 Top
Hiring Managers Reveal Their Secrets On
How To Succeed In Any Job Market
By Shelly Goldman
Everyone has a theory or
advice on the best ways to impress hiring managers, land the best
jobs in tough times, and move your career forward. But when it comes
right down to it, the only opinion that counts is that of the people
who actually do the hiring. My coauthor, Wendy Enelow, and I
interviewed more than 60 top hiring managers, and asked them to
share their insights and help demystify the steps toward
an effective job search, career management, and advancement. Here
are some of the key suggestions they shared with us:
Job Search
Tips
- Write a highly targeted resume.
Know your audience and show your reader what value you bring to a
new organization through your record of achievements and
successes. Find authentic ways of distinguishing yourself from the
competition.
- Demonstrate that you are trustworthy
and aligned with the culture of the organization. You
need to be able to show the employer how you will solve a problem,
bring value to the organization, and work well on your own or in a
team.
- Interviews: be prepared and be
yourself. Understand the organization you're interviewing
with and get to know its needs, mission, culture, and values. Be
prepared to show how can you help support the mission and
contribute to the success and growth of the company. You should
also use this information to ask great questions during the
interview.
- Know what salary you're worth and ask
for what you want. Research the market. Don't bring up
salary before the interviewer does, and practice how you'll
respond when the salary question is asked.
Career
Management Tips
- Understand what motivates you. Whether it's
prestige, compensation, or a desire to make a difference,
understanding what makes you tick will help you map out a plan to
fulfill your needs.
- Create a lifelong career plan. If you know
your short-term and long-term career objectives, you will have a
greater chance to reach or exceed your goals. Have faith that
success happens with solid planning and over time.
- Network consistently and creatively.
Networking is not just about what others can do for you; it's also
about what you can do for others. Get involved, join associations,
attend conferences, and let others see your passion for what you
do.
- Find a mentor. Conferring with someone more
senior will help you learn and grow.
- Don't be afraid to admit mistakes. Mistakes
are opportunities to gain new insight and knowledge. No one
expects you to be perfect.
- Build rapport. Developing and fostering good
relationships helps you build trust and confidence, which will
support you greatly in having the career you want.
Shelly Goldman, author of
Insider's Guide to Finding a Job
(JIST, © 2005), is a nationally recognized career coach, job
search consultant, and recruitment specialist. She has been
president of The Goldman Group Advantage for the past 14 years,
where she helps individuals in career transition and conducts
national executive searches. |
