How I Got 3 Job Offers During the Recession

How I Got 3 Job Offers During the Recession I was in business school at a very bad time. Whereas alumni who graduated years before me had job offers, sometimes up to five of them, in hand before graduation, my class was not as lucky. In fact, we were going to graduate right at a time when companies were laying off people. It is discouraging to find out that companies who were planning to visit the campus cancels at the last minute. For the remaining companies that are hiring, some of them are hiring locally or only US citizens to save on costs. Most have also drastically reduced hiring levels. The economy was not on my side. I knew then that if I were to get a job offer by the time I graduate, I need to pound the pavement. I need to be resourceful and smart about my job search process. I did what many other people will tell you. I submitted so many resumes and covers letters I have honestly lost count. I attended company information sessions and networked my ass off. The problem is: everybody else was doing this. How do I stand out among a crowd of hungry job hunters? I wanted to share with you some guerilla-style steps I undertook for my job hunt. It all paid off. By the end of the year, I had 3 job offers in hand: Google, Microsoft, and Standard Chartered Bank. I was ecstatic. It was not easy but my job search strategy obviously worked! 1) Get real life experience: During a downturn, companies become more conservative when hiring. Because companies hire less, they also become more careful and don’t want to hire the wrong candidates. As a result, the more signs recruiters have that a candidate will succeed on a job, the better the chances of that candidate in getting the job . This is where real life experience comes into play. All of my classmates and I have solid academic credentials. However, not all of us will have relevant experience especially for those looking to change careers. I did two things that helped me in my job search. I was part of a student-run business on campus that sold MIT-branded retail items. This experience was valuable in demonstrating my entrepreneurial spirit and self-starter mindset. I can say this definitely helped make a great case for me when applying to tech companies such as Google. The second thing I did was to intern at a tech startup called AllTrails.com. Before this, I had zero tech experience. By doing business development for this startup, I gained valuable tech experience and have stories I can talk about during my tech interviews. Whatever industry you are aiming for, you can definitely follow this step. Go out and find an internship or part-work in the area you are interested in, whether it be sales, engineering, or something else. Having such experience will strengthen your application for a full-time job. 2) Make trips to Silicon Valley: I really pounded the pavement. I hustled like there was no tomorrow. Whereas some classmates would visit the Bahamas or Cancun on long weekends, I had flights scheduled to the locations I wanted to work in. Specifically, I made my way to Silicon Valley on a couple of occasions to visit companies and meet people. Here’s what I did: before arriving at my destination, I would reach out to people I knew working in my target companies. For example, I would talk to alumni from Google, Facebook, eBay, Apple, etc and schedule time for when I’m in town. I would browse each company’s job board and familiarize myself with the different teams as much as I can. Finally, I have prepared questions to ask the people I’m meeting. These are busy people with busy schedules and I don’t want them to feel that I am wasting their time. There are a few benefits to visiting the companies I wanted to work for. First, it sends a strong signal to recruiters and hiring managers that I am serious about my application. Second, my trips arm me with stories that I can share during my interview. This helps connecting with interviewers easier. Third, being there gives me a better picture of the culture and environment. If your target company is relatively close by, try to make that trip down to their office and meet people. People will appreciate the effort you put it. It is an investment but who knows, it may pay off in the end like it did to me. 3) Browse other school’s job boards: My goal was to find a job in tech. Because of the recession, many tech companies based in Silicon Valley were cutting back on trips to the East Coast. MIT is in Boston which meant that some companies are not flying to my school to meet students in person. This was bad news. It limits the companies and recruiters I get to meet. It also meant that there may be openings that I won’t know of. As this is the case, I knew I needed to be resourceful. If tech companies are hiring locally, they must be reaching out to students at Stanford and Berkeley, both based in the Bay Area. I asked around and identified friends who were students in both Stanford and Berkeley, including some in the business school programs. I asked if they can share with me the companies visiting their campuses and roles they are hiring for. I came upon a gold mine! I found names of both big companies and small startups actively recruiting in Silicon Valley. Armed with this list, I reached out and introduced myself to recruiters. Most of them welcomed my outreach. Why wouldn’t they? I was another potential candidate in their hiring process! I made their job easier for them. I was so grateful for my friends’ help. Of course, in return I shared with them names of companies hiring in the East Coast in case they were interested. There were many of them especially in the biotech, finance, and consulting industries. The takeaway here is to be resourceful. If companies are not coming to you, you should be the way to reach out to them. Final thoughts: How well the economy is doing will always affect your job prospects. It will determine how easy or difficult it is to get a job. But as you seen in my case, you should not give up. I challenge you to start now. Continue to hustle. Go above and beyond what is required. Be resourceful and creative in your job search. Your efforts will pay off in the end! Author: Sally is the founder of eggheadjob.com, a blog where she shares stories and tips on how to get a job and advance your career the smart way. She currently works at Google and is a graduate of MIT. She is also known as “Get the Job Girl” and you can follow her adventures on Twitter.

44 Practical Ways to Improve Productivity

44 Practical Ways to Improve Productivity Ive got 44 problems but productivity isnt  one. If you want the most out of your day, you need to be prepared to push through several  barriers.  Now, were all guilty of wasting time.  Its  pretty  easy to  become  distracted from your work and subconsciously (or consciously) find ways to avoid putting in the hard yards.  Whether its scrolling aimlessly through  social media, chatting to a colleague or making your fifth coffee of the day, if  you feel  slack and lack  motivation,  finding ways to procrastinate wont be hard. Sure,  some energy-zappers  exist beyond our  control. For example, studies have shown  surprising links between carbon dioxide levels in some office environments  and decreased cognitive functioning. However  there are a lot of  things you can control  to  make sure you  smash your working day out of the ballpark. Best STL  has compiled an infographic showcasing  44 ways to make you  more productive, heres a  summary of the best bits: Before you leave  the house Wake up earlier. Its a tried and true tip: swap a rushed morning full of freak-outs for a relaxed one that comes with breakfast, some exercise or me time. Giving yourself enough time to get ready properly will mean youre less likely to start the day off in a stressed mood. If you just cant muster the energy to listen to your early alarm tone, try moving your  clock a few meters away so you have to get out of bed to stop it. Let natural light wake you up. For anyone living in a cold  or  grey climate this might seem like wishful thinking, but where possible, let  your body slowly come back to life naturally, and ditch the alarm clock altogether if you can. Establish a morning routine  and stick to it. Being strict on what time you get up, when you have your breakfast and what activities you need to get done before leaving the house will help you get back in control and feel ready to tackle the day ahead. Drink a tall glass of water. This one speaks for itself  really. Its so easy to become dehydrated start the day by flushing toxins out of your body and replenishing your H2O stores. If I was president, everyone would have to meditate for 10 minutes a day. Then you would get a smoothie. Ms. Ellie (@ellie_java) April 9, 2016 https://twitter.com/hannahhummel/status/722407265127526400?lang=en-gb While  you commute Pre-plan your entertainment before jumping on the bus or train, i.e. something other than mindless staring or phone-tinkering. Try downloading a podcast,  bringing a book or loading your Kindle with a  great read. Get physical.  Ditch the public transport and use your own two feet (or a bike) to get you to where you need to be! The open air will clear your head and pump you up for the day. Complete an online course or plan for a presentation.  Try using your  commute to get some mundane tasks done, or do some work-related reading.  Giving yourself a head start with work will fire you up and means youll be ready to crack on as soon as you walk into the office. BRB RIDING MY BIKE TO WORK STAYING HEALTHY! WOOOOOW!!~ ? (@floatingweeds_) April 19, 2016 Before you have lunch Dont check your emails for an hour. Use this time in the morning (when youre probably at your freshest) to create a plan of attack for the rest of the day, and really get stuck into some tasks you need to complete, without added pressures coming from distracting correspondence over email. Start at same time every day. Getting yourself into a routine like this will stop you from wasting valuable minutes  fluffing around at your desk. Commit to heads down at the same time every day, and be disciplined about it. Bite the bullet. Procrastination helps no one; if you have a hard task to complete, dont put it off, get it done first.  Time spent procrastinating is time spent not completing important things, and also time spent worrying about the fact that theyre not getting done. Kill two birds with one stone and get  stuck into it. https://twitter.com/TheRealistz/status/725316908715806720?lang=en-gb Its not even 10:30 and Ive basically finished work for the day. I could go be really productive or go for a nap. Tough choice. Tom (@TomMichaelJoy) April 29, 2016 After you have lunch Avoid large, heavy lunches.  The phrase you are what you eat is a good one to remember here; if you eat yucky things your mood and motivation levels will probably turn yucky too. Go for an afternoon stroll. Fresh air will do you the world of good, especially if you eat lunch at your desk. Its important to break up the day and give yourself a chance to rejuvenate and refocus. Take a power nap. Take a leaf from the Spaniards book and squeeze in a siesta, if you can. I appreciate this one might not be a very practical option, but finding a quiet spot and closing your eyes to rest for even just 5 minutes will help you relax,  stop your mind from racing ahead and feel in control again. What a great Tuesday afternoon, come on out get that afternoon walk in. #loveorlando pic.twitter.com/nR4BiREeRy Lake Eola (@LakeEolaPark) April 26, 2016 Before you go to bed Avoid heavy, fatty  meals that leave you feeling bloated. Sleeping on a stodgy stomach does no one any favours. Set  your phone to Do Not Disturb. Youve probably heard this one before, but it couldnt be more effective at allowing you to  switch off and get other things done. Use blackout curtains. If youre going to opt for waking up to natural sunlight, you can probabaly park this one. Otherwise, if you have trouble sleeping try blacking out all light from your room so you can sink into your own black hole of uninterrupted slumber. Stretch. Put on some comfy clothes and stretch to your hearts content. This will help you relieve tension building up inside you. Use this time to let go of the day that was, and loosen up for  the day ahead. Maisee, a 3 yr old bully mix, takes her last evening stretch before going to bed. #AdoptDontShop pic.twitter.com/jXJo1HSnY5 The Love Pit (@lovepitrescue) April 17, 2016 Top image: Shutterstock 44 ways to be more productive [Infographic] by the team at Best STL

5+ Best Copywriter Interview Questions - Algrim.co

5+ Best Copywriter Interview Questions - Algrim.co We’ve compiled the absolute best copywriter interview questions and answers to help you with your upcoming job interview. In the modern technology world that we live in, content is staying king. That means, for copywriters, there are plenty of opportunities out there. Both on a freelance level as well as full-time level. Companies are very willing to hire copywriters to help them with sales materials, marketing materials, website development and much more. Copywriter Interview Questions & Answers 1. How would you help a team launching a new about page? If our product and engineering team is developing a new about page, a way that I can help them is by reviewing any of the written content that they want to put on the page. This means, working with our writers or putting together some writing which accurately represents our company/brand. And then going through the copywriting and copyediting process to ensure the quality of the content is intact. 2. What is AP style? AP style is a formatting preference that is used by most major news outlets and magazines. It is a standardization for copywriting and copyediting. 3. What is the act of copywriting? The act of copywriting is going through large pieces of editorial work and help align the writing and communication. Generally speaking, punctuation is part of this process as well but also the assistance of clarity to the text. 4. How would you work with a writing team? Copywriters should be working with all of the writers who are apart of the company. A writer might be trying to put pen to paper so to speak, getting the story written out. It's up to me to help turn that piece of writing from a draft into a final piece of work. 5. What are some ways you go above and beyond? Applying myself to the larger initiatives of the company helps my role go above and beyond. If someone in the sales team is working on sales collateral, I should take the initiative to get with them and help them polish their work. Related Hiring Resources Copywriter Job Description Sample

The Simple Way to Attract a Great Job Offer - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

The Simple Way to Attract a Great Job Offer - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career It’s simple to get the right offer. Literally. You must make it simple for us to find you, get to know you, invite you to interview and finally, make the offer.   That means, you are: Simple to understand. Simple to like. Simple to find. The principle of simplicity is never more in play than in personal branding, especially when it comes to landing your next great job. You have so many ways to be visible to people who do not yet know you, so access isn’t the real problem. Opportunity isn’t the real problem, either. There are millions of jobs open, in-flux or about to be created, and hundreds of thousands of recruiters, HR people, business owners and department heads looking for the few dozen people that ideally fit any of the openings. The problem is that there are one billion people online. That’s a huge problem for the people trying to hire you. Here are three simple tips to get you noticed, and more importantly recognized as the right candidate. Let’s use LinkedIn as our model for this, because it’s the most obvious gateway to everyone who could recruit and hire you. However, in some way these same tips apply to other social networks as well as industry forums, events, publications and more places where you are visible. 1. Recommendations Make it simple for us to know why people like working with you â€" or having you as a student. Ask for recommendations that use SPECIFIC qualities. You might email a referral source:   “Would you mind mentioning my leadership skills and attention to detail? I led the winning team on the Aquarium of the SouthWest project. I managed eight team members from five countries. I created the index of the 263 sources for our presentation.” For example, here is a former student of mine who is now a Senior Strategic Alliance Manager at HP:  http://www.linkedin.com/in/waltkasha 2. Endorsements LI endorsements are the keyword building blocks of your profile. Ask people to endorse you for exactly what you want to be hired to do. For example, if you are in communications, your block might look something like mine â€" http://www.linkedin.com/in/nancerosen. If you’re a creative type, it might look something like my business partner’s endorsements: www.linkedin.com/in/famousalice. Note: it’s not the size of the array â€" it’s the accuracy of the reflection of your skill set that matters 3. Groups When we scoot down to your LI section of badges, they should tell a simple story about you. Join the groups that match the skills, industry and even geographical locations that apply to your interests and aspirations. You are known by the badges you have â€" and earn, so participate in the discussions! Limit your groups to reflect your expertise and interest. For example, Jon Torerk, CSCS is a strength coach and CEO of BioMechanix. See how clear that is: www.linkedin.com/pub/jon-torerk-cscs/27/37a/110 Simple is not the same as easy. It’s a big job to edit, curate and parse your profile. So difficult for you but easy for us: when it comes to finding and hiring you for your next great job. Author: Nance Rosen  is the author of Speak Up! Succeed. She speaks to business audiences around the world and is a resource for press, including print, broadcast and online journalists and bloggers covering social media and careers. Read more at NanceRosenBlog. Twitter name: nancerosen

Creating a Career Pivot Resume with Thea Kelley [Podcast] - Career Pivot

Creating a Career Pivot Resume with Thea Kelley [Podcast] - Career Pivot Key Takeaways: Podcast #157 â€" Marc Interviews Thea Kelley on Creating a Career Pivot or Change Resume Description: Thea Kelley is a job search and interview coach based in the San Francisco Bay Area who serves job seekers nationwide. Her book, the Amazon best-seller Get That Job! The Quick and Complete Guide to a Winning Interview, was hailed as Excellent on Forbes.com. For state-of-the-art job search tips and a free gift, subscribe to Thea’s blog at www.GreatJobSooner.com. For one-on-one services to help you get a great job sooner, visit www.JobSearchAndInterviewCoach.com. Marc is asking for your financial support for the Repurpose Your Career podcast. Please donate at Glow.fm/repurposeyourcareer to support this Podcast. Key Takeaways: I wish everyone a happy new year, and I hope everyone had a great holiday season. I recorded the interview for today’s episode in late November and I am recording the rest on January 2nd. I am also ready to get started on the recording of the Repurpose Your Career 3rd edition book. I have spent much of the holiday season doing my annual website and podcast audit. If you would be so kind as to go to www.careerpivot.com/podcastsurvey and take my annual podcast survey, I would be very grateful. The survey collects some minor demographic information, asks about your favorite episode of 2019, and seeks feedback on what you would like in 2020. Click here to take the survey. I recorded many episodes in December with more planned for early January, including an interview of the owner of the website housesitmexico.com, Brenda Bernstein. Brenda is the author of the best-selling LinkedIn book How to Write a Killer LinkedIn Profile. I will also interview Danielle Kunkle Roberts from Boomer Benefits to explain “Medicare at 50”, among others. My plan was to publish only 2 episodes in January, but if all goes well I will be back to a weekly publication schedule this month. Therefore, next week will be an encore episode with the most popular episode in the last 2 years, which was episode 78 when I interviewed Jonathan Rauch, author of ?The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50. This episode has been downloaded close to 2500 times since its release in May of 2018 and continues to get 15-30 downloads per month. It is a fascinating interview. Now on to the podcast… Download Link | iTunes|Stitcher Radio|Google Podcast| Podbean | TuneIn | Overcast| Pandora STEP Forward Method: S â€" Select T â€" Translate E â€" Emphasize P â€" Prove Select Select the relevant experience that you want to carry forward into your new resume. You might also leave out jobs where the skills are irrelevant for the new career. Translate Translate language from your old career to the new career. Thea gives the example of a police officer transitioning into a corporate security position. She suggested that such an individual say that they worked with the chief executive, rather than that they worked with the chief of police. Emphasize Many people use a functional resume format, but also consider a hybrid format resume. Most recruiters and hiring managers do not like functional resumes because they suspect that the candidate is hiding something. The hybrid resume is a chronicle format that includes a very thorough summary section with lists of competencies, a solid description of why you are right for this job, kudos or testimonials from past jobs regarding hard-to-prove skills, and career highlights. Thea says you will have to pick and choose what to put in this section. List your key selling points. Prove Prove claims that are in your resume through stories and social proof. Thea emphasizes that you should use LinkedIn recommendations and not endorsements. Marc recommends you check out the interview with Alexander Buschek. Job Titles Marc and Thea discuss changing job titles carefully on your resume. Use the official title first and follow it with other possible variations. Thea reminds the listeners that the resume is an official document and should be completely factual. You can get away with not putting an end date on a past job on LinkedIn, but that is completely inappropriate on a resume. Some other great resources include: Tami Forman from Path Forward podcast episode. Path Forward newsletter Other Returnship Programs on the Path Forward website iRelaunch Return to Work Experts Carol Fishman Cohen CEO and Co-Founder of iRelaunch [Podcast] Subscribe to Thea’s website at www.GreatJobSooner.com to get a report on your key selling points. The Career Pivot Membership Community continues to help the approximately 50 members who are participating in the Beta phase of this project to grow and thrive. This is a community where everyone is there to help everyone else. Marc is recruiting new members for the next cohort. If you are interested in the Career Pivot Membership Community and would like to be put on a waiting list, please go to CareerPivot.com/Community. Marc invites you to connect with him on LinkedIn.com/in/mrmiller. Just include in the connection request that you listen to this podcast. You can look for Career Pivot on Facebook, LinkedIn, or @CareerPivot on Twitter. Please support the Repurpose Your Career podcast by going to Glow.fm/repurposeyourcareer. This link is also at the top of the show notes. You will find the show notes for this episode at CareerPivot.com/episode-157. Please hop over to CareerPivot.com and subscribe to get updates on this podcast and all the other happenings at Career Pivot. You can also subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, the Google Podcasts app, Podbean, the Overcast app, or the Spotify app and on Pandora! Marc Miller Like what you just read? Share it with your friends using the buttons above. Like What You Read? Get Career Pivot Insights! Check out the Repurpose Your Career Podcast Do You Need Help With ...

Missing an Angel Maya Angelou - Jane Jackson Career

Missing an Angel Maya Angelou - Jane Jackson Career Missing an Angel Maya AngelouMaya Angelou at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton, Jan 20, 1993, Washington DCEvery once in a while someone really special comes along.   Someone who inspires quietly, who does good, who spreads compassion and hope and lots of love.   Now, the world is missing an angel.Maya Angelou passed away this week at the age of 86 in North Carolina, US.Maya Angelou was an American civil rights activist, poet, author and amazing woman who spoke 6 languages and won 3 Grammy awards. She was an eloquent commentator on race and gender best known for her groundbreaking autobiography “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”Maya Angelou, a beautiful soul whom the world will miss dearly.Her inspirational poem, Phenomenal Woman says it all.Phenomenal WomanPretty women wonder where my secret lies.I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size,But when I start to tell them,They think I’m telling lies.I say,It’s in the reach of my arms,The span of my hips,T he stride of my step,The curl of my lips.I’m a womanPhenomenal woman,That’s me.  I walk into a roomJust as cool as you please.And to a man,The fellows stand orFall down on their knees.Then they swarm around me,A hive of honey bees.I say,It’s the fire in my eyes,And the flash of my teeth,The swing in my waist,And the joy in my feet.I’m a womanPhenomenal woman,That’s me.  Men themselves have wonderedWhat they see in me.They try so muchBut they can’t touchMy inner mystery.When I try to show them,They say they still can’t see.I say,It’s in the arch of my back,The sun of my smile,The ride of my breasts,The grace of my style.I’m a womanPhenomenal woman,That’s me.  Now you understandJust why my head’s not bowed.I don’t should or jump aboutOr have to talk real loud.When you see me passing,It ought to make you proud.I say,It’s in the click of my heels,The bend of my hair,The palm of my hand,The need for my care.‘Cause I’m a womanPhenomenal woman,That’s me. May a Angelou

Images of Resume

Images of ResumeImages of resume are powerful means of marketing a candidate. An impressive resume can make an impression on the mind of the reader. An impressive resume comes with a compelling image, which will be suggestive of the position that you hold. The image of resume can only be effective if it is clear and accurate.The first step in creating a great resume is to focus on all the important elements. A well-formatted resume will always appear professional. The style should be properly selected for it can prove to be a mistake if the wrong type is chosen. Use either a custom template or a computer generated format. While selecting the templates, it is best to choose those which are easy to read and understand.You need to start off with a professional image of resume. This image can be based on a portfolio. This is very effective if the applicant has a huge number of photographs. The photograph could be a work of art in itself.A resume image should be accurate. It should depict what the applicant is capable of doing. The type of work done is the most important factor. These photos will go a long way in building a better working relationship with the interviewer. It is quite true that one of the most effective ways of getting a job is by having good references.For a strong image of resume, it is better to give more than one photo. The one should complement the other. If the applicant has been in two different careers, the portfolio should also show both of them.The resume image should contain all the vital information that would help the interviewer to come to a decision. It should have contact information and a picture of the applicant. Another key point is the resume must be professionally formatted. There is nothing more than this.Images of resume cannot be made in haste. It requires a lot of work and careful planning. While making these images, the applicant must keep in mind the impact that the resume would have on the eyes of the interviewer. Also, t he applicant must avoid giving over too much information. They must not reveal all the things they know about the applicant.Resume images do have their benefits. They can be utilized for professional or personal purposes. When used in professional or commercial projects, it can be very helpful.