Opinion: Joel's Job Tips #4 and #5

Limit “Me-centric” Questions

Companies get concerned when candidates only ask questions regarding their needs, ie. me-centric questions. Employers worry if  candidates are only interested in their needs, they will probably only focus on their needs when hired and not do the job properly.

Implement this strategy. Become an expert on the company. One evening I had a meeting with a candidate and told him to research potential employer websites and he studied for four hours. The next day during the interview he asked questions related to the company’s business strategies and how they served their customers. Those questions boosted him above other candidates and got him the job. 

Ask about your benefit and compensation packages but really understand what the company’s strategy and what their expectations of you will be.

Leverage the internet and social media to your advantage

Never has there been so much information on various social media outlets about employment options. Please review company websites and their social media outlets so you better understand their values, goals, and challenges. 

As I tell students, if you want to get a job, get on LinkedIn. If you want to whine about not having a job, get on Facebook. 

Clean up your content and make sure social media sends out the best possible professional image of you. Also delete any tags that your friends put on FB posts that are not professional. 

I was helping a young basketball player get a college scholarship and he almost lost it because some of his friends tagged him in vulgar, trash talking post about their opponents on his Facebook page. 

Note: NUCOR STEEL has a great website for Lexington and is taking applications for entry level jobs March 27th.  https://nucor.com/lexington/