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5 Interview Hacks That Will Give You An Edge (No Confidence Required)

How can you project confidence when you don't feel it? Related: Why Am I Getting Knocked Out After The First Interview? One of the most interesting things I learned from my days as an actor was seeing how audiences tended to remember what a person did much more than how they did it. In other words, if you take the correct actions, despite not being Mr./Ms. Confident, you'll trigger the same response as though you were. The goal: establishing yourself as the candidate who can deliver the most VALUE. Someone who is in demand, understands his/her worth, and is willing to advocate for it. Here are some actions to help you get there:

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5 Mistakes That Lead To Low-Ball Salaries

Rule #1 of salary negotiation: the first offer is never the best one. All companies build in padding in anticipation of a counteroffer, and anyone who tells you otherwise or tries to frame it as a take-it-or-leave-it situation isn't dealing squarely with you. Related: How To Answer Interview Questions About Salary

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How To Get Your Content Featured On LinkedIn Pulse

"What's a good way to boost my networking efforts?" I'm a big fan of LinkedIn's career potential, and so my answer usually boils down to: regular status updates, daily engagement with your feed, and LinkedIn posts. Hit the sweet spot of strong content and reader-friendliness, and your post can end up on one of LinkedIn's "Pulse" channels. Featured Pulse articles routinely rack up tens of thousands of views, and have generated millions in income and career opportunities. Related: 5 Tips For Upping Your LinkedIn Game

Here Are Some Tips To Get Your Content Featured On Pulse:

1) Step Out Of Your Niche.

You need to find the intersection between your expertise and what a general audience would find interesting. How does what you do affect everyone? What challenges are you facing that anyone can empathize with? Writing for mass appeal is a must if you're serious about landing on LinkedIn Pulse.

2) Content Length.

500-1000 words seems to be the sweet spot, but longer posts can (and do) often get featured which breaks this rule. Strong engagement from start-to-finish is the key. When in doubt, cut!

3) Tag Your Post Correctly.

Do some research on the LinkedIn Pulse Channel you wish to target (visit this page and scroll down to "Channels"). Which keywords are frequently used by posts which are featured? Now cast a critical eye over your newest LinkedIn post and see if you can include some keywords which overlap. You can add keywords prior to publishing a post.

4) Follow The Pulse Monthly Writing Theme.

If you only write one post a month (even one post can have a big impact!) then I suggest writing to Pulse's "Topic of the Month." This is a general topic which almost anyone can write a piece around and will automatically generate an uptick in views for your post. Be sure to add the topic within your headline (ex. "An Open Letter to...") as well as a hashtag at the bottom of your post (ex. #openletter).

5) No Promos!

This isn't about selling yourself. This is about sharing something that you're passionate about, and encouraging engagement and discussion. Write in your own voice, deliver incredible value, and let the positive effects ripple outwards.

6) A Strong Headline Is Essential.

Here's a tool I use to test out headlines prior to publishing: Aim for a minimum headline score of 70.

7) Spread The Word Immediately After Hitting "Publish."

The moment you hit "Publish" every one of your LinkedIn connections will be notified (which is great).
  • Use the "Click to Tweet" option LinkedIn provides you upon publication to rack up more shares.
  • Share your article with all appropriate LinkedIn Groups.
  • Email everyone on your contact list who isn't on LinkedIn and send them a brief message with a link to the article, and politely ask if they'd be so kind as to like and comment if it resonates with them.
  • Share the article across all other social platforms (Reddit, Facebook, and so on)
  • Finally, send a tweet to @LinkedInPulse informing them of the post and what it's about.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a Work It Daily-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here. Photo Credit: Bigstock

5 Smart Ways To Get Noticed On LinkedIn

During my first months of using LinkedIn back in 2007, it often seemed like I was trying to make my voice heard above others with MUCH bigger microphones! Related: 5 Mistakes That Are Killing Your LinkedIn Profile When you’re not visible, you’re not seeing much in the way of new connections and engagement from others. At the same time, you’re trying to build out your network (tip: minimum 100 direct connections, shoot for 501+ as ultimate goal), so that you can place yourself in a position to vet a steady stream of opportunities arising within your tribe.

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How To Keep Recruiters From Skipping Over Your LinkedIn Profile

Did you know that, according to a recent Jobvite study, an astonishing 92% of recruiters use a LinkedIn profile to find great candidates? Related: 6 Things Recruiters Want To See On Your LinkedIn Profile Couple that with the estimated 80%+ of positions that go unadvertised on job boards, and you have a powerful opportunity to land a plum position without ever blasting your resume out into the ether (or competing with the thousands of other people who are doing so). Sound interesting? In this post, I'm going to lay out some actions that will pay off big in terms of getting your LinkedIn Profile noticed by recruiters:

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5 Mistakes That Are Killing Your LinkedIn Profile

Did you know that 89% of recruiters report having hired someone through LinkedIn? Or that over ten million people found their current job through LinkedIn? Related: 4 Rookie Mistakes You Need To Avoid On LinkedIn If you’ve been satisfied with a “placeholder” LinkedIn profile up to this point, or feel like landing a job through the site isn’t a viable option, STOP. The hiring landscape has changed, permanently, and those who adapt will secure the best opportunities.

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5 Ways To Kill Your Chances With A Hiring Manager

I’m a big fan of the X-Men comic books, and have always loved the powers of Dr. Charles Xavier, who is telepathic. Who wouldn’t want the ability to instantly read a person’s mind and affect their behavior? This skill would come in extremely handy during interviews with hiring managers, many of whom seem to belong squarely to the school of “Say little and express even less.” Related: How Hiring Managers Make Decisions

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7 Things You Need To Do Before Saying 'I Quit!'

Have you ever walked out on a job? Back in the early days of my career, I did. It was around 6 pm on a Friday, and my boss had just asked me to spend an extra three hours in the office with zero advance notice. This had been happening for months, and in that moment I finally reached my breaking point. Related: Is It Time To Quit Your Job? "I'm done," I said (although my heart was thumping so hard it's hard to know for sure). "You can do your own overtime." And I was out! The exhilaration of quitting lasted right up until the elevator hit ground floor, when I suddenly remembered that I had zero job prospects on the horizon, and far too many bills that needed paying. Don't make the same mistake I did! No matter how devalued and aggravated you feel at your current job, it is critical to plan your exit strategically. Because the best revenge isn't quitting; it's landing a far better job.

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