6 Fantastic – And Credible – Reasons To Tell Employers You're Looking For a New Job

iStockphoto.com | ( AndreyPopov )

Potential employers will ask you why you're looking for a job. They want to know why you're taking the time to meet with them to ensure that your goals align with their goals.

Telling an employer you're interviewing because your job stinks, or because your boss is a jerk, is a poor strategy. Not only are answers such as these crass, they will make a potential employer believe you're disgruntled and they won't want to introduce toxicity into their environment.

The key to answering this question is finding a solutions-oriented answer. Here are some reasons to tell that prospective employer you're playing the job market. Answers which generally focus on personal growth tend to resonate with hiring managers, and a bit of soul searching should guide your response. Here are some suggestions:

1. I've heard great things about your company from my friend who works here, and I'd love to be part of that.
    

2. My current organization is small, and I've reached a ceiling. I'm ready for a new challenge.
    

3. While I love my job, the commute is too far and I need something a little bit closer to home.
    

4. I've graduated with my Master's degree in a different discipline, and I'm looking for something in that new direction.
    

5. My current role is a temporary assignment, so I'm seeking something more permanent.
    

6. My dream has been to work on driving the success of products such as your company's. When I saw this position open up, I knew I had to apply.

---

Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and career coaching services, including a free resume review. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.

Holiday Job Hunting Blues? 5 Fantastic Reasons To Apply For Positions In December

iStockphoto.com ( lentus25 )

Looking for a job in December, and not getting much traction?

It's true, hiring activity does slow down late in the year as hiring managers and recruiters take their Christmas vacation, and corporate Finance teams clamp down on spending to goose the end-of-the-year numbers.

But don't lose hope. The end of the year can still be a great time to look for jobs. Here's why:

1. There are fewer applicants during the holidays. Job hunters are often just as distracted as potential employers, pulled into holiday shopping, vacation, and office parties – which means less competition and a better chance of having your resume reviewed.
    
2. Some positions really do need to be filled, regardless of the season. Urgently. While some hiring managers are off skiing in the Poconos or at home making holiday fruit cakes, some recruiters are still clocking in. And they're actively working on filling jobs for managers who are also in the office, screaming loudly about their need to fill the position. You won't know which posted positions are critical – so act as if they all are, and apply away. Be the gift that mysteriously appears under the hiring manager's tree (metaphorically speaking, of course).
    
3. The office environment is more relaxed during the holidays. Unless you work in retail, the pace of activity slows substantially during December. People are in a good mood. Let this work in your favor – should you be called for an interview, you may find yourself ina  more pleasant, in-depth meeting with the hiring manager than during crunch time. It's a great opportunity to build a bond when you're not rushed and don't find yourself competing for attention with your interviewer's email and a buzzing phone.
    
4. Your current employer will be less suspicious of time taken off for interviews. Between school Christmas pageants, holiday parties, and picking up visiting relatives at the airport, employers anticipate a lot of PTO will be used in December. You won't be missed.
    
5. Hiring picks up again in January. Big time. Be ready. Everyone's back in the office, and working at full speed. Managers will buzz the recruiter, demanding resumes for their open positions. If you applied in December, you're ready to be found. If you wait until January 2, it may be too late.

---

Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and career coaching services, including a free resume review. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.

5 Ways Great Bosses Are Like Batman

iStockphoto.com ( Ekaterina79 )

There's no superhero cooler than Batman. I'm sorry, but this isn't up for debate; Batman's the best. He's an average guy (with, admittedly, a very fat wallet) who is able to overcome insurmountable odds and defeat those who wish to inflict evil upon society. And his costume and gizmos are pretty darn cool, too.

Great bosses can also do amazing things – for members of their team.

Here's 5 ways great bosses are like Batman:

1. They want to do what's right. Sure, the moral compass can get a bit disoriented from time to time in the chaos of the workplace. But like Batman, great bosses provide clarity and guidance on doing the right thing, and making sound decisions.
    

2. They work in the shadows to protect you. Batman usually fights evildoers in the dark, out of the public eye. Good bosses do the same - supporting your success by advocating on your behalf during informal conversations, and by defending your reputation to those who would do it harm.
    

3. They care. Batman is deeply invested the welfare of the citizens of Gotham. Great bosses feel the same about their employees, going to any reasonable length to support them in both good times and bad.
    

4. They investigate. Batman's the Detective, looking for clues. Great bosses do the same – if they see that you're struggling, if they receive negative feedback about your performance, if they observe anything out of the ordinary – they examine the situation from all angles, and try to identify both the problem and the solution.
    

5. They inspire. Batman sets the example that anyone can stand up to adversity. Great bosses accept challenges, and overcome them. Then they work with their team to encourage similar risk-taking and fearlessness.

---

Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and career coaching services, including a free resume review. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.