Welcome back to the Knockout Newsletter, brought to you by The Final Round. Every other Tuesday, we send you insight to help you knock out the competition, advance past the final round interview, and grow in your career.
We are so close to hitting 10,000 subscribers on our Youtube Channel, a goal we hope to hit by the end of the year. Be sure to subscribe if you haven’t, as we have some really interesting content coming soon!
Thank you for joining us in the ring. Let’s go.
The job accelerator that is free until you get hired
The Final Round is excited to announce our partnership with Pathrise, an online job accelerator that is FREE until you get hired. They have placed over 1000 fellows into dream jobs and have a 96% placement rate!
Does this sound like you?
Submitting applications but not landing interviews
Getting ghosted by Recruiters
Constant interview rejection
Just lost in your job search
This is way more than a career coach. You get paired with an industry expert that works at your dream company (in multiple industries) and can show you the insider tips, reaches out to Recruiters and Hiring Managers for you, revamps your LinkedIn and Resume, and negotiates a higher salary for you when you land offers.
Applying takes less than 1 minute so apply today…
Using What You’ve Done
People often think that your interests outside the professional world are irrelevant when navigating the job-search process. Many might say, who cares that you’re a Jets football fan? Why would anyone care that you like to go on hikes? Or, why does it matter that you’re in a Sorority or Fraternity on campus? Well, turns out, these “hobbies” may be a bit more important than you think.
Initial Connection
As we can’t stress enough, LinkedIn is your best friend when it comes to networking. Many don’t know what to say when it comes to reaching out with that initial message. Well, your interests outside of school or work are certainly a great place to start. Before making that connection request or sending that message, find a way to relate. Be it a club, an event you both attended, or a passion you both share, finding a way to connect beyond the firm or school is a great way to begin a professional relationship.
Resume
Adding your interests to your resume isn’t just a way to occupy space - it’s a way to show your personality beyond your school and work experience. Recruiters want to know who you are beyond your GPA and accolades, and providing some of your interests is certainly a great way to do so. Furthermore, Recruiters may choose to mention some of these interests to you throughout your interview process.
Diversify Yourself
As mentioned above, putting your personality on paper is the key to connecting with others on a level beyond professional aspirations. Showing you’re more than the work or school experience you have is a great way to introduce others to new interests, or to connect with others in a more personal manner. Never underestimate the importance of personality since it could be more valuable than you think when it comes to landing that dream job.
Highlight Quote
In Episode 4 of The Final Round Podcast, Greg Share discusses the importance of personality throughout the recruiting process. Soft skills are one of the most important skills you can develop, so don’t miss out on developing these as you grow throughout your career. Don’t just be a worker: be someone people would want to be around, whether at the office or not.
Watch the full episode here
Business Buzz 🐝
Adding Jobs, Hiking Rates 💸
The U.S. added 263,000 jobs last month, and the unemployment rate sits at just 3.7%. Though right around market expectations and beneficial in some aspects, high job growth has some negative implications as well. High job growth means the Federal Reserve likely won’t alleviate high-interest rates, making it harder for consumers to buy homes. Furthermore, with wage increases doubling expectations, high rates will surely be here to stay. Higher rates are meant to help curb high inflation, the highest we’ve seen in 40 years.
Dashin’ from DoorDash 🍔
DoorDash recently announce they’ve let go of 1250 corporate members due to both internal and macroeconomic factors. Though it’s never good news, the company has elected to do so in a more respectful, transparent manner than most. Not only are severance packages beyond sufficient, but CEO Tony Xu was clear on what led them to the decision. Taking responsibility for their team mismanagement and growth in operating expenses post-pandemic, Xu makes it clear his decision wasn’t an easy one to make. Hopefully, more companies follow suit with Xu if they do what so many have already been forced to do.
PWC’s Partner Push
PWC recently indicated intentions to quadruple its pace of hiring, with a particular focus on winning over executives from rival firm EY. Though perhaps this could decision might slow profits in the short term, the decision comes with a focus on long-term market share. With EY in the midst of a major decision concerning whether it should split or not, PWC feels it has a great opportunity to expand especially at the partner level. With room to hire 500 new partners in U.S. offices within the next 18 months, the capacity is certainly there. It will be interesting to see how this strategy plays out.
Why it Matters
The economy isn’t always predictable. There will be ups, downs, and turnarounds you may not expect. However, it’s important for you to focus on what you can control. Keeping a positive mindset, building your network, and developing soft skills are always of benefit. Whether firms are hiring or firing, building relationships will only serve to help you. So don’t be discouraged by the outside noise—oftentimes, the biggest obstacle you’ll face is yourself.
The Final Question
How are you going to showcase your personality beyond your resume? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
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Written by Bryan Hanley; Edited by AJ Eckstein