Tag: Job Search Tips

Talent Tip #93: Looking Outside the Talent Box

July 26, 2017

By Claire Kittle Dixon and Lauren Skiver

Have you caught yourself with a staff vacancy asking, “Why doesn’t a candidate with the perfect background and experience apply?”

It certainly would make your job (and ours) easier to find candidates whose backgrounds perfectly match our job openings.  But, as a number of organizations we’ve partnered with have found, thinking outside of the talent box can prove incredibly fruitful—especially for openings that are challenging to fill. Not only can it expand your…

Talent Tip #92: The Yellow State/Blue State Phenomenon and the Benefit of Virtual Hiring

June 21, 2017

Forget the red state/blue state debate for a minute. If you’re in the market for talent, you really need to be thinking about the yellow state/blue state phenomenon.

The map above (courtesy of United Van Lines) illustrates whether states are experiencing inbound, outbound, or balanced migration. For those of you in the blue states, congrats! Finding talent is likely a bit easier for you than your friends in the yellow states. But all is not lost for you, my yellow-hued pals!…

Talent Tip #90: What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do: Four Steps to Figure Out Your Next Career Move

April 18, 2017

This month’s tip was written by Lauren Skiver, Talent Market’s Talent Manager 

Being in the talent business, we have a lot of conversations that revolve around the question, “What do you want to do next?”

It’s a tough question. Some people knew at five years old what they wanted to be when they grew up (I’m married to one of those!). But for the rest of us, it’s all trial and error. And living in an age with endless career…

Talent Tip #89: Becoming Billy Shakespeare: Crafting a Powerful Cover Letter

March 26, 2017

I read a lot of cover letters.

With most of them, I feel as though I’m reading standard newspaper AP fare.  Nothing earth-shattering, but it gets the job done.  Others are harder to digest — it’s more like reading furniture assembly instructions…in a language I don’t speak.

But every once in a while I come across a cover letter that captivates me like a great piece of literature. It accomplishes exactly what it should: it makes me want to keep…

Talent Tip #88: Looking for Love: Valentine’s Tips for Job Seekers

February 21, 2017

Talent Tip #88: Looking for Love: Valentine’s Tips for Job Seekers  

Ahh, Valentine’s Day. I enjoy the holiday if only because it gives me the opportunity to make subtle overtures to my husband when diamond commercials come on. It’s worth it to see that moment of panic in his eyes as he thinks, “Crap. All I got her was a “Hoodie-Footie.”

Since it’s the season to look for love, let’s turn our attention to job seekers. I often hear…

Talent Tip #87: Embrace the Power of Markets: Pay Your Best Talent Well or Risk Losing Them

February 19, 2017

Talent Tip #87: Embrace the Power of Markets: Pay Your Best Talent Well or Risk Losing Them 

If you are on this email list, you are a big believer in the power of free markets.

(And if you are not, let me know so that I can mail you a copy of Free to Choose and then we can have a little chitchat.)

Since you are a big believer in markets, you no doubt treat your employees accordingly when…

Talent Tip #86: Seven MORE Questions to Ask Before You Commit (Advice for Interviewing and Dating)

December 13, 2016

Talent Tip #86: Seven MORE Questions to Ask Before You Commit (Advice for Interviewing and Dating)

Last month we offered up questions that would serve us well to ask before taking the plunge (whether it be dating or employment).

Your response was fantastic — and enlightening! This month I’m sharing some of the questions you suggested I add to the list.

Not surprisingly, many of the suggested questions were related to finances. After all, they…

Talent Tip #85: Eight Questions to Ask Before You Commit (Advice for Interviewing and Dating)

November 16, 2016

As you know, I am fond of comparing interviewing to dating. And why not? The goals are the same: a prosperous, long-term relationship.

Sadly, I’ve heard from more than one friend lately who thought he had made a wise commitment, only to learn after the honeymoon was over that it was not a good match. In retrospect, he realized more questions should have been asked before making a commitment.

I know what you’re thinking. Is Claire referring to dating or…

Talent Tip #84: Culture Matters Part Deux: How Current and Prospective Employees Should Consider Culture

November 14, 2016

Talent Tip #84: Culture Matters Part Deux: How Current and Prospective Employees Should Consider Culture

Last month a friend in the liberty movement shared thoughts on how culture can attract (or repel) talent. We must have struck a nerve, as the response to the article was substantial.  Because of that, I’m continuing the culture discussion by sharing one of the responses I received from my friend Dan. I hope you enjoy it!  

“I really appreciated this month’s talent…

Talent Tip #83: Culture Matters: Cultivating a Culture That Attracts and Retains Talent

September 20, 2016

Talent Tip #83: Culture Matters: Cultivating a Culture That Attracts and Retains Talent 

The following was written by a friend in the liberty movement. This description of why culture matters is better than anything I could have written; so, this month I’m giving my friend the floor. 

In the U.S., studies have shown the most depressing time of the week is early afternoon on Sunday. Can you guess why?

For some, maybe it’s conviction after a Sunday morning sermon. Maybe…