Published on: 10 May 2021
Last Updated on: 02 January 2025
How many jobs have you applied for in the last few weeks — one, ten, or 110? And how many have responded to your emails — zero?
Sending off online applications can feel like you’re throwing hard work into a dark, abysmal black hole. Marketing is a competitive field, and you’re up against hundreds of others in the industry. How can you tell if the marketing managers see your applications?
There’s no way of confirming. You could try following up, but these people are busy, they may not have the time to email every applicant.
While it’s stressful and time-consuming to apply for job after job, there are ways to make sure your application stands out from the others. Marketing and hiring managers look for specific qualities in resumes. Read on to discover what those qualities are and how to incorporate them into your resume.
1. Provide Online Samples of Your Work:
If you say that you’re an excellent copywriter, prove it! Provide tangible evidence of your work so hiring managers can quickly get a sense of your style and skill level.
Your best bet is to create a personal website where people can easily look through your portfolio, but if you currently don’t have one, provide a link to live samples instead. Include the link within the body of the resume, at the top, with the rest of your contact information.
2. Keep It Simple:
When it comes to submitting applications, make sure that your marketing cover letter is as professional and personalized as possible. If you do not know how you should write one, it is best to take help from experts that can help you craft the most successful marketing cover letters.
Hiring managers like nothing more than receiving a one-page resume to review. Anything longer can become tiring, and there’s a high chance they won’t even look beyond the first page.
If you can’t fit everything into the first page of a resume, there’s too much unnecessary information. Marketing professionals want to see:
You can briefly outline your roles and responsibilities at each former job, but the bulk of this will go in your cover letter. And, even better — during the interview.
One sentence or two for each job you’ve had is all you need to include in the resume. The point is to show a future employer that you’re capable of condensing information and convey the necessary skills and experience for the position in question. There’s no need to write a novel about each role you’ve had.
3. Custom Design:
Show hiring managers what you’re made of and custom-design your resume. Are you a graphic designer? Create a unique template that only you could design. Get creative with the presentation. For example, promote yourself by turning your resume into an advertisement in the style of the company. Managers will notice this and want to learn more about you.
4. Work With a Recruitment Agency:
To save yourself the pain of sending what feels like 100 resumes to hiring managers, work with a professional marketing recruitment agency. There are so many benefits of working with marketing recruiters — from getting one-on-one advice about resumes and cover letters to getting an insider’s look into marketing positions you didn’t even know existed. A recruiter will tailor your resume and help you find the job that you deserve.
With a little help and a lot of patience, you’ll land that dream job in no time.
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Many employees feel guilty when they want to take a leave (even when sick). This happens more often for work-from-home employees.
Generally, there can be certain reasons to call out of work. Once you take time off respectfully, it will be good for your physical and mental health and the organization.
In this article, you will learn about legitimate reasons to call out of work. Also, this article will give you tips that you can call out of work. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article.
Are You Looking For Reasons To Call Out Of Work?
There are many reasons why you can call out of work. However, these are not “bulletproof excuses to get out of work.” Understand that these are genuine reasons and not excuses. Your employer will understand and approve your request once you have a genuine reason to call out of work.
For instance, employers accept medical conditions, emergencies, and personal matters as valid reasons for such cases. However, you must be aware of your employer’s off-time policies.
As long as you are not misusing company policies to your advantage, you can reframe calling out of work as a form of self-care.
When you are calling out, use the method that your employer prefers. Also, keep your reason brief. Additionally, you can also suggest solutions for missing work.
Meanwhile, you must prepare for a return to work soon. This way, you can minimize work disruption. Moreover, try to show commitment to catch up to your projects.
Hence, read the next section to learn how to call out of work for personal reasons and emergencies.
Here Are 9 Major Reasons To Call Out Of Work
You can offer plenty of reasons if you want to miss work or stay at home. However, you must make sure that you are not taking the wrong advantage of your employer’s policies. Thereby, you can reframe your staying out of work as a form of self-care.
Basically, when you take enough time to rest and recover your energy, you will feel more productive and focused. Also, you will be able to use your conceptual skills better. This will be beneficial for both you and your employer. Moreover, calling out of work makes more sense if you are sick.
When you are not fully fit, despite doing the work, you are not fully present. This will impact on your productivity and efficiency. Hence, it is a better step to call out of work.
The following are the top reasons to call out of work:
1. Loss Of Someone Close
When a family member, relative, or someone close passes away, you must call out of work. Apart from processing your grief, you must also deal with financial and logistical arrangements for the funeral.
In fact, some employers even offer a bereavement leave policy if you have a death in the family. Hence, consider checking your employee handbook or the HR portal to see how to apply for bereavement leave.
Also, you can consult with the HR department or your manager directly about the situation and what next steps you must take.
Everyone relates to a personal loss, and your manager must understand that you need time to recover and make a comeback.
2. Sickness And Medical Problems
You might suffer from a seasonal allergy, common cold, minor headache, etc. Although you might still be able to work partly, it is essential to call out of work.
This is because your illness is keeping you from efficiency and high productivity. Also, if you over-stress yourself, you might get sicker and must be called out of work for more days.
Moreover, if you must go to the office in person, contagious diseases like coughing and cold can be one of the reasons for calling out of work. However, in such cases, your employer might ask you to show a doctor’s note if you inform them that you are seriously ill.
3. Sickness Of A Dependent Or Someone Close
Although you are not sick, a family member might be ill at home. Here, if you are the only person to take care of them, you have a good reason to call them out of work. In this case, you might also need to take them to a doctor’s clinic, give them medication, or pick up a prescription.
When there is a family need, there is no way you can stall it for work responsibilities. Hence, you must take a step to take a leave. For instance, you can use your sick time or leave to ensure your family’s well-being.
4. Family Emergency
Family comes first, and you must prioritize your family over your job. Hence, when you face a family emergency, you have strong reasons to call out of work. In such cases, your employer will understand, and this is a good reason to look after your family,
Generally, during family emergencies, the stakes are high. Your family needs you in such situations, and your boss will understand that. For example, if someone needs urgent surgery, or if someone is injured, or someone has seriously fallen ill, you must call out of work.
5. Doctor’s Appointment
If you need to make a medical appointment, you can notify your employer in advance. In such situations, taking a day off is most suitable. However, in rare cases, you might need to call out or take a sick day off.
For example, if you are waiting to meet a busy doctor with limited access, you might need to take the day off. In such cases, if you do not take the chance, you might have to wait months to see your doctor. In these situations, it is reasonable for you to miss work for the appointment. However, make sure to communicate properly with your manager.
6. Childcare
As a parent, you cannot afford to take a chance on your child’s health. In such cases, you need ultimate workplace flexibility. This is because you need time to raise children in addition to contributing to your job.
Moreover, even if you work from home, it does not mean you can care for your child. In fact, if you work from home, you cannot take care of your child properly, nor can you work with good productivity.
It is okay if you need some time to work on childcare arrangements. If you talk and explain the situation to your employer, they will understand and grant you leave.
7. Pet Care
Your pet is also a part of your home and your extended family. If your pet is in an emergency situation, you have a good reason to call out of work.
For example, if your dog/cat gets into the trash and eats something poisonous, it is important to take your dog to a vet. In other cases, your pet might be sick. Sometimes, you must take your pet to a vet appointment.
Basically, when there is a pet at your home, taking care of the animal is your responsibility. Hence, when you are about to call out of work, notify the reasons for your leave.
8. Illness Due To Food Poisoning
You might feel sick due to food poisoning. This is a problem that wrecks your body and compels you to stay up all night. It happens after you eat something bad, and it causes sickness in your body.
In such a case, you might need extra sleep or time to recover from your sickness. Moreover, if the problem is bigger, you might even need medications. Hence, there are enough reasons to call out of work.
In these situations, you can inform your manager of your sickness. They will surely understand your problem and allow you to take leave.
9. Personal Day
Mental health is something that many people neglect. Sometimes, you must take a break when you have too much. On the other hand, you might be facing physical strain. In such situations, taking a day off is good for your health. In fact, you will feel much better the next day.
However, you must not use your day to search for another job. This is straight-out dishonest, and you will put your coworkers in a difficult position. For instance, your coworkers must deal with extra work if you leave at the last minute without a good reason.
To attend interviews, you can use your traditional paid time off. Moreover, you must plan in such situations.
Call Out Of Work Now
The above reasons for calling out of work are good enough to maintain a good image in your organization and get your time off simultaneously. Also, you must inform your manager when you are calling out of work.
Do you have more suggestions or reasons to offer on how to call out of work? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below.
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Is Quality Assurance A Good Career Path in 2021? How many jobs are available in the quality assurance industry? What are the best paying jobs in the quality assurance sector? Let’s discuss these in detail.
Quality control officers may also be referred to as samplers, inspectors, and testers. A rise in the demand for software products has given a lift to tech businesses like never before. Individuals who are specialized in quality assurance can be guaranteed a steady and reliable job.
The job of quality assurance is to prevent bad software from being seen by customers or users. Quality assurance engineers are responsible for making sure the code other developers write is up to a certain standard. Let’s discuss the same in detail.
What Is Quality Assurance?
Quality assurance is the process of evaluating a product to determine its ability to meet requirements. Those individuals who work in quality assurance discover a process for creating and testing products before production or release.
Businesses either small or big, need quality assurance experts in order to meet the needs of the audience. A good quality product can increase your brand visibility and trust in the long run.
Popular firms who are willing to stay ahead in their business cannot afford the absence of quality assurance experts. So they make sure that other developers meet their deadlines and inform other developers of issues in their code.
What Is Quality Assurance Used For?
The main objective of quality assurance is to distinguish bugs and potential problems within the software. The primary role of QA engineers is to:
Document test cases
Track test results
Perform manual and Automated Testing
Identify any issues that users may encounter
Create policies and standards to ensure high-quality code
Discover problems or bugs within a program
Create software test plans
Code automated tests
Types Of Quality Assurance
Quality assurance engineers oversee feature testing and system testing. If you are willing to grow your career path in quality assurance, then you must consider the following types of quality assurance engineers and their duties:
i). Usability Testing
Quality assurance engineers test the usability of the product before its release. This test lets the team view how well the product is received and make all the end changes before the product is launched. Moreover, this test makes sure that the product functions in the way a customer expects.
ii). Feature Testingsting
Feature testing is done before an application is updated. The engineers who are performing this work must find any problems or bad user experiences that come from the updated software.
iii). Integration Testing
Integration testing is another type of Quality assurance that explores the several components of an application. At first, it evaluates how the individual component works and how it is tested as a whole. This is usually done before system testing.
iv). System Testing
This testing is a form of quality assurance that is done on a full project. It is actually the last test done before the product is released into the market. Moreover, it ensures all components of the software function properly.
Is Quality Assurance A Good Career Path In 2021
The answer to this question is an absolute Yes. Quality assurance is a good career path in the long run because this testing is in high demand, and testers get good pay.
If you have good experience in the quality assurance industry, you can upgrade your profile as well as your skills. It is also relatively easy to come back after a career gap. These specialists are very important in an organization because they help in making the reputation of a brand grow and prove its dedication to excellent goods and services.
If you have decided to become a quality assurance, then the first thing you need to consider is how much education you need. You may discover that other jobs can also help you to become a quality assurance.
How Many Jobs Are Available in Quality Assurance Industry?
According to our research, about 55k openings for quality control inspectors are projected each year, despite declining employment. Moreover, demand for Software Quality Assurance Engineers and Testers is expected to go up with an expected more than three lakhs jobs filled by 2029.
Now, let’s discuss the best paying jobs in the quality assurance industry in 2021.
i). Test Engineer
A test engineer develops assessments that firms use for all production processes. They also create effective plans for evaluation with the design and testing team.
These engineers develop proper documentation guidelines in order to make sure that the teams can replicate results.
ii). Project Manager
Project Manager is another best paying job in the quality assurance sector. These managers oversee the entire production process.
They develop a project plan, goal, requirements, and necessary resources to meet the company’s objectives. At the same time, they monitor their progress, assign project tasks, and plan to their team.
iii). Quality Assurance Tester
A Quality Assurance Tester performs evaluations to identify defects in a product.
They use debugging programs to help identify issues in thousands of lines of code and communicate results to the rest of the team to get the solutions.
iv). Quality Assurance Analyst
Quality Assurance Analyst is one of the best paying jobs in this sector. These individuals oversee the complete testing process for products.
They prepare for possible external audits and executes internal auditing tests. Also, they make sure that the products produce the right results.
The Final Verdict
Is Quality Assurance A Good Career Path In 2021? You have now got an answer to this question with top reasons why you should pursue this industry in the long run. Quality assurance professionals are required by all manufacturers to make sure that all products are of premium quality.
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You’ve been asked to conduct a job interview for the first time—exciting, right? Worrying about how to conduct an interview?
Whether you’re a manager, HR professional, or part of a hiring committee, interviewing someone can feel a bit nerve-wracking if you’ve never done it before.
But guess what?
You don’t need to be an expert to do it well. With some preparation and the right approach, you can conduct a smooth, professional, and even enjoyable interview.
Let’s walk through how to make it a success from start to finish.
Step 1: Know What You Want
You can’t exactly hire the right person when you’re not sure who that is. Don’t be too vague or unclear about what you’re looking for. If your expectations for the employee are constantly changing, they will never have a fair chance of meeting those expectations.
So, when you begin interviewing with the right skills, you should know what skill you are looking for.
Most importantly, do not look for one candidate with all the skills. They will all have their strengths and weaknesses. It is you who must filter and understand what is needed with the role.
Here are some of the skills that you should investigate when preparing to conduct an interview.
Technical Skills: What knowledge or skills does the candidate need to perform the job? This might include things like a coding language, specific design experience, knowledge of certain software tools, etc.
Soft Skills: Are any exceptional communication, collaboration, or problem-solving abilities needed for this role? Consider the conceptual skills that will make someone stay and fit within your team and company culture.
Company Values: Every company has its own culture. Do you want someone who aligns with your organization’s values? This could be creativity, innovation, teamwork, adaptability.
By keeping these in mind, you can design questions around them during the interview.
Step 2: Create Your List of Interview Questions
Now that you know what you are looking for, it is time to develop a list of questions. You will want to ask questions that evaluate technical as well as soft skills.
Please don’t make one of these common interviewing mistakes by asking dull and generic questions – you’ll get equally dull and generic answers!
Plus, fail to make the most out of the interview, trying to understand your candidate’s potential.
Here’s how to word your questions
Leaning into the Role
Start with some icebreakers—easy open-ended questions like.
“What made you consider applying for this job?” or
“Tell me a little about yourself.”). This helps people get comfortable and sets the stage for them to tell their stories.
Behavioral Questions
A must in gauging soft skills.
“Can you describe a time when you worked under pressure?”
Or
“Tell me about a challenging project you managed and how you handled it” are great questions to see how candidates react in scenarios they’re likely to encounter.
Role-Specific Questions
When preparing to conduct an interview, always ask questions directly applicable to the job.
For example, if you’re hiring for a marketing position, ask something like, “What’s been your most successful campaign, and why?” Use this time to understand their practical knowledge.
Cultural Fit Questions
These are often overlooked but critical for long-term success. Especially if you plan to keep the candidate for a long-term job role.
You can ask,
“How do you like to collaborate with others?”
Or
“What kind of work environment helps you thrive?” You’re looking for answers that align with YOUR company’s culture!
Step 3: Create a Comfortable Environment
The interview is not only for you to assess the candidate, but also for the candidate to see if they would like to work with you.
It doesn’t matter how much you are offering as a CTC. If candidates sense a hostile environment, they might not be comfortable returning!
Feeling comfortable will help bring out their true self and you don't want to make someone uncomfortable, do you?
This is one of the reasons why we need to make some of the
Not too casual, just friendly – this will lead to much better conversations. After all, you wouldn’t want to lose a promising candidate because of a bad experience.
Start with small talk: A simple “How was your commute?” or “Have you ever been to this part of town before?” can help make things more casual from the get-go.
Explain the structure: Take a second to let candidates know what will happen. Are they expected to walk you through their resume? Will there be time for them to ask questions at the end? Giving them an idea of the agenda will help everyone feel more at ease.
Active listening: It’s important to show that you’re listening by nodding, smiling, and making eye contact. This will also help your candidate feel more at ease, and hopefully, they will give more honest and open answers.
Step 4: Listen and Observe
This one seems simple enough, but it’s big!
A lot of first-time interviewers get so caught up in what they’re going to ask next that they don’t really hear the candidate’s reply.
A successful interview is partly about asking the right questions and partly about hearing the answer (and non-answer) to the question you asked.
Here are a few additional tips on how to conduct an interview!
Take notes: Don’t be afraid to jot down key points as the candidate speaks. It helps you remember important details and can guide your follow-up questions.
Look for red flags: Pay attention to inconsistencies or vague responses. For example, if a candidate can’t provide clear examples of their experience, that could be a red flag.
Step 5: Allow time for questions
This is something that many interviewers (and especially first-time interviewers) tend to miss.
The kinds of questions that candidates come prepared with can tell you much about what’s on the forefront of their minds.
Especially where they’re at with their understanding of the role. Here are some of the unique interview questions that potential candidates might ask you.
Good signs: A candidate who asks thoughtful questions about things like company mission, team dynamics, or opportunities for personal growth is generally someone who is thinking long-term and has a genuine interest here.
Red flags: I would be cautious if a candidate starts off too much about perks, vacation and salary. Maybe their priorities are not on align with the role or company values.
Step 6: Wrap Up the Interview Positively
When the interview is almost over, you have a chance to give candidates any last-minute information that might be important to their decision-making process.
Plus, it’s just polite and keeps your employer's brand intact.
Explain the next steps: Let the candidate know what will happen next. Will they hear back in a week? Is there a second round of interviews? Giving them a timeline helps manage expectations.
Thank them: It’s always a good idea to thank the candidate for their time and interest in the position. A little courtesy goes a long way.
How to Talk About “Futureproofing” in Interviews
One thing hiring guides don’t usually teach you about is futureproofing!
In an age where entire industries are in flux, you need someone who can change along with it. Remember, you’re not hiring for the role today—you’re hiring for where your company will be a year from now. So, how do you know if someone has what it takes to grow and adapt?
Here are some future-proofing questions you can ask:
“How do you keep up with new trends and changes happening in your industry?”
"What about a time you needed to learn new skills or adapt to a big change at work? What steps did you take?"
"What do you think is an area you will need to develop professionally in over the next few years?"
Are you happy with your evaluation processes and tools in place that can evaluate a candidate’s psychological inclination to engage in learning activities?
If not, please adopt aptitude testing as a form of your interview.
Step 7: Evaluating and Comparing Candidates
After the interview, assess candidates while everything is still clear.
Skills and experience: How well-matched were their skills and experience with your must-haves and nice-to-haves? Were there any areas in which they surpassed your expectations?
Personality and culture fit: This is perhaps the most critical factor. Ask yourself if you think they would be a good fit for your team. Did they have values like those of you or your company when it came to work?
Scoring system: I’ve heard of some interviewers who use a 1–5 scale (rating candidates on experience, skill set, communication and others in their interviews. Plus, this helps them make an objective decision, especially if you conduct multiple interviews.
Take a Deep Breathe!
Conducting a job interview for the first time doesn’t need to be nerve-wracking. Preparation, active listening, and creating a comfortable environment are the keys to success.
Remember, an interview is a two-way street: you’re assessing the candidate, but they’re also evaluating whether they want to work with you.
Don’t forget the growing importance of future-proofing. Asking questions that talk about the candidate’s adaptability and desire to grow can help ensure you’re hiring someone who’s ready not just for today’s challenges, but for tomorrow’s as well.
You’ve got this! Follow these steps of how to conduct an interview, stay calm, and trust the process. Your first interview will be a success.
Read Also:
The Art of Answering Hard Interview Questions
Top Interview Skills You Need to Ace The Job Interview
