Successful Job Hunting – Know What Potential Employers are Doing

November 16, 2015 | Career Blog

Job hunting is hard, and it is made even harder because you never have any idea of what you are walking into when it is time for the job interview. You can do the research, you can know the company inside and out but it is reading the potential boss that really gets most job hunters nervous. Here are some successful job hunting tips for those who want to know what their potential employers are doing and thinking – before, during, and after the interview:

BEFORE: Doing Research

As you Google the company and you learn about the people you may be working with and for, your potential employer is doing his or her own research as well. Though some may not do much research, you can bet they will at least Google your name to see what comes up. You may want to Google your own name and see what sort of things pop up, you may not be able to change it right away, but if you want good credible information on Google you need to have a definite and professional online presence.

Using Social Media

A professional online presence includes social media. Yes, potential employers are looking at your social media profiles. What are they going to find? Inappropriate party pictures? Highly controversial Twitter or Facebook posts? As you go around job hunting it is a good idea to clean up any and all social media platforms you use so that you look as professional as possible even in your personal social life.

DURING: Body Language

Most job hunters are uncomfortably aware of their own body during a job interview, they worry so much they only concentrate on their own body and the messages they might be sending to a potential employer. But sometimes you should take a minute and observe the body language of your interviewer; it could tell you something useful. Here are some examples:

• Good – Hands in the open, arms open or crossed comfortably. Makes eye contact, smiles, sits forward or comfortably in seat.
• Bad – Hands are under a table or in pockets, arms are crossed tightly, drums fingers on the table or fidget, looks around a lot, raises eyebrows, rubs head or eyes, leans back as if uninterested.

Writing on Your Resume

If a potential employer starts writing on your resume try not to get distracted trying to figure out whether it is good or bad, just keep talking. Also, a lot of employers like to take notes so leave room in the margins of your resume for them to do so.

After: Following Up

Your Potential employer will specifically tell you when and how he or she will be getting in contact with you. If you need more assurance ask when and if they would like you to contact them if you haven’t heard anything in a while. Pay attention because if you call or email too early with anything other than a ‘Thank You’ for the interview they may not look favorably on that.

Re-reading

Now your potential employer will probably reread what he or she has written on your resume, make calls to past employers, and basically do a follow-up.

Now you know what is happening on the other side of the interview so you can be more prepared as you hunt for jobs. Learn more about successful job hunting by Joining Our Talent Network or by contacting us today.