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Hiring? Job searching? Questions for Assessing Cultural Fit on Both Sides of the Table
You’ve found the perfect candidate, at least on paper, and you are scheduling an in-person interview. You hope they are indeed perfect and your search is over. Or you have been offered an interview at your target company. Your goal is within reach. Or is it the wrong fit? Whether you are hiring a new employee or searching for a…
Happy Independence Day!
All of us at Artisan Creative wish you and your family a fun and safe 4th of July!
3 Secrets to Vacation and Sick Days When You Freelance
When I came down with the flu last month, I had to take a day off from working for my freelance clients. I can’t think of the last time that happened. A sick day. Now that summer is here, the temptation to take some vacation time looms as large as the thermometer in the corner of my computer screen. What…
Top 10 Must Dos for Creative Freelancers
As part of Artisan’s presentation at the recent SoCal UX Camp, we addressed the best ways Creative Freelancers should position themselves successfully in their field and how to best market their services to maintain a consistent pipeline of work. Design your Brand. Let your personal style guide the color palette, font treatments & images used to create your brand/logo. Utilize…
To Whom It May Concern
Image by avanzero via stock.xchng Stop right there! Don’t write that! It’s hard to know how to construct the perfect cover letter. Maybe there is no perfect cover letter. Maybe an email introduction is more your style. Whatever you call it, there must be a better way to achieve your goal — landing an interview. The Salutation The worst offender…
Reflections: Desperation
Someone asked me recently, “Why did you apply for this particular job?” I was glad that my answer wasn’t “Because I really need one!” But what do you do if that is indeed the answer deep down? And how do you keep that desperation from affecting your job search process? Here are some tips for keeping that desperation at bay:…
Dog Days of Summer
If you are a dog person, you know the benefits of having a furry companion at home. Dog owners recover more quickly from being sick, suffer less frequently from depression and loneliness, and have a built-in conversation starter. But there are also some benefits to bringing your dog to work or encouraging your employees to do so: Attract and retain…
Unusual Resume Formats: Yes or No?
At Artisan we see quite a few resumes and most of them are in a variety of standard formats. On occasion, however, we will receive something especially creative or unusual, some more successful than others. What do you think of these non-traditional resume formats? The Infographic—We’ve heard a lot about these. There is even a website that helps you take…
Try Something New This Summer
If you are finding yourself with some extra free time this summer, it could be a great opportunity to bring some of your skills up to date or learn something new. We found some fun User Experience events coming up in the Los Angeles area you might want to try: On Thursday, June 13 you can learn about Microinteractions with…
A Change of Scene Can Work Wonders
One of my favorite things about living and working in Southern California is the weather. And how could you blame me? Sure, it’s hot at times, and every couple of years it rains for three weeks in a row. But the weather here is great for outdoor activities all year round. It can also be a boon to your work…
Maximizing LinkedIn: Adding Files and Videos
LinkedIn has developed into an essential social media platform for anyone in business and especially anyone who is now or will ever be on a job search. Nowhere is it easier to connect with colleagues, share business goals, and perfect your personal branding. Earlier in its life, LinkedIn was pretty simple. It offered a place to put the information on…
Response vs. Reaction
No one is perfect. We all have good days and bad days (at home and at work). There are days when our emotional intelligence is at its peak and days when it is at a low ebb. Unfortunately, sometimes those low days are also days when we are less productive or under a lot of stress from our bosses, colleagues…
All in the Timing
They say timing is the secret to comedy, but it’s also one of the secrets of good job interview technique. Of course, you can never know exactly what questions you will be asked and you should take the time necessary to answer them as fully as possible, whatever they may be. However, there are some good rules of thumb for…
Taking the Summer Off?
It’s easy to get lackadaisical about your job search in the summer. Hiring managers are on vacation, everyone’s taking casual Fridays and business just seems to move slower. Many feel like September is a better time to start a new project or job – much like we used to start a new grade with new clothes and new teachers. But…
Are You Driving Your Co-workers Crazy?
Most of us spend 80% of our time at work. Even when you like the people you work with, sometimes it’s the little things they do that can get on your last nerve. Or maybe you, too, could use a reminder of preferred office etiquette. Crossing the line – Whether you have a corner office or share a cubical, everyone…
Procrastination for Productivity
Procrastinating has a bad reputation. “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” But if you are a chronic procrastinator who still produces successful work, you may be doing it right after all. Putting things off until the last minute can certainly lead to high levels of stress and less attention to detail. However, some forms of procrastination…
Reflections: Charlie Brown
I was privileged recently to see a middle school production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” I say privileged because not only were the performers adorable (of course), confident and committed, but they really brought home the simple but important themes of the show that we could all stand to be reminded of: Lucy is a crabby person. A…
What Are Your Weaknesses?
This question often strikes dread into the heart of any job seeker. Your answer could literally make or break your interview. Mention a weakness the hiring manager doesn’t want to hear – and you could be cut from the list. Or prepare ahead of time and use this question to your advantage. Here are some steps you can take before…
Thanks But No Thanks
When you are on a job search, you feel like every interview is a potential win. This one might be the one. This one will be the last interview. This is the one that will be perfect. But the reality is, more often than not, someone else will get the call. It’s just the truth. We will all send many…
Tips on What to Ask Your Interviewer–Or Not
Imagine it: you are at the job interview for the perfect role. You have charmed the hiring manager with your stories, remembered all of the quantifiable accomplishments on your resume, and answered all of her questions with confidence and style. It’s time to tie this one up with a bow. Any questions? You would think that the hard part is…
Job Posting Red Flags
If you’re like most job seekers, you spend hours searching for, identifying, and applying to jobs that seem like a great fit for your skills and experience. Most of the time your resume and cover letter disappear into the “resume black hole” with no response or feedback. Sometimes when you do hear back and go through a round of interviews,…
Reflections: Appreciation
After an odd experience with someone in my network last week, I found myself thinking about appreciation–both as a recipient of the generosity of others and as I try to be helpful myself. When we are immersed in a job search, we are always hoping that the next call, the next email, the next job application will be “the one,”…
What Are You Doing for National Volunteer Week?
Having spent more hours volunteering than at work last week, I think I have probably done my bit, but it’s still a great time to talk about the benefits of volunteering—not for the organizations for which you volunteer, but for you. Stay Energized—A long job search can really take its toll on your energy and enthusiasm. Spending some of that…
4 Tips for a Greener Home Office
There are lots of wonderful things about freelancing and telecommuting: Flexible schedule No dress code Time for volunteering Better work/life balance More control over the work you do But the benefits don’t stop with you—freelancing can benefit the planet as well! As we approach Earth Day 2013, have you thought about how to minimize your carbon footprint as much as…
Your Last Word: Tips for a Successful Resignation
You did it! You landed a new role and get to move forward in your career and reach new goals. It’s an exciting time and you deserve to enjoy it. Don’t spoil it by making a mistake on the way out the door: Tell your manager. In-person, not via email, phone, or social media. Make an appointment and plan what…