Interview

Getting Interviewed by the CEO

  • On May 3, 2015
As you get more senior, you may have to interview with the CEO to get the job. How can you prepare? This NYT Q&A with Sue Desmond-Hellman, the CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, lists her standard interview questions, which are all very straightforward:  Why you are interested in this role? How has your career path […]
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LinkedIn, Networking

How to Reach Out via LinkedIn

  • On April 26, 2015
LinkedIn is such a valuable tool for job seekers, who can see how they are connected to a potential employer. Since applying online alone is unlikely to get you anywhere, reaching out informally is a great idea.  I like the steps outlined by Undercover Recruiter (summarized below) to show you how easy it is:  Just do it. While it feels weird to request […]
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Interview

Can I Discuss a Bad Work Situation in an Intervew?

  • On April 19, 2015
This week’s New York Times’ business column addresses interview questions about a (bad) work situation or (bad) boss. So can you let loose? The answer is no. Some things to think about: Criticizing employers is risky. Managers may think you can’t handle tough situations or will complain about them in the future. Don’t paint a fake picture, but certainly […]
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Offer, Title

How to Choose Among Offers

  • On April 12, 2015
Congrats! You have multiple offers. Now how do you decide which one to take? A couple factors to consider beyond compensation:  The actual role. Take the job whose role you would really enjoy, not the one you think you should be excited about. Andy Bryant, the chair of Intel’s board, says, “The thing I learned is that if […]
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Resume

Tips for a Stand-Out Resume

  • On April 5, 2015
If you are looking for a job, you should be looking in earnest now given the summer slow-down ahead. To make your resume stand out, I would follow the tips listed in this infographic. I agree with its key points:  Use traditional font like Times New Roman, between 9 and 12 points in size. List most recent jobs first, and […]
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Resume

Get Your Resume Right!

  • On March 23, 2015
I like this light-hearted yet accurate infographic on crimes against the resume. The leading offenses: too long, lacks clarity, not targeted, poorly presented, irrelevant, and unproofed.
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Job Search, Timing

Timing is everything. Don’t miss the recruiting window now!

  • On March 15, 2015
Timing is everything in your job search. If you apply at the wrong time, the employer won’t pay attention, even if you are perfect. Conversely, you need to get in front of the hiring manager when he/she is paying attention, and now is the time to accelerate your search. Why? Because June through August is the summer […]
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Interview

It’s Not Just Lunch.

  • On March 8, 2015
How you interact with everyone, not just the interviewer, affects whether you get the job. I like how this article breaks down how interviewers evaluate candidates over a lunch interview. Beyond your substantive knowledge, interviewers are watching how you: Interact with the staff. Are you polite and respectful or hierarchical and short? Employers need someone who can work well across […]
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Recruiter

4 Ways to Get a Recruiter’s Attention

  • On March 1, 2015
I like how this entrepreneur lays out 4 ways to get a recruiter’s attention (and, yes, they work with me):  Build your brand. Be personable and known for your expertise. Attend relevant events and network effectively. Be visible online. Your LinkedIn profile needs to be current and represent you well. Put some care and thought into it, from […]
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Inhouse, Interview, Process

Phone Interview Tips

  • On February 22, 2015
For in-house jobs, the interview process often starts with a phone screen for the employer’s top 5-8 candidates. From that group, the top 2-3 are brought in live before any decisions are made. So if you are at the phone screen stage, you have a decent shot at the job! Take this call very seriously. A […]
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