" I durable the pressure unable "
" I hates the work that does "
" You hope from I too much "
" Work here , have no the quality of life "
" I hate a boss "
" I am bored with awfully "
A person often think oneself it's impossible chooses must drudge the work noly the happiness , while , there is a person again one office group happily , ? please or.
In a book , Authentic Happiness , write by , Dr.Martin Seligman , get lift the research of , Amy Wrzesniewski , branch business professor of , New York University , at do in year A.C. 1997 Amy meet that , 1 in 3 of a person stares the work of the self that , be , Job , be do for exchange money support oneself one's family , 1 again in 3 next think be , Career , be have pillar motivation that woman's breast climb progresses in the organization , and 1 in 3 last the remainder thinks to are , Calling , he happy with the thing that does because , it has the meaning and his life.
Try come to meet for the first time type 3 about [ story ] of the work in housekeeper position who cleans in an office sees.
First person is are Ant , she works this for exchange with money , a little at she will tell with friends , her is that , what is she does ? (stay) [doing that action] , a lottery is will one her hope to is will free from evil from the thing that her is doing , she sits day by day that , ? will Songkran festival or , long holiday is tricked , be Ant stare the thing that her does that , it is " Job "
Try come to see Bee , she works hard , she not like the thing that her does very extremely , she hopes that , will a boss or move to become operator quickly , when at her friend has promote , she will like to to think a person person that is disrespectful her goes to , or her boss unders the belt , boss time walks to come to inspect , she is will enthuse specially , and like to to complain complain source person uses a bathroom that , , do dirty bathroom always , she wants her boss realizes that , how much is she works to diligent very ? , she stares the thing that her does that , be " Career "
Person last part is Cat , she is cheerful always , she will like hum to the music happily between clean a bathroom , she will like to to advise friends , and the relative comes to work at this company , she is will delighted very if , a person walks to depart a bathroom happily , she thinks that she is happiness leader comes to others , for she has already the clean means the happiness , for Cat has already the work that her does to are " Calling "
An example of both of 3 persons are formed truly that us sees , both of in officer occupation cleans , and other occupation.
If , type Cat person will have can to look for the meaning from her work , us everybody , should look for the meaning has from our work each person also , we have can to work happily if , there is view good point with our work , ask oneself sees that , , ? the objective of our work , why are we come to work ? , how is the thing that us does to have the meaning ?
With regard to we will seek the meaning from our that work , we must the name of a style of the Buddha image sees our before , the meaning of that work gets into trouble of the alms serves others , a human is animal at must help " I scratch the back gives her , she scratches the back gives me is the return " we have can not to live alone.
Still have other factor , at affect the happiness at work such as:
1. or not is our popularity corresponds organization popularity ? , if , you give the worth and the freedom , but , the organization gives precedence with set of strict regulations , or , you are gentle person but , work in the organization where have organization culture likes to speak uprightly , like , plain-spoken , you will may have no many happiness extremely , but , you will may enough [ when ] can stay if , work well and deliver the works can follow the expectation.
2. or not is our popularity corresponds the team ? , if , you are office person like , comfortable , but , go to work in the staff that compete tall , as a result , resemble with in case of , The one.
3. or not are you suit the work ? , there is the skill , the knowledge is or , or not is the skill according to the work wants ? , if , not educated and the skill , enough [ when ] study can , but , if , do for what , limp , may distress please.
4.how much are you have the aim s in distinct work ? , in 3, 5 or , 10 year in front of , how is the work will that do to help give you achieves ?
5. or not are you have a close friend s at work ?
A person will may scold to have no the happiness , by claim the cause is from things , but , in fact ? vacate that responsible build the happiness in your work.
RESUME
Job Seek
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Job Interview - Best Prep Questions
As professional recruiters, we have learned over the years there one question we can ask of almost any job candidate prospect to determine their level of willingness to cooperate with the hiring process, and their ability to adapt their preconceptions of the hiring process to the practical aspects of a professional job search. Everyone answers that one question pretty much the same. The question: “Who can present your credentials best, you – the person who actually lived your experiences, or me?” Well the obvious answer is “you,” the person who lived your experiences. But that is the wrong answer. Which illustrates why so many folks have difficulties with job interviews, often wondering later why things didn’t turn out better. Why would your recruiter be a better person to present your credentials than yourself? Because a recruiter will organize your credentials so they appear as a solution to the employer’s needs. Typically, when job candidates present their own resume and supporting credentials in an interview, they present their background in a way that is the most flattering, not necessarily the most effective or logical for getting the job at hand. This article reviews how a job candidate can organize and present their credentials in a job interview so it is to their best advantage. The best way to prepare for a job interview is by learning which questions will likely arise in a job interview, and having some predetermined answers for those questions – answers that both illustrate your skills and successes and present your experiences as the solution to the job you seek.
Often, face to face interviews are preceded by a telephone screening, whereby a key Human Resources or other representative contacts the job candidate directly by phone to ask some basic questions. While the strategies described herein apply to phone and on-site job interviews, the objectives differ. In the telephone interview, the objective should be to quickly illustrate your interest in the job and skills you bring to bear so as to generate a job interview. With the face to face interview, the objective should be to lead to a job offer. Attempting to get a job offer differs from actually getting the job. A job candidate who asks for the job offer by selling themselves to the company as the best fit and most motivated candidate, will likely leave the job interview with an offer in hand.
MOST IMPORTANT JOB INTERVIEW CONSIDERATIONS:
DON’T BE ON TIME – BE EARLY
It is important you arrive at the interview 20-30 minutes early. Obviously, being late sends a negative message about you to the interviewer. Many interviewers don’t meet with candidates who arrive late. Plan ahead. Investigate traffic patterns relative to the time of your job interview. Don’t expect the interviewer will be sensitive to delays caused by traffic congestion or an unexpected traffic accident. They expect you will allow for those eventualities, just like they do.
DRESS & LOOK PROFESSIONAL
Women: A skirt, dress or dress-suit or pant-suit are the most appropriate for the female candidate. Make sure your clothes are neat, clean and well pressed and make sense. Avoid controversial garb, anything too revealing or too trendy. You want to look professional, not like you are there to get a date or express a fashion statement.
Men: A dress suit, shirt and tie is the most appropriate clothing for the male candidate. Make sure your clothes are neat, clean and well pressed. Avoid flashy colors, jeans, T-shirts or tennis shoes. Wear your hair neat (including facial hair), clean and well groomed.
Oh yeah, and please cover tattoos and body piercings. While your private friends may enjoy the current fad of body art, most likely, a new employer isn’t impressed, in fact, may look upon those expressions as somewhat immature – regardless of how you may feel about them. If such corporate attitudes are uncomfortable for you, find another prospective employer who is more open to such un-requested expressions of personality. Otherwise, be professional, dress professional, behave professionally.
PREPARE
Have a pen, notepad and extra copy of your resume and references with you. Make notes of questions you want to ask that relate to the job and company. Put those items in a place that will be easy for you to get to when you need them in the interview. If you currently use a daily/weekly planner, bring that with you too. You should try to arrive at your interview well rested, with a clear mind and a plan for presenting your credentials and supporting materials like references.
GREET JOB INTERVIEWER ENTHUSIASTICALLY
Smile, be friendly, not nervous, offer a solid handshake and say something friendly, like: “Good morning, pleasure to meet you, and thank you for the opportunity to visit with you today.” Show your enthusiasm about the opportunity to work for their company. Remember, they are interviewing you for a job that requires specific skills and genuine enthusiasm -- if you don’t express that at the interview, they many not be convinced you have the stamina required for the job.
DON’T HIGHLIGHT NEGATIVES
For the job interviewer, it is all about filling the job with the right person. Believe me, most job interviewers don’t want to hear about your antique tin can collection, or how you landed that elk last year on your vacation. An interviewer wants your undivided attention on their job needs. Your personal habits distract from that focus. Such personal comments may include topics like: smoking, chewing gum, nervous finger or feet movement, tapping a pencil or a fork, humming, whistling, stretching, cleaning finger nails, clearing your throat, excessive “ums” in conversation, or focusing too much time on unrelated topics. Don’t make negative remarks about your past or present employers or workmates. Negative remarks will not help your cause, and will seem as though you are blaming others for poor results.
RESEARCH THE COMPANY THOROUGHLY
Learn as much as you can about the company and the duties of the job position which interests you, like income range and associated benefits. Family and friends are sometimes sources of information about the company you seek for employment. But don’t rely on hearsay, try to talk to someone in the company about the requirement and expectations of the job you seek. And utilize more than one source of comments about the company you are considering. Any positive things you learn about the company, make sure you mention them to the interviewer as a way to express your long term interest in the job you seek. Be prepared to answer questions about why you want to work for their company, offering sensible reasons that are practical in results.
PREPARE TO ASK QUESTIONS
You don’t want to confuse the interviewer with too many questions. Remember, they are interviewing you, so be prepared to answer all their questions smartly. But challenge the interviewer with some of your own questions – determine those questions before you arrive to the job interview. Keep good eye contact when you ask your questions. Don’t get into lengthy discussions. The idea is to engage the interviewer, to show them you can take charge when required and get the information you need. You should strive to create a list of questions that go to the heart of the job you seek.
KEEP A GOOD ATTITUDE
Be confident and knowledgeable and you will express a good attitude. But don’t seem over confident in your abilities. Remain relaxed, answer questions sincerely. Be interested in the job and the company. Lighten up some and use a little humor! Your job interviewer should be made to feel you really want the job and their company. Show serious interest so that you will be considered a serious candidate. Do not mention offers of interviews with other companies, unless asked.
SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO EXPECT
When answering questions that have a pre-determined answer, remember to offer a straight forward and immediate answer, and keep it simple. Avoid yes/no answers, unless you are offering an example to illustrate your answer. In fact, as much as possible, try and offer your key answers in a format of : Strategy-then-example. In that sense, if you were to discuss aspects of how to build a team of your workmates, you could answer with a short comment about your overall strategy of how to build a team, then follow that up with a quick real-time example of how you recently utilized that strategy and the results you got. Something like – “I build a team by making sure everyone involved understands our mutual goals, the timing, and their influence on those goals. When I did that last Spring, as we were introducing a new product, the goal was to sell more product by training team members to up-sell the new product to existing customers – we increased sales over 20-percent in one month.”
“TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF”
Most people feel their personal lives are important, so when this question is asked they talk about everything from their children to their wives to their religion and even their favorite hobby or television show. Job interviewers want to hear some of that, or they don’t feel they did a proper interview. But, the truth is, the job interviewer is more interested in getting the right skills and experience for the job. So keep your personal comments superficial, and in answering those personal questions, spin your answers in a manner that your answer reflects the skills and knowledge required for the job. After all, you are interviewing for the job, not a hobby partner.
“WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS”
This is your primary time to express how your experience and skills match up to the requirements and needs of the job you seek. Be specific, but don’t spend an hour. Keep your words simple. Write out as many of the answers as possible before the interview, so you can be comfortable when you explain your skills. Again, be brief and use examples.
WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES?
Mature thinkers tend to know their weaknesses. That is why most job interviewers ask this question. Will you admit you have weaknesses, and if so, how do you manage those? Is the weakness too major to allow you to be successful in the job you seek? Meaning to say, know in advance how you will answer this question. For instance, many hard workers are accused of working to many hours. Sometimes it’s to do with the workload, sometimes it’s just a matter of poor time-management. So if you say you are accused of being a “workaholic,” temper that answer by admitting you do work hard, but that you always maintain a reasonable workload for you and your team, so you and your team (if there is one) are active, but you are not really behind in your work. So admit a weakness or two, but express how your results don’t suffer.
DESCRIBE YOUR MANAGEMENT STYLE?
If you are seeking a management oriented position, describe your management style. Is it more hands-on? Is it analysis based? Do you delegate and verify results? Whatever your style, describe it specifically, not generically. Don’t offer hourly-wage answers, offer management oriented answers; hourly wage answers include comments like: “I’m always to work on time; I always get my work done; I get along with others;” and such. Those are the attributes a manager expects of the people who report to them. Make your answers relative to management. Describe your ability and success when you delegate; your success with smart, accurate analysis and reporting and how those reports lead your activities; outline strategies you use to motivate or influence team members. Be detailed, but in short answers.
“WHY DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE YOUR CURRENT JOB?”
There is nothing wrong with leaving one job for a better one. Make sure the interviewer sees you as being in that mind-set. If there are serious issues afoot in your current or recent job, don’t spend time discussing those, keep the focus on how you are a good match for the job at hand, and how you are motivated to improve and advance. A good response might be something like: “ I am always looking to better myself. I heard positive things about your company and this job in particular, so I wanted to explore my options”.
“WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE IN FIVE YEARS”
This isn’t a trick question, like most people believe, having two sides: 1) To show how ambitious are you. 2) Are you loyal. It’s okay to say you want to advance, if that is the case. But do it politely, a good generic response may be something like: “I want to be a better manager than I am now.” Or, “I would be actively working towards promotions in this company.”
OTHER QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED TO ANSWER:
Obviously, there are too many hiring scenarios to try and cover all pertinent job interview questions here. But, there are some basic questions that may likely arise, and for which you should generate pre-fabbed answers, so you can offer an intelligent and job related response if such questions come up in conversation. Write out your answers to each of these questions.
How will you be an asset to our company (good opportunity to mention prior achievements, without being boastful.)
Why did you pick this industry?
Describe a unrelated leadership role that you held.
What has been your greatest challenge in your career?
Give me an example of a problem that arose in your job, and how you solved it.
Tell me about a project you initiated and the results.
What types of situations put you under pressure and how did you deal with it?
Give me a situation in which you failed, how did you deal with it?
How do you work with difficult people?
What was your greatest accomplishment?
What challenges are you looking for in a position?
What motivates you?
If I asked people who know you to describe you, what three words would they use?
Describe a situation where you had to work with someone who was difficult. How did you handle it?
What traits are most important for a good manager?
Tell me a about a team project of which your are particularly proud of. What was your contribution?
What type of environment appeals to you the most?
What characteristics are most important in a good manager? How have you displayed one of them?
What makes someone a good leader?
What are your expectations of a good employer?
What do you do in your spare time?
The whole idea here is to leave nothing to chance. Literally write out your answers in advance. Most job candidates do not follow this good advice, believing they already know how best to present their credentials. Don’t make that mistake. Organize your answers in advance, put them in perspective of how your skills and know-how best fit the job for which you are interviewing. By organizing these simple tasks to prepare for your job interview, you will greatly increase your odds of getting hired. Don’t leave your next great job to chance. Prepare for it now.
Mark Baber has 20 years experience as an Executive Search recruiter. For one-on-one job search help visit: http://www.mcbaber.com
Mark is Recruit Consultant to http://www.JobNewsRadio.com where Jobseekers access 2 Million job transactions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Baber
Often, face to face interviews are preceded by a telephone screening, whereby a key Human Resources or other representative contacts the job candidate directly by phone to ask some basic questions. While the strategies described herein apply to phone and on-site job interviews, the objectives differ. In the telephone interview, the objective should be to quickly illustrate your interest in the job and skills you bring to bear so as to generate a job interview. With the face to face interview, the objective should be to lead to a job offer. Attempting to get a job offer differs from actually getting the job. A job candidate who asks for the job offer by selling themselves to the company as the best fit and most motivated candidate, will likely leave the job interview with an offer in hand.
MOST IMPORTANT JOB INTERVIEW CONSIDERATIONS:
DON’T BE ON TIME – BE EARLY
It is important you arrive at the interview 20-30 minutes early. Obviously, being late sends a negative message about you to the interviewer. Many interviewers don’t meet with candidates who arrive late. Plan ahead. Investigate traffic patterns relative to the time of your job interview. Don’t expect the interviewer will be sensitive to delays caused by traffic congestion or an unexpected traffic accident. They expect you will allow for those eventualities, just like they do.
DRESS & LOOK PROFESSIONAL
Women: A skirt, dress or dress-suit or pant-suit are the most appropriate for the female candidate. Make sure your clothes are neat, clean and well pressed and make sense. Avoid controversial garb, anything too revealing or too trendy. You want to look professional, not like you are there to get a date or express a fashion statement.
Men: A dress suit, shirt and tie is the most appropriate clothing for the male candidate. Make sure your clothes are neat, clean and well pressed. Avoid flashy colors, jeans, T-shirts or tennis shoes. Wear your hair neat (including facial hair), clean and well groomed.
Oh yeah, and please cover tattoos and body piercings. While your private friends may enjoy the current fad of body art, most likely, a new employer isn’t impressed, in fact, may look upon those expressions as somewhat immature – regardless of how you may feel about them. If such corporate attitudes are uncomfortable for you, find another prospective employer who is more open to such un-requested expressions of personality. Otherwise, be professional, dress professional, behave professionally.
PREPARE
Have a pen, notepad and extra copy of your resume and references with you. Make notes of questions you want to ask that relate to the job and company. Put those items in a place that will be easy for you to get to when you need them in the interview. If you currently use a daily/weekly planner, bring that with you too. You should try to arrive at your interview well rested, with a clear mind and a plan for presenting your credentials and supporting materials like references.
GREET JOB INTERVIEWER ENTHUSIASTICALLY
Smile, be friendly, not nervous, offer a solid handshake and say something friendly, like: “Good morning, pleasure to meet you, and thank you for the opportunity to visit with you today.” Show your enthusiasm about the opportunity to work for their company. Remember, they are interviewing you for a job that requires specific skills and genuine enthusiasm -- if you don’t express that at the interview, they many not be convinced you have the stamina required for the job.
DON’T HIGHLIGHT NEGATIVES
For the job interviewer, it is all about filling the job with the right person. Believe me, most job interviewers don’t want to hear about your antique tin can collection, or how you landed that elk last year on your vacation. An interviewer wants your undivided attention on their job needs. Your personal habits distract from that focus. Such personal comments may include topics like: smoking, chewing gum, nervous finger or feet movement, tapping a pencil or a fork, humming, whistling, stretching, cleaning finger nails, clearing your throat, excessive “ums” in conversation, or focusing too much time on unrelated topics. Don’t make negative remarks about your past or present employers or workmates. Negative remarks will not help your cause, and will seem as though you are blaming others for poor results.
RESEARCH THE COMPANY THOROUGHLY
Learn as much as you can about the company and the duties of the job position which interests you, like income range and associated benefits. Family and friends are sometimes sources of information about the company you seek for employment. But don’t rely on hearsay, try to talk to someone in the company about the requirement and expectations of the job you seek. And utilize more than one source of comments about the company you are considering. Any positive things you learn about the company, make sure you mention them to the interviewer as a way to express your long term interest in the job you seek. Be prepared to answer questions about why you want to work for their company, offering sensible reasons that are practical in results.
PREPARE TO ASK QUESTIONS
You don’t want to confuse the interviewer with too many questions. Remember, they are interviewing you, so be prepared to answer all their questions smartly. But challenge the interviewer with some of your own questions – determine those questions before you arrive to the job interview. Keep good eye contact when you ask your questions. Don’t get into lengthy discussions. The idea is to engage the interviewer, to show them you can take charge when required and get the information you need. You should strive to create a list of questions that go to the heart of the job you seek.
KEEP A GOOD ATTITUDE
Be confident and knowledgeable and you will express a good attitude. But don’t seem over confident in your abilities. Remain relaxed, answer questions sincerely. Be interested in the job and the company. Lighten up some and use a little humor! Your job interviewer should be made to feel you really want the job and their company. Show serious interest so that you will be considered a serious candidate. Do not mention offers of interviews with other companies, unless asked.
SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO EXPECT
When answering questions that have a pre-determined answer, remember to offer a straight forward and immediate answer, and keep it simple. Avoid yes/no answers, unless you are offering an example to illustrate your answer. In fact, as much as possible, try and offer your key answers in a format of : Strategy-then-example. In that sense, if you were to discuss aspects of how to build a team of your workmates, you could answer with a short comment about your overall strategy of how to build a team, then follow that up with a quick real-time example of how you recently utilized that strategy and the results you got. Something like – “I build a team by making sure everyone involved understands our mutual goals, the timing, and their influence on those goals. When I did that last Spring, as we were introducing a new product, the goal was to sell more product by training team members to up-sell the new product to existing customers – we increased sales over 20-percent in one month.”
“TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF”
Most people feel their personal lives are important, so when this question is asked they talk about everything from their children to their wives to their religion and even their favorite hobby or television show. Job interviewers want to hear some of that, or they don’t feel they did a proper interview. But, the truth is, the job interviewer is more interested in getting the right skills and experience for the job. So keep your personal comments superficial, and in answering those personal questions, spin your answers in a manner that your answer reflects the skills and knowledge required for the job. After all, you are interviewing for the job, not a hobby partner.
“WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS”
This is your primary time to express how your experience and skills match up to the requirements and needs of the job you seek. Be specific, but don’t spend an hour. Keep your words simple. Write out as many of the answers as possible before the interview, so you can be comfortable when you explain your skills. Again, be brief and use examples.
WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES?
Mature thinkers tend to know their weaknesses. That is why most job interviewers ask this question. Will you admit you have weaknesses, and if so, how do you manage those? Is the weakness too major to allow you to be successful in the job you seek? Meaning to say, know in advance how you will answer this question. For instance, many hard workers are accused of working to many hours. Sometimes it’s to do with the workload, sometimes it’s just a matter of poor time-management. So if you say you are accused of being a “workaholic,” temper that answer by admitting you do work hard, but that you always maintain a reasonable workload for you and your team, so you and your team (if there is one) are active, but you are not really behind in your work. So admit a weakness or two, but express how your results don’t suffer.
DESCRIBE YOUR MANAGEMENT STYLE?
If you are seeking a management oriented position, describe your management style. Is it more hands-on? Is it analysis based? Do you delegate and verify results? Whatever your style, describe it specifically, not generically. Don’t offer hourly-wage answers, offer management oriented answers; hourly wage answers include comments like: “I’m always to work on time; I always get my work done; I get along with others;” and such. Those are the attributes a manager expects of the people who report to them. Make your answers relative to management. Describe your ability and success when you delegate; your success with smart, accurate analysis and reporting and how those reports lead your activities; outline strategies you use to motivate or influence team members. Be detailed, but in short answers.
“WHY DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE YOUR CURRENT JOB?”
There is nothing wrong with leaving one job for a better one. Make sure the interviewer sees you as being in that mind-set. If there are serious issues afoot in your current or recent job, don’t spend time discussing those, keep the focus on how you are a good match for the job at hand, and how you are motivated to improve and advance. A good response might be something like: “ I am always looking to better myself. I heard positive things about your company and this job in particular, so I wanted to explore my options”.
“WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE IN FIVE YEARS”
This isn’t a trick question, like most people believe, having two sides: 1) To show how ambitious are you. 2) Are you loyal. It’s okay to say you want to advance, if that is the case. But do it politely, a good generic response may be something like: “I want to be a better manager than I am now.” Or, “I would be actively working towards promotions in this company.”
OTHER QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED TO ANSWER:
Obviously, there are too many hiring scenarios to try and cover all pertinent job interview questions here. But, there are some basic questions that may likely arise, and for which you should generate pre-fabbed answers, so you can offer an intelligent and job related response if such questions come up in conversation. Write out your answers to each of these questions.
How will you be an asset to our company (good opportunity to mention prior achievements, without being boastful.)
Why did you pick this industry?
Describe a unrelated leadership role that you held.
What has been your greatest challenge in your career?
Give me an example of a problem that arose in your job, and how you solved it.
Tell me about a project you initiated and the results.
What types of situations put you under pressure and how did you deal with it?
Give me a situation in which you failed, how did you deal with it?
How do you work with difficult people?
What was your greatest accomplishment?
What challenges are you looking for in a position?
What motivates you?
If I asked people who know you to describe you, what three words would they use?
Describe a situation where you had to work with someone who was difficult. How did you handle it?
What traits are most important for a good manager?
Tell me a about a team project of which your are particularly proud of. What was your contribution?
What type of environment appeals to you the most?
What characteristics are most important in a good manager? How have you displayed one of them?
What makes someone a good leader?
What are your expectations of a good employer?
What do you do in your spare time?
The whole idea here is to leave nothing to chance. Literally write out your answers in advance. Most job candidates do not follow this good advice, believing they already know how best to present their credentials. Don’t make that mistake. Organize your answers in advance, put them in perspective of how your skills and know-how best fit the job for which you are interviewing. By organizing these simple tasks to prepare for your job interview, you will greatly increase your odds of getting hired. Don’t leave your next great job to chance. Prepare for it now.
Mark Baber has 20 years experience as an Executive Search recruiter. For one-on-one job search help visit: http://www.mcbaber.com
Mark is Recruit Consultant to http://www.JobNewsRadio.com where Jobseekers access 2 Million job transactions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Baber
How to Give Job-Winning Answers at Interviews
Human Resources personnel, professional recruiters and various other career experts all agree: one of the best ways to prepare yourself for a job interview is to anticipate questions, develop your answers, and practice, practice, practice.
There are plenty of websites that offer lists of popular job interview questions, and knowing the types of questions to expect can be very useful. But knowing how to answer those questions can mean the difference between getting the job and getting the "reject letter."
HOW TO ANSWER QUESTIONS
First, know these important facts:
1. There is no way to predict every question you will be asked during a job interview. In other words, expect unexpected questions--they'll come up no matter how much preparation you do.
2. Treat any sample answers you find, such as in discussion forums, books or on Internet job sites, as GUIDES only. Do not use any sample answers word for word! Interviewers can spot "canned" answers a mile away, and if they suspect you are regurgitating answers that are not your own, you can kiss that job goodbye. You must apply your own experiences, personality and style to answer the questions in your own way. This is crucial, and it will give you a big advantage over candidates who simply recite sample answers.
3. Job interview questions are not things to fear, they are OPPORTUNITIES TO EXCEL. They allow you to show why you are the best person for the job, so instead of dreading them, look forward to them! The key is to give better answers than anyone else, and that's where your preparation comes in.
Now, take these actions:
1. Make a list of your best "selling points" for the position. What qualifications, skills, experience, knowledge, background, personality traits do you possess that would apply to this particular job? Write them down and look for opportunities to work them into your answers.
2. In addition to any sample job interview questions you find through various resources, you absolutely must develop your OWN list of probable questions based specifically on the job for which you are applying. Put yourself in the hiring manager's shoes… what kinds of questions would you ask to find the best person for this job?
3. Write down your answers to likely questions. Study the job announcement carefully. (If you don't have one, get one!) Note the phrases they use when describing the desired qualifications. You'll want to target these as much as possible when developing your answers. For example, if the announcement says they want someone with "strong customer service skills," make sure you include "strong customer service skills" in at least one of your answers. That will make a better impression than saying "I helped customers."
4. Review and edit your answers until you feel they are "just right." Read them over and over until you are comfortable that you know them fairly well. Don't try to memorize them; don't worry about remembering every word. Practice saying them out loud. If possible, have a friend help you rehearse for the interview.
Be A (Short) Story Teller
Make use of this old marketing tip: "Facts tell but stories sell." During a job interview, you are selling yourself. Whenever possible, answer questions with a short story that gives specific examples of your experiences. Notice I said "short." You don't want to ramble or take up too much time; you want to be brief but still make your point.
For example, imagine two people interviewing for a job as a dog groomer are asked, "Have you ever dealt with aggressive dogs?" Candidate Joe answers, "Yes, about 10% of the dogs I've groomed had aggressive tendencies." Candidate Mary answers, "Oh yes, quite often. I remember one situation where a client brought in his Pit Bull, Chomper. He started growling at me the moment his owner left, and I could tell from his stance he wasn't about to let me get near his nails with my clippers. I think he would've torn my arm off if I hadn't used the Schweitzer Maneuver on him. That calmed him down right away and I didn't have any problems after that." (NOTE: I know nothing about dog grooming; I made the Schweitzer Maneuver up for illustrative purposes.)
Don't you agree that Mary's answer is better? Sure, Joe answered the question, but Mary did more than that--she gave a specific example and told a quick story that will be remembered by the interviewers.
In today's job market where there are dozens of highly qualified candidates for each opening, anything you do that will make you stand out and be remembered will greatly increase your odds of getting hired.
Keep the Interviewer's Perspective in Mind; Answer His "What's in it for Me?" Question
While many questions asked during job interviews appear to focus on your past accomplishments, here's an important tip: they may be asking about what you did in the past, but what they really want to know is what you can do NOW, for THEM.
The key is to talk about your past accomplishments in a way that shows how they are RELEVANT to the specific job for which you are interviewing. Doing advance research about the company (such as at their website or at http://www.hoovers.com) and the position will be extremely helpful.
Here's another example with Joe and Mary. The interviewer asks, "What is the most difficult challenge you've faced, and how did you overcome it?" Joe answers with, "In one job I was delivering pizzas and I kept getting lost. By the time I'd find the address, the pizza would be cold, the customer would be unhappy, and my boss was ready to fire me. I overcame this problem by purchasing a GPS navigation device and installing it in my car. Now I never get lost!" Mary answers, "In my current job at Stylish Hounds, management ran a special promotion to increase the number of customers who use the dog-grooming service. It was a bit too successful because we suddenly had more customers than we could handle. Management would not hire additional groomers to help with the workload. Instead of turning customers away or significantly delaying their appointments, I devised a new grooming method that was twice as fast. Then I developed a new work schedule. Both efforts maximized productivity and we were able to handle the increased workload effectively without upsetting our customers."
Joe's answer shows initiative and commitment (he bought that GPS gadget with his own money, after all). But Mary's answer relates specifically to the job they are applying for (dog groomer). And Mary had done research about the company and discovered it was about to significantly expand it's dog-grooming operations. So she picked an example from her past that addressed an issue the interviewer was likely to apply to a future situation in his company. See the difference?
Here's one more example. Joe and Mary are asked, "What's your greatest accomplishment?" Joe answers, "I won two Olympic Gold Medals during the 2000 Olympics in the high-jump competition." Mary answers, "I was named Stylish Hounds's Dog Groomer of the Year in 2003 for increasing productivity in my section by 47%."
Joe's accomplishment is pretty spectacular. But remember the interviewer's perspective. He might be impressed, but he's thinking "What's in it for me? What does being a world-class high-jumper four years ago have to do with helping me to increase sales in my dog-grooming department?" Mary's answer is much less spectacular than Joe's, but it's relevant to the position and indicates that she has what it takes to be successful in this particular job. It tells the interviewer, "I have what you're looking for; I can help you with your specific needs."
Looks like Mary has a new job!
Do Not Lie
Last but not least, tell the truth. It's sometimes very tempting to "alter" the truth a bit during a job interview. For instance, say you quit instead of being fired. But the risk of being discovered as a liar far outweighs the potential benefit of hiding the truth.
If you are thinking about telling a lie during the interview, ask yourself these questions (this technique has helped me make many major decisions): "What is the BEST thing that could happen? What is the WORST thing that could happen? Is the best thing WORTH RISKING the worst thing?" In this instance, the best thing would be getting the job. The worst thing would be getting discovered as a liar, which could lead to getting fired, which could lead to unemployment, which could lead to more job searching, which could lead to another interview, which could lead to the stress of deciding whether to lie about just getting fired, and so on… a cycle that can go on indefinitely. Is all that worth getting the one job, perhaps on a temporary basis?
Always consider the consequences of your actions.
In Summary, Here's What You Need To Do When Preparing To Answer Job Interview Questions:
1. Study the job announcement.
2. Research the company.
3. Anticipate likely questions.
4. Prepare answers to those questions that are relevant to the position and the company.
5. Promote your best "selling points" (relevant qualifications, capabilities, experience, personality traits, etc.) by working them into your answers.
6. Practice. Practice. Practice.
Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, "Career-Life Times." Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bonnie_Lowe
There are plenty of websites that offer lists of popular job interview questions, and knowing the types of questions to expect can be very useful. But knowing how to answer those questions can mean the difference between getting the job and getting the "reject letter."
HOW TO ANSWER QUESTIONS
First, know these important facts:
1. There is no way to predict every question you will be asked during a job interview. In other words, expect unexpected questions--they'll come up no matter how much preparation you do.
2. Treat any sample answers you find, such as in discussion forums, books or on Internet job sites, as GUIDES only. Do not use any sample answers word for word! Interviewers can spot "canned" answers a mile away, and if they suspect you are regurgitating answers that are not your own, you can kiss that job goodbye. You must apply your own experiences, personality and style to answer the questions in your own way. This is crucial, and it will give you a big advantage over candidates who simply recite sample answers.
3. Job interview questions are not things to fear, they are OPPORTUNITIES TO EXCEL. They allow you to show why you are the best person for the job, so instead of dreading them, look forward to them! The key is to give better answers than anyone else, and that's where your preparation comes in.
Now, take these actions:
1. Make a list of your best "selling points" for the position. What qualifications, skills, experience, knowledge, background, personality traits do you possess that would apply to this particular job? Write them down and look for opportunities to work them into your answers.
2. In addition to any sample job interview questions you find through various resources, you absolutely must develop your OWN list of probable questions based specifically on the job for which you are applying. Put yourself in the hiring manager's shoes… what kinds of questions would you ask to find the best person for this job?
3. Write down your answers to likely questions. Study the job announcement carefully. (If you don't have one, get one!) Note the phrases they use when describing the desired qualifications. You'll want to target these as much as possible when developing your answers. For example, if the announcement says they want someone with "strong customer service skills," make sure you include "strong customer service skills" in at least one of your answers. That will make a better impression than saying "I helped customers."
4. Review and edit your answers until you feel they are "just right." Read them over and over until you are comfortable that you know them fairly well. Don't try to memorize them; don't worry about remembering every word. Practice saying them out loud. If possible, have a friend help you rehearse for the interview.
Be A (Short) Story Teller
Make use of this old marketing tip: "Facts tell but stories sell." During a job interview, you are selling yourself. Whenever possible, answer questions with a short story that gives specific examples of your experiences. Notice I said "short." You don't want to ramble or take up too much time; you want to be brief but still make your point.
For example, imagine two people interviewing for a job as a dog groomer are asked, "Have you ever dealt with aggressive dogs?" Candidate Joe answers, "Yes, about 10% of the dogs I've groomed had aggressive tendencies." Candidate Mary answers, "Oh yes, quite often. I remember one situation where a client brought in his Pit Bull, Chomper. He started growling at me the moment his owner left, and I could tell from his stance he wasn't about to let me get near his nails with my clippers. I think he would've torn my arm off if I hadn't used the Schweitzer Maneuver on him. That calmed him down right away and I didn't have any problems after that." (NOTE: I know nothing about dog grooming; I made the Schweitzer Maneuver up for illustrative purposes.)
Don't you agree that Mary's answer is better? Sure, Joe answered the question, but Mary did more than that--she gave a specific example and told a quick story that will be remembered by the interviewers.
In today's job market where there are dozens of highly qualified candidates for each opening, anything you do that will make you stand out and be remembered will greatly increase your odds of getting hired.
Keep the Interviewer's Perspective in Mind; Answer His "What's in it for Me?" Question
While many questions asked during job interviews appear to focus on your past accomplishments, here's an important tip: they may be asking about what you did in the past, but what they really want to know is what you can do NOW, for THEM.
The key is to talk about your past accomplishments in a way that shows how they are RELEVANT to the specific job for which you are interviewing. Doing advance research about the company (such as at their website or at http://www.hoovers.com) and the position will be extremely helpful.
Here's another example with Joe and Mary. The interviewer asks, "What is the most difficult challenge you've faced, and how did you overcome it?" Joe answers with, "In one job I was delivering pizzas and I kept getting lost. By the time I'd find the address, the pizza would be cold, the customer would be unhappy, and my boss was ready to fire me. I overcame this problem by purchasing a GPS navigation device and installing it in my car. Now I never get lost!" Mary answers, "In my current job at Stylish Hounds, management ran a special promotion to increase the number of customers who use the dog-grooming service. It was a bit too successful because we suddenly had more customers than we could handle. Management would not hire additional groomers to help with the workload. Instead of turning customers away or significantly delaying their appointments, I devised a new grooming method that was twice as fast. Then I developed a new work schedule. Both efforts maximized productivity and we were able to handle the increased workload effectively without upsetting our customers."
Joe's answer shows initiative and commitment (he bought that GPS gadget with his own money, after all). But Mary's answer relates specifically to the job they are applying for (dog groomer). And Mary had done research about the company and discovered it was about to significantly expand it's dog-grooming operations. So she picked an example from her past that addressed an issue the interviewer was likely to apply to a future situation in his company. See the difference?
Here's one more example. Joe and Mary are asked, "What's your greatest accomplishment?" Joe answers, "I won two Olympic Gold Medals during the 2000 Olympics in the high-jump competition." Mary answers, "I was named Stylish Hounds's Dog Groomer of the Year in 2003 for increasing productivity in my section by 47%."
Joe's accomplishment is pretty spectacular. But remember the interviewer's perspective. He might be impressed, but he's thinking "What's in it for me? What does being a world-class high-jumper four years ago have to do with helping me to increase sales in my dog-grooming department?" Mary's answer is much less spectacular than Joe's, but it's relevant to the position and indicates that she has what it takes to be successful in this particular job. It tells the interviewer, "I have what you're looking for; I can help you with your specific needs."
Looks like Mary has a new job!
Do Not Lie
Last but not least, tell the truth. It's sometimes very tempting to "alter" the truth a bit during a job interview. For instance, say you quit instead of being fired. But the risk of being discovered as a liar far outweighs the potential benefit of hiding the truth.
If you are thinking about telling a lie during the interview, ask yourself these questions (this technique has helped me make many major decisions): "What is the BEST thing that could happen? What is the WORST thing that could happen? Is the best thing WORTH RISKING the worst thing?" In this instance, the best thing would be getting the job. The worst thing would be getting discovered as a liar, which could lead to getting fired, which could lead to unemployment, which could lead to more job searching, which could lead to another interview, which could lead to the stress of deciding whether to lie about just getting fired, and so on… a cycle that can go on indefinitely. Is all that worth getting the one job, perhaps on a temporary basis?
Always consider the consequences of your actions.
In Summary, Here's What You Need To Do When Preparing To Answer Job Interview Questions:
1. Study the job announcement.
2. Research the company.
3. Anticipate likely questions.
4. Prepare answers to those questions that are relevant to the position and the company.
5. Promote your best "selling points" (relevant qualifications, capabilities, experience, personality traits, etc.) by working them into your answers.
6. Practice. Practice. Practice.
Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, "Career-Life Times." Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bonnie_Lowe
Monday, November 2, 2009
Job Interview Cheat Sheet - Top 6 Questions & Mental Strategies
If an interviewer adopts a competitive or adversarial attitude toward you in an interview, you should not take it personally. Many interviewers adopt a confrontational style to screen candidates for jobs which may involve some form of regular conflict, such as sales management or customer service supervisor. In order for you to pass the interview with flying colors, it is highly recommended that you prepare and rehearse the answers to these questions prior to the interview, and that you remain calm and rational throughout your interrogation.
The first consideration when preparing answers to these questions is honesty. You will need to read and analyze the description of the job you are pursuing, and match your skills and experience as closely to that job description as you can. It would also be of use for you to research the company as a whole, and attempt to discover what their culture and prevalent attitudes are. This information can help you frame your responses.
Finally, as you prepare your responses, consider carefully the purpose of each question. When an interviewer asks tests questions such as these, they may be looking for something other than simple information. They may be looking more for how you respond than what the content is of your response. Remember the importance of retaining your composure and professionalism as you answer the following in any interview:
1. Why are you leaving your current job?
If there is an issue or set of issues that you have as a candidate that may have affected your performance in the past, these same issues may well affect your performance for the company with whom you are interviewing. The interview is probing you for information about why you have chosen to leave your last employer, so he or she can assess whether or not you will leave this company for the same reasons. Therefore, respond from the perspective of yourself as a professional pursuing a career. Leave your former employer out of it. If you make critical or negative statements about your old boss, your prospective boss may get the idea that he or she is next in line for your negativism. Simply state that you are looking for a position that will challenge you to grow as a professional, and offer your thoughts as to why the position you seek is a good career move for you at this time.
2. Why should we employ you rather than one of the other candidates?
Testing you on your own knowledge of your unique strengths is a basic interview technique. In order to respond effectively to this question, you must have researched the company and analyzed the job description in great detail. You will then be in a position to compare and contrast the requirements of the job against your training, skills and accomplishments, point for point, while simultaneously demonstrating your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
As loaded questions go, this one is a doosie. The person conducting the interview is looking for you to demonstrate how well you can assess yourself, and that you are continually looking to improve. When you respond, keep your answer in the context of the job interview. Present career strengths and contributions. Select a weakness that may seem like a strength in another context, such a being a perfectionist who puts in too many hours. Then offer a specific example of how you have successfully addressed this weakness, to demonstrate your desire to become a more complete professional. Keep yourself in a positive light throughout your response, and never mention any weakness that is directly related to the job under discussion.
4. Tell me about yourself.
Far from an invitation to idle chit-chat, this query is designed to let the interviewer determine how well you fit the job the company is offering. Confine your answer to two minutes or less, and keep the focus on how well your skills and accomplishments match both the position in particular and the company at large. Again, having researched the company and studied the job description will pay off.
5. Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
Whenever a company hires a new employee, it is a major expense, both financially and administratively. They want some assurance that you intend to be around for awhile. By presenting a well-considered five year plan, you can assure them that you are worth the risk, especially if you have done your homework about the position and the company. If your defined goals are philosophically in line with those of the company, and you can communicate that you see this position as an important career step for you, you will be that much closer to an offer. If you can truthfully add that you plan to continue your professional development within the company, and will actively seek to advance within the organization, so much the better.
6. Why do you want to work for our company?
Quite simply, the person conducting the interview wants to know if you’ve done your due diligence. When you do your research and analysis, catalog what things about the company impress you or appeal to you. Demonstrate that you have uncovered what you could about the company on your own, and that you understand its challenges and its place in the industry. Above all, be positive and enthusiastic.
Obviously, your success in an interview is directly proportionate to the amount of preparation you are willing to do. The act of analyzing the job description from the perspective of your resume, and the process of researching the company through the Internet and your personal professional network of people… these activities are key to your success, along with formal preparation and rehearsal of your responses to these questions. By using the preparation process we’ve just outlined, you will leave an impression of competent professionalism when you walk out of any interview.
Good Luck With Your Job Search
Mark Baber has 20 years experience as an Executive Search recruiter, with placement background in many industries, including: Retail, Manufacturing, Sales, Accounting/Finance, MIS/IT, and many others. Mark is Recruit Consultant to http://www.JobNewsRadio.com where Jobseekers access 2 Million job transactions monthly, and can submit their Resumes Free and have them distributed freely to Employers they choose by industry, vocation, City or Region. Further JobNewsRADIO offers FREE Job Seeker resources like career and personality assessments, free Trade magazines, free Job Search tutorials that help increase your odds of finding a career job position, and many other valuable resources. Or visit Mark's recruitment web site at http://www.mcbaber.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Baber
The first consideration when preparing answers to these questions is honesty. You will need to read and analyze the description of the job you are pursuing, and match your skills and experience as closely to that job description as you can. It would also be of use for you to research the company as a whole, and attempt to discover what their culture and prevalent attitudes are. This information can help you frame your responses.
Finally, as you prepare your responses, consider carefully the purpose of each question. When an interviewer asks tests questions such as these, they may be looking for something other than simple information. They may be looking more for how you respond than what the content is of your response. Remember the importance of retaining your composure and professionalism as you answer the following in any interview:
1. Why are you leaving your current job?
If there is an issue or set of issues that you have as a candidate that may have affected your performance in the past, these same issues may well affect your performance for the company with whom you are interviewing. The interview is probing you for information about why you have chosen to leave your last employer, so he or she can assess whether or not you will leave this company for the same reasons. Therefore, respond from the perspective of yourself as a professional pursuing a career. Leave your former employer out of it. If you make critical or negative statements about your old boss, your prospective boss may get the idea that he or she is next in line for your negativism. Simply state that you are looking for a position that will challenge you to grow as a professional, and offer your thoughts as to why the position you seek is a good career move for you at this time.
2. Why should we employ you rather than one of the other candidates?
Testing you on your own knowledge of your unique strengths is a basic interview technique. In order to respond effectively to this question, you must have researched the company and analyzed the job description in great detail. You will then be in a position to compare and contrast the requirements of the job against your training, skills and accomplishments, point for point, while simultaneously demonstrating your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
As loaded questions go, this one is a doosie. The person conducting the interview is looking for you to demonstrate how well you can assess yourself, and that you are continually looking to improve. When you respond, keep your answer in the context of the job interview. Present career strengths and contributions. Select a weakness that may seem like a strength in another context, such a being a perfectionist who puts in too many hours. Then offer a specific example of how you have successfully addressed this weakness, to demonstrate your desire to become a more complete professional. Keep yourself in a positive light throughout your response, and never mention any weakness that is directly related to the job under discussion.
4. Tell me about yourself.
Far from an invitation to idle chit-chat, this query is designed to let the interviewer determine how well you fit the job the company is offering. Confine your answer to two minutes or less, and keep the focus on how well your skills and accomplishments match both the position in particular and the company at large. Again, having researched the company and studied the job description will pay off.
5. Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
Whenever a company hires a new employee, it is a major expense, both financially and administratively. They want some assurance that you intend to be around for awhile. By presenting a well-considered five year plan, you can assure them that you are worth the risk, especially if you have done your homework about the position and the company. If your defined goals are philosophically in line with those of the company, and you can communicate that you see this position as an important career step for you, you will be that much closer to an offer. If you can truthfully add that you plan to continue your professional development within the company, and will actively seek to advance within the organization, so much the better.
6. Why do you want to work for our company?
Quite simply, the person conducting the interview wants to know if you’ve done your due diligence. When you do your research and analysis, catalog what things about the company impress you or appeal to you. Demonstrate that you have uncovered what you could about the company on your own, and that you understand its challenges and its place in the industry. Above all, be positive and enthusiastic.
Obviously, your success in an interview is directly proportionate to the amount of preparation you are willing to do. The act of analyzing the job description from the perspective of your resume, and the process of researching the company through the Internet and your personal professional network of people… these activities are key to your success, along with formal preparation and rehearsal of your responses to these questions. By using the preparation process we’ve just outlined, you will leave an impression of competent professionalism when you walk out of any interview.
Good Luck With Your Job Search
Mark Baber has 20 years experience as an Executive Search recruiter, with placement background in many industries, including: Retail, Manufacturing, Sales, Accounting/Finance, MIS/IT, and many others. Mark is Recruit Consultant to http://www.JobNewsRadio.com where Jobseekers access 2 Million job transactions monthly, and can submit their Resumes Free and have them distributed freely to Employers they choose by industry, vocation, City or Region. Further JobNewsRADIO offers FREE Job Seeker resources like career and personality assessments, free Trade magazines, free Job Search tutorials that help increase your odds of finding a career job position, and many other valuable resources. Or visit Mark's recruitment web site at http://www.mcbaber.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Baber
3 Ways to Succeed on Your First Job (Or Any Job)
You've heard the real estate cliché: the three factors that determine a property's value are location, location, location.
Well, here's an instant cliché about creating value on the job: to succeed, you need to work, work, work.
But there's more to success than 80-hour workweeks.
You have to do the right things in the right amount to get ahead, according to employment expert Ramon Greenwood. He's a former Senior Vice President at American Express and author of the book, "How to Land Your First Job and Make a Success of It." He operates CommonSenseAtWork.com.
Greenwood's insights, while especially relevant for new graduates entering the workforce, will help anyone of any age who has to earn a paycheck.
Here are three of his most valuable tips for success on the job.
1) Work hard at the right things.
"First, understand what it is you're doing and why you're doing it, so you can figure out how to do it better," says Greenwood.
In other words, make sure you know why you're on the payroll. What exactly are you getting paid to do? Make money? Save money? Both? Ask your boss to spell out which job duties will determine your success. Then focus on doing those critical few things well.
Once you know what to do, a great way to get more of it done is to arrive early and stay late.
"Get to work 30 minutes before the starting time. You can get routine chores out of the way and organize your day's work before the interruptions start. Often you will find your boss is in early, too, so this is a great time to get better acquainted with him or her. At the end of the day, stay at least 15 to 30 minutes after hours. Clean up your work place and make a list of actions to take the next day," advises Greenwood.
This one thing -- starting 30 minutes early and staying 30 minutes late -- will give you an extra 20 hours of productivity every month. That's equal to six full working weeks every year. Now, do you think you might get noticed by the boss if you worked six weeks more than everyone else?
2) Seek out responsibility.
Most people instinctively run from responsibility, like cats from a hose. Call it human nature. But this opens the door for anyone willing to take on new, more challenging tasks.
"When it comes to responsibility, you can dodge it, accept it when you have no other choice, or seek it out and take it on," says Greenwood.
Prove this for yourself. Look around your office. You'll find the most successful people at work are those who seek out new responsibilities. (If not, you're likely at a company where the top employees all refer to the boss as "Mom" or "Dad.")
From my own 20+ years of experience, I can verify that anyone who volunteers for the tasks and responsibilities that nobody else wants will make himself indispensable. You can literally become "fireproof" this way and create real job security for yourself.
3) Don't be afraid to ask for help.
We all know men hate to ask for directions. (That's why man put GPS navigation systems in cars.) But work is different. Man or woman, you'll never become an all-star employee if you never seek assistance.
"It takes courage to ask for help, but you'll be better off when you do and ultimately, you'll be better respected," says Greenwood.
After all, you can't be expected to know everything. Asking for help is a sign of strength. It shows to others that you are confident and focused on producing results.
So, find a mentor who will take you under their wing and share their experience. Good news: this is easy to do, since roughly 100% of folks are flattered and willing to help when asked for advice. Just be sure not to abuse the privilege and dump every minor problem in your mentor's lap.
These real-world tips from a former executive won't guarantee you a promotion in 30 days. But they will increase your odds for success on your current job and throughout your career.
Best of luck to you!
Kevin Donlin is contributing co-author of "Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0." Since 1996, he has provided job-search help to more than 20,000 people. For a free Guerrilla Job Search audio CD, visit http://www.MyNewJobHunt.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Donlin
Well, here's an instant cliché about creating value on the job: to succeed, you need to work, work, work.
But there's more to success than 80-hour workweeks.
You have to do the right things in the right amount to get ahead, according to employment expert Ramon Greenwood. He's a former Senior Vice President at American Express and author of the book, "How to Land Your First Job and Make a Success of It." He operates CommonSenseAtWork.com.
Greenwood's insights, while especially relevant for new graduates entering the workforce, will help anyone of any age who has to earn a paycheck.
Here are three of his most valuable tips for success on the job.
1) Work hard at the right things.
"First, understand what it is you're doing and why you're doing it, so you can figure out how to do it better," says Greenwood.
In other words, make sure you know why you're on the payroll. What exactly are you getting paid to do? Make money? Save money? Both? Ask your boss to spell out which job duties will determine your success. Then focus on doing those critical few things well.
Once you know what to do, a great way to get more of it done is to arrive early and stay late.
"Get to work 30 minutes before the starting time. You can get routine chores out of the way and organize your day's work before the interruptions start. Often you will find your boss is in early, too, so this is a great time to get better acquainted with him or her. At the end of the day, stay at least 15 to 30 minutes after hours. Clean up your work place and make a list of actions to take the next day," advises Greenwood.
This one thing -- starting 30 minutes early and staying 30 minutes late -- will give you an extra 20 hours of productivity every month. That's equal to six full working weeks every year. Now, do you think you might get noticed by the boss if you worked six weeks more than everyone else?
2) Seek out responsibility.
Most people instinctively run from responsibility, like cats from a hose. Call it human nature. But this opens the door for anyone willing to take on new, more challenging tasks.
"When it comes to responsibility, you can dodge it, accept it when you have no other choice, or seek it out and take it on," says Greenwood.
Prove this for yourself. Look around your office. You'll find the most successful people at work are those who seek out new responsibilities. (If not, you're likely at a company where the top employees all refer to the boss as "Mom" or "Dad.")
From my own 20+ years of experience, I can verify that anyone who volunteers for the tasks and responsibilities that nobody else wants will make himself indispensable. You can literally become "fireproof" this way and create real job security for yourself.
3) Don't be afraid to ask for help.
We all know men hate to ask for directions. (That's why man put GPS navigation systems in cars.) But work is different. Man or woman, you'll never become an all-star employee if you never seek assistance.
"It takes courage to ask for help, but you'll be better off when you do and ultimately, you'll be better respected," says Greenwood.
After all, you can't be expected to know everything. Asking for help is a sign of strength. It shows to others that you are confident and focused on producing results.
So, find a mentor who will take you under their wing and share their experience. Good news: this is easy to do, since roughly 100% of folks are flattered and willing to help when asked for advice. Just be sure not to abuse the privilege and dump every minor problem in your mentor's lap.
These real-world tips from a former executive won't guarantee you a promotion in 30 days. But they will increase your odds for success on your current job and throughout your career.
Best of luck to you!
Kevin Donlin is contributing co-author of "Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0." Since 1996, he has provided job-search help to more than 20,000 people. For a free Guerrilla Job Search audio CD, visit http://www.MyNewJobHunt.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Donlin
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