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Looking for a life mate is a great metaphor for job
hunting. And just like the world of dating has been changed
forever by the use of technology, so has the process of looking
for a job. This is the second installment of a three part
series.
Click here to
read Part I: Just
because a computer says you are (or aren't) a match doesn't mean
you really are (or aren't)
What
can online dating teach you about your job search? Here is Part II:
Looking
Good on Paper Isn't Enough
Picture
this - Bachelorette Mary decides to
join an online dating site. She enlists the help of a
friend who works in advertising and writes a fabulous profile
that would appeal to her dream man. (OK, so maybe she
embellishes a just a little. . .) Mary then hires a
professional "glamour shot" photographer, hairdresser
and makeup artist so she'll look smashing in her profile photo.
Mary posts her profile and gets dozens of responses from
interested men. She lines up a string of first dates, but
none of them ask for a second date and Mary is baffled.
Where did Mary go wrong? It's easy to see that
she set up unrealistic expectations, leaving behind a string of
disappointed suitors
So how
does this apply to your job search?
Many
candidates spend a great deal of time and money developing the
perfect "paper presence" -- a fabulous resume (perhaps
professionally written), a creative and eye catching cover
letter, numerous LinkedIn recommendations and a set of sterling
reference letters.
All of
these tools are great, but there is a potential pitfall.
You must be able to deliver on the expectations you set. If
your interpersonal and interview skills
are not up to par with your resume you are not going to get the
results you want.
Before submitting your paper credentials anywhere, be sure you
can back up any claims with concrete examples of your
accomplishments. Anything you include in your resume, cover
letter or online presence is fair game for interview
questions. Of course, you want to portray yourself in the
best possible light - just be sure your claims are truthful
and verifiable.
You will also want to invest some time practicing your interview
skills with a (brutally honest) friend or a professional
interview coach. Make sure your appearance is professional,
neat and polished. And work on projecting confident,
relaxed speech patterns and body language.
By the way, the opposite situation can also occur. Just
because a job or company looks perfect on paper, doesn't mean it
really is. Be sure to research the company
thoroughly. Tap your network for "insider
information" on the job or company culture. Use the
interview as an opportunity to dig deeper and ask the tough
questions.
Which
brings us to our topic for the next issue: Part III:
Never Underestimate the Importance of Chemistry
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- Do you know how to present your skills and
accomplishments effectively in an interview?
- Are you comfortable asking questions to determine if a job
is a good match for you?
Contact us at cathy@highergroundassoc.com or
610-581-7884 to find out how
we can help.
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