JOB You Want?Why you don't read?Job Interview Success.

Choose happy to at work

2010-03-14T23:02:00.000-07:00

" 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.

Job Interview - Best Prep Questions

2009-11-15T00:57:00.000-08:00

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

How to Give Job-Winning Answers at Interviews

2009-11-15T00:56:00.000-08:00

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

Job Interview Cheat Sheet - Top 6 Questions & Mental Strategies

2009-11-02T09:09:00.001-08:00

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

3 Ways to Succeed on Your First Job (Or Any Job)

2009-11-02T09:07:00.000-08:00

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

Job Guidelines- Top 5 Ways To Get Your Job And Succeed

2009-02-27T11:17:00.000-08:00

Job Guidelines- Top 5 Ways To Get Your Job And Succeed by Nick Jackson

Many People These Days See As An Advisor, Thsy Ask Me How They Can Make Money, They Ask Me How They Can Get More Traffic, And They Ask Me How To Get A New Better Job Thats Suits Them, They Ask Me This Because They Have Tried Many Times To Get A Job But They Get Too Nervice And Underpressure Becuase They Quit Their First Job And Are trying To Get A Second, Well I Have Help To Offer To Them And EVERYONE Else, Just Read, And Start.........
1. Calm Down. Many People (Especially Those Nervice And Underpressure) Can't Calm Down. Its Always Like, Oh No What Am I Going To Do." When This Happens, They Lose Confidence And Then They Begin To Doubt Themselves. They Then Don't Go To The Interview, Reducing Their Chances To Zero. Well What I Have T Say Is Calm Down, All You Need To Do Is Calm Down, As Long As Your Calm, In A True Peacful State Of Mind, You Will Get More Things (Like The Job You Want) To Keep You Peaceful. But Remember You Have To Be TRULY Peaceful.
2. Get Ready-Part 1-Clothes Before You Walk Into That Interview, You Need A Plan And This Will Take Some Time, (Especially If You Still Have Little Confidence.) Well First Thing Most People Will Do Is Get Their Outfit Out, Wear Something That makes You Look Calm And Cool, But Serious At The Same Time ( For Guys, What Might Work Best Is A Regular Job Shirt But Short Sleves, Then You Can Wear Some Dark Blue To Black Jeans And Some Work Shoes, For Ladies, A Dress With Not Such A Light Color, Like Purple, Black Or Gray, Make Sure It's Not Over The Top But Don't Make It Look Boring, Because What You Wear Describes You. I Hope This Helps( Remember This Is Not A Demand This Is A Request, Just Think bout It.)
3. Get Ready-Part 2-Questions Here Is Another Part Of The Interview, The More Important Part And It Is The Questions You Will Be Asked. Before You Step In You Have To Look At Every Single Case Scenario Of Any To Every Kind Think Of Questions Like "What Made You Want To Have Job Like This? Or, What Can You Bring To Our Company That You Think We Need? Also They Might Ask You About The Company So Know A Little About It. Questions Like Those, If You Can Think Of Things Like That, Then You Will Do Fine As Questions Go, Now On To The Next Part.
4. Get Ready-Part 3-Personality This Is The Thing That Gets People To Like You And Stick Up For You, It Is Because Of Personality. Stay In A Likeable Mood (Happy, Or Friendly.) Make Eye Contact With Your Interviewer, Let Them Know that You Are Strong, peak In A Happy Mood, And Try To get The Interviewer Happy (Don't Try To Had Because Some Of Them Are There To Work And Not To Joke And They Might Get Annoyed. If Not, Then Try To Get A Laugh Out Of Them, If Your Not The Jokestor Then You Don't Got To Do That, Just Be Positive, Have A Positive Mind Set And Body Language, Do That And This Will TRULY Help.
5. Get The Call And Get Ready Now That Youv'e Got The Job, Get Ready For It, You Came Into The Interview Prepared, Now Its Time For The Company. Know A Little Bit More About It, And Try To Befriend People As Quickly As Possible, Once You Are Getting Along With People, You'll Enjoy Your Job, The People, And Your Life And Thats What Makes You Liek A Job.
Follow These Steps And Bigger Things Can Happen For You, You Will Be Happier, More Secure, And Better Off. I Know You Can Do It, So Don't Be Afraid And Believe In Yourself. Thank You For Reading This Article.
About the Author
Written By Nick Jackson Of The Help Me Help You Corporation
Check Out My Jobs Page And Jump Start Your Way To Getting The Job You Want And Sign Up For One Of Them And Get Extra Tips, Guides, And MUCH MORE.
http://www.helpmehelpyoucorporation.webs.com

How To Conduct Yourself At The Interview

2009-02-27T11:15:00.000-08:00

How To Conduct Yourself At The Interview by JobCareerAdvice

Your cover letter dazzled them, your resume is the best the Hiring Manager has ever seen and all your efforts have paid off because now you've been offered the interview. The final hurdle.
Let's agree the majority of people going for an interview will be nervous, scared and apprehensive. But they are no reasons for not conducting yourself in a proper way and being polite. Put yourself in the shoes of the Hiring Manager.
Do you want someone sitting opposite you:
* with their hands in their pockets
* with no eye contact
* mumbling their answers
* telling offensive jokes
You wouldn't and nor would I.
It's easy to conduct yourself well and be polite.
To give yourself an advantage over others follow these polite practices:
Arrive ahead of time.
It's bad manners to walk into an interview after the agreed start time. It really annoys me and the applicant will have to be outstanding to win the job. Of course, there are going to be times when circumstances are outside of your control. If that were to happen, I would suggest you call ahead and let the Hiring Manager know you are going to be late. But always aim to arrive at least ten minutes early so you can freshen up, catch your breath, sit quietly in the lobby reviewing your notes.
Listen and Focus.
Focus your mind and take in what the interviewer is saying. If you miss a detail or don't understand what is said, ask politely for it to be repeated. It may help to have a small notepad and pen in your hand. (You can enter the interview with a pen and notepad. You can have your personal work experience examples written down. The interview is not a memory test - you can have a pad of notes to refer to).
Jot down items that are of importance to you while the interviewer is speaking. You might even tell the interviewer ahead of time that you'll be taking notes because you don't want to miss anything. Ask if that is OK? I do. That too, is a sign of good manners. You're letting the other person know that you're serious about the job in question.
Maintain good eye contact.
How does it feel when you are talking to someone who just won't look at you? Horrible! Untrusting! So make sure you do maintain eye contact with the Hiring Manger, as it is not only polite, it's good business practice. It assures the other person of your sincerity and genuine interest. And it will remind him or her to return the eye contact.
Say thank you.
At the close of the interview, be sure to shake hands, smile and express how much you appreciate the time and the information you received.
Remember, everyone likes to be acknowledged and thanked. Those who express gratitude will not be forgotten because it is so rare for people today to share genuine thanks. Then follow up with a thank you note in your handwriting.
For example:
Thank you for taking the time to discuss the position of xxxxxx with me. After meeting with you and getting the opportunity to see and hear more about your plans for the future of xxxxxx, I was certainly impressed.
I am convinced that my experience and customer service skills coincide well with your needs and in addition, I can promise to bring the commitment and enthusiasm that are so important in a position such as this.
I look forward to hearing from you concerning your decision of the hiring process and, once again, thank you for your time and consideration.
Simple and to the point.
That will seal the deal and give you a good chance of winning a second interview--or even the job itself.
So make sure you overcome the final hurdle of the interview, keep your conduct professional and are offered the job.
About the Author
JobandCareerAdvice provides the latest ideas, tips and trends in the tough job hunting world - so you are ahead of the crowd. Signup for the free brand new e-course that shows you the latest secrets to ensure your resume gets read! Go now to http://www.jobandcareeradvice.com/

Tips for a Successful Interview

2009-02-18T20:03:00.000-08:00

Tips for a Successful Interview by Steve McMains

People often get nervous in the name of job interview.It does not make any sense.Interviews might seem tough but they can be made enjoyable with the right approach. An interview is a good opportunity for both the employer and the employee to judge each other.While you go for an interview remember that the employer not only looks for your academic background and your skill but the qualities that are needed for the vacant post.
Whether it is an individual interview or a group discussion try to highlight the qualities within you that will help you to stand out in the crowd.Take time to greet and answer the questions with honesty,confidence and enthusiasm.Don't be afraid. It is your chance to prove yourself so make the most of it with a few simple tips.
Dress Properly
Before going for an interview be well prepared and remember the basic things.First of all you should be dressed properly. Your look matters a lot as far as first impression is concerned.Always wear a formal dress while going for an interview. Your dress should be clean and ironed and your shoes should be polished.
Carry Several Resumes
Spend much time over resume writing as it creates the first impression.Go through the ad thoroughly and write the resume according to the requirements.When you go for an interview never forget to carry the hard copy of your resume.Always carry more than one resumes because you don't know how many rounds will be there.You might need to submit your resume more than ones.
Reach Early
If your interview time is 10 am you should reach the office at 9:50 am.You should always arrive at the interview venue 10 minutes early.It will create a good impression and show that you are punctual.It is unnecessary to say that punctuality is a quality that every organization looks for in its employees.
Know About the Company
Many of the candidates go for the interview without knowing anything about the company.This is a wrong approach.You should research about the company before the interview.Ask relevant questions to show that you show that you know the business,target market,clients,objectives and goals of the company.
Body Language
During an interview the employer not only judges your skills and capabilities but also your body language and attitude. He/she will see whether you can also contribute to the cultural environment of the company.So sit with a smiling face and your arms and legs uncrossed.Make eye contact and listen carefully what the interviewer is saying.
Ask About the Company Benefits
You don't need to hesitate to ask about the benefits offered by the company.However ask about the salary and other facilities at the end.After all you are not going to do social service.
Close the Interview with a Positive Note
Close the interview very strongly.End it with a firm handshake.Don't forget to get a business card of the employer to send him/her a thank you note.You should also let him/her know that it was a good experience for you.Your positive attitude will surely leave a good impression.
You have as much power as the employer.Believe in yourself.Follow these tips and you will find preparing for a job interview is not that tough.
About the Author
Steve McMains is a media professional and writes for different online publications on media and advertising industry.For more information on journalism jobs or tv jobs he recommends you to visit http://www.mediajobmarket.com.

Interview Red Flags: Ever Felt Like THESE People? (I Have!)

2009-02-18T20:00:00.000-08:00

Interview Red Flags: Ever Felt Like THESE People? (I Have!) by J.T. O'Donnell

I saw this video a while back and couldn't stop laughing. I don't know if it's the kid doing the interview, the one over-the-top guy that connects with him about a monkey mug, or how crazy the interview questions are, but I guarantee anyone that's ever interviewed for jobs has felt the way these interviewees felt at least once. It takes everything in our power not to want to get up and leave an interview that is going wrong, and yet, we stay in hopes of getting the offer. Why do we want the job so bad? Shouldn't red flags be waving wildly through our heads that we should chalk it up to a bad fit and move on? Nope. Instead, something inside us says, "I just got to get this job offer." Well, I say, if it felt wrong in the interview, it's going to feel wrong on-the-job too.
I should know, it happened to me...
Many years ago, I was living at home after college. I graduated in the last recession and the job market was horrible for new grads - just like it is now. I was miserable in my hometown and desperately trying to find a job back in Boston where I went to college. I finally got the call from a small company I had applied to that specialized in translating documents. I had spent a year abroad and spoke French, I also had a degree in Engineering - it was these two points that got me the interview. I should have known the moment I got there that something wasn't right. The first person to interview me was the CFO and he asked me questions like, "How well do you take criticism? Do you have a high tolerance for being yelled at?" He proceeded to explain the owner of the agency was a bit challenging to work with. He defended him by saying he was a very intelligent guy (went to MIT, etc.), but his people skills left something to be desired. I, eager to get out of my hometown, squelched the desire to leave the interview and simply said, "Oh, no problem. I've got really thick skin." I was asked similar questions by the other two managers who interviewed me, but again, instead of being honest, I gave them the answer they wanted to hear.
Finally, I was then ushered in to meet the owner. He was disheveled-looking in clothes that made me wonder if he slept in them. He began asking the most random questions I have ever heard. I was stuck in his office for over an hour while he went on-and-on about with random stories about translation that had no relevance as far as I could tell to the job I would be doing. Once again I should have known, as I finally escaped the interview two hours later, this job was not for me. But, I was young and naive.
The next day they offered me a job - the VERY next day. (C'mon now, who does that?) Yet, I swallowed my concerns and said 'yes,' thinking I could at least stand the job long enough to get settled in Boston and start looking for a new one. What a critical error on my part. The job was a nightmare. The office dynamics I experienced make the ones on the show "The Office" look ideal. There was screaming and crying almost daily. I was so drained leaving there every day, it left me with no energy to look for a new position. My husband was my boyfriend at the time. He felt helpless watching me become depressed. I gained 20 pounds as I tried to eat my problems away.
And then I snapped...
On my year anniversary, I anxiously awaited my paycheck, which was supposed to include my raise. I had been told it was significant and my hard work would be rewarded. I was proud of the fact I had dealt with the male version of Miranda from "The Devil Wears Prada" for 52 weeks. I was sure I would see big $$$. I was making $28,000/year. I opened the check, calculated the increase, and realized I had only gotten a $1000 raise. I imploded. I walked into the CFO's office and resigned. He chased me down the hall, begging me to go home and think about it. He said, "Please! You are the longest person we've ever had in this role!" I returned the next day and said I would stay on, but that was the first day of my last days there. I went on a mission to find a new job. It took four months to find one. When I resigned, the owner wouldn't speak to me and asked me to leave immediately. The employees wouldn't look at me either. I think they just hated the idea I was free.
Taking that job changed the way I looked at interviews for ever. So tell me….what was your worst interview like? Did you accept the job when it got offered to you? How'd it go? Can you relate to what I experienced?
About the Author
J.T. O'Donnell is a nationally syndicated advice columnist, author and founder of CAREEREALISM. Her work has been recognized by leading sources including, CareerBuilder.com and BusinessWeek.com for it's timely, cutting-edge job search and career strategy advice for young professionals (ages 18-40). For more articles, visit her at www.CAREEREALISM.com.

Tips For Getting Ahead in Your Career

2009-02-01T17:29:00.000-08:00

Tips For Getting Ahead in Your Career By Tony Jacowski

Think Ahead
Unfortunately many of us don't necessarily plan for the future of our careers. We think about the here and now.
We close our eyes and hope for the best. However, to be really successful - unless you just happen to be lucky - the key to a successful career is to think and plan ahead.
Choose Your Degree Wisely
Majoring in liberal arts or English Lit might sound like more fun, but how will it read in the corporate environment?
A degree in business, math, or science is going to look far more impressive to your employer.
Don't Stop at Your Bachelor's Degree
Online colleges make getting a degree easier than ever. That means more employees will at least have their bachelor's degree.
So, in order to stand out to your employer, you need to go above and beyond a bachelor's degree. Strive to get a master's degree, or even a PhD.
Be Willing To Take the Odd Assignment
Not only do these odd assignments make a great addition to your resume, they tell employers that you are fearless, flexible, and willing to think "outside the box".
Market Yourself Enthusiastically
Telling people how wonderful we are may sound a bit like bragging. And, for many of us, it's one of the most difficult challenges affecting our ability to move ahead in our careers.
But, unless you've got some incredibly unique skill that no one else in the world can do, it's what you must do to have your abilities recognized and to help you stand out above the competition.
Big Cities Is Where It's At
Career-making Meccas like New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami are the places to go if you want to see your career move in a positive upwardly-mobile direction.
Not only is there more money to be made working in a big city, the growth opportunities are virtually limitless.
Don't Be Afraid To Change Jobs
While you don't want to look like you're job-hopping by changing jobs too frequently, it's not unusual to find yourself up against a brick wall i.e. a not so good supervisor, or perhaps you're lacking enthusiasm you're your current position.
At any rate, changing jobs can add some pizazz back into your career.
Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org ) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Jacowski

I WILL Get That Job - The Power of Positive Thinking

2009-02-01T17:25:00.000-08:00

I WILL Get That Job - The Power of Positive Thinking By Amanda Pavis

If you are going to give your career any chance of success and you want to really make a difference to your job prospects, then you simply have to adopt positive thinking. Every day, every hour, every second, you need to challenge old, negative ways of thinking and start thinking about success.
But isn't that easier said than done? After all if we all thought in a positive way, then we would all still face disappointment as only 1 person can succeed in any job interview?
Well that in itself is a negative way of thinking and it should be eradicated. Instead what you have to focus on is success. Imagine yourself at interview: calm, collected, engaging with the interviewing panel, articulate and charming. Then you need to think about how you will react when you are offered the job.
Always make these images as clear as you can. Focus on what you are wearing, how your voice sounds. Can you make your voice stronger, calmer? Can you make the image stronger?
Concentrate on the image above every day for at least 10-20 minutes. Every day make the image clearer and your voice stronger and so on.
Take time every day to repeat positive affirmations; such as 'I am calm, confident and I succeed'. Repeat these affirmations at least 20 times per day.
Imagine success. Imagine the good feeling that it brings. Feel it. How tall do you feel? How alive and vibrant do you feel? Then carry these feelings with you as much as possible and if ever a negative thought creeps into your head, then refresh the feeling of success and banish those negative thoughts forever.
The power of positive thinking really is immense. Most if not all of the best recruitment agencies attest to the fact that the people who are most confident and think more positively will be the ones to secure the best jobs, the highest salary etc. So what are you waiting for: kick-start your career with some positive thinking this instant.
Recruitment agency solutions spanning temping, temps, contract and permanent in London we specialise in placement and recruitment in the Uk from PA Jobs Receptionist Jobs, Secretarial Jobs, Admin Jobs, Customer Service Jobs and Data Entry Jobs
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amanda_Pavis

How Cover Letters Can Help or Hurt Job Seekers

2009-01-31T17:09:00.000-08:00

How Cover Letters Can Help or Hurt Job Seekers by Stephen Van Vreede

I have to say that I have been feeling badly lately for the poor cover letter. Actually, I have been feeling badly lately for the poor job seeker who tends to neglect the cover letter, passing it off as just a quick intro to presenting the more important piece, the resume.
I certainly understand how that happens. After all, we are becoming a nation of job seekers successfully sold on the concept that we need a professionally written resume in order to conduct an effective job search. So much emphasis has been placed on the resume that the cover letter is often an afterthought.
As a former hiring manager who reviewed hundreds of resumes AND cover letters, I can tell you that the cover letter should be anything but an afterthought. When I was looking for top-quality candidates, I used to focus my attention first and foremost on cover letters.
In fact, I would use the cover letter as my first screen of candidates. Like most hiring managers in large-scale corporations, HR would send up to me their top picks after reading through the dirge of applicants and conducting phone interviews. My first order of business was to read the cover letter. If the cover letter was fraught with spelling and grammar errors, sounded like it was written for any and all potential employers, and was nothing more than some scripted template, I refused to even read the resume.
Why? Because I saw the cover letter as the job seeker's chance to communicate with me directly. After all, the letter was supposedly written to me or to my company. The resume, I knew, was targeted toward my industry or to someone hiring for a particular position. I figured that someone who lacked an ability to communicate with me, knowing that they were applying for a position in my company, was not the kind of individual I wanted to fill my position.
Listen. I recognize how hard it is for job seekers to put together quality resumes and cover letters, much less to find the time to get them out the door. But, hey, last time I checked, they were looking for work…. I don't think it is too much to ask to take a few extra moments and personalize the letter a bit more.
Here is what always impressed me:
1. Why are you choosing to apply here? (Whatever you do, make it sound like you are interested in the company as a whole, not just because you want a job.)
2. What do you know about my company?
3. What do you know about the products/services we provide?
4. What types of clients do we serve?
5. How do you see yourself fitting in to the mission of our organization?
A simple perusal of the company website can certainly help answer these questions. I don't think anyone expects you to have insider knowledge. But it is nice to know that you are considering a candidate who took a few extra minutes to tailor the letter to your company. No one likes to think they are potentially hiring someone who is willing to work anywhere, even if that is true.
About the Author
My company is called No Stone Unturned, and I am an MBA and certified professional résumé writer (CPRW). Feel free to give me a call toll-free at 1-866-755-9800 or sign up to receive my free Job Search Advice eGuide today. In February 2009, I am launching a new group job hunting networking site called Noddle Place. Check it out at http://www.noddleplace.com.

How To Write A Resume - Skills And Experience Section

2009-01-31T17:01:00.000-08:00

How To Write A Resume - Skills And Experience Section by Leslie Kearney

Fact #1: Most resume's are boring. The average resume reads like an outline for a term paper. A,B,C, 1,2,3. BORING.
Fact #2: Most of us are not born writers and writing about ourselves is extremely hard.
So how do you outline all your great skills and assets in an interesting (if not exciting and dynamic) way? In this article we'll give you a resume sample to get you started. Let's begin with the basics and perhaps if you discover the "hidden writer" within you might work up to exciting and dynamic.
Professional Experience
The experience section is where you really get to shine. This is where you break out what you did for your last employer(s) and tell that prospective new employer exactly what an awesome employee you're going to be.
This is also where most people fall really flat. By just outlining job duties in a paragraph (typed letters, managed inventory, made coffee, ran errands, shot myself in the head from boredom . . . ) you are virtually guaranteeing that your resume will be put in the "round file."
Before you begin grab a pen and paper and do some real, deep down, thinking about your last job. Were you given goals to achieve? Did you exceed them? Did you do anything above and beyond? Where and how did you "stand out?" Did your prior job contain elements that the new employer is looking for? For instance, if you did the payroll for your last employer is the new employer looking for someone experienced in payroll?
Resume Sample Of A BAD Experience Section
"General bookkeeper for small construction company."
"Managed day to day activities and schedules."
"Reconciled books and did payroll. Paid quarterly taxes."
"Kept track of inventory and supplies."
"Paid bills."
Why is this bad? Because while you MAY have done all those things, you don't tell the employer how you stood out from the crowd! Lots of people have the skills outlined above. What can you bring to the job that someone else might not?
Resume Sample Of A GOOD Experience Section
"Maintained all accounting and bookkeeping records for multiple construction sites."
"Implemented new cost accounting and inventory control that saved the company $1 million dollars on one single construction site alone."
"Generated payroll for over 100 employees in 5 states."
"Maintained accurate books and paid quarterly taxes - that used to be done by professional CPA firm."
"Created new cost-accounting system that tracked all costs associated with construction site and saved company over $100,000 by eliminating duplicate reimbursements to construction sites."
Use action words and positive phrases. In the sample resume piece above "Saved, Implemented and Created" are a few action words an employer might look twice at.
At this point you're probably saying, "but I didn't do anything special at my job." Well, yes - you did (unless you're a slug, then I highly suggest you start thinking about how you might perform above and beyond at your next position). Most people get "writers block" when it comes to bragging about themselves. Don't be nervous. Take a breath and start thinking.
Were you hired for one job and before long you were given 10 others too?
Why did they give you those extra jobs?
Were you were more efficient than your co-workers?
Did you create a special tracking spreadsheet? Because you were more organized?
Did you train any other employees? Even just through mentoring?
Did you reorganize something or streamline it in some way?
For instance, A long, long time ago I reorganized an entire filing system and created a color-coded key for it. This saved people a lot of work trying to find the right files. You bet I mentioned that on my resume for future executive assistant positions!
NOBODY just sits like a lump and does only what they are initially hired for. We always take on extra jobs. Problem is that after a while we are so comfortable doing them we forgot that we weren't originally HIRED to do those.
So, think hard about what you started out doing and what was added to your position and think about how you can "brag" about it.
SKILLS
Skills can be broken out in two ways. You can use them to brag about yourself more by stating things you've achieved. For instance:
Successfully managed 15 accounting employees processing over $1 million dollars a day in billing.
Or you can actually list your skills:
MS Office • QuickBooks • Photoshop • ABC Accounting Program
And then list your certificates:
"HR1 Certificate"
"Certified bookkeeper through the ABC College of Accounting"
Education should be kept simple:
If you have a college degree then don't list your high school. That's implied.
Spell out the name of your college. With the hundreds of colleges out there it's impossible for everyone to know their initials. Plus it just looks more professional.
DO NOT exaggerate or lie about your education. Most companies hire professional background checking companies and you WILL be found out.
You do not need to put the year you graduated down (this gives them a hint at your age) but you may have to list it on the background check information if you're hired.
DO NOT list your GPA - unless you're fresh out of college and the job you're applying for is in the field you studied. DO NOT list college clubs or activities unless they apply to the job or show some sort of leadership ability (for instance being on the student government or donating your time to, or founding a charity)
Be careful to not list any political activities you might have been involved in. You never know the politics of the person you'll be interviewing with so don't give them an opportunity to exclude you before interviewing you.
So that's it in a nutshell! I hope these resume samples have helped. Now sit down with a pad and paper and put your thinking cap on! You know you were a stellar employee, now all you have to do is make your resume show it!
Please keep in mind that these lessons are for the person just entering the job market or in entry-level or lower-level management. If you've been in the workforce for a while and are on the rise in your field then you definitely will want to consider hiring a professional resume writing service.
About the Author
Leslie Kearney is a web author and owner of Resume Help Blog. If you are looking for help finding a professional resume writer, or learning how to write your own resume we can help! We also have up-to-date lists of top companies that are still hiring and helpful information on job searching and interview tips.

Career Success - How To Stand Out From the Competition

2009-01-29T18:46:00.000-08:00

Career Success - How To Stand Out From the Competition by Alvah Parker

Everyday we hear about more layoffs. You will want to be proactive by starting a job search before it happens. That is a smart move but you must be careful. If your current boss gets wind of it you might be the first to be laid off. Of course if you have already successfully lined up a job, it won't matter much!
There are going to be lots of people looking for jobs now. How do you distinguish yourself from the others? This is a really important question. The good news is that you can save months of job searching by simply using one or two of these ideas.
When there are lots of people looking for work how do you get noticed? You must stand out from the crowd. How do you do that? Having a unique skill is one way. You'll need to highlight it on your resume. At an interview you will want to back it up with success stories about how the skill has solved a problems for your past employers.
Another way to be memorable is to tell a compelling story. I recall years ago hearing that someone always told the story of how he was on a plane that was high jacked. People always referred to him as "the fellow who was high jacked". He stood out!
Another way to stand out is to take a risk. We are usually encouraged to follow all the rules when applying for a job. Don't rock the boat so to speak. Following all those rules makes us all alike!
I loved the story I heard recently at an event where Shirley Singleton co-founder of Edgewater Technology was the keynote speaker. In the early 80s after being laid off as a teacher she signed up for and completed a computer programming class.
After sending out hundreds of resumes with no response she answered a help wanted ad in the newspaper only to learn they had already filled the job. In desperation she begged them to just interview her even though she knew they had no opening for her. She just wanted to know what it was like to be interviewed! They agreed to help her.
When she returned home from the "interview" there was a message on her answering machine saying they were creating a job for her! Out of frustration she had taken a risk and as a result she was hired.
Lots of times clients tell me they are perfect for a particular job and can't understand why they were not hired. One job candidate who was really upset when she was turned down for a job sent a gift of candy to that hiring manager telling her how much she had enjoyed meeting with the team. Several months later the hiring manager called her about another job. The gift had made an impression that lasted.
It is important never to burn any bridges and to stay connected to those you meet even the ones who turn you down. You never know who will eventually help you find that perfect job!
So whether you are already laid off or just think you might be, now is the time to think about how you will make yourself memorable to those you meet, what kind of risk you are willing to take to get a great job, and how you can stay connected to those who have the potential to help you in the future. Now is the time to make sure you stand out!
Take Action
1. What kinds of attributes do you have that make you memorable? Is it a skill, a talent, a hobby, an experience? How does it fit into your career goals?
2. What risk would you be willing to take to get yourself noticed? What is the upside? What is the downside? How do you make the decision to follow through?
3. Who have you met recently that has the necessary connections to help you with your job search? How do you stay connected with him/her?
About the Author
Alvah Parker is a Practice Advisor for Attorneys and a Career Coach as well as publisher of Parker's Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine with career and business information. Subscribe now to these free monthly publications at her website free monthly publications and receive a free values assessment along with your subscription.

Who Has The Best Job

2009-01-29T18:39:00.000-08:00

Who Has The Best Job by Shaun Parker

You know, there are a lot of jobs in this world that are the envy of others - most of them consist of the types of jobs that look like they require very little effort for a great deal of money!
Take the job of a celebrity for instance. There are so many people that rate TV and film personalities as people to be looked up to that they would do anything for a piece of their action. They see them swanning around in nice clothes, attending fancy functions and generally living it up and this is what they believe they get paid for.
Personally speaking, I think those that offer high class cleaning services have a pretty enviable job! Work your way up in the cleaning world and you become privy to a lot more than the general populace see on a daily basis.
Take, for instance, those celebrities we talked of earlier. Now, very few of them are going to be cleaning their own homes. They will call in the cleaning services from their area and have their laundry picked up, their baths cleaned, their carpets vacuumed and their pets walked - all to make their lives easier.
The lucky company that gets a cleaning services contract with a celebrity becomes party to all manner of the inner workings of their lives and believe me the shine soon wears off! They have the same toilets to clean, the same toenails to vacuum up and all the other business that goes with it. You get to see the inner workings of a celebrities life and you realise they are no different to us. They still look rough when they get up in the morning and they still row with their partners!
However, working for cleaning services when you are doing this type of work can be fun, it can get you near to the rich and famous like you wouldn't normally have thought possible, but it also comes with a degree of responsibilities.
These celebrities know that their cleaning services have to supply trustworthy people. After all, their homes are full of celebrity memorabilia that could easily be sold on the black market should it be stolen. No-one in the public eye wants their laundry or their rubbish scrutinised yet some moral free people would do this to make fast money.
An actor's life may well be full of shows and events but they do still have to work. We might watch a two hour film and think we could get paid for doing that but it certainly doesn't take two hours to make. It can take a year or more to make one film and the actors have to be available at all times. It takes a great deal of research to get into the role of a particular character, everything from mannerisms to accent to walks need to practiced and practiced and practiced. Lines have to be learnt.
All these things will take up at least the amount of hours an average person works in a menial job, if not more. This is exactly the reason why they would need to employ cleaning services instead of being able to do it themselves. Acting is not really the type of job you can easily switch off to, particularly those who are in the middle of forming a character. Therefore, this is one type of professional who would absolutely value the cleaning services of a professional company.
About the Author
Shaun Parker is a leading employment expert with many years of experience in domestic staff placements. Find out more about cleaning services at http://www.pro-ductclean.com

Job Search Basics - Five Actions Job Seekers Must Take to Find the Job of Their Dreams

2009-01-28T18:33:00.000-08:00

Job Search Basics - Five Actions Job Seekers Must Take to Find the Job of Their Dreams By Alvah Parker

There is a big payoff to a successful job search and that is finding your dream job. Imagine being asked to work at a job that seems totally suited to your skills and talents. Better still you find that the work environment of the company is one in which you know you will thrive.
So how do you find that dream job? Starting out on the search probably feels like an uphill climb. There is so much information out there on job searches that it can be overwhelming.
Having coached hundreds of people in the midst of a job search there are 5 things that will insure a successful job search. Do all 5 every time you apply for a job that matches your ideal job criteria and you are bound to find the perfect match.
The first step is that you must tailor the resume to the job requirements. Every job seeker has accomplishments from their current and previous job but not all accomplishments are applicable to the job they are applying for. Carefully choose the accomplishments that bolster the case that you are perfect for this new position.
Your resume paints a picture of you and should give a very clear message about your strengths and skills. Get clear on your message. There are many times during the job search to reinforce your message.
The second thing you must do during the search is to make yourself memorable to the hiring manager by continually emphasizing your message. This means the cover letter reinforces that you have the right skills for the job as does the thank you note(s), any telephone follow up, the interview and all interactions.
Once you have your resume for that particular job complete, review the strengths and skills that you have highlighted along with your accomplishments. The third important piece of the job search is to think of 4 or 5 stories that you could tell the interviewer to highlight your skills. Emphasize a time when that skill or strength was critical to your success. You will use those stories to help you to answer the interviewer's questions. Practice telling them so you can tell them clearly.
The fourth strategy is to be sure to ask questions about the job and the company. Asking questions highlights your interest in the job and the company. This is the time for you to insure that this is really your dream job! Review your company research and your own criteria for the perfect job. Then write down your questions. Most interviewers ask the interviewee if he/she has any questions. Be sure to get your questions answered whether or not the interviewer asks for your questions!
Finally after the interview, be sure to send a thank you note. Hand written notes are more personal and in this day of email and instant messages they stand out as being different. If your writing is hard to read then a typed thank you note mailed through the postal service will stand out too.
During times of plentiful jobs it is often easy to move from company to company without an intense search. If jobs are scarce however you may have to do a more active job search than you are used to. By implementing all 5 of these strategies you'll be in a better position to reap the benefits of finding that dream job you are looking for.
Take Action
1. Update your resume with your most recent job and show 4 or 5 accomplishments of which you are proud. Be sure the accomplishments statements are examples of your key skills and strengths.
2. Write 4 or 5 stories to bolster your accomplishments that highlight your strengths and skills.
3. Write a description of your dream job so that you know it when you "see" it.
Alvah Parker is a Practice Advisor (The Attorneys' Coach) and a Career Changers' Coach as well as publisher of Parker's Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine. Subscribe now to these free monthly publications at her website http://www.asparker.com/samples.html
Parker's Value Program© enables her clients to find their own way to work that is more fulfilling and profitable. Her clients are attorneys and people in transition who want to find work that is in line with their own life purpose. Alvah is found on the web at http://www.asparker.com She may also be reached at 781-598-0388.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alvah_Parker

Resume Objectives

2009-01-28T18:31:00.000-08:00

Resume Objectives By Dilan Davis

Guidelines in Writing Resume Objectives
Resume objectives research and writing can only be successfully done if you first of all understand what the resume object is all about and if you know what to add and what not to add to compose an effective cover letter. It is good to know that a resume objective is a very brief, yet strong declaration which is usually an indication to the employer that you are not only fit for the advertised position, but which gives your employer that impression that no other applicant than you is qualified for that position. This is going to be your arsenal against all other applicants. Remember that this should be clearly written and it should be composed in simple and understandable language. Keep in mind that there may be several applications or cover letter for resume to go through and if your resume objective is long and boring, it will simply be shoved aside.
How should you resume objective be written and what are the contents of your resume objective. Remember that not everything will be added to the contents of your resume objective. Include every positive feature which tells that employer or academic authorities that you are going to be of utmost value to them. If you have had some considerable work experience or academic background, it should be added into the resume objective. Also add any relevant work experience and skills you acquired on the job if you are switching to a new career and explain how you can blend all what you have to produce efficient results. It is important to note that the resume objective will be applicable only in cases that are making applications to a particular job or program.
If you are simply making an application to an organization or to no specific academic program, remember that you will not include a resume objective in your application. This is because it may limit your chances of getting into any of the openings for you. However, if you must submit a resume objective, make sure that you know the exact appellation of the program or job opening. Include any skills you have that may directly or indirectly be related to the position or program applied for. Make mention of the needs of the organization or program and mention how you are going to satisfy those needs. Always keep everything that you include to be short and simple. Avoid any negative words or words that might signal a wrong impression about you. Avoid any language that may tell that you are desperate for that position.
Resume objectives should always be written to tailor the needs of every application you make. Remember that no two applications should always be considered the same. You should also be very choosy in what you include in your resume objective. In writing the resume objective, you must know that you are the first reader. Put yourself into the position of the employer and sift what is relevant and important from what is not. Make sure that you place the information you have in order of priority. Knowing how to write resumes will also lead you to seek for help by looking at cover letter samples or examples of best resumes available over the internet.
Dilan Davis is a certified resume writer at GrandResume.com who provides useful information about resume objectives.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dilan_Davis

How to Write a Resume

2009-01-25T07:48:00.000-08:00

How to Write a Resume by Peter Nisbet

Over three million sites on Google offer information on how to write a resume. According to one of the best free keyword suggestion tools on the planet, almost 1,000 people a day search for information on résumé writing.
Regarding the proper spelling, the word is French and if the 'acute' is to be used, it should correctly be used twice. Hence, résumé and not resumé. You can also use the word without any accents. The correct word is the French résumé and not the English resume which has a totally different meaning, though it seems to be internet practice to use resume and this what will be used here.
A resume and a CV, or curriculum vitae, are much the same thing, though the term CV is more relevant to professional applicants, providing information on academic distinctions, posts held and theses that have been published. A CV is more of an informational document than a sales pitch, and used by doctors, scientists, solicitors, etc.
Here are the salient points to keep in mind when writing your resume:
* A resume is a sales pitch: you are the product and the employee reading it is the target.
* Your objective when you write a resume is to secure an interview - nothing else! It is a sales tool that you can use to your advantage, and give you a head start over your competitors.
* Sell yourself in writing, get the interview, and then sell yourself in person. Learn what you can about the company and sell yourself as filling the exact position being advertised.
* Stress how you can fill the job. Stress any previous experience IN THAT POSITION.
* Highlight your strengths when writing your resume and include numbers and figures. Include cash benefits you brought your last company.
* If you lost your last job, rather than leaving voluntarily, leave it for the interview. That's a different skill. If you must mention it, state something to the effect that you were a victim of your own cost cutting recommendations that the company took up too vigorously.
* Action words are always good - such as managed, developed, gained and presented. Do not use weasel words such as best, most, terrific. Don't bum yourself up. Be accurate and informative when writing. You're selling yourself, not an insurance policy.
* Use bullet points such as I am doing here, to the extent that the article directory allows. Use your strongest points, which are relevant for the job being offered, at the beginning. When writing a resume, you should always present information about your achievements in a positive manner. Don't state that "I was responsible for 10 other salesmen." Write "I was responsible for a sales department that secured $500,000 sales every month." Put yourself in the place of the reader and consider what would stand out to you.
Unless you are requested to do so don't include information irrelevant to the position such as your age, religion, hobbies or interests. Stick to RELEVANT employment history. If you don't think you have a lot of that, then perhaps you should find a job that is more relevant to your experience. An employer is not interested on your opinion on your abilities. Proven ability and experience are what are required.
Writing "I have done this job well and can demonstrate it" is meaningful. "I know I can do this job because it fits in with my abilities", is not.
You must be honest. If you try to make false claims you have a very good chance of being found out. This applies whatever country you live in. In the current litigious climate most companies will do what they can to avoid negligent hiring, and employment background checks and pre-employment screening are commonplace. Tell the truth, and if the truth is not good either do not write it, or add it to the bottom of your resume. The reader will probably not get that far and you can discuss your last position during your interview.
Keep in mind that a resume has 10 - 20 seconds to make it. Nobody is going to read all the way in that time. Sell yourself, and if you don't think you have the literary ability to do so, then hire a writer to do it for you. A professional freelance writer will be able to give you advice on how to write a resume, and even do it for you.
About the Author
As a former manager of two multinational companies Peter has much experience in reading resumes and knows what is required in writing them. More information is available on his web site http://www.article-services.com from which he provides freelance writing and ghostwriting services.

Best Way to Find a New Job

2009-01-25T07:44:00.000-08:00

Best Way to Find a New Job by Mitsu Fisher

If you think finding a job is hard then please read this article.
A great way to find a new job quickly is to get lots of interviews. Job interviews determine your ability to land a job. If you have five interviews you are sure to be offered a job or two by the time you have completed them.
How do you go about landing job interviews? You can use the same approach marketing people take to landing prospect appointments. That is to say, you should send out sales literature (your resume and a cover letter asking for a job). Then make follow-up calls and ask to schedule a job interview.
In order to send letters and make telephone calls to schedule job interviews, you first need a list of prospects. As a matter of fact the list is perhaps the most important thing you need in order to find a new job. A mailing list is something you can buy from a list broker.
When you look for a job search list you should first look at your CV and write down the names of the companies you have worked for during the last ten years. Then call a job list broker and have them find out what the SIC code is for the companies you have worked for previously. Then tell them that you want to obtain a list that contains only firms with the SIC codes you just determined, for the purpose of scheduling job interviews.
Tell the list broker that you are looking for about two hundred names (companies) with your target SIC code within sixty miles of your home to contact for a job. Also, tell them to match the company size (number of employees) of the companies you use to work for with the firms on your new list.
You will get job interviews more easily when employers realize that you have worked for companies that are similar to them (same industry, # of employees, etc.).
Now that you have your job interview company list, you can get to work. Mail a cover letter and resume to the head of the company. They will send the resume to the department head who is looking for someone like you, to schedule a job interview.
The next step is to telephone everyone you mailed your resume to for a job interview. Call and ask if they recieved the resume and if they are hiring and if you can set a job interview.
You will be happily surprised at how nice and helpful people are when they realize you are calling for a job. They will be able to relate because everyone has looked for a job at one time or another.
If you think finding a job is hard then please read this article.
About the Author
Mitsu Fisher is an expert at finding jobs because he applies sales and marketing techniques to the process.
http://how-to-find-a-new-job.blogspot.com/

You Have Been Invited For an Interview - What Are the Questions to Ask the Interviewer?

2009-01-24T11:01:00.000-08:00

You Have Been Invited For an Interview - What Are the Questions to Ask the Interviewer? By Freddy Ngiam

You know all the answers to the questions, an interviewer may ask you in an interview session. Now, the big question is, do you know, what to ask the persons interviewing you? Most job-seekers answer to this question is a big no. They would rather the interviewer to ask the questions than them asking them. It is of paramount importance to ask appropriate questions to the interviewers so that you will be well versed with your prospective employers operations and work procedures.
The interview is generally a two way process. Your prospective employer will want to find out if you are really the person they are seeking for a specific vacancy and you will want to know if the position is right for you. You should ensure that you have enough information to make a good decision as to the vacant position and if it suits you.
The following are questions you may find yourselves asking your future employer.
-What will be my duties and responsibilities?
You should never take a job which you are not sure about in terms of responsibilities and duties. If you do so, you will find yourselves quite confused about any company's operations. Other lazy staff may take advantage of your ignorance and exploit you by overworking you with their responsibilities.
-Where will I fit into this company's organizational structure?
This is a very important question to ask your interviewer, it leaves no doubt that you are the right person for the job in question.
-Who will i report to?
-Who will report to me and how experienced are they?
-The person I'm reporting to, where does he or she fit in the overall company's structure?
-In the first three months, what level of performance is expected of me?
-Who are the company's customers?
-Do I have chances of promotion in this position and what will be my salary, benefits and bonuses?
This question should only be asked after the prospective employer is fully sold to you, do not bring it up in the early stages of the interview, if you do so, you are doomed to fail.
Lastly, do not forget to enquire about when the organization will decide on the appointment. These are some of the questions any job-seeker should arm themselves with when facing the interviewer. Asking these questions will leave a big impression about you, to the prospective employer thus clinching the much needed job for yourself.
By Freddy Ngiam, Founder & CEO http://www.JobSupermart.com a job portal in Singapore, Hong Kong & USA.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Freddy_Ngiam

Interview The Interviewer

2009-01-24T10:53:00.000-08:00

Interview The Interviewer By Jason Monastra

This is a subject and conversation that I have had with so many people over the years. With it there comes a lot of strong opinions from all sides stating their perspective on why/why not to do this, or how to approach it. It surfaced this morning in a discussion about why people will not take certain jobs, and the fact that a high powered engineer we were working with has been turning down job offers in this economy. Do people do that I was asked......the answer is YES and for good reason.
Turning the interview on its head is what some people call it. I get a lot of fear when discussing this subject, as most people discuss being uncertain of how they will be perceived when asking serious and in-depth questions surrounding the role. Logically, I think when people really look at it, there fears are crazy. Why would anyone go into an interview, discuss their capabilities and really leave there not knowing exactly what the role is.
Now I say this with caution, as the approach and how one is to do this becomes ever more important. In speaking to some managers, they cannot stand when they feel the candidate is attempting to take over the conversation and really run the entire process. That is not at all what I saying here and really do not want that to be the point of the message. The real idea here is to leave with a conscious understanding of the role, with explicit information, without the manager feeling like he got grilled. And I think there is an easy way to do this.
One of the reasons most people get caught in not know enough information is the format of the interview. The candidate answers questions, waiting for the 10 second time frame at the end where the manager says "do you have any questions" leaving the candidate not knowing which of the 50 that are going through their mind should be asked first. The key is to re-format the interview without upsetting the flow. Create the flow by making the interview conversational and asking questions, or follow ups to certain subjects the interview wishes to discuss - as the interview is progressing. Doing this will allow you to get details answered without ending the interview with the 2 minute jam as much down the manager's mouth as I can session.
Interview flow - keep the interview progressing as any conversation. Asking and answering questions without taking over the conversation. Ensure to stay on subject, allowing client to get the information they need as well. They are interviewing you for a role. Do that and you will find it easier to leave the meeting knowing more, the manager knowing you, and the two of you knowing whether or not to continue the process.
Jason Monastra is a 10 year veteran in the recruiting industry and current partner with United Global Technologies, http://www.ugtechnologies.com, a leading recruiting and consulting firm serving the IT and engineering vertical based out of Charlotte NC.
Jason Monastra maintains a major career advice and job search blog at http://www.lambentpath.com, making it easy to access key informational points to better help navigate your search for your next position.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Monastra

3 GOOD THINGS A Recession Does for Careers

2009-01-23T12:10:00.000-08:00

3 GOOD THINGS A Recession Does for Careers by J.T. O'Donnell

Are you sick of hearing bad news about the economy and job market? Well then, this post is for you.
I'm not trying to discount the fact that a lot of people are suffering professionally these days. Yet, the reality is that a recession actually has some short-term and long-term upsides when it comes to how we manage our careers. That's right, there is some good coming out of 2.5M jobs lost, wide-spread hiring freezes, and a soon to reach double-digit unemployment rate.
Here are three good things a recession does for our careers:
1) Makes being 'let-go' not as hard to accept, nor as difficult to explain.
Today, I spoke to someone who just got let go from their job with a radio station. He's not that upset about it. Why? He simply said, "My manager told me 20 other people on the team got let go too - and I was the most recent hire. So, I know it had nothing to do with my performance." Getting laid-off is mainstream. We all know one or more individuals who lost their job recently. Which means, those who get let go aren't taking it as personally as they would if it happened in a good economy. Instead of feeling singled-out and wondering, "What's wrong with me?" they are able to effectively rationalize the situation by saying, "I'm not the only one. This was out of my control."
2) Gets people to rethink the concept of evaluating people based on what they do for a living.
Our society has always put heavy emphasis on determining how much respect to give someone based on their profession…until now. We live in a culture where the phrase, "What do you do?" is asked as frequently, if not more so, than, "How are you?" Let's be honest, we are all guilty of sizing up someone we've just met and making huge assumptions about them based on what they say they do for work. But in an economy like this, job status suddenly shifts. Those that are employed, regardless of their education or job title, have everyone's attention. This shift has a profound impact on how we connect with others. It helps us to see people differently, and in many cases, build relationships with those we might not have bothered to connect with in the past. For example, getting a college degree has always been a status climber in the US, but watch this 20/20 segment and you'll have a whole new respect for the savvy individual who opted to work their way through trade school. In short, a new set of careers suddenly becomes 'attractive' in a recession.
3) Forces people to accept jobs they wouldn't have otherwise taken.
Needing to pay the bills can make even the most discerning job seeker take work that will provide a paycheck. In doing so, people make new and often valuable connections, and in some cases, even discover new career paths. A young man I knew took a job bartending after college at a local country club. He had a degree in finance, but couldn't land a job. Instead, he spent several months serving drinks to the club members. He got to know a lot of the regulars quite well, to the point that he would get their drinks ready as they walked in the door without them asking. One day, one of the members who had been particularly impressed by the bartender's attentiveness and professionalism asked him about his background. The grad shared his story of getting a degree but not being able to find work. The member gave him his business card and the name of a person at his office to call for an interview. One week later, the former bartender was in a new full-time job.
These are just a few of the things that a recession can do to help careers. I'm sure there are more. Share your thoughts with us at www.CAREEREALISM.com.
How is the current economy changing your definition of career success and your thoughts around the best way to achieve it?
About the Author
J.T. O'Donnell is a nationally syndicated advice columnist, author and founder of CAREEREALISM. Her work has been recognized by leading sources including, Careerbuilder.com and BusinessWeek.com for it's timely, cutting-edge job search and career strategy advice for young professionals (ages 18-40). For more articles, visit her at www.CAREEREALISM.com.

What That Job Description REALLY Means

2009-01-23T12:05:00.000-08:00

What That Job Description REALLY Means by J.T. O'Donnell

BEWARE: Job seekers aren't the only ones who sometimes get creative when it comes to selling themselves (i.e. resumes and cover letters that have been, shall we say, 'tweaked' to make a person look like the ideal candidate). Some employers have a tendency to use verbiage that makes their open positions sound better than they really are. Over the years, I've noticed some popular job descriptors that should be viewed as warning flags a potential employer might be trying to put an overly optimistic spin on a less-than-stellar work situation. Thus, when reading the want-ads, consider the following translations:
motivated team-player - looking for someone who needs a job badly enough that they'll put up with lots of unmotivated, annoying people from whom you'll have to get buy-in on almost everything you do.
high achiever, driven to succeed - must be a complete brown-nose whose sole mission in life is to please and impress management.
customer-focused - can take a lot of abuse from clients AND management and still act pleasant.
resourceful, independent self-starter - since we have absolutely no time or resources to train you, we expect you to figure everything out for yourself…quickly.
attentive to details - we have strict policies and procedures and won't hesitate to blame you for everything if you make a mistake.
flexible, enjoys multi-tasking - we are unorganized and change corporate directions daily, so you'll need to be able to clean up our messes and do jobs that A) you weren't told about in the interview, and B) aren't trained to do properly - all on a moment's notice.
agent of change - you'll be responsible for implementing a bunch of stuff we've been unable to make happen with a group of people who are digging in their heels and refusing to convert.
works well under pressure - our management team considers everything urgent and is going to micro-manage you daily. solution-oriented - we are going to give you lots of messes to clean up and expect you to figure out how to handle them without our direction and with a big smile on your face, even though we aren't going to give you any resources or support to get it done.
Okay - so if you've visited CAREEREALISM.com before you know I'm being sarcastic. But, let's not forget, all humor is rooted in a bit of truth, right?
I'm not saying that any job posting with one or more of these terms should be crossed of your list of potential employers. I'm just pointing out that every job seeker should do their homework to make sure they have a realistic understanding of what a potential employer's work environment is really like. (A great post on the need to be selective was recently written by marketing guru, Seth Godin.) FACT: There are no perfect jobs or perfect employers.
I know these are desperate times and many people feel compelled to accept any job offer they get. However, in doing so, you could jump out of the frying pan and into the fire. You need to honestly assess an employer by asking questions that will help you see their flaws (tactfully, of course). Remember: employers are like a potential mate. Don't fool yourself into thinking you can change them once you are together. Take off your rose-colored glasses (or, beer goggles, for you younger readers) and choose an employer for who they really are - warts and all.
Finally, I leave you with this last piece of advice...
If you do see any of the terms above coupled with "unlimited income potential," "rapid advancement," or "ground-floor opportunity," then before your apply, I just hope you'll ask yourself, "Why are they trying so hard to impress me?" Need I say more?
About the Author
J.T. O'Donnell is a nationally syndicated advice columnist, author and founder of CAREEREALISM. Her work has been recognized by leading sources including, Careerbuilder.com and BusinessWeek.com for it's timely, cutting-edge job search and career strategy advice for young professionals (ages 18-40). For more articles, visit her at www.CAREEREALISM.com.

Resume - First Impression is Last Impression

2009-01-17T10:28:00.000-08:00

Resume - First Impression is Last Impression by Steve McMains

Let's start with the question what is a resume? A resume is nothing but a marketing tool on the basis of which a company will hire you for a job. You need to cross a number of roads before you join a company such as the interview, technical round, HR round and so on. However remember all of these come later.
First you should create a good impression about yourself in the employer's mind. Only then you can expect to follow the other processes. Resume is your gateway to a company. Resume is the first thing to leave an impression in the employer mind and don't forget that first impression is last impression. So resume writing is not easy. It demands immense importance.
Why Should the Employer Choose You
Your employer or HR goes through thousands of resumes for the given post. They can spend 10 to 30 seconds to read a resume. Why should they identify your resume if it is not unique? Before writing your resume try to think what your employer can expect from you and write your resume. If you have a clear idea about the job profile half of your work is done.
Resume Writing Tips
There are a number of ways to write a resume but there are some basics that are common for all. Follow the tips written below and you are sure to come up with a perfect resume.
Write Custom Resume
People often tend to write a general resume and send it to all the companies and this is the basic mistake. Before applying for a job you should go through the requirement details and the company background again and gain. The employer is sure to be impressed to see that you know about their company. Also read the job description to understand whether the job profile suits you. Don't take any chance.
State Your Objective
Before you start writing your resume you should determine your objective. It is important to state what kind of job you are looking for. You should also state your skills and experiences clearly. After defining your objective structuring the resume accordingly becomes easy. So spend a few lines to define your objective first.
Write Clear and Concise Resume
Since no one spends more than 10 to 30 seconds on a resume your resume must be clear and concise. You don't need to give details of your accomplishments. You can do that during the interview. Be specific and mention the points because the goal of your resume is to obtain an interview.
Use Bullet Points
Write short sentences because no one has the time to go through a lengthy paragraph. Your resume should be designed in such a manner so that any one can have a quick look. Using bullet points is one of the best ways to highlight the key phrases so that the important information can be seen at a glance.
Highlight Your Qualities
This is probably the most important part of your resume. Write your qualities that support the job objective. Go for the right options. Don't write irrelevant points to show that you know a lot. If you are not applying for your first job also highlight your job experiences that support the job profile of the company you are applying for.
Other Necessary things to Remember
Other than the above written tips you need to focus on a few more things. The length of your resume can be 1-2 pages. Don't use stylish points. It is not needed. Use regular fonts like Arial or Times New Roman. Your font size should not be less than 10. Use as much white space as you can.
When your resume writing is complete go for an outside opinion. These tips will help you not only to write a resume but also for a job search.
About the Author
Steve McMains is a media professional and writes for different online publications on media and advertising industry. For more information on job search or resume writing, he recommends you to visit http://www.mediajobmarket.com.

What Every Business Should Know About Envelopes

2009-01-12T17:55:00.000-08:00

What Every Business Should Know About Envelopes By Sara Warak

Standard business envelopes come in a variety of styles, sizes and shapes. Knowing the envelope sizes helps make your regular and advertising mailing easier. For example, the number 10 envelope is only 9-1/2" wide, the 6-3/4 is only 6-1/2" wide.
Envelopes come with gum flap that is moistened to seal. Self Seal flaps are available either Flip and Seal or Peal and Seal. Examples are on my web site www.drsenvelopes.com Paper ranges from 20 lb wove and 24 lb wove in white or a variety of colors to 32lb brown kraft. The most common correspondence envelope is No. 10, (regular) 24 lb. white wove printed in the upper left hand corner in black ink. The No.10 envelope will hold up to 4 sheets of 8-1/2" x 11" standard 20 lb. paper with 2 folds comfortably.
Window envelopes are produced in the same sizes and configurations as regular envelopes with a standard window that measures 1-1/83 high by 4-1/23 wide placed 7/83 from the left side and 1/23 from the bottom. The envelopes come either gum flap or self seal. Note: Not all sized come Self Seal. Standard window envelopes are available plain or tinted inside in blue or black ink for greater security of your important documents.
Envelopes manufacturers supply double window envelopes to simplify placing checks and other items in the envelope eliminating printing the company name and address and addressing the envelope. There are many sizes and window positioning on double window envelopes. Make sure that the envelope you purchase fits the product you are going to insert.
Envelopes manufactures have dies to produce just about any size you need with almost any size window in the position require. The minimum order for custom regular or window envelopes is usually 10,000.
Standard business envelopes are usually offset printed in one color, 2 color 3 color or full color. Raised printing is thermography (not recommended since thermography will melt in high speed copiers or laser printers and can ruin your equipment). We recommend special raised printed envelopes that go under various names such as LaserRaised etc. The quality of LaserRaised is comparable to highly expensive engraved envelopes.
6-3/4 envelopes is the standard size for Business Reply. These envelopes can be manufactured either full face with your name and address printed on the face of the envelope or with a postage paid form on the face of the envelope. Check with your post office for the latest charges for postage paid envelopes. The post office will design the form for your envelope.
Stationery envelopes come in a variety of papers that match the sheet you are using. There are no standard stationery papers. You choose the paper, printing and color that represents your business. Standard weight for stationery paper is 24 lb. from manufactures such as Strathmore, Classic Laid or Linen and of course the most prestigious Crane Bond or Wove.
Standard size business and correspondence envelope:
#6-1/4
3-1/2 x 6 # 6-3/4
3-5/8 x 6-1/2 # 7
3-3/4 x 6-3/4 # 7-3/4 or Monarch
3-7/8 x 7-1/2 # 8-5/8 or Check
3-5/8 x 8-5/8 # 9
3-7/8 x 8-7/8 # 10
4-1/8 x 9-1/2 # 11
4-1/2 x 10-3/8 # 12
4-3/4 x 11 # 14
5 x 11-1/2
In our next article we will discuss Booklet, Open End, Tyvek and the new postal prices using size not weight.
For more info visit at http://www.myenvelopes.net.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sara_Warak

The Right Way to Answer Job Interview Questions

2009-01-12T00:44:00.001-08:00

The Right Way to Answer Job Interview Questions By Morgan Hamilton

To be honest, I have always disliked attending a job interview. I understand that they are a necessary evil, but I have always dreaded them. I think that it is all about showing that you are good or bad at job interviews, and not whether you are good at the job you're applying for. Some job interviewers approach the interview very scientifically. They read up on techniques and psychological profiling to help them in their task. You must know how to answer job interview questions if you are about to attend a job interview.
You have to master the art of telling people what you think they want to hear if you want to succeed at job interviews. You also have to exhibit a degree of honesty while you answer job interview questions. This is because we all exaggerate our experience and skills a bit from time to time.
You are walking on thin tight rope when you answer job interview questions. Interview questions tend to be designed to find out lots of contrary information. An interviewer may attempt to determine if you are good team player and if you also enjoy working alone. They would also be interested in finding out if you like to lead and if you are good at following instructions.
There’s a good chance that you will find it difficult to answer job interview questions if you are nervous and don't listen properly at job interviews. You have to swallow your nerves and listen intently when you are attending a job interview. Try to be calm and collected when you answer job interview questions.
You may have some success by doing some meditation exercises before going into the interview. Do not try the much-recommended technique of imagining the interviewer in his or her underwear. I tried this once and got a fit of the giggles. Unsurprisingly, I did not get the job. Try to think of it as a conversation between equals, rather than a job interview.
Applying for a job that you don’t really want is the worst situation in which to answer job interview questions. You will find it hard to answer questions about the reasons why you chose their particular company, if you have no real desire for the job. It is difficult to master the art of answering job interview questions. It is also hard to sustain trying to be who the interviewer want you to be, especially if you are facing a panel of interviewers.
Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Answer Job Interview Questions. Visit our site for more helpful information about Answer Job Interview Questions and other similar topics.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morgan_Hamilton

Get Hired Quick: First Know What Your New Boss is Thinking!

2009-01-08T19:18:00.000-08:00

Get Hired Quick: First Know What Your New Boss is Thinking! by By Darrell Z. DiZoglio

My resume clients often ask: "But how do I know what the boss is thinking and looking for?" Here is some insight from a hiring authority and recruiter you need to know to get hired. First of all if there is one talent most bosses have it is being skeptical, doubting and critical. They really need to be judgmental. The sooner they can size you up and dismiss you the sooner they can get back to their most pressing problems of the moment. Another talent they usually have besides delegation is keen observational judgment by actions and all evidence presented to them: Your actions, body language, posture, handshake, eye contact, dress, confidence, tone, enthusiasm, the evidence you present, reference letters, resume, cover letter, whether you are currently still employed, whether your cell phone rings during the interview, professional demeanor etc.
Sure some managers are promoted due to politics, family,relationships or the result of friendships, but one thing is for certain most hiring decisions are made in the first ten minutes of the interview. The remainder merely confirms their thinking was right. After all, what managers do you know without confidence? My sincere thanks to all the folks at Google, Business.com and Linkedin.com who made my researching a lot easier. The purpose of this free info article on how to get hired quick is to give you the scoop on exactly what key factors will get you hired. This way you can address them successfully in your interviews.
Most hiring decisions are based on the following key factors:
-Can they help me best with my most pressing problem?
-Did they bond with me better than others? (A key life skill)
-Did they prove to me they are talented with results?
-Did they prove honest? Good credit, References, education verified?
-Do they have white hot desire for the job?
-Are they loyal? Is their attitude an asset?
-Is my decision based on evidence? Have they proven their case?
-Is their required salary within our budget?
-Available for hire right now? How much notice do they need? (People who give a two week notice are kind, and my kind of people.)
-Did they ask intelligent questions during the interview?
-Do they have the required skills and experience to perform well?
-Will they fit in with our current team?
-What significant advantages does this candidate have over the rest?
-Will this candidate pass a drug test?
Now ask yourself: Am I currently addressing & proving myself in all these areas? Is my resume and cover letter also addressing all these concerns? Remember, your resume and cover letter is you on paper. Is yours getting you interviews?
About the Author
(c) 2009 by Darrell Z. DiZoglio of http://www.RighteousResumes.com a free info source for all job hunters. Reprint this article wherever useful provided my 2 links appear. Find Recession busting specials here: http://www.RighteousResumes.com/services.html and get real results from research, creativity, key words and know how. Thank you in advance for forwarding this article to friends, colleagues, newspapers, magazines, article directories, book publishers and webmasters.

CAREER CRUNCH?

2009-01-08T19:13:00.000-08:00

CAREER CRUNCH? by Corinne Mills

Just imagine your job goes tomorrow? What's your Plan B?
The last few months have seen unprecedented shifts in the financial markets. Many financial institutions have either gone under, become part state owned or chosen some unlikely bedfellows. One U.S. news anchorwoman commented "Who's merging next?
Goldman Sachs and House of Pancakes? " In more recent times, the dot.com bust and the aftermath of 9/11, there was uncertainty, but it affected particular sectors and their related suppliers. The current economic crisis has shaken to the rafters the very fundamentals of the business economy and no business or individual is immune. This unchartered territory makes life on the Board particularly challenging as we weigh up the threats to our company as well as the potential risks to our own career situation. What may be right for the organisation may not be right for you personally, particularly if your own job is affected by a potential merger or re-structuring?
So what happens if your job disappears overnight? Is it really any different from 12 months ago? The reality is that there are a number of significant changes which could affect your ability to find a new position, if it becomes necessary.
1. At one time, companies were generous in providing outplacement support to their senior staff on exit. This has changed. Individuals increasingly need to argue for this in their exit terms or organise it themselves. The danger is that you can be 6 months into a frustrating job search before you realise that professional career support is needed - by which time finances, confidence and marketability may have taken a hit
2. There will be increased competition from good candidates as organisations are forced to let go even their high-performing staff
3. Recruitment companies and head-hunters have less to offer as organisations delay hiring new staff and increasingly carry out their own search and selection
4. There is an increased risk that even if you are offered a job after what may be a lengthy interview process, it may be pulled at the last moment because of a recruitment freeze Is it all doom and gloom? Well, it's certainly tougher at the moment and will be for the foreseeable future. However, as in any crisis - and let's be clear - it really could be that bad - those who are proactive and prepared will fare better. So even if you feel safe at the moment, don't wait for change to be forced on you, start contingency planning now.
So how do you create your own Plan B?
1. Review your own requirements for a job and establish your wish list - the sector and type of company you want to work for, key responsibilities, salary, location etc
2. Research the market using adverts, on-line resources, head-hunters to establish which areas are in growth, what employers are looking for and what will give you a competitive advantage
3. Where there are any gaps between what you have and what the "market wants" - make sure you plug them! Identify any specific experience or training or qualifications that will help you and take steps to achieve these. It can sometimes be enough to be enrolled on a required course, even if you haven't finished it
4. Consider all of your options. Ask others for advice and suggestions as they often come up with good ideas that you may not have thought of yourself
5. Determine what your "offer" is. What impact have you made in your previous organisations? What can you do in the future to help organisations improve their position? Make this relevant to the market e.g. managing adverse economic conditions
6. Update your CV focusing on how you can add value to organisations and substantiating it by showing your track record of achievements
7. Network. Ensure that business contacts, related suppliers, customers, business associates etc are aware of your "offer" and keep the conversational door open should either of you want a more focused discussion at a later stage
8. Check your finances to ensure you know how long you could survive without an income - remember senior positions can take at least 6 months to fill. Also check the exit terms on your contract, including any restrictive clauses as forewarned is forearmed
9. Increase your visibility in your industry. Write articles, go to conferences, sit on joint working groups etc
10. Continue performing well in your current role and make sure that you communicate any successes internally as well as externally
The key factors for success in managing your career, even during an economic crisis, are being clear about what you want next, your ability to articulate verbally and in writing how you can add value and knowing how you can use other people for contacts, suggestions and information.
Using specialist career management services can also be a tremendous help in achieving all of the above.
Many people find it challenging to retain objectivity in their own career situation. The advice and support of a career coach can be particularly beneficial in helping you make informed decisions, finely hone your selling skills and jump over the recruitment hurdles more quickly than you are likely to do on your own.
It's going to be a rocky road ahead but if "push" turns to "shove" then at least you are prepared.
About the Author
Corinne Mills is MD of Personal Career Management. He regularly contributes article on career counselling, career transition. To know more visit http://www.personalcareermanagement.com/

Understanding Yourself is the Key to Interview Success

2008-12-27T20:36:00.000-08:00

Understanding Yourself is the Key to Interview Success By Benjamin Wise

Understanding yourself is the key to interview success. When you go on a job interview you are in essence selling yourself to your potential employer. You need to be well-prepared for your job interview. You need to have a clear and accurate picture of what qualifications and skills you have. Try writing down your qualifications and skills and memorizing them before you go on your job interview.
Knowing what strengths and weaknesses you have is essential on a job interview. Many interviewers will ask you the question what is your greatest strength and what is your biggest weakness?
The way that you answer this question will greatly affect the outcome of your job interview. You need to really think about this question before you go on your job interview.
Try to be very personal with your response so that the interview can connect with you and understand you better. Good answers for your greatest strength can include that you are efficient, responsible, prompt, and a hard worker etc. When you are asked about your biggest weakness you should be honest you could say that you are too organized or too structured.
A good interview is one that leaves the employer feeling like they have found someone special in a stack of similar resumes. Your answers need to connect with the interviewer so that you make a strong impression on them. You should be as thorough and descriptive as you can when describing yourself on an interview.
The main reason you go on a job interview is to show the employer who you are and what you bring to the table. You need to fully understand yourself and what positive attributes you would bring to the job position if the employer hired you.
You should come up with at least five positive attributes about yourself before your interview so that you have some talking points to discuss on your job interview. Hopefully, this article will help you understand yourself so that you will have interview success.
Learn How How Transform The Job Interview process into a step by step system to ace the interview and get that job
Learn The four essential elements that are more crucial than your job qualifications.
To learn more about getting the Job you want - select the following links.
To Read more helpful free job articles
click http://www.snagthatjob.com
Learn more about Employment Opportunities.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Benjamin_Wise

You Can Get Interviews: Use a Letter of Introduction

2008-12-15T18:00:00.000-08:00

You Can Get Interviews: Use a Letter of Introduction by Darrell Z. DiZoglio

Why use a letter of introduction? So you will get an invitation where you don't already have a strong contact. With all the press social networks get like facebook.com, myspace.com, brightfuse.com and linkedin.com you might think they are indispensable. Not me, first of all they are a lot of trouble to set up, get pictures for and maintain. Then too you become searchable on Google and visible to the whole public.
What if you like your privacy? I myself prefer the simple and direct approach just like nature. When you need a great new job all you need to do is ask for it. Now since we all do not practice networking much in real life. Do not just pick up the phone to ask for it, put it in writing.
I believe the shortest distance between any two points is a straight line. This is why I believe in letters of introduction, or cover letters as some folks call them. My dear reader hopefully this incredible technological revolution we have all entered has not caused your brain cells to stagnate. Let me make it clear a cover letter is a magical door opening introduction. No doubt it is a sales letter but it takes you and your career places that are usually inaccessible. However, a high quality creative cover letter is required to do this. You are addressing a key figure in your target industry remember.
The main purposes for the cover letter: It allows you access to perfect strangers, in companies where you do not have a contact. It acts like the sizzling plate of fajitas that passes you by at your local TGI Friday's Restaurant. It provides an irresistible essence of you and your skills to the right people who will be receptive to your talent. It provides a bit of insight to your true writing abilities, intelligence and creativity which could give you a significant edge over the competition. It allows you to address how you will solve the most pressing challenge that particular company has to face. Finally, it allows you to beat the usual stampede of applicants that otherwise would be your competition if you hadn't just finished first already.
Is it frustrating to show up at an employers HR department only to find out you have so much competition that interviews will end five days from now? Is it frustrating to see a stack of resumes six inches tall on your interviewers desk? Do they ask you for another copy of your resume since it will take too long to dig through that big stack on their desk? Would you believe you can by pass that needle in a haystack routine with eye popping cover letter? That is exactly what cover letters are for my friend. Occasionally, to test my new ideas and the current business climate I'll ask for feedback from a cover letter client. Recently we got five email responses & an interview invitation from a single cover letter. Who would have thought a great cover letter could get passed along with in a company even before your interview?
Not only have I heard stories of outstanding results from my clients in the resume writing business, I myself certainly have experienced them first hand. Once without warning, I was laid off work as a successful store manager after the Gordon's Jewelers merger with Zale Corp in 1989. I needed a good job quick and I was stuck in St. Albans, VT in the winter. Naturally, I wasn't going out to pound the pavement in -10 degree temperatures with a snow storm on the way. So I made an executive decision, I sent a few cover letters out. Two days later, I had an interview in Providence, RI at Tilden-Thurber Jewelers with both the CEO and owner together. After an hour of tough questions, I was hired.
Know this wasn't just any jeweler; this was the finest jeweler in all of RI and certainly one of the best in the entire nation. American Gem Society, in business since 1767, Ideal cut diamonds only, these were just a few of the things that made them so special. Honestly, I couldn't believe I was lucky enough to get an interview. But to by pass the HR department entirely and interview directly with the owner and the CEO that was monumental. Since I had no competition and was qualified, I was hired right on the spot. They did naturally, do a full background check before I started that was just routine though. Ever since my first experience with a cover letter, I have always used them and highly recommended them. In fact, in my own professional writing business they are always included with the price of a professionally written resume.
Keep in mind, the cover letter only was sent out. My resume only was shown at the interview. Should they ask though I will email it directly to them. My point is a well written cover letter that is tailored to each company's needs is your ticket to success. I am trying to open your mind up to a world of opportunity that exists outside of the help wanted ads. Many of the finest companies don't even use help wanted ads anyway.
In closing, if you would like to really advance your career, open your mind to all the possibilities and opportunity out there. Look beyond the help wanted ads which are mere fallen bread crumbs. You are invited to the unlimited abundance that the world has all around you. Welcome to your five star catered table Mr. Employee of the Year. We have been saving a chair for you thank goodness you sent us that cover letter a year ago. Yes Virginia, there really is opportunity everywhere all you have to do is ask. From Matthew 7:7 in the Bible: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you." Cover letters work and are time tested and proven.
Finally, if you are not skilled writing about yourself and more importantly selling yourself, you might want to leave the making yourself irresistible part to a professional writer. Remember cover letters should be custom tailored to each particular job target and company to have maximum impact. Resumes should follow this rule too. Would you as an employer find a generic resume and cover letter even mildly interesting? Do you know the hot button words that act like high powered magnets for employers? Do you have super editing and proofreading skills as your whole career is riding on your writing? If the answer is tentative, a maybe or no, ask for professional help. A wise man once said: "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."
About the Author
As a former Sales & Marketing Manager and Recruiter, I learned all the hiring secrets that worked. After all I was the one doing the hiring. I am sharing them with everyone go to: http://www.RighteousResumes.com
Want to know how the competition got the job you interviewed for? Go to: http://www.RighteousResumes.com/services.html

Choosing a Resume Service

2008-12-15T17:59:00.000-08:00

Choosing a Resume Service by Jason Kay

There is no doubt that we are in some of the toughest economic times that we have seen in more than 70 years. Rather than looking for people to hire, companies are laying people off in numbers not seen in 25 years. The unemployment level is now over 6% nationwide.
How do you find a job in these tough times? One of the most important things you can do for yourself is to update your resume. Experts suggest having a professional writer resume rather than trying to do it yourself.
Why Do You Need a Professionally Written Resume?
Face it. There is a lot of competition for the job you're seeking. Computer job classifieds don't cater to just a few people; instead, they leave the job openings for the entire public to view. If you want your resume to stand out in the crowd, it needs to be the best of the best. Unless, you know what you're doing, you may spoil your chances for getting an interview.
You may be tempted to pass on the idea of hiring a professional, because writing a resume seems so easy. Your word processing software has several different templates that you can modify for your own use. It seems like a good idea until you consider that everyone else has the same templates you want to use.
How Do You Find the Right Company?
There a lot of individuals operating freelance businesses that will write your resume for you. In addition to the individuals, there are also a lot of professional companies that produce professional resumes. How do you sort through all the propaganda offered by these services to find the gem at the bottom of the pile? Here are some strategies that should help you find the right service to produce your new resume.
• Does the professional have a website? If they are serious about producing resumes, then they should have a website detailing their credentials and the services that they provide. Look it over carefully. Does it impress you? If it does, then research further. If it turns you off, then look elsewhere.
• Is the professional a member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers? While it is not required to produce a quality resume, anyone who has the designation CP RW (Certified Professional Resume Writer) is serious about the resume business. If they care enough to maintain membership in the PA RW, then they will understand the latest and best information on how to make your resume stand out.
• Do they have samples of their work? Ask to review some samples of previous resumes on which they have worked. Ask if they have any testimonials from previous clients.
• Do they guarantee their work to be error-free? Any serious professional will guarantee that their work will be delivered error free.
• Price is important too. How much do they charge for their services, and what services do they provide for the price they charge? Will they provide you with a CD copy of your resume? Is the cover letter included?
Even though you find the best resume writer, you will still need to have the ability to adjust your resume on every job that you apply for. The changes you make will only need to be minor, but these days, you need to target your resume specifically for every job. That is one way to make it stand out from the crowd.
About the Author
Jason Kay recommends you read resume service reviews before choosing a resume writing service.

The 3 Steps Job Interview Success

2008-12-15T17:57:00.000-08:00

The 3 Steps Job Interview Success by Owaduge olumide

The latest report in the world over is that there is a great economic downturn in every country. Therefore it is no gainsaying that it is very difficult to get a job these days. Unemployment is on the increase as many companies are cutting jobs. In fact, just getting a job interview can be quite a challenge let alone getting the job itself. You need to make sure you do everything you can to make your cover letter and resume stand out amongst all other competitors. Unfortunately, eventhogh if you do that it still might not be enough to get an interview. Therefore, you must also use all of your contacts and connections to help you secure the interview. However, once you have landed a job interview closing the deal and securing yourself the job goes a long way beyond just answering the interview questions correctly. Whether you get your dream job or not will depend on how you present yourself during the interview. I'm mean how you present yourself through your body language, the way you respond to questions, your mannerisms, your dress etc. Many people do not spend much time preparing for job interview. And the few that do prepare most of the time usually focus solely on how to answer the job interview questions. While that is important there is much more to it if you want to truly secure yourself the position. If you truly want to get yourself that dream job of yours, you need to go the extra mile. Bellow is some of the things you should consider:
1. Getting the Interview If you really want to get the job and want to get a call for an interview then your resume should stand out from the others. This include relevant information and highlight headings. In the beginning, include your career objective that describes your skills and qualities along with what you are looking for in the job. Make sure your resume, and particularly your résumé's objective, are very specific. In other words, you want to create a job-specific resume. A one-size-fits-all resume is NOT going to get you the job. You should also, print your resume on high quality paper and do not overcrowd it...make sure there is enough "white space" so your resume is easy to read.
2. Acing the Interview Once you have gotten a call for the interview you should start preparing for it right away. While preparing for the interview, remember the key things mentioned below. I. Be optimistic, self confident, and believe in yourself during the interview and tell yourself you are the one for the job. II. Remember, you are a salesman and the product is YOU! You are going to the interview to market yourself and this will definitely determine your future. III. Your first impression is the last one, so dress appropriately and watch out for any bad speaking habits you might have (too many hand gestures, biting nails, cracking knuckles etc.) IV. From the beginning of the interview be yourself and speak about your skills that specifically match the job you are interviewing for. V. Take your time to answer the questions...think about what you are going to say before you say it. VI. Do not lie. This will come back to haunt you later. VII. Ask questions during the interview. However, do not ask unrelated questions...that may turn out to be an interview killer.
3. Following up on the Interview At the end of the interview you should ask when you should expect to hear from them about the position. The very next day you should send a hand-written thank you note on professionally monogrammed paper to each person on the interview committee. Mention something specific from the interview in your thank you note so your interview stands out from the others. Wait a couple of days and then send an email...follow that up with a phone call etc. When the competition is tough it is often times the person who follows through that gets the job. With so much competition out there getting a job these days can be tough. The people who get the jobs are the ones who think of it as a three step interview process...getting the interview, acing the interview, and following up on the interview.
About the Author
No one will even look at your resume if your cover letter sucks! To discover some of the greatest... Owaduge olumide is an expert author,an article writer cum ace infopreneur.You can learn more on how you can be happy doing your job here: www.mydreamjob.tk

Are You Ready For Your First Job?

2008-12-15T10:36:00.000-08:00

Are You Ready For Your First Job? by Wei King

Perhaps you are just a young student, but you need more money to afford your life, so you may want to find a proper job. However, don't be so impatient to find a job, you should think if you have good ability for job.
Good communication skills. Communication skills are important for any jobs, good communication skills allow a person to express themselves in words, speech, or writing so others can understand them. if a person doesn't have good communication skills they have trouble expressing their thoughts, emotion, and opinions. Some of us may be smart, but when it comes down to the real world, Good communication is the key to success. Why with today's use of computers it seems that people are lacking this skill more and more by the day.
The best way to better communication is simple: practice, practice, practice. Many people are so used to simplistic internet lingo that it is hard to communicate professionally. Reading books is also helpful to increase vocabulary.
Good learning ability. Good learning ability can make you progress well. There are many ways to improve your learning ability. Boost your interest because this is the only key to give your full capacity. Try to develop motivation because this will keep you working in spite of difficulties and hindrances. Do your best and always realize that you have to pay for the price it costs after all it is you who will gain. Read books and apply them to your life feeling that it is such an enjoyment. Listen to the others' advices and whatever criticism they would give just accept it and think that it is for your improvement. Learn to socialize with different kinds of people for learning from others is greater than learning with the books. Remember that iron can only be sharpen by an iron also just like man is being sharpened by his fellow. And lastly be open to all opportunities that would challenge you to strengthen your ability.
Teamwork skills. In graduate school and on the job, students will be working as groups, and many jobs require you have teamwork & social skills, such as at Mcdonalds, good teamwork skills is a must. What is the most effective method of improving teamwork effectiveness? Aside from any required technical proficiency, a wide variety of social skills are desirable for successful teamwork, including listening, discussing, questioning, persuading and so on. Also you can try to get your head out of the class room and think how this stuff would work in the real world. Giving a presentation on team work will be ineffective if the concept of team is not evident in in the way you conduct your business, make it flow through your work unit.
Job interview skills. You must know some important job interview skills. First and foremost: proper preparation prevents poor performance! Go over some interview questions out loud with yourself. Make sure to shake everyone's hands when you meet them and when you leave; thank them as well. Greet people by their names when they are introduced to you.
Make sure you thoroughly understand the position you are applying for as well as the department it is in. Read up on the company at their website; be familiar with their work; you may even be able to see pics of their staff and maybe even the person/people you will be interviewing with. This is really helpful because their faces will be familiar to you when you meet them; calms the nerves a bit.
About the Author
Wei King is a webmaster, his website offers information about Jobs for 14 Year Olds & Jobs for 15 Year Olds, if you are 14 or 15 years old, and you want to find a job, watch his articles, these articles will help you.

Here's How You Can Run An Employee Background Check Or Criminal Background Check On Anyone

2008-12-15T10:33:00.000-08:00

Here's How You Can Run An Employee Background Check Or Criminal Background Check On Anyone by Glen Pearson

Any employer should make sure to include employee background checks in their hiring process. These checks allow employers to have a perfect method for finding out background information about all their applicants. It's information you wouldn't get otherwise! This can be an important step in finding out if someone is the right person for the position.
Employers who decide to skip this important step almost always end up regretting it later. Just running an ordinary background check could allow you to get a full list of information on someone's history. No matter what they did, where they lived, or who they worked for, you'll know about it.
This could be a big help when the time comes to make your decision. Just doing a simple employee background check could help you find an amazing amount of information. It's sad, but some applicants lie on their resumes about previous jobs, or don't mention previous criminal convictions. While you might have hired them if they'd come clean, turning up the information on a background check tells you they're dishonest, and you avoid making a big mistake.
Of course, employers aren't the only people who can get a lot out of running a background check. Run one on yourself if you're applying for a job, too. That'll tell you what might come up in an interview, and even some things you might have forgotten about your past.
Having your background report on hand before the interview lets you anticipate any and all questions, and you'll be able to decide what the best response is to all of them. You'll also get a better idea what your potential employer does and does not know about you.
Not sure how to run an employee background check?
This process is now a lot easier than it used to be. Everything can be done online, and there's no need to hire any kind of investigative service.
That's because the Internet contains a number of companies that have put together full background databases on almost everyone. Just log into the site, enter the name you want to inquire about, and you'll get all the information available on that person.
You will pay a small fee for the service, but it's worth it. You have two basic options - paying once for a single background check, and again for each subsequent one, and paying a flat membership fee for unlimited checks. Since the membership is usually only about two or three times what a single report costs, it's the best idea for employers.
Keep in mind that you can use this same process anytime you want to look into someone's background - not just for an employee background check. Whether you need to run a criminal background check on someone or are curious about somebody's past, this will help you get the answer you want.
Any company that's trying to find the right people for their positions should make sure to do background checks on all applicants. This screening process is inexpensive, easy, and effective.
About the Author
Your personal background check report will include full information about anyone's past and will be instantly displayed on your computer screen. Click Here to run a free sample background check report to see how this works.....

Basic Job Interview Skills for Teens

2008-12-08T11:21:00.000-08:00

Basic Job Interview Skills for Teens by Wei King

Interview is very important for teens to get a job successfully, following job interview skills are basic and important, read carefully and keep them in mind, they will help you pass the interview.
Be honest and be yourself. Dishonesty gets discovered and is grounds for withdrawing job offers and for firing. You want a good match between yourself and your employer. If you get hired by acting like someone other than yourself, you and your employer will both be unhappy. Do expect to be treated appropriately. If you believe you were treated inappropriately or asked questions that were inappropriate or made you uncomfortable, discuss this with a Career Services advisor or the director.
Prepare, prepare, prepare! Find out as much as you can about the program and prepare some insightful questions to ask in the interview that will differentiate you from the other candidates. Prepare good answers to standard interview questions such as "Why should we employ you?". Prepare for possible behavioral questions that explore relevant competencies for this job such as initiative and judgment.Have an interview portfolio ready that contains employment references and appropriate work samples.
What to wear. I was a human resources manager before I became a stay at home mommy, so I have interviewed MANY teenagers. Wear your dress pants and long sleeved shirt, if thats all you have. NO jeans, no capris, no tees of any kind. Hopefully the interview will be conducted inside in air conditioning. If need be, wear a tank top underneath while driving to the interview, and put the dress shirt on in the car if you want to be fresh and not too hot. Otherwise, try borrowing a short sleeved, button up and higher necked blouse from a friend or family member and wear with your dress pants. I have interviewed many people who were not dressed appropriately, and was very distracted by it. First impressions are everything.
Body language. Smiling will send good messages to the interviewer. Don't smile too big or too much b/c that's just plain cheesy & he or she will think you're fake. Nodding a lot shows agreement & understanding. Sit up tall, feel on the ground, shoulders back and hands folded on the table in front of you. Make sure your clothes fit well & your hair is done nicely & out of your face. You don't want to be making any adjustments or seem distracted by your own clothing/hair decisions.
About the Author
Wei King is a webmaster, his website offers information about Jobs for 14 Year Olds & Jobs for 15 Year Olds, if you are 14 or 15 years old, and you want to find a job, watch his articles, these articles will help you.

How to write a CV that will get you an interview

2008-12-01T10:55:00.000-08:00

How to write a CV that will get you an interview by Perry Kramer

How to write a CVWhether finding a new job is your top priority or something you have just started thinking about, you will find that there are plenty of reasons to stop and consider how effective your CV is. Your first and only chance to catch the eye of a recruiter or a human resources department,yours CV is in many cases.
It does need to be in top form. You will find that knowing how to write a CV is a powerful tool that can help you secure the interviews that will get you where you want to go,in today's job market.
Find out the correct CV layout for the industry you plan to apply for when you start thinking about how you're going to put together your CV. You want to make sure that it paints a strong picture of who you are and what you can do for them as an employee,and you want a CV that will put you and your accomplishments forward in the best possible light.
The most common type is a chronological CV which provides a list of your prior jobs in order by date for a period of time. A functional CV outlines your strengths, is perfect for your needs especially if there are gaps in your employment. A combination of these two styles is ideal,you may find that.
When you are looking at how to write up a CV, you need to make sure that you think all of the major parts of it. Typically, you start off with a general summary or an aspiration in less than a few sentences. You should list the positions you held and your responsibilities you had while holding them, however if you are building a functional resume you need to think about different segments for your different types of skills. Next, list your formal education and, if applicable, certifications, then contacts or references.
Knowing how to build a good CV is imperative to the success on the job hunt. This will be the information that gets you into an interview where you will figure out that your CV is an important mirror to the person you are and that now you can prove what you can give to the company. Your CV should not contain your complete personal history, it should give a prospective employer what he needs to know to employ you.
Make sure that you are getting the right information across,when you are looking at how to write a CV. This is your best shot at getting you the job you are after, so give it the time it deserves.
There are less jobs to go around and far more people competing for each and every job,with the Credit Crunch. An well written CV makes you stand out from the crowd and makes all the difference to get an interview.Visit here for additional free information about How to Write a CV. http://www.topcv.co.uk.
About the Author
Perry Kramer writes regularly about business related topics. I hope you enjoy this article.

Basics of the recruitment process

2008-11-28T09:24:00.001-08:00

Basics of the recruitment process by martin ward anderson

Some people may not have used Recruitment companies before whether they are the traditional walk in office companies or the newer online job sites. So we thought we would take a look at the recruitment process that you can expect with any reputable recruitment company. There are various ways that recruitment companies can source candidates, these included job boards, advertising, headhunting, sponsorship and networking. Different job types and industry sectors will require different types of sourcing. For example high up management jobs will more likely use the headhunting approach rather than the candidate submitted their CV. Once a candidate has been found, they will go through a screening process before being added to a recruitment company's database. This will include initial telephone interviews, face to face interviews competition of forms and proving you are eligible to work and who you are, submitting your CV and giving references. Most companies will have highly trained consultants who will interview you and assess what type of jobs you are suited for and have the right skills for. A lot of time and effort will be placed into this as they have a reputation to maintain and will not want to send unsuitable candidates. References are an important part of recruitment as the companies need to assess your experience from previous jobs. These references will usually involve phone conversations especially for higher profile jobs, but written references will be used when these aren't available. References will be used to establish your background, quality of work, integrity, relationships with previous work mates and the reason you left. As well as references, recruitment companies will also check up on criminal convictions, eligibility to work, qualifications and disabilities. Once all this has been established it is time to match you up with the right employers and job sectors. This will vary with different types of recruitment companies, but will usually involve matching job seekers up to the most suitable job types using written job briefs provided by the employers looking for candidates. A interview will usually take place with the recruitment company to establish a candidates suitability before they are even sent for an interview with the company. Before sending a candidate for an interview, a good recruitment firm will brief them on the employer they will be visiting. This will include the company history, what they do, culture, responsibilities and what the job will entail. This process will hopefully help raise any questions a candidate will have and also give them the information they need to make a great impression. The next stage is the all important job interview where the candidate will be assessed to see if they are right for the job. Depending on the employer and role, this may involve various stages of interviews and assessment. The final part of the recruitment company will be candidate feedback, where they will talk to the candidates and give them constructive feedback from the companies so the candidate can hopefully improve for the next post they apply for. Hopefully this article has cleared up some of the mysteries behind the recruitment process.
About the Author
This article was written on behalf of Martin Ward Anderson who provide financial recruitment for public sector jobs, jobs in finance such as accountant jobs.

Top Six Job Search Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

2008-11-28T09:12:00.000-08:00

Top Six Job Search Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them) by Jason Kay

Many job seekers think that whether they land a new position is a matter of luck: it's good luck if they're hired, and it's bad luck if they're not. The truth is that what separates successful job hunters from unsuccessful ones often is a question of preparedness, persistence, and hard work. A little common sense never hurt, either. Below are the biggest mistakes that people make when looking for a new job--and how you can avoid them:
• Leaving your current job before lining up something else. This isn't a good idea even in a thriving job market, but it's an especially bad idea in an uncertain economy. No matter how irritating your co-workers are or how obnoxiously your boss behaves, stick it out until you land something new. Just think of your daily grind as motivation to find a great new gig. The caveats: if something illegal is going on or your office is toxic to your health, get out now and wait tables for a while if you have to.
• Not taking the search seriously. Too many people who say they're looking for a new job take fail to approach it as the serious endeavor that it is. They send out an "okay" resume that they've had for 10 years, don't bother to proofread their cover letter for errors, or flake on sending a thank-you note after an interview. A job hunt is important, and you don't want to burn bridges with potential employers because you're too lazy to put in some effort. The solution? Get serious! Print out your resume and cover letter on high-quality paper, update your resume every few months, and contact the people you plan to list as professional references so they aren't caught off guard when a hiring manager calls them.
• Lying on paper or in an interview. You were just a few credits shy of graduating from college, but that's close enough, right? Wrong. Most of us don't fudge on the big stuff--like fabricating degrees or places of employment--but many job hunters blur the line of truth when it comes to responsibilities they've had or skills they've mastered. Don't risk it. If you don't have the experience you need to land the job you want, work on getting it, rather than making it up.
• Not keeping your network up to date. The worst time to realize you've let your network disappear is when you want (or need!) to look for a new job. Think of your network of contacts, associates, and mentors as a sort of life raft for those unexpected moments that pop up in everyone's career. When you tend to those relationships with periodic phone and email check-ins, coffees, and the occasional lunch, you're maintaining a valuable pipeline that can come in handy when you need to know where the jobs are--fast. If you've let things slide in that area, pick up the phone and ask a few people if they'll have coffee with you. They may be able to help you, but if they can't today, don't make the mistake of letting the relationships lapse again. You never know when you might need their help.
• Not telling the employer what's in it for them. You've got a car payment due in two weeks. You want a better title. You need health insurance. All of these are great reasons to look for a new job, but they aren't great reasons for someone to hire you. See the difference? An employer wants to hear what kind of value you'll bring to the company and why she should take a chance on you, rather than the other 50 candidates. Think about what you bring to the table, and then sell it.
• Leaving the rest up to fate. Your great resume got you an interview, and the interview went well. While you may be tempted to simply wait by the phone until you hear from the company, there's still plenty you can do. First, send a thank-you note to everyone you talked to (within one day of the meeting). Thank them for their time and let them know that you're available if they want to meet with you again. Second, follow up with anyone who may still have influence over whether you get the job. Let your references know they may be getting a call and thank them for agreeing to put in a good word for you. If you have a professional contact within the company, thank them for their help in learning about the opening, securing the interview, etc. Lastly, if you haven't heard from the company in a while, it's okay to place a brief phone call letting them know you're still very interested
About the Author
Jason Kay recommends that you learn more job search strategies at JobGoRound.com

Know the Time-frame of Interviewer's Questions

2008-11-18T11:19:00.001-08:00

Know the Time-frame of Interviewer's Questions by Nisha Acharya

It is necessary for the employees to know about the time-frame of the interviewer's questions because as the interview progresses the time-frame of the questions may depict the outcome. If the interviewer's questions revolve around your past, then the chances are less for you to win this particular one. On the other hand, the more the time-frame of the questions moves from the past to the future, the more favourably you may assume the interview is going for you.
When you realise that the interview is going favourably for you, the time-frame of the interviewer's questions will gradually move similar to the following example-
Where did you attend school? (Distant past)
Tel me about your most recent job? (Immediate past)
What kind of a job are you looking for? (Present)
Would you be able to come back for another interview next week? (Immediate future)
Where would you like to be five years from now? (Distant future)
During an interview when you identify that the interviewer's questions are moving into the future, then this is the right time for you to get more specific about that job. Many experts have suggested that at that point, you may ask some of the following questions-
1. What is the job, specifically, that I am being considered for?
2. If I were hired, what duties would I be performing?
3. What responsibilities would I have?
4. Would I be working with a team or group? To whom would I report?
5. Whose responsibility is it to see that I get the training I need, here, to get up to speed?
6. How would I be evaluated, how often, and by whom?
7. What were the strengths and weaknesses of previous people in this position?
8. May I meet the persons I would be working with and for (if it isn't you)?
The mechanisms by which human nature decides to hire someone are similar to the mechanisms by which human nature decides whether or not to marry someone. Those mechanisms are impulsive, intuitional and at times non-rational. So it is advisable for the interviewees to identify the time-frame of the interviewer's questions to know where the interview is heading and act accordingly.
About the Author
Nisha Acharya is a blogger who frequently writes on various topics. Find more of her career tips and advice.

Strategies For Getting a Job

2008-11-18T11:18:00.001-08:00

Strategies For Getting a Job by Peter Garant

It's the question that everyone is always asking: How does one find a job these days? The second question is how do I get this or that company to recognize my talents? To help you land some work, you need to spend time planning your overall approach.
Tip 1: ask yourself what you want to do
Don't just go around looking for the highest paying job you can find; you need to also ask yourself exactly what it is you want to do with your career. Take a few moments and think about exactly what you want to do. What is your goal? Once you have figured it out, then you can start looking for that post.
Tip 2: spend some time working on your resume
First impressions are extremely important, and that means you need to plan and design your resume well. Regardless of the format that you use, the following are very important and must be considered at all time.
1. Do not make it too long; usually one page is enough.
2. Do not write any long winded paragraphs; just list down your previous working experience, your skills, the positions you held etc. Again, do not lump them together, but use a bullet to separate each.
3. Stick to the facts: most employers will check out your background, so don't put anything there that cannot be verified. Also, if you say that you are able to do something that in reality you cannot, you might get in trouble if you are assigned that task.
At the same time, you must not and cannot afford to sell yourself short. Highlight any awards, recognitions that you have gotten, and also point out your strengths.
4. Check your spelling and grammar. If a job applicant cannot even take the time to double check and clean up a resume, how can that person claim to be reliable?
5. If you are unsure of how to design your job resume, there are several online samples that can help. Check them out, and make any modifications that you see fit.
Preparing for that Job Interview
The following should help when you are going on a job interview.
Tip 1: Do some research on the company you are applying for. It's very likely that you will be asked questions regarding the company's vision or product, so be sure to have an answer.
Tip 2: Practice: you need to work on this carefully. Stand before a mirror, and start rehearsing. Watch your facial reactions, any mannerisms, the tone of your voice etc. You need to sound confident, but without coming across as being arrogant.
Tip 3: Be on time for the interview. The importance of this cannot be overstated.
Tip 4: Be polite but at the time, try not to be too condescending; while you may want to sound professional, you shouldn't be too rigid; be conversational. In other words, act naturally.
Finally, don't be discouraged if you don't get a job right away. Keep working on your skills, and sooner than later you'll find yourself with that dream job.
About the Author
Peter Garant is writing articles about how to find a job for a site about How to Write a Resume

The Speaking Channel Makes Public Speaking Nothing To Fear

2008-11-18T11:16:00.002-08:00

The Speaking Channel Makes Public Speaking Nothing To Fear by TJ Walker

If you asked a group of random people to list their greatest fear, for many it would be a fear of public speaking. Yet in so many walks of life ranging business presentations to job interview to sales training exercises and some other variations on the theme, we are called upon to do just that. At the Speaking Channel, our mission is to deliver you from your fears and help you to master the art of public speaking. Improve your public speaking through better speech writing, and master the art of the presentation so well that you may even become a motivational speaker some day. We've seen it happen, and it can happen to you!
The Speaking Channel is a meeting place of sorts, an online home for communities to meet and offer speech writing tips, motivational speaking tutorials, comprehensive sales programs, job interview tips, media training programs, and much more. Purchase products related to the subject of your interest, watch educational videos that break down and explain public speaking techniques, speak to other like minded individuals on our message boards, and begin to build the skills you need to excel in your particular public speaking situation.
One of the great aspects of the Speaking Channel is that it sheds light on how many situations and scenarios, personally, professionally or otherwise, involve a need for public speaking. By exposing yourself to the resources available on the Speaking Channel, you'll realize that you're not alone in your fear of public speaking. Secondly, you'll realize that overcoming your fear is simply a matter of applying tried and true techniques. By zeroing in on their specific needs as it applies to their personal or professional situation and applying practical steps to the problem, every day people just like you come to the realization that they are capable of making that speech or presentation they've consistently lived in fear of.
If you've never imagined yourself as a first-rate public speaker, perhaps it's time that you did. Learn the ins and outs of public speaking from A to Z, as well as how to give a successful and persuasive business presentation, speech writing, and much more. At the Speaking Channel it's all about communication. If you find your communication skills lacking just remember that you're not alone. Think of it as a support group for your public speaking skills, and get to work on bringing those skills to life.
About the Author
Speaking Channel TV's founder, TJ Walker, began media training in 1984 and is the media columnist for Investor Relations Magazine (www.irmag.com), the leading publication in the investor relations field.

Mastering The Art Of The Job Interview

2008-11-18T11:16:00.001-08:00

Mastering The Art Of The Job Interview by TJ Walker

Many jobs require employees to give business presentations, participate in sales training exercises, engage in speech writing, and otherwise participate in activities that activate their fear of public speaking. Before we are allowed to engage in these activities however, we are forced to engage in perhaps the most crucial public speaking forum any of us will face, the job interview. At the Speaking Channel we can help you prepare for this make or break moment, and give you the tips you need to prepare a proactive and confidence-laden approach that belies your fears and gives you the best chance possible for landing the position on your radar.
So much goes into a job interview, much of which we often overlook. From pre-interview preparation to knowing not only how to answer questions but also what types of questions to ask of your interviewer, we can help you every step of the way. Are you certain you know the ins and outs of proper attire and basic interview etiquette? Will you remember the crucial and often overlooked step of following up with a hand written thank you note to your interviewer? The simplest steps can mean the difference between making it to that second interview and eventually landing the job or not. Once you've visited the Speaking Channel, you'll be in the cat bird's seat in terms of preparation.
Our "Workplace" Hub provides a space for employees to work on the skills that will allow them to get ahead in a competitive corporate world, including mastery of our current subject during the job interview. We offer a host of instructional videos and tips that address interviewing techniques, preparation, follow-up, and more. Furthermore, you'll find a host of tools related to honing your communications skills and overcoming any fears of public speaking or public presentations you may be experiencing. When you think about it, you'll never have a more important business presentation than the one that sells yourself. By being prepared and applying practical, proven techniques, you can erase the fear and put your best foot forward every time.
How do you get the job of your dreams? By being prepared the moment the opportunity arrives. There is nothing worse than exiting a job interview knowing you could have done better with a little due diligence. Let the Speaking Channel share tried and true techniques that will prepare you for every eventuality, and make your next job interview the best one you've ever had.
About the Author
Speaking Channel TV's founder, TJ Walker, began media training in 1984 and is the media columnist for Investor Relations Magazine (www.irmag.com), the leading publication in the investor relations field.

How To Create A Resume

2008-11-18T11:14:00.000-08:00

How To Create A Resume by Mark Whitner

There are several thoughts about how to create a resume. One resume does not serve well for all job applications. Your resume should showcase skills and experience that would be appropriate for the job you desire to obtain. Your list of previous jobs do not have to go all the way back to your first junior high paper route, but give a good list that shows solid employment and/or schooling experience. If there are gaps, it may be necessary to provide an explanation, but not necessarily within your resume. Save explanations for your interview. In designing a resume, there are two major formats: skills and experience. The skills resume is organized to show your accumulated groups of skills, such as management, creative, or organizational experience. An experience resume will be chronological, from recent job to previous list of jobs backwards. The skills resume is useful if you have gaps in time between jobs, or if you lack longevity in your job history. All resumes should contain the following information: Name, address, contact phone or cell numbers Objective: what you are seeking from this job - advancement, utilization of your skills, etc. Employment History - previous job history, with each listing including position, skills used, brief job description, dates of employment, contact person at that job for reference Educational History - college or technical schooling, high school. Include special projects or courses, leadership positions you held while in school References - personal and business. These can be "upon request" also. If you have a short job history, focus on skills and special qualifications, and leadership. If you have a long job history, you do not have to list every job, but include a note regarding previous jobs not listed. An important point with how to create a resume is to keep it short, one page if possible. This is because resumes are looked at quickly, and you only have seconds to make your impression. Employers do not want to wade through long, wordy resumes. Many employers today want electronic submissions and will not accept a mailed resume. Design a concise email resume. Pinpoint skills and reasons why you are the ideal candidate. If they want to know more, you will be contacted and can then submit more details. Master how to create a resume, and you will get contacts. Then, shine so brightly that they want to know more about you. For more information on how to create a resume, please visit http://www.EasyResumePro.com
About the Author
"Expert Resume Writing" ebook is filled with practical tips that will help you avoid the common mistakes job-seekers often make when writing their resumes - saving you valuable time and money and putting you on the absolute surest path to landing your dream job.

The Benefits of Using a Recruitment Agency to Find You a Job

2008-11-18T11:11:00.000-08:00

The Benefits of Using a Recruitment Agency to Find You a Job by Gen Wright

Are you feeling tired and frustrated after seeing no results from your job hunting efforts? You attend interview after interview, and you wait patiently day by day to receive a phone call from an employer with good news. But the call never came. Soon, your patience starts to wear thin, and you feel tired and frustrated. Perhaps even a tad angry that you didn't get the job you feel you deserve. Maybe a job recruitment agency can help.
Job recruitment agencies have active customer bases. Their customers are the employers. Whenever someone recommended by the recruitment agency is hired, the agency gets paid a commission. The amount of commission depends of private agreements between the employer and the agency. In other words, the primary function of the job agency is to serve the human resource needs of the organization. The faster the agency finds the right match, the faster they get paid.
So in order to make the right match quickly, job agencies are known to keep a database of potential candidates. When a job opportunity arises, the recruitment agency will attempt to contact job candidates to see if they are still looking for a job. If these candidates are still available, and if they have the right qualifications, they may be called in by the agency for a quick interview. In some cases, the positions are so urgent that the agency will conduct the interview over the phone, and send the candidate directly over.
If you are feeling frustrated because your job hunting efforts haven't been fruitful, try contacting a recruitment agency. For all you know, your dream job may just be sitting around waiting for the ideal candidate - you!
As the job seeker, you do not have to pay any fees when you engage the services of a recruitment agency. The employers are the ones who pay the agencies, not you. The agencies will also do all the coordination work for you. If you have the right qualifications, they will fix up the interview appointment for you, and let you know the date and time. Top recruitment agencies may even call you up after an interview to find out if an interview went smoothly or not.
If an interview is unsuccessful, the recruitment agency will then look at other opportunities to see if there is a good fit for you. This process continues until the agency matches you with a job.
When you contact a recruitment agency, bear in mind that you have to play your part as well. Make the job of the recruitment agency easier by providing them lots of useful information about yourself. For example, testimonials from previous employers will help. Also, help them see how you qualify for certain jobs. Perhaps you have been taking private classes. Or maybe you find yourself having a strong passion for certain types of jobs. Make such information known to the recruitment agency. They will be better equipped to help promote you when they speak with the employers.
If you can do that, you are ready to enjoy the full benefits provided by recruitment agencies.
About the Author
As one of the UK's leading senior appointment agencies, Strategic ICT can help you are your company recruit staff to suit your needs. Strategic ICT are a recruitment agency in manchester. They regular provide staff in positions such as Web Managers and Head of operations positions

Why should I go on a Legal Careers Workshop?

2008-11-18T11:09:00.000-08:00

Why should I go on a Legal Careers Workshop? by Jonathan Fagan

Ten Percent Legal Recruitment is running Legal Careers Workshops in London on Tuesday 16th December for law students and graduates, or anyone wanting to get into the legal profession. It has been suggested by commentators that attending this sort of workshop could be constituted as cheating to get ahead in the legal profession, as they offer the course delegates an insight into recruitment and legal job interviews. The day starts at 10am, finishes at 5pm and is probably the most intensive course you can think of to fit everything relating to starting your legal career into one day and to keep the cost affordable to law students and graduates. In a nutshell it is seven hours of information and practice to ensure that you get the best shot at starting your legal career.Timetable:9.45 am Registration and refreshments10 am Assessment Day Workshop11.15 am Break for refreshments11.30 am Interview Workshop1 pm Lunch (provided)1.45 pm CV Workshop3 pm Break for refreshments3.15 pm Covering letter workshop3.45 pm Application form workshop4.30 pm General career and individual questionsThe course covers just about every aspect of applying for legal work, going for interviews and assessments and securing a training contract or pupillage, vacation placement post, work experience, paralegal or fee earning work or a mini-pupillage.We have been coaching law students and lawyers for over eight years. We currently provide careers workshops at Huddersfield University for their LPC students, and responses to date have been very favourable. Feedback can be seen here:- http://www.hud.ac.uk/hubs/news/school/school_news_95.htm The course will be run by Jonathan Fagan who is a well-known commentator on legal recruitment and Managing Director of Ten Percent Legal Recruitment. Jonathan is a qualified solicitor & recruitment consultant, and personally coaches lawyers from law students up to senior partners. Ten-Percent Legal Recruitment has been around for a long time, and has over 5,000 solicitors registered, 2,000 legal executives, and over 6,000 law firms across the UK and worldwide have used our services. The course will essentially cover every angle we can think for each of the workshop sessions.A breakdown of the sessions is as follows:1. Assessment Day WorkshopAssessment days are a bit of an unknown for most people who have not been on one as they vary so widely between law firms and no-one ever explains what the firm or assessors are looking for. This can lead to all sorts of problems in terms of the way people present themselves when attending assessment days and candidates do not always do themselves justice. We look at each element of a typical assessment day, go through live exercises with you for each of these so that you can have a go at an assessment day scenario. It is the first workshop of the day and it will be a good simulation of a similar environment to a real assessment day. Get the nerves and the mistakes out of the way now so you are ready for the real thing..2. Interview WorkshopFor some assessment days, the interviews are held in the afternoon after a cull has been made at lunchtime. Interviews are one of the hardest parts of any training contract or job application as it is the one chance you have in a very short space of time to make an impression on your future employers. We conduct practice interviews with you and provide feedback as well as going through each type of question that could be put to you, so you can see the different ways of answering and also understand why questions are being asked. Full feedback is provided.3. CV WorkshopThe CV workshop will provide you with an assessment of your current CV and suggest ways of improving it. It is not just standard and general CV advice, the advice you receive will be specialist legal CV advice aimed at tailoring your CV according to your experience and background in a way that makes it stand out.At the same time, careers advice will be given as it is inevitable in most CVs that extra items are added, such as improving the amount of work experience you have or ensuring that you have presented your interests and activities in a way that employers will want to see. You must submit your CV to us 7 days before the course starts.4. Covering Letter WorkshopCovering letters are probably not as important as most people think, but there is still a way of writing them and we will go through this with you to ensure that you do not miss the opportunity to sell yourself a little bit more to a future employer.5. Application Form WorkshopThis workshop will cover all aspects of completing application forms and you can bring along your own to go through in the session. If you have any already, we can review them for you before you turn up to the session and go through any parts that need looking at in detail during our workshop.6. General Legal Careers Advice WorkshopDuring this session we will look at individual circumstances and talk through options available to you. It is also your chance to ask the course leader any questions you may have on legal careers and the legal profession. The day will also include unlimited numbers of tips for starting a legal career, dropped into the course where appropriate.By the end of the day, you should have gained an advantage over your peers as you will have a head start in knowing what is going to happen in an interview, how to handle assessment days, how to complete application forms, how to prepare your CV to and preparing covering letters.The usual cost of receiving individual Legal Career Coaching from Jonathan Fagan is at least £500. Our CV reviews start at £85, and our CV preparation service £154.99. For £150 + VAT you receive a full days worth of advice and practice.
About the Author
Jonathan Fagan is a solicitor (of the non-practising variety these days) and Managing Director of www.ten-percent.co.uk, legal recruitment consultants on the web. .

Top 3 Reasons to Use Affirmations While Job Hunting

2008-11-18T11:08:00.001-08:00

Top 3 Reasons to Use Affirmations While Job Hunting by Mary Klaebel

It's easy to get frustrated while job hunting. Every time you turn around, it seems like another roadblock appears. Maybe you didn't get a response after submitting your resume. Or the interview went well, then...nothing. Staying in the right frame of mind during these times is tough, but essential to your success.
Is there anything that can help?
Affirmations can. While there are any number of reasons to make affirmations part of your routine while job hunting, here are the top three:
1. Affirmations keep you focused.
If you are out of work, odds are you are faced with multiple challenges. You have to get the bills paid. You have to prepare resumes and cover letters. Then you have to submit them. Schedule interviews. The list is endless.
However, affirmations can help keep you focused throughout this turmoil. Repeating a phrase each day that reminds you of your purpose is a great way to make sure you keep your eyes on the right target most of the time.
2. Affirmations keep you positive.
Maintaining a healthy state of mind is crucial while job hunting. It's easy to get stuck in self-pity and depression. But these two are the enemies of success. What you need most, especially when the going is rough, is a positive attitude and forward thinking.
3. Affirmations keep you open.
As you continue your job search, you will encounter many unusual and new opportunities to use your best skills. While you want focus, a certain amount of flexibility is necessary, too.
For example, if you are a nurse, you want to stay open to more than working in a hospital. Instead, you might consider clinics, doctor's offices, schools and home health services in addition to hospital work. Each of these offers a wide range of opportunities to use your nursing skills.
So, even though your focus has to be clear, if it is too particular, you end up hurting your chances to find a great position.
About the Author
If you would like to find ready-to-use samples of affirmations for job hunting, or want to learn to create your own custom affirmations, Career-Tools-HQ offers both at http://www.career-tools-hq.com/affirmations.html.
Career Tools HQ is published by Mary Klaebel, a long time practitioner of affirmations. She loves helping others reach their goals and make their career dreams come true.

Resume Blunders - Tell the Truth About Your Degrees

2008-11-18T11:03:00.000-08:00

Resume Blunders - Tell the Truth About Your Degrees by Rebecca Metschke

You're a few credits shy of your MBA, and you're tempted to go ahead and list the degree as having been conferred on your resume. After all, the company you're interested in says they won't even interview anyone without an MBA; if you don't tell this white lie, it'll take a miracle to even get your foot in the door.
Don't do it. Degrees are easy to verify, and most companies (and certainly most recruiters) will take the time to validate your educational qualifications.
Say the company does have a strict MBA requirement. What's the point of getting past the initial barrier, making it through a round or two of interviews, and then being found out during a credential check? Not only will you not get the offer, the deception could harm you down the road. Things like that have a way of sticking with a candidate.
My advice - tell the truth.
If you're actively completing coursework, the solution is simple. List the university and date of graduation something like this:
MBA, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, to be conferred December 2008.
On the other hand, if you don't have the degree, let your experience make the case that the company should talk to you even though you're lacking one of the requirements. You never know how firm the prerequisite is. There can be any number of variables (for example, maybe they've had difficulty trying to find quality candidates) so go ahead and give it a shot without embellishment.
If you're working with a recruiter, it's her job to try to convince the hiring company to make an exception.
Of course, people do slip through and get hired using falsified resumes, though the truth tends to come out in the end - sometimes in spectacular fashion. Stories pop up in the news regularly about high-profile executives who find themselves in trouble when the world discovers they didn't really have the educational background they said they did.
It happened again recently when one of the most powerful figures in the gambling industry (the Chairman and CEO of the MGM Mirage) resigned as questions swirled about his academic credentials. His corporate biography indicated he'd received an MBA from USC, but a private fraud investigator found otherwise. Initially, MGM officials stood by their man - but the story wouldn't die.
Apparently, this exec then tried to explain it away by claiming he completed coursework toward the degree, left to go to work, and was later awarded an honorary MBA. A USC spokesperson, however, said the school hasn't awarded an honorary MBA since 1933 - and they've only awarded five in their history.
And so a seemingly tiny lie, unquestioned for so many years, comes back with a vengeance.
Don't set yourself up for this kind of a fall. Do yourself a favor; tell the truth.
About the Author
Rebecca Metschke helps professionals seeking a competitive advantage in today's global economy. Her book, The Interview Edge, is available online at http://www.TheInterviewEdge.com. You can find more info on career strategies and other helpful tips and advice at The Interview Edge blog.

Secrets For Writing A Resume That Gets The Interview

2008-11-18T11:02:00.000-08:00

Secrets For Writing A Resume That Gets The Interview by Joel Carlson

For many individuals, the resume will be the first contact between you and your new employer. Considering that this is your first chance to make a good impression, it only makes sense to look into writing the perfect resume for the situation at hand. While many individuals will simply make one resume and distribute them amongst many potential employers, for the truly dedicated, producing a custom resume for each specific employer is critical to ensuring job placement. With the focus on running a perfect resume, the customized nature of each document will work wonders for the success of the applicant at each specific employer. This type of focus will pay off in big dividends with a better job and more rapid promotion, as the resume will get you deeper into the type of employment that you are seeking. In this manner, you can tailor your resume for the exact company and position that you are hoping to attain, rather than put out a blanket resume for multiple positions. This will increase your chances of gaining the interest of each individual employer, rather than being just another face in the pile of resumes.
Writing a custom resume for each prospective employer is a good start, but there are obviously additional steps that must be taken. First and foremost, a proper heading and formatting can make a tremendous amount of difference for the impression that you intend to make. While there are certainly all manner of individuals that will recommend gold banding and turquoise letterhead, the trick to a properly formatted resume is no trick at all. Simply keep your heading and formatting very simple and easy to read. While it is easy to believe that you could design a very fancy and attractive resume, employers are less focused on colorful lettering and more focused on getting through the material at hand. Simply use a suitable font and heading that addresses this need at hand. If your job has a title, introduce yourself as that title, or the title of the job that you wish to have. This type of customization can go a long way towards ensuring that they are aware of your background and what you are prepared to offer them as an employee. As you continue to focus on the specific job that you want, the nature of your determination will gradually wear off on your employers and they will come to think of you as a valuable asset for a specific specialization, rather than just as a general employee that they have to find a place for and train from the ground up.
In the case of filling out the basic information such as previous employers and responsibilities, again simplicity is your best bet. The more information that you try to cram into your resume, the less that people reading it will retain. Simply state a view positive facts about your previous employment history and the work that you have done in the past and make it easily readable. Considering that most people prefer not to read an entire novel when considering a potential employee, it only makes sense to minimize the amount of boilerplate that they have to wade through to get to the meat of the matter at hand.
About the Author
Scott is a developer at HowToWriteAResume.net, the leading online resume builder, which walks you through the steps of exactly how to write a resume - producing a well formatted resume that you can print, save and submit to job sites for free.