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Career Edge Org

Jan 11
Love8
video interviews

Video Interviews

By Jobseeker

In last week’s blog entry, we listed video interviews as one of 2018’s recruitment trends. If you’re in the majority, you dread video interviews (like how the average millennial dreads voice calls and prefers text messages). But video interviews aren’t an obstacle, they’re an opportunity.

By supplementing your application, you can showcase your personality and soft skills, and present a strong employer-employee fit to separate yourself from the majority and give yourself a better chance to join the minority – that exclusive shortlist of candidates who receive an invitation to meet in person.

Here are some things to consider before you complete your video interview: Read More

Jan 04
Love7
2018 recruitment trends

Recruitment Trends for 2018

By Recruitment
“Hiring people is by far the most important thing companies do. When organizations hire the ‘wrong’ people, no amount of HR or management can fix the problem,” wrote Josh Bersin, founder and Principal at Bersin by Deloitte, in the HR Technology Disruptions for 2018 report.

In a candidate-driven era, as power continues to shift from employers and hiring personnel to employees and job seekers, the transformation in control will alter many intricacies in the complex world of recruitment. Read More

Jan 01
Love3
smart use of LinkedIn

14 Strategies to Boost Your LinkedIn

By Professional Development

Ready to unlock the full potential of your LinkedIn profile? Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career journey, optimizing your LinkedIn presence is crucial for standing out in today’s competitive job market. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into 14 strategies designed to boost your profile, expand your network, and attract valuable opportunities on LinkedIn.

Approximately 90% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find talent. Will you get their attention? Follow these tips to get noticed.

1- Complete Your LinkedIn Profile

Make sure to complete your profile with a professional photo, headline, summary, and detailed work experience. A complete profile not only enhances your visibility but also demonstrates your commitment to professionalism. Remember to tailor your profile to your target job field for optimal results.

Ensure there are no discrepancies between your resume and LinkedIn’s core elements.

 2- Craft a Compelling Headline

Your headline is more than just a job title – it’s an opportunity to showcase your expertise and value proposition. Use keywords relevant to your industry and consider incorporating a brief statement about your professional philosophy or aspirations. A captivating headline can significantly increase your visibility in search results.

3- Write an Engaging Summary

Your summary serves as your elevator pitch to potential employers. Use this space to highlight your skills, accomplishments, and career goals in a concise yet compelling manner. Share your unique professional story and what sets you apart from the competition. Don’t hesitate to seek feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors to refine your summary further.

Research job descriptions you’re interested in and ensure your LinkedIn mirrors the grammar, punctuation, and language style of the descriptions and contains ‘enough’ keywords found in those postings. A recruiter will see your LinkedIn profile, so keep your keyword frequency reasonable and leave out those fluffy, cliché buzzwords.

4- Personalize Your LinkedIn URL

Customize your LinkedIn URL to make it easier for others to find and connect with you. A clean, professional URL not only enhances your profile’s appearance but also makes it more memorable for recruiters and employers reviewing your resume.

5- Highlight Your Achievements

Utilize the “Featured” section to showcase your best work, projects, articles, or presentations. Providing concrete evidence of your skills and expertise can siginificantly improve your credibility and draw the attention of potential employers.

6- Optimize Your Skills Section

Select relevant skills that align with your expertise and strengths. Endorsements from connections can validate your skills and increase your profile’s visibility. However, prioritize quality over quantity to maintain authenticity and relevance.

7- Grow Your Network

Expand your network by connecting with professionals in your industry, alumni, colleagues, and recruiters. Personalize your connection requests to establish rapport and foster meaningful relationships. Leverage LinkedIn’s email synchronization feature and follow up on meetings or conversations with personalized connection requests.

8- Engage with Content

Like, comment, and share relevant posts to demonstrate your industry knowledge and engage with your network. Active engagement not only increases your visibility but also positions you as a valuable contributor within your industry community.

9- Publish Thoughtful Content

Consider writing articles or posts on topics related to your expertise to showcase your thought leadership. Share valuable insights, experiences, and perspectives to resonate with your audience and establish credibility in your field.

10- Join and Participate in Groups

Join LinkedIn groups relevant to your industry or interests and actively engage in discussions. Provide valuable contributions, ask questions, and share resources to expand your network and knowledge. Remember to prioritize quality interactions and avoid overly promotional behavior.

ALSO READ: Develop a Winning Mindset for Your Job Hunt

11- Request Recommendations

Reach out to colleagues, supervisors, or clients for authentic recommendations that highlight your skills and accomplishments. Thoughtful recommendations can significantly boost your credibility and differentiate you from other candidates.

12- Stay Active

Regularly update your profile with new experiences, skills, or achievements to demonstrate your ongoing professional growth and engagement. Keeping your profile fresh signals to recruiters and employers that you’re actively invested in your career.

13- Utilize Job Search Features

Explore LinkedIn’s job search features to discover relevant job openings and apply directly through the platform. Set up job alerts to stay informed about new opportunities in your field and leverage your network for referrals and introductions.

ALSO READ: Maintaining Your Well-being During Unemployment and Job Search

14- Network Effectively

Expand your network strategically and nurture professional relationships through meaningful engagement. Attend networking events, join relevant groups, and initiate conversations to build genuine connections. Remember to observe professional etiquette and maintain a positive online presence at all times.

By implementing these 14 strategies, you can optimize your LinkedIn profile and maximize your chances of success in your job search. Remember to stay authentic, proactive, and engaged with your network.

With the right approach, LinkedIn can be a powerful tool for advancing your career goals and unlocking new opportunities.

Jan 01
Love2

Mastering Your Video Interview with this Checklist

By Interviewing

If you’re worried about your next video interview (like how the average millennial dreads voice calls and prefers text messages), think of them as opportunities, not obstacles.

Embracing video interviews is crucial in today’s evolving job market, where remote interactions play a pivotal role in the hiring process. Instead of viewing them as daunting obstacles, consider video interviews as valuable opportunities to showcase your personality and soft skills, setting yourself apart from other applicants.

Navigating the Video Interview Landscape: A Checklist for Success

Before diving into a video interview, it’s essential to consider several factors to ensure a seamless and impactful experience.

❐ Acoustics: Ensure a Noise-Free Environment

  • Notify household members about your interview and request a few minutes of uninterrupted quiet.
  • Turn off mobile devices and any potential sources of disturbance.
  • Communicate the need for silence to create an optimal interview environment.

❐ Lighting: Illuminate Your Best Self

  • Position the light source in front of you to ensure your face is well-lit.
  • Adequate lighting enhances visibility and conveys professionalism.
  • Avoid backlighting that may cast shadows on your face, impacting clarity.

❐ Background: Create a Distraction-Free Setting

  • Choose a background that doesn’t divert attention, such as solid-coloured walls or bookshelves.
  • Eliminate potential distractions like televisions or noisy roommates.
  • A clutter-free background fosters a focused and professional atmosphere.

❐ Confidence: Let it Shine through the Screen

  • Maintain consistent eye contact with the camera to establish a connection.
  • Speak assertively and clearly, ensuring your voice reflects confidence.
  • Express enthusiasm about your skills and qualifications.

❐ Preparation: Practice Responses and Memorizing Stories

  • Anticipate common interview questions and prepare thoughtful responses.
  • Memorize brief STAR-method stories to illustrate your achievements.
  • Have a script as a guide, but avoid reading verbatim for a more natural flow.

❐ Technology: Ensure a Smooth Virtual Encounter

  • Check and charge your device’s battery to avoid interruptions during the interview.
  • Verify the functionality of your webcam and microphone in advance.
  • Reset your router if there are concerns about potential internet disruptions.
  • Be sure to ask in advance about the software used for the interview. Take time to download or upgrade to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

❐ Personality: Showcase Your Unique Traits

  • Position yourself to highlight your smile and shoulders on the screen.
  • Convey warmth and approachability through non-verbal cues.
  • Remember, employers are looking to know your genuine personality; they’re not expecting robotic responses.

❐ Attire: Dress to Impress

  • Choose attire consistent with what you would wear to an in-person interview.
  • Professional dressing reflects your commitment and respect for the interview process.
  • Pay attention to grooming and presentation to create a polished impression.

❐ Research: Learn from Others

  • Watch video interview examples online to observe successful techniques.
  • Analyze how candidates present themselves and respond to questions.
  • Incorporate effective strategies into your own preparation.
  • Stay informed with the best practices. Check Career Edge’s FAQ on video interviews.
Jan 01
Love8
ATS

13 Ways to Beat (ATS) Applicant Tracking Systems

By Job search tips

In the modern job market, applicant tracking systems (ATS) have become an essential part of the hiring process. These systems help employers streamline recruitment by sorting through a large volume of resumes. That’s great for employers.

What about job seekers?

Learning to optimize your resume for ATS can significantly increase your chances of getting an interview.

How does ATS work?

When scanning a resume, ATS looks for basic information like contact details, job titles and education history. It also looks for keywords that come directly from the job posting. Resumes that show minimum qualifications for a role are sent to recruiters and hiring managers for the next step. Meanwhile, resumes that fall below the threshold simply get rejected.

What’s an ATS Resume? 

An ATS-friendly resume should be easy to read and understood by an ATS. It includes relevant keywords and phrases that are specific to the job opening. By writing your resume with the software in mind, you increase the likelihood of it being seen by a hiring manager.

Why optimize my resume for ATS?

97% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS for hiring. ATS screens your resume and stores it in a searchable format. Recruiters use ATS to search for potential candidates based on specific criteria, including keywords.

75% of job applications fail the ATS. Your resume will be disqualified if it lacks relevant keywords or is formatted poorly for the ATS.

That’s why it’s crucial to optimize your resume to the job description and use relevant keywords to increase your chances of making it through the initial screening. Here is how to convert your resume to an ATS-friendly format.

1- Pay Attention to Job Titles

Applicant tracking systems rely heavily on standardized job titles to categorize and compare candidates.

Use common job titles that closely match your roles and responsibilities to ensure your resume aligns with the ATS. This increases the likelihood of your resume being properly parsed and ranked by the system.

2- Tailor Your Resume for Each Application

One of the most crucial strategies to beat the ATS is tailoring your resume for each job application. ATS software is designed to scan resumes for specific keywords and phrases related to the job description. Speak the language of the industry. Familiarize yourself with relevant jargon and incorporate it judiciously into your resume.

Therefore, customizing your resume to align with the particular requirements of each position can increase the likelihood of your resume passing through the system and reaching the hands of the hiring manager.

3- Optimize Your Resume Format

ATS algorithms may struggle to read complex or highly stylized resume formats. A clean and simple format to improve your resume’s readability is the way to go! Stick to standard fonts and use a chronological order for your work experience. 

A straightforward format enhances the chances of the ATS accurately parsing your information. Here is an example of an ATS-friendly resume format.

4- Don’t use Headers or Footers

Leave your header and footer blank in your resume. An ATS may not recognize the content you place in your header and footer, so place your contact information and your name in the body of the page.

Bonus point: avoid ATS parsing errors, customize the file name and metadata by adding relevant keywords and your full name.

5- Use Relevant Keywords Strategically

Identify key terms and phrases in the job description and incorporate them strategically into your resume to reflect your skills, experience, and qualifications. Ensure your submission mirrors the job description’s grammar, punctuation, and language style and contains ‘enough’ keywords found in the posting. If effective, a human will see your application, so keep your keyword frequency reasonable and leave out those fluffy, cliché buzzwords.

Be genuine and avoid overloading your resume with keyword stuffing, which may lead to your application being rejected.

Spell out the acronym: ATS doesn’t recognize many acronyms, so using both text versions is crucial to ensure an ATS identifies your content.

Quantify Achievements: Numbers speak louder than words. Where possible, quantify your achievements. This not only grabs human attention but also registers positively with the ATS.

6- Format Dates Correctly

Most ATS accurately parse dates in the following formats: MM/YYYY (02/2024) or Month YYYY (Feb 2024). So, ensure that you use the correct date format.

ALSO READ: Develop a Winning Mindset for Your Job Hunt

7- Label Resume Sections with Headings

It is crucial to have clear and easy-to-navigate section headings on your resume. Similarly, recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds scanning a resume. It’s essential to avoid confusing them with unconventional headings.

Do: use straightforward labels like “Experience.” or “Education.”

Don’t: use vague headings like “Things I Am Proud Of” or “What Made Me Into Who I Am.”

8- Include a Skill Section

Create a dedicated skills section in your resume that highlights key competencies related to the job. 

The skills section should provide a snapshot of your qualifications and increase the chances of the ATS recognizing your skills.

Insert your hard skills on the first third of the first page – these should include functions, programs, fields, languages, and any other hard skills listed in your other headings.

Bonus tip: Swap out the career objective for a hard skills summary. 

9- Add Your Education Details

Ensure your education details align with the industry standards. Some ATS are programmed to recognize specific degrees or certifications.

10- Avoid Graphics and Symbols

While a visually appealing resume can positively impact human recruiters, ATS software may struggle to interpret complex graphics and symbols. 

To beat the system, keep your resume clean and simple by avoiding unnecessary graphics, diagrams, icons, symbols, or a picture of yourself that could potentially confuse the ATS algorithms.

11- Use a Traditional Font

To ensure that your resume is easy to read by Applicant Tracking System, it’s recommended to use a traditional font such as Arial, Calibri, Cambria, Garamond and Georgia. Some ATS may automatically change unfamiliar fonts, which can alter the design of your resume. 

While the font size doesn’t affect your resume’s readability, using a 10- or 12-point font is excellent for a more professional and readable look, especially when a recruiter reviews it.

12- Save Your Resume in ATS Compatible Format

For the best chance of your resume being read by an ATS, upload it in a widely accepted format such as a Word document ‘.doc or .docx’ or a plain text file ‘.txt’. Avoid using a .pdf version.

If you’re worried the formatting won’t transfer, convert your .doc into .txt to see how it looks before submission to minimize the risk of misinterpreting or rejecting your resume due to incompatible file formats.

13- Proofread for Accuracy

Errors in your resume, such as typos or formatting issues, can negatively impact your chances of passing through the algorithms. Before submitting your application, thoroughly proofread your resume to ensure accuracy. Correct any spelling or grammatical errors, and double-check that the formatting is consistent.

Bonus tip: use Grammarly for proofreading.

Successfully navigating the applicant tracking system requires a strategic approach that combines customization, optimization, and attention to detail. By tailoring your resume for each application, strategically incorporating relevant keywords, and optimizing your resume format, you can significantly improve your chances of beating the ATS and advancing to the next stage of the hiring process.

Jan 01
Love3
soft skills

Soft Skills Most in Demand

By Professional Development
Got every hard skill required for the position? You might be thinking that’s enough, but you’re wrong! Soft skills are as important!

Picture this: you’re in an interview, and the interviewer asks you questions to assess your behaviour, but you’re blank. You’ve never been in this situation before.

That’s how employers determine your soft skills.

Think about which ones you need to develop or improve because managers value soft skills. Often, it’s these personal attributes employers use as the tiebreaker to decide between you and the other qualified candidates.

If you’re unsure where to start or what’s most important, here are some soft skills recruiters and interviewers look for:

Read More

Jan 01
Love1
cover letter

Why Write a Cover Letter

By Cover Letter & Resume

Crafting an effective cover letter is a crucial step in securing your dream job. In a world where hiring managers spend an average of seven seconds per cover letter, making those moments count is essential. Here’s an in-depth look at the importance of cover letters and how they can be optimized for success:

So why write one?

In the brief time it takes a hiring manager to scan your cover letter, you have the opportunity to make a lasting impression. While your resume outlines your professional history, a cover letter complements it by showcasing the skills you’ve listed. Don’t merely reiterate your resume; instead, leverage this space to demonstrate practical applications of your skills. For instance, if you claim to possess creativity and communication skills, narrate a relevant experience that vividly illustrates these qualities.

The goal of the cover letter is to secure an interview. You must separate yourself and show why you’re more qualified than the other candidates. Consider the responsibilities of the hiring manager and answer the question:

Why should I be one of the five (out of 100) applicants who deserve another 30 minutes to demonstrate why I’m the best candidate?

What can cover letters reveal?

Your concise writing abilities, attention to detail, researching skills, reading comprehension, interest level, personality type, and creativity…essentially a lot, so you can’t use the same cover letter for each application. Customize!

Tailoring Each Cover Letter

One common mistake job seekers make is using a generic cover letter for multiple applications. However, customization is key. Each one should be tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. Highlighting misconceptions, explaining achievements, and expressing genuine interest in the company can set your letter apart from the rest. Remember, a generic cover letter may be perceived as a lack of effort, potentially jeopardizing your chances.

Unveiling Skills Beyond the Resume

A well-crafted cover letter is a window into your abilities beyond what’s listed on your resume. It reveals your concise writing skills, attention to detail, research capabilities, reading comprehension, and even your personality. This multifaceted snapshot of your abilities requires careful consideration and customization. Hiring managers appreciate candidates who take the time to showcase their unique qualities, as it reflects genuine interest and effort.

The Ultimate Goal: Securing an Interview

The primary objective is to secure an interview. In a sea of applicants, your cover letter should answer the hiring manager’s unspoken question: “Why should I choose you for a more in-depth conversation?” To achieve this, align your skills and experiences with the company’s needs. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the role, and articulate how your unique qualifications make you the ideal candidate.

Selecting the Right Cover Letter Template

Various templates are available, catering to different styles and preferences. It’s essential to choose a format that aligns with your personality and the industry you’re applying to. Whether it’s a traditional format, a narrative style, or a visually appealing design, the key is to strike a balance between professionalism and individuality. Finding the right style enhances your chances of making a memorable impact.

In conclusion, despite the brevity of their attention span, hiring managers value cover letters as a means to distinguish exceptional candidates. Use this opportunity wisely, customize each letter, and aim to secure that coveted interview. It’s not just a formality; it’s your unique voice in a competitive job market.

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