Web Analyst Job Search: Tips on Interview Preparation and More

Introduction

A Web Analyst discusses his job and job search in his own words.

In his opinion, every resume and job interview has to be customized to meet the needs of any specific job position. He also explains the benefits of using technology to reach out to more job searches in less time.

The Web Analyst Job

I’m now working as a Web Analyst for a recruiting firm that specializes in design and marketing professionals. My job entails analyzing social media with web-based tools and gathering customer insight, then creating reports and forecasting digital ROI with the results. I use the data that I gather to create actionable trend data, and I ensure that it gets distributed to team members so that they can make informed business and marketing decisions.

The Web Analyst Job Search

I found my job by using Careerbuilder.com, and I had been searching for about a year.

My main use of technology in my job search involved using my PC to access the Careerbuilder website to apply for my job. The benefits of applying for a job this way are many, including:

Access to job listings from across the country.
The ability to apply for a job with just a few key strokes.
The ability to easily upload your resume.
Access to tips for job seekers that can increase the chances of being hired.
Choosing which jobs to apply to, not being limited to those provided by an employment agency.

Some Job Search Advice Learned the Hard Way

If I were to apply for the same job but with a different company, I would make myself stand out more by customizing my resume specifically for the position, I’d tell the company exactly how I would be a benefit to them, and I’d tell them about specific instances where I proved beneficial to previous employers and helped increase productivity. I would tell the company how I want to use my experience and knowledge to their advantage, and I would focus on the job skills that are most pertinent to the position to which I was applying. Finally, I would include my professional references so they wouldn’t have to ask for them.

Technology Used in Web Analyst’s Job Search

My position is heavily tied to social networking, so I use it to connect with my colleagues. I also rely on e-mail and I have several different accounts for different types of business. I use a tablet PC and a smartphone as well.

Although all of these technologies could have been critical to my job search, as it turned out it was just ordinary Web access from home that proved to be most important for helping me get my job, as it allowed me to search for openings and submit resumes and applications online.

Interview Preparation Really Helped

I once had a job interview with a company that sold capital equipment. I had applied for a position in technical sales, and this was the second interview.

I had rehearsed for the interview by speaking in front of the mirror the night before and had done quite a bit of research into the company and its products.

I went in with confidence, gave a firm handshake, and maintained eye contact for the entire interview. I was able to answer every question without hesitation, and I had several good ones of my own.

I never felt as good about any other job interview as I did about that one. Sure enough, I was offered the job the next day. What I learned from that is that preparedness is a key to performing well in a job interview.

If you’re prepared, it shows that you’re enthusiastic and are taking it seriously. If you’re unprepared, you’ll hesitate and stumble over questions and may not know much about the company. You may appear uninterested and not be hired for that reason alone.

Hiring managers look for people who are ready, as they believe that the effort you put into preparing for the interview will translate into your job performance. It’s your first chance to show them what a hard worker you really are.

Roads Not Taken

I got my first job through my university’s job placement program, and I think it’s a great program. That was a few years ago, though, and I didn’t use their service after that first time.

I believe, however, that they offer it to graduates for life, so I can always fall back on it if all else fails and I cannot find a job through other means. If you’re just finishing college and are ready to begin a new career, definitely take full advantage of your school’s job placement program. It’s a valuable resource that should not be overlooked.

If I could do it all over again, the one thing from my professional past that I would redo is that I would have gone to college sooner. I decided to go backpacking across Europe with some friends after finishing high school. Our trip lasted a year and left me with almost no money, so I had to live with my parents and work to raise tuition money. Although they were gracious and let me move in without complaint, it was humiliating for me.

Had I started college immediately, I could have gotten my own apartment, attended more of the classes I wanted to take, and entered the working world much sooner. We all learn from our mistakes; fortunately mine was not too detrimental, and I ended up with a very good work history in spite of it.