How to Land That Job – Series Recap

/

It’s tough to say goodbye. But alas, we have reached the end of our weekly blog series on finding and getting a job in marketing. I hope that the last ten weeks have helped to enlighten and inspire all of those out there who continue to look for their dream job.

And for those college grads that will be joining the work force in the next month, here is your chance to catch up on the tips provided in this series:

  1. Part 1: Where to Look
  2. Part 2: Your Resume
  3. Part 3: Create a Portfolio
  4. Part 4: Do Your Research
  5. Part 5: Pitch an Idea
  6. Part 6: Interview Do’s
  7. Part 7: Interview Don’ts
  8. Part 8: Post-interview Work
  9. Part 9: The Negotiation
  10. Part 10: First Day at the New Job

The series may be done, but the conversation doesn’t have to be. Use the comments below or Twitter to share your #marketingjobs and #interviewtips with the rest of the community.

How to Land That Job – Part 8

/

As the hiring market picks up and new technologies put marketers in high demand, it is important to be ready to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. With that, welcome to our weekly blog series on getting that marketing job you’ve always wanted. Each week we will discuss a new tip or technique you can use to land that job you’re after. Last week’s topic was Interview Don’ts.

This week’s topic = Post-interview Work

Each week I end these posts with a call for comments, in which I say “Keep the conversation going”. Don’t believe me? Scroll to the bottom of this post.

And the funny thing is that the topic of this week’s post, Post-interview Work, is based on the same premise. My one piece of advice after the interview is over is to keep the conversation going.

How? One of the most important things you can do after the interview is follow up with a thank you email. An email to each person involved in the interview process thanking them for their time and reaffirming your interest in the position can go a long way toward moving you ahead of other candidates that they are considering.

A great time to send such an email is a few days (2-3) after the interview. This makes it seem considerate, and not desperate. Keep it simple.

In addition to the follow up email, there may be other things that they want to see from you. They may ask for a writing sample, a portfolio or sample work, or they may have you complete a task meant to test your skills. My advice is to have a few samples ready to go in case you’re asked. Trying to piece them together last minute will always be stressful, and perhaps lead to you sending work that is less than your best.

And if they have you take a test, make sure to put in the necessary effort. There will be times when they are split between you and one other candidate, and your performance on the test could make all the difference.

Have anything to add? Keep the conversation going in the comments below…

How to Land That Job – Part 7

/

As the hiring market picks up and new technologies put marketers in high demand, it is important to be ready to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. With that, welcome to our weekly blog series on getting that marketing job you’ve always wanted. Each week we will discuss a new tip or technique you can use to land that job you’re after. Last week’s topic was Interview Do’s.

This week’s topic = Interview Don’ts

In last week’s post about tips for the actual interview, I provided a number of things that you should do to improve your chances of getting the job (or at least called back in for another interview). But what I left out are some things you definitely don’t want to do, things that could cement your position as an applicant they no longer wish to pursue.

That’s what this post is for!

First and foremost, you have to come prepared to talk. The worst thing that you can do is give short, one word answers to questions that your interviewer asks. Part of what an interviewer wants to find out is how successful a communicator you are. And you don’t show that by saying, I am a good communicator. You show that by having a conversation. Interact, and share examples to back up your answers to specific questions.

In the same vein, you should never say “no” when asked if you have any questions. You should be prepared to ask questions – about the company, the position, the culture, the goals, the office, etc. When you don’t ask any questions, it sounds like you don’t care, didn’t do any research or put any thought into it, or you’re just rushing to get it over with. An interview is as much about the employer finding the right candidate as it is about you finding the right fit for you. And if you approach it that way, you’ll have that much more confidence each time you walk into the room.

Finally, don’t negotiate or ask about salary too soon. When I say you should have questions to ask, “what is the pay” is not one of them. There will come a time to discuss compensation, but the first interview is usually not the time or the place. Wait for the follow up, or the offer.

Next week’s post will be focused on compensation and negotiation. But you have to get to that point first.

Have anything to add? Keep the conversation going in the comments below…

How to Land That Job – Part 6

/

As the hiring market picks up and new technologies put marketers in high demand, it is important to be ready to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. With that, welcome to our weekly blog series on getting that marketing job you’ve always wanted. Each week we will discuss a new tip or technique you can use to land that job you’re after. Last week’s topic was Pitch an Idea.

This week’s topic = Interview Do’s

In the sixth installment of our series on getting a job, we have finally made it to the interview. For the purposes of this post, let’s assume this is an in-person interview. And if there was a phone interview that preceded it, the advice given here is still pertinent.

The first bit of advice is something you’ve heard time and time again, but it’s worth repeating. Don’t be late. It may sound like common sense, and it should be, but I can tell you from years on the employer side, people still show up late. Here’s the key though, don’t show up too early either. A good rule of thumb is 10-15 minutes before the interview is scheduled.

Second, pay attention to what you wear. Based on what you know about the company, try to dress to the company and the position. It’s always better to overdress than underdress, but if you show up at a casual office in an expensive suit, it may actually hurt your chances. So estimate how those in your position at the company will be dressed, and then round up to be safe.

We all know that first impressions are key, so the greeting gives you a chance to start on the right foot. A firm handshake and a smile go a long way. Be polite and remember the name or names of those interviewing you so you can recall them later.

As the interview proceeds, pay close attention to the questions asked. Be direct and don’t avoid questions with vague answers. Give examples from your own experience to demonstrate knowledge in certain areas. Recall statistics or facts about the industry or marketing niche to show that you pay attention to trends and news.

And layer in questions that you have about the employer, ie. what they expect from you and what your goals should be if you get the job. An interview should be a conversation as much as possible. If it becomes too one-sided, it does not feel as natural as it should.

At the end of the interview, pay attention to the next steps. Make sure you get a business card from everyone you met with so that you’re able to properly follow up. Again, be polite and make eye contact as you say your goodbyes. And thank them for taking the time to meet with you.

Then take a deep breath as you leave the office behind and prepare for what comes next.

Have anything to add? Keep the conversation going in the comments below…

How to Land That Job – Part 5

/
help-wanted.jpg

As the hiring market picks up and new technologies put marketers in high demand, it is important to be ready to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. With that, welcome to our weekly blog series on getting that marketing job you’ve always wanted. Each week we will discuss a new tip or technique you can use to land that job you’re after. Last week’s topic was Do Your Research.

This week’s topic = Pitch an Idea

At this point, you have found a job that you’re interested in. You have prepared your resume and online portfolio to make yourself more attractive to the hiring manager. You have gotten an invitation to interview. And you’ve done research on the company to prepare for the interview.

Now, before you get to the interview, I have one more piece of advice that will help you stand out from other candidates - come up with an idea.

Assume for a second that you got the job. What would be one of the first things that you did? How could you impact the company in a positive way in your first day?

Answer that question for them in the interview. Present it in a way that shows you have done your homework and you see an opportunity that they might not have thought of before. It will demonstrate your value and creativity outside of standard interview answers to standard interview questions.

Here is an example:

Let’s say you apply for social media manager for a small apparel brand. In your research, you find that they are missing out on a key opportunity to develop a community on Facebook dedicated to sharing photos of people wearing the brand all over the world. So you create a proposal, as if you were a marketing firm trying to win their business, and pitch it to them during the interview.

Maybe they have heard that idea before. Maybe they hate the idea for one reason or another. But at least you got them thinking, and you showed them that you were already thinking about helping them grow their business.

Some companies will ask for this. Some will test your skills in other ways. But most will be completely caught off guard, in a good way, by a job applicant pitching them an idea.

Have anything to add? Keep the conversation going in the comments below…