Horizon Point Consulting

Category: Job Search

Beyond Work is our line of resources for people and community leaders looking for something new and innovative, be it a new job, career change, or personal development outside of work. Read this category specifically for Job Search.

  • An Authentic Resume… What Sets You Apart?

    An Authentic Resume… What Sets You Apart?

    While we are contemplating authenticity, how does this relate to the job seeker, and in particular, his or her resume? This week I’ve spent some time reviewing resume assignments for our facilitating career development course. It’s amazing how many formats and takes there are on the traditional resume. As a job seeker, your resume is the key to getting your foot in the door. So, how do you present the best possible version of yourself in two pages or less, and how can you ensure it is authentic?

    Resumes are tricky. I always recommend having a master resume that you can adjust based on the position for which you are seeking. I encourage clients and participants of our course to seek out the employers’ point of view when applying for a job and crafting a resume. What sets you apart from other candidates is your authenticity. So, how can you accomplish this?

    1. Always, always, always be honest. Even if you have a gap in your employment history, don’t adjust dates to cover yourself. You can simply add in the productive work you did during your off time (classes taken, volunteer work, etc.). You can also provide insight in your cover letter. Once you are offered the opportunity to interview, you can provide details.
    2. Find out what the employer is looking for and share your expertise. I once took an online course in resume writing and the presenter shared something that I still remember today. “An employer is looking for one of three things from a candidate – for them to make the company money, save the company money, or save the company time.” You can often determine which one based on the job description. Once you know, show how you have done this in previous positions, providing “authentic” quantitative data (saved XYZ company X amount of dollars by implementing this process, etc.)
    3. Utilize LinkedIn to truly share your authenticity. LinkedIn is a great way to share your professional experience with a potential employer. Believe it or not, many employers find passive candidates via LinkedIn. When colleagues are providing endorsements and recommendations, authenticity seems evident.

    Is your resume authentic? Check out the Point Blog for more resume tips and ideas.

  • What Does a Candidates’ “Interview Experience” Say About Your Organization?

    What Does a Candidates’ “Interview Experience” Say About Your Organization?

    Interviews are tough – both for the interviewer and the interviewee. I’ve had the pleasure of facilitating both in-person and phone interviews and frequently coach clients to prepare them for interviews.

    Thinking back to my personal experiences in interviewing for jobs, two in particular stand out. One was with a large organization that was quite intimidating. In the waiting room, I sat along with several other candidates interviewing for the same position. When called into the conference room, I sat on one side of the table while 5 individuals in suits sat on the other. I was in my early twenties and recall how overwhelmed I felt fielding questions from all directions.

    Thinking ahead a few years, I recall interviewing with one person, the person who would become my boss and mentor. He made me feel at home. He noted my achievements and qualifications and quickly made me feel like a could easily become a beneficial team member for the organization. I listened more than I talked. It was a great interview experience. And, I received an information packet about the organization before I left the interview.

    By the way, I got both of those jobs and learned so much from each. I will say the interview experience was closely connected with my mindset going into each job and leaving each job.

    So, what does your interview experience say about your organization. Here are three questions to think about:

    1. Is your organization welcoming? (offer a drink; in team interviews, allow for a circle setting as opposed to the first example I provided)

    2. Do you allow the individual the opportunity to listen and ask questions? (share the company mission and why you love to work there; allow for back and forth dialogue)

    3. Do you provide the candidate with a takeaway? (company brochure, pen, etc.)

    Regardless of whether or not you hire the candidate, you certainly want them to be able to say, “that’s a great company, even if I didn’t get the job. I want to do business there and will share my experience with family and friends.”

  • Do You Have a Plan of Action to Reach Your Goals?

    Do You Have a Plan of Action to Reach Your Goals?

    Action Planning and Goal Setting are key tools for career success. Stephen Covey’s “Circle of Concern vs Circle of Influence” principle is a great way to start the process. In short, we need to focus on our circle of influence (the things in life and career we can control).

    Source: INSITEMIND

     

    One way we can do this is by setting goals and creating an action plan. Goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound.

    Source: Minute Movement

    Check out the Point Blog for more Goal Setting ideas:

    Goal Setting Articles from the Point Blog

    Develop an Action Plan for yourself with Smartsheet – free download here.

  • 5 LinkedIn Tips for Job Seekers

    5 LinkedIn Tips for Job Seekers

    Now more than ever, companies are utilizing LinkedIn to seek out job candidates. They aren’t looking at the ones who have “job seeker” in their profile. Organizations are seeking passive candidates that have desired skills, endorsements and connections to reputable individuals and organizations.

    Here are 5 tips for getting the best out of your LinkedIn profile:

    • Tell your story. Your summary should include a brief history of your career emphasizing your key skills and accomplishments. I often recommend using the “summary of qualifications” from your current resume.
    • Include all key skills that a potential employer might be looking for. Do your research here. For example, if your dream job is to be a CFO for a large company, search for job announcements and make sure you include the “required skills” (those that you have) in your list of skills.
    • Endorsements are important. Remember, you often “get what you give”. If you endorse others, they will often return the favor.
    • Get a new profile pic, already! A professional photo is must for your LinkedIn profile. If you are unable to use a professional photographer, no worries. A good camera will work as long as you have a solid background and are dressed in what you would wear to an interview.
    • Recommendations are a bonus. This is one area where I think it’s okay to ask previous employers or coworkers to provide a recommendation. And, you can offer to do the same for them.

    You can let recruiters know that you are in the market for a new career while keeping it confidential. Check out How to Find a Job Using LinkedIn for more details on this along with other tips.

  • The Candidate Experience Influences The Brand

    The Candidate Experience Influences The Brand

    Branding is an important marketing topic. Some organizations invest heavily in a brand strategy that reaches many audiences, including the job seeker. A great brand attracts job candidates to an organization. As a marketer and HR professional, I have a unique perspective on this topic.  The marketer side understands the importance of brand equity and the HR side values the role it plays in talent acquisition.  Some organizations fail to make this connection. Other organizations offer poor candidate experiences, which cast a negative image. As a result, it harms the brand while turning away potential talent.

    Over the years, I have heard candidates’ horror stories of bad encounters, which diminish the job seekers value of an organization.  A few of these experiences were so negative that it impacted the candidate’s use of the products and services. Most job seekers desire an organization that aligns with their values and where a connection can be made to the culture. The candidate experience is an extension of the brand strategy. It expands beyond the talent acquisition strategy.  Recruiters are often the first human contact a job seeker has with the brand. Having a marketing orientation is vital to recruiting, since they are brand representatives.

    A negative candidate experience has a lasting impact. Talent acquisition influences brand equity.  Designing a marketing-focused talent strategy can create positive candidate experiences. Collaboration between marketing and talent acquisition is beneficial in driving the strategy.  Every encounter is exposure to the brand, so make it exceptional.

     

     

    About the author: Steve Graham serves as Vice President for Marketing, HR Business Partner, and college instructor. He holds graduate degrees in management and higher education. As a life-long learner, he has additional graduate and professional education in executive & professional coaching, health care administration, and strategic human resource management.

    He is a certified HR professional with The Society for Human Resource Management, certified coach with the International Coach Federation, and a Global Career Development Facilitator. His professional memberships include: The Society for Human Resource Management, the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration, Association for Talent Development, and International Coach Federation. LinkedIn.com/in/hstevegraham