Mark Anthony Dyson, Author at The Voice of Job Seekers

Bring Clarity Not Confusion to the Job Interview

There is so much to say to remind you about interview strategy, and I would go mad in thinking of all of the ways.

Since I have had some feedback from people who follow me and client questions, I will give it to you straight. You’ll think of more issues and solutions, but this was on my mind, and I wanted to be sure you get it.

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Five ways you bring confusion:

– Lacking enthusiasm for the interview opportunity. All of the non-verbal signs were there when you came to the interview. You were a little late and unapologetic, and your handshake said, “Do I have to?” There was no light in your eyes or anything saying you are ready or interested in anything the interviewer said.

– Long-winded answers. You didn’t prepare or practice, so you were compensating for a little discipline. Often your responses didn’t respond to the question the first time. The first 10 minutes decided your fate, and the rest is purely entertainment and a story to tell of how badly people interview.

– How did you contribute again? It is clear the team was successful, but after 20 minutes it’s unclear how you contributed. There are so many times you should form your mouth to say you “assisted-with…” This phrase comes across as, “I wasn’t entrusted with much responsibility.”

– You don’t answer questions directly the first time. Nothing frustrates a hiring manager more than asking about an issue more than once.

If you need clarification, then say so, but when you’re listening skills are not sharp, it appears you don’t care.

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– You didn’t ask any questions. Usually, the interviewer asks at the end if you have questions. Not having questions at the end is a deal breaker in most instances. Your interest in the interview is defined of how much you inquire and the attitude you exude throughout.

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Seven Ways to Bring Clarity:

Careful but candid. It is easy to think too much about any disqualifying comments, but you shouldn’t hold back about your role in the team environment, and your individual accomplishments.

You must be cautious about how you share stories of your interactions with former coworkers and bosses.

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Lively Conversation. An engaging dialogue will help you be memorable. Your interviews are conversational, aren’t they? If not, this is where practice will make perfect.

Adjustments. The tone of the conversation will change test your ability to use common sense or good judgment. The interviewer needs evidence of how you handle pressure and if you can think on your feet.

Realistic. Can you provide real-life stories of your challenges? Are your accomplishments tangible and realistic? Good interviewers know when someone is trying to “fake it until he/she makes it!”

Ideal. Are you likable? Employers want the person that fits their profile. Your ideas and plans along with their qualifications and expectations create a mutually satisfactory situation.

Tenacity. All of the follow-up post interview tasks include the “thank-you” letter, the follow-up call, the additional questions (if necessary), thank the person who referred you, and other things confirm all of who you are. You’re not done with the process until your employment probation is over, even once you receive the offer letter.

Yes. Once there is an agreement of employment terms, then you are ready to start your new job. Remember, after a few months you become the del facto “brand ambassador.”

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

5 Reasons Why Social Proof Matters to Recruiters and Hiring Managers

Social proof may replace the reference check one day. There is good reason for believing it will. As the unemployment rate shrinks, the competition for jobs is growing. At the same time, employers have changed the way the vet candidates. CareerBuilder’s annual social media recruitment survey found that 60 percent of employers check candidates’ social media accounts – a 500 percent increase over the last decade.

Employers want more than resume clichés from candidates, which is why your social media activity – and the things people say about you on social media – speak so loudly to employers. We call this “social proof”: proof of the value you create as an employee shared by others on social media.

Many people fail to invest in collecting social proof, but that’s a big mistake. Here are five ways in which a lack of social proof can harm your career:

1. A Lack of Social Proof Suggests You Haven’t Done Anything Impressive

Does the cliché “There’s nothing here to write home about” apply to you? When employers are checking your social media profiles, having nothing to show is equally as bad as a profile full of inappropriate party pictures.Who are you? Are you more than competent at your current position? How do you contribute? These are the questions employers want your social media presence to answer.

Social proof sells your knowledge, skills, and abilities. If you want to be discovered, you need to point employers toward your rich profiles and portfolios online.

2. A Lack of Social Proof Exposes an Incomplete Career Story

Most people have incomplete social profiles and resumes full of generalities. Unless referred by someone for a job, they will unlikely receive any calls back from employers. If you don’t have substance to display, your chances of being ignored are high.

A complete story that includes social proof can show the accomplishments and impact of your career. Someone interested in your career exploits will want to stay informed about what you’re up to – and that’s a good thing! That means you are memorable and have created a meaningful story for your career.

3. A Lack of Social Proof Reveals a Lack of Hustle

What you don’t say speaks volumes. When there’s no social proof, people will start to create narratives for you – narratives that aren’t necessarily true. You don’t want a lack of proof to speak for you when you can leverage proof for your success.

Social proof shows you’re taking extra steps to ensure your marketability. It shows that your options are open and you desire to put your best foot forward. It also says you want to strengthen your career narrative. It confirms the authenticity of your goals and aspirations. It’s a powerful way to keep employers and recruiters coming back for more.

4. A Lack of Social Proof Says Everything Anyone Needs to Know About You

If your voice is the only voice talking about what you’ve done, people will just write it off as bragging. When others are sharing testimony about you, it substantiates your abilities. People envision you doing the same things for them.

When we hear people telling stories about how others have helped them, we are assured and comforted more than we are by lists of certifications and degrees. Recruiters and employers will start to trust you even before meeting you, and soon, you’ll be a serious contender in their eyes. If you’re the only witness to the great things you do, then you only serve yourself.

5. A Lack of Social Proof Drains Authenticity From Your Brand

Without social proof, you lack authenticity. Employers are unlikely to contact you if you lack “realness.” Quotes, stories, and endorsements from others strengthen your authority and prove your brand is accurate.

Social proof provokes engagement of some type. Sometimes that just means a click of the “like” button, but over time, this engagement will add layers of interest. Enough of it will compel others to start taking notice and spreading the word. Remember, though, that you want to draw attention without being outrageous.

People draw closer to you when you have a strong voice. Common ways to establish a voice include writing blog posts or producing videos related to what you do and how you do it. If you show your personality through these things, you will be more memorable. When your accomplishments are clear, others will want to know more about them. In the end, you’ll become indispensable.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

5 Social Media Tools to Disrupt the Job Application Process

An online job application is yesterday’s tool. It’s like fax machines. We use them if there is no other way to send a message. Today’s modern job search is about standing out, and not complying with old processes where you appear as one of the crowd.

To succeed, you have to disrupt the normal flow of internal job referrals, perform and get noticed showing social proof through your online presence, and offer value extending beyond a pay scale can measure.

Today’s job search requires a little disruption, and following the job application process is hard.

According to CareerBuilder’s annual social media recruitment survey, more than 60% of employers use social networking profiles to screen applicants. Employers will continue to use social media to screen applicants and candidates for years to come.

We can argue whether it’s legal or not despite recent laws passed in 20 states, but as long as a profile is public, so is the information a job seeker sets as “public.”

Whether you participate in online socialization or not, it’s a double-edged sword in having one or not. Those who have employer friendly social profiles are leading or attracting hiring companies to take a look at their social profiles.

So, why aren’t you?

The job application quandary

This is my contention: Employers can’t train great personalities, but they can hire them. It is likely more employers are vetting possible hires than hiring because of a profile. In either case, it’s significantly important to create an employable brand online.

An attractive employable brand will have a profile regardless of its brevity (Like Twitter), should have common elements:

A profile picture (similar pictures across different platforms
Customized URL with their name
Their featured career
A brief branding statement (depending on character amount allowed)
A small hint of personality

It makes sense to lead potential employers where you want them to look.

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I know it wasn’t long ago you were encouraged to keep profile pictures locked away.

If your personal branding efforts matter, you’ll want to lead your inquiring network and potential employers to these five social networks:

1. Linkedin

It is the most professional network on the planet although less than two-thirds of users participate more than twice a week. If you treat it like it is your website (although having your own is best), then the value of it will likely exceed your expectations.

The best use of it is using all of the features possible including the blogging platform, increasing your network with quantity and quality contacts, and the potential for quality engagement.

2. Twitter

For those of you who think the current version of Snapchat is running Twitter out of town anytime soon, well, let me know how it works out for you. Twitter is a multi-media platform proven to be a real-time job posting board without feeling like a posting board for savvy users. If you are putting forward your best brand forward, you can attract, network, research, and present all on one platform.

Twitter is still the best networking tool a job seeker can use without the fences of LinkedIn or Facebook.

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Employers can see your body of work throughout time to vet and decide if your value is the embodiment of their mission.

3. Slideshare

Owned by LinkedIn, you’re probably not using it. But you should be. There’s not a profession or career track a PowerPoint presentation isn’t useful. If your career trajectory is clear, Slideshare can put more eyes on your presentation to attract your peers, colleagues, and potential employers.

Projects featured on your profile is most visible. Since your competition doesn’t use it, you will like to stand out and can do so even more by sharing it across other platforms.

4. Instagram Stories

By stealing Snapchat’s thunder, the one thing Instagram has is lots more employers who adopted the platform in its talent search strategy. The video feature previously existed, so adapting the short video – 24-hour lifespan was the perfect move for Instagram, and it’s present users.

For job seekers, it’s an opportunity to become comfortable in using video if you haven’t before.

Since many employers are screening applicants via Skype, the practice you can do on “Stories” can be invaluable. Another reason is to practice shorter sound bites to demonstrate effective communication abilities. Just remember, you must do it in 15-second sound bites, and it only lives 24-hours.

5. Facebook

Facebook can be a powerful because of these three words: Facebook Graph Search. If you think like an employer, you can view your profile and your employability through a company’s lens. An active brand page can give you insight into its employees and company culture.

Oh, and we can’t forget Facebook Live where you can show personality and competency, too. These don’t disappear at all so make it count.

On the other hand, employers use Facebook to exclude than include you. Their mindset is necessary to adapt when you send updates, post pictures or allow others to post on your wall. Most people don’t consider his or her privacy settings, especially with their ad preferences.

You want to manage and stay vigilant of everything appearing on your social pages.

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Again, look at it from an employers point of view.

Using social networks is similar to team sports. You need to consider an offensive and defensive strategy with the understanding of optimizing your profiles to be career attractive. Your patterns and activity work best for your career as an extension of your resume and job application. Anything less is a missed opportunity.

This article was first published on Career Metis!