Job Search Archives - Building Careers

Job Search Slump? Here’s What to Do…

Blog, Job Search, Resume Ideas, Set Yourself Up For Success

So your job search has hit a wall. Every job you’ve applied to hasn’t panned out (or they flat-out ghosted you), and every time you go looking for new opportunities it seems like there’s nothing out there for you.

It’s easy to lose hope and motivation in moments like this. I wouldn’t fault you if you just wanted to check out for a bit. However, if you’re still up for it, there are plenty of things you can do during this slow period to stay in the game, find under-the-radar roles you might be perfect for, and set yourself up for success when the market picks up again.

Job Search Slump

First, is it you or the job market? The job search slump can be caused by two factors: the job market and the job seeker.

While it’s hard to predict exactly when companies hire heavily and when they hold off on expanding their teams, Ricklyn Woods, a Muse career coach with 20 years of experience working in HR and recruiting, says the latter half of the year tends to be a slower period for growth.

Also, fewer job opportunities tend to pop up, and the hiring process often takes longer, over the summer and during holidays when HR or certain departments go on vacation. If you’re job searching during these periods, it could be the job market that’s leading you to come up empty-handed.

If you’ve only just started your job search, you’re likely not in a slump—yet. “Clients that I work with take on average three months to land a job offer,” Woods says. Past that amount of time, however, she’s inclined to believe it’s something the job seeker is doing that’s affecting their prospects, rather than seasonal trends.

For candidates who are making it to the job interview but not getting past the first few rounds, she adds that it’s possible their technique needs work. Maybe you’re coming across as overly anxious, or lack preparedness. Running your application or interview answers by a friend or trusted colleague can give you a sense of whether it’s you that’s holding you back.

Let’s say you’ve done everything right—your resume and cover letter are highly personalized and well written, you go into interviews with concise and confident responses, and overall it feels like you have a good handle on your job search, except for the amount of jobs available to you.

Here are six additional productive things you can do to weed out opportunities and impress hiring managers now and in the future.

1. Circle back with recruiters from old job applications

Think back to roles you applied to months or even a year ago—the ones you felt you were perfect for and even made it to the final round before getting rejected. Did the hiring manager and other members of the team seem to like you? Was it clear you were rejected not because of your skill set or fit, but because someone else was a slightly better candidate, they hired internally, or the role was put on pause or changed course? Chances are there’s an opportunity waiting for you at that company or on that team that hasn’t been considered yet, or will pop up when there’s more budget.

Following up with recruiters you’ve met with in the past is a great way to stay on a company’s radar when hiring picks up again, as well as build valuable connections that could be useful down the road. Guess what? This strategy has worked for me and others in landing jobs after being rejected.

Job Search Slump? Here’s What to Do… Read More »

15+ ChatGPT Prompts for Job Interview Prep

Blog, Interview Tips, Job Search

Wouldn’t it be great if we all had a personal job search assistant? Someone we could turn to, anytime, for assistance in our careers?

Well, we may not have that at our disposal, but we do have something almost as good: technology. And while it can’t solve all our problems, it can certainly make our lives—and job searches—easier.

ChatGPT is one of those handy tech tools in our metaphorical career tool belts. If you’re heard the buzz around ChatGPT, or tried it already, here’s how you can use ChatGPT prompts for job interview prep.

Best Practices for Using Chatgpt to Prep for a Job Interview

Before you get started with ChatGPT in your job search, keep these general rules in mind:

Avoid sharing confidential company information: If you signed an NDA during your interview process, it’s best to avoid pasting anything confidential or sensitive the company shares with you into ChatGPT, as OpenAI does sometimes collect and save data to improve its model.
Add context: This can be anything from your background or working style to background on the company or role—the more details you provide, the better it can work in your favor. And remember that you can continue the conversation to get a more specific answer, and ChatGPT will learn as you go and build its answers off of everything you’ve said previously.
Trust your gut: Like any tech tool, ChatGPT has its flaws and may not always produce the right answer. If something seems off or you’re uncomfortable following the chatbot’s advice, it’s best to lean on another source for a gut-check, be it a friend, family member, mentor, or career coach.

35 ChatGPT Prompts for Job Interview Prep

Ready to turn ChatGPT into your personal virtual career coach? Try out these prompts for job interview prep.

Prompts for Any Job Seeker

I’m interviewing for [job title] with [company/type of company]. What skills, attributes, or previous experiences are useful to talk about in my interview?
Here’s my resume: [resume text]. What should I bring up in a job interview for a position as [job title] at [company/type of company]?
Here’s my cover letter: [cover letter text]. What should I bring up in a job interview for a position as [job title] at [company/type of company]?
You’re the interviewer for this role: [job description]. Can you come up with 3-5 interview questions based on this job description?
You’re the interviewer for this role: [job description]. What are you looking for in a hire when interviewing them?
You’re the interviewer for this role: [job description]. Conduct a mock job interview for me.
I’m interviewing for [job title] at [company/type of company], and this is part of the job description: [section of the job description in question]. What does this responsibility entail?/How do I showcase this skill in an interview?
Ask me [interview question you want to prep for], and I’m going to provide an answer. Give me feedback on my answer as if you’re the hiring manager: What elements of my story stood out? What pieces were missing? Given interview best practices, what did I do well, and what could I do differently?
I’m interviewing for [job title] and expect to be asked [question you think the hiring manager will ask you]. What’s the best way to answer this question?
How do I best answer [common interview question] if I’m interviewing for a role as [job title] at [company/type of company]?

15+ ChatGPT Prompts for Job Interview Prep Read More »

Crafting the Perfect Post-Interview Thank You Email Subject Line

Blog, Interview Tips, Job Search, Set Yourself Up For Success

You just wrapped an interview, it couldn’t have gone better, and now you really feel like you’re one step closer to this job. Next, you know you need to sit down and write a thank you email for your interview to show just how excited you are about this opportunity. The words basically pour out of you—but then you get stuck. What should you put for the subject line?

The Importance of Thank You Email Subject Lines

The subject line is the only part of your message that your interviewer will see in their inbox. A strong thank you email subject line can mean the difference between this person reading your thank you note or skipping over it—so it needs to be clear and informative, but also brief so it doesn’t get cut off (especially if they’re reading from their phone).

Three Tips for Subject Lines

Keep these in mind as you craft your subject line:

Be obvious: There’s no need to clickbait your interviewer. They should know what’s in your email before they open it.
Be clear: Interviewers may be talking with a lot of candidates in a short period or hiring for multiple positions. So include enough information that between your name and the subject line, your interviewer will remember who you are and why they interviewed you.
Be concise: Since there are a number of different email platforms and ways of viewing inboxes (between devices, personal settings, and applications), there’s no hard and fast rule on how long your subject line should be. However, on an iPhone 13 Pro with text size at Apple’s middle setting, the Mail app starts cutting subject lines off after about 40 characters. So, try to keep your subject line as short as you can while still being informative and professional.

What to Include

To get your interviewer to read your thank you email, you can include one or more of the following in your subject line:

“Thank you” or “Thanks”
A brief mention of your meeting. For example, “Thank you for meeting with me” or “Thanks for our call” makes for an easy post-interview subject line.
The title of the open position. “Thank You – Sales Associate Interview” makes for a clear, concise email subject line.
The day or time of your interview. When possible, you should send your thank you note within the same day as your interview. If you’re able to be so timely, you can say something like “Thanks for chatting this morning” or “this afternoon” in the subject line.

Note that there’s no reason to include your first and last name in the subject line, as this info will appear in the sender field of your interviewer’s inbox.

Crafting the Perfect Post-Interview Thank You Email Subject Line Read More »

How to Begin a Career in CRE: A Roadmap for Navigating the Commercial Real Estate Industry

Blog, Industry Insights, Job Search

If you’re trying to begin a career in CRE, this roadmap is for you. The fact is, the commercial real estate (or CRE) industry is a vast and varied field. And it offers numerous options for anyone seeking a rewarding career path. Currently, there are many career opportunities, and compensation in this field has been rising for year s. With more than 3.7 million jobs in the United States tied to CRE and accounting for approximately 13% of the GDP, this is an industry that is ripe with potential, both for growth and for success.

But here’s the problem. It’s not always easy to navigate such a dynamic and diverse landscape. It can be downright daunting for both newcomers and industry insiders alike. But in this guide, we’ll take a look at the various career options available in CRE and provide invaluable insights to help you begin a career in CRE and get your search started on the right foot.

Exploring CRE Career Paths

When it comes to starting a career in CRE, the first step is understanding the multitude of career paths available within the industry. Contrary to popular belief, CRE encompasses much more than just brokerage and development. From acquisitions to asset management, appraisal to consulting, the field offers a plethora of roles catering to diverse skill sets and interests.

Real Estate Career Roles: It doesn’t matter if you aspire to oversee the development process, or if you want to manage existing properties, or if you’re interested in specializing in acquisitions and asset management. There are many different career roles to consider within CRE. Each role plays a crucial part in the investment cycle of real estate, offering unique challenges and opportunities for professional growth.
Real Estate Property Types: It’s essential for you to understanding the nuances of different property types if you want to navigate the CRE landscape effectively. There’s multifamily residential, retail, office, industrial, hotel properties, and more. And each property type presents its own set of challenges and considerations. But when you develop expertise in a particular property type, it can enhance your marketability and proficiency within the industry.
Real Estate Firm Types: Which type of firm interests you? Whether you choose to work with a limited partner, general partner, or advisory/service firm, understanding the distinct characteristics and investment philosophies of different firm types is vital for aligning with your career goals and aspirations.

Key Steps to Begin a Career in CRE

It’s important to take the necessary steps to start your CRE career on the right foot. There are some crucial elements you just can’t overlook along this journey.

Education and Training: Don’t skip education. You can equip yourself with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in CRE simply by investing in quality education and training programs. There are institutions like the CCIM Institute and others that offer a wide range of educational resources. Some offer online courses and self-study programs, too, covering essential topics like finance, law, and transactions.
Gain Practical Experience: Hands-on experience is invaluable in the world of CRE. So, be sure to consider opportunities to intern or assist at a CRE firm, volunteer for relevant projects, or engage with industry professionals to broaden your skill set and deepen your understanding of the field.
Build Your Network: There’s just no way around this. Networking is the lifeblood of the CRE industry. If you want to succeed, you need to connect. Take advantage of networking opportunities to connect with fellow professionals, brokers, lenders, and appraisers. Attend
local, regional, and national events to expand your network and forge valuable relationships within the industry.

Following these insights and best practices can help you get on the right track and ensure career success.

Now is the Right Time

Embarking on a career in commercial real estate offers limitless possibilities for growth, success, and fulfillment. By exploring the diverse career paths, gaining practical experience, and building a robust network within the industry, you can pave the way for a rewarding career journey in CRE. Remember, the key to success lies in continuous learning, proactive engagement, and a genuine passion for the dynamic world of commercial real estate. So, seize the opportunity. Begin a career in CRE today!

Hopefully, this guide will serve as your roadmap to unlocking the doors of opportunity in the ever-evolving world of commercial real estate. Jump right in and discover the endless possibilities awaiting you in this exciting and fulfilling industry.

Sources:

How to Begin a Career in CRE: A Roadmap for Navigating the Commercial Real Estate Industry Read More »

How to Find Your Passion

Blog, Job Search, Set Yourself Up For Success

One common piece of advice you might get when looking for a job is to “find your passion.” Following the work, ideas, and projects that make you feel fulfilled and motivated can help lead you to jobs you will enjoy and succeed in. While the idea is simple enough, it can still take some careful consideration to identify and find your passion in life.

Define Passion

A passion is “a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object or concept,” according to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary. When you practice your passions, you might feel content and relaxed. As a professional, pursuing your passions as a career can bring you greater fulfillment in the contributions you make in the workplace. You may feel inclined to pursue your passions even if you don’t have a lot of free time.

Because passions are activities or ideas that inspire you, then you could consider making a career out of them. Passions can vary widely depending on your interests or values. Here are some examples of passions that you could have:

Teaching
Animal welfare
Environmental issues
Playing the guitar
Cooking
Learning a language
Writing a book

The Difference Between Passions and Hobbies

A hobby is an activity that you enjoy doing when you have personal time, while a passion is a goal or activity that motivates you. Sometimes hobbies can become passions, and passions can become hobbies.

Find Your Passion

The best way to identify what you’re passionate about is to pay attention to the daily tasks and activities that make you feel excited, motivated, or fulfilled. Here are 15 ways you can identify your passions in your day-to-day life:

1. Notice The High Points in Your Day

There might be a certain day of the week or time of the day you look forward to for some reason. Maybe it’s a specific meeting, task or time you’ve set aside. You might also notice certain surprises or unexpected times that end up being the best part of your day. Pay attention to both seemingly significant and insignificant things that you would consider to be the peak of your day.

While many of these high points may happen during work, you may notice that your high points occur outside the workplace in the time you have for yourself, friends and family. Making note of where and with whom your high points take place will bring you one step closer to knowing whether your passions are related to your career or other parts of life.

2. Become Aware of What You Spend Your Time and Money On

We tend to focus our resources on things that are meaningful to us, including time and money. Look at your credit card bill or bank statements and see if there are any themes. Look at the topics of books, magazines, films or podcasts you consume. Take note of how you are spending your free time and what activities bring you joy.

Finally, recognize if there is a particular genre, subject or theme that your hobbies and interests have in common. The interests that have remained with you through the years may be more related to a passion versus a newly emerged interest.

3. What Topics do You Love to Teach or Talk About

Consider your interactions with others. What types of conversations do you enjoy the most? Do you find yourself particularly animated when talking about a specific subject? It might also be helpful to consider if there are any tasks or topics you tend to teach others about. These are often the things we find most important to us.

How to Find Your Passion Read More »

Why Recruitment ROI is Crucial

Blog, Building Careers, Job Search, Set Yourself Up For Success

Recruiting great talent is one of the keys to a successful business. To that end, making sure you’re getting the most for your recruiting dollars — without spending too much of your budget — should be a high priority. Ideally, you’re getting the best recruitment ROI (return on your investment).

Recruitment budgeting comes with challenges, from balancing spending against performance to navigating the ups and downs of the job market.

Plus, recruitment budgeting can be tough in this economic climate, where inflation is a factor and the labor market is tricky. Strikes have affected employers in manufacturing and information, and labor shortages are ongoing in healthcare.

Tracking Your Recruitment ROI is Crucial

The more you know about how your recruiting dollars are performing, the more efficiently you can hire great people.

Data points can help inform your decisions. How long is it taking to fill your roles, from start to finish? How far into the process are you finding the candidates you end up hiring? How many people are applying to your postings?

The more you can work with data to gauge the results you’re achieving with your recruiting dollars, the more informed you’ll be when you make future decisions.

Optimize for Recruitment

One cost-effective strategy to attract talent is to use your website as an always-on recruiting tool. When your site clearly reflects your company culture and brand, candidates who are attracted to your message will stick around.

Showcase your company strengths. If you’ve got diverse talent, highlight it. If you’ve got a great benefits program, make sure candidates can find information on it. The more you can sell the experience of working for your firm, the more you’ll attract passive candidates.

Talent Pipelining

Talent pipelining is the practice of keeping qualified potential job candidates in the wings, so to speak, so when an opportunity arises, you can move fast. This shrinks your time-to-fill and saves money overall, since you’re not starting from scratch for every search.

You can also use talent pipelining to help you develop a more diverse workforce. By building relationships ahead of time with people and organizations from a variety of backgrounds, you’ll be in a position to proactively hire diverse talent from your pools of existing contacts.

For best results, tune in to candidate needs — if you aren’t offering what candidates are looking for, it won’t matter who’s in your pipeline. Use hiring tools that flag you when candidates in the system are active (and potentially looking for work). And engage workers via text and email tools that meet them where they are.

Have more questions about recruiting? Check out the services we offer!

Why Recruitment ROI is Crucial Read More »

Prepping for the “Why Do You Want to Work Here?” Question

Blog, Interview Tips, Job Search, Set Yourself Up For Success

All right, you’re well underway in your search for a new job, and you even have an interview (or a few) on your calendar. As you’re preparing for your interview, you think of one question you just know will come up: “Why do you want to work here?” Hopefully you’re interviewing with a company that has a mission you believe in, but if not, it’s wise to have a good answer for this question before you sit down with a hiring manager. So, what’s the best way to answer “Why do you want to work here?” Keep reading! I’ll share a few tips and scripts to set you up for success when it’s time for you to answer this common interview question.

The Reason Behind “Why Do You Want to Work Here?”

When you’re preparing for a job interview, no matter what the company does, you can expect a few of the same questions. Aside from the classic “Tell me about yourself?” question, another predictable question you’ll hear during an interview is, “Why are you interested in this position?” Employers ask this to find out how much you really know about the company and position and to see if you’d be a good, long-term fit—for the culture and for the position. They’re looking for the right fit just as much as you are, and they want to offer a job and invest in hiring someone who’s prepared and ready to take the reins. They’re also curious about how well you explain yourself and the connections you see between your top skills and passions and what the company needs from its team.

How to Answer “Why Do You Want to Work Here?”

This is one of the most popular interview questions, which is good news because you know it’s coming. You can research and prepare a great answer ahead of time—one that will set you apart from other job seekers and position you as an excellent candidate for the role.

So, when you’re planning how to answer “Why do you want to work here?” keep these points in mind:

1. Talk About the Company’s Mission

It’s easy enough to explain why you’re looking for a new job, but if you can explain why you’re excited about the company’s mission, you have a better chance of standing out in the interview process. Research the company’s mission and vision statements on their website for more information.

2. Be Honest About What You’re Looking For

But not too honest. You don’t want to bash your old company and use this new opportunity as an escape hatch. Instead, explain how this new role could be a great fit for your long-term career goals. Keep it positive. Review the job description and see how your skills and goals match up with what they’re looking for.

Prepping for the “Why Do You Want to Work Here?” Question Read More »

What Is Salary Transparency and How to Prepare

Blog, Employers, Job Search, Set Yourself Up For Success

Compensation has historically been considered a taboo subject, but that’s changing. Online job postings and self-reported wage tools have made it easier than ever for your candidates and employees to research pay. Many employees are discussing compensation among themselves at work. And an increasing number of employers are embracing salary transparency.

Salary transparency — also known as pay transparency or wage transparency — is the practice of openly communicating information about compensation with employees and candidates. This can look a little different at each company. While some companies share all salary data publicly, some simply disclose how salaries are determined with each team member. Many employers also share salary ranges so team members understand their earning potential in a given role.

Legislation Is Driving Higher Salary Transparency

Pay transparency isn’t just a good way to be more open and honest with your employees — it is more and more often the law.

New pay transparency laws crop up regularly and legislation differs by jurisdiction. It’s important to stay on top of the local laws and regulations where your company operates or has employees.

Within the United States, for example:

California’s new pay transparency law became effective on January 1, 2023. It requires covered employers to include pay ranges on every job posting and share pay ranges with employees for their current position.
New York’s law will go into effect in September 2023, requiring that employers disclose pay or a pay range for all jobs, promotions, and transfer opportunities that can or will be performed in the state.
Maryland employers must provide the wage range for a given position upon an applicant’s request.
Cincinnati employers must provide a pay range after a conditional offer of employment has been made.

Similar pay transparency laws, including The European Union’s Pay Transparency Act, are being proposed globally. It will require employers to include a salary range in job posts or before an interview. It also gives employees the right to request information about their individual pay level and the average pay level for colleagues doing similar work.

These laws are driving higher pay transparency. Nearly one in five organizations report being transparent largely due to regulations, though another 42% say their transparency goes beyond what’s required or motivated by regulations alone.

What Is Salary Transparency and How to Prepare Read More »

What to Wear to a Job Interview

Blog, Interview Tips, Job Search

What’s the best outfit to wear to a job interview? The answer will vary depending on the type of job and company you’re interviewing with.

You always want to dress to make the best impression, but the outfit you choose depends on whether you’re interviewing at a company with a formal dress code, at a casual startup, or for an informal summer job or internship.

What to Wear to a Job Interview

Dressing appropriately is important because the first judgment an interviewer makes is going to be based on how you look and what you are wearing.

If you wear a suit to an interview for a camp counselor, or a T-shirt to an interview at a bank, it’ll send the message that you don’t truly understand what’s involved in the role. Find out what to wear (and what not to wear) for interviews at every type of company.

To dress appropriately for a job interview, follow the employer’s dress code. If the job interview calls for business attire, wear a suit, a sweater and button-down shirt, or a professional-looking dress or skirt. Startup jobs may call for more casual interview attire but be sure to dress professionally. Also, choose accessories carefully to ensure that they don’t distract the interviewer. Let’s dive into this further!

Business Professional Attire

Generally, a job interview calls for you to wear professional, or business, attire. This might mean:

A suit jacket and slacks with a button-down shirt and tie
A sweater and a button-down shirt
A blouse and dress pants
A statement dress

You can also incorporate some modern style trends into your outfit. All interviewees should consider color when selecting an interview outfit and avoid wearing anything too bright or flashy that will distract the hiring manager.

The more important thing to consider when you’re dressing for a job interview is that you should look professional and polished regardless of the type of position you’re seeking. Even though your interview attire depends on the role you’re applying for, no matter what the position, you should go to the interview looking neat, tidy, and well-dressed.

Business Casual Attire

If you have a job interview in a more informal work environment, you might wear a business casual outfit. Business casual outfits are less formal than a suit, but they are also more professional and polished than, say, a T-shirt and shorts or a sundress and sandals.

Of course, make sure you know the dress code before you assume that business casual is acceptable. And if you aren’t sure, call the office and ask the administrative coordinator, or contact the person who scheduled the interview and ask them for advice!

Always dress a bit more professionally than the average employee at the company. If everyone is wearing shorts and T-shirts, for example, you might wear khakis and a polo shirt or button-down.

What to Wear to a Job Interview Read More »

Laid Off? Here Are the Next Steps

Blog, Job Search

If you’ve been laid off, or if someone you care about lost their job recently, you’re not alone—and we want you to know it’s going to be okay. We’ll walk through some practical and effective ways for you to move forward, even in the face of anxiety and uncertainty.

Just because you lose your job doesn’t mean you’ll lose everything else, so don’t let fear blow this event out of proportion. You’ll have to decide to press on—and we’re here to help you take the first step.

Laid Off: What Does this Mean?

If you got laid off, it’s not because of something you did—getting laid off means your employer had to let go of team members. The harsh reality is, when the economy grinds to a halt (like we’ve seen in the past few years), companies simply can’t meet payroll—which leads to layoffs. Unfortunately, most businesses aren’t letting people go because they want to, but because they have to.

Usual Causes of Layoffs

Sometimes layoffs happen because of hard economic times or because a company goes through a major change, like being bought out. In both situations, jobs are cut. Here are some other common causes of layoffs:

A recession
There’s employee overlap
Downsizing
Restructuring
A company closes

No matter the cause of the layoff, you have what it takes to move forward after this setback.

Next Steps After Being Laid Off

You’re probably feeling a lot of emotions right now. That’s to be expected. Whether you’re feeling scared or angry (or both), give yourself time and space to process before you move forward. No one makes good decisions when they’re panicked, so let’s start by calming down.

Breathe

Layoffs are shocking because they’re usually unexpected. Lots of leaders don’t want their team members to suffer, so they turn to layoffs as a last resort to help save the company or cut costs. But the reality is, losing your job just sucks. So, give yourself some time to pause, process and find perspective. This could be a chance to finally switch careers and start your dream job or go back to school to finish your degree.

Laid Off? Here Are the Next Steps Read More »