Five Tips to Writing a Great Job Application Follow Up Email - Your Career Intel

Five Tips to Writing a Great Job Application Follow Up Email - Your Career IntelThe follow-up email to a job application is one parte of the job search process that many candidates tend to fumble. Either they dont follow up at all for fear of being a pest or they follow up repeatedly and actually are a pest.But, in my experience as an executive recruiter, Ive seen that hiring managers nearly universally agree that a single follow-up email three days to one week after submitting you application is the way to go. Your goal here is to make your application top of mind and gather information about the hiring process. Just follow these simple rules for writing a job application follow-up email that comes across as persistent as opposed to pestering.Skip the handwritten elendenzeichenThe old advice was to send a handwritten note on sophisticated stationary to demonstrate enthusiasm but the speed and efficiency of email makes it the far better approach. A handwritten note can also be a hass le for employers who then have to take the extra step of going to their computer and pulling up your applicant file. It also makes it more difficult to forward your information on if they want someone else to take a look or consider you for a different position.Use a Clear Subject LineHiring managers cant stand vague subject lines. Make it clear what you are reaching out about by leading with Following Up on XXX Position.Frame the Email ProperlyPosition the email as checking in on the companys timeline. Ask when they expect to reach out candidates selected for interviews. This gives your email a purpose and the resulting information has the bonus of making you less anxious while you wait since there is sometimes a long lag time before interviewing actually begins.Reiterate Your InterestVery briefly mention your enthusiasm for the company and why you are a good fit for the job. This should be a single sentence. Youre not re-applying youre just demonstrating your ongoing desire for th e position.Offer additional informationFinish by offering to provide any additional materials they may need in reviewing your application. If you have an online portfolio or your work is otherwise viewable online, you may want to send that link. Dont overwhelm though. One link is plenty but two would be the maximum advisable.Follow InstructionsIf youve been given specific instructions regarding follow-up either not to do so or to direct your follow-up to a specific person or email address dont disregard that. Some companies immediately eliminate from consideration candidates who do not follow instructions. Directing candidates to use a particular email address can also be requested to make koranvers the companys applicant tracking system detects the email and adds it to your file.Once youve sent your follow-up, its in the employers hands and theres nothing left to do except be patient. It can be tempting to follow up again but repeat contacts will not enhance your chances of getti ng the interview.How do you handle the always-tricky job application follow up email? Share your experiences below.

Study Says Parents Only Get 32 Minutes of Me Time a Day

Study Says Parents Only Get 32 Minutes of Me Time a Day If youre a parent who feels like you have literally no time to yourself, youre probably right. Sure, parents have always commiserated over oh my gosh, youre going to miss sleep jokes. But according to a survey that explored the daily lives of 2,000 working parents, parents of young children lose out on more than sleepthey enjoy barely any me time at all.In a single day, parents act as chauffeurs, nurses, referees, chefs, maids, and so much more. And managing all of this work leaves them with no time for themselves. A survey conducted by meal-service enterprise Munchery confirmed that employed parents of young children only enjoy 32 minutes of me time out of a 24-hour day, and that time typically came in increments of 10 minutes or less. 24 percent of parents reported that they spent at least 30 hours directly taking care of children, not including other responsibilities such as housework or paid work.One way parents procured som e of ansicht 32 minutes was by literally hiding from their children, with the survey reporting the average parent hid four times a week Parents also fessed up to distracting their offspring with additional screen time, such as watching television or playing with a digital device, so that they could have a slight break.While technology has its benefits, it can make it harder to truly unplug from work as well, meaning that a little piece of the office can follow parents home. One way to catch up on extra me time is to limit responding to work emails (to the degree which youre able), so that you truly can make the most of your time at home.And if you feel like youre a parent missing out on me time, at least you know that if you feel like youre never alone... youre not alone.--Kayla Heisler is an essayist and Pushcart Prize-nominated poet. She is a contributing writer for Color My Bubble. Her work appears in New Yorks Best Emerging Poets anthology.

Conducting International Business Check This Out First

Conducting International Business Check This Out First Culture is a tricky thing. It can be hard enough to do geschftliches miteinander in your country, let alone to strike deals across international borders, where whole new minefields of unspoken assumptions, pregnant gestures, and deeply held beliefs await. Last May, I spoke with author and INSEAD professor Erin Meyer about the challenges of cross-cultural recruiting, but working with people from other cultures in any capacity poses its own unique challenges. Luckily, todays business people dont have to go blindly into the international market. They have the benefit of extensive sociocultural research on their side, not to mention interactive tools like Towergate Insurances Cultural Guide to International Business.Created by digital marketing and SEO agency Builtvisible the same company responsible for the Small Business Skills Challenge we repo rted on in November the Cultural Guide uses data collected from 101 countries around the world by the Hofstede Centre, as well asinput from author and interculturalist Chris Smit,to create a visual representation of the national cultural differences that are relevant to international business.The Cultural Guide measures countries along six metrics, also developed by the Hofstede CentrePower Distancehow willing are people with no power to accept the unequal spread of power in their country?Individualismare individuals loyal to themselves first and foremost, or do they put the group ahead of themselves?Masculinitydespite the title of this metric, its not strictly a measurement of gender differences. Rather, it measures the extent to which people value the achievement of goals and the importance of status over the process of goal achievement. In other words are people mostly goal-oriented (masculine), or do they place more value on the process that leads to achieving the goal (feminin e)?Uncertainty Avoidancedo the people of the country prefer to avoid the unknown via strict rules and regulations, or do they handle ambiguity well and rely less on rigid, codes and structures? Do people take risks or play it safe?Pragmatismare people practical and future-oriented, or do they take a more normative approach to the world, preferring to focus on the present?Indulgencedo people value (and indulge in) leisure and self-expression, or do they prefer restraint and strict social norms? (It should be noted that the Cultural Guide calls this metric controversial and speculative, as much of the data used to measure it is incomplete.)Countries are measured on a 100-point scale in each metric lower numbers mean lower scores in a given metric, and higher numbers mean higher scores. Explanations of each metric also include example characteristics of countries and implications for business in those countries, depending on a countrys scores. For example, the tool states that people i n countries with high individualism scores tend to be more task-oriented people in countries with low pragmatism scores tend to value and respect tradition. Likewise, when doing business in countries with low masculinity scores, the tool says its better to reach for compromise than to go for confrontation when working with businessesin a high power distance country, people need to respect the chain of command.mora useful than checking out each countrys individual scores fascinating as that may be is using the tool to compare two countries with one another. A user can choose their country and compare it with a country in which they plan on doing business. The tool then generates a chart that shows the overlap (and differences) between each country andthescores of each country in each metric. Heres an example comparison between the U.S. and BulgariaOlivia Wiltshire, digital executive at Builtvisibile, says she hopes people will be able to use this tool as means to help them more suc cessfully and confidently enter into business with companies in other countries.For example, the guide has the capability of informing the user whether a country has a high level of masculinity or not, Wiltshire explains. If a country is masculine, then making decisions even if they are bad decisions is seen as better than making no decision at all. Knowing this sort of cultural information before entering business with this country will therefore help you mold your approach and perhaps even adapt your strategy before opening up business conversations or beginning meetings.Wiltshire says the guide should be beneficial to businesses of all size, entrepreneurs, and even people who are just starting up.Ultimately, I think the information in this guide is something to take note of especially if these people are looking to go global or do business in/with different countries, Wiltshire says. At the same time, I think this guide is also a useful tool for anyone interested in becoming m ore culturally aware.

How to Make Your Strongest Case to the Hiring Manager

How to Make Your Strongest Case to the Hiring ManagerHow to Make Your Strongest Case to the Hiring ManagerIn a job interview, you should interpret every question asked as, Tell me why I should hire you?As youre walking from reception to the board room, the small chit chat is really, Do I like you enough to hire you?When the recruiter asks you to walk him through your resume it really means, Walk me through the milestones, choices and results that will back up my choice to hire you.Every single part of the interview process is meant to establish your qualifications for the job.Here are five messages you want to get across to the hiring manager to make your strongest caseIve got the skillsThis is at the top of every recruiters list they want to know if you can handle the activities and responsibilities that go along with the job e.g., do you have the technical knowledge to handle specific software? Can you handle specific types of clients e.g., high-net-worth, mom and pop, Fortune 500 companies? Make sure to share examples of when youve done this. If you havent done something listed in the job skills, provide an alternative e.g., you took a class or did something similar. Just make sure you can back up how similar it is.Ill fit inIn most companies, you wont be working in a vacuum youll be interacting with and maybe managing other people. Its important to understand what kind of people your target employer has working for them and maybe talk about past experiences working in a similar environment. You want to prove that you will fit into their organization seamlessly.I get your work cultureThere are other aspects of fitting in. Work styles, history, size and overall culture of a company are important aspects and you need to demonstrate that you get it. Dont spend a lot of time talking about your Fortune 500 experience if your target employer is a fast-growing start-up. On the other side, if your experience is working in smaller offices and your target employer is a big company, you want to make sure they understand that you can navigate multiple layers and hierarchy.I am on top of current market conditionsTiming is critical when it comes to job search so it is very helpful to establish that you are the right hire at the right time. If you establish relevance to a particular market condition your potential employer might be facing, it might take precedence over your ability to do the rest of the job or fit in with the team or company.I am highly motivatedYou will always need to prove that you want them regardless of how much your next employer may want you. This means coming into an interview with high energy, understanding your role, their people, their culture, the market conditions and being excited about working there. It means clearly stating that you would love to work there.Too many job candidates act like they dont want the job because they think it will make them mora attractive to the hiring manager. Playing hard to get is never de sirable to employers. You must show them that you are motivated to make a move now.If you show that you can execute responsibilities, with their people, in their culture, in current market conditions, and that you are all-in then you can prove that youre right for the job.

How to Answer 5 of the Trickiest Interview Questions

How to Answer 5 of the Trickiest Interview QuestionsHow to Answer 5 of the Trickiest Interview Questions5 Tricky Interview Questions and How to Handle ThemDont get tripped up by these tricky vorstellungsgesprch questions.Youve done your homework, youre looking sharp and youre brimming with confidence for your job bewerbungsgesprch. From the opening handshake, you feel like youre in control and this job is yours.That is, until the interviewer asks that one really awkward, tricky interview question. How do you answer it without making yourself look bad? Could you tank all of your hard work with just one bad answer?The answer is,sadly, yes. You can. There are a lot of difficult interview questions out there that interviewers like to ask to trip you up a little and see how you handle it. The question may actually seem harmless enough until you start to answer and realize that youre quickly headed down a bad path with your answer.You have to be ready for these questions so you can give an swers that present you in a positive light and allow you to sidestep those little traps. Here are five common - but tricky - interview questions and how to handle them.Tell me about yourself. How would you describe yourself?A chance to talk about yourself? Great Wait a second. This could be a trap. It is a trap. Keep these things in mind with this tricky interview questionThis isnt an invitation to brag about everything amazing youve ever done professionally or otherwise. Trying too hard to make yourself look good just comes across as arrogance, and nobody likes that.At this point, the interviewer doesnt care about your pets or your grandmothers cooking. Keep your answer geared towards your professional life in a realistic, but positive way.Avoid using too many job interview clichs like, Im a people person or Im a kollektiv player. Ugh. They get used so much that they really have no meaning anymore.To keep in mind when crafting your answer Keep the focus on the position and the comp any. What trends are they following and how would you help them do that? Do they put emphasis on the local culture or charitable events? Connect the things that you care about and do well with, with the important values of the company and the particular position you want. Its all about making the interviewer see you as a perfect fit for that job. They say, Tell me about yourself, but what they want to hear is What makes you great for this job?Whats your biggest weakness?Oh yeah. Its great when they ask you about your biggest strengths because thats a green light to go ahead and brag a little. Tell them why you would be a rockstar in their company. But, about halfway through your answer, you realize the next, leidoriously difficult interview question is coming and a little bead of sweat starts to form on your forehead. Answers to this question can make you look bad or downright ridiculous if youre not careful.Perhaps you know that you struggle with punctuality or you really dont like working on team projects. Believe it or not, this is not the time to bring things like this up (Hint Never bring them up. Work on getting better about those things). You dont want to highlight any flaws that could take you out of the running for the job.To keep in mind when crafting your answer The great answers to tough interview questions focus on things you want to do instead of things you do poorly. Are there certifications you would like to get or particular skills youd like to improve upon? You want to present yourself as fully qualified for this job, but think about those things that could take you to the next level and leverage them as your weaknesses while showing your desire to add them to your resume.Why do you want to leave your current job?If youre currently employed and yet youre interviewing for a new job, that means something has prompted you to make a move. Like many of these questions, what the interviewer is looking for is any type of red flag. Here are some answ ers you want to avoid and how the interviewer may interpret themI cant stand my boss. I wonder what your boss would say about you? There are 2 sides to every story. Dont bad mouth your old boss. Red flagIt doesnt pay enough. Ah, so youre only in it for the money. You arent really passionate about your work. Red flagIts a bad company. So you jump ship as soon as you disagree with how your company does something and then bad mouth them? Red flagThey made me do things that werent part of my job. Are you unwilling to help out and reach beyond your written job definition? Not a team player. Red flagThese are all valid reasons for moving on, but you dont really want to broadcast that. In short, you want to avoid any answer that sheds a negative light on your current job or anyone working there. Keep the focus on you and what you want for the future.To keep in mind when crafting your answer With these difficult interview questions, talk about what youve accomplished at your current job and how you feel ready to take the next step. Mention some tasks or attributes in the new position that would be excellent learning experiences for you. Its not about where youve been, its about where you want to go.Tell me how youve handled a difficult situation.Chances are that youve faced some awkward, difficult, and possibly even dangerous situations on the job. How you handle them says a lot about you as an employee, a person and possibly as a manager.The key to this tricky interview question is to make sure that you talk about a situation that wasnt your fault. If youre handling a difficult situation, but its obvious that you created your own troubles, it doesnt look good. The interviewer wants to see how you handle difficult situations, and if you are able to think outside the box and keep the companys big picture in mind.To keep in mind when crafting your answer Try to think of a time when outside forces like weather or clients created a stressful situation. Did you step in? We re you able to create a solution that could make everyone happy? This is your chance to show that you have problem-solving skills.Why would you like this job?There could be any number of reasons youd like the job that you are interviewing for at this moment. Perhaps its an upward career move. It may be a better commute. You are attracted to the salary, benefits or even the companys public image. Any of these are legitimate reasons for wanting to land a new job. However, by answering this question, you will be prioritizing some of these things. You want to avoid making it appear that youre just in it for the money or prestige and you certainly dont want to mention if you hate your current job. Put yourself on the other side of the desk. If you were interviewing a candidate, what would you want them to say?To keep in mind when crafting your answer Put the focus on the company. If youve done your research, you can talk about some great things that the company has done. Then, you can ta lk about the specific position and what excites you about it. Discuss what you bring to the table to help move the company forward. Really what theyre asking is why should we hire you? Give them good reasons.Tricky interview questions are a part of nearly every job interview. If you want to come off sounding intelligent and prepared, do a little research on common job interview questions and have some answers ready in your mind. If you do get a surprise question, just remember to keep the focus on the positive. If every answer you give helps to paint a picture of how you are the right fit for this job, the interviewer will see it too.Ace your next interview with confidence. Work with a TopInterview coach today.Related Articles

How to Start a Small Business in Virginia

How to abflug a Small Business in VirginiaHow to Start a Small Business in VirginiaYouve dreamed of it for years, and now youre ready to do it youre going to start your own business. But youll have to take care of a few things first. Youll probably want to register your business name, and in some cases and depending on your businesss legal business, this may be a requirement. Youll have to register with your state to pay taxes, and you may have to obtain licenses and permits. How to Start a Small Business in Virginia Heres a checklist to help you get started Virginia Business Licensing Information Contact the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation at 804-367-8500 about licensing requirements. Virginia doesnt have one blanket license that pertains to all businesses it depends on the service or product youre offering. Some examples of businesses that require licensing include barber shops, real estate agents, and engineers. Get aFederal Employer Identificat ion Number (EIN) This number will identify your business with the Internal Revenue Service. Youll need one to pay federal taxes, to open business bank accounts or to pay employees. You can usually skip this step, however, if youre a sole proprietor and dont have employees. In this case, you would conduct business under your own Social Security number. You can apply for an EIN online for free at the IRS website. Register Your Business Virginia offers aBusiness Registration Guidethat includes a great deal of helpful information from the State Corporation Commission for various business entities. fruchtwein businesses can take care of registration online as well. Start with an online search to make sure your business name isnt already taken, then the website will walk you through the additional stepsin most cases as long as your business structure isnt complicated. Virginia Business Taxes Almost all businessesmust file a Virginia corporate income tax return if theyre incorporated under Virginia law, have registered with the State Corporation Commission for the privilege of conducting business in Virginia, or receive income from Virginia sources. Federally tax-exempt nonprofit organizations only have to file corporate income tax returns if they earned unrelated business taxable income at the federal level. Virginia allows businesses to file returnsand pay withholding and abverkauf taxes online, as well as file and pay corporate extensions, send secure messages,paytax bills and register for nonprofit exemptions. If you select S corporation status for your federal tax return, you are also automatically considered an S corporation in Virginia. Virginias Small Business Administration Center TheVirginia District Officeof the Small Business Administration Center is located in the Federal Building at 400 North 8th Street, Suite 1150, Richmond, VA 23219-4829. You can phone 804-771-2400 with questions orfor further information. The fax number is 804-772-2764 or you can sen d an email to richmond.vasba.gov. This office covers all of Virginia except Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun counties, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church. The SBA can give you contact information for these areas. TheVirginia Guide to Establishing a Businesscan also be helpful. It summarizes the major state and local tax, labor, occupational and environmental regulations that may affect various businesses in Virginia.

This dream job will pay you to taste chocolate for a living

This dream job will pay you to taste chocolate for a livingThis dream job will pay you to taste chocolate for a livingIts happening. Its truly, finally happening.The search for thebest job ever can nowend because Ive just found it. There will never be another, better job. Start polishing your resum and prep your interview answers, because this is the right career move for just about anyone (unless you have allergies to gluten, dairy or nuts).Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreMondelez International, home to Oreo, Cadbury, Milka and many of your other favorite drug store candies, is hiring a part-time chocolate taster. And what will this job entail, you may ask? The answer All of your wildest dreams and more.According to the listing, these are the responsibilities for the roleBe able to taste chocolate products and give objective and honest feedbackWork within a team of panelists to share opinions and collaborate to reach an agreement on tasteUse a clearly defined vocabulary to describe products and aid in the discrimination between productsBe consistent in the results givenKnow the ethical and legal compliance responsibilities of the position raise questions and concerns when faced with an ethical or compliance issue apply integrity in all aspects of professional conductNow, I know what youre thinking - this sounds like an awesome opportunity, but what if youve never tasted chocolate professionally before? No problem, saysMondelez International.No experience is required as full training will be provided to develop your taste buds and the specific vocabulary required to communicate your opinions, according to the listing.What does this training entail? Who knows, but it sounds delicious.So then, if prior experience isnt a must, what qualifications do you need to make it as a part-time chocolate taster? Good question - the answer is basically a love of chocol ate, good communication skills and the ability to understand English. Heres what the listing saysA passion for confectionary and taste buds for detectionHonesty when it comes to giving opinionEager to try new inventive productsA communicative personality to build great relationships with your panelA firm grasp of the English LanguageIf you live for chocolate, this may sound like the opportunity of a lifetime. Just a few caveats The role is part-time, so youre only going to get paid for 7.5 or 8 hours a week. Also - and this may be the bigger obstacle - the listing says the positions based inWokingham, England. So if youre not ready for a move across the Atlantic, this may not be your big break into the chocolate business after all.But if it does sound like the ideal job - and you know it does - you might as well apply here. Fingers crossed you get the golden ticketYou might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in t he first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people