After a 45–minute interview, the interviewer smiles and says, 'Do you have any questions for us?' Your mind goes blank. Sound familiar? It's tempting to say 'No, I'm fine' when asked if you have any questions. But that missed chance could cost you an opportunity. At the end of nearly every job interview, you'll likely be asked if you have any questions. At this stage, having a list of questions to ask your interviewer makes you look...
Have you ever been ghosted by an employer after applying for a job? You've polished your CV, cover letters, and sent out your application. Each click of "submit" carries hope, then, silence. Days turn to weeks; inbox is still not buzzing with that long expected email. Falling into what's known as the "application black hole" is a common experience, one that often frustrates even the most optimistic job applicants. Silence from employers can...
You wake up and there's no alarm, no emails to answer, and no place to rush to. At first, it feels like freedom, then the silence gets loud. Periods of unemployment are challenging financially, mentally, and professionally; yet, they can also present an opportunity to reassess, grow, and strategically prepare for what's next. The job search process can be challenging. While you must focus on the job search while you're unemployed, it can also...
We all know that first impressions matter a lot. Your CV is your introduction to potential employers, so it's essential that you get it right. Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a vital tool in your job search process. It serves as your personal marketing document, showcasing your skills, experiences, and qualifications to potential employers. A well-crafted CV can greatly increase your chances of being shortlisted, securing an interview and landing your...
Depending on your field, having a portfolio may be critical to showing potential employers your creativity and the thoughts behind your creative work. It helps showcase your approach towards solving a particular problem, and part of the content would also be your designs, depending on the nature of your portfolio. If you are a User Experience Researcher, it is vital that you create a portfolio that showcases the research problem, objectives,...
The phrase “acquire a skill” may seem to have been overly used, and so may the phrase “get a degree”; however, reiterating their importance helps provide more clarity. Looking at various debates on this topic, it may have appeared as though one path should be boycotted due to the overly prominent merits of the other. For many, one of the frontline reasons for getting a degree or acquiring a skill is to get a good paying job. For some,...
Being unemployed can be quite challenging, as often times, our focus is on getting regular credit alerts, especially the ones that come once a month. Why not? We have ourselves and families to take care of, and these things become harder when one's employment status changes from employed to unemployed. While it is important to pick up a new skill, it is important to gain these skills in those areas that interest you, not necessarily because...
A lot of times, it is easy to get swallowed by the quest to get a new job which will guarantee the continuous flow of income. Perhaps, it could also guarantee being in a career you are passionate about; however, while on this search, it is critical to ensure that you do not lose sight of the journey and the process therein. Getting your desired job often has to do with having the skills needed to perform such a job, and because we live in a...
