Level-Setting For The Year Ahead

As the year winds down and holidays approach, it's a season for celebration but also reflection. I am so grateful for all the incredible talent I've connected with this year. It’s been a year of growth, resilience and opportunity, and we’re not slowing down just because a holiday break is coming.

In fact, this is a great time to refresh your resume, expand your network and explore new opportunities. After all, hiring doesn’t truly pause during the holidays. Many companies are gearing up for an exciting start to the new year.

With that in mind, in this month’s newsletter, an update on cover letter protocol, interview red flags and how to find a job where you feel more connected. Read on.

𝐘𝐞𝐬, 𝐖𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐃𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

“𝘒𝘪𝘱, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵, 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵?” ?” Not so! In fact, according to a Zety report, 89% of recruiters require a cover letter from candidates when they apply to a particular job, and 87% call cover letters essential to the hiring process.

Personally, I think cover letters are important because they show a certain ability to articulate oneself and apply skills to the job at hand. They may seem like a mere formality, but cover letters say a lot about their senders.

●They illustrate communication skills and the ability to be concise while still making a point.

●They can also convey motivation and enthusiasm while still carrying across professionalism.

●They prove an understanding of the role in question and can indicate the right personality fit.

●When done right, they show attention to detail.

All of this said, don’t overthink your cover letters. But do give them a certain amount of attention, even if you’re working directly with a recruiter.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡

I highly recommend the email newsletter Understandably, by Bill Murphy Jr., for daily business news and thoughts. Even if you don’t subscribe, though, I recommend this piece — 7 more things, this time about persuasion —to learn how people win at conversations and negotiations.

𝐑𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞

When you’re job hunting, it can be easy to fall into a pit of existential despair, worrying that you’ll never find the right role and will die destitute and alone. This may sound a bit dramatic, but as anyone who has ever struggled to land the right role will agree, there can be some bleak moments.

Nevertheless, it’s critical to be able to spot red flags so you don’t end up taking the wrong role out of fear or confusion. Here are a few I’ve logged in my time as a President and CEO at KIP Search...

●Interviews that seem more like interrogations — In any job interview, you’re due the same level of respect you’re expected to grant the interviewer, so if you end up feeling like you just left Guantanamo, there’s something off.

●Bad communication — You should leave an interview knowing exactly what the job in question will hold. Yes, it’s partly your responsibility to ask the right questions. But if you’re asking them and still feeling confused, that’s a red flag.

●No transparency — Along the same lines, if your communication with hiring managers and HR folks feels like a brick wall, that’s not good.

It’s important to be able to trust your gut when it comes to evaluating a potential job. Yes, that might mean you have to wait a little longer to find the right role, but in the end, it will be worth it not to have to start this process all over again in a few months.

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝?

Only 1 in 5 people feel connected to their company culture, according to a recent Gallup poll. The few that do are more likely to be engaged and less likely to feel burnt out. So it stands to reason that being connected to company culture is something we should all strive for. Obviously.

“But Kip, how do I get there?” is the question. And it’s also the great mystery organizations have been trying to solve since days gone by.

Ultimately, if you’re unhappy with the culture at your current role and the level of engagement you feel, it’s time to look for a better fit. Reach out today to get started on a new job search.

2025 is going to be your year!