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Interview Tips

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HERE ARE FIVE TIPS TO HAVING YOUR VIRTUAL INTERVIEW WORK SEAMLESSLY

Strategic Recruitment Solutions offers five tips to land the video interview
Many companies are utilizing video conference to conduct the initial interview.

 Virtual job interviews?  Yes, they are becoming more common every day, especially since the coronavirus has put everything on hold. During the next months, employers will utilize video conferencing in lieu of face-to-face interviews. In addition, many companies find that they can narrow down their choice of job candidates through virtual interviews.

Here are five tips to ensure that your interview works seamlessly:

1. Conduct a Trial Run Interview 

Test your equipment prior to the actual interview. Make sure the audio and video are working and that you are familiar with all the added features. Conduct a sound and video quality test to ensure things are functioning correctly. The last thing you want is to discover that your audio is working improperly or that you don’t know how to share your screen once the interview begins. By avoiding technical difficulties, you can stay focused.     

 

2. Find a Quiet, Non-Distracting Space

Make it a priority to create a distraction-free space to conduct the interview.  If you are conducting the interview from home, make sure to inform your household members that you will be attending a virtual interview, and must have an hour of privacy. Finally, in order to ensure that your potential employer has your undivided attention, mute any notifications on your mobile phone and computer. It is essential that you treat your virtual interview with the same level of respect and professionalism that you would any other job interview. Remember, if you are multitasking during the interview, recruiters will be able to tell if your attention is elsewhere.

 

3. Be Honest  

Despite all of your preparation, technical glitches may still occur. If the video frame freezes or your audio skips out, you may need to ask your interviewer to repeat the question. It is better to be upfront and ensure that you have the information you need rather than missing something because you were too embarrassed to admit that you missed something. 

 

4. Be Aware of Your Body Language

Remember, this is a virtual interview, so your body language does matter. Sit up straight. Make sure you are looking directly at your camera. Make sure you have dressed appropriately. Treat any virtual meeting like a face-to-face meeting. Don’t let emails or social media notifications distract you from the interview.

 

 5. Prepare for Your Interview

As with anything, adequate preparation is critical. Prepare for your interview by rereading your resume and the job description. Have both documents handy for the call. Prior to the interview, find out who you will be speaking with, and check out his or her LinkedIn account.

Although thoughts of a job interview might conjure up visions of a bunch of candidates waiting in a stuffy office lobby, times have changed. More and more companies are using this tool to narrow down the potential list of candidates who deserve an in-person meeting. By conducting a professional and productive virtual interview, you will ensure that you have a shot at making the next round of interviews or, better yet, land the job.

For more than a decade, SRS has been helping job seekers find their ideal opportunity. If you are a top performer in the Legal Industry or Informational Technology, submit your resume.  Exceptional talent is in high demand at the top-performing companies. Ready to make a career move?  Contact SRS today!

 

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EMPLOYERS WANT TO HIRE YOU IF YOU HAVE SOFT SKILLS

 

Interview, soft skills, job interview
Are you a team player?

Employers are looking for job candidates with “soft skills”. Yes, it’s true. Over the past decade, the way people work has drastically changed. Now employers are looking for candidates who have more than the necessary technical skills and experience for the job. Furthermore, they want employees to have the ability to adapt quickly and to work across multiple teams and projects. Having “soft skills” means you are flexible and versatile.

Employers want you to have soft skills

Soft skills are interpersonal ones that are vital to the success of employers because most jobs require employee interaction with co-workers and clients. Soft skills include abilities like communication, critical thinking, time management, problem-solving, and networking. Candidates with soft skills are very adaptable, and an asset to employers as those skills are transferable regardless of the type of job.

Soft skills, now considered as important as hard skills, can be hard to access. The main difference is that hard skills are job-specific and can be taught. Soft skills, based on the characteristics of the job candidate, are not easily taught.

Employers believe communication is key at the workplace
Employers love soft skills – these will help you land your next job

Tell a soft skill story to your employer

Highlighting your soft skills to potential employers is essential. Begin by identifying the soft skills you have that are relevant to the position you are applying for. Include those skills in your resume or include them in your cover letter. During your interview, mention how you have displayed  soft skills in past jobs. Finally, you can even demonstrate your soft skills by the way you interact with the interviewer. Also, paying attention to the interviewer while he or she is talking, will showcase your listening skills. Overall, soft skills will lead you to opportunities and help you grow as a professional. Most importantly, soft skills will help you land the job.

If you are ready to take the next step to advance your career, call us today! For decades, Strategic Recruitment Solutions has been instrumental in helping job seekers find their dream jobs. We are your one-stop shop for information, guidance, and insight into the legal and IT markets. Furthermore, we have the keys to help you land your dream job. To get started, search our current opportunities or submit your resume today.

 

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LISTENING TIPS FOR YOUR NEXT JOB INTERVIEW

4 Tips to Listening
Great listening skills may land you the job!

In today’s society, there is an emphasis on “finding one’s voice.” Social media, what used to be a platform for discussion, is now a vehicle for some individuals to express their strong opinions or beliefs through posts or video. Overall, with this cultural shift to express ourselves more, we have lost the art of listening. At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, we want you to succeed. That’s why we are here to remind you that listening is sometimes more powerful than speaking. Active listening during your next interview may not only help you land the job, but it may also help advance your career.

Each day we have more than a dozen conversations. Most these conversations will reveal much more than what is being discussed. That’s why during your interview, listening is crucial. An active listener will consider what the interviewers’ questions reveal. Listen well, and you can gain crucial information about the company. Furthermore, you will be able to show your interviewer your excellent communication skills.

As you are asked questions about your experience or skill set, you’re an experienced interviewer may be grading your listening skills. Here are some expert tips on how to actively listen during an interview:

1. Consider the Interviewer’s Purpose

The Human Resource Director or hiring manager is interviewing you to fulfill a need. Listen carefully to why the company is hiring now. Are they expanding or filling a position that was vacated by someone? If you are replacing someone, see if you can find out more about why your predecessor left.

2. Pay Attention

Your interviewer has experience spotting a good listener. Be sure to concentrate your eyes and ears on the person speaking. Also, answer the questions with a concise and practical response.  

3. Express Curiosity

By asking for more details, you can show you are genuinely interested in the position. Thoughtful questions are always gain points in an interview.

4. Don’t Interrupt

Most importantly, a good listener is considerate and does not speak until the person that is finished speaking. Maintain a steady rhythm making sure you do not appear too anxious. Remember to breathe.

Implementing these four tips to improve your listening skills will separate you from other candidates. Learning to listen well will not only improve your communication skills overall, but it may also advance your career. Finally, every employer values a good communicator.

One of the most valuable, and underrated, interviewing skills is the ability to listen, pay attention to, understand and absorb what the other person is saying. Try to customize your answers based on what you learn from the interviewer so that you can emphasize the skills you have that are most applicable to the position.

For more than a decade, Strategic Recruitment Solutions has matched top companies with top talent. Therefore, we can provide access to positions in the Legal and IT fields that may not be advertised on job boards or a company’s website. Let us help you find your next job. Contact us today at (888) 366-6508.

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IS A COVER LETTER STILL NECESSARY IN 2018?

Are cover letters still needed in 2018?
Make sure your cover letter is readable on a mobile device

Most people dread writing cover letters. Sometimes they require more effort and customization than your resume. Are you wondering if your cover letter is worth the extra effort? The answer is “Yes.”

Regardless of whether you think cover letters are “optional,” you should still include one with your resume. Just ask human resource or hiring managers. 

In a 2009 survey, cover letters were preferred by 56% of hiring managers. Fast forward to today’s market where applicants can submit their résumé delivery by email or online, and the percentage drops to between 30% and 49%.  So how do you tell whether the hiring manager that you are trying to impress reads cover letters? The answer is, there is no way of knowing. 

What we do know is that the concept of introducing yourself and setting yourself apart will always be paramount in your job search.  Therefore, submitting a cover letter gives you another opportunity to shine.

We also know that because the candidate screening processes has become increasingly digital and mobile, it is important that your cover letter is impactful and short enough to fit on a mobile screen.

Here are three essential guidelines for writing a cover letter:

1. Make sure your cover letter goes beyond your resume.

Your cover letter is more than an opportunity to re-state your education history and experience.  When reading your cover letter, your potential employer can hear your voice through your writing style.  When writing your cover letter, make sure to include insights into your work ethic and values. Finally, make sure you write in an engaging style showing that you are motivated and eager to be a part of the team.

2. What do you know about the company and position you are applying to?

Before beginning to write, research the employer and job position thoroughly. Research can go a long way in the application process; it will show that you have an attention to detail. Make sure to customize your cover letter each time you apply for a new position. Finally, always research the hiring manager’s name before addressing your letter.

3. Use your cover letter to show how your skills go beyond the criteria of the position you are applying for.

Your cover letter should expand on your resume, not re-state it. Expand on a specific section of your previous work experience or on the unique skills you bring to the position. Directly address how you will be an asset to the company beyond the required job responsibilities. Furthermore, as you expand on these different aspects, make sure to limit your cover letter to one page. This will save the hiring managers’ time and be much appreciated.

If you are ready NOW to take the next step to advance your career, call us today. At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, are your one-stop shop for information, guidance, and insight into the legal and IT markets.  For decades we have been instrumental in helping job seekers find their dream jobs. To get started, search our current opportunities or submit your resume today.

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WEAR THE RIGHT CLOTHES TO YOUR IT INTERVIEW

WHAT TO WEAR TO YOUR IT INTERVIEW 

Making Business Casual Work For You

Wear the outfit that shows you care about the job
Wear the right clothes to show you want the job

 

In 2012, when Mark Zuckerberg wore a hoodie instead of a business suit to his meeting on Wall Street, he made headline news. Some said dressing down was a sign of his  “immaturity” while others argued it was his own “personal style”.  Although the tech industry is known for being casual, when it comes to first impressions, “formality” is still a sign of respect.

When interviewing for a technical position or start-up company, even one in which your day-to-day outfits may be casual, you don’t necessarily need to wear a suit and tie, but you should wear something be a bit more dressy than a T-shirt and jeans.

WHAT TO WEAR TO SHOW YOU CARE

Dressing for IT interview
IT professionals wear Smart Business Casual

Dress as you would for the job, but as Chef Emeril Lagasse says, “kick it up a notch” when interviewing. According to IT World, it is your “job” to make sure your IT interview exhibits what skills you have visually. That being said, you are also part of the visual presentation. You do not want your  potential employer thinking that he or she will have to tell you how to dress.

Most companies adhere to a “smart business casual” dress code. For men, that means wearing a jacket or blazer over a polo or collared dress shirt. Pants should be clean and wrinkle free. Women should wear a skirt or a pair of slacks with a blouse or colored shirt. They should also avoid fabrics such as satin, lace, or chiffon as well as flashy costume jewelry.

RECRUITER CAN ADVISE YOU ABOUT WHAT TO WEAR

At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, we are here to answer any questions you may have about how to dress for your interview. As your advocate, coach and agent, we will help you ensure your outfit reflects the company brand. Always remember, first impressions make a big difference.

While you are being interviewed, feel free to ask about the company’s attire and/or dress code. What you wear to work will depend on the industry and whether you will be in direct contact with clients. Startup companies are known to be “rule breakers” will allow you to push boundaries when it comes to how you dress for work. However, an IT department at a law firm, may require that you wear a collared shirt. Bustle magazine put out a great style guide for woman providing tips on how to dress for every industry, from “foodie” start-ups to tech companies.

IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT

You may be able to wear sneakers once you land the job, but for the job interview, wear casual or dress shoes. According to a study in the Journal of Research in Personality, shoes are a source of first impressions. A majority of people base their judgment on someone’s shoes first, before taking other things into consideration.

WEAR CLOTHES THAT SHOW YOU WANT THE JOB

We are all conditioned to make judgments. Just think about the consumer choices that we face daily. We are constantly evaluating potential purchases based on size, shape and color. It is only “natural” to judge potential job candidates by what they wear. In an ideal world, our talents and experience should count for everything regardless of how we dress. But when you roll out of bed and throw on the first thing you find in the closet, that will not reflect your “eye for detail”. There is a fine line between fashion, professionalism and personal judgment. Call us at Strategic Recruitment Solutions today and let us help!