Jim was a typical college grad today. Smart, resourceful, and pretty savvy on the computer. He was enthusiastic and eager to learn. Everyone who interviewed him at his current employer had agreed he was the right candidate for the job. His first few months at his new job were great. He found the work interesting and his co-workers and manager encouraged him to share his thoughts and provide ideas and input for improving their projects. In Jim's mind, his career was starting off nicely. But then....
The company landed a large account. Jim had been working behind the scenes to help this team prepare to take on the additional work in the event the client was won. Jim also knew from his work on this project that a new position would need to be created to specifically handle this client. Jim wanted the job - badly. He knew the client's needs and felt he could do a great job building the account. He asked to meet with his boss so he could share his interest in the position. In Jim's mind, he couldn't imagine his boss saying no. But that's EXACTLY what happened.
"I'm sorry Jim, I think you are a bright employee, but we need someone on this account who is more professional," was what his boss told him. Jim was completely stunned. "More professional? I am professional!" thought Jim as he left his manager's office. Jim was so upset, he left work that day and seriously considered not going back. He spent the night at home ranting about how hard he had worked and how he knew he was the perfect person for the job. The next morning, he decided that he couldn't let it rest. He needed to know the real reason why he wasn't chosen for the job.
Jim got to work and went straight to his manager's office. "Can I talk to you?" he said in a tone that clearly indicated he was angry. "Sure. Close the door," his boss replied. Jim said, "I want to know the real reason why you won't hire me for the new job." His boss calmly responded, "Like I said yesterday, you are a good employee, but we need someone who will properly interact with this client. They are a very traditional company and they expect a certain level of professionalism." Jim struggled not to scream. "What have I done that has been unprofessional? I've done everything you've asked and regularly exceeded your expectations. You always tell me my ideas are great. So, if my work is good enough for you, why isn't it good enough for our client?" The manager sat back, thought for a minute and said, "It's not your work Jim, it's how you communicate." Now Jim sat back. He honestly had no clue what his boss was talking about. Reading his mind, his boss said, "I can see you have no idea what I'm referring to." Jim just nodded. "Let me explain...you have great ideas, but when it comes to talking about them with teammates or writing about them in an e-mail or project document, you come across as uneducated. Someone on the team even asked me recently if you lied about getting a college degree. It's because you use a lot of slang when you talk. For example, the word 'like' is in almost all of your sentences when you speak. More importantly, your e-mails look like text messages. They run on and on, without any punctuation, capitalization or sentence structure, and they are usually full of typos and spelling errors. Take the e-mail you sent me yesterday morning about the migration project. Your ideas were excellent, but I had to read your e-mail FOUR TIMES until it made sense to me. I've mentioned this to you before, but you haven't corrected the problem. You even told me that you thought e-mail was too slow and wished you could just text everything. I realize that your generation is used to texting, but in the working world, you have to consider the fact that the people you are interacting with are used to a communication style that is much more traditional. How you speak and write says a lot about you as a professional."
The story above is true - it happens every day. The #1 complaint I hear from managers about recent grads in the workforce is their poor communication skills. They aren't referring to your ideas or your ability to speak up - they know you are confident and willing to contribute. They are talking about the way in which you deliver your message. Want to impress managers? Want to stand out as an exceptional young professional? Then, be sure to communicate by their standards, not yours. Everything you say and write should be carefully considered. Your next promotion could be riding on it.
Want to make sure you are making the right impression on potential employers? Join the Personal Branding Network and you'll have your own staff of career experts coaching you every step of the way. CLICK HERE to learn more...Jim was a typical college grad today. Smart, resourceful, and pretty savvy on the computer. He was enthusiastic and eager to learn. Everyone who interviewed him at his current employer had agreed he was the right candidate for the job. His first few months at his new job were great. He found the work interesting and his co-workers and manager encouraged him to share his thoughts and provide ideas and input for improving their projects. In Jim's mind, his career was starting off nicely. But then....
The company landed a large account. Jim had been working behind the scenes to help this team prepare to take on the additional work in the event the client was won. Jim also knew from his work on this project that a new position would need to be created to specifically handle this client. Jim wanted the job - badly. He knew the client's needs and felt he could do a great job building the account. He asked to meet with his boss so he could share his interest in the position. In Jim's mind, he couldn't imagine his boss saying no. But that's EXACTLY what happened.
"I'm sorry Jim, I think you are a bright employee, but we need someone on this account who is more professional," was what his boss told him. Jim was completely stunned. "More professional? I am professional!" thought Jim as he left his manager's office. Jim was so upset, he left work that day and seriously considered not going back. He spent the night at home ranting about how hard he had worked and how he knew he was the perfect person for the job. The next morning, he decided that he couldn't let it rest. He needed to know the real reason why he wasn't chosen for the job.
Jim got to work and went straight to his manager's office. "Can I talk to you?" he said in a tone that clearly indicated he was angry. "Sure. Close the door," his boss replied. Jim said, "I want to know the real reason why you won't hire me for the new job." His boss calmly responded, "Like I said yesterday, you are a good employee, but we need someone who will properly interact with this client. They are a very traditional company and they expect a certain level of professionalism." Jim struggled not to scream. "What have I done that has been unprofessional? I've done everything you've asked and regularly exceeded your expectations. You always tell me my ideas are great. So, if my work is good enough for you, why isn't it good enough for our client?" The manager sat back, thought for a minute and said, "It's not your work Jim, it's how you communicate." Now Jim sat back. He honestly had no clue what his boss was talking about. Reading his mind, his boss said, "I can see you have no idea what I'm referring to." Jim just nodded. "Let me explain...you have great ideas, but when it comes to talking about them with teammates or writing about them in an e-mail or project document, you come across as uneducated. Someone on the team even asked me recently if you lied about getting a college degree. It's because you use a lot of slang when you talk. For example, the word 'like' is in almost all of your sentences when you speak. More importantly, your e-mails look like text messages. They run on and on, without any punctuation, capitalization or sentence structure, and they are usually full of typos and spelling errors. Take the e-mail you sent me yesterday morning about the migration project. Your ideas were excellent, but I had to read your e-mail FOUR TIMES until it made sense to me. I've mentioned this to you before, but you haven't corrected the problem. You even told me that you thought e-mail was too slow and wished you could just text everything. I realize that your generation is used to texting, but in the working world, you have to consider the fact that the people you are interacting with are used to a communication style that is much more traditional. How you speak and write says a lot about you as a professional."
The story above is true - it happens every day. The #1 complaint I hear from managers about recent grads in the workforce is their poor communication skills. They aren't referring to your ideas or your ability to speak up - they know you are confident and willing to contribute. They are talking about the way in which you deliver your message. Want to impress managers? Want to stand out as an exceptional young professional? Then, be sure to communicate by their standards, not yours. Everything you say and write should be carefully considered. Your next promotion could be riding on it.
Want to make sure you are making the right impression on potential employers? Join the Personal Branding Network and you'll have your own staff of career experts coaching you every step of the way. CLICK HERE to learn more...
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This time of year offers special opportunities for job seekers. Holiday networking events, for example, can be great chances to meet professionals you might not encounter otherwise. Additionally, some employers are still eager to fill positions before budgets reset or headcount is finalized in the new year, making it a prime time to stand out with a strategic approach.
Here are five ways you can stand out from the competition this holiday season and find a job before the end of the year.
1. Showcase The Right Skills On Your Resume
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When updating your resume, focus on aligning your experience with the specific demands of the industry. Go beyond just listing responsibilities; dig into job descriptions to identify the core skills that consistently appear for your target roles. By tailoring your resume with these keywords, you not only capture the attention of hiring managers but also boost your chances of passing applicant tracking systems (ATS), which are often programmed to scan for these key terms. It's all about keywords!
During the holiday season, hiring managers are often managing tight timelines and high demands, making it crucial for candidates to demonstrate that they’re ready to hit the ground running. Highlighting industry-relevant skills shows you're not only familiar with the landscape but also equipped to make an immediate impact. Be sure to include examples of how you've leveraged these core strengths in previous roles to support team goals or tackle challenges (aka quantify your work experience). The holidays are hectic, so share with the potential employer how you'll be a positive addition to the team by leveraging your strengths and emphasizing your value as a business-of-one.
2. Dress The Part
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Don't underestimate the power of a great first impression. Dress for the interview in professional attire. Even if the job description mentions a casual dress code, such as jeans and a sweatshirt, it’s essential to show respect for the employer by dressing in a way that demonstrates your commitment to making a positive impression. Wearing attire that reflects your professionalism shows you care about how you're perceived and the impression you leave on others.
Not sure what to wear? We recommend dressing conservatively in clothing one level above what the current employees at the company are wearing. You want to look professional, but not like you don't fit in with the workplace culture.
3. Show Your Connection To The Company
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Employers like to hire candidates who have a passion for what they do. Why? Because when people are passionate about their work, that enthusiasm often translates into a higher level of commitment, creativity, and productivity. This intrinsic motivation can lead to consistently strong performance and a positive impact on the team and company as a whole.
In your disruptive cover letter (and during your job interview), demonstrate how and why you admire the company. Highlight what you love most about their products and services. Give examples of how you have personally used them in your own life with success. The more you can show them you understand and respect the business, the more likely you'll impress the hiring manager and move forward in the interview process.
4. Demonstrate Your Value
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It's important to remember that you're a business-of-one, and you're trying to sell the service you provide as a business-of-one to employers (the customers who will be paying you for the service).
To find a job during the holidays, you must adequately demonstrate your value as a business-of-one and highlight your strengths and the specific benefits you bring as a potential employee throughout the hiring process. How do you do this? Well, make sure to quantify your work experience on your resume. Use numbers to showcase your accomplishments. Clearly state how you'll make or save the company money with your employment. Do this, and you'll easily become one of the top candidates for the position.
5. Express Gratitude
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The holidays are busy for everyone. When you're applying for jobs during the holiday season, keep gratitude in mind. This positive mindset not only helps you stay resilient but also shines through in your applications and interviews, leaving a memorable impression on potential employers.
After every job interview, always send a thank-you note. It's just the polite thing to do, and you'll score more points with the hiring manager. Even if you get rejected, or never hear back about a position, make sure you send an email thanking the employer for the opportunity and wish them the best of luck with finding the right job candidate.
Don't be bitter. Be gracious. You never know what will happen in the future. You might want to apply for another job at the company down the line. So, don't let your frustration get the best of you. Remember: If you get rejected, they didn't say, "No, not ever." They just said, "No, not today."
A successful holiday job search depends on a solid strategy. Follow the guidelines above and land a job this holiday season!
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