I have a Zoom interview scheduled with three managers. I haven’t interviewed for a very long time and never by Zoom. Is it OK to reference notes? I’m really nervous about it.
If it makes you feel better, take some comfort in the fact that you can do the interview from the comfort of your home, or any environment that makes you feel comfortable — just make sure you have quiet place and that pets and plumbers won’t interrupt you.
The other benefit is that via Zoom, you can refer to notes in a way that you can’t in person — but don’t let them know you are.
Here’s a simple hack: Tape key points that you want to make on post it notes and tape them at eye level around your camera and computer set up. Then you can naturally refer to them without people knowing you are looking at them.
Just don’t be obvious and read verbatim what you’ve written. And if you haven’t interviewed in a long time, practice with a friend, and make sure that the lighting and set up make you look good.
I’ve been emailing HR in many companies in my field to try and get a position, but I haven’t got any replies back. Is it a waste of time? Does anyone get a job this way?
That depends on how you define “waste of time.” I can tell you for sure that sending unsolicited emails to “HR” inquiring about available jobs is one of the least productive job-search activities.
Slightly more productive — but still not highly effective — is to respond to online job postings on those big job aggregator sites like Indeed.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apply to jobs this way, but since many thousands of applicants are viewing and applying to the same jobs it’s very difficult to stand out. At the very least, find a name and send email to an individual about a specific job opening, using the email as a cover letter and attaching your resume.
The most productive job search, however, is by networking. Every company prefers to hire someone who is a referral from someone they trust. And when sending an email, if you can say that you were referred by a mutual connection you are far more likely to get a response.
Gregory Giangrande has over 25 years of experience as a chief human resources executive. Hear Greg Wed. at 9:35 a.m. on iHeartRadio 710 WOR with Len Berman and Michael Riedel. Email: GoToGreg@NYPost.com. Follow: GoToGreg.com and on Twitter: @GregGiangrande