I recently received a promotion and now I'm hiring my own replacement. I've been a hiring manager before, but mostly just part time student help. This is the first time my candidate pool is international.
Y'all. Why are you sending in incomplete applications? For you job searchers out there, I've got a few recommendations.
- Cover letters are important. After so many poor cover letters for a job that involves writing, I learned to glance at the resume and head straight for the cover letter.
- You think this is about you? Well it's not. Tell me how you can help me. I will hire someone from another industry if you can tell me how your skills are transferable.
- Bullet points in a cover letter are a beautiful thing. But don't copy/paste bits of your resume into a cover letter. That's lazy. Just, no. Use bullet points to directly relate you to the job. This was a new one to me, and I kinda geeked out when I saw it. Don't go overboard, but used selectively, this is a great way to stand out. My eyes went straight to those points. Use them wisely.
- What job did you just apply for? Come on, son. I got one cover letter about how great a social scientist they were. For a fundraising job. Did you apply for the right job? You made my life confusing, and now I'm slightly worried for you. Don't play these games with me. I get nervous and do wellness checks.
- Highlight your successes in your resume. That's how I know you're motivated.
- You got the interview! Now come up with good questions. I personally am terrible at this. Recently I got two good questions- what is going to be the hardest/ easiest thing to give up, and why do you stay (at this school). Both got me close to tears. deep breath. They made me think, and told the candidate a lot about the environment. It also made the candidate look thoughtful and stuck with me.
- Show your expertise by suggesting solutions during the interview. Find out what you can and suggest solutions to problems the employer is facing. My former boss did this in her interview, I did it in mine, and the person I'm offering the job to did it as well. See (an anecdotal) pattern?
- Didn't get the job? Follow up. I can't recommend this enough. Get this: I had one candidate shoot me an email asking for ten minutes to talk, knowing she didn't make it to the next round. I spoke with her, explained why, talked with her about other jobs she's interested in, her strengths, weaknesses, gave her a contact in HR who will work with her to find a better fit, and gave her a recommendation. All because she put herself out there.
- It's not personal. If you don't get the job you really wanted, there's a good chance there was just a better fit. It's not personal. I've been on both sides of this. I know it hurts. Please know you probably did nothing wrong, unless you didn't include a cover letter. That's on you.
Whew! I had to get this off my chest. For all those selling their wares on the job market, more power to you. You're putting yourself out there. It's hard, but you're probably worth it.
This is some pertinent advice, I'd be interested in getting tips from the inverse! I just recently became a manager at my job and while I haven't been asked to hire anyone directly (yet) I have on a few occasions been asked "If I know anyone". It'd be cool if you did one from the position of a hiring manager on what makes a person someone you should hire or not.
Congrats on your new role! I've certainly thought a lot about this and would be happy to write it up. Though, I do believe to an extent it depends on the position. I can give some general advice, though.
Oh of course! Everyjob is different but I'm sure there's plenty of points that fit most bills
Most certainly! I'll post something tomorrow.
Job searching must be one of those most disheartening endeavours we undertake but grow on and thicken our skins over time.
It is. And I think that's why some people just throw stuff out there without personalizing it for the job. It's easier if you don't get too emotionally invested.