Every job seeker has at least one question that simply stumps them. In this webinar, experienced hiring manager Heather R. Huhman will answer the toughest job search questions.

1. Questions for Cachinko
Solving the Toughest Job Search Challenges
Join the conversation on Twitter: #cachinko
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2. Contact Heather at heather@comerecommended.com

3. Introduction
• Currently, American
unemployment is at 9.1%
• HR budgets are at an all-time
low
• More applicants + less HR =
confusion for all
• Since August 31, you’ve sent
tons of questions ranging from
networking and interviews to
resumes and applications
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4. What are your top 3 pre-
screening questions?
-Andrea
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5. • What did you like most and least
about each position you’ve held?
• Tell me about yourself.
• What about [company name]
interests you the most and why?
• Also: Tell me about something you
achieved that you think someone
else in your position would not
have gotten done.
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6. What are your top three
recommended non-cheesy
interview closing
techniques?
-Emily
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7. • Give a short statement
– You’re still interested
– Sum up discussion
points
• Ask when they’ll be in
touch
• Ask about any
reservations they might
have about hiring you
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8. What should a new grad/job
seeker do if they’re trying
to break into a new
industry that’s not related
to their degree?
-Ashley
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9. • Connect
skills/experience
• Take a class
• Informational
interviews
• Join an
organization
• Network
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10. Should you only search for
a job online?
-Patti
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11. • Short answer: No!
• Long answer: There are a
variety of offline job
search options…
– Professional organizations
– Offline networking
– Informational interviews
– Job fairs
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12. How do you explain a gap
in your work history that is
related to a disability?
-Chris
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13. • Be upfront
• Go into as much
detail as you feel
comfortable
• Know your ADA
rights
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14. How do you make a resume
fresh and something that
the prospective employer
will read?
-Stacy
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15. • Short & sweet
–Bullet points
• Active language
• Quantifiable results
• Dynamic language
• Update often
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16. How long should you wait
before following up on an
interview?
-Jeana
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17. • 7 to 10 days
• Methods
– Call
– Email
– Handwritten note
– Face-to-face meet up
• Include
– When can I expect a decision?
– Thanks
– Answer any unfinished questions
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18. How can I adapt my CV
when I have 18+ years of
experience?
-Anne
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19. • Quantifiable
achievements and
results
• Highlight desirable
skills
• Active language
• Dates are optional
• Connect past
experience
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20. After 9 years of “retirement”,
how do I identify
"transferable skills" and
present them at an
interview?
-Sam
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21. • Look at the job posting
• Timeless skills
• What did you do during
retirement?
– Volunteering
– Organizational
participation
• Take a class to update
skills
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22. What are the newest and
most fandagled resumes
that would make me stand
out?
-Lynne
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23. • LinkedIn
• Personal website
• The classic resume
– Keep up-to-date
– Dynamic, active
language
– Quantifiable results
– Bullet points
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24. How do you connect with
the right people at an
organization when
everything is online?
-Kelly
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25. • Doesn’t have to be
online
• Do your research
• Social media
– LinkedIn, Facebook,
Twitter
• Join networking groups
– Online
– Offline
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26. If I’m a volunteer, should I
consider myself “currently
employed” on an
application?
-Gordon
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27. • Depends
• Can it connect?
–Skills
–Experience
–Field
–Overall relevance
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28. Why am I not getting any
calls from employers?
-Elizabeth
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29. Popular mistakes job seekers
make:
• Forget to follow-up, thank
• Lengthy, unreadable
resume
• Under-qualified
• Generic application
• Passivity
• Lack of strategy
• Uninterested
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30. How is “promotability”
determined?
-Nina
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31. • Depends on the company
– Budget
– Specific position
– Supervisor
• Depends on the employee
– Interest in the company
– Ability to learn
– Skill set
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32. What is a good approach
for older workers when
searching for a
professional position?
-Edward
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33. • Networking!
–Professional
organizations
–Personal network
–Social networking
online
• Job boards
• Job fairs
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34. Next Webinar: Questions for Cachinko Part II
Questions will include:
• How can I translate my skill sets?
• Should I take a sure thing or wait for
my dream job?
• How do you actually find jobs?
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35. Contact Heather at heather@comerecommended.com

36. Thank you!
For more tips: blog.cachinko.com
Join us for our next job seeker webinar on:
October 13, 2011: Questions for Cachinko Part II:
Still Answering the Hardest Job Search Questions
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