If you are not sure where to start, use your peers to guide you. Here are the blog posts and resource pages that were most often visited in 2019. 

The Top Bartimus Career Consulting Blog posts from 2019 are:

• Starting 2019 Right (These tips are still on point)
• Case Interview Preparation
• Ask Good Interview Questions
• Are You A Reluctant Networker?
• Getting Unstuck One step at a Time

The Resource pages that were visited most often were:

• Self Assessment
• Career Transition
• Linkedin and Resumes
• Interviewing
• Networking 101

2020 Vision
Through coaching and online resources, my vision is helping you understand today's job search process, identify and communicate your strengths, and tell your story.

If you have questions that aren't covered by these posts and pages, ask me.

When you think about networking for your career, are you thinking "Yes!" or "Oh, no!"?

If you are reluctant to network, here are a few strategies to move you forward.

First, understand why you should network?

• Meet people with shared interests
• Explore Career / Recareer options
• Analyze the market
• Identify trends, emerging fields and industries
• Learn about company culture
• Get referred for jobs

Second, understand why you are reluctant?
Which of these reasons stops you from networking?

• Unsure how to/where to start?
• Don’t know what to say
• Shy or embarrassed
• No time
• Overwhelming
• Don’t know anyone
• Don’t want to beg

Each of these reasons has their own strategy described in the slide deck. (The presentation opens in SlideShare.)

Additional Resources

• Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

           * Book review - "Quiet" Inspiration for #WorldBookDay," 2 Mar 2017 blog post
           * Susan Cain: The Power of Introverts (video) 

• I’m on LinkedIn: Now What? By Jason Alba
• Network your Way To Your Next Job FAST by Cylde C. Lowstuter and David L. Robertson

(Updated links from August 7, 2017 Blog Post)
 
Consulting companies who utilize case interviews will often offer tips for preparing for this interview style. Since this interview focuses on problem solving, the key aspects are:

• Listening and understanding the case details
• Asking about missing details or for clarification
• Showing your thought process by thinking through the case out loud.

The case interview is typically used to show how you would interact with clients and organize projects. Treat the case interview as if it is a client problem or project proposal.

Some companies, like McKinsey & Company offer sample cases. If your targeted employer doesn't offer sample cases, check for actual client or project stories under the "About" or "Services" tabs.

For additional tips on preparing, review these company pages:

• Bain & Company - https://www.bain.com/careers/interview-prep/case-interview/
• McKinsey & Company (Includes sample cases) - http://www.mckinsey.com/careers/interviewing 
• Deloitte (Includes practice case) - https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/careers/articles/join-deloitte-case-interview-prep-tool.html

Other companies, like Bain & Company, also incorporate a case study as a written essay.

Review your prospective employer's career pages for information on their interview process. Also check sites like Glassdoor.com for other descriptions of the interviewing process with comments of other candidates.

#career #interviewing #mondaythoughts

​You've grown up. Has your résumé?

Go ahead pull out your most recent copy. How does it look? How old is that version? When did you last add anything or edit the document? Even as someone who helps others with their résumé, I am always surprised by how long ago I updated mine.

​Words Matter throughout the interview process. Before your interview, prep for the questions the employer may ask. During the interview, focus on the job not the offer, balance "I" and "We," and avoid "I don't know." After the interview, send the thank you note.

​You’ve prepped. You’ve analyzed the job description and researched the company. You understand what competencies and experience they want you to have. You’ve prepped your stories to share as evidence of those competencies and experiences. But, you may still be missing something. A key ingredient. The real you.

An often overlooked, yet high impact, part of any interview is the chance to ask questions. Prepare a list of possible questions and prioritize the top 2-3 that you want to ask. At the end of a regular interview, you may have 10 minutes at the end of the interview. In a job fair, time may be even more limited. Use your time wisely.

Consider what you still need to know to assess whether the job is a good opportunity for you.

• Would you give me more details about [Insert the area you need to know more about to understand the scope of the position]?
• Would you give me an example of a [project, problem, challenge] that is typical for this position?
• How would you describe your ideal candidate?

Understand the process

• What is your timeline for making decisions? 
• What is the next step?
• What are the typical steps in your process

Adapted from November 3, 2017, “Ask Good Questions”

Sometimes career gels. You're happy, successful, and producing well. Other times, it just feels off. 

Looking at the whole of your career can be daunting. Don't.

Consider your current situation and break the whole career into steps.

Consider the following questions. These represent a few key moments that can cause us to feel stuck. If you feel you have the answer, move on to the next. If you initial response is, "I don't know" or "I'm not sure," dig deeper.