Category: during the interview

How to Conquer the Job Market After High School

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

Congratulations, high school graduate! You have finally completed one of the most challenging stages of your life and are now ready to tackle the world that lies ahead. However, with the job market becoming increasingly competitive, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out how to succeed on your own. This is where I come in, your wise and witty guide, ready to give you the three must-have tips you need to set yourself up for success in the job market after high school. Buckle up, it’s going to be a fun and informative ride.

Build A Solid Resume
Your resume is your first impression, and it needs to be a good one. Start by ensuring that your contact information is current and easily accessible. Next, tailor your resume to fit the job you are applying for. Highlight your experiences and skills that closely match the job description. Don’t forget to include any volunteer work, internships, or extracurricular activities that could make you stand out. Lastly, proofread, proofread, proofread! Making silly grammatical errors on your resume can be a huge red flag for potential employers.

Network, Network, Network
People often say, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” and that couldn’t be truer in the job market. Networking is the key to unlocking job opportunities and gaining valuable insights into your industry. Attend job fairs, join professional organizations, and even connect with former teachers or alumni who are already working in your field of interest. You never know who could be a valuable connection down the road.

Don’t Be Afraid of Rejection
Let’s face it, rejection is inevitable. You could have the best resume and perfect interview skills and still not get the job you want. Remember, this is not a reflection of your worth as a person. Learn from the experience, ask for feedback, and keep trying. Persistence is key, and eventually, the right opportunity will come your way

Achieving success in the job market after high school graduation may seem daunting, but with these three tips, you are now well on your way to standing out in a competitive market. With a solid resume, an extensive network, and the power of persistence, you are equipped to take on any challenge that comes your way. So go out into the world, young grasshopper, and make your dreams a reality.

If you need help with creating your resume(s), building your network or strategies to find your next job, go here. I’d be more than happy to help you along in your career or job seeking journey.

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3 Ways to Explain Employment Gaps in a Job Interview

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

Be Honest and Transparent:

It is always best to be truthful and upfront about any gaps in your employment history. Explain the reason for the gap, such as a layoff or downsizing, and emphasize the steps you took to stay active and productive during that time. For example, you could mention that you used the opportunity to update your skills through online courses, attend networking events, or volunteer in a related field to gain new experience. This shows the interviewer that you are proactive and took the time to improve yourself, even during a difficult situation.

Highlight Relevant Skills and Accomplishments:

Make sure to emphasize any relevant skills or accomplishments you gained or developed during your time out of work. This could include certifications, self-study, or volunteer work. Be specific about what you learned and how it will benefit you in the new position. This will show the interviewer that you were not just sitting idle during the gap in employment, but were actively working on improving yourself.

Focus on Your Goals and Aspirations:

Focus the conversation on your future goals and aspirations, and how the current position fits into your overall career plan. Explain why you are passionate about this field and the specific role you are applying for. This helps to shift the focus away from the gap in your unemployment and towards your positive qualities as a candidate. It also shows the interviewer that you have a clear vision for your future and are committed to finding a role that aligns with your long-term career goals.

Sometimes employment gaps can make the positive difference in an interview if you know how to spin it and capitalize on it. If you need additional help with helping you navigate job interview, check out my resource here. It will help you not only navigate employment gaps, this resource will help you prepare for the next job interview like a boss! Grab that resource today.

Looking for other services such as interview coaching, LinkedIn profile optimization and career strategy consultations? Go here.

If you are looking for help in the overall job market, interview tips and more, purchase my new book here.

Have a job interview coming up but need additional help to be successful with it? Check out the Interview Audio Program here that can help you navigate your next job interview with EASE.

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Ways to Research an Employer Before an Interview

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

There’s no doubt that research is an important part of the job search process. But when it comes to researching potential employers, many people might not know where to start. In this blog post, we’ll outline a few ways to research a company before an interview. So whether you’re just starting your job search or you’ve already landed an interview, read on for some helpful tips!

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. Part of that preparation should include research on the company you’re interviewing with. A great way to do that research is by talking to employees of the company online. You can find employees of most companies on social media, and many of them are happy to answer questions about their experience working for the company. This is a great way to get an insider’s perspective on what it’s like to work for the company, and it can help you decide if it’s the right fit for you. So before your next interview, take some time to chat with employees of the company online. It might just give you the edge you need to land the job.

Another way to research a company before an interview is to check out their ZipRecruiter profile. Here, you’ll find valuable information about the company, including their mission statement, culture, and values. This will help you prepare for the interview and make sure that you’re a good fit for the company. Plus, it shows that you’re seriously interested in the position and that you’re willing to do your homework. So before your next interview, take a few minutes to check out the company’s ZipRecruiter profile. It could make all the difference in landing the job.

Every job seeker knows that preparing for an interview is key to landing the gig. You wouldn’t go into an exam without studying, so why would you go into an interview without researching the company? A great way to get started is by checking for open and closed cases on the department of labor (DOL) website. This will give you a sense of any potential red flags about the company, such as a history of discrimination or harassment claims. Of course, it’s always possible that an open case is simply the result of an disgruntled employee, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. So before you head into your next interview, take a few minutes to do some research on the DOL website- it could end up being the deciding factor in whether or not you land the job.

Looking for resume services, interview coaching and career strategy consultations? Go here.

If you are looking for help in the overall job market, interview tips and more, purchase my new book here.

Have an interview coming up and need a little help? Check out my resource here.

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3 Interview Preparation Activities to Implement Before Your Next Interview

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

Landing your next job interview can be daunting, but with a plan in place, you can increase your chances of acing it. Here are four tips to help you prepare. Firstly, do your research and find out as much as you can about the company. Secondly, find the location of the interview, if it in person. If the interview is over the phone or through video, double check your equipment to assure that it is working before the interview actually takes place. Thirdly, create interview questions for the interview beforehand. Finally, arrive on time and be prepared for anything that comes your way! Being on time or early for an interview is a given folks. I’m sure you don’t want anyone wasting your time, you should not waste anyone else’s time either. BE ON TIME…PERIOD!

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out in your career. However, there are a few things you can do to help ensure that you make a good impression and land the job. First, it’s important to do your research. Learn as much as you can about the company, their values, and the role you’re interviewing for. This will help you to ask questions that demonstrate your interest and knowledge of the organization. Second, prepare your equipment or find the location of your interview (if it is in person) beforehand. This will help you to stay calm and not get so stressed out before the interview. Third, practice your responses to common interview questions and create your own questions for the interviewers. Finally, be sure to arrive early and bring copies of your resume and any other relevant materials with you to the interview. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of impressing the interviewer and landing the job.

That’s it for now. If you need some additional help preparing for your next job interview, check out my audio series resource here. In the meantime, start practicing these techniques so that you can walk into your interview feeling confident and prepared. Thanks for watching and reading!

Looking for other services such as interview coaching, LinkedIn profile optimization and career strategy consultations? Go here.

If you are looking for help in the overall job market, interview tips and more, purchase my new book here.

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4 Illegal Interview Questions & How to Handle Them…Professionally

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

You’re all dressed up, you’ve made it to the interview round and now there’s just one more hurdle: the questions. While some are perfectly legit, others could get you into trouble. Here are four illegal interview questions and how to respond if they come up. (Hint: It’s all about staying professional.)

Looking for a job is hard enough as it is, without running into potential roadblocks along the way – which is why knowing what illegal interview questions to watch out for is key. With that in mind, here are four of the most common ones to watch out for – along with tips on how to handle them like a pro.

So, what exactly are illegal interview questions? They are any questions that related to protected characteristics, such as race, religion, national origin, gender, age, or disability. Asking these types of questions is not only unethical – it’s also against the law.

ILLEGAL INTERVIEW QUESTION #1 – HOW OLD ARE YOU?

ILLEGAL INTERVIEW QUESTION #2 – WHAT IS YOUR SALARY HISTORY?

ILLEGAL INTERVIEW QUESTION #3 – DO YOU OWN A CAR?

ILLEGAL INTERVIEW QUESTION #4 – HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ARRESTED BEFORE?

Illegal interview questions are, unfortunately, more common than you might think. In fact, a study by the Society for Human Resource Management found that nearly 60% of employers have asked at least one illegal question during a job interview. The Fair Labor Standards Act Laws (FLSA) prohibit all types of discrimination based on gender, race and other specified protected classes. To obtain more details, click here.

Fortunately, there are ways to handle illegal interview questions professionally. If you’re ever put in this situation, here’s what you should do:

1. Thank the interviewer for their time and say that you’re not comfortable answering the question because they may be illegal based on FLSA practices.
2. Always start of with the question, “how is this question relevant to the job?“.
3. Respond with a general answer that doesn’t provide any specific information about your protected characteristic. For example, if you’re asked about your religion, you could say that you respect all religions and believe that everyone has the right to practice their own faith.
4. Redirect the conversation back to your qualifications for the job.
5. If the interviewer persists, politely end the interview and contact an attorney or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for consultation.

Although you can never be too prepared for an interview, having a general understanding of what is and isn’t appropriate to ask will help ease your mind. If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being asked an illegal questions, don’t panic. Stay calm and collected and remember that it is more important to maintain professionalism than to jeopardize your career. Finally, if you need additional help or have any questions about how to handle a difficult interview situation, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here. I would be happy to offer my assistance!

Looking for other services such as interview coaching, LinkedIn profile optimization and career strategy consultations? Go here.

If you are looking for help in the overall job market, interview tips and more, purchase my new book here.

Connect with me here
Follow me here: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Join my Facebook group