Job Hunting Tips by Mark Kamien

As a recruiter with many years of experience supporting multiple industries, I have interviewed and hired thousands of qualified candidates and wanted to share some helpful job tips as you navigate along your career journey!

Remember the 3 Cs - "Calm, Cool and Confident"!

Hello LinkedIn Community!

Disclaimer - these tips are based on my experience within Talent Acquisition and Career Coaching and not meant as a final word on job hunting. I respect?everyone's opinions and just wish to share my own. They are meant to inspire, to help those searching for a new role. Of course, I welcome any comments and hope you find them useful.

Job Hunting Tip # 1 – How to use LinkedIn

LinkedIn can be a powerful tool in your job search efforts if it is used well. Network with people of a similar background, to share information?or to apply for a new role. However, be thoughtful?and strategic when you wish to connect with someone. Do not just click connect and hope they accept. Review someone's profile carefully, understand their background and what they do. In the note field, state why you wish to connect. When you give a reason, you are showing respect for someone's experience and time, and you are making not just a connection but starting a potential new professional relationship.?

It will be more powerful, more robust, and useful if you think before you connect. Your LinkedIn profile is your "Professional Brand" - Make it count!

Job Hunting Tip # 2 - Job Descriptions

Read Job Descriptions fully before you apply. They play an important part in outlining the qualifications that an organization feels is necessary for an individual to be successful. I do believe companies often need to be more open minded in their evaluation of candidates and should take everyone on a case-by-case basis looking beyond the resume to employ a diverse talent pool.?

However, candidates have a great responsibility?as well. READ the full job description, bullet point by bullet point. before you apply for a role. If a company is asking for 15 years of experience, then do not apply if you only have 5. There is a reason the organization is asking for 15 years, especially if it is a leadership role. If the role is asking for specific specialized tech skills that you do not have, then do not apply. Job hunting is at times very demotivating, depressing, and competitive. You do yourself a great disservice when you apply too quickly based on the job title or the first few lines before reading the description fully. Do not add to your job stress by applying to roles you are not qualified for because the title is what you had before. Read, Read, Read. It will lead to further disappointments, and you will wonder why you are not contacted if you do not do your own due diligence.

Be thoughtful, be strategic, be responsible?in your job search strategy. You are unique, you are qualified, and you are worthy of a distinguished career. Your mission is to find a role that aligns with your experience and talents. Set yourself up for success by being honest and transparent in your approach. Stick to the facts and when you interview, let your personality shine! You need to get there first and that starts with making a thoughtful decision before you hit apply!

Job Hunting Tip # 3 - Interviewing

Interviewing is the opportunity for you to tell your story - To explain why you are interested in the role and the organization.

It is also an opportunity for the candidate to interview the company as well - to ensure that it is a good fit for you at the same time the company is deciding if you are a good fit for them.

Be prepared - read the job description carefully - make notes of your experience so you can speak directly about your successes and how your experience achieved similar objectives. Look at Wikipedia and the website to understand company highlights and history and what they have achieved most recently. When a company asks why you are interested in working for them, give a specific example - They have a charitable?foundation that impresses you or they recently achieved a specific milestone. Providing a reason other than what relates to the job description will show them you have done research, and you are extremely interested in not only what they provide on a business standpoint?but what they do beyond those objectives. Have questions for them - A good question is "Why are you looking to fill this role now and what would be the immediate objectives you would wish me to achieve on a short- and longer-term basis?".?

An interview is your time to shine - be prepared, look your best, maintain good eye contact, be gracious, professional, and kind. Because of Covid- most interviews have been video calls - same rules apply, make sure your camera is working, be in a quiet room with no distractions, have a virtual simple background, dress your best, look into the camera and not at the screen to maintain that eye contact, Do your best!

Job Hunting Tip # 4 - Salary question

Regardless on when a company ask, either on the 1st or 3rd interview, the inevitable salary question will come up. Many candidates find this awkward to answer. First, keep in mind that no organization can ask about your past salary history or what you are currently making but it is fair for them to ask what your salary expectations are. Simply, this is a way for an employer to ensure your salary requirements fit within their "budget" and not waste time. Do not answer the question with a question. Candidates may answer, “What is your budget for the role?" and some companies will not tell you specifically. Some states now require a salary range to be posted in the job description. A great company will determine your salary based on your experience and the contribution you will make to them within the budget they allocated for this role.?

Be prepared for this question, do your research, know the market value for the role and city you are in, understand what companies are paying for comparable roles in the same city. Salaries may vary based on the cost of living in a specific area. A company should know the value of the role and make a fair, equitable offer based on your experience. For purposes of this tip, let us assume they do. I suggest an answer like this "Based on the level of my experience and my belief this opportunity and your company are aligned with my career and culture goals, I would like a base salary of $000,000" and then stop speaking. Be confident in your answer. Do not say - "Is that ok with you”? When an offer is presented, you can negotiate. Companies have different packages that may include bonus, sign on, equity, or other compensation outside of the base salary. Do not ask in the first interview what the full package is. Wait until an offer is made, then you can ask all the questions you want regarding compensation. One step at a time.?

Answer the salary question with confidence and enthusiasm and what will be will be.

Job Hunting # 5- Finally: The Offer

After many months and interviews, you finally have received an offer! Congratulations!

First - listen, be polite, gracious when getting the offer. Now is the time for you to get additional info on what the company provides. The?organization should be making you an offer that is within your salary range initially discussed during the interview process. The offer will be verbal, the recruiter or your new manager will be making it. They will tell you what your base salary is, the bonus potential if you achieve yearly goals, the benefits, paid time off, equity or stock options and when vested (if this is applicable).

If the offer is below what you asked for initially, then keep it simple. If you stated a certain base number earlier in the interview process, it is not professional or fair for you to ask for more money at the offer stage. Tell the person who made the offer that it is a bit below what your expectations are you would like $000 more to meet what you discussed before. Give them the opportunity to go back to determine if they can increase the offer. Companies may offer a sign on bonus to make up the difference or something comparable. Ask questions you may have about benefits and when they are in effect. Some packages require you to wait 30 days or may be effective immediately.?

After receiving the written offer, it is ok to wait 48 hours before you?give your answer. Review it carefully, and if yes, accept with professionalism, excitement?and enthusiasm?and thank them for their time. Before you give notice to your current company (if working), wait until any background checks are completed before you leave your present employment. Depending on the organization, the offer is contingent on a cleared background check, reference checks, drug screening (if applicable).

Once you accept, leave your old company with dignity and grace. Thank them for the learning?experience and you enjoyed working for them, but you accepted an offer with another organization that meets your future career goals. No need to tell them where if you do not want to as they will find out eventually. Assuming you do not have a non-compete agreement and going to a competitor, the organization should wish you well on your next career journey.?

Be thankful, be proud of yourself and do your absolute best each day!!??