Networking may seem hard on LinkedIn, but it really isn’t. LinkedIn is set up to facilitate networking among business professionals. Networking is one of the strategies I encourage all job seekers to use to find opportunities. As you increase your exposure on the platform and develop relationships, it is easier to be noticed by recruiters and hiring managers.

In this addition of Ask The Career Coach:

1) When asked “What qualities/skills do you bring to the table that is different than the other applicants of this position?” What is the employer trying to determine? Or what is the underlying question here?

2) How does a thank you letter assist a candidate in landing employment post interview?

3) Why didn't the recruiter get back to me after the interview? The interview was great, and she said she will get back to me the afternoon or the day after. It's already been the second day, should I send her an email or would tomorrow be better?

I am going to tell you a secret. You may think the interview is all about you. Actually, the interview is all about the employer.

In 2017, The Gallup Organization found that 85% of employees worldwide were not engaged in their jobs. In the US, that number was slightly better with 70% of employees not feeling engaged at work. Why is this happening? It happens, I believe, because very few of us are strategic about our careers. But you can be if you get honest with yourself.

Sometimes it is not only what you say but how you say it. Style often plays just as an important role as substance. Yet, job seekers often do a poor job of assessing how they come across to others.

I answer three questions about the job search process.

Terrible questions are those that show ignorance, laziness or just do not put the job seeker in a good light. Often these are questions that either could have been answered with a quick internet search prior to the interview or those that indicate the individual is only asking from the lens of how does the job benefit me.

In order to get back on the path of job search success, you need to analyze your job search activities and figure out what is not working and why. While it is easy to blame others for your lack of success, the majority of the time the issue is you and how you are conducting your job search. As Albert Einstein famously said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.”

How can you use your job search time more efficiently? Everyone only has 24 hours in their day. Each of these hours is precious. Once that time is gone, there is not getting it back. Therefore, using your time wisely, especially when it comes to a job search, is so important.