Saturday, December 28, 2019

Three Recruiting Strategies to go from Survival to Success

Three Recruiting Strategies to go from Survival to SuccessThree Recruiting Strategies to go from Survival to SuccessThree Recruiting Strategies to go from Survival to Success MuzioYou cant verify this with your dictionary, but if you work as a recruiter, you probably often feel like your title is synonymous with convenient scapegoat, underpaid mercenary or misunderstood go-between.At first glance, your job sounds simple enough connect potential talent with the hiring managers who need to fulfill the recruiting process. In reality, your job lands you directly between two different, equally unrealistic sets of hiring expectations those of the managers and those of the candidates.And now, thanks to the recession, you face mora candidates clamoring for jobs than ever before and a population of hiring managers who is so resource-constrained that every hire simply must be absolutely perfect and done in an instant. Also see time management for recruiters. How can you keep from going crazy as a recession-time recruiter? Here are three recruiting strategies.First, Be a Teacher When a job candidate is expecting a salary 20 percent over the market rate, or a hiring manager seems to think it will take about 24 hours to find the perfect candidate, you know theyre in for a disappointment.In cases where employee compensationis in question, you may be tempted to simply walk away. After all, you dont want to be seen as a part of the failure you already know is looming on the horizon.Consider an alternate approach. If youre trapped between irrational demands around a jobs market value, that means youre the one person uniquely equipped to understand them. Take time to teach both job candidates and hiring managers what they should expect.Rather than walking away, educate your customers on both sides of the fence about what their salary expectations should be. Begin by asking permission to play the role of teacher for example, you could reply, If youd like, I could share with you some of my experience in working with other candidates and hiring managers.Youll almost invariably get an affirmative answer.When you do, be as specific as you can be without betraying any confidences. For example, to a candidate who is seeking an over-the-top salary, you might say, Ive recruited around ten people with similar qualifications to yours and last year I conducted benchmarking studies of starting salary offers in our industry. Im sorry to say that my experience suggests that your expectations are high by ten to twenty percent. I dont mean to discourage you, but I thought you might like to know what I know.Or, to a hiring manager who is intent onreducing time to hire and tells you that because of the recession I expect you to find the right candidate even more quickly, you might draw parallel to abedrngnislageher marketplace I see myself as a sort of real estate agent, only I find candidates to hire instead of houses to buy. But remember, youre looking for a house that w orks for you. More inventory means you may spend more time looking for the perfect fit, not less. Thats true in housing, and its no different in recruiting.Second, Be an AdvisorTeaching is the first step in your recruitment strategy, but its not enough. In reality, youre not just an educator, but also an advisor.Remember, most candidates only land in the job market when theyre unemployed or unhappy. Theyre not studying the job market theyre trying to survive And most hiring managers dont understand the market either, for the saatkorn exact reason they only participate in employee sourcing and hiring when theyre overwhelmed and looking to hire the right candidate.Unlike your two sets of customers, however, you spend your career on both sides of the job market. You know whats different this month and this year, and you also know that some things never change.Of course, candidates and managers dont know that you know all this. They only know what they see, and too often they see you do ing administrative things passing along resumes, extending phone calls and conducting interviews.To be seen as an advisor in the hiring process,you must behave like one. In other words, make sure your candidates and your managers see you offering useful counsel at least as often as they see you performing clerical duties. That means taking the time to come up with sound advice, and offering it as part of a recruiting strategy.When you deliver a resume to a manager, for example, add some commentary about recent experiences with other graduates of the same degree program, or other ex-employees of the same company. (That degree program is considered among the best in its class, for example, or weve hired three other people from that company I can put you in touch with their managers if you like.) Be honest about what you do and dont know, and ask for the managers impressions to help formulate your post-interview knowledge base for the future.You can also provide advice to candidates.O bviously, as a representative of your company you might have information about competitors hiring practices that you dont want to share. Still, that doesnt prevent you from offering advice at a more general level. For example, by giving candidates tips about what to expect in your companys interview process, you can help them to relax and put their best foot forward. Thats in everybodys best interest you want your hiring manager to get a sense of the candidates real potential from the interview that can be obscured if the candidate is unprepared or nervous.Finally, Be an Account ManagerWhether internal or external, as a recruiter you dont just work for hiring managers you work for accounts. Depending on your position, an account might be a company, a division or department, or even a single hiring manager who uses you for multiple needs over time. Whatever the arrangement, to be truly successful as a recruiter, you need to manage your accounts.Managing your accounts goes beyond teac hing and advising individuals. Thats because the needs of accounts are complementary to, but different from, the needs of the individuals within them.For exampleThe hiring manager needs a person to fill the requisition so that work gets done, now. The account needs a hire that is going to last over the long term, not one that will cost time and money for training today, only to leave for another job in six months.A manager needs to conduct interviews that get to the heart of whether the person can do the job. An account needs to conduct interviews to maintain a fair and legal hiring process.A manager needs to put together a team. An account needs to create a sustainable workforce.Also, dont forget that as the recruiter, you have complementary but separate goals for individuals and accounts too.Completing the hire is different from growing the account ideally, you want to do both. A good recruiter adds value today and positions him or herself to do so again in the future.When you int eract with hiring managers, think and speak in terms of account-level needs, as well as individual needs. Set the example by balancing short term and long term considerations, such as gently reminding managers about the high cost of common hiring mistakes.If you can position yourself as a resource that helps your account find the right hire at a reasonable cost, not just the first hire at the lowest cost, you will stop being viewed as clerical and instead become a valuable asset to the accounts that fund you.Recruiting is what You Make ItYour role as recruiter, like everyones, goes way beyond its title. We all have bad days at work, and some days you will certainly feel like recruiter is synonymous with scapegoat or mercenary. But if you work to make your title synonymous with educator, advisor, and trusted ally in the job market, you may be pleased with the results. Not only will you get more respect and more rational expectations from both sets of your customers, but you might eve n enjoy your job a little more too.Author BioEdward G. Muzio, CEO of Group Harmonics, is the author of the award-winning books Make Work Great Supercharge Your Team, Reinvent the Culture, and Gain Influence One Person at a Time and Four Secrets to Liking Your Work You May Not Need to Quit to Get the Job You Want. An expert in workplace improvement and its relationship to individual enjoyment, Muzio has been featured on Fox Business Network, CBS, and other national media. For more information visit Make Work Great and follow the author on Facebook.

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

How to ask for a networking meeting with a coworker

How to ask for a networking meeting with a coworkerHow to ask for a networking meeting with a coworkerWhen millennials need to write a report on their own, they use Microsoft Word. If they compose the document as part of a team, they rely on Google Docs.At least, thats the finding in a survey by Creative Strategies, a market research firm. The company queried 350 students at 40 colleges. The answers revealed a common thread individual work = Microsoft Word. Group work = Google Docs.Why Google for group engagement? Because our generation feels Google Docs is the best product for collaborating on a written assignment.What if you want to brainstorm with (or learn new skills from) a coworker or colleague? You need to send an emaille and ask for a phone call or in-person meeting in a way thats polite yet direct.The email is particularly useful for interns or younger employees. Networking with your team is a great way to build relationships, develop trust and become smarter at the work you do.Subject line Hope to learn more about topic at hand for instance, Acme data serversHi persons first name,I hope youre having a good week so far.When you have time, it would be great if you could what you want from the person and why for instance, teach me more about our new Acme data servers. I know you understand the technology, and I need to bring myself up to speed.Then, set time parameters but keep them flexible for instance, Let me know if you have time over the next several days.Thanks in advance, Your first nameEmail signatureDeeper InsightDont push for a meeting right away or leave it open-ended with whenever youre free. By asking for time over the next several days, you show you want the meeting soon but not immediately.This article first appeared on dannyhrubin.com.

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Tech companies dont need any more diversity, say employees

Tech companies dont need any mora diversity, say employeesTech companies dont need any more diversity, say employeesAmericas big technology companies have struggled with hiring more diverse staff in recent years. Facebook offers regular updates on its search for a more diverse workforce, despite little visible progress. Google too, reveals the results of its efforts to hire employees from different backgrounds (although it, too, has far to go) - to change how we all see the world, as Fortune Magazine put it.A persistent question plagued the tech companies that drove innovation, but not diversity. Johnson Johnson and Procter Gamble have become more diverse - why cant Silicon Valley?A study today provides the answer Silicon Valley isnt diverse because the people who work there dont think it needs to be.Design and collaboration software company Atlassian released their 2017 State of Diversity Reporthighlighting the attitudes of more than 1,400 tech workers in the United Statesto see how far they thinktheir industry is faring in terms of inclusion.The results hold some surprises.Why is diversity necessary?While diversity is often considered a nice to have in hiring, there are key business reasons that it should be a priority.The main reason studies show that diversity among employees breaks up groupthink, the complacency and sameness that makes companies stagnant.Diverse teams perform better, for instance the more varied a companys workforce in race and gender, the higher its revenues and profits. Companies with more women on the board also deliver better financially. Similarly, studies show that teams with more women outperform on financial measures.A2015 McKinsey reportsaid that after reviewing proprietary data sets for 366 public companies across a range of industries in various parts of the world, researchers found that businessesin the top quartile for gender diversity are 15% more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry m edians.The theme of multiple studies is clear diversity challenges teams to think differently, and that makes for good business.Unlike their CEOs, tech workers think diversity is where it should beYet in Silicon Valley, talk about diversity has not matched action, according toAubrey Blanche, Atlassians Global Head of Diversity Inclusion.Atlassian found that tech workers werent too bothered about getting teams with a range of races, genders, or sexual orientations.Roughly 94% of respondents gave the tech industry, their companies and their teams a passing grade for diversity,choosing reasons such as the fact that their company is at least making an effort, already has great diversity, that their company is a meritocracy with equal treatment, and that where they work is an inclusive culture thats welcoming to everyone.In a nutshell, the data shows weve been effective at raising awareness, but not at deepening understanding of fundamental problems and ways to resolve them, Blanche wro tein a statement.The 2016 US presidential election reportedly had an impact on how tech workers feel about diversity it made them think about it more, but action is still rare.A whopping 83% of respondents also said that diversity and inclusion is important or very important.Forty-eight percent reported that it made them care more about having people from a variety of backgrounds in the office.But only 23% have actually taken action in terms of diversity, or done something about it since the event, including tasks like listening to coworkers perspectives, having conversations with leaders about stepping it up in terms of diversity, changing their thinking about others, and taking part in a conversation about inclusion in tech.The numbers on tech diversityWomen and ethnic or racial minorities are underrepresented in tech compared to the larger population of professional workers.A 2016 report by the National Center for Women Information Technologysaid that women filled 57% of profess ional jobs in 2015, but just 25% of all computing occupations.But it got worse in terms of how many of them were women of color.Referring to the same fact,the same 2016 report said that Latinas and Black women hold only 1% and 3% of these jobs, respectively.Big winners are less likely to change their waysHoward Scott Warshaw wrote about why the idea of inclusion in Silicon Valley is often romanticized. In a LinkedIn post, Warshaw said people rushed to develop their ideas in Silicon Valley in the late 20th century, which made it a gold rush - and ensured that nearly everyone would be very, very similar.This gave Silicon Valley the illusion of tremendous diversity, but its actually one of the least diverse places on earth. Its a frenzy of gifted and aggressively motivated people converging on one small peninsula to seek their fortune, squeezing out everyone with less drive or means or potential, Warshaw wrote.

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Great Cover Letter Tips for Telecommuting Jobs

Great Cover Letter Tips for Telecommuting JobsGreat Cover Letter Tips for Telecommuting JobsYou have begun to do your search for awork from home, online job and have started sending off resume after resume into the vastness of the Internet. After a while, you may start to wonder if anyone is actually taking the time to read your resume after you worked so hard to get it ready for your telecommuting job search? If your resume is not getting the attention it deserves, you may want to try including an eye-catching titelbild letter to potential employers in order to get the desired response from hiring managers.Here are some titelseite letter tips to help you create a cover letter that will wow hiring managers.Forget the form letter.Its easy to konzeption a cover letter that says something to the effect of To Whom it May Concern and then include a few general reasons why you would be a good choice for the job. However, since you may not have the opportunity to actually speak to a person on the other end, youll want to take the time to personalize your cover letter as much as you possibly can. That means do a little bit of research about the company, inquire as to whom the hiring manager or Human Resource director is and design a cover letter specifically to them. It will demonstrate that you took the time to find out more about the company, the job and the role you might play as part of their team.Include how you found out about the job.If you want to let the hiring manager know that you worked hard to seek a telecommuting job with their company, why not include the reason why you are contacting them and how you found out about their job opening? This again shows them that you are willing to go further than the average person just randomly sending out resumes to various jobs. Taking the time to include this little tidbit of information makes it appear that were paying attention to their little advertisement.This is your chance to sell yourself.The cover letter is s ort of a commercial, about you. You want to put your best foot forward with your cover letter. Be sure to introduce yourself in a clear and direct manner, use proper spelling and grammar, and give them a reason to keep reading. This is your chance to explain why your skills and background are perfect for their company. You can include short examples of how you can use these skills well in a telecommuting role. You can also provide references to work you have already done to demonstrate this. Remember to sell yourself as if you are the best candidate, but dont go overboard or state anything unrealistic. You will have to live up to this once they hire you.A great cover letter can say so many positive things about you and convince even the toughest of hiring managers to give you further consideration.So go for it, and write a cover letter that will leave them wanting to know more about youReaders, share your best cover letter tips below

Monday, December 9, 2019

What Google Docs Resume Template Is - and What it Is Not

What Google Docs Resume schablone Is - and What it Is Not Simply click where you would like to edit, delete the dummy text and begin typing. Highlight the text youd love to use the formatting to. If youre notlage acquainted with using Google Docs, the formatting features are easy to use. If you are a person whos interested in downloading a totally free word resume vorlage from the netz, then it will be helpful to be aware that the procedure for downloading or installing is rather very easy. In addition, its very simple to add animation to any object, very similar to PowerPoint. The interface is slick and user friendly and takes away a good deal of the hassles involved with creating a resume using programs like Word. Employing a template can lower the quantity of time youve got to spend formatting your document, which enables you to concentrate on adding content and polishing your resume. The tool is fast and user-friendly and requires no special skills. What You Need to Do About Google Docs Resume Template Starting in the Next Three Minutes Employers think with regard to time and chronology. The majority of us already know that the resume we submit while putting in an application for a work interview is very crucial for a lot of reasons. The functional resume format is a potent approach to lessen the quantity of pages an employer might have to read and will make your program more impactful. The better part of the templates are offered by named, resume writing pros and thus the quality is extremely awesome. Share your work when youre completely delighted with your design and work, you can share it to the world via your social networking accounts, personal site, or various different channels you might utilize. You may also carry out an internet job search or earn a price of living comparison through its online offerings. You have many alternatives for CVs that feature photos and theyre all skilled and well put-together. A basic resume is also s impler to read. Sign in in case you experience an account. Templates can allow you to structure your letter and resume so they are well organized. Google Docs Resume Template Features There are several popular categories offered and the very best part is you dont need to pay anything to be included. The mixture of our templates and your input is likely to make your resume fly to the peak of any pile. Show employers that youre updated and make an excellent first impression by selecting the proper template. For instance, you may decide to left-align critical dates on your resume by including a left tab stop, which means that your dates are wholly aligned with one another. Now you have an account, you will have the ability to look at your resume from any computer and manage your links to distinct resumes, which you are able to create in Share, which means youll have customized resumes for various recipients. Google will automatically index your resume to get included in its s earch outcome, allowing potential employers to discover your information. No 2 resumes you send must be the same An example may be a niche skill necessary for work, which you might happen to get, but may not be relevant to include for most jobs. Some individuals might be job applicants. If you are in possession of a lengthy employment history, you dont will need to include all of it. Your job (while youre trying to locate a job) is to make sure you fit what theyre looking for. If youre looking for a job and dont want your present employer to understand, its certainly not the most discreet alternative. Its true, you will nonetheless be in a position to edit and more. Resume building doesnt need to be as hard as it once was. Its automatic-save feature guarantees that you dont lose your work. Pay attention when you subscribe, however, because most services provide many different plans and a few plans limit the characteristics or number of resumes youll be able to create. Its quick and simple to find and use templates. A template offers you a suggested structure for your documents, and that means you can quickly begin writing. It also simply helps you save time. It is provided with each of the key headings and includes a pre-formatted arrangement too. Pick a Word Processor Before you begin to work on your resume, you are going to need a word processor. Its high-quality PSD file is completely customizable. Choose a template you enjoy. PDF templates are professional and permit the candidates to easily stick out. What to Expect From Google Docs Resume Template? The completed document could be downloaded in a PDF format making it feasible to swiftly and conveniently make an application for job offers. Its wise not to ramble. Build the content which you will want to compose the most effective possible USAJOBS Federal Resume. Therefore, before you create your resume public, be absolutely sure you need your resume and all the personal details on it available to anybody and everyone on the web. The 1 downside to internet document systems such as Google Drive is that you have to have accessibility to the web to use them. When youve registered, you will be in a position to access your Google Drive any time which youre online. The program is web-based instead of downloadable, and the range of features, together with the websites connectivity and convenience, are not simple to beat.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

The Fundamentals of Military to Civilian Resume You Will be Able to Benefit From Starting Today

The Fundamentals of Military to Civilian Resume You Will be Able to Benefit From Starting Today What is Really Going on with Military to Civilian Resume The capacity to lead a team successfully in pressure-filled situations is just as important and a decent transferable skill to improve your resume. The military equips its personnel to manage a number of situations. Sad to say, the terms utilized in the armed forces arent quite straightforward for the typical layperson. There are lots of skills a veteran picks up during their service that are very valuable to employers, but understanding how to phrase them on a civilian resume is a bit tricky. A lot of them are Veterans themselves. Skills and accomplishments should be broken into specific regions of expertise. What military veterans should avoid when writing a resume Here are merely a few elements that veterans want to be careful about when creating their resumes, along with a few practical counter-strategies. These program s can allow you to return to school, get a job or begin a company. Resume writing isnt simple, and there are lots of diverse opinions on how best to do it. Your resume should incorporate a succinct statement about your job objective following your contact info. Your cover letter will have introduced you as an individual who understands what your role is going to be, and demonstrated that you are going to be prosperous. Theres just one more thing you want to do to ensure your irresistible cover letter is read. Jumping into the hund for a new job demands the correct mindset and a great deal of preparation. Finally, professionalism is of extreme importance your fantasy job could depend on it. Your very first job might not provide you the exact same sense of service and greater purpose. Locating a civilian job isnt always simply. The majority of the world doesnt understand what you went through. A properly formatted ASCII e-resume gives you the ability to cut and paste your resume in the body of an email, send it over any email system on the planet, and be sure your resume will look the exact same no matter where its sent. As hard as it might seem in the beginning, spinning military experience into a format that is going to be appealing to a private sector employer isnt as hard as you may think. No matter the style or format you choose to decide on, dont neglect to adhere to all the basic resume writing best practices, like using lots of action verbs and focusing on what you can do to help the organization and not what the firm can do for you. Up in Arms About Military to Civilian Resume? Now, most hiring managers or employers will be quite eager to speak to you. Consider broadening your precise skills into abilities a firm would come across useful. Target your statements directly for the sttte you want and the requirements of the business. Scannable resumes need specific page designs because computer scanners cant read certain products. Military to civilian transitions are among the specialities theyve listed on their site. Bear in mind you do NOT have to experience the transition alone. Transitioning out of uniform can be difficult.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Learn About Partial Unemployment Benefits

Learn About Partial Unemployment BenefitsLearn About Partial Unemployment BenefitsAre you working part-time, despite wanting full-time work? Depending on your situation and location, you may be eligible for partial unemployment benefits. In some states, an unemployed worker can sometimes receive partial benefits if they work less than a full week and earn a certain amount of money and if they meet other requirements. Eligibility for Partial Unemployment Benefits Partial unemployment benefits are available to both unemployed and part-time employees. Most people who collect unemployment are out of work, but partial unemployment benefits allow those who are still working to claim aid as well. If your hours have been reduced or you are working part-time and canleid find additional work, you may be eligible for partial unemployment benefits. There are several circumstances that may make a person eligible for assistance A worker may be underemployed or working part-time as the only al ternative to being laid off or made redundant.A person who lost their full-time job or even one of two part-time jobs and was only able to find part-time or temporary work may also meet the requirements to receive benefits. Eligibility for partial unemployment benefits is determined by state law. Although benefit eligibility varies, most states agree that a worker who voluntarily chooses to cut back on hours or work part-time is not eligible for partial unemployment benefits. Requirements for Collecting The type of employment and number of working hours are not the only determinants for partial unemployment benefits. Depending on the state, you must meet a minimum earning level or a certain number of hours worked before you are eligible. For example, in New York State, workers must meet the following requirements Have worked (and been paid) for two quarters in a base period (essentially, one year before filing)Have been paid $2,400 in wages during one of behauptung quarters, as of 2019Have earned one-and-a-half times your high-quarter wages during the entire base period Again, your state laws will vary. Regardless of the specifics, these requirements are usually the same for all types of unemployment benefit initiatives. Finally, a person must be ready and able to work more hours. When Cant You File for Partial Unemployment? In general, voluntary reasons to reduce working hours are not sufficient for collecting partial unemployment. So, for example, these reasons likely wont make the cut Cutting your working hours to return to school or acquire additional training.Working a reduced schedule to accommodate childcare or other caregiving needs.Quitting your full-time work and acquiring a part-time job that doesnt pay as much as your previous employment. Regardless, it may make sense to file anyway. Your state unemployment office will be able to tell you whether youre entitled to receive benefits and you never know until you try. Figuring Out How Much Money Youll Receive Each state will determine your benefit payout based on several factors. Many state unemployment agencies have online calculators for eligible individuals to get an idea of their potential benefit. Typically, the state determines a reasonable, sustainable, weekly value and then subtracts the amount you are already working each week. Many states will allow benefit seekers to keep some of what they earn without reducing their benefit payout to encourage employment. The difference between the states initial determined value and your wages is your weekly partial unemployment benefit. When a claimant receives partial benefits, the unemployment claim will be extended until the claimant receives the maximum benefit amount determined by the state, or until the benefit year ends, whichever occurs first. Where Unemployment Benefits Come From Unemployment benefits are issued by each State Agency that focuses on employment. Both partial and regular unemployment benefits are funded by the employing companys state tax withholdings based on employee wages. In other words, a fixed percentage of each employees wages are paid by the company. While employers are not necessarily charged for unemployment benefits after the fact, they are notified when an employee files for an unemployment benefit. This is to prevent fraud by giving the employer the opportunity to contest the claim in the case of misconduct, termination, or a change in roles. Employees cannot be fired for filing a partial unemployment claim. Check with your state unemployment office website for information on partial unemployment benefits in your location. The information contained in this article is not legal advice and is not a substitute for such advice. State and federal laws change frequently, and the information in this article may not reflect your own states laws or the most recent changes to the law.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Remote Work Opportunities Rising

Remote Work Opportunities RisingRemote Work Opportunities Rising REMOTE WORK OPPORTUNITIES RISING36% of chief financial officers (CFOs) said the companys remote work opportunities have increased in the last 3 years*12% Increased greatly24% Increased somewhat49% No change2% Decreased somewhat1% Decreased greatly13% Doesnt apply/no remote workCompany size matters68% of CFOs at large companies said remote work opportunities have increased greatly or somewhat compared to small companies at 34%68% 1,000+ employees58% 500-999 employees43% 250-499 employees37% 100-249 employees36% 50-99 employees34% 20-49 employeesTop benefits of offering remote working options**35% Improves retention and morale by promoting work-life balance28% Increases productivity by reducing commute time15% Saves money by requiring less office space10% Provides access to a broader talent poolSource Accountemps survey of more than 2,100 CFOs in the United States*Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.**Accou ntemps survey of 1,861 CFOs whose companies provide remote work opportunities top responses shown 2017 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

How to Ensure Your Job Interview Is Not Like A Bad First Date

How to Ensure Your Job Interview Is Not Like A Bad First DateHow to Ensure Your Job Interview Is Not Like A Bad First DateValentines Day is the time of year we associate with love and dating. Youve maybe heard the comparison that job interviewing is like dating. You should dress to impress and be on your best behavior. But lets talk about the flip side and discuss employer turn-off. If any of the below applies to you, employers might be afraid to get serious with you and offer you the job. You can tactfully reposition these so-called deal breakers so the rolle interviewing you will think youre a keeper. Youre Not their TypeSometimes in dating people have a certain type, and no matter how beautiful or amazing you are, they just dont see it working out. When applying for jobs, a lot of people are scared to respond to a job posting because its out of their industry or their skill set doesnt quite match. You should apply for it anyways. If you make it to the interview, there is something in your experience that made the recruiter think you could be their pick. Play up your skills that will make you a good fit, but also emphasize how your different background will add a different perspective other candidates cant offer. Youre too self-absorbed Have you ever been on a date when the person just talks about themselves like theyre the only person on earth that matters? No one wants to date someone who only cares about themselves. Employers want to see how youre a team player and how you can contribute to the company. Make sure your answers to interview questions also include instances when youve showed that you work well with others and how your individual skills will contribute to a common goal. Another way to show this is asking questions about how the jobs responsibilities and efforts fit into the big picture. Youre unsure of yourselfWhile you dont want to be overconfident, being timid or acting unsure of yourself is the ultimate deal-breaker on a date and in a job i nterview. If youre unable to talk about your skills in a confident manner the interviewer will quickly move on to the next candidate. The way to build confidence before an interview is to prepare. Ask friends and family to practice mock interviews before the actual interview. The final piece of advice, which is true for dating and interviewing, is just be yourself. Youre trying to find the perfect match just as much as the interviewer. After the interview, its important to follow up with a thank you note or call. You want to make sure the employer thinks youre interested and want to move on with next steps