oliviatamccue

I have known some getting jobs without resume writing, it is possible.

The social media and career transition services emphasize the importance of networking. In an amazing short number of years, linkedin and pre-scripting on how to get to talk to a “stranger” become such a trend.

How soon would it become “totally impossible to get an interview without a contact no matter your skills/experiences are for the positions”?   Some positions require the same “job search techniques” to be successful, then some honestly do not.   What is the “social network index” required of the positions?

While networking is important skill for what I look for, so I have situations to use the “social network path”.  At the same time,  I am keen to get a feel of “starting from a resume knowing no-one in the related job positions” and live through the experience of “job search without knowing anyone”.

The resume is a reflection of the experiences so far, there are days I enjoy doing it, I pick those days to work on it and it becomes easier.  Writing the resumes and improving it,  give a clean bill of what has been achieved (or not achieved); and brush up communication skills.

Statistics work its way, more resume submission increases the odds of its getting attention. It is statistically low percent to earn an interview this way, I am not yet discouraged by it and have a pretty fair expectation.  I got pleasant surprises every time my resume gets noticed!   Fortunately, I earn some interviews this way, it is low percent but not zero.   Adding many zero chances is still zero chances, if it becomes that, I need to change.

Generate interest for the interviewer in phone interview. Sometimes, I feel that I miss the opportunity of  “reading the intent of the questions”, it is a funny feeling because  it is not necessary that I could not figure it out, it could be a lapse in concentration during the conversation or a lack of reaction.  I hope more practice makes it better. Questions like “do you have experience in …?”  A simple “No” but truthful answer can be a one-strike-out. A second chance could be provided if the interviewer drills on a similar question later, don’t miss the second chance. If you get a second chance, it could be a sign that the job may not have lined up many candidates as of yet.

I like face-to-face interviews, it is where to get the most about the people in the company, the setting of the office, the positions and the people dynamics. It is educational.  Just that questions are asked first of you, it is inviting to answer by talking about the past experiences to impress. In part, career transition services rightfully advise their clients to prepare well on stories for behavioral questions.  After working hard to prepare the stories,  it is easy to get carried away to finish the story.  I am going to try the approach of getting into a dialog and then briefly summarizes the related past experience naturally.  The questions of interviewers are often reflection of the needs and existing problems.  Like in many projects, it is tempting to “skip the requirement phase, provide solution too soon”; or forever asking about “the requirement”.  It is a balancing act to fine tune.

Statistics work its way.  It takes some time to recover from the often “pre-formatted” message like  “thank you for your time. you do not have the right match; or unfortunately…”.  I still like to receive them than those jobs that become a black hole that you never heard of.  It is a matter of style, I guess some would prefer never be told of unsuccessful attempts.  It is easier for me to take comfort that each of these messages get closer to a call from hiring manager “I would like to talk about next steps..”

Posted in Career Management