respect? At least from the outside. Unlike a relationship or marriage, it's impossible to predict how well you will work with someone—especially during crunch time or in high-stress, high-pressure situations, before you work with them.
So do the research. What kind of reputation does your boss have? How do the current employees seem to feel about their jobs? When you went in for your interview, what did the office environment feel like? Was it sunshine and butterflies and rainbows or were there grumpy cat rainclouds above everyone’s desk?
Working well with someone who is "bossing" you is a major factor to consider.
6. Will you be challenged?
Forget a cushy job. At this point in your career, you should desire a position that grows your skills and expands your offerings as an employee—just in case you wind up having to divorce this position.
If you know you'll be able to set goals to outperform yourself, you will not only make yourself invaluable to the company, but you'll also be making an investment in your future that will pay in dividends.
7. Will you resent your salary in six months?
It's very rare to be head-over-heels in love with your salary from the start, but around 40% of women report being unsatisfied with their current pay. It's one thing to accept a salary or wage that is below asking, it's another to accept a wage that is well beneath you.
You'll end up angry, frustrated, and ultimately, less productive.
8. Are there benefits?
Health care costs add up, and they are something you should factor into your decision. Don't get blind-sighted by the salary without considering other costs you may incur on your own.
Most companies that offer benefits do so after 90 days. Be sure to ask what the company policy is, and if they don't have benefits, check out our post on how to negotiate benefits.
9. Is it corporate, startup, or freelance? And is the environment right for you?
You know you best. So when it comes to choosing the right office culture, think hard. The corporate job might pay more, but are you going to become frustrated and disillusioned when every idea you have has to be vetted by ten people up the ladder? Are you willing to commit to the kind of hours a startup requires?
If you're accepting a freelance job make sure to set parameters before committing. Don't accept a job where the expectations are so high, you're primed for failure.
10. What’s your commute?
The average U.S. worker commutes approximately 26 minutes to work each day. Could you imagine commuting more than that?
Here's the rub. Most employees are spending much more on commuting than they realize. From gas to maintenance, it's an important factor to consider in the long-run.
A nasty commute can contribute to a nasty attitude. If you're spending over an hour in the car in the AM, you're not going to arrive at the office bright, cheery, and ready to put in work.
11. What are the potential problems?
As with any relationship, there will be issues. Outline what you think they will be—from long hours to travel complications to communication issues, and be honest with yourself if they are problems you can accept.
Once you accept them, don't moan and groan when they crop up.
12. Have you checked out Glassdoor?
With a database of millions of company reviews, CEO-approval ratings, and salary reports, you can do a bit of online shopping before you buy into the company.
13. Is this your dream J-O-B?
By all means, what are you waiting for? Sign that offer letter and get ready for a lifetime of career happiness. (But also remember, that it's when the dream becomes a reality, the real work starts.)
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This story was originally published on April 4, 2016, and has since been updated.
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How Putting Your Health and Happiness First Can Improve Your Career
And benefit your company, too.
Photo: Smith House Photography
In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) turned their attention to a problem so severe and damaging they called it the “health epidemic of the 21st century.” That epidemic was stress. Fast-forward to 2020, and the WHO has updated its handbook of diseases to include burnout, calling it an "occupational phenomenon" characterized by "feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance from one's job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job.”
We are the first to admit that 80 hour work weeks and side hustles are the new norm. While we certainly aren’t going to be the ones to tell you to stop working your butt off if that is what you want to do, that doesn’t mean we don’t acknowledge that putting your health and happiness above your work is necessary for your general wellness. In fact, when you take care of your personal needs you may find that it benefits your career just as much as your well-being. Scroll on to find out how.
What Stress Does to Your Mind
Stress can cause physical maladies such as headaches, jaw clenching, teeth grinding, muscle spasms, heartburn, and nausea, as well as back, neck and chest pain. Even if you are a super human who doesn’t feel the physical side effects of exhaustion and stress, you might be falling victim to non-physical symptoms such as forgetfulness, disorganization, confusion, trouble learning new information, difficulty in making decisions, nervous habits and overreaction to petty annoyances. To top it all off, according to The American Institute of Stress you may also experience reduced work efficiency or productivity.
Carve Out Some “Me” Time
Everyone's wellness needs are going to be different. Some may not feel their best if they don’t take the time to cook healthy meals. Others may be strongly affected by not being able to spend as much time with their loved ones as they would like. Bookworms may feel more anxious if they can’t spend quiet time reading and escaping their troubles before bed. Think about what is important to you and what makes you feel like your best self, then carve out the time to do it. Seriously, add it to the to-do list and make sure it gets done like any other vital task.
Exercise is a great way to take care of both your physical and mental health at once. Physical activity releases endorphins in the brain and is proven to lower stress levels as well as symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety. It can also help relax muscles and relieve tension in the body. When you don’t have time to squeeze in a workout, try having a good laugh. Laughing also releases endorphins, which are significantly more powerful than the pain-relieving drug morphine. If relieving stress and pain isn’t enough to convince you, then consider this: endorphins boost immunity which could save you a lot of out of office days come flu season.
It Benefits Your Company, Too
It would financially benefit companies to look out for their employees’ health and happiness, not to mention be the decent thing to do. In fact, workplace stress costs U.S. businesses $300 billion annually. On top of lost productivity, work-related stress causes 120,000 deaths and results in $190 billion in healthcare costs yearly. If employers value the wellness of their employees they should ensure that they are working manageable hours, taking lunch breaks, encourage time off and create a generally positive work environment.
You are entitled to take a breather, play hooky, nap a day away, laugh, cry, whatever it is that will make you feel lighter. Never skip a doctor's appointment for a meeting, leave a few minutes early to make it to that yoga class, go home when you aren’t feeling well, turn off your phone when you are on vacation. If you do this you will be more creative, in control, calm, productive, focused and most importantly happy.
About the Author: Jacqueline DeMarco is a freelance writer with experience in editorial and news writing.
This story was originally published on September 2, 2017, and has since been updated.
Up next: 10 Women Who Have Your Dream Job on How They Fight Burnout, Stay Motivated, and Get Re-Energized for Work
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Can You Afford to Take an Entry-Level Salary?
But seriously, how low should you go?
Photo: Polina Zimmerman for Pexels
When it’s your first job offer, salary negotiation might not be the first thing on your mind—and you’re not alone. In fact, just 38% of recent college graduates negotiate with their employer upon receiving a job offer, despite the fact that three-quarters of employers saying they typically have room to increase their first salary offer by 5 to 10%, according to a study by the personal finance site NerdWallet.
Of course, when it comes to negotiating salary, there is no one right solution for everyone, and in this case, the answer depends on which of two major career groups you fall into—people starting out at the bottom and working their way up in their career and people starting at a higher level or specialized position and working up from there. Regardless of where you start, determining your entry-level salary requirements is a must!
Scroll on to find out if you can afford to take an entry-level salary and what that number should mean to you.
People Starting at the Bottom and Working Their Way Up in Their Careers
In many industries, you’ll find yourself starting at the very bottom working your way up the ladder of authority. Such industries include marketing, design, and some forms of IT (among many others). In these industries, people often start as an intern, assistant, or in admin which are known for lower pay grades.
If you are starting out with a low authority or unspecialized job, your first salary isn’t very important because you will most likely move on (and up) from there, however, you do need to see how low you can go to still be able to live within your means. Salary negotiation here means figuring out what you need to survive while you find your way.
Determining How Low of a Salary You Can Afford to Take at Your First Job
Map Out How Much Money You Spend: If you’re new at creating a budget, there are a lot of great apps such as Mint that let you input your information so you can see your total spending. This app will also give you tips and notifications to make sure you’re on top of your finances.
Determine How Much You Want to Save: Once you’ve determined how much you spend, you can then determine how much you want to save. Mint can help you do that, or you can always set up an appointment with a financial advisor at your bank. Consultations and advice are usually free of charge, so this is a great option if you want to speak with someone face to face when discussing your finances.
Determine What the Average Salary Is for Your Job and Region: It is important to be aware of the average salary for your position based on location in order to ensure you are not being underpaid or taken advantage of. A great tool for this is the Bureau of Labor Statistics where you can see average wage data based on job, state, and metropolitan area. While your first salary may not be very important in determining your salary throughout your career, it is important to make sure you are being fairly compensated for your time and effort.
Consider All of the Numbers: Once you’ve done the three steps above, you can now consider all of the numbers to determine the realistic lowest salary you can accept. While experience is important, the bottom line is that you need to be able to pay your bills. If you need to cut back here and there, (i.e. take public transportation instead of Uber, or start packing your lunches) so be it, but you must be able to afford necessities such as food, housing, and medical expenses with a little extra to spare in case of emergency.
The most important aspect of your first job is to gain necessary industry experience (and "get your foot in the door), but make sure you accept a salary that is realistic for you—one that you can survive on. Companies are often open to negotiation, so don’t feel pressure to take the first number offered to you. No one started out as a marketing exec or magazine editor without doing a lot of grunt work prior to it, so no one will expect you to be the highest-paid person in the company when you’re first starting out.
“No one started out as a marketing exec or magazine editor without doing a lot of grunt work.”
People Starting Out With Specialized Skills and/or Training
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are a lot of people who go into a specialized career, or one that requires extra schooling, (i.e. the medical field, engineering, coding/programming, etc.). People with postgraduate degrees often start out with a relatively high level of authority, meaning that you couldn’t just jump into the position and learn as you go. You need to know what you’re doing and have specialized training or education in order to be in that role.
For these kinds of jobs, your first salary does matter. The reason behind this is that you are coming in at a higher level than other people, therefore you have less room to grow. Think of it this way: If you start out as an administrative assistant but work your way up to an executive or CEO, you’ve basically gone from zero to one hundred. However, if you start off as a doctor, engineer, or manager, you really can only become more experienced in your role and be given more authority, so instead of going from zero to one hundred in your career, you’re starting off at sixty-five or seventy and moving up to one hundred.
Because there is less growth in specialized careers, your first salary sets the tone for all the jobs to come. Companies often ask what your previous salary is so that they can give you a proportional salary increase, and sometimes save themselves a little bit of money. In a specialized career, your first salary does matter, but if you do find yourself underpaid and overachieving, there is a way to remedy the situation. It all comes down to knowledge and confidence.
How to Negotiate Salary If You’ve Been Underpaid
This actually goes for both specialized and unspecialized positions: let’s say you find yourself severely underpaid based on statistics and your accomplishments. When you go to interview for other positions, make sure you are armed with facts and evidence to support your desired pay increase.
A great way to explain your situation to an interviewer is as follows:
“I am aware that I am being underpaid at my current job, however, I have learned x, y, and z from this experience/job, and based on information posted by The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average pay for this position in this area is x. Due to my accomplishments of a and b, I’m aiming for a salary of $x.”
If you give a statement like this, you will come off as knowledgeable, confident, and motivated. Having evidence of your achievements and statistics will also make you appear researched and show interviewers that you have put effort into getting fairly compensated.
The Salary Requirements Checklist
If you’re sitting there wondering, “How important is my first salary?,” think about the many different factors that go into it. Make a checklist and answer the following questions:
Is your position specialized/did you need special training to qualify for the position?
If you’re not in a specialized position, is there room for growth in your career?
How much money do you need to make to pay off your current expenses?
How much money do you want to be able to save each month/year?
How much money does the average person in your job/region make? (consult the Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Are you willing to take a lower salary (that’s still realistic) to take a job that you love or one that will provide you a lot of experience?
And, if so, are there areas that you can cut back on your spending in order to accommodate for this?
If you’re already past the point of a low first salary, do your research, itemize your accomplishments, and show people why you deserve the higher pay!
The original version of this article appeared on Career Contessa, written by Michele Lando.
This post was originally published on September 18, 2016, and has since been updated.
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Weighing the Pros and Cons of Job Hopping
Will it ruin your career?
Weigh the pros and cons of job-hopping to ensure you're always making a smart transition.
The concept of job-hopping—staying at a company for just one to two years before switching to the next—is a much-discussed topic. And people have a lot of opinions about it.
Many people believe that being labeled a job-hopper is a red flag to future employers. I’ve even heard that a pattern of job-hopping can ruin your career. Conversely, I’ve also heard many benefits of switching jobs.
And honestly? There’s truth in both arguments. To help you decide whether or not job-hopping is right for you, let’s analyze the pros and cons:
THE PROS OF JOB HOPPING IN YOUR CAREER
1. JOB SATISFACTION
One of the main benefits of switching jobs is finding one where you can learn, grow, and be happy. If you’re miserable at a job, should you stay for more than two years? Think about what you liked and disliked about the job and use it to guide your choices moving forward. Don’t choose a new job without proactively analyzing whether the job is right for you. This will increase your chances of job satisfaction and the likelihood that you’ll stay for at least two years.
Don’t choose a new job without proactively analyzing whether the job is right for you.
2. INCREASE YOUR SALARY
Another benefit of switching jobs is that you may make more money. According to a recent study, the median pay raise for 2014 was 3%. According to research from Wharton management professor, Matthew Bidwell, hiring managers will pay 10% to 20% more to hire people with a proven track record. If you negotiate your offer effectively, you could make significantly more at another company.
3. MOVE UP FASTER
There are a lot of companies that only offer reviews and promotions once or twice a year. This doesn’t allow for fast upward mobility. One way to increase your title (and your pay) is to get hired at a new company. In fact, Ryan Kahn, a career coach, founder of The Hired Group, and author of Hired! The Guide for the Recent Grad, told Forbes that, “Job hopping is replacing the concept of climbing the corporate ladder.”
If there isn’t room for growth at your current company, switching jobs may be the best way to learn new skills, take on more responsibility, become a manager, and ultimately, advance your career.
THE CONS OF JOB HOPPING IN YOUR CAREER
1. DAMAGE YOUR REPUTATION
If you have a history of job-hopping, it is possible that future employers will think that you’ll be likely to leave quickly, if hired. They may not want to invest time and resources into training if they think you won’t stay for long.
Use your interview as a time to show that you’ll be committed to the company. Ask well-researched questions and offer statements like, “I’m really passionate about [the company’s] mission and the role, and would want to stay for a long time. What would advancement and growth look like for this position?” You’ll probably be asked why you left previous positions and why you are looking to leave your current one. Be prepared to tell your story and explain your reasoning.
2. LOSS OF SKILLS
If you like your job, you’re learning, and there is room for growth, why leave? According to a paper by Matthew Bidwell, it takes external hires two years to build relationships and learn how to be effective at the organization. Bidwell also notes that, “If you like where you are, stay there. Or at least understand how hard it can be to take your skills with you. You think you can go to another job and perform well, but it takes a long time to build up to the same effectiveness that you had in your previous organization. You need to be aware that often your skills are much less portable than you think they are.”
Bidwell also found that external hires have lower performance evaluations. “There is a much greater risk of being let go during those first few years, mainly because they may not develop the necessary skills and thus will not perform as well as expected. Then, too, they might decide to leave voluntarily.”
Before leaving a job at the two-year mark, consider the pros and cons. If you’re happy and learning, it may be worthwhile to stay. Advocate for yourself and try to get a promotion and raise internally. If you’re miserable or there is no room for growth, it’s okay to leave—just make sure to evaluate the new role and company to increase the chances that you’ll stay.
An original version of this article appeared on Career Contessa. Written by: Elana Lyn Gross
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Top LA Recruiters Dish 8 Interview Mistakes to Avoid
A coffee is too casual and other pro tips.
"Grandma Dawn is turning 89 this year and still comes to the office every day," says Natalie Levine over coffee (mine) and mint lemonade (hers). She can't drink caffeine after 2pm, "or she'll be up all night," explains her sister Emily.
The referenced "office" is Century City-based Career Group Companies, a staffing firm specializing in full-time and temporary placement of administrative staff for today's leading companies. Founded in 1981 by the sisters' then 25-year-old mother, Susan Levine, it remains a family run business.
Emily serves as Vice President, Natalie as Senior Account Manager, and dad, Michael Levine is CEO. Grandma Dawn, "in her Chanel and Etro," is an office staple.
"Our mom was a pioneer of the boutique staffing firm," says Natalie, "when staffing was all about making the deal, instead of the people side of the business."
It's this hands-on people-centric approach that propels Career Groups clients' businesses forward and makes a difference in applicant's lives. The company now employs approximately 150 people with offices in LA, New York, Redwood Shores, San Francisco, and Connecticut.
Candidates come to Career Group Companies by appointment only and leading companies rely on the CGC to deliver top notch direct hire and freelance/temp candidates for their open jobs. "We are essentially job match makers," they explain. "We grant candidates access to exclusive companies, and we serve as their counselors along the way. We are there for every step of the process, from assisting with their resumes, interview tips, delivering the offer, and more."
Jobs are their job. And we make jobs are our business.
So for the graduating class of 2018, who better to ask the the do's and don'ts of the interviewing process? According to Emily and Natalie here are 8 common mistakes you should avoid:
1. NOT WRITING A THANK YOU NOTE
Or not proofreading a thank you note. This is a chance to show off your writing skills, so a typo in a follow-up letter is most definitely a red flag. It’s important to thank the interviewer for their time. Hiring managers want to move forward with candidates who leave a positive impression and have good manners!
2. NOT ASKING QUESTIONS AT THE END OF AN INTERVIEW
Even if an interviewer is extremely thorough during the meeting, it’s always important to convey interest and come prepared with questions. A lot of applicants don’t realize that they should ask questions.
3. NOT BLOCKING YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA
Most companies are checking Instagram, Facebook, Google searches, IMDB, and more. You shouldn't have anything (public) on the internet that you wouldn’t want HR at a company to see before even meeting you. First impressions cannot be taken back and it’s important to remember that companies are concerned with their own reputation, and want to bring people into their companies that are aware of their presence.
4. DON'T LIE ON YOUR RESUME
If you didn’t receive a college degree, do not put that you graduated! Fact check your GPA. Triple check your dates of employment. Candidates will lose offers at the end of an interview process if a background check exposes falsifications on the resume or application. Honesty is the best policy here, always.
5. DON'T INFLATE YOUR PREVIOUS SALARY
Be accurate about your previous salary. Don’t inflate your previous salary to get a higher offer. Companies will pull w2s to verify earnings more often than not. If you didn't make the dollars, it doesn't make sense to pretend you did.
Job Application Tip: "Don’t inflate your previous salary to get a higher offer."
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6. NEVER BE LATE. EVER.
Being on time means being 10 minutes early. You need to allot time for parking problems, traffic, and any to other unforeseen circumstances. There is no excuse to be late to an interview because it shows a lack of foresight and consideration that you will likewise bring to the position.
7. LEAVE THE COFFEE IN THE CAR
Don’t bring a beverage to the meeting (it's too casual), don’t chew gum, don’t have your cell phone out or on, and make sure you aren’t wearing a lot of cologne or perfume.
8. DON'T FORGET TO DO YOUR RESEARCH
Do your homework on the company you are interviewing for! That goes for the person you are interviewing with as well.
To be considered by Career Group send your resume to their website directly! You can apply to jobs on: www.careergroupinc.com, www.fourthfloorfashion.com, or www.syndicatebleu.com, and your resume will be routed directly to a recruiter.
And be sure to check back for more from Natalie, Emily, and to hear about their soon-to-be launched startup, Work Grades, that's set to deliver "unparalleled transparency to the employment sector by taking the guesswork out of references."
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C&C Classifieds No. 75: May Designs, Cult Gaia, YouTube & More
Check out these freshies.
New year, new job? YES.
We're into it. Which, is why we're sending out our first batch of Classifieds in 21018. Want to really start fresh? Check out these freshies.
May Designs - Austin, TX
Colehour + Cohen - Seattle, WA
Cult Gaia - Los Angeles, CA
IPSY - New York, NY
YouTube - Los Angeles, CA
Mailchimp - Atlanta, GA
photo credit: Smith House Photography
WANT MORE? SIGN UP TO RECEIVE OUR FULL LIST OF CLASSIFIEDS HERE.
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C&C Classifieds No. 70: Madewell, Soukie Modern, 6up Productions & More
'Cause it's beginning to look a lot like, credit card debt.
Everyone says you shouldn't show up to a holiday shindig empty-handed. But what if you're pockets are feeling a lil' empty... it's hard around the holidays when your job doesn't support your desire to give. So, before you go worrying about how get your BFF the best present ever, maybe it's time to shop for a new job. We got you. And we don't expect any gift in return.
Soukie Modern - LA, CA
Simon Property Group - Atlanta, GA
6up Productions - LA, CA
Butter London - Seattle, WA
Cole Haan - NY, NY
Madewell - NY, NY
WANT MORE JOB OPPS? SIGN UP FOR OUR FULL LIST OF CLASSIFIEDS HERE.
EDITOR'S FAVORITES
C&C Classifieds No 68: Blended Strategy, Dropbox, Forix & More
Give thanks for these sweet listings.
photo credit: Brooke Lark
Thanksgiving week is full of turkey, talk, and catch up with the fam. It's also the perfect time to polish your resume if you're not feelin' the most grateful at your current job. Maybe it's time to switch it up.
Forget talking turkey. Let's talk new job opps.
Verge Creative Group - New York, NY
Blended Strategy Group - Los Angeles, CA
Dropbox - SF, CA
The TJX Company - Framingham, MA
BH Cosmetics - Los Angeles, CA
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE FULL CLASSIFIEDS LISTINGS HERE.
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C&C Classifieds No 66: Rolling Greens, Paperless Post & More
I spy with my little eye... jobs.
Who says you have to follow one career track? Or go with convention? These women certainly didn't. Nor did Kore Kitchen founder Meryl Pritchard who abides by a zero waste lifestyle policy (and incorporates those aspects into her biz). Want to join her team? We've got offerings from Meryl and other rad companies in this week's Create & Cultivate Classifieds.
Shake Shack - New York NY
Paperless Post - New York, NY
Crate and Barrel, Northbrook, IL
Wendi & Nicole - Los Angeles, CA
Rolling Greens - Los Angeles, CA
Kore Kitchen - Los Angeles, CA
WANT MORE? SIGN UP FOR OUR FULL LIST OF CLASSIFIEDS HERE.
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C&C Classifieds No 65: Clique Media Group, Ban.do, Golden World & More
Want to work for your fave CEOs?
Occasionally in the land of the job hunt, a spot opens up at one of your favorite companies to work for your favorite CEOs... like Ban.do'sfearless leader Jen Gotch.
Or Katherine Power and Hilary Kerr, the media powerhouses behind Clique Media.
So disregard the old adage. We say in this case, you should meet your heroes.
Camron PR - NY, NY
Golden Word - Richmond, VA
Bando - LA, CA
Clique Media - LA, CA
Creative Circle - Washington, D.C.
Comcast - Philadelphia, PA
C&C Classifieds No 63: Google, Estee Lauder, sweetgreen & More
The tricks are over.
If you didn't get any candy last night (or don't have any kids to steal it from) we've got a sweet batch of new jobs. No tricks here, just treats.
Something Social - Los Angeles, CA
LabNo25 - Los Angeles, CA
Estee Lauder - NY, NY
Green Matters - NY, NY
Google - Austin, TX
TO RECEIVE OUR FULL LIST OF CLASSIFIEDS SIGN UP HERE.
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C&C Classifieds No 62: WeddingWire, Patagonia & Peloton
Peddle your way to work right over here.
Looking for a job is spooky stuff. But it doesn't have to be.
First you need to figure out what you really want in a job. Then, apply. And next, apply yourself. This week's Create & Cultivate Classifieds below.
WeddingWire - Washington, DC
Patagonia - Ventura, CA
Ellen Digital Ventures - Burbank, CA
Peloton - NY, NY
Mastercard - NY,NY
Girlgaze - LA, CA
Want the full list of our classifieds?
SIGN UP HERE
photo credit: Smith House Photo
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C&C Classified No 60: Leaf Group, Patagonia, CA Association of Food Banks & More
Jobs backwards is sboj.
Halloween is almost here! Do you know what you're gonna be? What about when you grow up? Have you figured that costume out yet? JK. It shouldn't be a costume. But you know this .
If you're looking to try out a new career, there are no tricks here, just treats. A new batch of job listings that's like candy for adults.
Leaf Group - Santa Monica, CA
Richer Poorer -- Laguna Beach, CA
California Association of Food Banks - Oakland, CA
Reservoir - Culver City, CA
Loeffler Randall - New York, NY
Patagonia - Ventura, CA
TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FULL LIST OF CLASSIFIEDS CLICK HERE.
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C&C Classifieds No 59: Modway, Create & Cultivate, Tenoverten & More
Get on your application grind!
Did you know – around 85% of people have used networking to get a job? That's a LOT of people. But networking can be a pain, to say the least. From overt flattery to shallow conversations to awkward follow-ups, sometimes it's not an ideal experience. We published an article this week that's out to change your mind about the whole thing. Three tips that will hone your skills and make networking WORTH IT? Seriously.
And hey, while we have you... the below jobs are just sitting here waiting for you to apply! Minimal networking required (we know, almost too good to be true).
twelveNYC - Brooklyn, NYC
Eberjey
Tenoverten - Culver City, CA
Modway - Dayton, NJ
Create & Cultivate
Create & Cultivate Classifieds No 58: Covet PR, Ritual & US!
Summer is over. (Sad face.) Get a job!
Hey you! Looking for a little boost in salary right in time for fall? You've come to the right place. Knowing what's out there on the job market can be a helpful resource in one of two ways: 1) when you are attempting to negotiate that raise you so deserve OR 2) when you've decided it may be time to move onto better and brighter things. Either way, staying up to speed is MAJOR KEY. So here are six new jobs to keep ya fresh.
ALSO, while we have your attention, you're going to want to check out this bomb-dot-com piece we published about the ONE WORD our favorite boss babes want you to stop using. Trust us, you're going to be removing "just" quicker than quick.
Create & Cultivate - Los Angeles, CA
Ritual - Los Angeles, CA
The Infatuation - New York City, NY
Covet PR - San Diego, CA
J Public Relations
WANT MORE? SIGN UP TO RECEIVE OUR FULL CLASSIFIEDS LISTINGS HERE.
photo credit: A Pinch of Lovely (right); White and Wander (left)
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C&C Classifieds Nº56: Microsoft, Krupa Consulting, Loeffler Randall & more
Where my career dogs at?
photo credit: Alyssa Dawson
Jobs! How many of us have them? How many of us need them? Jobs!
We've got them. On this week's Create & Cultivate Classifieds, we have options from fashion houses to tech powerhouses.
And whether you're looking for employment or the chance to relaunch your career, it might be time to dust off that resume!
Krupa Consulting - Los Angeles, CA
Loeffler Randall - New York, NY
Participant Media - Los Angeles, CA
Amazon - Santa Monica, CA
Microsoft - Seattle, WA
C&C Classifieds No 53: Tory Burch, Snapchat, TOMS & More
Take your seat at the table.
If you Snap anyway why not get paid?
On this week's Create & Cultivate Classifieds, dig into offerings from some of the brands you already know and love.
Go ahead, and make them part of your resume already.
Hello Alice - San Francisco, CA
Snapchat - New York, NY
TOMS - Los Angeles, CA
Wagstaff Worldwide - Los Angeles, CA
Tory Burch - New York, NY
WANT MORE? SIGN UP FOR OUR FULL LIST OF CLASSIFIEDS HERE.
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C&C Classifieds No 53: NPR, Of A Kind, Athleta & more
Come and get your job.
This week on C&C Classifieds we have listings from your fave public broadcast station and a company that loves emerging fashion designers.
Sounds like there's something for everyone.
NPR
Of A Kind - New York, NY
Athleta - San Francisco, CA
Glam Glow - Los Angeles, CA
C&C Classifieds No 52: Mattel, Sweetgreen, Billion Dollar Boy & More
Find your 9-5.
What do you know about hump day? Around here we call it J-O-B day because it's the day of the week we bring you CLASSIFIEDS!
If you're sitting at home wondering what to do before the next Game of Thrones, we have an idea. Create a throne of your own by applying to one of these awesome jobs below.
Billion, Dollar, Boy - NY, NY
Sweetgreen - NYC/LA
The Good Beginning - Remote/LA
Kristin Ess - Los Angeles, CA
Mattel - El Segundo, CA