interview

July 24, 2020 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

VIRTUAL JOB INTERVIEWS ARE HERE TO STAY- Here are tips on how to prepare!

Are you ready for your virtual interview?

As the world continues to adjust to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) businesses have found new ways to attract and hire new employees. Virtual meetings are utilized for recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding employees. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers are conducting the first interview virtually. Your second or third interview, maybe a face to face interview, however, you must be prepared to ace the virtual interview first.

Preparing for a virtual job interview

A virtual interview may seem easier because there is no parking involved, however, sometimes that is not the case. You will still be asked questions about your work history and job-related skills; however, you will be asked additional questions as well. Be prepared to talk about how you managed your time during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as your ability to handle stressful situations.

Below are sample questions that may be asked on your virtual job interview:

How do you stay motivated?

When you are on the job, it is easier to stay on track because you are accountable to others. In order to prove that you are the right choice, you may need to provide a few solid examples of how you stayed motivated. Prepare your answers in advance and practice your virtual interview with a colleague. You will want to make sure that when giving personal answers you remain professional.

Are you comfortable working remotely?

Prior to COVID-19, many business professionals had not worked from home. In answering this question, it’s important to show that you can quickly adapt to handling situations remotely while still exhibiting professionalism. Even after the pandemic is over, telecommuting may be here to stay.

How have you handled stress associated with COVID-19?

Regardless of your profession, we have all faced trials and tribulations surrounding the state of global health these past few months. Currently, employers are searching for people with the ability to overcome and adapt to high pressure and high-stress situations. Flexibility is an invaluable skill that employers will seek out in their talent pool. Show potential employers your ability to keep a level head and approach stressful situations directly.

What is your work-from-home approach? Can you utilize your space for virtual team meetings?

Employers will want to know if your environment at home and is cohesive with a full-time job. Practice answering this question by describing your workspace. Do you have a reliable and fast WiFi and a computer that will support your work?

How did you spend your time during stay-at-home orders?

This may seem like a trick question, but it is really about your ability to adapt. Have you been keeping your professional skills sharp and investing in your career? How well have you handled the distractions related to the pandemic? Were you able to remain productive?

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!

November 27, 2018 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

7 RED FLAGS TO WATCH DURING YOUR NEXT TECH INTERVIEW

Watch For These 7 Red Flags In Your Tech Interview — When interviewing, watch for these 7 red flags

Your IT interview will be very different from a standard job interview. During a tech interview, you may be asked to complete a skills-based task. While you are completing this task, the interviewer will access your ability to complete it in a timely and efficient manner. Your interviewer will also consider your behavior during the process.

Tigran Sloyan, CEO of CodeSignal, a skills-based assessment platform for the IT industry, identified seven red flags for employers to be aware of during a tech interview. He cautioned that if the job candidate exhibits these seven things, employers should pass:

1. Being unaware of the company’s mission during your interview.

A candidate who is passionate about the job opportunity will take time to prepare for the interview which includes researching the company’s mission.

2. Showing a lack of attention to detail.

If a candidate does not fully pay attention to the task description given in the interview, this could lead to a failure of following future directions or sloppy work.

3. Moving past an impasse.

Real-life engineering problems are not straightforward. Innovative engineers come up with new ways of addressing technical issues when they hit a wall.

4. Ignoring help from the interviewer.

The purpose of a skills-based interview is to assess specific skills, not a candidate’s individuality. If you fail to acknowledge help from the interviewer, this reflects that you are a mediocre team player.

5. Exhibiting an inadequate and inconsistent coding style.

If a candidate is inconsistent in coding style, it could potentially be a disaster in a team setting, especially if other engineers need to understand this person’s code to debug.

6. Not taking edge cases or inputs into consideration.

An essential part of writing professional codes is knowing how to write edge cases and inputs. These two things have the potential to cause breaks in coding if not entered correctly.

7. Being unable to share and learn from past mistakes.

A great candidate will be able to recognize when they make a mistake and be able to learn from it.

So if you are a top performing professional looking to forge a new career path, consider partnering with Strategic Recruitment Solutions. We work with most of the law firms and technology companies in the Louisiana Gulf Coast region, as well as top companies throughout the nation. 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. Search our current opportunities or submit your resume to get started!

September 20, 2018 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

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.