Skill Building

Build Your Job Search Skills

Learn to tell your story: networking and interviewing

Job search activities that require us to interact with others can feel intimidating. Practice, especially with a mentor, will help.

 

 

👉 Networking is an essential professional tool we recommend you do regularly, but for most of us those skills are rusty. 

👉 Interviewing success is largely related to coaching and practice. Mock interviews are one of our most popular offerings.  

👉 Storytelling (or being able to communicate your prior successes) is an important component of both of these interactions.  

 

Networking

Networking is a MUST for all job seekers. The prospect of networking often causes anxiety, so people procrastinate. We can help you learn how to network with much less stress, and turn the idea of talking to a stranger from anxiety-producing to energizing. 

Our Networking 101 Skill Builder Workshop is a deep dive into why networking is essential and how to do it effectively. Definitely plan to attend a session online in addition to reviewing the PDF, you will have a chance to ask all your questions! Plus, there are usually great discussions among the job seekers about their own experiences.

LinkedIn 101 (optimize your profile) and especially LinkedIn 201 (use LinkedIn to cultivate connections) are invaluable resources. 

This presentation with comprehensive Networking Tips will give you lots of specific advice about how to network more effectively.

The Ultimate Guide to an Informational Interview is another comprehensive networking resource that you may find helpful.

Stumped about what to ask? This long list of possible questions will inspire you to come up with a shorter list of your own.

Smart-Peeps is a local newsletter with a list of online and in-person networking events (click Sign up today on the site).

 

Interviewing

Interviewing is the area that probably requires the MOST skill building. Most of us interview infrequently, and are intimidated by the prospect. If you work with a mentor you will have an opportunity to do one or more mock interviews which are the absolute BEST way to prepare yourself. 

Here are a number of additional resources that can help:

This presentation shares a thorough interview preparation plan that includes important consideration such as your attire and computer setup. 

LinkedIn has a fantastic interview prep section with a long list of potential questions, suggested answers from recruiters and coaches, and even an opportunity to practice and get feedback. 

Riveter Works offers a free interview practice tool (sign-up required).

Indeed has a guide to behavioral interview questions with sample answers that explains what companies are trying to ascertain. Your SOAR stories will be essential here. They also offer a good guide to video interviewing, including tech setup.

 

Storytelling

Learn the basics of storytelling in the Resumes 101 Skill Builder Workshop. Review the PDF here, then be sure to practice your stories with someone else so that they feel natural. It's not bragging if it's true! 

Don't just take our word for it! Read this Harvard Business Review article about one job seeker's experience of the power of storytelling. 

 

 

Additional content is available on our website: 

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Extras Page

Also check out the Extras page for more helpful information:

Skill Building Highlight