Today’s Special Edition of “Your Best Work: The Podcast” is audio from Covo Con with Keith Roseboro on Job Interview Tips. Here are some practical takeaways.
Practical Takeaways
* Identify and Translate Transferable Skills
* Reflect on ministry experiences to pinpoint skills like leadership (managing volunteers), public speaking (delivering sermons), and counseling. Reframe these on your resume with corporate terms, e.g., “Led a team of volunteers for community outreach” becomes “Managed a team to execute community engagement initiatives, enhancing participation.”
* Ditch Churchy Language for Broad Appeal
* Avoid jargon like “evangelism” or “congregants” when speaking to recruiters unfamiliar with ministry. Instead, use terms like “community engagement” or “stakeholders” to make your experience relatable and professional, ensuring it resonates with diverse hiring managers.
* Master LinkedIn for Networking
* Build a complete, professional LinkedIn profile with a headshot, headline, and detailed experience. Engage actively by posting, commenting, joining groups (e.g., career or interest-based), and connecting strategically with personalized messages. Avoid passive use or spammy outreach—cultivate lasting relationships.
* Prepare for Marketplace Interviews
* Research the company’s mission and culture (e.g., via LinkedIn, Glassdoor) to show fit. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to answer behavioral questions, like handling a difficult person, drawing from ministry examples. Always ask insightful questions (e.g., “What’s the team dynamic?”) to demonstrate engagement.
* Flex Your Achievements Confidently
* Overcome ministry-trained humility by quantifying accomplishments on resumes and in interviews (e.g., “Impacted 250 people, with 20 joining our community”). Highlight your unique value, like volunteer coordination, to stand out to recruiters.
* Adapt to a Tight Job Market
* Optimize your online presence on platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn, as paper resumes are obsolete. Be open to temp or freelance roles to gain experience and potentially secure long-term positions. Connect with staffing agencies for support.
* Stay Persistent and Positive
* Job hunting is a marathon, not a sprint—especially in a tough economy. Leverage your network (e.g., peers from events like Covo Con) and maintain optimism, recognizing that consistent effort will eventually yield opportunities tailored to your skills.
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