Best Apps for Earning Extra Cash

Do you want to earn more money? Do you need to earn extra cash quickly? Whether you’re looking for a quick, easy way to make a few extra dollars or you’d like to market your skills to boost your income, you can use an app to find gigs and jobs, apply, get hired, and start earning money fast.

Many workers have built entire careers on gigging apps. Others use them as sporadic side hustles. Whatever you’re looking for, most gigging apps feature flexible hours and on-demand work.

Some apps require specific skill sets. For others, you simply need to have the time available to complete the task. With many of them, you can start work right away, and you’ll often be paid as soon as you complete the job.

Best Apps To Make Money Fast

Here are some of the best apps for making money quickly: shopping, driving, caregiving, events, repairing and building, blue-collar, professional services, quick gigs where you get paid immediately, and more.

Shopping and Delivery Services

One of the easiest ways to make extra money is to provide delivery services via apps. With some apps, like Shipt, the app worker will do the shopping and delivery. For others, like Uber Eats, you’ll pick up and deliver orders. Some services will pay right away. For example, Uber drivers can sign up for Instant Pay and get paid up to five times a day. 

• Amazon Flex
• Caviar
• CitizenShipper
• DoorDash
• Deliv
• Drizly
• FreshDirect
• Grubhub
• Instacart 
• LaserShip
• Minibar
• PostMates
• Rinse
• Roadie
• Saucey
• Shipt
• Uber Eats

 

Rideshare Driver Gigs

If you own a reliable car and appropriate insurance, ride-share driving is a great way to make extra money in your spare time. Driving jobs have an online application process that includes a background check, so be prepared to wait for approval to get started.

• Lyft
• Hitch
• Uber
• Wingz

 

Caregiving Gigs (people, pets, homes)

If you’re interested in caregiving, for either humans or pets, you can sign up to provide care services when you’re available.

• Bambino Sitters
• Care.com
• HouseCarers
• Kango
• Pawshake (in limited countries)
• PetBacker
• Rover
• SeekingSitters
• Sitter
• SitterCity
• SittingAround
• UrbanSitter
• Wag!

 

Building, Repairing, and Moving Gigs

If you have a talent for repairing things, assembling furniture, or moving large boxes, you can use an app to find jobs at your convenience. Once you are approved, you’ll be able to select tasks that fit your schedule.

• Bellhop
• Billy
• Dolly
• Handy (also for domestic house workers)
• HomeAdvisor
• Houzz
• Thumbtack
• Unpakt

 

Event Gigs

Trusted Herd: Trusted Herd is the largest live event gig site across the US and Canada. Represent any brand or service at any place: sporting events, concerts, festivals, conferences, grocery stores, retailers, bars, and more. Some gigs might be a few hours, one day, a couple of days, or go for weeks. 

Quick Gigs That Pay Fast

You probably won’t get rich using these apps, but you can make money quickly. How much you’ll earn depends on the job, and you’ll be paid quickly after you complete the task.

BlueCrew: BlueCrew provides flexible W-2 employment for hourly workers in a broad range of industries, such as warehousing, logistics, e-commerce, events, delivery, and hospitality.

Gigwalk: Gigwalk posts jobs that take as little as a few minutes or as long as several hours. Gigs include checking product displays or product availability in retail stores. The app has a GPS feature to find, complete, and report on jobs. Payment is remitted via PayPal upon completion of the gig.

TaskRabbit: Taskers do small jobs like cleaning, delivery, shopping, organizing, and running errands. After the job is done, you’ll submit an invoice to get paid via direct deposit. 

Wonolo: Wonoloers work on immediate local, hourly, or daily jobs. Receive notifications of new jobs, then  click to accept. Payments are processed by Stripe, and typically take three to five days from when the job was approved. 

Tip: For more options, check out our list of the best blue-collar on-demand job apps.

Top Gig Apps for Professional Services

Skilled freelancers can use apps to find jobs and market their professional services. If you’ve got the right skill set, you can take on side gigs or make freelancing your full-time job.

As with most app-based gigs, the work schedule is typically flexible. Some sites, like Upwork, offer general opportunities for gig workers, while others focus on specific niches.

• Angi allows clients to find professionals for any household task, from contracting to electrical engineering to remodeling.
• Appen is a service that provides crowdsourced jobs in artificial intelligence and data management. Their app includes one-off gigs as well as long-term projects.
• editorr is an on-demand service that hires online editors with an academic or professional background in English, journalism, copywriting, creative writing, or a similar field.
• Fiverr is a platform where freelancers can market their creative services in over 200 categories. Freelancers post the services they provide and set a price for the gigs, which begin at $5.
• Havenly is an app where professional interior designers can connect with clients online. Designers can be paid on commission, through incentives, and per project. 
• Jijatjo provides flexible options for hospitality workers, matching you with opportunities that work for your schedule. Jijatjo offers competitive hourly rates, and pay is almost immediate (within a few hours) after you finish a shift.
• Thumbtack, like Angie’s List, offers professionals a way to find jobs doing almost anything. Pros post their business, and customers reach out.
• Tutor.com is an internet-based tutoring service. Professors, teachers, and professionals with industry expertise provide online tutoring services.
• Upwork is a platform for a wide array of freelancers to find jobs and projects, connect with clients, and get hired quickly.
• VIPKid is an English tutoring platform for experienced teachers only. Teachers earn between $14 and $22 per hour.
• Wyzant provides one-on-one tutoring services for school and university students. There are over 12,000 subject areas and a stringent vetting process for applicants.

 

What You’ll Need to Get Started

You’ll need a smartphone, tablet, or laptop computer to start your app gig journey. Most apps have both iOS and Android versions. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play. 

More Ways to Make Extra Money

Other options for getting funds is to sell your stuff. If there are things you don’t need, you can make some extra money selling them on sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Poshmark, Etsy, Macari. 

U.S. News has a list of sites you can use to sell used stuff, and here are seven more ways you can make extra money when you’re short on funds.

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What Is a Resume for a Job?

What is a resume, and when do you need one to apply for a job? A resume is a document that outlines your education, experiences, and skills. When writing a resume, it’s important to show the reader how and why you’re qualified for the job you’re applying for.

Many employers require a resume (and often a cover letter) from candidates for employment. Your resume will help you get a job interview and possibly a job offer, so it’s important that it’s well-written and highlights your most relevant qualifications for the jobs for which you’re applying.

Here’s information on the different types of resumes, what to include in each section, and how to highlight your qualifications.

What Is a Resume for a Job?

Resume Definition: A resume is a concise and structured document that provides an overview of your education, work experience, skills, accomplishments, education, certifications, and other relevant qualifications. Your resume showcases your fit for the role when applying for jobs, internships, or other opportunities.

Types of Resumes

There are different types of resumes you can use to apply for jobs. The four most common types are chronological, functional, combination, and targeted resumes. 

Chronological Resume: A chronological resume lists your work experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. This is the most common resume format, used when you have a consistent work history and want to emphasize your career progression.

Functional Resume: A functional resume focuses on your skills and qualifications rather than the chronological order of your work history. It’s useful if you have gaps in your employment history or are changing careers.

Combination Resume: As the name suggests, this format combines elements of both chronological and functional resumes. It highlights your skills and achievements while also providing a chronological work history.

Targeted Resume: A targeted resume is tailored for a specific job or industry. It emphasizes the skills and experiences most relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Tip: Regardless of the resume format you choose, be sure to take the time to tailor your resume so it’s a good fit for the job. TealHQ has a free AI resume builder that will help you create and quickly and easily customize your resume for each application. 

When Do You Need a Resume?

A resume is required for almost every job application for a professional role. Some employers only require them for some positions. For example, Amazon doesn’t require a resume for warehouse jobs in Amazon Fulfillment Centers. 

If you need to submit a resume with your application, it will be noted in the job posting.

What to Include 

A resume should be brief and straightforward, usually not more than two pages, with clear section headings. The key sections to include in a resume are the contact information section, a professional summary, work experience, education, skills, and achievements:

Contact Information: Your full name, phone number, email address, and optionally, your LinkedIn profile or website/portfolio.

Career Summary or Profile: A brief statement summarizing your career goals and what you can offer to the employer.

Work Experience: List your work history in reverse chronological order. Include the company name, your job title, dates of employment, and a description of your responsibilities and achievements.

Education: Include your educational institutions, degrees earned, dates of attendance, and any relevant honors or awards.

Skills: List relevant skills, such as technical skills, languages, certifications, and soft skills.

Achievements or Accomplishments: Highlight specific accomplishments, awards, or projects demonstrating your abilities.

Optional Sections: Depending on your circumstances, you might include sections like certifications, volunteer work, publications, languages, or hobbies/interests

Tips for Writing an Effective Resume

Writing a resume can be overwhelming, but the following tips can help you create a compelling resume that will catch the recruiter’s attention:

• Tailor your resume for each job application to emphasize relevant skills and experiences.
• Use action verbs to describe your accomplishments (e.g., “achieved,” “managed,” “led”).
• Keep it concise; aim for a one-page resume for early career professionals and a two-page resume for those with more experience. For some positions, a longer resume may be required.
• Quantify your achievements with specific numbers and metrics whenever possible.
• Focus on the most recent and relevant information.
• Be honest. If you’re not truthful on your resume, it could cost you a job offer. 
• Use a professional and consistent format, font, and layout.
• Carefully proofread and edit your resume before you upload or send it.
• Print a copy to be sure the format is set and there is plenty of white space on the page.
•  

Review Resume Examples

Review examples of resumes for jobs, including internships, entry-level, mid-level roles, executive positions, and many different professions.

Keep Your Resume Current

Once you’ve created a resume, it’s a good idea to keep it updated. It’s much easier to have a resume ready so you can apply for jobs without spending a lot of time updating and editing it.

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Why It’s Important To Be Honest on Your Resume

If you’ve been job searching for a long time, and not getting many offers, you might be tempted to lie on your resume. This is always a bad idea.

Not only is stretching the truth on your resume the wrong thing to do, but it’s likely to come back to bite you. In the worst-case scenario, you’ll get caught, immediately during a background check or years down the road, and lose the offer or the job. It’s not unlikely: history is full of cases of successful people whose careers were undone because of a falsified education credential or an invented job title on their resume.

But even if you never get caught, lying on your resume can destroy your career by inches. For one thing, you’d have to spend the rest of your time at that job hoping that no one ever finds out. Plus, you’ll have secured the job under false pretenses—which means that you might not be qualified to do the work and succeed.

Get the Facts Straight

Even if you take a leap and decide it’s worth fudging the truth and taking a chance on whether you’ll get caught, be sure you know what you put on your resume. I’ve interviewed candidates who either had a really bad memory when it came to their employment history or who had fudged more than a few details. Unfortunately for them, it only took a quick reference check to confirm that their resume wasn’t accurate.

It’s also important to get the facts straight. When you list results—goals you’ve met, sales numbers you’ve made, anything quantifiable, be sure what you tell the interviewer matches what’s on your resume. Again, if you’re not honest, it’s going to be an issue for potential employers.

Even if you are honest, it’s important to be clear and accurate about your work history and achievements, and to remember what you’ve put down on your job application materials. It’s possible to be totally forthright and factually correct, and still make a mistake about your dates of employment or a job title from 10 years ago.

If you’re not certain about the details of your employment history, do some digging before you send out your resume and cover letter. Verify dates with the Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, and old employers, so that you can be 100% sure that you’re presenting the correct information. Many employers conduct some sort of employment history verification; you don’t want to look like you’re lying when you’re telling the truth.

For the same reason, it’s equally important to go over the details of your history and achievements with former colleagues and bosses who write references and/or recommendations. Don’t trust that their memories are the same as yours.

How to Be Honest on Your Resume and Get the Job

The good news is that you don’t have to lie to make a good impression. With a little honest finessing, your experience and skills can help you get the job, as is. 

Be honest. When it comes to resumes, potential employers are on the lookout for exaggerated skills or results. Grossly overstating your accomplishments can send up a red flag that may come back to haunt you during an interview—or eliminate your chances of securing an interview in the first place.

So, be honest; even if your embellishments make it past a recruiter or potential employer, you’re setting yourself up for failure by misrepresenting yourself and your abilities.

Quantify your results. Wherever possible, include dollar amounts. If you managed a sizeable budget or inked a big deal, be sure to mention this—employers want to see what you’ve done and numbers are a great way to show them.

Know the numbers. Likewise, if the amount of people you managed or programs you’ve developed was significant, focus on that information. Showing that you’ve made good use of your time at another job helps employers visualize what you can do for them.

Don’t bury the “lead.” With hundreds of resumes to go through, hiring managers spend a limited amount of time skimming each one. You need to get your message across right away and convince them your skills and experience are what they’re seeking. Make sure that key information is either listed first or presented in a manner that makes it stand out.

Mention “off-the-job” experience. Be sure to highlight any skills, education, community/volunteer work and additional schooling that pertains to your particular job area or that a potential employer might view as an asset.

Include any notable professional awards, recognitions or accomplishments you have earned.

Professionalism is key. Including photographs, hobbies unrelated to the job, or personal information is unnecessary.

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What Is Pay Equity?

Pay equity, often called equal pay for equal work, is the principle that individuals should receive equal compensation for performing jobs of equal value, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or other protected characteristics. The goal of pay equity is to work to eliminate disparities in compensation to achieve equal work for equal pay.

Even though compensation should be based on the role rather than gender or any other factor, that’s not always the case. Pay gaps can persist even when individuals hold the same job title and have comparable qualifications. 

With gender, the pay gap hasn’t changed much over the years. A Pew Research Center study reports that the pay gender gap has remained relatively stable in the United States over the past 20 years. In 2022, women earned an average of 82% of what men earned—an increase of only 2% from 2002.

In addition, the racial pay gap has increased over time. The Economic Policy Institute reports that the pay of a typical Black worker is 24.4% less per hour than that of a typical white worker in 2019, an increase from 16.4% in 1979.

Review information on pay equity and wage gaps, the laws regulating it, and what you can do to ensure you are paid what you deserve.

What is Pay Equity?

Pay equity refers to the concept of ensuring that employees who perform similar jobs and have similar levels of experience earn the same amount regardless of their gender, race, or any other personal characteristic. This means that if two employees perform the same job and have the same education level and experience, they should be paid the same amount.

Examples of Pay Inequality

Here are some examples of pay inequality in the workplace:

Tech Industry: In a technology company, a male software engineer and a female software engineer with the same experience, education, and job responsibilities might find that the male engineer is earning a higher salary. Despite performing the same tasks and having equivalent qualifications, the gender pay gap could arise due to biases in negotiation, performance evaluations, or promotion opportunities.

Legal Profession: In a law firm, a Black and a white attorney working in the same practice area and with comparable years of experience might discover a wage disparity. Despite their equal contributions to cases and clients, the white attorney could earn a higher salary due to assumptions about his potential for advancement or leadership.

Healthcare Professionals: In a hospital, physicians with the same specialty and experience could find disparities in their earnings. This could occur due to negotiation differences during contract discussions or stereotypes that attribute more value to white male doctors’ contributions.

Corporate Management: A male and a female manager overseeing the same department might experience a pay gap in a corporate setting. This could be due to differences in performance evaluations, opportunities for high-visibility projects, or biases in decision-making processes.

Pay Equity Issues

Despite progress, challenges related to pay equity persist. Factors such as negotiation skills, unconscious biases, and historical inequities often play a role in perpetuating these disparities. Addressing such issues requires a comprehensive approach that includes awareness, training, policy changes, and a commitment to fair and unbiased compensation practices.

Gender and Racial Disparities: Women and minority groups still face wage gaps in many industries, often due to historical biases and stereotypes.

Undervaluation of “Feminine” Jobs: Traditionally, female-dominated occupations tend to be undervalued and thus receive lower compensation, perpetuating gender-based wage disparities.

Negotiation Bias: Negotiation during salary discussions can disadvantage individuals who may negotiate less aggressively, which tends to affect women more than men.

Lack of Transparency: Some companies still keep compensation structures confidential, making it difficult for employees to gauge whether they’re being paid fairly.

Laws Governing Pay Equity

Federal Laws

In the United States, the Equal Pay Act of 1963 was the first law protecting against wage discrimination based on sex. This law requires that male and female employees be paid the same amount for doing the same job.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating through compensation based on a protected class. There are also laws protecting job seekers and employees from discrimination based on age or disability.

State Laws

Many states have also passed laws aimed at addressing pay equity. For example, in New York, “Under state law, you have the right to equal pay for substantially similar work—regardless of your age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, sex, disability, genetic history, familial status, marital status, or domestic violence victim status.”

Company Compensation Policies

Many companies recognize the importance of pay equity for legal and ethical reasons and attracting and retaining top talent. 

They implement policies emphasizing transparency in compensation structures, conduct regular pay audits to identify disparities and make necessary adjustments to ensure fairness. These policies create a more inclusive and motivated workforce.

Improving Pay Equity

The goal of pay equity is to eliminate wage gaps that result from systemic discrimination and implicit biases. It focuses on evaluating job roles based on their responsibilities, skills required, and level of contribution to the organization rather than simply comparing job titles. 

This approach ensures that employees are compensated fairly for their work, regardless of whether they hold the same job title.

What You Can Do if You’re Concerned About Compensation

Pay can be complicated, and there are other reasons besides pay inequality why you may be paid less than your co-workers. Review these strategies for how to handle it if you’re concerned about compensation.

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How To Evaluate a Job Offer

Receiving an employment offer can feel exhilarating, and it’s an occasion that calls for celebration, but before you get too caught up in the emotions, it’s important to carefully evaluate the opportunity.

How do you decide whether to accept an offer? Are there times when you should flat-out reject an opportunity? In this article, I share important steps to take when evaluating a job offer.

How To Evaluate a Job Offer in 6 Steps

Here are six steps you can take to effectively assess a job offer:

1. Get the offer in writing.

Be wary if a company is apprehensive about providing you with the offer in writing. An employment offer is not the kind of situation where you want to take someone at their word.

Consequently, the first and most important step in effectively evaluating a job opportunity is to get the offer in writing, as well as documentation of any incentives advertised during the interview process, such as a sign-on bonus, performance bonuses, or company stock.

If the company is unwilling to back up their promise in writing, it’s safe to assume the offer won’t be realized. Ensuring you receive your job offer and all the additional details in writing is one way to avoid online job scams.

At the bare minimum, it should include:

• Job title and description
• Salary, compensation, benefits, and terms
• Work schedule and location
• Management structure
• Employment start date
• Any contingencies (for example, contingent on a background check, reference check, proof of employment to work in the U.S., etc.)

 

If you’re currently employed, it’s also critical that you receive a final offer and start date before providing your current employer with your resignation. The last thing you want to do is give your current employer notice and then later attempt to get your job back if the offer fails to go through.

2. Understand the total compensation.

Next, you want to understand the total compensation being offered by the company. While companies offer a base salary, there are often additional perks extended to you if you’re a W2 employee.

Benefits like healthcare insurance, stocks, and bonuses can make up a significant portion of your total package and make or break an offer.

My job seeker clients share with me that these additional types of compensation are often one of the deciding factors when choosing between multiple job offers, as they can equate to tens of thousands of dollars in additional annual compensation.

3. Research your prospective employer.

You also want to perform due diligence on your prospective employer before signing on the dotted line. You can begin with the company’s website, social platforms, and recent news, as well as their Glassdoor reviews.

I also highly recommend checking to see if the company is on the community review platform Team Blind, as they require users to confirm they work at an employer before commenting, in order to avoid fake reviews.

Additionally, you can reach out to current and former employees via LinkedIn to learn more about their time at the company. If you’re a member of an intentionally ignored community (shoutout to Dr. Akilah Cadet for this language), try to speak with fellow members of your community to learn about their experiences with the organization.

4.  Reflect on your initial priorities.

As you evaluate the job offer and decide whether you want to accept or reject it, consider how it aligns with the priorities and criteria you originally set when deciding to look for a job, such as:

• Location and work conditions
• Company profile
• Job title and responsibilities

 

I recognize that not all job seekers have the luxury of turning down an offer, particularly if you’re unemployed, yet it’s still worth reviewing the goals you initially set for your job search and seeing how this opportunity lines up.

5. Vision the future—with and without this job.

Now, take a moment to envision yourself accepting this offer. How do you feel about the picture you paint in your head? Does this role align with your personal definition of meaningful work?

What other questions do you need to ask yourself that would make accepting this offer a “heck yes” or “heck no”? Is there any additional information you need to gather to make an informed decision before accepting or declining the offer?

Then, take a moment to envision yourself rejecting the offer. What feelings come up for you? Are you upset? Relieved? Indifferent? Spend some time really weighing your options and reflecting on what your future would be like with—and without—this job.

6. Run the job offer by an expert.

Another important step you want to take in evaluating the offer is to run it by someone you trust who is experienced in reviewing employment offers, such as a mentor in the industry, an employment attorney, or a career coach.

This step is particularly important if the job offer feels too good to be true. The recent layoffs have unfortunately led to an increase in online scammers who are preying on people who are unemployed or underemployed.

Tip: If an employment offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Again, get all promises made by a prospective employer in writing.

Conclusion: How To Evaluate a Job Offer

To summarize, before deciding on a job offer, make sure you get it in writing and understand the total compensation. Additionally, be sure to conduct your due diligence on the company and culture. Also, take time to reflect on the priorities you set at the beginning of your search, then see if you can envision a future in this role and at the company. Finally, don’t forget to run the offer by an industry expert.

Oh, and of course, whether you decide to accept or reject the job offer, be sure to take a moment to celebrate landing the job in the first place.

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Should You Pay Someone To Write Your Resume?

If you’re looking for a new job, you might be asking yourself, “Should I pay someone to write my resume?” With so many moving pieces in a modern-day job search, writing your own resume can feel daunting, leading many to consider hiring someone to do it for them.

When (and When Not) To Hire a Resume Writer

Here are four factors to consider if you’re thinking about paying someone to write your resume:

1. Your comfort level with writing about yourself.

For starters, ask yourself how comfortable you are with writing about yourself and your accomplishments. If you feel uncomfortable marketing and selling yourself to a prospective employer, it may be a good idea to partner with a professional who can help you extract and strategically package your accomplishments.

Additionally, crafting a compelling resume that captures the attention of recruiters and hiring managers requires an understanding of today’s job market as well as knowledge of applicant tracking systems (ATS).

While you don’t need to buy into the myth that robots are choosing whether you receive a job interview, you do want to learn how to identify keywords in job descriptions and strategically insert them into your resume and LinkedIn profile.

2. Your knowledge of the latest recruiting and hiring trends.

Now, ask yourself how well-versed you are in the latest recruiting and hiring trends. Although some job seekers are deeply immersed in job market trends, few can dedicate the time and energy that resume writers and coaches do. There are entire Facebook groups, Twitter channels, and national conferences dedicated to the art and science of resume writing.

Personally speaking, I hire professionals to manage my retirement and taxes because I have neither the capacity nor the interest to constantly track the stock market and evolving tax laws. Similarly, job seekers often hire someone to write their resume for them because they know it’s outside their Zone of Genius.

With this in mind, if you ultimately do choose to hire someone to write your resume, be sure they are up to date on the best practices and trends in resume writing, careers, and recruiters, as the space is constantly evolving. One way to filter writers and coaches is by ensuring they’re an active member and in good standing with a professional association such as the National Résumé Writers’ Association (NRWA) or Career Directors International (CDI). You deserve a professional who is deeply committed to their craft.

3. The complexity of your career story.

Another important consideration when deciding whether you should outsource your resume is the complexity of your career. If you’re earlier in your career, your story and accompanying resume may be more straightforward. Conversely, if you are hoping to make a career transition or break into a new industry, you may wish to partner with a writer or coach who can help you identify your transferable skills and speak the language of your target company.

Along the same lines, if you are fighting age discrimination, managing employment gaps, or navigating similar challenges as you look for your next role, a professional can help you strategize about how you package yourself.

The best career coaches and resume writers know how to craft a compelling resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile that will help you overcome any potential objections.

4. Your experience level.

Speaking of which, you may also wish to consider hiring someone to write your resume if you’re a manager or executive with a lengthier work history. As you progress through your career, it can often become more difficult to identify and summarize your story and accomplishments into a two-page marketing document.

While you won’t include every detail of your career in your resume, it can be beneficial to partner with someone who knows what executive recruiters, headhunters, and hiring managers look for in candidates, and how to synthesize your story in a persuasive manner.

Moreover, resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles look much different at the management and executive level, which means the resume that may have worked earlier in your career will no longer do your recent accomplishments justice. A writer or coach who specializes in executives can support you in recrafting your story for today’s recruiters and hiring managers.

Final Notes on Hiring Someone To Write Your Resume

If you ultimately decide to hire someone to write your resume, recognize that not all executive resume writers and career coaches operate in the same ways. Some will coach you to craft your own resume and accompanying career documents, while others will only write your resume after requiring you to complete a lengthy intake questionnaire or call.

Moreover, some resume writers will charge thousands of dollars, then farm your resume out to a subcontractor who may be making $10 or $20 per hour, so it’s important to understand who will be writing your actual document. Consequently, be sure to conduct your due diligence before hiring a resume writer or career coach and take the time really learn the ins and outs of their process.

On a final note, whether you choose to write your career documents yourself or hire a professional, know that your resume is just one component of finding a new job you love. You’ve got this!

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How To Write An Effective Cover Letter

Cover letters are one of the most stressful parts of a job search. How do you structure the cover letter?  What do you include in your cover letter? How do you use a cover letter to stand out in today’s saturated job market? The list of questions seems endless.

As a career coach, a professional resume writer, and a former hiring manager, I have read more cover letters than I can count. Even if you have a warm introduction to the recruiter or hiring manager, your cover letter is a strategic way to stand out in the saturated job market.

The cover letter is your first opportunity to help recruiters and hiring managers to understand if, how, and why you are the right person for the company and role.

4 Steps for Writing an Effective Cover Letter

Here are four steps to write an effective cover letter:

1. Begin with what drew you to the company and position.

 Start your cover letter off strong by including what drew you to the company and the position you are applying to. This not only shows the recruiter you intentionally applied to their opening but also why you are a fit for that specific requisition.

 Be careful with length here. You do not have to go on for paragraphs. Highlight one to two key points in just a few sentences. Share what exactly about the company and position drew you to submit your application for consideration.

 While brevity is key to a successful cover letter, avoid being vague with your reasons of interest. Your reasons need to be specific enough that you can not use the same reasoning for wanting to work for Facebook that you could at LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok, for example.

 Customizing the introduction of your cover letter will take a little time, but it is one of the few aspects of your cover letter that you need to customize for each job application.

2. Highlight what sets you apart from other job applicants.

With a clear, punchy introduction of why you are the perfect fit for the requisition completed, it is now time for the body of your cover letter. A lot of job seekers use the body of the cover letter as an opportunity to summarize their resumes. This is a mistake. Simply rehashing your experience, accomplishments, and skills not only makes your cover letter unnecessary but is also a missed opportunity to stand out from the crowd.

Leverage this valuable career real estate to make a powerful first impression and help the recruiter put you in the “yes!” pile. You can do this by using a handful of bullet points to clearly explain what sets you apart from other candidates. You can also be as bold as to say, “Here is what sets me apart from other [Role you are applying to],” then include three main points, backed by documented proof from your career.

As you write the core of your cover letter, remember to be specific with stories and examples from your career. Inject numbers, percentages, and factoids where appropriate and helpful.

3. End with a clear call-to-action.

 It is true that you only get one first impression. It is also true that you only get one last impression. Avoid the mistake of ending your cover letter with a passive statement about your interest in the company and availability for an interview. Or, even worse, do not be the job seeker who forgets to include their contact information.

Use the final few sentences of the cover letter to thank the recruiter for their time and consideration. Also, use this space to reinforce your experience and interest. Harness the power of assertive communication to share you are confident and ready for an interview. This may look like:

“You may reach me at [phone] or [email] to arrange my interview.”

4. Consider a testimonial to set you apart from other job seekers.

 While you can say you are fabulous, it is much more convincing if a current or former colleague or client describes your fabulousness, their working relationship with you, and the results you deliver.

 In this article, I share three effective ways to add personality to your resume, including the use of testimonials. Consider including a testimonial in your cover letter to highlight your personality and provide the recruiter with social proof. You can include the testimonial at the top of your cover letter, in the body of the letter, or right below your sign-off.

With these cover letter tips in mind, you are ready to make a great first impression. Go out there and share what makes you fabulous. You’ve got this!

Kyle Elliott, MPA, CHES is the founder and career coach behind CaffeinatedKyle.com. As a result of working with Kyle, senior managers and executives have landed jobs at Facebook, LinkedIn, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and nearly every other Fortune 100/500 company you can think of. They have also found happiness.

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5 Easy Ways To Build Your Career Network

It’s impossible to overstate the importance of networking in building your career. Many jobs are filled through referrals and if you don’t have those connections, you could find yourself missing out on your dream job.

One way to forge those relationships is by attending networking events like career fairs, professional conferences, or trade association mixers. These range from formal to informal and have various focuses:

• A job fair will be fast-paced and focused on meeting as many employers (or recruits) as possible, sort of like the career version of speed dating.
• A mixer might be more informal and focused on building long-term professional relationships between workers in the same field.

 

Big or small, formal or informal, there’s one thing all these networking events have in common: if you’re an introvert, socially anxious, or just plain shy, the idea of attending probably makes you want to move to another state and change your name.

The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to attend career networking events to build your professional network. With a little ingenuity, you can create a support system without ever again sticking a name tag on your shirt and reciting your elevator speech to a stranger.

How To Grow Your Career Network

Here are five easy ways to grow your career network:

1. Maximize Your Social Media

Not so long ago, networking meant meeting people face-to-face. Now, we have social media to do some of the legwork for us. Thanks to social networks, it’s possible to make connections to professionals in your field while sitting at your desk (or scrolling through your phone).

When it comes to professional social networks, LinkedIn is still the gold standard. LinkedIn boasts the widest reach of any career-focused network. Chances are, most of your colleagues are on there already—not to mention recruiters and employers you might want to contact during your next job search. Take the time to optimize your LinkedIn profile and use it to grow your career network.

But LinkedIn isn’t the only game in town. Although you might not think of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., as professional-focused social networks, you can use all of them to help you achieve your goals. Remember that networking isn’t just about finding jobs to apply for and people who will provide you with referrals for open positions. It’s also about connecting with others in a genuine way, outside of an immediate need for employment.

With that in mind, the best social network for your career development is always the social network that you’re willing to use. If you love Facebook, for example, but can’t really get into LinkedIn, you might do better to make your connections there. Just be mindful, as always, of what you post and what impression you’re creating when you do.

2. Network at Work

If you have a job, you already have a professional network, whether you realize it or not. Your colleagues, direct reports, managers, and clients are all people who can help your career (and vice versa).

In fact, some of the best networking you do might be at your current job. Start by being excellent at what you do. Then look for opportunities to extend your circle beyond the people you work with every day. Are there chances to work with other teams outside your department or on projects that will allow you to meet new people and try new things?

Don’t wait until you’re ready. Stretch assignments can help you grow as a professional while also allowing you to extend your circle of acquaintance. The end result may be a more robust skillset as well as a stronger professional network.

3. Help Others With Their Career

Want to make sure you’ll have people in your corner when you need them? Help others, even when you don’t need anything in return. It’s easy to:

• Provide referrals for qualified connections.
• Write recommendations for former coworkers who are moving on to better things.
• Endorse or recommend contacts on LinkedIn.

In short, be there when your connections need you. It’s not just about getting on their good side so that they’ll help you find a job someday. It’s the right thing to do. (But also, yes, it’ll be easier to find people to help you if you’ve always looked out for others.)

4. Ask for Introductions

Maybe attending a networking event with potentially hundreds of strangers is too nerve-wracking, but what about a coffee date, set up by someone who knows you well? These kinds of informal networking get-togethers are often less stressful than large-scale functions, but they can yield real results. You’d be surprised how willing many people are to meet with new folks and share their knowledge and insight.

5. Invest in Your Life Outside of Work

Do you have a hobby or a passion outside of work? If so, you don’t really need formal networking events. You can connect with others in the best possible way: through shared interests.

Think of it this way: there’s a reason that employers keep box seats at the local stadium for their salespeople to use when they’re wooing clients, and it’s not just that it’s a flashy perk. The fact is that people connect better when it’s not forced. If you share a passion for local sports, you and your client (or colleague or potential contact) already have a point of connection.

One of the best things you can do for yourself, and your career, is to stop keeping the parts of your life separate. Let your friends at your local knitting group know more about what you do for a living. Tell your running club you’re open to new opportunities. Don’t push for referrals or job openings. Just share who you are and what you do.

The best networking contact is one who’s genuinely on your side and wants you to succeed. Who better to help you than your friends?

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4 Quick Tips To Improve Your Interview Skills

Job interviews are an opportunity for employers to assess the candidate pool and find the best available talent for their company. They are also an opportunity to put your best foot forward, evaluate prospective employers, and find a job you love.

How do you stand out in the interview process? What can you do to take your interview skills to the next level? Are there mistakes you should avoid when interviewing? Below are four tips to quickly improve your interview skills. 

1. Harness the Power of Storytelling

You do not have to be award-winning showrunner Shonda Rhimes to harness the power of storytelling during your next interview. Leveraging storytelling during the interview process is a simple yet impactful opportunity to not only make your interview answers more memorable but also increase your chances of receiving a job offer in the saturated job market.

 Consider creating a bank of a half-dozen stories you can tactically weave throughout your interview. I advise my interview coaching clients to craft stories that encapsulate their career wins as well as the major challenges they have faced in the workplace. Doing so ensures you have enough stories prepared to handle nearly any interview question thrown your way.

 2. Connect Your Answers Back to the Company and Position

One of the biggest mistakes I see interviewees making is not tying their responses and stories back to the company and position. Each time you answer a question, highlight how it relates to your prospective employer. This helps the interviewer envision what it will be like working with you.

Additionally, describe how your answer specifically relates to the position you are interviewing for. This is particularly important if you are making a career transition, as your transferable skills need to be salient and clear. Further, call attention to how your experience is unique compared to other interviewees.

 3. Inject Your Secret Sauce Into Your Interview Answers

Remember your interview is more than just an opportunity to describe how you are qualified for the role. Again, your interview is about underscoring how you are uniquely qualified compared to other interviewees. In other words, your interview is an opportunity to set yourself apart from the crowd.

 With this in mind, you want to inject your fabulousness into each interview answer. I encourage my interview clients to create a ‘fabulousness phrasebook’ with high-impact phrases they can weave throughout their interviews. This makes it simple to effectively incorporate their secret sauce into their interview answers.

 4. Be Mindful of Your Interview Presence and Answer Delivery

Finally, there is more to your interview than merely the content. You also need to be mindful of how you deliver your interview answers. Practice speaking clearly while maintaining appropriate eye contact. Additionally, be mindful of your non-verbal communication and body language.

 Furthermore, practice taking pauses and breathing between your sentences. This allows your interviewer to absorb what you are saying, take adequate notes on your interview answers, and interject with any questions that may arise. This also helps you come off as calm and confident.

 Know that improving your interview skills takes time. Be patient with yourself as you work to refine your interview presence. You’ve got this!

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The MAPP Assessment: Free Career Assessment Tool

Navigating the labyrinth of career choices and understanding one’s vocational calling is a challenge many people face. Over the years, many assessment tools have surfaced to aid this journey. Among them, the MAPP assessment stands out, casting a notable footprint in the realm of career development and self-awareness.

What is the MAPP Assessment?

The MAPP assessment, available on www.assessment.com, is a comprehensive tool designed to identify an individual’s vocational interests, motivations, and aptitudes. Its name stands for Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential, which aptly captures its core function: evaluating a person’s core motivations to help guide them towards a fulfilling career.

Key Features and Highlights

1. Extensive Reach: Over 9,000,000 people have taken the MAPP assessment, a testament to its credibility and the trust it has garnered over time.
2. Preferred by Career Coaches: It’s not just individuals who have trusted MAPP. The assessment is the tool of choice for over 3,500 career coaches. These professionals rely on MAPP’s accurate insights to help guide their clients toward suitable career paths.
3. Comprehensive Analysis: Unlike basic assessments that provide a rudimentary glimpse into one’s preferences, the MAPP assessment dives deep. It evaluates the test-taker’s responses to understand preferences, natural motivations, and potential career paths.
4. Customized Feedback: Upon completion, individuals receive feedback tailored to their unique profile. This includes potential career paths, suitable job environments, and even specific job recommendations.
5. User-friendly Interface: The online portal on www.assessment.com is intuitive, ensuring a hassle-free experience for users, from start to finish.

Why is the MAPP Assessment So Effective?

The efficacy of any assessment tool rests on its design, methodology, and the research backing it. The MAPP assessment excels in all these facets:

• Scientific Foundation: The MAPP assessment is rooted in years of rigorous research and has been refined continuously to align with the dynamic nature of the job market.
• Holistic Approach: Rather than just focusing on one’s skills or knowledge, MAPP delves into motivations, aptitudes, and preferences. This ensures that the recommendations are not only aligned with what a person can do but also with what they would love to do.
• Continuous Updates: The world of work is ever-evolving. Recognizing this, the MAPP assessment is regularly updated to reflect changes in the job market, ensuring that its recommendations remain relevant.

 

In an era where individual satisfaction and fulfillment in the workspace are paramount, tools like the MAPP assessment are more vital than ever. Whether you are a job seeker looking to find your ideal career or a career coach aiming to provide guidance to your clients, understanding how to effectively utilize the MAPP assessment can be a game-changer.

For Job Seekers: Finding the Ideal Career

1. Self-awareness and Clarity: Before embarking on a job hunt, it’s crucial to understand oneself. The MAPP assessment helps in introspection, shedding light on one’s motivations, preferences, and aptitudes. With this clarity, a job seeker can confidently navigate the job market, ensuring alignment between personal aspirations and job roles.
2. Targeted Job Search: Armed with the results from the MAPP assessment, job seekers can focus their energy and resources on pursuing careers that align with their strengths and motivations, reducing the time and effort often wasted on unsuitable roles.
3. Personalized Recommendations: The MAPP assessment doesn’t just provide insights; it offers concrete job recommendations tailored to an individual’s profile. This can serve as a roadmap for job seekers, guiding them towards roles they might not have previously considered.
4. Boosting Confidence: Knowing one’s strengths and areas of motivation can bolster self-confidence during interviews. Job seekers can articulate their value proposition more effectively, positioning themselves as ideal candidates.

For Career Coaches: Guiding Clients to Their Best-fit Careers

1. In-depth Client Understanding: Before offering guidance, understanding the client is paramount. The MAPP assessment offers detailed insights into a client’s motivations and aptitudes, providing a holistic view that can guide the coaching process.
2. Tailored Coaching Strategies: With the detailed results from the MAPP assessment, career coaches can customize their coaching strategies to suit individual client needs, ensuring a more effective coaching journey.
3. Data-Driven Decisions: The MAPP assessment provides empirical data, allowing coaches to move beyond intuitive guesses. This data-driven approach can enhance the credibility of the coaching process and boost the confidence of clients in the guidance provided.
4. Continuous Feedback Loop: As clients evolve and grow during the coaching process, the MAPP assessment can be retaken to track changes in motivations and aptitudes. This offers a continuous feedback loop, ensuring that the coaching remains relevant and dynamic.
5. Building Client Trust: Using a renowned tool like the MAPP assessment enhances the professional image of career coaches. When clients see that decisions are based on recognized and reliable tools, it fosters trust, which is the bedrock of the coach-client relationship.

Conclusion

The MAPP assessment, with its comprehensive approach to understanding motivations, aptitudes, and preferences, has proven to be an invaluable resource both for job seekers aiming to find their ideal career and career coaches guiding clients on their vocational journey. By harnessing its power, both parties can ensure a smoother, more effective path to career satisfaction and success.

Take the MAPP Assessment

Click Here to take the Free MAPP Career Assessment.

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When (and When Not) To Send an Interview Thank-You Note

Sending a thank-you note after a job interview is a thoughtful gesture that can positively affect your candidacy. A thank-you note can help you get further consideration for a job, move you ahead in the hiring process, and cement the good impression you made during the interview.

Besides that, employers like to get them. A Robert Half survey reports that 80% of employers said they take thank-you messages into account when they are deciding who to hire.

Do you always need to follow up an interview by saying thank you? Generally, it’s a good idea and worth the extra effort. In some cases, it’s optional and may not be necessary.

Here’s when (and why) it’s a good practice to send an interview thank-you email and when you don’t need to.

Reasons To Send an Interview Thank-You Message

Here are some reasons why sending a thank-you note is a good idea:

• Shows Appreciation: Demonstrates your appreciation for the opportunity to interview and the time the interviewer(s) spent with you.
• Leaves a Lasting Impression: Reinforces your positive image, reminding the interviewer of your candidacy and reiterating your interest in the position.
• Reiterates Interest: Reaffirms your enthusiasm for the role and the company.
• Demonstrates Professionalism: Showcases your professionalism, indicating that you have strong communication skills and understand the importance of following up.
• Provides an Opportunity to Address Key Points: Addresses any questions or concerns that arose during the interview, clarifying or expanding on your responses.
• Highlights Your Fit: Emphasizes your qualifications and alignment with the employer’s needs.
• Personalizes the Experience: Mentions aspects of the conversation can make your follow-up more memorable and individualized.
• Stands Out From Other Candidates: Sets you apart from applicants who don’t follow up and demonstrates your proactive approach.
• Reinforces Networking: Provides an opportunity to connect and engage with interviewers, helping to build your professional network.
• Opens Dialogue: Sparks further conversation or engagement with the company, potentially leading to additional opportunities for discussion or consideration.
• Shows Attention to Detail: Showcases your attention to detail, which can translate to your potential role within the company.
• Positive Tone: Creates a positive vibe around your candidacy, which may influence decision-making.
• Encourages Reciprocity: Demonstrating your appreciation and respect could encourage the interviewers to reciprocate by providing feedback or insights about the interview.
• Mitigates Misunderstandings: If there were any points of confusion during the interview, a thank-you note provides an opportunity to clarify and ensure a clear understanding.
• Maintains Communication: Keeps you in the interviewers’ minds as they make decisions, which could lead to timely updates about the status of your application.

 

Tip: Here’s the best way to write a job interview thank-you note, with examples and writing tips.

Reasons Not To Send a Thank-You Note 

While sending a thank-you note after a job interview is generally a good practice, sometimes it might not be necessary.

Here’s a list of reasons why and when you might not need to send a thank-you note:

• Extremely Short Interviews: If the interview was exceptionally brief and there was little substantive discussion, a thank-you note might seem unnecessary.
• You Don’t Want the Job: If the job doesn’t fit what you’re looking for in your next role, there’s no need to follow up unless the company has other opportunities that could be match.
• Negative Interview Experience: If the interview left you with a negative impression of the company or role and you don’t want the job, sending a thank-you note might not make sense. 
• Immediate Rejection: If you receive a rejection shortly after the interview and it’s clear that the decision has been made, sending a thank-you note may not impact the outcome.
• Company Policy: Some companies have policies regarding communication after interviews. If you were advised not to follow up, respecting their guidelines is best.
• Overwhelming Number of Interviews: If you’re going through a high volume of interviews, sending a personalized thank-you note might not be feasible after each one. However, if you’re using Teal for your job search, there are templates built into the workflow that make it quick and to do. 
• Strong Existing Relationship: If you already have a strong professional relationship with the interviewers or have been in close communication before the interview, a thank-you note might not be as necessary. But it doesn’t hurt to send one anyway!
• Informal or Non-Traditional Settings: In some informal or non-traditional job interview settings, sending a formal thank-you note might not align with the company culture.
• Cultural Differences: Thank-you notes might not be customary depending on cultural norms and expectations.
• Shortlisting or Final Stages: If you’re at the final stages of the interview process and the decision is imminent, sending a thank-you note might not significantly impact the outcome. On the other hand, it might so don’t hesitate to send one immediately after the interview.

 

Tip: If you’ve decided you’re not interested in the job, here’s how to withdraw your application.

How To Decide What To Do

It’s important to use your judgment and consider the context of the interview when deciding whether to send a thank-you note. While it’s generally a positive practice, there are situations where it might not be necessary or other forms of follow-up might be more appropriate.

If you’re unsure what to do, the best option is to say thank you because it won’t hurt the outcome. It can only help.

Who To Thank for an Interview

Be sure to address the thank-you note to the person or people who interviewed you. If you met with more than one person, send a separate note to each of them. 

When To Send the Message

Send your thank-you message promptly after the interview, ideally within 24 hours, to maximize its impact on the hiring process.

Following up immediately ensures that you’re still fresh in the interviewer’s mind and shows you’re organized and efficient. 

Example of a Job Interview Thank-You Email Message

Subject Line: Appreciation for the Interview – [Your Full Name]

Dear [Interviewer’s Name],

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the opportunity to interview for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name] on [Interview Date]. Learning more about the team, the company’s goals, and the exciting projects you’re working on was a pleasure.

I am truly excited about the possibility of contributing my skills and experience to [Company Name] and joining your dynamic team. Our discussion about [specific topic discussed during the interview] reinforced my belief that this role aligns perfectly with my career aspirations and strengths.

I was impressed by [specific aspect of the company or interview] that we discussed during the interview. It further solidified my interest in the position and my eagerness to potentially join your ranks.

Thank you for meeting with me and sharing insights into the [Job Title] role and the broader vision of [Company Name]. I am even more enthusiastic about the prospect of joining your team and contributing to the company’s continued success.

Please feel free to reach out if there are any additional details or materials I can share. I look forward to the possibility of speaking further.

Thank you once again for considering me for the [Job Title] position.

Best regards,

[Your Full Name] 
[Your Phone Number] 
[Your Email Address]

Tip: If you need help writing a personalized thank-you message, AI tools such as ChatGPT can help.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, sending a thank-you note after a job interview can be a simple but effective way to demonstrate professionalism and create a positive impression with the interviewer. 

Writing may take just a few minutes, but it could be the extra step that sets you apart from other candidates. So, make an effort and send that thank-you messsage—it could pay off in the long run! 

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What To Do When You’ve Chosen the Wrong Career

What can you do if you’re feeling like you’ve chosen the wrong career? It’s a long life, and most career paths are more winding roads than straight lines. 

Still, if you’ve invested time and money in training for a career, only to discover that you hate your job, you’re probably in a bit of a panic right now. That’s understandable.

Here’s the good news: you’re not alone. While it’s hard to find statistics on exactly how many careers the average person has in his or her lifetime, the answer is generally, “A couple.” Even better news: not every career change requires years of school or expensive retraining.

If you find yourself unhappy with your career, and unsure of what to do next, here’s where to start:

1. Make Sure It’s Your Career You Hate, and Not Your Job or Your Boss

There’s an old saying: “People don’t quit jobs. They quit bosses.” Research bears this out. A Gallup poll showed that half of respondents had left a job because of their manager.

Similarly, a job can be a bad fit, and not reflect on the job-holder’s aptitude for the occupation as a whole. If you’re thinking of changing careers, it’s a good idea to start off by asking yourself whether you hate the career … or some aspect of your current employment.

How can you tell the difference? Beyond the obvious indicators like an abusive boss or a corporate culture that just doesn’t click, consider typical job duties for the role. Would you hate what you were doing each day, if you could do it in a different place?

2. Do Some Soul-Searching

When we’re in school, teachers and family members stress the importance of being practical. That’s fine advice, but it does have a way of squelching your ability to hold onto your dreams.

Now’s the time to step into your mental time machine and think about your aspirations way back when. What did you want to be when you grew up? Maybe the exact role is out of the question (the demand for pop stars and astronauts being a bit low) but you might remember some things about your original goals that will help you out today. You might need a job that’s more creative, or one that helps you save the world.

3. Talk To Kindred Spirits Who Love Their Jobs

True story: my mother went back to school at the age of 35 to become a registered nurse. Why? Because she happened to get a part-time job at a hospital, met some nurses, and realized that she like their approach to life and work, and felt at home among them.

The lesson is that if you can find your people, you can sometimes find your dream career. Talk to the people you love most about the jobs they love. Even if you don’t feel a connection with their occupation, you might learn something about what makes them happy at work—and that could spark a revelation as to what you should do next.

4. Go on Informational Interviews

Once you have a few possible occupations in mind, it’s time to start talking to people who have the jobs you want. If that seems daunting, it might help to know that most people love to talk about what they do, especially with someone who’s excited about their field.

Beyond that, you’ll likely find that people are surprisingly generous with their time, especially if you come recommended by a friend. So, start asking your connections if they know anyone who knows anyone who does what you want to do, and network your way into a conversation.

5. Look for Transferable Skills

All occupations require skills that transfer to other jobs; the key is learning to look for the commonalities, instead of focusing on how far you have to go to make the transition.

Looking at job descriptions can be a big help. Keep a copy of your current job description handy, fleshing it out with job descriptions for similar titles at other companies. Then, when you find a potential new career, compare what you do to what’s required in the new role.

Chances are, you’ll find that you already know a lot more than you think you do. That foundation will give you the confidence you need to start picking up the skills and networking your way into your new career.

What to Do Next: How to Successfully Start a New Career

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How To Ace a Job Interview

You have just landed an interview for what seems like a perfect job. The next step is to take the time to get ready to ace the interview. A successful interview will be essential for you to lock in a job offer, and this is your chance to impress the interviewer enough to get hired, or to at least get a second interview.

Tips for Acing a Job Interview

Taking the time to prepare will make the interview process, which can be lengthy, run smoothly. You will be able to make the best possible impression at every job interview you go on. Once you’ve got a system in place, each time you interview it will become a little easier.

Here’s advice on how to ace a job interview, including tips on every aspect of the interview from preparation through follow-up.

Conduct Company Research

Company research should always be your first step after accepting an interview. Gathering background information on employers is crucial to successful interview preparation.

Tip: You might want to check out the company before you even apply to be sure you want to work there.

An employer will expect you to know something about the company, and will want you to be able to discuss how you will fit in well with the organization. You need to be prepared to answer the questions, “What do you know about our company”? and “Why do you want to work here?”

Knowing as much as possible about the company’s past performance and future plans can also help you better explain how you can add value to the company.

Before the interview, review the company’s website, particularly their “About Us” page/section. Also check out its LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social pages to see what information the company is sharing. Also review online reviews, salaries, and interviewing information.

Use Your Connections

If you know a person who works at the organization or someone who can put you in touch with a current or former employee, you’ll be able to gather information that can give you an advantage over the other applicants.

Check LinkedIn to see if you have contacts at the company you can use to get insider information. If your college has an alumni network, tap that too. Ask your connections about the interview process they went through when they were hired, ask what they like—and don’t like—about working for the organization. Learn as much as you possibly can about the company and the job for which you’re applying. It will help you know what to ask, as well as give you insight into the role.

Practice Interviewing

Practice makes perfect—or at least will make you feel more comfortable during “real” interviews. Conduct practice interviews with a friend or family member, and ask for their feedback. You can also record or video your responses so you can review your answers and check your body language.

Prepare answers to commonly asked interview questions. Doing so will help you analyze your background and qualifications for the position. You don’t need to memorize your responses, but having an idea of what you’re going to say will help you frame a solid response and help you avoid getting stressed when you’re not sure what to say.

Be ready to respond when you’re asked if you have any questions for the interviewer. Prepare a list of questions you want to ask the interviewer. Remember, you aren’t simply trying to get the job — you are also interviewing the employer to assess whether this company and the position are a good fit for you.

Tip: The more you practice, the more self-assured you will feel walking into the interview. Your answers will feel natural, and interviewers will be impressed by your confidence. These free interview practice tools will help you ace the interview.

Learn Behavioral Interviewing Techniques

In addition to standard interview techniques, behavior-based interviewing is becoming more common. It is based on the idea that a candidate’s past performance is the best predictor of future performance. Behavioral interviews involve you answering questions about how you’ve handled past situations at work.

The best way to prepare is to make a list of your skills, values, and interests as well as your strengths and weaknesses. For each item on the list, consider a time when you displayed that quality. Take the time to compile a list of responses to common behavioral interview questions.

When answering, describe the past situation and how you successfully handled it. Make sure your answers are related to the job for which you are interviewing.

Prepare for Different Types of Interviews

It is important to know what type of interview you will have, so you can effectively prepare. For example, you will prepare differently depending on whether it is your first, second, or final interview.

Phone and Video Interviews

You will also have to practice using different technologies if it is a phone or video interview. For both, you’ll need a quiet place to interview, a time when you won’t be interrupted, and the technology necessary to smoothly handle the meeting. Take the time to make sure everything is in working order, and do a trial run so you’re ready when it’s time for the actual interview.

Out of the Office Interviews

For a lunch or dinner interview, you will want to review polite dining tips before you go. Plan to get to the restaurant a few minutes early (including time for transport delays), and expect the hiring manager to pick up the check. Check online to get a sense of appropriate attire. You may also be able to review the menu to get ideas on what to order.

Interviewing over a cup of coffee is much less formal, even though it can be a stepping stone to a formal in-office interview. A casual interview is an excellent way to learn more about a potential employer and the people who work at the company. You’ll have more flexibility and opportunities to discuss the role in an informal setting.

Group Interviews

You might also have a group interview, in which you are either interviewed by a panel, or interviewed along with a group of candidates. For this kind of interview, you want to practice both answering questions and being a good listener (which you can show by responding thoughtfully to your group members’ comments and through your body language).

Make sure you know what kind of interview you will be having before you arrive. If you are unsure, make sure to ask the employer or recruiter who set up the meeting.

Dress for Interview Success

You will want to decide what to wear before the interview day. Your first impression is very important, and what you wear forms a big part of that. Therefore, you want to make sure you look professional and appropriate to the work environment.

In general, for formal business interviews, men tend to wear a dark suit and tie, and women often wear a dark suit or a blouse with dark pants or a skirt. You should also limit accessories, make sure you are well groomed, your clothing fits you well, and your shoes are shined.

You will be able to dress more casually for a job at a startup, or a job at a place with a casual work environment. What’s important is to wear what’s a good fit for the corporate environment, but even when you’re interviewing at a workplace where nobody has heard the phrase “dress code,” you don’t want to look like a slob. Neat and tidy business casual is a good option when you know that a suit isn’t going to be appropriate interview attire.

If you are unsure about what to wear, email or call the person who scheduled the interview and ask about the typical dress code. It is always a good idea to dress just a little bit more formally than the dress code requires. Your goal is to make the best impression possible.

Tip: If your interview is online, avoid very bright colors, stripes, and busy patterns, and make sure your interview outfit doesn’t blend in with your background.

Check Your Technology

When you’re having a video or phone interview, be sure to check that all your technology is in working order. If interviewing on Zoom, after checking for software updates you can join a test meeting to test your internet connection, audio, and video. You’ll also be able to see how you and your background appear on screen.

How To Handle the Day of the Interview

It is very important not to be late for the interview. “On time” means ten to 15 minutes early for an in-person interview and a few minutes early for a video interview. If need be, take some time to drive to the office ahead of time or check out other options for getting there so you know exactly where you are going, how long it will take to get there, and what the transportation and parking situation looks like.

If you’re running late you’ll be stressed, and that’s no way to start an interview for what could be your new job.

Know Proper Interview Etiquette

Remember that it’s not only the hiring manager who makes the decision on who to hire. Be polite and gracious to everyone you meet, from the time you walk in the door to when you leave. The people you meet could be your future co-workers, so make the best impression on them that you can.

When you arrive, introduce yourself to the receptionist. Make sure you know the interviewer’s name and use it as soon as possible during the interview. If you’re not sure of their name, email or call and ask prior to the interview.

What (and What Not) to Bring

Remember to bring an extra copy of your resume, a list of references, and any work samples you want to show the employer. Bring your list of questions to ask the interviewer. It’s a good idea to bring a notepad and pen to take notes.

Tip: It’s also important to know what not to bring. Do not bring coffee, gum, or anything else not related to the job. Turn your phone off and put it away before you walk into the office.

Try to Stay Calm and Avoid Stress

If you’re nervous, visit the restroom before your interview, and wash and dry your hands so they aren’t sweaty. Try reframing feelings of anxiety as excitement. Take some deep breaths, and remember that this is only one interview and you’ve prepared as well as you can for it. If the interview goes wrong, it’s not the end of the world, and you may even be able to fix it.

During the interview, try to remain as calm and present in the moment as possible. Ask for clarification if you’re not sure what’s been asked and remember that it is perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two to frame your responses so you can be sure to answer the question fully.

Also, remember that thorough preparation helps build confidence and relieve stress. The more you research the company, practice answering interview questions, and prepare for the day of the interview, the calmer and more confident you will feel and appear.

Take the Time to Follow Up

Even though you’ve finished the interview, you’re not quite done yet. End the interview with a thank you to the interviewer, and reiterate your interest in the position. Then follow up with a personal thank-you note or email message restating your interest. This is an opportunity to remind the employer of your qualifications, and to include any details you forgot to mention in the interview.

How to Tell If the Interview Went Well

Sometimes you can tell right away that an interview isn’t working out. You may know as soon as the interviewer starts telling you about the job that you don’t want it. The chemistry between you and the hiring manager may not feel quite right. Or you can tell you’re not a good fit for the job or organization after all.

During other interviews, it may not be as clear. Here are some signs that your job interview went well. If it didn’t, consider it a learning experience, and more practice. With every interview you have, you’ll be better prepared to ace the next one—and get the job. Good luck!

 

 

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