Blog, Resumes

It can be exceptionally hard for some people to talk about themselves during a job interview. Conversely, being a braggart doesn’t exactly do you any favours either — after all, you’re walking a fine line between modesty and underselling. 

When the potential employer inevitably asks you to talk about your greatest strengths and assets, though, you can’t exactly sit there and stare blankly. A little bragging is almost required, but it matters most what you brag about. 

Here are the best ways to talk yourself up during a job interview. 

Know What They’re Looking For

If you’re being interviewed, chances are you’re not the first or last of the day. There’s a reason the questions are so uniform: they help the interviewer cross off certain mental checklists. 

As such, there are some keywords you might want to include. Often, the job posting includes what you need — words like creativity, trustworthiness, discipline, patience, and dedication.

People, however, are not search engines. You may benefit from not actually saying the words but demonstrating them. 

Show, Don’t Tell

The principles of storytelling apply just as well to job interviews as they do screenplays and novels. This can be a little complicated for those who aren’t natural-born storytellers, but it helps to think in those terms. If your life was a movie or book, what character arc would you use to explain your goals?

This can help you avoid using keywords that make you sound a little too practiced. Instead of saying you’re dedicated, try telling an anecdote that exemplifies your dedication. 

Remember that it’s important how you brag about your work. The stories you tell at a job interview should always have a purpose. In this case, it helps not to bury the lede. An example may be:

”I’d say one of my greatest strengths is bringing order to hectic environments. At my last job, I [anecdote about leadership].”

Keep It Brief

Just as important as what you brag about is how long you think a potential employer is willing to listen to you drone on about yourself. Have some consideration for the interviewer — they likely have a lot of meetings to get through. 

Particularly when it comes to any questions related to personal past accomplishments or pride, you want to limit yourself to no more than 90 seconds. Any longer and you may notice the interviewer make notes in their margins you would probably not want to read. 

Be Memorable

Making an impression while keeping things short sounds like a contradiction, but there’s a fine art to such answers. Fortunately, being memorable doesn’t require you to tell any jokes, though many try anyway. 

Typically, joking is not recommended. Even if you have a previous relationship with the interviewer, it could go wrong in many ways.

A better way to be memorable is to focus on a skill or asset that’s rarely covered in job interviews, something genuinely unique about you that they may have never heard before. 

Kenny Hedges | Contributing Writer

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Blog, Personal Development

No one said searching for a job was simple, but social networks like LinkedIn make it a lot easier. So, you set up your LinkedIn profile, but you’re not landing the interviews and opportunities you were hoping for — don’t worry, you are not alone. 

Similar to a resume, your LinkedIn profile is an opportunity to showcase yourself and all of the incredible skills you have to offer. That being said, simply setting up a profile is not enough. Self-marketing can sometimes feel egotistical. However, by neglecting personal branding, you may be passing up opportunities to grow. Building a perfect LinkedIn profile is the first step to ensure no opportunity is missed. 

To build up your LinkedIn profile, follow these simple steps: 

Add Your Headshot

Choosing the right photo builds credibility. A high-quality headshot is recommended, with your face taking up about 60 per cent of the photo. Dress as if you were attending an interview, and, of course, be sure to smile! iPhones and Androids take high-resolution pictures, so no need to spend a small fortune on professional headshots. 

The Headline

Following your photo, your headline is the first thing profile visitors will notice. The default settings will automatically fill this field with your current title, which is okay for newcomers, but with 120 characters available to you, why not use the space for advertising yourself? Consider mentioning your specialty to show how you can benefit a company or client. 

Craft a Summary

Think of a summary as a longer version of your headline. Here you have 2,000 characters; however, attention spans are shorter these days, so try and keep it to around half that number. Focus less on past experiences and more on how you can benefit a prospective employer. Keywords are crucial here, so use words relevant to your field. 

Highlight Your Experience

Unlike a resume, your experience displayed on LinkedIn is not confined to the one-page rule. However, keeping in mind those short attention spans, determine which jobs and experiences are most relevant to your targeted field. Use two to four interesting bullet points to outline what you accomplished in each position — don’t be afraid to brag a little! 

Start Making Connections

This one may seem obvious, but it is easy to forget. LinkedIn is meant to help you continually grow your network through its system of first-, second-, and third-degree connections. Try and keep it to people you know. However, if you want to connect with someone you have never met personally, send a note along with the request stating why you’d like to connect. 

Be Active 

LinkedIn is the number one online social networking platform — take advantage of it! Check out what others in your field post and engage their interest with reflective comments to show your interest. When it is time to share your work, engaging with others will increase the likelihood for reciprocation from your connections. 

Check Your LinkedIn Profile Strength

If you feel as though you missed a step, look at your current profile. You will see a gauge on the right-hand side titled “Profile Strength.” This tool will show how much progress you have made and what else you must complete in order to boost your profile. 

Brooke Parker | Contributing Writer

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