5 Job Search and Interview Tips That Work

Job hunting can be overwhelming, to say the least. These 5 tips will help keep you organized and on track to landing your next position.

1. Before applying for a job do your research.

• Research the company. Understand where the company is at in its growth journey, within the industry and market. Is the company growing, hiring to fill many positions? What obstacles might the company encounter? Etc.

• Review the job description. It is common for hiring managers to write job descriptions for their ideal candidate but not necessarily a realistic one. Understand your own skill sets and abilities and apply if you believe you can do the job.

• Check out company reviews, reputation, and wage data. Use sites such as Glassdoor, Zippia and Indeed to access reviews, pros and cons and salary data. Even if a specific job description doesn’t include salary details you can usually get a pretty good idea of how a specific company is willing to compensate based on reviews and comp searches.

2. Be organized and strategic during the application process.

Landing an interview can be a tedious process but persistence pays off.

• Diversity your search by applying for multiple positions, use different titles and skill-sets in your job searches.

• Track your progress. Keep a log of all the jobs you have applied for and be sure to follow up.

• Have multiple versions of your resume to help you target different positions.

3. Prepare for the interview ahead of time.

• Research the person interviewing you. LinkedIn and Google can be great resources to find out a bit more about the person you'll be sitting down with. You’ll gain a better understanding of company hierarchy and who you’ll be working for and/or with and you'll probably learn a few details that will give you something to chat about during the interview.

• If relevant, mention that you have had multiple interviews. This lets the employer know that you have other options and that you take your job search seriously.

• Have a list of questions prepared to ask at the end of your interview. This signals that you are serious about the position/company and prepared for the conversation. Some examples include:

What are the challenges of this job?

How do you measure success in this role?

How would you describe the company culture?

Do you have any hesitations about my qualifications? If so, I’d like to address those now.

• Make sure to show your interviewer respect and gratitude. Be friendly, genuine, and keep answers short and concise; consider using the STAR interview response method to help keep your answers organized.

4. When asked what your expected salary is, provide a range rather than a specific number. Never give your lowest number.

• Research salary ranges for comparable positions prior to the interview by using resources such as Glassdoor.

• Understand the job market and cost of living in your geographic area.

• Be willing to speak to the former when discussing your desired salary range.

5. Think about more than just pay when considering a job offer.

Understand the full scope of the benefits package being offered to you and the value associated. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “The average benefits package is over 30% of an employee’s financial compensation.” For example, on a $65,000 salary, that means more than $27,855 is spent by the company for the benefit plan, which equals a total compensation of $92,855 or more.

Benefits and costs to be aware of when considering an offer:

• Insurance package (medical/dental insurance, flexible spending accounts)

• Paid time off/sick-leave, holiday pay, and vacation time

• Retirement contributions (401K, IRA, or pension plan)

• Bonus opportunities

• Stock options

• Educational assistance, training/advancement programs

• Work from home/hybrid work structures (commute time and expense if applicable)

• Non-traditional benefits or the perks a company offers its employees outside of the traditional benefits or compensation such as free food/beverages, parking/transportation, employee lounge, etc.

If a company is not willing to negotiate on pay, you can often times negotiate on your benefits package such as asking for more vacation time or stock options. Know your worth and don't be afraid to walk away from an offer if it doesn't feel right or the compensation being offered doesn't meet your requirements.

A lot goes into landing a new job. The application and interview process can be daunting, stressful and uncomfortable. Remember to give yourself grace along the way and don't forget to show your interviewers who you are and what you have to offer.

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