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How to Excel at an Initial Interview: 5 Strategies Learned Eavesdropping at Starbucks
“It’s just a conversation at Starbucks to make sure they want to call me back.”
“It’s a pretty low bar. As long as I come across as normal, I’ll advance to the next phase.”
“It’s at Starbucks. It’s just an initial interview.”
Do any of these sound familiar? Recently I’ve observed several initial interviews in various coffee shops where it seemed clear that the job candidates had those thoughts before the interviews. And afterwards, based on their performances, I am confident they each regretted that approach.
Apochromatik's Holiday Guide
The holidays are here! With the combination of work parties, family activities, an expanded to do list, and all the end of the year craziness, you may not have been sitting at your desk, hitting refresh on the Apochromatik blog. We’ve rounded up some of our resources on the holidays, both articles that have quoted us as experts, and our own blog posts that can help you end December with deepened work relationships, having advanced your career, and with time and energy left for your most important relationships.
How To Know It's Time To Go
More evidence amasses each day that experiences, not things, are what bring people happiness. In my own life, I can say that I've had more recurring positive feelings remembering past trips I've taken than enjoying any item I've ever purchased. Being that an average person will spend around 90,000 hours, or 1/3 of a lifetime, at work, it behooves us to pursue careers that provide meaningful experiences in addition to a solid income. For those considering a career change to find more fulfillment, I've compiled a list of questions to ask yourself to sort out whether it's time for you to take the leap.
6 tips to a successful salary negotiation
Negotiating your compensation package with a new job can be complicated, which is why we shy away from avoiding one-size-fits-all advice on this topic. Instead, due to requests, we offer one-on-one negotiation coaching, and a popular negotiation presentation delivered as a live program or online webinar well-suited to professional organizations.
Focus on Career: Networking
July is a great time to jump start your job search, so throughout the month, we’re focusing on different elements of the process.
COVID-19 Response Resources
We have launched a resources page to help individuals and organizations manage the changing professional environment. Click here for the COVID-19 Response Resource Page.
Applying for a new job? Consistency counts
If you caught this week’s ApochroMinute, you know that it’s important for your résumé, cover letter, references, and other materials to have consistent fonts, margins, and headers. Making sure your materials appear consistent is important, and once you have that taken care of, you can help your candidacy by making sure you are putting forth a professional image.
Apochromatik's Holiday Guide
The holidays are here! With the combination of work parties, family activities, an expanded to do list, and all the end of the year craziness, you may not have been sitting at your desk, hitting refresh on the Apochromatik blog. We’ve rounded up some of our resources on the holidays, both articles that have quoted us as experts, and our own blog posts that can help you end December with deepened work relationships, having advanced your career, and with time and energy left for your most important relationships.
How can a mastermind help you transform your career in 2020? | VOTW 111919
For this week’s Video of the Week, we’re featuring an episode of the Hustle & Flow podcast hosted by Heather Hubbard. This particular episode discusses masterminds: what they are, and why attorneys and other professionals can benefit. If you haven’t joined a mastermind this is your chance to learn what they are all about.
University of Chicago Career Webinar...TODAY! | VOTW 111219
Does the thought of answering the question “where do you see yourself in five years?” in a job interview make you want to melt into the floor?
Job Search Month: 6 tips to a successful salary negotiation
Negotiating your compensation package with a new job can be complicated, which is why we shy away from avoiding one-size-fits-all advice on this topic. Instead, due to requests, we offer one-on-one negotiation coaching, and a popular negotiation presentation delivered as a live program or online webinar well-suited to professional organizations.
Job Search Month: Negotiations | VOTW 092419
As we wrap up job search month, this week we’re turning to the step that seems to cause some of the most stress for candidates: salary negotiations. We’ll share actionable tips on Thursday, but until then, this week’s Video of the Week features pricing consultant Casey Brown who explains that “No one will ever pay you what you’re worth. They’ll only ever pay you what they think you’re worth.“ And that, she explains, is why you have to be able to communicate your value.
Job Search Month: Interviewing Skills and Small Talk
September is job search month, and this week we’re focusing on interviews. Below we’ve collected a number of resources to help you prepare for all types of job interviews. But here’s a tip that will take less time to implement than reading any of those resources.
Job Search Month: Interviewing | VOTW 091719
September is a great time to jumpstart your job search, as Vault recently discussed, observing "September is a great time to catch that last wave of recruiting before the New Year.” We started off the month focusing on networking, last week we moved to application materials, and this week we’re focusing on the next step of the job search process: interviewing.
Job Search Month: Using Your Résumé and Cover Letter to Market Yourself
What is the one thing you know most about?
What is your number one field of expertise?
What does the culmination of your experiences create?
You might find it surprising that I actually know the answers to each of these questions.
Job Search Month: Your Application Materials | VOTW 091019
Fall is always a busy time in hiring, which makes September a great time to jumpstart your job search. If you are considering a change, you’ll want to watch the blog as we tackle a different aspect of the job search process each week throughout September. Last week we started where your search should: networking. This week we’ll address application materials.
Job Search Month: Networking
September is a great time to jump start your job search, so throughout the month, we’re focusing on different elements of the process.
This week, we’re starting where your search should: networking. Whether or not you’re looking for a new position, no one has ever regretted having a strong network. From client referrals to moral support to, yes, help finding a new job, your network is an important asset you must invest in. In fact, studies show that 70 percent of jobs are filled through a networking contact, and the average annual income for workers who got their job with a referral is 6% higher than those who didn’t.
The Apochromatik blog is back! Job Search | VOTW 090319
The Apochromatik blog is back!
Throughout the month of September, we’re focusing on the job search process.
September is a great time to jump start your job search. Without vacation plans and nice weather to distract you, it’s harder to ignore that you’re merely tolerating your job and due (or overdue) for a change. It’s also an ideal time to make progress before the holidays and end of year slowdown.
7 Strategies to Manage Stress, Burnout, and Anxiety During the Job Search
“Kate” has it all together. We’ve worked to ensure her resume is excellent. Her cover letters are customized and strong. She is focused in her job search. She knows that networking is (usually) where the jobs are, and has worked to build an engaged and supportive network.
But . . . she’s at that point where she’s waiting to receive an offer for a job, waiting on another interview that needed to be rescheduled, waiting for a couple of key people in her network to come back from vacation and make introductions. And she’s hit a wall. She is tired from the stress of job interviews, networking, tired of working to find her next job at the same time she’s working ridiculous hours at the current job, tired of also doing her share at home, anxious about how much longer she’ll have to continue enduring this process. . . .
Avoid Mistakes During Stress | VOTW 080619
Have you ever walked out of a job interview, contentious meeting, or other stressful situation and realized you’d made a big mistake?
In this week’s Video of the Week, neuroscientist Daniel Levitin shares how his “pre-mortem” technique can help you to avoid making critical mistakes in stressful situations.