6 Key Steps For Successful Remote Interviews

remote interviewing

While hiring has slowed, it hasn’t stopped altogether. Many employers are still recruiting – they’re conducting remote interviews.

Here are six steps to nailing those remote interviews and landing the job you want.

Your setup

Sit down and turn your camera on; what can be seen? 

Arrange your face in the middle of the screen. Check the position or height of your laptop to get the angle correct, so you’re not looking down at the camera. Take a look around the room. Make sure there is no clutter, and organize the area. 

Be aware of noise or distractions that might interrupt you, such as housemates in the kitchen or pets. Find a quiet space that allows you to focus.Be prepared for remote interviews with these 6 steps.

Try a test run

With so many video conferencing platforms, it’s easy to get confused. Whether it’s Webex, Zoom, Skype, or Teams, practice with a friend to learn the platform used.

There is nothing worse than your connection freezing halfway through the interview, be sure to check that your internet is working correctly. 

Keep calm is things go wrong. Have a backup plan in place. Ask for the interviewer’s mobile number or email address in case of any technical difficulties throughout the interview.

Get organized  

Prepare some answers to possible interview questions. Keep them brief so you can speak freely and naturally in the interview.

Maintain eye contact with your interviewer, and place your notes in sight, but not directly in front of you. 

You may also need to refer to your CV. It would be helpful to have it on hand.

Dress the part

It sounds a bit silly, but do get fully dressed – not only is it professional, but it also puts you in the right frame of mind to have a formal conversation.

Show your personality

Let your warmth and humor shine through.

Relax, laugh, and use hand gestures and body language to tell a story just like you would in person (be sure you give yourself enough space to do this during your practice run, so you don’t knock anything over!)

Send a follow-up email

Make sure to send a follow-up email to your interviewer to thank them for meeting with you. Consider including a few points you spoke about in your interview to remind them of your discussion.

You might also share additional thoughts on the point of discussion or a few ideas for what you’d do in the role. This extra effort shows the interviewer how serious you are about wanting the position. It might just be the additional momentum you need to edge out the other candidates and get the job.

Have questions? Contact us; we would love to help! 

This article was originally published May 2020 and has been recently updated. 

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6 Questions to ask a recruiter before your interview

lady on phone

In today’s busy world, it takes time for recruiters to reach out to potential applicants. You could have applied for a job weeks ago or just yesterday, either way, you need to be prepared when they call. While on the phone with a recruiter, don’t forget to ask these 6 questions while you’re on the phone. 

Even if it only lasts 5 minutes, the call is essential and more important than the job interview. Why? First impressions are unforgettable; this is your chance to show who you are. Here are the sixc Questions you Should Ask the Recruiter

It’s also a perfect time to ask any questions about the job so you can be prepared for the interview.

Here are the 6 questions to ask the job recruiter

1. Do you work for the hiring company?

There are two types of recruiters. It’s essential to know the difference between each one. An internal recruiter works directly with the company that looking for someone to hire. In contrast, an external recruiter works as a third party, acting as a go-between for the hiring company and the job candidates.

Knowing the difference will help determine which questions you might ask and will provide insight into the answers you receive. For instance, an internal recruiter could have more information about the company’s culture; however, talking with an external recruiter, you might also ask about other available job opportunities. 

2. Who’s the ideal candidate for this role?

Want an advantage with the interview? Ask the recruiter about the company’s ideal employee. You could reference the job posting, but the recruiter will likely have more intel. Take plenty of notes, and don’t be afraid to ask more questions. You can use this information to decide if this position is a good fit for you.

3. How quickly do you want to fill this position?

Sometimes it takes a few weeks to hear back after your interview. You can better understand how long the process could take by asking how quickly a company’s looking to fill a position. 

4. How would you best describe the company’s culture?

Before going into an interview, you’ll want to research a company’s culture to see if it would be a good fit for you. The most effective way to do this is to review a company’s website and check out social media, but it can be challenging to pick up the vibe from behind a screen.

So when you have a recruiter on the phone, ask. A recruiter will be able to provide some additional insight.

5. What’s the starting salary range?

 This is a great question for a recruiter but can be tricky. The goal of this initial conversation is to determine if the company is a good fit for you and vice versa. Why continue with the interview process if the company can’t pay you what you need?

Use your best judgment to find an appropriate time to ask during the conversation. If you do, be delicate with the way you ask the question. Try something like: “I want to make sure this position fits my needs. Do you have information on compensation? A starting salary range?”

It’s not uncommon for a recruiter to ask about your salary expectations, so be prepared to answer that question when asked.

6. What are the next steps?

The most critical question you need to ask is, “What are the next steps?”

Ask about how long the interview process typically takes, if any travelling will be a part of the position, and if there is anything else they’ll want from you. This is important in determining if the opportunity is right for you and is worth your time. 

Are you looking for more information besides these 6 questions? Contact us today. 

 

This article was originally published in April 2020 and has been recently updated. 

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Hire an Interview Coach. It’s worth it

interviewing

Why Hire an Interview Coach?

Do you sweat and stress out when you think about your upcoming interview? Has this happened to you while sitting in front of your potential employer? 

Good news; you are not alone. Job interviews are stressful, no matter how much experience you may have. Meeting new people, in general, is nerve-racking enough, not to mention the questions that go hand in hand with any interview, “Tell me about you,” “Can you remember a time when,” and everyone’s favorite “What are your weaknesses”… plus, your dream job could slip through your fingers with one wrong response. No big deal, right?

Without preparation, It’s a pretty big deal. This is not the time to recruit friends or family to role-play with you; instead, hire an interview coach. HIre an Interview Coach, Hire a Local Interview Coach, Hire a Local Interview Coach, Omaha, NE

Interview Coaches will help you reduce the sweat and stress from interviewing. You will work closely with your coach in mock interviews and receive real-time feedback. If you have an area that you need to work on, like small talk, body language, or confidence, your interview coach can help. 

Reasons why it’s worth hiring a coach:

Learn to Phone screening

This is stage zero of the job interview process. If you can’t make it past the phone screen, you are not getting a real chance. 

Whether the call was scheduled or not, your coach can help you build confidence and interview skills to keep moving forward. 

Practice and Perfect Your elevator pitch

Crafting your elevator pitch is intimidating if you are entering the workforce or a seasoned professional. How can you summarize your experiences, hopes, and dreams in 30 seconds? 

Now would be a great time to call your interview coach. They will work with you to perfect your elevator pitch. You will not only be able to use this for interviews but for years to come at networking events, in your LinkedIn profile, and during phone screenings. 

Answer the “Tell me about a time” Question.

Behavioral interviewing is one of the most common interview styles. It’s crucial that during the behavioral interview, you can think on your feet. You will need to recall multiple specific experiences and connect those experiences back to a question while exhibiting your most positive skills and attributes. 

Your coach can help you gain more confidence and feel comfortable during a mock interview. If you tell them you want to focus on behavioral interviewing, they can tailor questions to help you practice your response.  

Learn why you are ‘Second Best’

You always make it to the final round of interviews but never get the offer. Are you curious as to why this happens and where the disconnect is? You could ask the hiring manager for feedback, which can be uncomfortable. 

Reach out to your interview coach. They are trained to assist you with interview techniques, so you stop receiving no and start hearing yes!

Hire an Interview Coach for Salary Negotiations

After receiving the job offer, you are so excited that you forget or are too nervous to talk about salary. Maybe you want to but are unsure of how to start the conversation. Most companies nowadays expect you to negotiate a salary, so it’s worth your time to learn proper techniques. 

Practice your negotiation skills. Or, if you have no idea where to start, ask your interview coach. Your coach is there to help you with tips, tricks, and key phrases that will empower you to get the salary you desire. 

Once you have received professional guidance from your interview coach, you will be prepared and ready to walk into the room confidently- no matter how tough the questions might be.

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Why Your Job Search Is Not Working

job searching not working

Have you been spending hours, days, and months of job searching, and you keep coming up empty-handed? Have you been blaming the economy on the lack of job replies or feeling like everyone else is struggling too? Do you ask yourself why your job search is not working? We can help you improve your results with simple changes that will greatly impact your job search strategy. 

If your job search is not working, here are the mistakes to avoid

Job Applications

Not all applications are created equal. Most online job boards send you down a rabbit hole, wasting your time and taking you away from your goal of finding a job.  Did you know that 80% of vacant positions are filled without advertising? Some companies are even required to post jobs, even if they fill them internally.  Why Your Job Search is Not Working. Let Heartland Resumes help!

These jobs are filled by an employee or referral from the company’s existing database of potential candidates or by an internal employee, or even by a stranger whose resume arrived at the perfect time or through professional recruiters.

 A more effective use of your time would be to walk away from online job boards and educate yourself on the companies that might hire someone with your skills.

What you should do:

Make a list of companies you want to work for and write a letter or email explaining why you would be a great candidate. Include a copy of your resume with a cover letter. This strategy is much more effective if you can reach the company’s decision-makers rather than the HR department. In most cases, with some good internet research skills, you can find their names. Using Linkedin to see if you know people who work for the company you want to get into is another excellent resource for getting your resume into the right hands. 

Job Searching Blind

 Lewis Carroll said, “if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.” Flying blind when applying for jobs will always fail. 

The goal is to find a job you enjoy and get paid, right? So why not take the time to define the type of job you want so you don’t end up taking a job for a short time and having to start the job search process all over again? 

What you should do:

Identify your perfect job. Does the company culture align with my goals? What type of work will you be focusing on?  Are the people you will be directly working with like-minded? The more specific you are, the easier it will be to execute an effective job search.

“Cookie-Cutter” Resume

Does your resume set you apart? When you read it, is it compelling and communicates why the employer should interview you? Have you spent time targeting your resume toward the jobs you are applying for?

You should consider rewriting your resume if you didn’t answer “yes” to any of the questions.  There are many free options for this online if you don’t know where to start, but you will have a more significant impact if you hire a professional resume writer. 

What you should do:

Reach out to a professional resume writing service. A well-crafted resume will improve your chances tenfold and ensure your odds of landing a job quickly. 

Are You On LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is the top business networking site globally and is the primary source of candidates for recruiters. They scour the site looking for people searching for their dream job.

You owe it to yourself to establish a LinkedIn profile to make as many useful connections as possible and fully utilize all the available job search tools.

What you should do:

For some tips on writing an excellent LinkedIn profile, let us help you! 

 Want More Information? 

Please read our blog on the three most effective job search strategies in 2020

This article was originally published in April 2020 and has been recently updated. 

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Creating a Resume with no work experience

lady on computer

Resume with limited or no work experience

First-time job seekers applying for jobs face a similar challenge: no work experience to prove they’re qualified. Most hiring managers or recruiters review work history as one of the best ways to predict future job performance.

So what can you do when you don’t have work experience? Maybe you’re fresh out of school or trying to change careers – it might be a bit tricky, but with these tips, you can still create an impressive entry-level resume.

Short and Sweet ResumeLooking to create a resume with no Work Expereince? Heartland Resumes and our professional writers, can help.

Most resumes have two pages, but this could be silly when you don’t have the experience to fill the pages. Keep things short and easy to read on one page, so your best achievements and skills can stand out to hiring managers.

Transferable skills

List anything work-related that comes to mind. Emphasizing your transferable skills will help in two ways: Build your confidence in what you have done and show the value you bring to the organization. 

Life experiences, volunteer work, time management, computer skills, and education are valuable skills you can highlight to potential employers. Remember to include any awards or academic honors you have won.

Be practical 

When changing careers, you can’t expect to land at the same level you were at, and if you are a new job seeker, you won’t be starting with any senior titles. Don’t look at any job as beneath you. You could be surprised that even an entry-level position can have a lot of room for advancement within a company.

Stay positive!

Seeing a long list of qualifications can discourage new job seekers, but most of the time, these are wish lists rather than firm requirements. Don’t be afraid of applying if you are missing 2-3 off the list! Writing a great cover letter or using a professional cover letter writing service is the best way to stand out from the crowd and convince an employer you can quickly learn the skills they need.

Keep learning

If you lack experience now, it won’t be that way for long! It would be best if you were always looking for ways to improve. Internships, volunteering, courses, and personal projects are great ways to acquire new skills and make connections to build your network. Your most valuable asset is the drive for knowledge and a positive attitude. And when you are ready to add those experiences to your resume, contact our professional resume writers! 

 

This article was originally published in April 2020 and has been recently updated. 

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Tools for a Career Change

new career

Practical Tools for a Career Change (Successfully!)

Changing Career Paths

From a young age, we set our sites on careers that are frequently not practical as adults, leaving us to contemplate a different career path. Reasons for this change can be vastly different from one person to the next, but the idea of changing your career can be intimidating. 

Before choosing to switch careers, it could be helpful to evaluate your current position. What are the things you found intriguing when you first took the job, and what are your main concerns today? This process could help determine if you need to explore more options in your current career or change paths entirely.Tools for a Career Change, Tools for a Successul Career Change Omaha, Changing careers in Omaha, Resume Writer Omaha, Local Resume Writer

Here are a few simple tools for changing careers

  • Understanding your current job satisfaction. It’s important to know about your current job you like and dislike. While evaluating why you dislike your job, consider whether it involves the work itself, company culture, or the people. Figuring out you’re ‘why’ will go a long way when it’s time for the change. 
  • Core values, skills, and interests. Reviewing your current and past roles, jobs, projects, or volunteer work can help identify what skills and interests are most important to you. Taking time to evaluate your core values and learning what skills and interests you want from your next career will make the transition more meaningful. Resources are available online to help you learn more about your core values, skills, and interests. Check out the Life Values Self-Assessment Test. This is a great tool to determine your core values. Another valuable resource is Careerfitter. This test offers a comprehensive career profile that helps you determine what path is right for you. 
  • Go big, but know what it takes to get there. If your current job is as an electrician, but you want to be a college professor, know that you may significant schooling and experience you will need before you get to that end goal. Carefully think through this and make sure it’s worth your time.
  • Increase your knowledge. Consider ways to learn new skills in your current job that are related to the type of position you want to be in. Most companies offer internal training, so take advantage of it. Sign up for as many as you can. These skills can provide you with the experience your new career may be looking for without returning to school.
  • Don’t quit your day job. Understanding this may not be an option for everyone, but if you can avoid it, do. Staying focused on finding a new career works best when you are not worried about when your next paycheck is coming. If you get laid off, think about taking a short-term position until you can fully transition into the career you want. 

After using these simple tools and you are ready to start applying for jobs, the next step is to hire a professional resume writing company to ensure your cover letter reflects your values and aspirations and your resume focuses on your new goals. Contact the Resume Experts at Heartland Resumes today! 

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Job Search Strategies- The 3 Most Effective

job search strategies

People are changing jobs 10-15 times during their professional careers. How can you stay ahead of the crowd with so many people transitioning from job to job? 

Every person’s job search strategies are different, but you could streamline your process with these three strategies to get hired faster. 

Online Job SearchingJob search strategies.

Most people search for jobs online using general search terms. Specific search terms provide better results. For example, if you are looking for a human resources job, use terms like “human resources coordinator St. Paul” to specify the location you are looking for.

Using specific keywords like the above in Google will take you directly to posts from organizations using similar keywords, thanks to Google’s job search platform. 

You may also run into other platforms such as Glassdoor, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter. These sites are designed to pull together relevant job ads based on your search terms. 

Some of the platforms allow you to apply directly online or provide you with a link back to the hiring organization’s website. Be sure to have your cover letter and resume up to date before you start applying. 

Referrals and Networking

Searching for a job online is a great tool, but networking and referrals are your bread and butter if you are looking for your dream job. At least 70% of job opportunities aren’t posted on a companies website. In most cases, a company will reach out to staff and ask for referrals if there is a need to fill a role. Networking is the best way to obtain information, get advice, and potentially get a referral. The key is to develop and maintain your network actively. 

Some ways to do that are: 

  • Frequently attend networking events. 
  • Volunteer. Getting involved in any charitable organization can be beneficial. 
  • Work the social networking sites. LinkedIn, Facebook, and message boards can help raise your professional profile. 

One of the biggest mistakes many job seekers make is not asking for help from their network. People generally like to help, so let them! 

Social Media Platforms

LinkedIn is the PREMIER social media platform for professionals. It’s not just for connecting with people and companies worldwide; many organizations post jobs. 

Companies also post job opportunities on Facebook and Twitter, making it easy to “follow” any specific company you want to receive notifications from. 

Using social channels in your job search strategies is great. Remember to make your profiles on each platform consistent, up to date, and portray a professional image. 

Follow these tips:

  • Use your real name
  • Only use professional images across all platforms. 
  • Remove all posts or images that are inappropriate or unprofessional. 
  • “Market” yourself. You want people to see who you are, what you do, and your career path. 

You shouldn’t rule out any method when job searching, especially when finding your dream job. Remain open to all techniques and cast a wide net to increase your chances of getting hired.  

Looking for more help? Click here to see what we can do for you!

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Submit a cover letter with a resume

Should you submit a cover letter

Should I submit a cover letter with my resume?

There is a proper way to create a cover letter with a resume. If done properly, the answer is yes! The professional resume writers at Heartland Resumes, which serves Omaha, Lincoln, Des Moines, and Sioux Falls, can properly write a cover letter to send out with each of your resumes.

Cover letter with a resume.

A cover letter is vital in getting that interview and, eventually, that job you want. Let Heartland Resumes show you how valuable a cover letter can be.

While a cover letter is only a few short paragraphs, it goes a long way to showing potential hiring managers who you are and what you can bring to the table. The choice of words and the layout will either make or break you when hiring managers are sorting through potential candidates. That is why you need the professional resume writers at Heartland Resumes to help guide you through this process. There is an art to writing a cover letter for each resume you send out. You must highlight key points without repeating your resume word for word.

That is where our professional experience and success can help you. We take the time to get to know you and write the perfect resume for you to help get your foot in the door of the company of your dreams. Increase your opportunities. Call Heartland Resumes at (402) 215-8238 or contact us. We would love the opportunity to help you.

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Start the year with a new resume from Heartland Resumes

Start the new year with a new resume.

Start the New Year with a New Resume

Did your New Year’s Resolution list include finding a new job or starting a new career? If so, then Heartland Resumes is the place to start Heartland Resumes. Our team of professional resume writers can help job seekers in the Omaha, Lincoln, and Des Moines metropolitan area, along with others in Nebraska and Iowa.Start the new year with a new resume.

For many of us, the coming of a new year brings hope for refining our goals with a new slate of opportunities. We look back over the past year and evaluate what went wrong and what was done well, and we are ready to hone in on specific areas that need further development.

If you are without a job or looking to make a career change, it might be time to reevaluate your image. Is there room to improve your marketing game? Are you representing yourself professionally on social media? Does your interview wardrobe reveal the high-caliber candidate that you are?

To make your job search fruitful this year, it’s time to develop a new image and appeal to employers with a strength you’ve never known. Although some can do their research and find ways to sharpen themselves without the help of others, many professionals of all ages and walks of life would benefit from experts in the business. This is where Heartland Resumes come into play!

Our experts work with our clients to assess what is lacking in a successful job search. We will take your existing resume and transform it into a flawless representation of your strengths and accolades. We will look at your LinkedIn profile and current interview etiquette and advise you toward necessary changes. Such changes will make your image a stronger representation of who you are and what you offer.

Call us at (402)991-1966 or contact us, and we guarantee better job search results. Let us help redefine your image as a job candidate so that this is your best year!

Heartland Resumes guarantee that you will get job interviews from the resumes written by our team of professional resume – your local resume writers in the Omaha, Lincoln, and Des Moines areas or we will rewrite your resume at no extra charge.

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Changing jobs? Get Resume help from Heartland Resumes

Changing Jobs? Get resume help.

Changing jobs? Get resume help.

Do you wake up each morning dreading the fact that you have to go to work? This is no way to live your life or take care of your family. It is probably time to think about a job or career change. The first place to start is with a new resume guaranteed to get you job interviews. If you live in Omaha, Lincoln, or Des Moines, Heartland Resumes is your local team of professional resume writers that can help. We also help job searchers outside of these areas in Nebraska and Iowa.

Changing Jobs? Get resume help.Many of us have started our careers in jobs that fell short of our expectations. The real problem is not doing anything about it. If this describes you, now is the time to call Heartland Resumes and put our team of Midwest professional resume writers to work for you, so you can make that job change that will challenge and excite you every day.

The start of a new year is a great time to reorient yourself to a healthier way of thinking. 2017 can be when you halt your dissatisfaction and find a job that greets you each morning with challenge and excitement! Maybe this means you stay in the same company but take a leap up the ladder. Maybe this means you stay in the same career field but seek employment with a brand new company. Or, maybe this means you rock your own world by changing career fields completely.

Regardless of what career change should look like for you this year, make sure that the perfect job that you are chasing after is, in fact, perfect for you. Don’t go that route if your prospective daily tasks and responsibilities bore you from the beginning. If you see yourself already looking for another job soon, don’t take this one, knowing that it won’t truly appeal to you.

Circumstances are tough, and we don’t always have complete freedom in our chosen jobs. However, we need to do everything within our ability to weed out the potential jobs that will rob us of loving what we do. Make sure that finding an exciting and challenging job is at the top of your list!

Professional resume writers at Heartland Resumes guarantee you will get job interviews from the resumes written by the Heartland Resumes team of professional resume writers working in Omaha, Lincoln, and Des Moines areas. We will rewrite your resume at no additional charge if you don’t.

If you are changing jobs, get the resume help you need to pursue your job goals! Contact Heartland Resumes today!

 

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