Thursday, November 21, 2019

8 Reasons Why You Didnt Get the Job

8 Reasons Why You Didnt Get the Job 8 Reasons Why You Didnt Get the Job 7 True, there are plenty of reasons completely out of your control that you may not have gotten the gig; perhaps they hired internally, encountered budgeting issues, or simply decided to move in another direction. But more often than most people would like to admit, the problem is more personal. As difficult as it is to face your failings, recognizing them can help you avoid the same rejection in the future. Read on for eight reasons why you may not have gotten a call back. 8 Reasons Why You Didn’t Get the Job You arent qualified for the job. You may have convinced yourself that you were qualified. You may have even been able to convince the hiring manager that you were qualified at first. But somewhere between submitting your resume and sitting down for an interview, the interviewer decided that you could not handle the job- at least not as well as someone else they interviewed. Allowing yourself to recognize that the job wasnt actually a good fit for your skill set will not only help ease the sting of rejection, but it will help you target your search more effectively in the future. You didnt sell yourself in the interview. Maybe you were the best candidate for the job and you knew it! But if you didnt clearly promote your strengths in the interview, theres no way for the interviewer to know what they are. In most cases, you only have a few minutes to impress someone, so theres no time to waste on bad answers or off-topic ramblings. Its important to be prepared with a list of reasons why youre perfect for the job, which you can then work organically into the interview. You oversold yourself. Just as dangerous as underselling yourself is going overboard. While confidence is important, no one wants to work with an egomaniac. A bit of humility goes a long way when describing your assets and professional triumphs. Its all about balance. You didnt seem interested enough. Perhaps you showed up to the interview late, unprepared, or under-dressed. Or maybe you just had a general attitude of boredom, which may or may not have been caused by nervousness. Either way, if you dont show recruiters that youre enthusiastic about the position, youre likely to be beat out by candidates who do. You didnt use your network effectively. Tapping into your network of professional contacts is especially important for freelancers. Knowing someone within the organization, or even a friend of a friend, can often help your chances of getting hired. Dont be ashamed to take advantage of who you know- it just might land you the job. You spoke negatively about your current or past employer. No matter how poorly they may have treated you, it never looks good to insult past or current employers. Take the high road and avoid saying anything negative. Your references werent supportive. Be careful when choosing someone to back you up professionally. Make sure that you trust them completely, because if they decide to focus on your weaknesses rather than your strengths, it could very well cost you the job. You made a post-interview slipup. Maybe you forgot to send a thank-you letter to an old-school CEO, or perhaps you tweeted about how awkward the interview was moments after leaving. Just because the interview is over doesnt mean you can stop your good behavior. Not getting a call back for a second interview does not necessarily mean you have done something incorrectly. However, if you find yourself in a rut of not getting a job or a call back, evaluate the areas where you could have potentially gone wrong and put more attention on those areas as you continue in your job search. Have you ever accidentally ruined your chances during a job interview? Share why you didnt get the job in the comments! Michelle has over 10 years of hiring and recruiting experience and a background in coaching and leadership development. At ResumeEdge*, Michelle recruits and hires resume writers, provides training and ongoing support, manages strategic partnerships, and serves as a subject matter expert on the job search process. *Editors note: The ResumeEdge service is temporarily unavailable.

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

What to Say (and What Not To) When a Friend Gets Laid Off

What to Say (and What Not To) When a Friend Gets Laid Off What to Say (and What Not To) When a Friend Gets Laid Off Several years ago at my father’s funeral, people lined up to pay their respects, including Pat, one of the best bosses I’ve ever had. I adored Pat: She was a smart lady, a great mentor, and a real motivator.I’ll never forget all she taught me: “You know what you should do? Take all that great knowledge about marketing and start your own business. It would really show off your smarts and you could even take some of the clients from this place!”As helpful as these types of suggestions may sound (and as great as they might be), your comrade is probably not ready to hear them. In fact, what he or she may be hearing instead is: “Figure out something awesome- and fast,” or “You could have done so much here, but you just didn’t get it done,” or, worse: “I know your puppy just got ran over by a car; why don’t you just go get a new one?”People need time to get used to the concept of moving on. When you’re let go, you suddenly no longer belong, you’re no longer pa rt of a team, and you no longer have a place to go from Monday through Friday. Replacing this comfortable routine with suggestions of the unknown doesn’t really help. At least not yet.2.  Point to Possibilities Outside of OurselvesWalt Disney was actually fired from the Kansas City Star for not being creative enough. Multi-billionaire author J.K. Rowling was let go from her job as a secretary. Oprah Winfrey was pulled off the air, called “unfit for television” by a Baltimore producer. Home Depot came about because its owners were cut from a no-longer-in-existence home improvement chain. Even New York’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg was squeezed out of his job at Citigroup. And the list goes on and on.The point is: Reminding your colleague of people we all respect and admire who triumphed in spite of their dismissals can help him or her focus on possibilities without having to look inward at the current circumstances. It gives a bit of perspective, helping this person to realize th at he or she is not to blame for the layoff- and that this, too, shall pass.3.  Stick Around, But Say NothingNo matter the individual or the circumstances, being let go from a job stings. Feelings and emotions closely align with the well-known five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. In addition, financial worries, societal standings, and self-worth are often negatively impacted.During such times, your co-worker, your friend, or your family member needs you to be there, but he or she doesn’t necessarily need you to say anything. Remember: While the worst thing you can do is disappear from someone’s life and shun him or her (which often does happen), the second worst thing is to say something that creates an even deeper wound.So, stick around, and if you aren’t sure what to say, just say nothing. What this person really needs is to talk it out and for you to listen with both ears. So give him or her a hug, look into his or her eyes, and nod w ith understanding and validation. It’ll do a great deal of good and be more than enough to ease your colleague’s transition.Photo of woman laid off courtesy of Shutterstock.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Financial Consultant Job Description for Resume

Financial Consultant Job Description for Resume Financial Consultant Job Description for Resume Financial consultants advise individuals or organisations if a particular investment avenue is suitable or not for them, based on the particular clients financial factors, such as income, expenditure, savings, prior investments and future needs.Financial Consultant Job DutiesIf you have a broad understanding of finance, how the stock market operates and various other economic tools, you may be suitable in the position of a financial consultant. Common employers include banks, insurance companies, mortgage lenders, brokerage firms and investment companies. A financial consultant could with adequate experience move into a managerial position, such as a branch or area manager.Duties usually include1) Meeting with and identifying the financial and investment requirements of customers.2) Asking the client questions about what his/her financial requirements will be in the immediate and distant future.3) Making suggestions out of the companys product portfolio, based on the customers requir ements.4) Clearly enumerating to the client the risks involved with making particular investments.5) Providing brokerage services to clients.6) Ensuring that all required paperwork is completed and that no legal issues are being violated.7) Giving advice to clients when asked about the suitability of a particular investment.8) Maintaining client relationships with the firm.9) Active perusal of new potential clients.10) Mentoring junior staff if highly experienced.Create this ResumeFinancial Consultant Knowledge and Skills1) In depth knowledge of finance, taxation, economics, insurance, risk management and accounting procedures.2) Superior working knowledge of financial and presentation tools and software, such as Excel and PowerPoint.3) Ability to clearly explain investment concepts and risks involved to clients and to make presentations on the same.4) Analytical skills to quickly understand financial statements.Financial Consultant Educational Qualifications and Experience1) A Bach elors degree in finance is essential, though a Master of Business Administration (MBA) may be preferred.2) Experience of 2 5 years in the related field is usually required.3) A license from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) as well as from the particular state board, if offering insurance advice.4) Certifications favoured include Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Fellow in Risk Management (FRM) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).Financial Consultant Salary and Benefits1) Average Financial consultants salaries are in the range of $40,000 to $80,000 per year but can be higher in large corporations.2) Benefits vary between firms but often include 401(k), a flexible work schedule, life and disability insurance, medical and dental, training reimbursement and pension plans.Customize ResumeMore Sample Job Description Articles:Facilities Manager Job Description Financial Consultant Job Description Forklift Operator Job Description Graphic Designer Job Description Heal th Unit Coordinator Job Description Home Health Aide Job Description

Sunday, November 17, 2019

How to Easily Incorporate Social Media into Your Job Search

How to Easily Incorporate Social Media into Your Job Search How to Easily Incorporate Social Media into Your Job Search You’re probably on social media already, even if you’re just using it for personal interactions. Perhaps Facebookmaybe Instagramcould be Twitter. Whatever you’re already using personally, it’s vital to incorporate social media professionally as well. was recently asked to weigh in on using social media to job search for the article, Social Media Success: A Guide for Job Seekers. We discussed why social media is important for professionals- especially those who are actively job searching, and how you can easily incorporate social media into your job search. Here’s how to easily incorporate social media into your job search: Why is it important for job seekers to utilize social media? When a recruiter searches an applicants name on the Internet to learn more about them, its actually a red flag nowadays if someone isnt found to be active online. LinkedIn is the bare minimum a job seeker should be using to help show employers that theyre technologically savvy and understand the basics of digital communication. Why is it important to make sure all your info is up to date on LinkedIn? If youve applied for a job, hiring managers may look to your LinkedIn profile to learn more about you. If it doesnt match your resume with your most up-to-date jobs, projects, and skills, they may be confused. It also may send the message that youre not taking enough care with your job search or professional image. Additionally, even if youre not actively applying for jobs, hiring managers use LinkedIn to find applicants- sometimes before they even post an available opening. If youre interested in new opportunities, even in the least, keep your LinkedIn profile up to date so youll be findable when a recruiter starts searching. How can you use social media to help you get a job? You don’t need to use all of your social media accounts for job searching. Most people pick one or two for personal use and one or two for professional use. For example, I’m personally active on Facebook, but I use Twitter and LinkedIn exclusively for professional interactions. One more general tip- if a picture is worth a thousand words, then the profile picture you choose for your social media accounts is quite valuable in your job search. Keep that picture updated and professional, and use a similar picture or the same picture across all your social accounts, so you always make a great first impression. Here are some tips for choosing a great LinkedIn profile picture. How should you use Twitter to get ahead in the job search? Here are three quick ideas: Complete your Twitter profile and start following people in your industry- thought leaders, people who work for companies you like, recruiters or career coaches, etc. Tweet and share information about your field or industry to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise areas. Engage in related Twitter chats- theyre usually held by industry organizations or industry experts, and they can introduce you to great information and new people. To find Twitter chats in your field, ask your followers if they know of any good ones. Or use a database like TweetReports, which lists Twitter chats by topic, hashtag, description, and day of the week. Follow your favorite job boards. For example, is very active on Twitter and following us is a great way for people to learn about the latest remote and flexible job listings, companies hiring, and specific job search advice. How should you use Facebook to get ahead in the job search? Its okay to decide youd rather keep at least one social media profile strictly private, and most often people choose Facebook. To make sure it doesnt wind up in front of curious recruiters, set your privacy settings very high and monitor your activity so youre not tagged in photos or posts that arent appropriate. How can you use LinkedIn to get ahead in your job search? LinkedIn is the ultimate social media job search tool. Use it to research your connections with companies you want to work for stay in touch with your network by sending the occasional thoughtful message write industry and field-related blog posts on LinkedIn Publishing and even use their partnership with the online course company LinkedIn Learning to upgrade your skills and knowledge, or to help your job search, like the course, Finding a Remote Job. Browse Open Flexible Jobs

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Heres Every Company Thats Ever Been #1 on Best Places to Work

Here's Every Company That's Ever Been #1 on Best Places to Work Here's Every Company That's Ever Been #1 on Best Places to Work In the ten years that Glassdoor’s Employees’ Choice Awards have been around, just six companies (some with repeated wins) have taken home the honor of being named the #1 Best Place to Work . But while a lot has changed over the past decade - the rise of smartphones, the increasing relevance of social media, the man bun trend - one thing that hasn’t is the fact that these six companies are all great places to work. So if you’re in the market for a job, consider working at one of these proven winners. Details: General Mills was the first company to be crowned the #1 Best Place to Work in the inaugural year of Glassdoor’s Employees’ Choice Awards. While their win was back in 2009, both early and current reviews of General Mills praised the company’s commitment to community, diversity and doing the right thing. On top of that, they offer competitive pay and benefits and an out-of-this-world HQ in Minneapolis featuring a fitness center, salon, coffee shop, deli and more. Details: Since Southwest secured the #1 position in 2010, the company has made Best Places to Work every year after. Reviews indicate this is largely due to the great people and excellent company culture the company has cultivated. “You are treated very well and like family,” says one current Flight Attendant . “The ‘culture’ is amazing, the employees are truly happy.” Another recurring theme was the excellent perks and benefits. Southwest offers “flight benefits, profit sharing and 401k match up to 9.1%,” one Senior FP&A Manager shares . Details: This year’s top Best Place to Work is no stranger to the #1 spot - 2018 marks the hat trick for Facebook. So what keeps employees so enamored with their employer year after year? Working with smart and innovative colleagues, career opportunities, a strong mission and transparent management, to name just a few. Oh, and did we mention the perks ? Get ready for free meals and snacks, onsite health and dental centers, laundry services and four months of paid parental leave. “Ability to drive impact from day one. Incredibly lean teams, great management exposure, people bring their authentic selves,” a current Business Analyst says. “Fantastic wellness benefits, amazing restaurants on campus, great shuttle service throughout the Bay.” Details: Bain & Company is the only other company to have made the #1 spot on Best Places to Work three different times. On top of that, the company has also made the list every single year since the award first started. Employees thrive on the intellectually stimulating work, which is creative and challenging. “We work with change oriented executives to drive transformational change throughout organizations in the toughest areas. We work collaboratively with our clients and enable the organization from top to bottom to own and drive change,” says a current Manager . Employees - or Bainies, as they’re known - also mention the supportive nature of the workplace community. “For me, it’s the people that make Bain such a special place to work. Every day, I come into the office and I learn from people above, below, and at the same level as me,” a third current Manager says. Details: Things have changed a lot at Google over the past decade - their size, their product offerings, their logo… but despite these differences, their company culture is still just as strong as ever. “Working with some very smart, driven and effective colleagues is very engaging,” says a former employee . “The scale of work (big) is very motivating. Most clients or campaigns or businesses partners are the tops in their respective industries. As such you’re more likely than not to work with big budgets, large user figures, and hot technology.” On top of their awesome culture, Google also happens to be one of the highest-paying companies in 2017 - not too shabby! Details: Two words: travel coupons. Employees at Airbnb receive this awesome perk each quarter, which add up to $2,000 per year . But that’s certainly not the only great thing about Airbnb. “The company is generous, mission driven, and works hard to make employees heard,” says a current employee . “Great location, motivated and sincere people. Each time I strike up a conversation with someone new, I feel like I’ve made a friend. I can be my self, quirks and all, and am embraced.” Word on the street is that it’s an especially great place to work around the holiday season. “Holiday shutdown. Everyone gets off from Dec 20th till Jan 1st,” says a current Cloud Engineer .

Friday, November 15, 2019

Why You Need Friends at Work [Infographic] - The Muse

Why You Need Friends at Work [Infographic] - The Muse Why You Need Friends at Work [Infographic] Did you take the job to make friends? No, probably not. That would be quite low on the list of good reasons to accept an offer. But having them sure is a perk, isn’t it? Working with people you like can literally help power you through the day. And in case you think this is an exaggeration and that work pals are just good for grabbing a beer with at the end of a long week, take this statement about the crucial nature of work friends from the infographic below: “Office friendships have a direct link with engagement and productivity.” The infographic is, in fact, full of insightful nuggets, but as someone who values your work friends, you probably won’t be too surprised at the findings. Those seemingly pointless conversations you have with co-workers while waiting for the coffee to finish brewing or on your way to a meeting? They’re not nothing. In fact, the data shows that having friends at the office can actually help your career. A few minutes of non-work related banter can be viewed as a distracting force, or it can be seen as an engagement-enhancing break. So, it’s not just your social life that stands to benefit from these relationships but your professional life, too. Think about it: When you’re in good spirits, you’re likely to find it easier to complete your to-do list- from the tedious, mundane tasks to the ones that require more creative energy. You don’t have to have a best friend- though if you’re lucky enough to have a work BFF, well then, you may be one of the 50% of people who say that it’s resulted in having a strong connection with the company. But just having any friends means you’re likely to be happier at work, and if you’re happy, you’re engaged, and when you’re engaged, you produce better work. You open yourself up to challenges. And maybe you even propose new and exciting ideas to your boss, bolstered by your co-workers’ praise and encouragement. The fact is, the workday can be long and exhausting, so it really helps if you’re surrounded by people who you actually enjoy. What’s more: “The more friendly you are with the people you see every day, the happier you’ll be,” explains Muse writer Kaitlyn Russell. So, the next time you catch yourself not doing your work and instead chatting with a colleague, go ahead and pat yourself on the back for cultivating those work relationships. It means you’re going places.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

DLA Piper Goes Down Under and Gets Even Bigger

DLA Piper Goes Down Under and Gets Even Bigger DLA Piper Goes Down Under and Gets Even Bigger DLA Piper has some springtime news of its own, and it has nothing to do with extra cash for DLA Pipers associates. The giant firm with offices all over the world is getting biggerIm talking 4,000 lawyers big. Good luck finding your friends at that company picnic.The firm, which grabbed the number two spot on The National Law Journals 250 largest law firms ranking in 2010, announced a merger with its partner in Australia: DLA Phillips Fox (their partnership dates back to 2006). The merger is slotted for May 1st. This move will add another 600 attorneys to the firms roster, which will make it the biggest law firm in all of the land (Baker McKenzie will be handing over its crown as the number one largest firm unless it finds itself several hundred more lawyers).So whats all the fuss over Australia aside from its fantastic beaches, amazing BBQs and sleep-stealing tennis tournament (for all of you east-coasters dedicated enough to stay up for the 3:30am Federer-Djokovic match last night) ? Three words: mergers and acquisitions. Australias got them, and BigLaw firms want them. Last year, the number of Australian mergers and acquisitions was greater than double that of 2009, reaching $108.5 billion. And according to Tony Holland, CEO of DLA Phillips Fox, [c]orporate Australia is looking much more internationally.Congrats on being literally huge, DLA Piper. My only question for you is whether you plan on making a splash this spring by adding associate bonuses to your newsfeed.