6 Ways to Weave Self-Care into Your Workday

I’ve spent the past few years working closely with leaders on incorporating self-care into their work
lives — as a key component of their overall performance — so that an expansion in their role or
responsibilities doesn’t come at the expense of their health and well-being. One CEO I worked with
summed it up best when he said: “Self-care is no longer a luxury; it’s part of the job.”

So, what exactly is self-care, and how do we do it?

Define Self-Care More Broadly

At the heart of self-care is your relationship and connection to self. As part of your job, it means
that you’re attuned to and understand what you need to be your most constructive, effective, and
authentic self. Therefore, rather than narrowly defining self-care as just physical health (which is an
important piece of the equation), we need to pay attention to a wider set of criteria, including care of
the mind, emotions, relationships, environment, time, and resources.

Take Out the Word “Should”

Self-care can feel daunting or unattainable. But the intention is not to add more to your already full
plate, or create a reason to beat yourself up. For example, you might find yourself annoyed when someone
suggests that you need to take better care of yourself, especially when it seems they don’t understand
how much you’ve already got on your plate. Self-care doesn’t originate from judgment and isn’t reactive
to judgment (both are forms of self-sabotage, as I describe later). Instead, self-care flows from an
intention to stay connected to oneself and one’s overall mission: Who and what can support and be in
service of the positive contribution I hope to make?

Operationalize Self-Care in Your Day-to-Day Work

Rather than having self-care be something “outside” of work, it’s important to weave it naturally into
the course of your workday. Below are six ways I’ve seen clients take purposeful action. Self-care is
highly personal, though, so rather than being an exhaustive list, these ideas are meant to get your
gears turning:

Cut yourself a break.

We can often be our own harshest critic. When the weight of accountability or perfectionism kicks in, ask
yourself: “What would I say to a colleague or friend in the same situation?” Research from HBS professor
Amy Edmondson has shown that we optimize performance and learning in groups when both accountability and
psychological safety are present. These principles can also help you as an individual. By keeping your
internal critic at bay, you can create the right psychological conditions to accelerate through periods
of rumination or self-doubt more quickly.

Value time, money, and resources.

Throughout a given workday, others frequently ask for our time or resources, distracting us from more
important priorities. That’s why it’s important to set aside 15 minutes first thing each morning to jot
down the three things you hope to accomplish that day. Then, as requests come in, consider the impact on
your priorities before offering a knee-jerk automatic yes. For those who are self-employed, the same
goes when you are asked about your fees and services. Self-care means honoring the value, impact, and
contribution you bring.

Take a victory lap.

What did you do last week? Most of us can’t remember because once we’ve completed a deliverable or gotten
through a tough crunch, we’ve already moved on to the next thing. Instead, hit the pause button with
yourself and your team to take a look back at the previous month or quarter, and name or write down what
went well or what felt particularly satisfying. This kind of debrief can help you and your team stay
connected to passions, highest contributions, and actions that actually add value.

Surround yourself with good people.

Healthy and supportive relationships are a critical part of self-care. Consider whether your team is
providing ample leverage and support to meet priorities. Take notice of who feeds your energy and who
drains it. Set more boundaries with the drainers. Invest in those who inspire and support you and who
understand what it means to have a healthy give and take. The same goes for your relationships outside
of work. Don’t let work cause you to neglect the most important people in your life. Use breaks during
the day, or perhaps your commute time, to call friends and loved ones, and carve out plenty of time
outside of work to nurture relationships.

Update your workspace.

Our environment and workspace can have a significant impact on productivity.
Gain more mental clarity by cleaning up your desk. Put up pictures, artwork, or images that inspire you or
remind you of the people and things that matter. Your workspace should feel like a reflection of your best
self.

Recharge and reboot.

Stay attuned to your energy levels. For most busy professionals, getting eight
hours of sleep every night is (sadly) not realistic. But it’s important to at least try to refill your gas
tank during the week, so designate a Wednesday or Thursday night to get in some extra sleep. And it’s
equally important to build restoration breaks into your workday. For example, try scheduling more walking
meetings, or make a point of having lunch away from your desk with a colleague or friend. If you’re
traveling for work and find yourself with an extra 30 minutes before boarding a flight, stop by one of the
airport massage stands to relax and recharge before your trip.

Notice When You’ve Slipped Out of Self-Care Mode

In times of stress, self-care can get especially off-balance. Be aware, with self-compassion, of when
you’ve lost touch with your authentic self in one of the following ways:

Self-neglect.

With demanding workloads and overly full plates, self-neglect can become a familiar pattern for many of
us. It feels like we’re always running on a hamster wheel. As feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed
increase, it becomes harder to maintain composure and say no to the daily fire drills, interruptions,
and demands of others. We end our workdays feeling completely burned out.

Self-management.

Maintaining a professional and competent persona is an important leadership skill, but in some cases, we
can take it too far. When you overly manage yourself, you suppress or deny emotion, working hard to
uphold a professional game face. You end up feeling exhausted from keeping up the act, and risk being
perceived as inauthentic.

Self-sabotage.

Sometimes, we don’t achieve our mission or highest priorities because we have gotten in our own way.
Notice when you have slipped into unproductive habits of procrastination, rumination, or distraction to
avoid the anxiety or fear of completing your most important tasks.

Self-preservation.

In a competitive world, it’s easy to succumb to a scarcity mindset. When we’re overly focused on a lack
of resources, we can lose touch with what’s best for the business. Being overly competitive can cause
others to perceive you as protecting your own turf and being in it for yourself.

In each of these cases, we are no longer in the driver’s seat. Instead, anxiety, control, disdain of
vulnerability, or fear is running the show. Notice, without judgment, when you’ve slipped into one of
these places, and then gently reach for a self-care action to come back to yourself more fully.

As our work lives only get busier, self-care will become an ever more important part of being authentic
and having a positive impact without sacrificing our health or relationships. By incorporating self-care
in our day-to-day work lives — and coming back to it in times of stress — we can all become our most
constructive, effective, and authentic selves.

It’s that time of year again — college students across the country are in the thick of the hunt for jobs and internships.

Hiring slowed way down during the Covid pandemic, making it really tough on the graduating classes from the past few years. But the job market looks good for the class of 2022: Employers plan to hire 27% more new graduates from the class of 2022 than they did for the class of 2021, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. And, the number of job openings overall in the U.S. economy is more than 11 million, according to a recent report from the Labor Department.

“Right now, it’s looking great,” Patrick Madsen, executive director of the career center at UNC Charlotte, told local NBC affiliate WCNC in a recent interview. “There are more jobs than there are graduates nationwide … I have been seeing a lot of students that are getting multiple offers.”

That being said, you have to be smart about it if you want to land your dream job. You have to do your research, network, go in prepared and be able to clearly tell the hiring manager not just why you want the job but what you bring to the table.

Here are a few tips to help you find the job and nail the interview:

1. Use your college’s resources

Oftentimes, the most overwhelming part of finding a job can be figuring out where to start looking. And the best way to start is figuring out what you already have. Most universities and colleges have career centers, and these centers are there to help you. Resources like resume workshops, job hunt seminars and even email newsletters detailing job openings may open the door for you to find your next opportunity.

Most schools also offer career fairs — a fantastic way to get to know (and get exposed to) many different companies at once.

Kelly Barnett, director of the career development center at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, said that going to a career fair is a way for students to keep all their options open. For younger students, it’s good practice to attend and explore what options are out there for the future. And for older students, Barnett encourages them to keep an open mind, even if their dream company is not visiting.

Barnett is constantly in contact with both recruiters and alumni, and she says that many students find it helpful to meet one on one with her and the other career counselors. Meeting one on one allows students to talk about the specific nuances of their situation, Barnett said, and in turn she can make recommendations and facilitate connections based on each student’s past experiences and future goals.

2. Social media can be your friend

Luckily, we live in an age where the internet has endless resources. Websites like LinkedIn, Indeed and Ziprecruiter can be great sources for finding job openings, but social media can be a great window into the company.

“It’s interesting to see what a company puts out there compared to what their employees might say in an interview,” said Barnett.

Social media, to an extent, shows a company’s values and culture. But Barnett also warns that employers may be looking at prospective hires’ pages, too.

“Make sure that your footprint online is something that is appealing and professional, and that it’s the best version of you,” she said.

3. Only ask for advice

It is SO important to reach out to alumni or current employees at the company you want to work at.

Barnett said that in most cases that she has seen, students have gotten their first job through networking versus just applying cold online. She recommends reaching out to people on LinkedIn and taking advantage of any alumni lists or groups your school may have.

But how do you keep the conversation casual and real? Barnett said the key is to ask for advice — not a job.

“You can’t ask somebody to do something for you,” she said. “Always come at things for a point of advice, like, ‘Do you have advice on applying to the internship program? Or would you be willing to talk to me about your background and experience?’ Make it about the individual first.”

She said that using this approach makes the contact feel like a whole person, rather than a means to an end. And, it’s a lot less heavy of an ask to seek advice rather than a job, especially when they may not know you and what you bring to the table.

4. Develop relationships

“I can’t stress personalization enough when it comes to networking,” Barnett said. “If you think about any relationships that you’ve created in your life that you weren’t born into, you bonded over things that you had in common.”

So, whether you’re writing cover letters, interviewing, or just asking questions, get to know the actual person behind the email address. By developing real relationships, your job search will be more engaging, meaningful and most likely more successful.

5. Your network is closer than it may appear

Have you ever heard of Dunbar’s number? According to the theory, any given person can maintain connections with 150 people at a time. In turn, your close connections have their own connections. This web creates limitless opportunities for networking!

Meredith Welborn, a senior creator at VaynerMedia in Los Angeles, used networking to secure her job. The 2021 graduate of Southern Methodist University said that after touring the VaynerMedia office on a school trip with her advertising program, she kept in touch with the SMU alumni and their co-workers that she met. When it came time to look for a job, she simply reached out.

“I really value that experience,” she said of SMU’s networking opportunities. “You have to be willing to work hard, but in my opinion it’s all about who you know.”

So, check out what networking opportunities your school has to offer, reach out and conduct informational interviews to establish connections, and keep in touch to develop those meaningful relationships.

6. How to nail the interview

Congrats! You got an interview. Now, go and do your research!

Never go into an interview blind — be prepared and know exactly what role you are interviewing for, what the company does, and what your questions are.

Identify what they are looking for. Whether you have set up informational interviews with people in that role or have studied the job description — show that you have the skills and traits they are asking for by drawing from your past experiences. Know what makes you unique and why they should hire you. What would you bring to their team?

Ramit Sethi, personal finance coach and bestselling author of “I Will Teach You to be Rich,” has three tips for interview success: 1) Make it clear you have researched the company when you answer questions. 2) Prepare answers to highly predictable questions. Knowing your resume, goals, strengths and weaknesses, and reason for applying should be easy to answer and thought of beforehand. 3) Make sure you “communicate your key messages.” Show the employer everything you want them to know about you.

7. Know what you bring to the table

You need to know what you bring to the table and be able to articulate it. But, depending on the type of company, different skills and traits may be needed for each interview. So, don’t go in with a cookie-cutter approach for every interview. Tailor your cover letter, resume and interview talking points to that specific company and position.

Zebedayo Masongo is founder of The Grnwood, a media platform highlighting Black excellence and Black creatives (named after the community in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that was destroyed in the 1920s), and he is currently interviewing potential interns. He said as a start-up founder, he has some very specific needs in order to grow his business and may be looking for something different than an established corporation, for example. As students are looking for jobs and asking questions in interviews, Masongo makes a great point about different company cultures.

“I think that, in a bigger more established company, they have set systems already in place,” said Masongo. “I don’t have the systems that the bigger companies have. So, with this first group that I’m bringing in, this is me creating a culture that bigger companies have already established.”

If you are looking for a job with more exploration and trial and error, then a start-up may be a great fit. Masongo said he wants new hires to be self-starters and to value learning throughout the process.

8. You are more than your resume

You have always heard the age-old advice to “be yourself.” When it comes to job hunting, that’s really true!

“I think that sometimes resumes and report cards are a poor reflection of someone’s true work ethic,” said Masongo. He reasons that, while resumes are a great way to show your past experience, he would rather see a portfolio, or what you accomplished in your work, as well as getting to know you within the interview.

Welborn said she also got the advice to let her personality show in her interview. “If you’re trying to be something you’re not, they’re going to see right through that and it’s not in the best interest of you or the company,” she said.

“There’s a larger story,” continued Masongo. “I think that oftentimes the resume becomes a snapshot, and we miss the bigger picture about who someone is and what they can contribute to a team.”

9. Change your mindset

Your job hunt shouldn’t be a chore. This is an exciting time in your life to find opportunities that inspire you. No one else is in charge now. You decide what you want to do, where you want to work and how you go about getting it. You never know where your career path will lead! So get out there with motivation and determination to find the right job at the right company in the right city for you.

And, if the door you’re knocking on doesn’t open, just get out there and keep knocking on the next one and the next one. A lot of times, the door you didn’t expect provides an even more exciting opportunity than the one you originally wanted!

Dream big, utilize all of the resources available to you, practice meaningful networking and prepare for your interviews. Your opportunities will be endless!

You’ve found the perfect job, your resume and references are all lined up and ready to go, and now there’s just one thing standing between you and hitting “send” on the application: the dreaded cover letter.

Very few people actually enjoy writing cover letters (and if you do, please share your secrets). Even if you know the basics (one page, 4-6 paragraphs), it can be tough to dissect what, exactly, an employer is looking for and how to translate that into a few hundred glowing words.

But not only are cover letters inevitable, they’re also extremely important—it’s the only space you have outside your resume to make a good first impression. So if you want to land the job, you should be giving that letter the attention it deserves. Follow these tips, and make your next cover letter stand out from the rest of the stack.

1. Be All About Them

A career counselor once said to me, “say not what the company can do for you, say what you can do for the company.” Although you certainly want to explain why you’re interested in a position, it’s best to spend the majority of your letter describing how you will be an asset to the company.

Even when you talk about why you’re pursuing the job, word it in a way that highlights your passion for what the organization does. If you say, “I’ve been engaged in this field for four years through my experiences in…,” that’ll sound much better than, “this would be a great step for my career.” After all, they’re not hiring you to help you out—they’re hiring you to help them out.

2. Be a Copycat

While I know that you have ample accomplishments and abilities—and want to share them all with everyone—not every experience is going to be relevant to every position. So how do you know what to keep and what to put on the chopping block?

Here’s the secret: When employers create a job description, it’s essentially a checklist of the things they’re looking for in an employee. So, in your cover letter, you want to tick off as many of those checkboxes as possible.

In order to make it easy for an employer to see that you have what they’re looking for, mimic the job description—not word for word, of course, but by finding the things that the company is looking for and highlighting specific examples of how you have them. This will help you focus on credentials that are really important—and help the employer focus on why you’re the perfect match for the job.

3. Be Skill-Focused

Most people have a resume that’s structured around the jobs they’ve held, rather than their skills. So turn your letter into an opportunity to highlight on 2-4 of your relevant abilities. Structure each paragraph around one of the skills you’ve chosen to highlight, then write 2-3 sentences about how your experiences specifically showcase them.

Again, you don’t need to worry about covering everything, or even necessarily about being chronological. With this strategy, you’ll avoid repeating your resume—making the most of the space you have in your cover letter, and not wasting the time of your potential employer.

4. Be Specific

Just like your resume, you want your letter to get very specific when you talk about your accomplishments. Give them facts, figures, and numbers. Tell them how much money you raised, how many people you organized, and just how big and impressive your accomplishments are. (The only caveat to this: If your numbers aren’t really large enough to impress the company, leave them out.)

5. Be Yourself

When you’re writing your cover letter, remember that the hiring manager is likely going to be reading a lot of them (and she probably doesn’t really enjoy reading them much more than you like writing them). So, while you want to make the letter professional, you also want to put some of your own personality in it.

You shouldn’t ever step over the line of professionalism, but crafting an engaging letter with some color will catch people’s eyes and make them think, “wow, this would be a fun person to work with.” And that might be just enough to set you apart from all the other qualified applicants out there.

The good news is, the more you write, the easier it becomes. And while you may never list writing cover letters as one of your favorite activities, with these tips and a little bit of work, you’ll be on your way to writing great letters—and more importantly, landing those interviews.

Preparing for a job interview requires more than just rehearsing your answers to some of the most common interview questions and answers. (And preparing to answer some of the most often-asked behavioral interview questions.) If you want to get hired — either for a side gig, or for a full-time job while you’re waiting to start your own business — there’s a lot more involved.

But since it’s been almost 20 years since I last interviewed for a job, I decided to ask an expert for up-to-date job interview tips. Sarah Johnston is a former corporate recruiter and the founder of the Briefcase Coach. (She also regularly provides interview and job search tips on LinkedIn.)

If you want to improve your job interview skills and get the job you want, consider the following tips.

1. Do more than just basic research.

Don’t just research the company. Research its people — especially the people you may possibly meet when you interview. It’s standard practice to visit the LinkedIn page of the hiring manager. (Jeff: I know hiring managers who expect that candidates will visit their LinkedIn pages; if a candidate doesn’t, they see that as a red flag.)

Then keep going. Find out what’s new; most companies have a page on their website dedicated to press releases and events. Then do a Google search to find any recent news.

And be sure to pay close attention to the company’s culture, mission, and values. Many companies are looking for candidates who fit their culture, which means they expect you to be able to talk about how you will fit well within the culture.

2. Use your research to prepare your sound bites.

Most hiring managers ask at least a few behavioral interview questions. (Jeff: Here are some of the most common behavioral interview questions.)

Identify 10 to 15 examples of how you solved problems or demonstrated key behaviors that your research has indicated your target employer seeks. Try to list recent examples whenever possible.

Then flesh out each example, giving each one a title and putting it into story format. One might be “Handle Change.” Another might be “Difficult Communication Situation.”

Although you don’t want to memorize your stories, writing them down will definitely help you organize your thoughts. (And keep you from later thinking, “Oh shoot. Why didn’t I talk about the time I…”)

Then practice answering behavioral interview questions with a friend or a job search coach prior to the real interview. At a minimum, make sure you have great answers for:

– “Describe a situation where you had to convey an organizational decision that was controversial to your management team, your staff, or to employees throughout the organization.”

– “Tell us about a situation where you developed trust with other leaders in your organization.”

– “Tell us about a goal you failed to achieve.”

3. Prepare to answer behavioral questions using the SAR format.

Answers to behavioral-based interview questions should be structured Situation, Action, Result: What was happening, what you did in response, and how things turned out.

Not only is that a clean way to answer questions; it also allows you to highlight your accomplishments — and since you’re telling a story, to do so in a memorable way. And even if you stray from the SAR format, make sure your stories have a clear beginning, middle, and end, with the result serving as the climax of the story.

Make sure you rehearse, though. The goal is to deliver a story in 90 seconds or less. Go longer and you’re likely to lose your audience, which could mean losing your shot at the job.

4. Prepare for common interview questions.

While some job interviewers will ask at least one unusual question, most will ask at least a few of the following:

– “Tell me about yourself.”

– “Why do you want to work for (this company)?”

– “What is your greatest strength?”

– “What is your biggest weakness?”

– “Why are you leaving your job?”

– “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

– “Are you interviewing with any other companies?”

– “Describe what diversity and inclusion means to you, and why it is important in this position.”

– “What makes you more likely to succeed in this role than other applicants?”

– “What are you most proud of in your career?”

– “What do you know about our company culture?”

5. Make sure you make a great first impression.

Research by Monster.co.uk shows that employers are highly influenced by their first impressions of candidates. (Which comes as no surprise, since most of us are highly influenced by the first impression made by people we meet. So here’s what a Harvard psychologist says makes a great first impression.)

The Monster report found that job applicants have on average just 6 minutes 25 seconds during the first meeting to impress interviewers. This means that your personal presentation, the small talk you make, and your response to the typical first interview question, “Tell me about yourself,” really matters.

So make sure you’re ready. And definitely do this.

6. Establish rapport with the interviewer.

Expressing interest in the company, the job, and even the interviewer will definitely boost your likability.

To find ways to establish rapport with the interviewer, do some social media research, and then go old school: Check with friends or professional colleagues to see if they know the interviewer and can give you background information.

Knowing things like “He is very serious and numbers focused” or “She is a die-hard Cardinals fan” can help you connect. And it can help you raise topics of mutual interest.

That way you can answer questions like “Tell me about yourself” with responses slightly tailored to the individual. For example, “I have worked in finance for the past 10 years. I got my start at Ernst & Young as an analyst. I was interested to see that you started there as well.”

7. Ask for the job.

When I was a recruiter, hiring managers often passed on candidates simply because they felt like the job-seeker didn’t really want the job.

At the end of the interview, close by saying something along the lines of, “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. I enjoyed learning more about (something specific). I am interested in the direction of (a particular) project. I look forward to continuing this conversation.”

And if you know you want the job, say so. Don’t leave any ambiguity. If you’re excited about the opportunity and want to move forward with the company, say it.

People want to hire people that really want the job. Sometimes you really do only get what you ask for.

8. Keep your expectations reasonable.

Many job-seekers tell me that they were underwhelmed when they met with a recruiter or hiring manager.

Keep in mind that recruiter or hiring manager could be new in their role. They may lack company knowledge. They may be poor interviewers. Or they may just be having a bad day.

When you encounter a recruiter who isn’t as competent or who asks silly or too broad of questions, try to give them the benefit of the doubt. Smile. Be genuine with your responses. Treat the person with respect.

If you feel like you didn’t have the opportunity to show your value because the questions were not as expected, send a thoughtful and genuine thank-you note highlighting a few areas that you did not get to cover during the interview.

While that won’t ensure you get the job, it will ensure you did everything you possibly could.

Have you been applying for new roles and not getting much response? If you do not tailor your resume to specifically suit the role, you could be limiting your chances. In a competitive job market, you need all the advantages you can get – so sending out a stock standard document probably won’t achieve the results you’re after. But where do you start, and what information should you tailor?

In my role as a Resume Writer, I have personally reviewed and advised more than 1,000 clients on their Resumes. Many of them aren’t great – after all, clients come to us for assistance and advice because they recognise their current approach is not working. That said, one of the primary mistakes I see is relevance of the content.

Many clients want to ensure they ‘cover all the bases’ and provide a resume that talks to many different roles. This is never our recommended approach for several reasons. You just can’t be all things to all people. Also, today more than ever before, the importance of specialisation cannot be underestimated because almost everybody is ‘multi-skilled’. Tailoring your Resume to specifically suit the role you are applying for helps you to highlight your specialist skills, and the unique reasons why you could excel in the role.

Your content should ideally fit a maximum of three to four pages and every word needs to count in convincing the recruiter you deserve an interview. It is much harder to write less than more – short, sharp succinct content takes time and effort but will achieve better results in the end. So where do you start, and what information can be tailored?

TIP # 1 – Research:

the first step is to research the job ad carefully and identify exactly what the recruiter is looking for. Highlight the skills or experience that seem important and make notes. If the company is advertising directly, have a look at their website, and do a Google search for the company name to find out if any current company or industry events might impact the job. Writing just one sentence that references your knowledge of a current situation could mean the difference between success and failure at this initial stage.

TIP # 2 – Career Profile:

we always recommend including a customised career profile in your Resume. The profile should introduce you and highlight what you bring to the role. It should briefly demonstrate your skills, experience, and successes, while highlighting how they add value. Most people see this section as fairly standard; however by customising the content to address individual job requirements, or even using the same language as the recruiter – you will put yourself a step ahead. Make it enthusiastic, passionate, easy to understand, concise and engaging – and clearly demonstrate ‘what’s in it for the employer’.

TIP # 3 – Key Capabilities:

once you know the recruiter’s priorities in terms of what they’re looking for, you can also customise your ‘key skills or capabilities list’. In its simplest form, this means re-ordering your list. Get more involved by rewording those key points and/or customising them to suit the job requirements. Think about what the role needs and demonstrate how you can provide it through some past experience, success, training, or education.

TIP # 4 – Job History:

over time, some content may become less relevant to the roles you are applying for today, or perhaps the content is simply dated. It is a good idea to reduce the detail listed under older roles whenever you add recent content. Your Resume needs to convey the most important information about you and your past experience to get you in the door but without becoming too lengthy.

TIP # 5 – Order of Previous Roles:

this is not something we recommend doing unless absolutely necessary because the Resume can become confusing if not done well. However, where we may recommend doing this is if you have highly relevant experience in your past work history, with the recent roles not at all relevant. In this case, you should make a new section called ‘Relevant Employment History’ then list the relevant roles. Move your other more recent role descriptions to a section called ‘Other Employment History’. This means that the recruiter will see your ‘relevant experience’ first but the title of the section will give some insight into why that experience is not recent.

TIP # 6 – Achievements:

our research indicates that recruiters look for achievements while more quickly discarding resumes that are purely ‘responsibilities’ focused. Try to highlight at least two or three achievements for each role – but tailor them to support your ability to perform in the role you are applying for. Tangible achievements should be first priority, but you can also think about projects you’ve contributed to, collaboration with colleagues, extra responsibilities taken on, new processes you initiated, customer accolades received or major targets exceeded. Think about any aspect where you went above and beyond – chances are, recruiters will consider these achievements.

TIP # 7 – Referees:

while it isn’t necessary to include names and contact details (unless specifically requested), or copies of written references, you should do so if the referee is highly relevant to the role you are applying for. An industry expert or well respected leader will certainly add value and credibility to your application.

A well written, tailored Resume won’t get you the job – that’s up to you to achieve at the interview. However, it will help you secure the all-important interview. If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to quickly and easily customise your Resume to help recruiters make that all important decision about whether or not that happens.

With ten years of experience in my professional field, I’m not lacking things to include on my resume. But there’s one thing I never leave out – my volunteer work.

Why’d someone leave it out?

More often than not, the conversation with potential recruiters veers off in the direction of charity work. That’s why I am always dumbfounded when I see people leaving their pro bono work off their applications.

It’s simple, including a section devoted to volunteer activities on your resume not only showcases your skills and interests in front of possible employers but also reinforces your candidature especially if you have little to no work experience. That said, let’s see where exactly to list your volunteering experience and how to make your resume stand out.

Should you put volunteer work on your resume? It’s unpaid after all…

There’s a myth around resume building that says that unpaid work doesn’t belong on a resume. But if you can include your grad school internship, who’s to say you shouldn’t put in your volunteer work? Even if it’s not paid, your community service is as valuable as paid work.

It shows you’re proactive and ready to give back to society without waiting for any monetary compensation. The bottom line is; always put volunteer experience on your resume.

Does volunteering count as work experience?

It depends. It could count as work experience, as long as the knowledge and skills you acquired and developed during your community service somewhat align with the responsibilities of the job you are after.

But where to list your volunteer work? What section would it fit best in?

Where to put volunteering on your resume

If it’s tied to the job offer, or if you lack paid work experience, you can add it to your resume work experience section. If it’s not related, or you’ve tons of paid, relevant work experience, consider listing your volunteer activities in a separate section of your resume.

I’d argue that having an extensive working background shouldn’t even remotely relegate the opportunity of including volunteer experience on your CV, but I’ll leave the rant for another day. Adding it, along with the essential resume prerequisites, can only help your resume stand out. Here’s why…

Why volunteering resumes do stand out

It’s not just a personal opinion, but one backed by data. According to Deloitte, recruiters are drawn to your volunteer work. 82% of hiring professionals prefer applicants with volunteer experience.

Another survey, this time by LinkedIn, found that 20% of the hiring managers in the U.S. admit that volunteer work tipped the balance in favor of the candidate who had it included in their resume.

Recruiters believe unpaid work builds leadership and communication skills, shaping a strong character. What’s more, they love this kind of work so much they’re often willing to overlook some resume flaws (not that there’d be any, if you use Enhancv, right?). So your volunteer work might very well compensate for lack of work experience or poor grades in university.

And yet, only one in three job seekers mention any unpaid volunteer experience they’ve had. Which, come to think about it, is good news for you. Including your community service work will help you stand out from all the other CVs and applicants out there. Let’s see how to do it properly.

How to put volunteering work on your resume and make it really count

– I may have led you off by presenting charity work as the silver bullet to recruiters’ hearts. But the impact will be more significant if you follow a few key points. Here’s how to list volunteering on your resume:

– Add relevant volunteer experience in your professional work experience section. If it’s non-relevant, or if you have extensive paid experience, list it in a separate section of your resume.

Point out if and how your duties were tied to your career. Share achievements and show what you’ve learned.

Be extensive and precise. By pinpointing specific results of your work, you’ll drive the conversation to the personal traits that helped you achieve this.

As humans we learn best by examples, so to get a grasp of the above bullets, here is the volunteering section on Avery’s resume:

An example of volunteer experience on a resume:

AVERY LECLERCQ

Talent Manager @ Everybody’s got talent Association

The Talent Manager is in charge of recruiting, training new members of the committee, helping current members to evolve within the organization, and ensuring the committee is effective.

– Recruited more than 30 members for less than two years. As of today, more than 90% of them are within the organization.

– Led and mentored 12 committee members.

– Secured 5 Gold sponsors for the XYZ charity marathon in 2019.

– Planned and organized 27 department-wide events.

Want to create your own volunteer resume? Then why not look into Enhancv resume volunteer examples and build your resume in just a few minutes?

With the Enhancv resume builder, you can craft a resume that blows all other applicants out of the water. From design options to bullet and section suggestions and content writing tips, we’re here to help you land your dream job!

What does volunteering say about you?

A resume with volunteer experience tells the person hiring a lot. It tells them that:

You’re proactive. Not waiting for work to come to you, instead, you start working whenever the opportunity arises. Few people are willing to do stuff that’s unpaid, so pat yourself on the back for taking on a challenge.

You’re driven by impact. Money is clearly not a driver in this project. You end up sacrificing free time and personal resources to do a good deed. But it’s worth it if you see a result and shape the world around you.

You give back to your community. You feel it’s important to drive change and give back.

You have more skills than just role-related ones. Volunteer workers don’t strive because of their professional skills. To persist, they need ambition and personal drive, strength to drive change. There’s a lot to make you stand out – but just putting in the word “volunteer” in your resume doesn’t pay. You should tie in your unpaid work to the broader career picture you want to paint.

It’s never too late to start

The cool thing is volunteer work can be of tremendous value to you, especially if you don’t have much experience in your desired field. It’s much easier to propose unpaid help in your field than jump through hoops to secure an internship at a high profile company. As a bonus, you’ll usually have much more hands-on work entrusted to you and the experience will sit better with recruiters.

It seems like lately, more and more people are feeling burned out at work. Burnout, or the overwhelming feeling of mental and physical exhaustion, even affects those who typically enjoy their jobs. The problem has become so widespread that companies are reporting that they are facing an employee burnout crisis.

With the economic pressures rising and endangering our social needs and the relaxation we all seek (but never seem to have time to find), it seems we’re all exhausted.

But being burnt out does not necessarily mean you need a new job. As a career coach, I have had many clients come to me outlining signs of burnout and thinking they need to do a 180 flip on their entire career. While that may be the case for some people, that isn’t always the only solution. Burnout means you need to slow down and take care of yourself so that you can not only love your job again, but be happier in your non-work time as well.

While I work with clients who are on the hunt for clarity on their career path, or a new job, I also have found it’s necessary to tackle their burnout, as it’s a huge block to their purpose and next step forward.

Here are 9 tips to try out for yourself.

1. Acknowledge that you are burnt out

You must first acknowledge that you have reached burnout. Some key indicators are mental and physical exhaustion induced by repeated pressures and stresses in your life. If you feel drained and unable to complete tasks, and if you feel as though your life-force battery is running dangerously low, then you may be burnt out. One indicator of burnout is that after a long night’s sleep, you don’t wake up feeling rested. Psychology Today listed out the telltale signs of burnout as the following:

– Chronic fatigue

– Insomnia

– Forgetfulness/impaired concentration and focus

– Increased illness

– Loss of appetite

– Depression

– Anger

If you read through this list and feel it resonates closely with your current state, it’s likely time to recharge and start planning your next steps. If you are feeling these symptoms strongly, and it is affecting your life beyond work, it may be worthwhile to explore professional mental health options.

2. Talk to your boss

Don’t be afraid to talk with HR or your boss about your burnout. As mentioned, the burnout phenomenon is well known, and they are likely to sympathize with your plight and will work with you on a solution.

Before you head into the conversation, have a plan in place and already have a few options for what would help you most. If that looks like being removed from a specific project or applying for a leave of absence, have your idea in mind along with a few other options handy. Walking in prepared with solutions will show your manager you are serious and want to take action, rather than that you are simply looking to vent frustrations. Instead of saying “I’m burnt out,” you can consider approaching the conversation like this:

“I wanted to bring something up with you that feels vulnerable to admit, but my hope is that you can help me come to some solutions that will make me perform even better for the company. I’ve been feeling a more severe sense of burnout, and I wanted to see what my options were to refresh my mind so that I can keep contributing to the best of my ability. I read the employee handbook and took a look at my benefits, and here’s what I’m thinking I could suggest: [enter suggestion…] What do you think?”

During your conversation, consider also emphasizing how much you enjoy working there, but suggest that you might benefit from some time off. If they are good employers, they will understand. If they value you and if you approach the situation with respect and professionalism, they will want to work with you to try to find a solution to keep you happy at your job.

3. Take some time off

One of the only ways to properly recover is to detach yourself from your work environment for a while. Taking a vacation could in fact be the thing that saves your career to bring you back to rock-star mode.

Work within your abilities and means. Although not all of us are provided a two-week paid vacation, most established corporations and companies provide some sort of time off for their employees. Knowledge is power, so do some research and find out. Employee handbooks and HR are the best resources for this.

Try this route first and foremost so that you can still pay your bills while recalibrating and reenergizing yourself. If not, no problem. Just take a shorter vacation.

But whatever you do, take one. People who take vacations are proven to have lower stress, less risk of heart disease, a better outlook on life and more motivation to achieve goals upon returning to work. It isn’t just about work; overall well-being is improved and—get this—women who take vacations are reportedly more happy in their marriages than those who don’t take time off.

Whether you take a couple days off, a week off, or two weeks off, it is much-needed time so you can get back into your groove and regain the energy and enthusiasm that you once had for your job.

4. Love your job again

During your time off, you will find yourself immersed in precious moments of much-needed sleep, relaxation and recalibration. It is also a good time to discover ways you can avoid burnout when you return to the office.

A great place to start is by doing some intentional reflection and enjoying the benefits of journaling.

Once you are on your time off, take a couple hours every day to reflect on reasons why you are grateful for your job. The scientific benefits of gratitude are real, so try to bring this habit with you even after your break. Trying to deliberately shift your thinking from negative thoughts to more positive ones can help improve your outlook. One thing to note, in one gratitude study it was found that it’s actually the lack of negative emotional words, not the abundance of positive words, that improved mental health. So, if you struggle to think of highly positive ideas to start, simply ensure what you are writing isn’t overly negative. Words influence feelings … and your feelings matter, my friend.

If you need help getting started, remember why you took the job in the first place, and recall the enthusiasm and energy that you once had. While it certainly may be on the depletion-side now, it is not too late to regain it, especially if you can shift your focus to reasons why you are grateful for your job. If you are dead set on getting a new job, use this gratitude practice to notice what aspects of your current job you do enjoy, and be sure to bring those into your job hunt.

5. Know your limits

Taking on more than you can handle is a surefire way to get burnt out, and it is also the easiest way to get bitter toward your boss or your work generally. Ask yourself, Am I over-exerting myself at work? Get really honest and curious about where you’re saying “yes,” tipping yourself over the edge of your capacity.

When you are burnt out, it may feel difficult to make decisions, largely due to what is happening in your brain. The amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for decision-making, actually has an increase in grey and white matter when battling burnout, depression or anxiety. This increase in matter clouds your ability to make decisions.

This is where list-making steps in and has the capacity to be helpful in taking action and moving out of burnout and back into joyful living.

In your journal, with a colored pen of choice, write down your official duties at work and only what you need to do in your position. Now, in a different color, continue that list of tasks that you do not necessarily need to do and that stress you out, but you do them anyway because you find it difficult to say no.

After you visually see all of the extra and unnecessary work you have been doing, make a commitment to yourself to start tactfully saying “no” as a way to honor your limits. If you are preparing to have a conversation with your boss, consider completing this activity first. You can then walk in with a list of tasks where you have been going outside of your swim lane and talk through ways to get your role responsibilities back on track.

6. Don’t be afraid to say no

Do you ever feel obligated to always say “yes,” just because you are afraid of saying no? Perhaps you are afraid of appearing as though you can’t do the job, or are afraid of appearing rude or unprofessional. Either way, there are major psychological benefits to saying no when necessary.

Admittedly, it is difficult to say no, especially if saying it to a boss or co-worker. But it is even more difficult to say yes and then be unable to do the job to the best of your ability, or compromise your health and well-being in the meantime, which leads to burnout.

Fortunately, there are healthy ways to say “no” in a way that do not make anyone question your ability but, on the contrary, makes them respect your boundaries and your honesty.

If you phrase the “no” in a way that emphasizes your other commitments or your concern to take on a task that you cannot finish to your best potential, then your boss will admire your honesty. If you want to show that you can do it, perhaps word it with something like, “I would be glad to, however I am currently fulfilling x, y and z commitments, and I would be unable to finish your request on time. Is it possible to deliver this any later? If so, I’d be happy to do it!”

There are a multitude of ways to say no without seeming rude or unprofessional, so prepare a few lines in advance so that, if an overwhelming request comes your way, you are prepared to say no if you need to.

7. Organize your desk

This may seem counterintuitive because it seems like an extra work-related task but, in the long run, it will actually help you work more productively and with less stress.

During your time off, try to devote an hour to organizing your desk and your papers. If you work in an office, pick a day where you can stay for an extra hour to organize your space. An organized desk has been shown to increase productivity, and feelings of productivity generally reduce the feeling of burnout. Research has also found a correlation between clutter and increased cortisol levels. Cortisol is the stress hormone, and we could all use less of that.

8. Throughout your work day, take time to unwind

While you are working, whether from home, in an office or in a restaurant, be sure to take frequent breaks throughout the day and slow down a little bit when you feel the need. A recent study has shown that taking breaks throughout the day can increase your mental well-being, as well as your productivity. Furthermore, one Harvard study found that, if you face a mental or creative blockage, taking a small walk can reignite your mind. What a great excuse to take a stroll.

Your body has a wisdom of its own, so listen to it. And use your breaks wisely. No need to scroll through your phone. You do enough of that already (and even that can be stressful). Break time is when you stretch, read a chapter of an inspiring book, take a small walk, drink water, have a snack, pop open the Insight Timer app for a meditation, close your eyes for a few minutes or create a little combination of these.

9. Don’t work during playtime

These days, it is very easy for work to follow us outside of work. You perhaps can hear your email notifications going off while eating out for dinner or receive a work call while you are relaxing at the beach. The truth is, while there are perks to being easily connected, there can be some serious downsides to the increased difficulty of creating clear boundaries between your work and personal life. One study found that being unable to detach yourself from work during non-work time increases chance for burnout and stress, so be wise and mindful and make healthy choices.

Don’t think about work when you are not working. Much like you set limits and boundaries with coworkers and managers, you can say “no” to yourself, too.

So preferring to stay in bed and read a good book is not an indicator that you need a new job; it is an indicator that you need to slow down, relax and respect your boundaries more, so that you can give your best self to your work, your family and yourself.

Asking questions during or at the end of any interview is essential to determine if the job is right for you and to understand everything you need to know about your potential employer, the position, the company, and your day-to-day responsibilities.

Learning what questions to ask in an interview is a surefire way to show your interviewer that you’re genuinely interested in the role you’re applying for. However, that’s not the only reason you should prepare some questions before you talk to your potential employer.

Remember that during an interview you’re not the only one being evaluated. You’re also assessing what sort of organization you’re about to join and what types of people you’ll be working with. Also, you need to ask questions to find out more about the job and what plans your potential employer has for you once they decide whether they should hire you or not.

When an interviewer asks if you have any questions, it’s a clear sign that the interview is about to end, and you’ll have limited time to satisfy your curiosities regarding the company. Consequently, you’ll need to prepare at least two or three questions beforehand. It will prove that you’ve done your homework, meaning you’ve researched the company, industry, and department you’re interested in.

Pro Tip: Avoid “yes” or “no” questions and avoid questions that are so broad that they are difficult to answer. You don’t want to stump the interviewer when you’re trying to make a good impression and develop rapport.

What Questions to Ask in an Interview

It’s important to consider what interests you the most about the company position you’re interviewing for and then figure out the questions you need to ask depending on the industry you’re looking to work in. There are some general questions you can ask that apply to all industries but there are some key differences between them.

Also, some, if not most, employers will invite you to partake in multiple interviews, so you’ll need to prepare questions for each of them. What should you ask an HR representative, a hiring manager, or a CEO? Furthermore, what if you’ll be attending an international remote interview or a panel interview? Are there entirely different questions you’ll need to ask in those situations? Let’s find out.

Great questions to ask in an interview

These insightful questions are great to ask in interviews when applying for jobs in any industry. They’re designed to help you find out essential information such as what results are expected of you in a certain amount of time, how the interviewer has grown during their time at the company, why the position is open, and if there are ample advancement opportunities for employees.

It’s a good idea to inquire about as many details as possible, go in-depth with your questions and, why not, ask the interviewer what they think about the company. Chances are, you’ll get a sincere answer and you’ll gain more insight into the organization you’re interested in.

1. What’s the best thing you’ve learned while working here?

This question might take the interviewer by surprise. Hopefully,, it will be a pleasant surprise because it encourages them to share the unique experiences they’ve had during their time with the company. Their answer will also allow you to hear some truly remarkable stories and insights about the team and the organization.

On the other hand, if your interviewer seems hesitant or nervous about answering the question, that can give you some insight into whether or not the company has a positive work environment. Pay close attention to how they answer.

2. Why is this position open?

Understanding why the company decided to open the role is critical since you can learn whether the previous employee quit, was laid off, or the company is expanding to capitalize on a new market. With this information, you’ll get a feel for how you’ll need to function once you’re hired to either avoid any mistakes your predecessor has made, detect any red flags within the company, or start researching ways to conquer that new market!

3. Who would not be a good fit for this company?

Although most candidates will be focused on learning how to be a good fit for a company, you’ll have an ace up your sleeve with this question and can figure out what traits wouldn’t fit well in the company’s culture. Based on the answer, you’ll have a better idea if this role is for you or not.

4. Are there ample advancement opportunities at your company?

You’ll definitely want an answer for this one. Are people in the role you’re applying for being promoted to more senior internal positions?

Every candidate should factor growth trajectory into their decision. Will you be promoted internally or will you need to look for advancement opportunities elsewhere?

Questions to Ask in an Interview with a Hiring Manager

The hiring manager will typically be your supervisor or manager if you’re chosen for the role you’re applying for. They identify the needs, create the job descriptions, and work in sync with the HR department. They’re also the ones who set expectations and processes for qualifications and interviews.

Asking a hiring manager questions at the end of the interview will guarantee that you learn more about the position you want.

5. Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?

Choosing this as one of the questions to ask in an interview gives you the chance to learn as much as possible about the role so you can decide whether this is a job you really want. By learning more about the day-to-day tasks, you will also gain more insight into what specific skills and strengths are needed, and you can address any topics that haven’t already been covered.

6. What goals would you set for me over the next 6 months?

You’ll want to look good in front of the hiring manager. Asking about what you’ll need to achieve in the first 6 months shows that you’re results-driven and that you’ll prioritize the success of the company over your own. It’s a great way to make a strong impression.

7. Do you expect the primary responsibilities of this role to change in the next six months to a year?

This is another great question to ask in an interview to get a feel for the lay of the land when it comes to their vision for your position and how it may grow. It is best to be armed with as much information as possible when considering accepting a position, and questions like this one will be invaluable to you as you navigate that decision.

8. A year from now when you’re looking back on this hire, what would I have done to exceed every expectation?

This question shows the hiring manager that you’re focused on getting things done and that you will give it your all to prove that you have what it takes to be a part of the company. You’ll also find out what success looks like and then be able to create a plan and make it happen.

Questions to ask in an interview with hiring managers across multiple industries

Not all hiring managers are the same. Their requirements mostly depend on the industry they’re working in. Here are the best questions to ask hiring managers across multiple industries.

Top questions to ask hiring manager before taking a medical sales job

Medical sales job interviews usually go like this: you talk to a medical sales recruiter via phone and then you go to a face-to-face interview. Before that, however, you should research the company’s website, product lines, press releases, and news mentions. Once you reach the end of the interview, here are the most important questions you should ask the hiring manager:

9. What would you say are the biggest challenges your sales team faces?

You’ll probably get a clear answer once you get the job, but nonetheless, the hiring manager should provide some examples of specific obstacles that members of the sales team have overcome over the years.

10. Typically, what is the ramp-up period for new sales representatives?

The job ad probably states the base salary, but what you’ll really be asking is how soon you’ll be earning enough commission for all your hard work to pay off. If there’s a formal training process you’ll also want to know how soon a new sales rep usually goes out in the field and potentially closes sales.

Top questions to ask the hiring manager before taking a Customer Success Manager job

Customer Success Managers (CSM for short) are responsible for guiding customers through the sales process into the support phase. They are more than just customer support agents since they form a direct relationship with customers and help them to achieve their goals while simultaneously strengthening their relationship with the business.

Here are the best questions to ask a hiring manager if you’re serious about getting a Customer Success Manager job:

11. What are the overall objectives of the CS function and the core strategies for achieving those objectives?

Inquiring about the objectives that you must complete is a great way of showing the interviewer that you’ll already be prepared to overcome any obstacles the job might present. It will also denote that you’ll have already researched how to accomplish those objectives before your first day.

Asking about the core strategies will have a similar effect since access to that kind of information will help you proactively put together a clear plan of action.

12. What would a typical customer look like and how would a CSM interact and work with that customer?

Knowing your average customer is a must for any CSM. A hiring manager will appreciate you wanting to find out who you’ll be helping during your job. This question will give you the opportunity to gain insight into the company’s customer base.

Top questions to ask the hiring manager before taking a public defense paralegal job

One of the primary roles of a paralegal is to help the lawyer in preparing for trials, hearings, and closings by conducting legal research. Preparing your questions for your hiring manager in advance is paramount to demonstrating that you’re already a research machine and you’re always prepared to learn more about the job and what it entails.

Check out a couple of the best questions you could ask the hiring manager if you’re applying for a public defense paralegal job.

13. How many attorneys will I be reporting to?

It’s important to know the amount of work you’ll be doing if you get hired and compare that to the pay you’ll receive. This question might show the interviewer that you’re interested in the role, but most importantly, it will help you assess whether it’s worth joining that particular law firm. If you’re not afraid of hard work and working overtime, however, the more attorneys you’ll be reporting to, the merrier.

14. What is the annual or monthly billable hour requirement?

This question will let you know how many mandatory hours you’ll have to put in at the law firm you want to work for. Why is it important to know this? Because even though the company’s time is precious, so is yours. More so, you’d want to know if you can fill the quota and what happens if you don’t. You could follow this question up by asking if all of their paralegals easily meet the billable hour requirement.

Questions to Ask an Interviewer about the Company

The company being a good fit is just as important as liking the daily responsibilities of your job. Will you feel supported? Do your values align? Do you agree with their policies and treatment of employees? These are all important things to discover when you are thinking through questions to ask in an interview.

15. Describe the culture of the company

Are you a good fit for this particular organization? Make sure you are comfortable with the culture and the dynamic of the company.

16. Where do you think the company is headed in the next 5 years?

If you plan to be in this role for several years, make sure the company is growing so you can grow with the company.

17. Who do you consider your top competitor, and why?

You should already have an idea of the company’s major competitors, but it can be useful to ask your interviewer for their thoughts. Naturally, they will be able to give you insight you can’t find anywhere else.

Questions to Ask a CEO in an Interview

When you’re trying to get a job in any industry, chances are you’ll go through more than one interview. Some job interviews are first conducted over the phone or via email, then you’ll speak to the heads of the department you want to join, and finally, once you’ve successfully passed all of the previous steps, you’ll be interviewed by the company’s CEO or Chief Executive Officer.

They will have the final decision on whether you’ll be hired or not, so needless to say, you’ll want to impress this person the most. You might think that this interview is just a formality, but don’t be fooled. The CEO didn’t become a leader by accident. They’ve earned their place through hard work, meticulous decision-making, and skill.

After you’ve answered the questions that the leader of the organization has for you, they will ask you if you have any questions of your own. As shown during this article, this is an important step in the hiring process, so you’ll need to prepare those questions beforehand.

What are some of the most important questions to ask a CEO in an interview? Let’s find out:

18. How does communication happen between senior management and other levels?

The key to a successful business is efficient communication between all departments regardless of how big or small they are. That’s mainly because each department is like a cog in a machine that can only function correctly when well-oiled. Who does the oiling? Mainly the decision-makers a.k.a. department heads and, of course, the CEO.

By making sure that communication between senior management and the other levels is done efficiently, you’ll know that you’ll be joining an organization that’s transparent with its employees. Consequently, the workers will have the information necessary to do a good job.

Whether you’re applying to be a senior-level employee or a junior, this question is a must.

19. Where do you see the company expanding or focusing its efforts in the next few years?

This is always an important question to ask a CEO because it will give you the chance to learn about what the company is planning to do in the near future. Will you feel confident in joining this journey that the company is about to embark on or would you prefer to concentrate your efforts on going in a different direction? The CEO’s reply will help you answer those questions.

20. I want to join a certain department. How do you see its role in the company’s growth?

Getting to the bottom of why the department you’re about to join is important when considering the company’s growth may give you an idea of how to best use your abilities towards aligning with its goals for the future.

Throughout the job searching process, you’ve walked away from the interview feeling good. You answered the questions well. You seemed to have good conversations with the interviewers and hiring manager. You asked good interview questions, too. You’re confident in your skills and capabilities.

But a week goes by without any news. So, what happened?

My little brother is in the job search right now. He called me one day with this exact dilemma. He thought an interview went really well and was really interested in the job. But he hadn’t heard from the recruiter or the hiring manager.

When I asked if he’d followed up after his interview, he paused. “How do I do that? Am I supposed to do something afterward?”

Many candidates may think their work is done after the interview. While that might be true for certain situations, it’s important to learn how to follow up after an interview.

In this article, you’ll learn when (and how) to follow up after an interview — and how to make yourself stand out from the crowd.

How to follow up after an interview via email

If you’ve just finished an interview, it’s time to send a follow-up email. Here’s how to follow up after an interview via email.

How to follow up after an interview via email

1. Address the recipient by their first name

2. Express thanks and gratitude for their time and effort

3. Reiterate your interest in the job and company

4. Mention when you interviewed, the job title, and the job details

5. Ask directly about the status and next steps

6. Offer additional information (if needed)

7. Close the email with your thanks and gratitude

8. Make sure you proofread your email (or have someone else do it)

9. Stay positive (especially in your tone)

Every organization and employer is different. You might be in communication with the recruiter throughout the interview process. Or you might have communication with the hiring manager directly.

Regardless, it’s important to identify whom you’d like to follow up with directly. Make sure you’re spelling their name correctly. Then, express your gratitude and appreciation. While the hiring process may look simple, it’s not as easy as it seems. Depending on the company, it can take rounds of approvals and hoops to push a candidate through to the next step.

Once you’ve thanked the person for their time, it’s time to reiterate your interest. Mention both the job and company — and why you’re excited about the opportunity. Make sure you also mention when you interviewed and the exact job title. If you’re communicating with a recruiter, it’s likely they’re juggling multiple candidates and open positions.

how-to-follow-up-after-an-interview-two-people-talking

Then, be direct. Ask about the status of the position you’ve interviewed for. Inquire about the next steps. You might offer additional information, like references, at this stage as well. Finally, close your email with another note of gratitude.

But before you hit send, pause. Has someone proofread this for you? Have you run the email through spellcheck or another grammar checker tool? What’s your overall tone? Are you still remaining positive? Or, if you’re coming off as frustrated, what edits can you make?

New call-to-action

An example follow up email template

We’re including a draft email template for you to use below. Make sure you edit the template to fit your specific needs and situation.

Hi ,

I hope all is well! Thank you again for the opportunity to interview for with . It was wonderful to get to know you and your team.

I’m following up to see if there are any updates regarding from my interview on . I’d like to reiterate my interest in the role and excitement for the opportunity. I’d be happy to provide references, at your request.

I’m excited to hear the next steps in this interview process. Thank you again for your time and consideration. I hope to hear from you soon!

Best regards,

When to follow up after an interview

It can be tricky to figure out when to follow up after your interview. First, it’s important to ask questions throughout the hiring process to get a sense of the timeline. These questions (and real-time answers) can help guide you through when to send that follow-up email.

For example, you might consider asking some of these questions during your interview process:

What does your timeline look like to fill this role?

When are you hoping to fill the position?

What are the next steps after this interview?

It’s always good to send a follow-up thank you email immediately following the interview — even an informational interview. Glassdoor recommends sending an email within 24-48 hours.

If you still haven’t heard from the company in 7-10 days, it’s probably safe to send a follow-up email. Make sure you double-check your tone and consider the work the team is juggling right now on top of hiring duties.

One of my best friends is in the interview process with a company right now. The recruiter asked her directly, “Will you send me an email if you haven’t heard from me in 5 days?”

We know many companies are doing an incredible amount of hiring. And that means recruiters are really busy. You can consider asking the recruiter when it’s OK to follow up if you haven’t heard while you’re in communication with them.

But whatever you do, don’t pester. Sending multiple emails with no response can send the wrong message. You want to make sure that you’re interested but not annoying. A little patience can go a long way. Try to maintain a positive mindset and keep things in perspective.

how-to-follow-up-after-an-interview-man-interviewing

3 ways to follow up after a job interview

There are nuances to following up after an interview. Every company handles the interview process differently. So throughout your job hunt, you can find yourself in different scenarios.

The initial thank you interview

As a general rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to send a thank-you email within 24-48 hours of first meeting the interviewer.

Every organization is different. Some companies may only have one interview. Others may have multiple rounds of interviews, like BetterUp.

Regardless, each interaction with a new interviewer should warrant a thank you email. Let’s say Maria just had a phone interview with a recruiter for a marketing position. She’s really interested in the role — and the next step would be to meet the team.

She learned in the phone interview that her qualifications match up with the role perfectly. She also learned more about the company culture and growth opportunities. Maria decides to send a thank you follow-up email after her phone interview, eager to hear the next step.

You’re waiting to hear if you’ve made it to the next round

You’re probably not going to like this answer. But if you’re waiting to hear if you’ve made it to the next round of interviews, you need to have some patience. This scenario can be frustrating.

But if there are a lot of candidates in the mix, it’s going to take some time.

First, think about your own experience. The emails and maybe phone calls to coordinate schedules. The prep calls with recruiters to go over the folks you’re meeting with. The schedule juggling to find the right times with the right people. The number of people you might have interviewed with up until this point.

Now, multiply that by the number of people interviewing for the job. And on the recruiter’s end, multiply that by the number of open positions they may be hiring for.

Let’s say David has completed his first interview with the recruiter and the hiring manager. The recruiter initially told him that there are three rounds of interviews. The third and final round is with the team’s VP. It’s only been two days since David completed his interview with the hiring manager.

He’s already sent a thank-you note after the interview, so he decides to wait patiently for news on the next round. He consults his coach who tells him to wait at least a week before following up again.

If you haven’t heard from them in 7-10 days, it’s OK to send a follow-up note. But try to practice some patience. Hang in there. You’ve got this.

You’re waiting for the final decision after a job interview

Theoretically, this shouldn’t take too long for companies to make a decision. If you’ve gone through all rounds of interviews, you know they like you. They’re interested but they’ve probably narrowed it down to a very short list of final candidates.

how-to-follow-up-after-an-interview-two-women-shaking-hands

This is likely going to come down to scheduling with the last round of candidates. Let’s say there are three people, including you, who have made it to the final round. You could be the first candidate to have completed the final round of interviews. Two more candidates could be interviewing behind you.

Once all candidates have completed the final interviews, it shouldn’t take long for the company to make a decision. It’s OK to ask the recruiter how many candidates are interviewing in the final rounds of interviews. That can help give you a sense of the timeline.

Let’s say Arianna has completed all three interviews for a software engineer position. She moved quickly through the first and second rounds. But the third round with the team’s director took longer to set up. She asked the recruiter before her third and final interview how many candidates were in the mix. Arianna learned it was between her and one other candidate.

It’s only been a day since her final interview, which was also a working interview. Arianna decides to wait it out to see if she hears back soon. Sure enough, on day four, Arianna receives a call from the recruiter with a job offer.

If you haven’t heard anything in 7-10 days, follow up with an email. Hopefully, you’ll hear pretty soon after the interviews are complete — that’s usually a good sign! If you haven’t heard back yet after your follow-up email, keep your head up. There are plenty of opportunities out there. You’ll find the right one to help you reach your full potential.

5 tips to make your interview follow-up stand out after a job interview

We know job seekers are looking for new opportunities everywhere. Chances are, you aren’t the only candidate in the mix for a role. If you want to leave a good impression after your job interview, consider these five tips:

Connect with your interviewers on LinkedIn.

Double-check your email’s subject line — and make it stand out.

Consider a follow-up letter or thank you letter in the mail.

Personalize your follow-up note with things you learned in the interview.

Ask for feedback or career advice.

Land your next job offer

The job hunt can be grueling. From the job application to interview questions to the decision-making process, the job search is exhausting. Sometimes, the job search can be depressing. Practice self-compassion throughout the process.

But your dream new job could be just around the corner. Following up after a job interview can be intimidating. You might not know how to best check in with the interviewers. You might feel like you’re imposing on your interviewer’s time.

But with this guide, you can feel confident in following up post-interview with your potential employer. You can make a good impression and hopefully help make their hiring decision an easy one.

Regardless of where you are in your career, a coach can help. With BetterUp, you can seek career advice from a coach. And ultimately, you can find your perfect fit. Unlock your potential with virtual coaching.

When you know what your dream job is, but aren’t sure how to get it, we can help. The career you want is the one you have passion for and find enjoyment doing. It will provide you with work/life balance and you’ll enjoy work! This being said, the path to land your dream job doesn’t just happen. Having your ultimate career fall into place will only happen through time and effort with goals, planning and direction.

Here are seven steps to land your dream job:

1. MAKE SURE IT’S REALLY YOUR DREAM JOB

As you are starting your job search, take time to build a vision of the career you want. Like a vision board, think big! Know what you want – what gives you purpose, where you see value, want do you want to do? After deciding on your career, speak to people you know and respect in the field. Ask them about their jobs, what they enjoy about their job and their career path. Before doing these interviews, have a set of questions prepared and make notes to be able to refer to in the future. If possible, ask to shadow this person at work, or to volunteer with similar companies.

2. CREATE A CAREER ROADMAP TO LAND YOUR DREAM JOB

Like all smart executives, to achieve your career goals you must start with a plan. Begin with the end in mind, and imagine where you want your career to lead you. Determine positions (job titles, duties, responsibilities etc.) and check points that you will pass along the way. Your roadmap should outline each step as your career progresses.

Your career path may include internships, entry level positions, or volunteer work as well as continued education or certification to gain skills and experience as your career develops. Getting hands-on experience is imperative. It proves to hiring managers that you’ve experienced — not just read about — everything you need to know for your ultimate gig. It’ll also confirm your career choice to yourself.

Make your career roadmap even more worthwhile by estimating how much time you should spend in each position. Review job descriptions and look for things you can do if you are looking for advancement, promotion or increased salary.

Some goals will be easier to achieve, and some will be harder, but you will be forced to stretch, and that will advance you in your profession.

3. BE THE PERSON YOU WOULD WANT TO HIRE AND WORK YOUR WAY UP

In starting your new career journey, you may not have experience under your belt, so add value by being a “Rockstar” employee. Get to work early each morning, maintain a professional appearance and be positive about your day ahead. Ask questions, read and become involved with your industry. Ask for feedback and take time to learn how to be a better employee. After employee reviews allow time to review and reflect on your Career Goals and Roadmap to ensure that you are headed in the right direction. Doing this will help you develop your skills and become an expert.

4. GROW YOUR NETWORK

Go to your network for receiving and giving career advice. You can do this through social media, as well as professionally. With LinkedIn I recommend you value the quality of your network over quantity. Start by connecting with people you know and trust; friends, colleagues, teachers and supervisors etc. This will allow you connect personally and start conversations, whether it be to say hello, ask for a job recommendation or for advice.

The next step after building contacts is getting out and meeting with people. This can be done by going to networking events, attending trade shows and industry events, as well as conferences. This also includes meeting contacts face to face (perhaps over coffee or lunch).

5. PARTNER WITH AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY

There are a number of reasons to work with an Employment Agency. Employment agencies can help you land your dream job by:

– Allowing you to access their broad pool of clients and positions they are hiring for

– Being a second set of eyes finding jobs for you

– Providing assistance with interview tips and preparation

– Providing assistance with salary negotiation

– Providing insight to the culture of the company that is hiring

– It is free, there is nothing to lose!

6. CRAFT YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

You have your own story to tell, which includes goals, skills and expertise; this is your identity and value add. In starting to create your personal brand consider the following about yourself:

– Who are you – areas of strengths and expertise, what are you passionate about?

– Decide what you want to be known for – this is your roadmap

– What is your value proposition?

– What industry do you want to work in?

Your Personal Brand is generally one or two sentences, creating a statement of who you are, like a catchphrase with flare. I like to think of it as your elevator pitch.

7. BEFORE AN INTERVIEW PREPARE CREATIVE, INSIGHTFUL QUESTIONS

Although you are the person being interviewed, take the time at the end of the interview to ask questions. It’s important to determine if this job opportunity that will lead to your dream job. When asking questions in a job interview, make sure they are tailored to the job that you are interviewing for. Here are a few examples you can prepare specific to the job you are considering:

– Is there anything about this position that wasn’t advertised that you are looking for?

– What is the most important thing I can do to be successful?

– In this role (at company ABC) how do you evaluate performance?

– What is the key to succeeding in this role?

– Tell me about the team I will be working with?

With these interview questions you will confirm your interest and professionalism.

If you have questions, feel free to email Andrea directly at [email protected] or visit our job board for current employment opportunities.

Now, get out there, and land your dream job!