LaSalle Network

Be Confident

Employers want new hires to be confident and poised, regardless of their experience level. A long and frustrating job search can undermine any job seeker’s confidence, but in order to land the next opportunity, job seekers need to fake it until they make it. When interacting with a potential employer, whether by phone, e-mail or in person, it’s important to emanate confidence about your experience and ability to succeed in a new position.

• Call a Former Supervisor – If you’re lacking career confidence, call a previous employer in good standing and ask them about your strengths on the job. Hearing positive feedback about previous work experience might give you the needed boost to self-assuredly present yourself to your next career contact
• Dress for Success – Even if you don’t have much work experience to back up your abilities, or are trying to break into a new field, you can still show off your confidence with a stellar first impression. Arrive suited even if the office dresses casually and make sure you give a firm handshake and smile when meeting your interviewer. Something as simple as sitting up straight and maintaining eye contact translates into a confident personality
• Practice, Practice, Practice - Performing mock interviews will not only improve your interview skills and refine your answers, but it will also increase your confidence. Make sure you take this process seriously and practice with someone who will give you honest, constructive criticism.  Your mom might not be the best choice

Be Flexible

Flexibility is a key trait in a new hire, regardless of position title or industry. Many employers are doing more with less, and hiring managers are seeking professionals who are open to wearing multiple hats in a new position. Employers need professionals who are ready and willing to get their hands dirty, and a candidate who is open to a variety of roles within a company will be more attractive to a potential employer.

• Offer to Take on New Tasks – Show your flexibility by offering to take on a variety of assignments. Be open to new experiences and make sure your interviewer can sense your excitement and willingness to take risks in a different role
• Cross Train Yourself – When researching the company, learn about multiple departments so you are informed of the variety of work within the organization. Even though you are applying for a specific position, make sure you understand the big picture. If your interviewer thinks you may be better fit for a different role, it will help to be knowledgeable about other departments
• Highlight Past Flexibility – Prepare to talk about situations that exemplify your flexibility and variety of work. When asked to describe your last job, highlight the diverse experience you had or tell a concise story that shows how you effectively juggled tasks in different departments

Don’t Play Hard to Get

In this economy, don’t make employers come to you. Among the hundreds of resumes, voicemails and e-mails barraging hiring managers, don’t make them work to find you.

• Keywords are Key – If you see an opportunity that interests you, and for which you’re qualified, study the job description. Plug keywords used in the job description into your resume, where applicable. Utilizing keywords will make your resume easier to find for potential employers and will increase the chances of your application moving forward in the process
• Follow Up – After one week, send your resume in the mail with a cover letter addressed to the hiring manager
• Respect the Process – A timely call and e-mail following an interview or meeting is encouraged and smart. If done tactfully and confidently, your call will be viewed as eager and motivated, not desperate or disrespectful. Keep in mind, however, there is a fine line between being persistently professional and annoying. Don’t bombard employers with calls and e-mails. Feeling a bit desperate is understandable in this economy, but don’t reveal this to a potential employer by flooding their inbox. Disrespecting an employer’s process is the easiest way to turn him or her off
• Send a Thank You – Remember to send a personalized thank you note, handwritten and e-mailed, immediately after each meeting or interview (phone or in-person). This extra step shows attention to detail, the ability to follow-up and interest in the opportunity. Set yourself apart from your competition by taking the time and effort on this simple, but effective, personal touch. Proofread it, proofread it, proofread it

Do Your Research

The first question asked in most interviews is, “so, what do you know about our company?” This is the first real test when discussing a potential position. Employers want new hires who have taken the time to research the company’s products, services and business model. Doing your research about the company, the position for which you’re applying and your interviewer shows the employer you are interested and excited about the opportunity and would be ready to hit the ground running on your first day.

• Vary Your Resources - To begin your research, utilize Google, the company website, previous press mentions and LinkedIn. Research company size, number of employees, locations, products and services, clients, mission and vision. The interviewer won’t expect you to recite their entire website from memory, but you can never know too much information before an interview
• Alert Yourself – Utilize Google Alerts to receive e-mail notifications each time a company, person or topic is in the news. Staying educated on recent developments with your target companies will put you ahead of the game during the interview process
• Ask, Ask, Ask – Posing intelligent and thoughtful questions at the conclusion of an interview is just as important as answering questions successfully. Before every phone conversation, meeting or interview, write down at least five questions for your interviewer. For example, “what traits are necessary for success in this position, what concerns, if any, do you have with my background in relation to my success at your company, why do you love working at your company, why is the position open and in my first 30, 60, 90 days, how do you feel someone in this position can contribute the most?”
• Research Yourself – It’s important to know as much about a potential opportunity as possible, but don’t forget to think about how you fit into the equation. Some questions to ask yourself: what past experiences have prepared me to succeed in this new role? How can I add value to this organization? What are the most important traits in this new role and what past experiences can I convey to display these traits within myself? Researching yourself is an integral part of a successful job search; don’t skip this important step
• Protect Yourself - Check your Facebook profile and make sure there aren’t any offensive pictures, wall posts or topics listed