What are the biggest job search challenges you face?

Identifying the right job and organization is like trying to find the perfect puzzle piece that fits just right! ?? Introspection is key. Think about what really excites you and aligns with your skills. Research is your best friend! Look into job descriptions, company cultures, and industry trends. Location can be a game-changer. If you're open to relocation, you might discover opportunities in unexpected places. Remember, job searching is an adventure ??. Be open to exploring alternative paths and evolving your criteria. Your dream job might be in a field you've never considered or in a place you've never explored. ??

Understanding ourselves, our interests, and our passions is crucial. Equally important is recognizing our constraints and limitations, and exploring ways to overcome them. This self-awareness is essential for identifying suitable job opportunities and ultimately succeeding in our chosen career path.

As a staffing industry veteran, I can't tell you how many times candidates go on an interview and don't ask enough questions about the company, job, team, culture or expectations of the role. The evaluation of a new job is a two way street. Candidates and clients both need to ask questions. Here are a few questions the candidate can ask: What are the most important skills needed for this job? How would you breakdown the weekly job responsibilities in terms of a percentage of time? What could I expect for the first month on the job in terms of orientation, training, tasks, and deliverables? What is the experience level and size of the team? What does success look like in this role, and what criteria is used to measure it?

To identify the job search scope, ask yourself these questions: 1. Job titles you're interested in based on transferable skills 2. Geographic locations to target: remote, hybrid, local, national, or international 3. Salary expectations matching what peers in the region make 4. Industries that your skills and expertise align with 5. Type of organizations: small, medium-sized, enterprise, government, non-profit, etc.

Helping thousands of marketers identify and secure the right roles has helped me recognize some powerful perspectives when navigating the job search. 1. Focus on what you CAN control -> some key 'controllables' include: your positive mindset, documenting your value, interview preparation & performance, showing your drive & resourcefulness 2. A job search is a campaign -> there is a requirement for proper planning, identifying the right target audience, setting objectives, KPIs and targets-and be prepared to measure and optimize what is not working. 3. People hire people, not paper or profiles -> Avoid the easy apply. Contact hiring managers/HR teams for a conversation or share an intro video with an accomplishment summary/walkthrough.

When creating a resume and cover letter consider: - Specific deliverables, measurable outcomes, goals, results and timelines - Focus on people, processes, systems and provide examples - Emphasize specific methodologies, policies, procedures, and trainings you've received For leadership positions show examples in: - Planning - Execution - Decision Making - Vision Creation - Reporting - Directional Support Share impactful accomplishments: - Cost Reduction - Process Improvement - Time Savings

This is great Chui. I totally agree. I would add - keep your format SIMPLE. Like, 1995 called and wants their resume format back. Well - almost - not 100%, but you get the picture! In this competitive market, to be sure to get through ATS systems, have as clean a document as possible. Save your fancy one for when you show up and hand it out at the interview!

Cover letters are good, I have a generic one I use for a role that is very generic in its description, as my CV has all the skills within it. For a more specialist role I ensure I expand and personalize the letter. However again, agencies, recruiters and companies advertising roles, do they actually read them, I am not quite so believing on this. This is due to when having a conversation with one of the above they ask questions that show the letter wasn't read at all. It takes time to apply for roles, respect should be shown to those that have taken that time.

It is not only about crafting effective resume and cover letters that showcase your value, but you have to also learn how to do it in an intercultural context. For example, if you are applying at a Danish company where the hiring manager is likely Danish, learn how to communicate it in their cultural language (not the actual Danish language). We tend to forget about cultural communication differences when it comes to presenting our value to the country that we are applying to. Learn how to craft your CV in the country's typical "style format" and letter.

In Denmark, we have something called "coffee meetings" which is a way/form of networking. It is simply about connecting with them in some form or fashion (email, LinkedIn, etc) where you express why to meet with them. Offer to pay for their coffee if you are meeting them in person. Remember that networking is about gaining insights and knowledge so don't come off directly saying "I'm looking for a job, please help me." Focus on what insight that you want to gain and then if the topic naturally comes up, then bring it up organically but not in the beginning as begging for a job can be a put off to Danish hiring managers as being desperate. Show your value and be precise at what you will be discussing.

Networking is so important yet not understood by many! When networking, avoid being very straightforward to ask for that job offer. You want to show more of what your personality is about - that you care to genuinely make friends and impact. You should start up conversations from what the person likes to talk about to avoid being awkward. But before then, you want to make sure that you have followed this person's socials and find out their interests. Imagine if someone meets you and says, "I read that article you wrote last week on ... and I loved every bit of it especially ... Do you think that ...? The person would be more than excited to talk about this with you.

For those of us on the shyer side, here's a trick: Start by attending industry-related events or webinars. You can strike up conversations with fellow attendees who share your interests, making the initial approach less intimidating. Also, don't underestimate the power of your current connections. Your friend, Jane, might know someone at that dream company you're eyeing! Remember, networking isn't just about asking for favors; it's about building genuine relationships. So, be sincere, listen actively, and offer help when you can. It's a two-way street! And finally, consistency is key. Don't just connect once; keep those lines of communication open. Who knows where that initial "Hello" might lead? Good luck out there.

‐ Connect with hiring managers, recruiters, and influencers on LinkedIn - Find private groups specific to job seekers, recruiters and HR professionals - Send targeted messages emphasizing relevance and why you should be their LinkedIn connection - Repost timely content on your feed during peak times on LinkedIn

Hi there, My name is Mark Raynard... A Father of 3 boys and a Husband. I've been struggling to find work, and its now caused and causing a turmoil in the family, with no money for Bills, Food for the kids etc. Please, im not sure if my approach is correct, but I have been really trying to reach out. Please can you help me. Thank you kindly Mark Raynard 0612322633

2 questions to practice: What do you consider to be your biggest failure? Think about a small hiccup you have had at work or an instant where you felt like you were being challenged. Now give it a positive spin. Talk about how you overcame the challenge, what you learned from the mistakes, and how it helped you to grow as an individual. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? There’s no right or wrong answer to this question however, make sure your answer reflects your personality, passions and strengths. In 5 years most likely you want to be an expert in your field. Meaning, it could earn you awards, kudos, and recognitions so, discuss relevant major milestones you like to attain in the next 5 years.

You should have at least 3 questions written for yourself to ask at the end of the interview or when asked if you have any. The obvious is 1 -What are the next steps in this process. The next 2 questions should be targeted around the role being applied for, ie - You mention that this project is time critical, this wasn't mentioned during the interview, could you please advise what is meant by that. If all of your prepared questions have been covered during the interview, advise that by saying you covered my questions on X,Y & Z during our interview, thank you The question where do you see yourself in 5 years should only be asked if interviewing for a permanent role and if the company can support growth for the person.

How to know your worth: - Before you go into an interview, have an idea of the salary scale for the role. Check if it’s specified in the job description, if not, do research on pay for that sector, the industry, and how similar companies compensate their employees for the same role. Be informed of your answer before the interview. - You can also ask the interviewer what their pay rate is like for a similar role – because if you’re out of range than what they are willing to pay, be prepared to explain why and how you would add value utilizing your experience and skills. - Use Glassdoor to uncover what other professionals like you are getting paid so you can negotiate with confidence.

It is always good to understand what day rates and salaries re where you are applying, these can differ between regions. You should always have the figure in your head that you need to be able to live, not barely survive. If possible before proceeding to interview find out the salary banding for the role, this saves wasting peoples time if it is too low for your needs, it also helps a company understand if they are correctly paying the current market rates. Benefits for any role are great but they don't pay bills.

A lot of people are intimidated by the prospect of negotiating because they've never done it before. Please know that it's a totally normal thing to do, and a totally important thing to do! If you don't do it when you have the chance, the opportunity may not come around again until you land your next offer. Prepare yourself well so you can be confident in the conversation. It'll help you get what you want!

It's not about avoiding rejection but learning to navigate and grow stronger through it. Recently, I worked with a client who faced multiple rejections and felt disheartened. By helping them focus on feedback, we identified areas for improvement and highlighted their unique strengths. This shift in perspective transformed their approach, leading to eventual success in landing a position that truly aligned with their skills. Remember this: Rejection is a stepping stone, not a roadblock! Stay resilient, learn, and keep moving forward!

Due to the current job market in NZ and UK, rejection rates are very high, companies and recruiters are sending out the same Thanks but NO thanks letters. This isn't personal, this is how they ensure you are advised that you didn't make the cut. When you have received allot of these it is very hard to keep applying for roles. So take a day off job hunting and do something different, something that makes you smile, this can help improve you mindset and mood. I only allow myself 60mins of job hunting and applying each morning, then I get on with other things. This helps to keep me busy and staying positive. Outside of my job applying window, I do reply to emails and deal with calls about roles but I am not sitting awaiting on a call.

I think it is very difficult for job seekers now days. We live in a very competitive market and jobs advertised attracts a very huge numbers. Hiring agencies and managers have resorted to using either AI filters or software that merely search for key words to filter through. Very rarely candidates receives any form of feedback other than a standard response that we have decided to continue with other candidates. This lack of specific candidate feedback is the very reason every one applies. And finally, I have had a privilege to job search and hire. Job profiles are vague and too general. I have had people seeking advice and I look at the profile and literally anyone with a degree and experience could apply.

It's important that you continue working towards the goal that you set. These days, in the job market, rejection and ghosting are rather frequent. Nevertheless, we need to learn to go forward with a positive attitude while improving our skills and CV. Despite applying frequently, I only had 2 interviews and 15 emails in response to my online applications. This email, which says, "Thank you for your interest in our company, unfortunately, we can't process further with your job application," motivates me even more to learn how to change, adapt, and forward with my job search. Finally, I would like to wish all of the job seekers out there luck and positivity.

I think a positive attitude and frame of mind is key to resilience. I like to believe that the right thing happens at the right time - and there is a reason for not getting a role - that's because there is something better out there that hasn't yet been advertised or I haven't yet interviewed for. The Universe likes to test us ... and if we hang in there and keep positive we reap the rewards eventually. Focus on the things you can control. Don't waste energy on what is outside of your control. Take the opportunity to learn more about yourself, to learn something new, connect with new people - or reconnect with people you haven't talked to for a while. Keep positive and know that it's all playing out like it should be.

The job market can be highly competitive, with many applicants vying for the same positions. To overcome this, focus on differentiating yourself: 1. Tailor your resume and cover letter to match each job application 2. Leverage your network for referrals or introductions to key decision-makers. 3. Highlight your unique skills and experiences that set you apart from other candidates. Entry-level candidates often struggle with limited experience 1. Showcase transferable skills, internships, volunteer work, or personal projects on your resume. Highlight your willingness to learn. Anxiety during interviews can affect performance. 1. Practice with mock interviews, research common interview questions. Prepare thoroughly to boost your confidence.