Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Men puff up their success on LinkedIn, while women undersell

Men puff up their success on LinkedIn, while women undersellMen puff up their success on LinkedIn, while women undersellWhen it comes to self-promotion, men have an advantage. LinkedIns analysis of millions of its U.S. member profiles found that men brag far mora than women do when talking about their work experience.Men brag about their successesU.S. men on LinkedIn use their profiles to shine the stories of their careers in the most positive light. LinkedIn said men tend to skew their professional brands to highlight more senior-level experience, often removing junior-level roles altogether. In other words, they talk about their jobs at the biggest and most famous companies in the world, and leave off their humble beginnings. It makes men appear as if they sprung, fully formed, into a successful career.Men, who had larger networks overall than women, were also found to be more aggressive about tooting their horn and touting their skills.Women dont brag about their successes - with good reasonMeanwhile, women kept it short and simple on their profiles, even to the point of underselling the accomplishments they had earned.They had shorter profiles summaries than men. And even when they had similar jobs and skill levels, LinkedIn said women would still include 11% less of their skills than men on their profiles.Women are putting themselves at a networking disadvantage when they dont talk about their successes. These absences on their profiles add up and have far-reaching consequences for networking success.Workers use LinkedIn to network for jobs and new opportunities. LinkedIn said the people who had five or more skills got 17 times more profiles views. One of those views could lead to a connection, or a message, or even a job.But they could be keeping mum because they recognize what gender bias research has foundwomen who act assertive, tough, and self-confident - traits that are traditionally seen as masculine- face backlash at work and have a harder time ge tting a promotion. Women may not being bragging like men because they feel like they would be penalized for it - and research shows theyre not wrong.Women are also likely to avoid job listings with aggressive words and undersell their own talents, as studies have noted even the wording of job ads can drive qualified women away.Women need to self-advocate for their success to get that promotion, or a new job. No one knows youre doing a good job unless you tell them and remind them. But we also need a culture thats accepting of their success to welcome them.

Friday, November 22, 2019

Setting Up Informational Law Interviews

Setting Up Informational Law InterviewsSetting Up Informational Law InterviewsYou might be asking whether the informational interview is the same thing as a regular interview. Its leid. The informational interview is what it sounds like - a brief talk meant to get more information on the firm. But what you should understand is that your chances of getting a real interview are much improved once you have face-to-face contact with a member of your desired firm. leid only can you learn exactly what opportunities in which departments exist, but you get the chance to make a direct impression with someone from the firm. Its proven fact that we feel a stronger urge to help someone weve met or whom we know, rather than a stranger or a stray resume from the ether.How do you go about setting up informational interviews? You have the best resources right at your fingertips - Martindale-Hubbell and your alumni directory. Dont be afraid to tap into your alumni network, whether its from you r undergraduate or law school. You might suspect that youre somehow bothering these busy lawyers, but dont be. Youll find that most of your fellow alums will be happy to take 20 to 30 minutes out of their schedules to give you some solid career advice.The best way to proceed Compose a letter or e-mail (depending on which address youve located) explaining who you are, what school youve both attended, and what your immediate career goals are. Make sure you emphasize that you are not asking for a job, but only for information. Leave your phone number and email address. Remember that everyone was in the same boat as you were not too long ago - and many law firms, despite the slackening of the labor market, still pay their lawyers premiums for bringing in qualified candidates. Even if youve got on-campus interviews lined up, its worth investigating the informational interview route. Good luck

Thursday, November 21, 2019

What You Should Never Say in a Follow-Up Email After an Interview

What You Should Never Say in a Follow-Up Email After an InterviewWhat You Should Never Say in a Follow-Up Email After an InterviewWaiting is one of the most torturous parts of the job hunt.You apply and then you wait. If youre lucky, you get a phone screening- and then you wait some mora. Next? The interview. Followed by even more waiting.Its frustrating. And, when youre eager to check in and get an idea of what happens next, youll likely send a follow-up emailto the recruiter or hiring manager.Thats perfectly acceptable (in fact, doing so can demonstrate your interest and level of engagement in the process). But, with that said, you do need to be careful about exactly what you say in that check-in note of yours.Here are four things you should never say in a follow-up email after an interview.1. If I dont get this job, I dont know what Ill doYouve been compulsively refreshing your inbox for ages, and those long periods of not hearing anything are enough to make anyone crazy. However, emotional threats like this one wont do you any favors. On the contrary, they only make you seem desperate- and perhaps even a little unstable.Yes, you want that job. But, you still need to avoid unterstellung types of phrases that place even more of a burden on that employer. You can be enthusiastic about the opportunity without making it the thing thats solely responsible for your happiness and well-being.Say This Instead Im still very interested in your company and this position, and am looking forward to any next steps.2. This job would be so good for me, becauseThis is a trap thats easy to fall into. You want to talk about all of the ways that new role would positively impact your life.Heres the brutal truth prospective employers dont care. It might seem selfish or cold-hearted, but they want to know about how youll add value to their company- as opposed to how they can benefit you.Resist the urge to rant and rave about all of the reasons that job would improve your life, and place the majority of your emphasis on what you bring to the table (and how that contributes to any company goals).Say This Instead Im looking forward to discussing this role more, as well as how my extensive marketing experience can help Company XYZ gain increased recognition in the industry.3. I need to hear back from you byThe waiting is driving you insane, and you just want any sort of estimate of when that cruel form of torture will be over. In your lowest points, its tempting to institute your own deadline for that hiring manager.If you do have an offer from another company on the table, its copacetic to let the other employer know and ask when they might have a decision on their end so you can weigh your options. But, the operative word there is ask- you dont want to dole out rude demands.If you dont have another offer and are simply aiming to figure out how much longer youre going to need to wait? Dont bother implementing your own end date- it only comes across as rude. Your e better off asking if they already have a hiring timeline in place.Say This Instead Im wondering if you have a timeline in place for when youre aiming to make your decision?4. Why is this taking so long?You have plenty of grievances to air about how painfully long this process is- and, you absolutely can get those off your chest to your friends or family members.When it comes to your correspondence with that potential employer, however, you dont want to let any complaints slip out- regardless of how frustrated youre becoming.Remain upbeat and positive. Good things take time, and you need to be willing to wait for them. Doing so proves that youre highly invested in that company and open position and arent going to lose your cool as soon as the road gets a little rocky.Say This Instead I know the hiring process can take time, and Im eager to use any next steps to prove my value to your organization.Follow-up emails can be tricky to draft during your job search. You need to play it co ol, even when your insides are screaming, Just tell me whether or not I have the job, you inconsiderate monstersFortunately, you can craft a message thats polite and professional. Stay far away from these four phrases, and youre sure to set the right tone with your follow-up email.