Talent Tips: Applying for Jobs

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 #82: Five MORE Tips for Discussing Salary During Your Job Hunt

August 16, 2016

Talent Tip #82: Five MORE Tips for Discussing Salary During Your Job Hunt

Last month we offered you five fabulous tips for discussing salary during your job search — all for the low, low price of zero dollars. Amazing, right? What if I told you I would throw in five BONUS tips for FREE (plus shipping and handling) this month?!

Well, in true infomercial fashion, I’m going to do it. But remember, this is a limited time…

Talent Tip #81: Five Tips for Discussing Salary During Your Job Hunt

July 19, 2016

Talent Tip #81: Five Tips for Discussing Salary During Your Job Hunt 

Life is full of painful but necessary events: visiting the dentist…paying taxes…watching a Lifetime movie marathon at the request of that special someone…discussing salary during a job hunt.

Unfortunately, I’m not well-equipped to help you deal with the first three; but on that last one, I’ve got you covered! In fact, I’ve put together ten tips to help make the process painless. Here are the first few:

Talent Tip #74: Give The Gift That Keeps on Givng…er…Giving

December 17, 2015

Talent Tip #74: Give The Gift That Keeps on Givng Giving

Still struggling to find the perfect gift for that special someone this season? Debating between the Hutzler 571 Banana Slicer and the Perfect Bacon Bowl?

Well, debate no more. I have the perfect holiday gift for all of your friends and loved ones — especially those on the job hunt.

This year, give the gift of Spell Check.

Not only is it free and currently available…

Talent Tip #69: It Was a Dark and Stormy Night: How to Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out

June 17, 2015

Talent Tip #69: It Was a Dark and Stormy Night: How to Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out  

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit…

Call me Ishmael…

Who doesn’t love a good story?

Everyone loves a good story! And hiring managers are no exception.

That’s why they cringe when they read the same generic, banal cover letters…

Talent Tip #64: Lookin’ Out My Back Door: Following Application Instructions 

February 3, 2015

For some reason, I can’t get CCR’s “Lookin’ Out My Back Door” out of my head. This might be a result of watching The Big Lebowski a few days ago. Or, it could be that I’ve recently encountered some candidates attempting to “backdoor” the stated hiring process.

Here’s the scenario:

The job advertisement asks candidates to send application materials to a hiring manager (a department head, an HR team member, or, in Talent Market’s case, a…

Talent Tip #62 Take a Chance on Me: Nontraditional Candidates and Fundraising Roles

February 3, 2015

Talent Tip #62 Take a Chance on Me: Nontraditional Candidates and Fundraising Roles

You know what I have a boatload of?

Complaints about the government, yes. But do you know what else I have oodles of?

Fundraising roles.

As it turns out, I also have a Mayflower truck full of candidates who would love to break into fundraising for the free-market nonprofit sector.

So, what’s the disconnect? It’s that most nonprofits want to hire fundraisers with development experience (for roles…

Talent Tip #61: Google This: How to Create a Winning Resume

February 2, 2015

You know that I’m always talking about resumes, resumes, resumes. I beat on the topic like a drum on Christmas morning.

So, when two free-market friends recently recommended a post about creating a great resume, I was all over it.

And this isn’t just any piece about resumes. It’s written by Laszlo Bock, the SVP, People Operations at Google.  Bock’s post, My Personal Formula for a Winning Resume, outlines how to make your accomplishments more impactful.

Bock writes:

Talent Tip #60: Goldilocks and Salary: Getting it “Just Right”

September 15, 2014

Remember the fairy tale “Goldilocks and the Three Bears?” Our girl Goldi didn’t want the porridge too hot or too cold; she wanted it just right.

And so it goes with salaries and job applications. We don’t want to list a salary that is too high or too low; we want to list one that is just right.

A big thanks to my friend Alex in Kentucky who suggested this topic (which we started to address in last month’s e-newsletter).…