Not seeing results from your job search? 

Albert Einstein said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” If you are getting the same feedback from every interview and not getting an offer, you need to take a hard look at your interviewing skills. Assuming that you dress appropriately, arrive on time, leave your cell phone off, have researched the company, or haven’t talked too much or too little, perhaps you’ve overlooked these other influencers:

• Are you overqualified? Or under qualified? Hiring companies can view both ends of the spectrum to be a red flag. 

• Is your availability limited? Perhaps overtime or some travel is required, which doesn’t fit your ability to commit. 

• During the interview, do you display interest in the actual work, rather than just the paycheck and benefits?
• Do you have good answers to the interviewer’s questions? Do you have some questions of your own? Nothing shows interest like asking intelligent questions. If you don’t know any, practice with your recruiter. 
• Did you get the feeling that you would fit well into the company? It isn’t always about skills, it can be about fitting into the culture. 

Preparation is key, as is follow up. Nothing says you appreciate their time like a handwritten note. 

Job Hunting When You Are Unemployed?

Job hunting is always challenging, but it can be more difficult if you’ve been out of work 

for a while. You’ve heard it said, “The best time to get a job is when you have a job.” 

That  seems  to  be  true.  Is  it  due  to  the  job  seekers  mindset  or  the  mindset  of  the marketplace?  

The good news is that in the current marketplace, the stigma of being unemployed has 

all but lost its sting. But, when you need employment, the pressure is on, so you might 

be looking at a broader spectrum of opportunities or be considering taking a step back 

in order to get back to work. That’s a good fall back strategy, but beware of applying for positions that are outside of your skill set. Before you go that route, give some thought to how that would look from the hiring managers’ point of view. If your background and the job description don’t really match, would you consider yourself a good fit for the job? 

A  reputable  recruiter  can  guide  you  and  offer  a  perspective  you  don’t  have,  while helping you to find the right opportunity for you. 

What Can You Learn When Things Don’t Go Well? 

From Patty Kent, Executive VP, Actuarial Careers, Inc. 

    You leave the interview and you know it just didn’t go well, but you really aren’t sure why. If you are not working with a recruiter, you will likely never know what went wrong. If you are, this is a golden opportunity to use the interview as a learning experience.   

    In following up with the hiring company, your recruiter will hear the feedback from the interviewer and share it with you. Negative feedback is never easy to hear, but if you remain open to suggestions and are able to hear the information and learn from it, you will know what you need to work on to do better the next time.  

   Continue the conversation on our Facebook Page or LinkedIn Company Page!

What if the Job Description Doesn’t Match Your Experience?

From Patty Kent, Executive VP, Actuarial Careers, Inc.

When you are researching Actuarial positions, you are not only examining the job titles but also the job descriptions, and what each company is specifically looking for under their job title. It’s easy when the job description fits your resume, but what if it doesn’t? Perhaps your experience is a bit shy of the requirements, but you are really interested in the position, should you apply? 

In this marketplace, you are going to be up against candidates who have the exact background and experience the company is looking for. If you choose to apply, you will need to dig into your capabilities and experience to offer some compelling reasons why you should be considered. 

Perhaps you can offer examples of how you quickly learned other new skills in the past, or include any exposure you had to the particular type of experience required. You can also consider instances where you demonstrated an ability to bring a fresh perspective and alternative approach to similar challenges. 

If you are attempting to make a large jump in title, responsibilities or pay, you will need to have convincing reasons why the company should consider you, and be able to give them evidence of what you bring to the position that the others can’t.   

Discuss this on our Facebook Page or LinkedIn Company Page!

New Grads, Here are a Few Resume Reminders

Here are a few tips from Robyn Taylor, Sr. VP, Actuarial Careers, Inc.

A two page resume is fine – three pages is too much

Skip the Objective

Have access to your academic transcript

Use bullet points

Use a standard font

Include all of your contact information

Proofread!

The very best way to find the job you want. Part Five

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Thinking of Job Hunting? Start with the Basics

from Patty Kent, Vice President Actuarial Careers, Inc.

The Basics: Position, Compensation, Location

• What position and title are you really looking for?


• What are your salary requirements?
• How long of a commute will you agree to or are you open to relocating?

• Are there locations or situations that are clear deal breakers?                                                      

Giving careful consideration to what you require to make change jobs will focus your search and save you and your recruiter time and wasted effort. While it’s good to practice your interviewing skills, there’s no sense spending your valuable time and that of the hiring companies by interviewing for positions you know you don’t want. In addition, you don’t want to hinder your chances for future opportunities at those companies.

Being clear about your professional goals and defining them in detail will help you attract and land the right position for you.

If you’d like to investigate compensation ranges in the actuarial profession, check out the results of our 2013 Salary Survey. http://www.actuarialcareers.com/salary-results-2013.php

 

 

 

 

Credentials - How Important Are They?

How valuable are credentials in your area of specialization?  Take a look at our 2013 Actuarial Salary Survey results. You can query the results in a host of ways, including by  credentials. If you are wondering if you should pursue the next level of education, this may help you decide.       http://www.actuarialcareers.com/salary-results-2013.php

 If you'd like to speak to an industry expert. We are here to help.