If you are in active job search, an essential part of your job seeking skill set now includes learning how to make an impactful first impression through applying with a short video instead of, or as well as, the traditional CV and cover letter.

“New generations of job seekers are ditching traditional resumes in place of online videos, and an increasing number of employers are welcoming the shift”, reported Peter Hitchener and Justine Conway in a recent Channel 9 news report.

In my experience as a Job Search Coach, more and more of my clients are being asked to prepare videos. For example, when they apply for roles they receive an email at the start of or during the job application process, requiring them to click through and record themselves in order to be considered for a role and proceed to the next step.

Please don’t feel scared by this prospect. If done well, the video application is a great opportunity to showcase your strengths, passions and personality to potential employers. It’s being used by more and more employers who are looking for skilled job seekers.

To use this job seeking tool to your advantage, you need to be very well prepared. Here are my tips for helping you make a great impression when the application process includes recording a video.

Understand the Requirements of the Video Application

In some instances you will be required to answer a series of questions within a specific time period. This is your starting point. Make sure you know what is expected of you. Take the time to consider your answers to these questions. Practice saying them out aloud.

This SEEK article suggests there are four distinct categories of questions you are likely to be asked in a video interview, including:

1. An introductory question e.g. “Tell us a little bit about you?”
2. A motivation question e.g. “Why do you want to work for …?”
3. A technical question about your skills e.g. “Tell us about a time you have helped a customer?”
4. A personality question e.g. “What would you do if you didn’t have to work for a month?”

Consider Your Answers then Practice, Practice, Practice

As you consider your answers to these questions and prepare, think of what could be some of the key messages you would like to convey in the video. Think of some examples you can provide under a S.T.A.R. approach; this is an interview technique that gives you a straightforward format you can use to tell a story by laying out the Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

• Situation: Set the scene and give the necessary details of your example.
• Task: Describe what your responsibility was in that situation.
• Action: Explain exactly what steps you took to address it.
• Result: Share what outcomes your actions achieved.

And then practice, practice, practice. Because you may only have two minutes.

Be Just as Prepared for a General Video Introduction

If you’re asked to provide a general introductory video rather than answer specific questions, here’s some tips for how to approach this. You need to be just as prepared as if you were answering set questions. Start by considering the role and the key selection criteria. What attributes are they wishing to see and what skills do they want to know you have?

Once you’ve given this careful consideration, map out the key headlines you want to say about yourself. You may choose to write these down and have them handy as prompts when you record the video.

Do Not Rush

You will not make as good an impression in your video if you come across as rushed.Take the time to consider when you can record the video so you will not be interrupted by co-workers, your family, house mates, pets or noisy traffic outside your window. I know it may feel scary to record a video of yourself. It may be tempting to just ‘get it done’.

Please don’t rush or just ‘do it now’ because you want it to be over. Most hiring managers don’t want to hire someone who doesn’t take the time to think things through. Take a more methodical and considered approach.

Show Your Natural Speaking Style

While you could script your answers, and even use a teleprompter that you follow as you record the video, it is important to remember that the hiring manager is not just assessing your answers. They will also be viewing the video to assess your communication skills. The more natural you can be, the better indication you will give of what you’re really like.

Prepare Your Surroundings Before You Record

Make sure the area behind you is clean and uncluttered, and that there are no distracting or inappropriate objects visible in the background. Consider adding a plant or a piece of art to add some personality to the space.

Think About What You’re Wearing

Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Dress professionally and avoid busy patterns or colours that might be distracting on camera. Choose an outfit that makes you feel confident and comfortable, and remember that solid colours generally look better on camera than patterns or stripes.

Check Your Lighting

Natural light is ideal, but if that’s not available, make sure you have enough artificial lighting to illuminate your face without creating harsh shadows. Avoid having a window or bright light source directly behind you, which can make your face appear too dark.

Advantages of Recording Yourself on Video

Spark Hire is a leading video job interviewing platform used by more than 6,000 organisations of all sizes across the globe. Many Australian organisations are integrating Spark with their applicant tracking system, resulting in a quick and equitable candidate experience, with all candidates answering the same interview questions leading to fair evaluations and providing you with the ability to provide more context about your experience. In some cases it also means your application can be processed faster, which is always music to a job seeker’s ears.

Vpply is a web application that allows candidates to apply for jobs with a video profile. Their website reports that the concept of the video technology came from addressing the lack of human connection in the first stage of the hiring process – job search. Finding a job is challenging and Vpply wants to allow jobseekers to make an impactful first impression through applying with a short video instead of the traditional CV and cover letter.

While it may not replace your need to prepare a cover letter and resume in the job application process it is increasingly likely to be a requirement. For talent acquisition managers, recruiters and hiring managers, some of the video based jobseeker databases on the market can easily be searched, qualified and shortlisted, and may not just be a stand alone step in the hiring process for a specific role.

On LinkedIn I have seen this technology when my clients are applying for roles in HR, sales, marketing, and project management. LinkedIn’s skills demonstration feature enables you to answer a standardised question via writing or video. Job posters will see your response when they view your application. Job titles that have the option to demonstrate skills include a selection of HR, Sales, Project Management and Marketing. You can view the latest list via LinkedIn Help here.

If you’d like help preparing for your next job interview or the job application process, please contact me for an obligation free discussion.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post How to Prepare Your Video for the Job Interview Process appeared first on Letz Create.

The thought of actively looking for another job can be daunting. So often people wait until a redundancy before they make a change, because it’s been forced upon them. While it may be easier to stay where you are, if you are in an organisation that’s making structural changes or it’s difficult to progress your career with your current employer, then this article is for you.

When you are actively in ‘job search’ mode, there are many factors that can influence your success. Here are 7 steps to achieve success in your job search:

1. Cover Letter

Your cover letter is the number one tool that will help you get invited to an interview. Many people often overlook crafting a cover letter, yet it is the first piece of information a potential employer or recruiter will look at. It will assist the employer or recruiter to evaluate your suitability for the advertised role. When I work with clients on writing their cover letters for their job applications, we can spend as much time on the cover letter as the resume to ensure we get it right!

In this article I explore how to write a cover letter that gets you to the job interview.

2. Killer Resume

Recruiters and hiring managers see LOTS of resumes. What can you do to develop a killer resume? You must focus on developing a resume that powerfully demonstrates your suitability for the advertised position. This means tailoring the resume to every new opportunity you apply for. There are some protocols to follow when writing your resume, one of which is what to cover in the Professional Experience section.

For each role you must provide the following key points:

• Role title
• Name of organisation you worked for
• Dates of employment
• Key Responsibilities
• Key Achievements
• Scope / breadth of role (e.g. how many people reported to you, what geographic area did you cover, etc)
• Value of Budget or P&L you managed (if relevant)

3. LinkedIn Profile

Your LinkedIn Profile is how you will get found by recruiters on LinkedIn.  Make sure you have updated your career interests on your profile’s private dashboard, letting recruiters know you are open to being contacted. Your LinkedIn profile must contain information that is consistent with your job search goals. Provide readers with a sense of your areas of expertise, experience and professional approach.

When in active job search, the key area to focus on with your LinkedIn Profile include:

• Photo
• Summary
• Headline
• Experience
• Recommendations
• Skills
• Career Interests

Importantly, writing your LinkedIn profile is not as simple as cutting and pasting the professional summary, experience and education sections of your resume.

In this article you can learn more about the difference between a LinkedIn profile and your resume.

4. Interview

You should expect to be invited to a variety of different interview types as part of the job application process. This may include group settings, with a hiring panel, online, face to face, informal or formal interviews. The STAR interview method helps you answer interview questions by providing concrete examples or proof that you possess the experience and skills required for the job you are applying for.

STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. This method is particularly helpful in response to competency-focused questions, which typically start out with phrases such as “Tell us about a time when…” and “Share an example of a situation where…”

For many of my clients the interview is the part of the job search they fear the most. I support them with Interview Coaching which includes practice interviews where we develop the types of questions they may be asked for a particular job they’ve applied for, and we prepare and practice their answers.

In this article I share some tips on how you can stand out at your next job interview.

5. Networking

Networking has also changed considerably in the last few years. We have become more accustomed to online networking through a variety of platforms and more recently have returned to face-to-face networking. No matter which form of networking you are participating in, always follow up with connections you meet to form stronger relationships. Some ways you can do this include connecting via LinkedIn, sending an email or following up with a phone call to make a memorable impression.

With online tools such as LinkedIn and offline tools such as professional networking events, there are many ways to leverage your networks to help you during your job search.  It’s essential you develop a networking plan, and have practised how you describe where you are at and the types of roles you are looking for. You also need to be brave enough to seek the advice of other professionals who can assist you in achieving your career goals.

6. Recruiters

Recruiters are an important gatekeeper for some of the roles you will apply for during your job search. Importantly, most recruiters are not your career advisor (that’s what I am here for) and so you need to be sure that you meet with recruiters that are aligned to your values and have roles in the sector you wish to work in.  Ask trusted friends and colleagues in your industry (who may have recently changed jobs) which recruiters they would recommend you speak with.

In this article I explore what you need to know about a Career Coach vs a Recruiter.

7. Mindset

A positive mindset is essential when you are in active job search. The reason many people stay where they are, despite being unhappy and wanting to make a change in jobs, is because the job search process can be difficult. You are likely to receive some rejection emails or phone calls and sometimes absolutely no response at all. These can affect your confidence and mindset. You need to be mentally strong to overcome the negatives. Analyse the negative experiences and learn from them – what went wrong, what responses could you have used, what were you not prepared for, how could you have better prepared yourself?

You need to put yourself out there and be willing to experience setbacks. DO NOT GIVE UP! There is some work required to keep you in a positive state of mind, which I welcome the opportunity to explore further with you. Book a 15 minute Career Chat if you need some guidance in your job search.

If you are feeling stuck, here’s an article to help you get moving and take action!

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post 7 Steps to Achieve Job Search Success appeared first on Letz Create.

One of the main reasons for feeling nervous is the perception of the power imbalance. When being interviewed, some people feel their very survival (real or perceived) relies on them getting that job. What’s interesting about this power imbalance, where the recruiter or hiring manager holds most of the power and the candidate feels like a victim, is that this imbalance can be corrected and I’m going to show you how.

Please consider this… the person interviewing you would much rather you show your true self and be authentic in the interview, rather than the nervous you who acts like a deer caught in the headlights. An interview should be a two way conversation. It’s a chance to learn more about the organisation, the challenges of the role, the opportunities within the organisation, and what the day to day role really encompasses. Having some questions prepared for the interviewer can help flip the power imbalance and also give you a better insight into the organisation you’re hoping to work for.

Tackling Nerves

It’s really easy to allow your nerves get the better of you at interview. Appearing calm, confident and at ease will help you stand out. This can be achieved by preparing responses to common interview questions with examples to demonstrate your capabilities. When you are prepared it helps to settle your nerves. You will be more confident and also make a positive first impression. Your ability to ask the right questions in an interview will also help you perform better by redistributing the perceived power inequity and help you make better choices about your next role.

Flip Your Thinking

Let’s flip your thinking on this power issue and consider this. As a candidate, you have the power to help the person recruiting for the role solve a problem. You have skills, expertise and abilities that they want. The person interviewing you may have more at stake than you do because a bad decision on their part means significant and unnecessary cost and impact to their reputation within the company.

Be Authentic

To be successful in an interview you need to be authentic and present the best possible you. Stop thinking about how you ‘should’ behave in an interview and what the ‘right’ thing to say is and focus more on researching the company and considering what they’re looking for and how you best meet their requirements. Spend time thinking through and writing down examples of previous experience and scenarios that match what you are capable of and what they need. Think about how you would describe these examples in words you normally use, practice your delivery and focus on cultivating your inner strength. This will enable you to present a more comfortable and real experience for everyone at your next interview.

The Game Changer

And here’s the thing I really want to share with you, because it’s a game changer if you’re yet to try it. When you understand that an interview is a conversation that allows both of you to explore the possibility of you being part of or leading the team, then you will appreciate the value of asking questions. It’s a key way for you to show the real you, relax into the conversation and be more engaged with the interviewer.

While there will be some formality during the interview, there will also be opportunities to ask questions. If you see an opportunity, as you’re being asked questions on any of the topics below, ask whether you may please ask a question. If you’d prefer, you can wait until the end of the interview to ask your questions. Use your discretion as to what’s appropriate, and consider whether you want to work at an organisation where asking questions for clarity or further understanding is discouraged.

Questions to Ask at Your Next Job Interview

Here are some examples of the types of questions you may ask during a job interview. While you may prepare these in advance (in your head, at least), I encourage you to ask questions relevant to the conversation during the interview. The act of listening will be an asset if you use it to inform some of the questions you ask.

The Role

Examples of questions you may like to ask about the role include:

• Why has this position become available?
• What are the key responsibilities of this position, and do you expect them to change within the next year or so?
• What are the upcoming projects I’d be working on during my first few weeks?
• How will my performance be evaluated?

The Responsibilities

Open questions exploring the job description in more detail are a great way for you to assess the challenges and opportunities within this role. Some examples include:

• What are the key day-to-day responsibilities of the role?
• How does this role and responsibilities contribute to the success of the organisation?
• What training and support is provided to support new employees?
• Are there other departments would I be working closely with?

The Team

Asking about the team is also seen as an appropriate and engaging question. Learning more about the dynamics, culture and size of the team is a good starting point to determine if this position is the right fit for you. Some other questions you may consider asking include:

• How would you describe the team and organisational culture?
• Have the team members been with the organisation for a long time?
• How often does the team meet?
• What communication methods are used in the office and when working remotely?

Leadership Style

If your Manager is in the interview, it may be suitable to ask questions directly to them. If not, you can ask about who this role reports to and how they would describe this person’s leadership style. Some example questions for the interviewer include:

• What is the highlight of your career working at this organisation?
• How would you describe your leadership style or how do you manage your team?
• Have you been able to develop your career path with this organisation?

The Culture

This is where your pre-reading before the interview will help. Hopefully you’ve read the organisation’s annual report (if publicly available), made your way through their website and follow their updates on LinkedIn. Develop some questions based on what you’ve noticed about the company’s approach and plans based on what you’d like to know more about. You may like to ask:

• Are there plans for company growth or new developments in the pipeline in the next few years?
• What recommendations do you have for pursuing professional development and advancement at this company?

Perks

Rewards and remuneration are a focus in many industries right now as a way to attract great talent. Asking questions about employee benefits goes beyond remuneration and considers questions that may relate to remote and flexible work options. Many organisations also offer wellness programs. If you’ve done your research, you’ll be well versed on how they approach these elements. Prepare some questions based on your findings if this is relevant to your particular situation, for example:

• How does the organisation support employees with work-life balance?
• Does the organisation have any internal committees committed to employee wellbeing?
• What benefits are offered to employees?

Training Opportunities

Many organisations offer an induction program for new employees. You can ask questions like:

• What does your induction program look like for this role?
• Who will be training me?
• What ongoing training opportunities are provided?

Next Steps

As you come towards the end of the interview it’s absolutely to fine to ask what the next steps may be for their interviewing process. This will help you assess their timeline and how many other people they are interviewing. At the end of the interview you may also like to ask “Is there anything I need to add or clarify, to help you make your decision?” This is an especially important question if you are getting positive vibes in regard to whether this is the right job and company for you! You may also like to read my article, How to Stand Out at Your Job Interview.

Balancing the Power

Asking questions that are relevant to the role and your research, will help you assess:

• Is this the right role for me?
• Do I want to work for this company?
• Does it have the benefits and challenges I am looking for?
• Plus anything you can consider.

It’s how you determine whether this opportunity is just ‘a job’ or ‘the job’.

Interview Coaching

I know you need a job. What I want for you is the right job that matches your goals and aspirations, leverages your skills and experience, is located in the right company with values that align with yours, and has you working with co workers who’ll really ‘get you’. And it’s my belief, based on the many clients I’ve worked with who are in active job search, that if you use the suggestions I share about asking the right questions at your next job interview you’ll be in a much stronger position to assess if this is the right job for you. It’s also how you can balance out the power and reveal the real you in the interview.

If you are currently job searching and need some support with Interview Coaching, I encourage you to reach out. Click here to book a complimentary 15 minute Career Chat to learn more or share your challenges with me and together we can work on some strategies. I work with many clients and coach them through interviews to ensure they are prepared for that important interview and finding your career success. I partner with men and women to provide clarity and guidance on achieving a more satisfying career. I will support you until you get a job and can review your CV, prepare you for interviewing and help you navigate the open & hidden market to find your ideal job.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post The Importance of Asking the Right Questions at Your Job Interview appeared first on Letz Create.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post Podcast Ep 15: How the Jump Start Your Career Program landed Christina her new job. appeared first on Letz Create.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post Podcast Ep 14: Jumping from job to job leads to career success in real estate for Julia appeared first on Letz Create.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post Podcast Ep 13: The future of work is here now. Learn how to move forward. appeared first on Letz Create.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post Podcast Ep 12: How Alli positioned herself to achieve first place in her job search appeared first on Letz Create.

I was walking down the street and saw a little girl step out of the car. She brushed her dress down, flicked her hair and then stood up and looked out at life confidently with a ‘here I come’ attitude. She looked straight at me saying with her eyes, “don’t I look pretty in my dress”? She then proceeded to walk down the street, with her head high and a confident stride in her step.

Her attitude said

‘here I come world, watch out! I am here. Notice me because I will make a difference’!

All I could think of was ‘what if my clients brushed their clothes down and looked straight at their recruiters in the same way? Here I come, take notice’.

HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW

Here are my suggestions to help you prepare for your next interview. They will help boost your confidence so you can present the best version of yourself!

Prepare and Rehearse Your Answers

If you ask a friend or your career coach to work with you to prepare for the interview, you are well on the way to feeling more confident during the interview. It will take the pressure off by helping you rehearse potential interview answers. For more difficult or scenario based questions (e.g. ‘Tell me about a time you did this  . . ‘) I recommend you use the Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) technique. This involves following 4 key steps to answer a question about your skills and experience.

1. Situation: Open with a brief description of the Situation and context of the story (who, what, where, when, how).
2. Task: Explain the Task you had to complete highlighting any specific challenges or constraint (e.g. deadlines, costs, other issues).
3. Action: Describe the specific Actions that you took to complete the task. These should highlight desirable traits without needing to state them (initiative, intelligence, dedication, leadership, understanding, etc.)
4. Result: Close with the result of your efforts. Include figures to quantify the result if possible.

Be Kind to Yourself Before the Interview

Before the interview it is very important to speak to yourself with compassion, like a best friend, and dispel any critical thoughts that stand in your way. Positive self-talk can be a very helpful boost for your confidence.

Use Breathing Techniques to Boost Confidence

At the heart of confidence is feeling relaxed, so breathing and mindfulness exercises are helpful. Stay present by focusing on your breathing just before an interview. This will help calm nerves and still your mind. Focus on the present moment, either by concentrating on your breathing or on body sensations, for a few moments. It will help calm you down. In the interview also remember to speak slowly, as we tend to rush when we are nervous. Don’t be afraid of silences. Sometimes leaving pauses in your sentences will help you command the situation better.

Build Rapport

You should aim to connect with the interviewers, not just impress them and so if you come across as likeable and focus on building rapport with your interviewer rather than impressing him or her. Building rapport can be done in a number of ways, including matching body language, using similar language and finding a general topic to discuss to get the conversation going.

Sell Yourself

Once the interview is under way and the conversation is flowing, don’t be afraid to sell yourself. People worry about appearing arrogant but the interview panel are not mind readers and do not automatically know what you have to offer, so it is up to you to tell them. The STAR method gives you the structure to answer questions. If you focus on building rapport, remain calm, approach the questions with confidence and remember to smile, you will feel good and present very well.

What do you need to do to make a difference?

It is my hope that this story of the confident little girl and my suggestions will encourage you to approach life your next job interview with a little more confidence.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post How You Can Make a Difference in Your Next Interview appeared first on Letz Create.