Tips For HR Interview

Entering the room
Prior to the entering the door, adjust your attire so that it falls well.
Before entering enquire by saying, “May I come in sir/madam”.
If the door was closed before you entered, make sure you shut the door behind you softly.
Face the panel and confidently say ‘Good day sir/madam’.
If the members of the interview board want to shake hands, then offer a firm grip first maintaining eye contact and a smile.
Seek permission to sit down. If the interviewers are standing, wait for them to sit down first before sitting.
An alert interviewee would diffuse the tense situation with light-hearted humor and immediately set rapport with the interviewers.

Enthusiasm
The interviewer normally pays more attention if you display an enthusiasm in whatever you say.
This enthusiasm come across in the energetic way you put forward your ideas.
You should maintain a cheerful disposition throughout the interview, i.e. a pleasant countenance hold s the interviewers interest.

Humor
A little humor or wit thrown in the discussion occasionally enables the interviewers to look at the pleasant side of your personality,. If it does not come naturally do not contrive it.
By injecting humor in the situation doesn’t mean that you should keep telling jokes. It means to make a passing comment that, perhaps, makes the interviewer smile.

Eye contact
You must maintain eye contact with the panel, right through the interview. This shows your self-confidence and honesty.
Many interviewees while answering, tend to look away. This conveys you are concealing your own anxiety, fear and lack of confidence.
Maintaining an eye contact is a difficult process. As the circumstances in an interview are different, the value of eye contact is tremendous in making a personal impact.

Be natural
Many interviewees adopt a stance which is not their natural self.
It is amusing for interviewers when a candidate launches into an accent which he or she cannot sustain consistently through the interview or adopt mannerisms that are inconsistent with his/her personality.
Interviewers appreciate a natural person rather than an actor.
It is best for you to talk in natural manner because then you appear genuine.

Interview Advice

Be prepared
Be as prepared as you possibly can be for the interview. Look at the

employer’s website and find out as much as you can about the company

before you go. In particular, ensure you know:

•The names of your interviewers and their roles within the business.
• The organisation's products and services.
• The structure of the organisation. For example, is it part of a

larger group or does it have
• subsidiary companies?
• Staff numbers

If the interview has been arranged through Sewell Moorhouse, ask your

consultant if they have any additional information. Write down any

queries or questions. It is vital to have a good selection of

questions in advance of the interview.

Make an impression
Don’t forget the first impression is the lasting impression. Make sure

you are well groomed and clean cut. Make-up, aftershave and perfume

should be minimal. Invest in professionally dry cleaning your

interview clothes. Try to avoid the latest trends and instead go for a

professional, business like approach.

Be on time
Employers will disapprove of lateness. There may be sound reasons for

being late, such as an obscure office location or traffic, but none of

these will help your cause. One suggestion is to arrive 15 minutes

prior to the interview and wait out the time near, but not at, the

interview location. If you anticipate being late, call us so we can

keep your interviewers informed.

Maintain your self-confidence
When you introduce yourself, offer a firm handshake. Call the

interviewer by name, smile and maintain eye contact without glaring.

Those who do not are often regarded as deceptive, evasive or lacking

in self-confidence. Avoid any nervous mannerisms such as tapping your

feet or twirling your hair. Don't smoke even if the interviewer does.

Show politeness to the interviewer and do not ramble in your

conversation. Be pleasant with everyone you meet. Often, receptionists

may be asked for their opinion of you.

Practise your answers
What you say and how you say it is important. Try to convey

self-confidence and maturity. A self-confident individual will impress

the interviewer as someone who will be a good company spokesperson. A

clear and concise expression will sell better than a rambling

explanation. Try to prepare responses for some of the most common

interview questions:

• “Why are you seeking new employment?"
• “What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
• “What sort of salary are you looking for?"
• “What attracted you to this organisation?"
• “What has been your greatest achievement?"
• “What do you enjoy most about your current job?"
• "What skills can you bring into the company?"
• "What do you want to achieve in your career?"

Focus on the opportunities
In marketing yourself, think from the employer’s perspective. Rather

than talking about salary and benefits during your first interview,

impress the interviewer with what you can do for the organisation.

Salary discussions are best left for discussion in subsequent

interviews. Try to talk about potential opportunities within the

company.

Be enthusiastic
A portion of your interview is likely to focus on your work

experience. Your experience will give you something to talk about; it

should help you package yourself more attractively. Sell your

experience with enthusiasm. Be yourself and be your most charming. As

the interview closes, thank the interviewers for their time and be

positive about the position and the company, even if you are not

entirely sure this is the right move for you. You should never close

off an opportunity at this early stage.

Stay positive
Accept the fact that regardless of your interviewing skills, you may

still not get some job offers for a number of reasons. These may have

little to do with your qualifications or interview skills. Sewell

Moorhouse will try and get feedback on such occasions wherever

possible, as this will be valuable in the future.

Interview Tips

Interview tips

1. Be on time!
Aim to be early - you can always find a nearby café or shop to wait

in. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first

impression. If you are going to be late, then ALWAYS ring ahead and

let them know.

2. Be Prepared!
Look at the employers' website and learn something about the company

before you attend your interview. Discover some facts about the

industry they operate in and the type of services and products it

offers. Find out about any recent successes and bring this to the fore

when given an opportunity during the interview. People like to talk

about good news.

3. Write down and practice possible questions!
Writing them down and practicing them with someone will make it easier

to remember when you get to the interview. Use the third person when

talking about the job. Avoid sounding as though you assume the job is

yours.

It is perfectly acceptable to ask about the package and benefits on

offer. It can sometimes be helpful to ask how they differentiate

themselves from their competitors and looking specifically at the role

what they think the toughest and hardest part of the job is.

4. What are your weaknesses?
Don’t be a know it all! Try to find an area of your experience/skill

that is currently lacking and relate it to how this role may help to

develop your skills. An interviewer will appreciate your honesty.

5. You never get a second chance to make a first impression!
SMILE! Dress professionally in simple business attire. Yes it is true,

a firm handshake and maintaining eye contact (without glaring!) goes a

long way.

6. Be honest!
There really is no point lying about your background and/or skills.

It’s a foolish thing to do, if you get found out, you can be sure you

won't be around for long! Job interviews are about matching needs - if

there isn't a good match, chances are that the job won't work out.

7. Check your CV for possible gaps!
Make sure you know how you are going to explain time gaps on your CV.

8. Talk about specific achievements!
Interviewers like to know how you felt about a particular success.

Some will ask for specific examples of things you've done that you're

particularly proud of; how you solved problems; how you learned - and

improved - from difficult situations.

9. Don't talk too much!
Communication is a two-way thing so give them a chance.

11. Take a spare CV with you!
Your interviewer won't be expecting it so you will impress them. It

also helps them remember you after the interview.

12. Be enthusiastic and positive!
NEVER criticise previous employers. Focus on positive achievements and

views

CV PREPARATION

Your CV must be well presented; it is essentially a selling document. It is a presentation of your achievements and needs to create an interest to the person who opens your envelope.

Generally your CV must not be more than two/three pages long. It needs to be clear, concise, and factual, and must demonstrate your ability to do the job you are applying for. We think your CV should include the following:



1.


The first page should contain personal details for a recruitment consultant or an employer if they need to contact you.


2.


Ensure that the format of your CV/Resume is in key headings e.g.
a. Key skills
b. Key achievements etc


3.


Your employment history should commence with your current or most recent position and work backwards.


4.


Information provided must clearly demonstrate your ability to do the job.


5.


Achievements should be bullet points and indicate your role, action taken and the result of that action.


6.


Make sure you leave out details that are irrelevant.


7.


If the information on the advert specifically asks for certain skills, make sure they are at the top of the CV/Resume.


8.


Make sure you include a brief summary of your educational details, training courses attended and professional memberships. Do not put information in that isn't pertinent to the position.


9.


You can include hobbies and interests as they show the employer your potential personality traits or maybe even skills like leadership or team membership. It is not essential to include this.

Example CV template

Tips to Help Balance Career and Family

Whether you are male or female, a mom or a dad, balancing career and family can be really difficult. When you're a woman, though, the choices you have to make seem especially difficult and the responsibilities all the more great. For some reason, women are guilt-ridden with their career decisions and the choices they make about working while trying to raise their children, providing nutritious meals for their family, keeping a respectable house and keeping their husbands happy. Last on the list, of course, is finding some time for themselves. So how does a woman find time to actually feel happy with her daily activities while keeping up with all of the responsibility?
First, take time to smell the roses! Literally, you can take time to smell the roses but you can actually do this with no flowers in sight. Every day, try to look around and appreciate what you have, taking in the sounds of your child's laughter, the wag of your dog's tail, the special glance of your husband as you tell a funny joke. Sometimes, the knowledge of what you have on your plate for the day will feel overwhelming, but a little perspective goes a long way. It may be a cliché and a very tired phrase, but it truly does work. People tend to get lost in the mundane, day-to-day "functioning" instead of really living their lives. For example, next time you are worried about fitting in your exercise with your child's play date at Little Gym, forego the Little Gym and head out with your son or daughter for a run. Strap the little one in the jog stroller or if he or she is old enough, ask them to put on the running shoes with Mommy and head outside! Once outside, you can literally stop to smell the roses. Just a few minutes of gratitude a day will work wonders for your soul and automatically make your life feel more balanced.
Along these same lines, try and give yourself some "me" time once a week. Once a week may not seem like much, but if you really allow yourself to soak it in and enjoy the time spent, it will make the stress of all of the rest of the hectic days melt away. Take a good block of time on a Saturday or Sunday - 2 hours, maybe - and mark this time in your calendar in pen, not pencil. Keep a standing appointment with yourself, and honor it as you would any other. Think you are too busy on a weekend to do this? You will feel much more productive the rest of the weekend allowing yourself this little ‘refresher', rather than trying to cram some time in on a random Tuesday or other weeknight. For this special time, you can book a massage or a facial at your favorite spa. Take a couple of hours to go window shopping at your favorites stores, by yourself or with a friend. Take in a matinee with a couple of girlfriends. If your husband is willing to fly solo on a Saturday night, you can even book a girls' night out once in a while and truly let loose! Even if your budget doesn't allow for these activities once a week, you can lock yourself in the bathroom with a good book, a bubble bath and a nice glass of wine and feel good about your time alone - you deserve some!
Probably the most obvious way to balance career and family is to incorporate your family into what would otherwise be "work time". If you have a short commute to work, for example, perhaps you can drive your kids to school each morning instead of having them take the bus. In the alternative, you could have your morning cup of coffee at the bus stop with them and spend a few minutes chatting about their day and what they plan to learn in school as you sip your cup of Joe and breathe in the morning air to mentally prepare for your own day ahead. If you normally exercise in the morning and leave the house very early, switch your workout time to lunch and leave the office to go to the gym, eating at your desk when you get back. You will have more time with your family each day and get a healthy break from your pile of papers to boot.
You may need to get a little creative with your schedule, but there are definitely ways to help balance career and family. Sometimes an extra few minutes each day or a once-weekly good block of time can go a long way in helping restore your peace of mind and help you feel less harried.
Megan Hazel is a freelance writer who writes about women's health and career topics, similar to what consumers read in Women's Health

New Career Tips

People usually look for a new career either when they are bored or when they are looking to do something new. Starting out a new career maybe scary for few people in the beginning, but it promises to be a completely new adventure in the long run. Planning plays an essential part of success when embarking on a new career. The first thing to do when planning on a change in career is to check the prospects the new career has to offer you, both professionally as well as personally. It also includes forgetting the skills or experience that you have acquired from your old job.
It is obvious that if you've been working as an engineer for two years, you can't use those skills if you have thoughts of starting out a career in writing, unless you're writing on engineering subjects.
Given below are some of tips on starting out on a new career:
-Look for some support: Be sure that your family and friends support you with respect to your new career. Starting a new career doesn't mean that you should shut them out of your social life. Keep yourself surrounded by positive people who drive you to achieve your goals.
-Recognize your strengths and weaknesses: It may also mean that you need to know your likes and dislikes. The reason why you're starting out a new career may be because of something that you didn't like in your previous job. Don't repeat that mistake. See what you're good at and try to improve the areas where you lack potential. Try and find out your passion, since that is an ideal way to start a successful new career.
-Talk to people who have gone through your experience: Knowing what other people went through in similar experiences and how they have achieved success will prepare you in advance to encounter problems in the future. People who have had experience in this matter provide great advice on change in careers. Try and dig out information on what amount of commitment it takes to change and start a new career.
-Keep track of emerging careers: Due to innovative concepts, new career options are sprouting up everywhere you look. Do your homework and look out for new and exciting career options before settling in for any one. The IT and retail sectors are on a roll. You will find many career options in these sectors.
-Groom yourself and create a good resume: Always keep your resume up-to-date - you never know when you'll need it. The first impression you make is often a lasting one.
Starting a new career can be stressful; but by following the tips above, you can give yourself the best chance for success.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution's Six Sigma Online offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Great Quotes for Motivated People

“If you want the rainbow, you've got to put up with the rain.” - Dolly Parton
“Accept everything about yourself - I mean everything. You are you and that is the beginning and the end - no apologies, no regrets.” - Henry Kissinger
“To win... you’ve got to stay in the game...” - Claude Bristol
“Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” - William Faulkner
“Plan for the future, because that is where you are going to spend the rest of your life.” - Mark Twain
“Only those who risk going too far can possibly know how far one can go.” - TS Eliot
“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” - Colin Powell
“Winners are those people who make a habit of doing the things losers are uncomfortable doing.” - Ed Forman
“Time is our most valuable asset, yet we tend to waste it, kill it, and spend it rather than invest it.” - Jim Rohn
“When I look into the future, it's so bright it burns my eyes.” - Oprah Winfrey
“When your desires are strong enough you will appear to possess superhuman powers to achieve.” - Napoleon Hill
“Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.” - Benjamin Franklin
“The successful person has the habit of doing the things failures don't like to do. They don't like doing them either necessarily. But their disliking is subordinated to the strength of their purpose.” - E.M. Gray
“In the power to change yourself is the power to change the world around you.” - Anwar Sadat
“Big goals get big results. No goals get no results or somebody else's results.” - Mark Victor Hansen
“When you believe you can - you can! You miss a 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” - Wayne Gretzky
“The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want.” - Ben Stein
“Our attitudes control our lives. Attitudes are a secret power working 24 hours a day, for good or bad. It is of paramount importance that we know how to harness and control this great force.” - Irving Berlin
“The most important thing about goals is having one.” - Geoffry F. Abert
“Visualize this thing you want. See it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blueprint and begin.” - Robert Collier
“I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.” - John D. Rockefeller
“The meeting of preparation with opportunity generates the offspring we call luck.” - Anthony Robbins
“The problem with most failing businesses is not that their owners don’t know enough about finance, marketing, management, and operations -- they don’t, but those things are easy enough to learn -- but that they spend their time and energy defending what they think they know. My experience has shown me that the people who are exceptionally good in business aren’t so because of what they know but because of their insatiable need to know more.” - Michael Gerber
“Do your work with your whole heart and you will succeed-there's so little competition.” - Elbert Hubbard
“People with goals succeed because they know where they are going... It's as simple as that.” - Earl Nightingale

Six Job Hunter Horror Stories

Job hunting can be a scary endeavour. The following true stories will raise the hair on the neck of even the bravest job seekers. You can learn from their hard-earned lessons. (Names have been changed to protect the traumatised.)
Horror Story No. 1: The Invisible Man"I'd been looking for a different job for several months and after much searching I was finally offered a new position," Julie N., an administrative assistant, says. "Of course I accepted, but days after I'd given notice to my current employer, my new employer called and told me they had re-evaluated their financial situation. They were rescinding their offer!
"Panicked, I tucked my tail between my legs and went looking for my current boss to tell her I wouldn’t be resigning after all. I made every effort, but she was tied up in meetings all day. The following morning, during a staff meeting she made reference to my upcoming departure. I was stuck. I had no choice but to reveal my predicament and ask for my old job back – in front of the entire office staff. She gave me two months to find a new job."
Lesson: Always confirm a new job offer before you resign from the old one.
Horror Story No. 2: A Nightmare on Elm Street"I once called regarding an ad for a 'marketing rep.' The interview consisted of walking door to door (in coat and tie) with another employee as we tried to sell car servicing vouchers," Phil G., an account executive, remembers. "He would try to make a sale, and then ask me to try one as part of the interviewing process. In between, my interviewer would ask me questions about my career goals and dreams.
We stopped for lunch at a McDonald’s and he had to borrow money from me so he could eat! The final stage of the interview included a closed-door motivation session with all of the current marketing reps. They sang songs, clapped, and chanted the company motto (which I don't recall). I had to think fast. It was raining that day. I told my coach/interviewer that I had left my car window open. I got up, ran out and never looked back."
Lesson: When scheduling an interview, inquire about the role and location.
Horror Story No. 3: Friday the 13th"One of my first jobs as a supervisor was to interview candidates for an administrative assistant position," John S. recalls. "We scheduled a full day of initial interviews. Following a very wet and rainy night, some areas of our office roof were leaking and maintenance had a couple of buckets in the hallway. Not a great first impression, but well, it was a quaint old office building.
"Each applicant had to complete a battery of written tests. As one candidate dutifully sat at a desk outside my office, I heard a 'crack,' a 'swoosh' and then a huge splash. The ceiling tile just above the candidate had collapsed under the weight of the rain water and drenched her. Wet but unharmed, the experience clearly dampened her spirits and her expensive interview suit. She immediately informed me that she was no longer interested in the job."
Lesson: Prepare for a rainy day and bring an umbrella.
Horror Story No. 4: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"Looking to escape the policies, procedures and politics of a big company, I sent my C.V. to a small, privately-owned manufacturing company that was looking for a top executive. I received an invitation from the owner of the company to come to an interview. His office had a fireplace, very comfortable-looking sofas and looked more like a living-room than an office. The interview went well and I was excited about the flexibility of the job, the tremendous earning potential and the opportunity to travel around the world to visit clients," Patrick L., a top financial executive says.
"That is, until the owner asked if my wife would be willing to travel with me. I explained that wasn’t possible as she too was a professional and had her own full-time career. He then asked if I would be comfortable travelling with an escort as many of their international clients expected to be entertained and treated to lavish dinners with their significant others! Having invested an equal number of years in both my marriage and my career, I decided I wasn’t willing to put either at risk, even if this sounded like my dream job."
Lesson: Don’t lose sight of what really matters.
Horror Story No. 5: House of Wax"I drove 300 miles each way at my own expense to interview for a position at a particular company," Matthew H., a marketing manager, says. "When I sat down for the interview, the interviewer (an assistant manager) only asked me ONE question, "Can you tell me about yourself?" After I gave a brief 90 second introduction, she indicated that was all the questions she had and asked if I had any questions for her."
"Somewhat baffled, I proceeded to INTERVIEW HER -- on her background and skills, her position, her department, the company, company culture, etc. With such a complacent and unenergetic attitude to recruiting qualified employees, I left that interview and the company unimpressed."
Lesson: Thoroughly research a company and prepare a list of questions before heading out to an interview.
Horror Story No. 6: Psycho"I had been looking for an opportunity to relocate to the North-East from London and move into sales management, when I received a call from a company in Liverpool about a position as a regional sales manager. They offered to fly me in for an interview with two of their senior sales managers. I had heard industry rumours that the company wasn’t doing too well and that their technology wasn’t exactly keeping pace with the competition. But I was impressed that they were going to pay for me to fly in from London, and was flattered that they were interested in me," Tricia C., a national sales manager, recalls.
"When I arrived, I discovered that the address they provided was not a company office, but instead it was a low-budget B&B close to John Lennon airport. The room number they gave me was for a guest room, not a meeting room. I was greeted by two old seemingly unwashed guys in badly-fitting suits who had spread a number of company brochures out on the bed. The rumours were obviously true!"
Lesson: Trust your instincts and first impressions.

Six Ways to Get Back in the Job Market

If you have been out of the job market for a while, you may feel intimidated by a job search. But don't be. Whether you have been comfortable in your current job for a long period and want a new challenge or even change career, or you are retuning to work after spending time away raising a family, you can make a smooth transition back into the into the job market.

Here are some tips and tricks that will prepare you to look beyond the obvious when searching for a new job.

1. Have a plan
The old adage "fail to plan, plan to fail" is as true today as it has ever been. Ensure you have a clear understanding of your career plans and ambitions.

If you are just embarking on your career it is important to join an organisation noted for its training. Some organisations have built up reputations as excellent training providers or promoting from within, for example, and are industry-recognised as leaders in their field.

2. Become Internet savvy
Most online job boards, such as CareerBuilder.co.uk, offer job seekers the opportunity to register their details and CVs onto a database that can searched by potential employers, recruitment consultancies and head-hunting firms.

This puts your details in the public domain and increases your visibility in your chosen marketplace. And, most job boards will allow you to block your current company from seeing your details, so you don't have to worry if your boss discovers that you are actively looking for another job.

Create your own blog. Writing a blog gives you the opportunity to become a leading authority on your business. It also gives potential employers an insight into your character and -- if you keep it updated -- dedication.

Blogs can act as a personal PR tool too because you can link your blog to other blogs to create a network and this will further enhance your credibility and profile.

3. Become an expert in your field
One of the most effective ways of getting noticed quickly is by attracting media attention.

I am not suggesting that you have to go the extremes of appearing on "60 Minutes" or "Newsnight." But, writing articles for your trade publications or running seminars and presentations to business leaders will position you as a leading authority. The media will know you and so will potential employers.

4. Put it about and open some doors
The power of networking cannot be underestimated. Think of it like speed dating for workers -- self-promotion to impress a potential suitor (employer). Admittedly not everyone is comfortable schmoozzing with a room full of strangers.

But, networking can enable you to gain access to the hidden job market and it can take place at industry functions, breakfast meetings, online or even at the bus stop.

From a self-marketing point of view, networking can increase your chances of getting your next job by as much as 33 per cent, according to Richard Bolles, author of "What Color is Your Parachute?"

Keep your conversations short to give yourself the opportunity to speak to as many people in the room as possible. The more business cards and contacts you make the better.

5. Ask questions
If you are considering changing your career, ask someone who does the job that you want how they got where they are. People love to talk about themselves, it's human nature. And, the more people that you talk to, the more you will identify the key traits needed to achieve your ambition - and know what pitfalls to avoid.

6. Phone a friend
Personal recommendation and word of mouth are one of the most effective forms of advertising. Some career analysts suggest that 80 per cent of vacancies are not advertised.

After Y2K, a new school of marketing thought emerged that questioned the effectiveness of advertising in the modern age -- when did you last see Starbuck's advertising? They don't. But everyone has heard of Starbuck's.

So, contact ex-colleagues to unearth potential opportunities, and get client testimonials to add to your CV. And, increase your chances of being found by posting your CV on the CareerBuilder.co.uk database and let potential employers find you.

Motivating yourself to find a job

I am lazy. I like web design because I ultimately want to work (and I use the term loosely) from home.
I don’t like mornings. I don’t like working set hours. I would rather work through the night than drag myself out of bed each morning and go to work.
During the times that I was unemployed, I really didn’t do as much as I should have to find work.
This article is a retrospective reflection on my experiences with some advice on how to motivate your self to get out there and a find a job.
Set your goalsYou first need to decide on what you want to do.
Are you looking a job that is the same as the one you had before, or do you want to move up a level? Perhaps you may want to change industries altogether? Or do you just want to pay the bills?
You have to decide what you want to do right at the beginning of your job search – it’s the basis for your CV and all the job applications you make.
Looking for jobs
Set aside some time each day where you can concentrate on looking for jobs.
Initially, you should be spending a lot of time creating an effective CV. After this you can spend time on the following areas:
Registering with recruitment agencies
Searching recruitment websites
Scanning the local and national press
Finding trade journals that may have jobs advertised for your industry
Sending out speculative letters to potential employers
Applying for advertised jobs (and customising your CV and covering letters if necessary)
Chasing up old contacts to find out about vacancies
Check the local job centre / employment office
Following up any letters you have sent out
You should split your tasks up so you can use your time efficiently.
For example, you can enter local recruitment agency information (address, etc) into a database and mail merge your covering letter. This way you can get them all out and mailed in the same day. This is also useful for sending out speculative letters, although these should really be customised for best effect.
From a marketing point of view, it may be worthwhile calling the office and finding out the name of a contact there to send your CV to. Instead of your letter going into a “to be actioned” pile of mail, it will go directly to the recruitment consultant.
You can use MS Access to set up a simple database to do this and print out your personalised covering letters from MS Word.
If you haven’t used these before, then don’t worry. Although it seems difficult to begin with, you can pick it up in no time (and Microsoft products have tonnes of guides, templates, help and online tutorials to assist you).
Staying motivated
It is a difficult process looking for jobs, as it can take a while to find results. There is a great uncertainty that we all go through – we don’t get replies to our letter, we don’t know when our next pay cheque will arrive, we are not achieving anything with our days, etc.
Don’t worry about it. You are not alone – we all go through this.
There are some things you can do to help your job prospects and stay motivated at the same time.
Keep busy (it will take your mind off any responses you are waiting on)
Voluntary work (shows that you are doing something useful with your spare time and helps add to your CV and build your experience)
DIY (get those shelves fixed and paint the bathroom)
Sport (any kind of exercise can help you reduce the stress of job hunting)
Socialise (difficult if your mates are all at work, but you can use your free time to catch up with people)
Chat with people on our forum (the are others who are going through the same thing as you – you can exchange job hunting ideas with each other)
The main thing to remember is to not over do it!
Even when unemployed, you still have a job to do – find a job! And it is perhaps one of the most difficult and stressful jobs to do. You must balance your time between finding work and keeping the stress levels down.
Are you confident that you have done everything you can today to find a job (be honest)? Good! Then relax a bit – there’s no point in stressing about stuff you can’t control.
Good Luck!

Five Tactics to Getting the Salary You Want

When a company starts to consider you seriously, you should begin to think about the negotiation. What do you want? What are you prepared to accept? How badly do you want the job?Negotiations can conclude in one of four ways:1. You can negotiate and get everything you want.2. You can negotiate and get half of what you want.3. The company can stand firm with its offer and make no effort to negotiate.4. The company can withdraw its original offer.Think about which outcomes you are or are not comfortable with. That way when you sit down to talk compensation, you’ll know what you will and will not accept.What else can you do to ensure the best results? Here are some additional tips:Choose Your Top OffersIf you have more than one or two offers, you may have a few lower-choice offers to turn down. It’s not a good idea to test your negotiating skills with a company you don’t plan to work for, because word could get back to the companies you do want to work for. Instead, practice negotiating with a friend or a colleague. If you need more time to make a decision on an offer, call your prospective employer sooner rather than later and arrange for another week or two to decide.Establish Your Priorities and Walk AwayWith the offer letter in hand, you need to evaluate the salary and benefits (plus intangibles) in light of your own needs and market value. What are your fixed expenses? Keep in mind that a job in Portland, Ore. might pay less than one in New York, but you’ll make more once you factor in cost of living.Do Your ResearchThe more information you have about compensation scales for the job and industry you’re looking into, and the more you know about negotiation, the better off you’ll be in the negotiation. Get your hands on whatever comparative salary data you can find to reinforce your position. Business publications, trade associations and professional organizations publish annual pay surveys and a good college or public librarian should be able to help you find this data.Understand Your Negotiating PositionOne headhunter compares the job hunt with dating: “In the course of your interviews, it will become apparent how much they want you. If they are very prompt with the offer letter, call to see whether you received it, offer to fly you out again, offer a high signing bonus and generally lavish attention on you, it means that they want you and your negotiating position is strong. Conversely, you may be a second or third choice if you get the offer letter some time after your interview, it’s obviously a form letter, the signing bonus is low or you have trouble making a follow-up appointment with the hiring manager.” The message: Know whether it’s an employers’ or a candidates’ market.Meet Your Hiring Manager in PersonIt’s easier to influence the job description and find creative solutions on how to meet your specific needs when you deal with the hiring manager in person. He or she will have more room for flexibility (particularly if the firm really wants you). Besides, this is a person you will be working with later. In the salary negotiation meeting, express your enthusiasm for the job. Then lay out your points (not more than three, unless you have a darned good reason), starting with the most important. Your goal is to present your case for a better package in a rational, non-confrontational way, basing your arguments on industry standards, rather than on your personal needs. If you’re serious about going to work for them, tell them that you’ll sign on if they can clear up this, this and this point — and stand by what you say.

The Toughest Question in the Interview

When you, as a job seeker, are asked the most common, and toughest, interview question, “Tell me about yourself,” your answer can make or break you as a candidate. Usually job seekers will respond with their “30 second commercial,” and then elaborate on their background. While almost every career book and career counselor will tell you that is the appropriate response, I totally disagree.
Many people fail in their job search because they are too often focused on what they want in a job including industry, type of position, location, income, benefits, and work environment. Their “30 second commercial” is centered around this premise. The commercial describes the job seeker’s career history and what they are looking for. Too often, this is in direct contrast to what employers are looking for.
There are two dominant reasons why job seekers are successful in the job search. The first is focusing on the needs of the organization. The second is focusing on the needs of the people within that organization. In this article, we are going to examine how to focus on the needs of the people within organizations. This will assist in rethinking your response to that all-important question, “Tell me about yourself.”
In order to learn how to respond to the needs of the interviewer, let’s first learn more about ourselves. We can then apply that knowledge about ourselves to knowing how to understand and respond to the needs of others.
Most social psychologists recognize four basic personality styles: Analytical, Amiable, Expressive, and Driver. Usually, each of us exhibits personality characteristics unique to one of the styles. However, we also possess characteristics to a lesser degree in the other styles. To determine your unique style, you can take a Myers-Briggs assessment or go to the following site for a free Keirsey Temperament Sorter assessment test: www.keirsey.com
Here are the characteristics that are most commonly associated with each of the styles:
Analytical:Positive Traits: Precise, Methodical, Organized, Rational, Detail OrientedNegative Traits: Critical, Formal, Uncertain, Judgmental, Picky
Amiable:Positive Traits: Cooperative, Dependable, Warm, Listener, NegotiatorNegative Traits: Undisciplined, Dependent, Submissive, Overly Cautious, Conforming
Expressive:Positive Traits: Enthusiastic, Persuasive, Outgoing, Positive, CommunicatorNegative Traits: Ego Centered, Emotional, Exploitive, Opinionated, Reacting
Driver:Positive Traits: Persistent, Independent, Decision Maker, Effective, Strong WilledNegative Traits: Aggressive, Strict, Intense, Relentless, Rigid
Gaining an in-depth understanding of your personality style has enormous value in your career as well as your personal life. However, our focus today is learning how to use this knowledge to make you more successful in your job search.
Once you have learned about your own style and have studied the other styles, I encourage you to have a little fun in trying to determine the styles of others. When you meet someone for the first time, try to identify his or her style within the first two minutes. You can often identify styles by observing a person’s demeanor, conversation, body language, appearance, and possessions.
To demonstrate what I mean, let’s take some examples from the business world. While there are always exceptions, generally speaking the styles fit the example.
Analytical Style: Financial Manager (or programmers, engineers, and accountants). They like systems and procedures. They are slow to make decisions because they will analyze things to death?but their decisions are usually very sound. They prefer working independently and are usually not very good in team environments, but they are also dependable. They buy cars with good resale value and great gas mileage. They are conservative dressers. At the party, they want to know why so much money was spent on Michelob when we could have purchased Busch. They come to the party with their laptops.
Amiable Style: Human Resources Manager. Very people-focused. They are dependable, loyal and easygoing; very compassionate. They will give you the shirt off their backs and the last nickel in their pockets. They are good listeners and value team players who don’t “rock the boat.” They are usually conformists and followers?rarely leaders. They avoid conflict and are not good decision makers. They drive four-door sedans or mini-vans to take the kids to sporting events. They usually clean up after the party is over.
Expressive Style: Sales Manager. Very outgoing and enthusiastic, with a high energy level. They are also great idea generators, but usually do not have the ability to see the idea through to completion. Very opinionated and egotistical. Money motivated. They can be good communicators. They prefer to direct and control rather then ask and listen. They drive red convertibles with great stereos; to heck with the gas mileage. They come up with the idea for a company party, but never help clean up. They are on their way to another party.
Driver: Corporate CEO. Intelligent, intense, focused, relentless. They thrive on the thrill of the challenge and the internal motivation to succeed. Money is only a measure of success; it is not the driving factor. They are results/performance oriented. They have compassion for the truly disadvantaged, but absolutely no patience or tolerance for the lazy or whiners. They drive prestige cars, not because the car attracts attention, but because it was a wise investment. They want to know why we had a party; what were the benefits of the party, and did we invite the banker?
Ok, now you are really getting some insight into your style and the style of others. It is time for the interviews. Throw out your 30-second commercial. Think on your feet.
You will be interviewing with the human resource manager, the finance manager, the sales manager, and the CEO. The first question each of them will ask you is: “Tell me about yourself.” How should you respond? Remember the second reason for succeeding in a job search: focus on the needs of the people in the organization. Here are just a few examples of how to respond to that question:
“Tell me about yourself?”
Response to Finance Manager: “I have been successful in my career by making well-thought-out decisions based on careful analysis of all factors. I approach problems with logic and sound reasoning. I would enjoy working with you in developing the appropriate systems and procedures to make our two departments function efficiently together.”
Response to Human Resource Manager: “My career has been characterized by my ability to work well with diverse teams. I seek out opportunities to involve others in the decision-making process. This collaboration and communication is what has enabled me to achieve success in my department. People are the most valuable resource of any organization.”
Response to Sales Manager: “Throughout my career I have always adhered to the principle that everyone in the organization must be sales-focused. My department is always trained in customer service, providing outstanding support to the sales team and to our customers. Without sales, the rest of use would not have a job. I look forward to helping you drive sales in any way possible.”
Response to CEO: “I have achieved success in my career because I have been focused on the bottom line. I have always sought out innovative solutions to challenging problems to maximize profitability. Regardless of the task or challenge, I always established benchmarks of performance and standards of excellence. I have never sought to maintain the “status quo.” An organization that does not change and grow will die. I would enjoy working with you to help define new market opportunities in order to achieve the organization’s goals.”
In each instance, we responded to the “needs of the individual.” It is almost guaranteed that, when you respond appropriately to the diverse needs of the different managers, you will become the standard by which all of the other candidates will be measured.
I challenge you to learn about your personality and leadership style, learn about the styles of others, and learn how to think on your feet when responding to questions. Whether you are seeking a job or you are gainfully employed, by understanding the needs of others you will become a more valuable person, employee, manager and leader.

The Top 10 Beliefs Stopping You from a Career Change that you are Passionate About!

1.I don't trust myself to choose the RIGHT business or career.The fear of making the wrong choice can freeze you into inaction. So often we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to have THIS career choice be the perfect one. Give yourself a break! If you are following your heart and your passions this career choice, even if it is not the "perfect" one, will put you on the path to a career you love.2.I don't know enough."If I only knew more I would be ready to move to that next career or start my own business." It is easy to spend the rest of our lives researching, learning and NOT doing. Do you want to know how to learn the fastest? Learn in action! It's not always pretty but it gets the job done. You will never know enough until you jump into that new career or business.3.I can't make enough money doing what I love.First of all saying the word "can't" shuts down all creativity and makes that statement come true. Instead ask yourself, "What are some ideas that will turn what I love into money streams? Remember you can have several streams of income. It doesn't all have to come from one place. Sit down with a positive friend and brainstorm all the ways you can make money from what you love. 4.Changing careers is too hard.Staying at a career you hate is too hard!! Sure any change takes some focus and action but when you are moving towards your dreams it is worth it. Break it down. Take it one step at a time and soon you will be there.5.I'm to old to make a career change.I remember reading about a women who had always dreamed about being a doctor. She entered medical school at the age of 60. Often people would say to her, "Do you know how old you will be when you finish?" Her answer always was, "I'll be in my 70's anyway. I would rather be a doctor when I am 70 then just be 70." It is never too late to make a career change or start a business that brings you joy.6.I am not good at marketing and promoting so I can't start my own business.Most people do not start out being excellent at marketing themselves or their business. Don't let that stop you! There are plenty of books and classes that will teach you how. Find one that fits your personality. Also consider partnering with someone who is great at marketing and let them do it for you in exchange for a piece of the action.7.I don't have enough confidence to change careers or start a new business.Be willing to take baby steps. With each action your confidence will build. If your lack of confidence is keeping you from even taking a baby step find a Life Coach to work with you on building that confidence. Change the beliefs about yourself that are holding you back and you will take steps you never thought possible!8.I should just be happy where I am.Whenever I hear a "should" I know that compromise is nearby! It is important to follow your intuition and inner guidance. Being unhappy in a career is often a red flag from your wise self saying, "Listen up! It is time to head a different direction."9.I don't want to do anything forever.This is a common theme from a true idea person. This type of person has so many great ideas that it is hard to stick with just one. The key to success is picking one idea and growing it into a successful career or business then and only then is it time to move to the next great idea. You don't have to stick with it forever!10. All the good opportunities are gone.You don't have to be the first one to do something! Most successful businesses and careers are built by modeling what others have already done well. There are always fabulous opportunities if you are willing to open your eyes and see.Leanna Fredrich helps people discover their passion and build a business or career around it. She specializes in helping people get over their fears and limiting beliefs quickly and easily so they can create their dreams. Are you ready to enjoy a career you love? Get the FREE report "The Top Ten Secrets to Discover Your Passion-filled Work." For your free report go to http://www.LeannaFredrich.com

Jobs: Importance of Skills Emphasis on Job Interviews

Skill emphasis during the interview is important to show the employer what makes you different from all the other job candidates. In this competitive world, companies search for the most qualified employees by weighing skills of the candidates and determining how they would benefit the company.Majority of the top companies search for employers who stands out based from their expertise, ability to give new developments, and pleasing personalities that would enhance the organization.Skills are grouped into three kinds �" knowledge-based, transferable, and personal traits.1) Knowledge-based skills are those learned from experiences. These may include educational attainment, additional training, seminars attended, and other practices that you have studied to enhance your expertise.Knowledge-based skills include computer and communication skills, marketing or managerial knowledge, product development, and many more. These skills vary depending on the field of industry of each job candidate.2) Transferable or portable skills are those you bring to a specific job. This is the reason why interviewers ask, “What could you offer the company?” Transferable skills are important because companies strive to look for quality employees that would improve the development of the workforce.Portable skills include problem solving, team leader potential, organized, writing and communication skills, customer service oriented, time and project management, and good with numbers and budget. This kind of skills varies depending on the experience and versatility of each job candidate.3) Personal traits determine who you are. In a job interview, one of the most common things an employer says is “Tell me something about yourself.” Your response is vital because it would set the tone for the rest of the interview.Personal traits include good judgment, well organized, analytical, goal oriented, flexible, creative and many more. Try to sell yourself in as modest as possible within a limited time.* Self-assessment. In order to provide an impressive presentation, examine your resume and list all the skills you have used for each past job experience. Make a comprehensive list of your skills and strengths including personal traits, knowledge-based and transferable skills. This would be the basis for your personal commercial.* Once you have completed your script, you are now ready to face the interviewer. Remember that employers are interested in your accomplishments. Use words that are concise, direct and clear.Although many companies require a unique set of skills, you should still highlight your technical skills in the interview. These skills, which top companies usually seek, include leadership, communication, confidence, flexibility, problem solving and energy.Emphasizing all of your strengths and skills on job interviews would increase your chances of landing the desired job.Submit your articles and get a PR4 backlink to your website! Submit Articles! We provide free articles and information. Check us out at Free Articles!

Why Employers Will Check Public Criminal Records Before Hiring You

It's becoming more and more common for potential employers to check public criminal records before hiring anyone, although this isn't always a hard and fast rule. Some employers will do it for every employee, while others have yet to jump on this bandwagon. How will you know if any of your potential employers will use such records to check up on you, and what are they looking for? Obviously the answer will be different for every employer, but here are some common reasons.Working With ChildrenBecause children are so vulnerable, anyone that will be working with them in any capacity will probably be subject to a background check that includes any public criminal records. You don't necessarily need to have committed a crime against children to be excluded from this type of employment. Anyone that would commit assault or any such personal crime may be seen as a danger to someone that is powerless against them. Drunk driving may be another type of conviction that will keep you from working with children; if your potential employer thinks that you have a problem with alcohol consumption, this can be dangerous. These types of charges on your public criminal record can be a problem if you're applying for a job teaching, at a daycare facility, as a driving instructor , or for driving a school bus. Any type of job that involves children will make you more prone to scrutiny.Working With MoneyWhen considering a check of public criminal records for a potential employer, companies consider those who may be working regularly with money. This would of course include cashiers, bank tellers, counter persons, casino workers, and anyone else that handles cash. But actual cash is not the only concern. Anyone with access to anyone else's financial records or to the company accounts can also be run through these public criminal records. Even a secretary with access to the department's checkbook can be checked out thoroughly in this regard. A clerk that processes orders from customers by entering their credit card, or anyone in the accounting department might also. Even someone working in their own church or religious group that may handle donations and contributions may also be subjected to a search of their public criminal records!And it may not be actual crimes of theft that keep you from these types of jobs. Anything that may make your employer think that you are irresponsible or not trustworthy can get in the way of such positions. An employer may have certain things that they are looking for in public criminal records, but virtually anything can be considered a major warning sign to them.Other Areas of ConcernThere are many types of employers that will make a habit of checking public criminal records, such as those who hire anyone that will work inside a private home (housekeepers, landscapers, contractors of any type, remodeling crews, and so on), limousine or taxi companies, security personnel, and so on. Anyone working with the elderly or in hospitals is also going to be under scrutiny, since the ones they will be working with are especially vulnerable to physical attacks, scams, and the like.There may also be some companies that just make a habit of searching through public criminal records for all potential new hires, regardless of their position or responsibilities. In this day and age where lawsuits against companies abound, many employers feel that a policy of checking public criminal records across the board can cut down their liability for such things.They may also be looking for just certain types of levels of crimes, but for the most part, anything on your public criminal record can be a detriment to your finding employment. You may think that a charge of petty theft or something else that you think is "small potatoes" won't matter, but your potential employer may disagree. Sometimes anything on your public criminal record, even just unpaid parking tickets, can keep you out of the running for that job. So do yourself a favor and keep yourself out of trouble! You hurt yourself and other people when you do something to give yourself a criminal record.Author and CEO Calindareview. We encourage you to check the information on your background report. If there are errors it could cost you the offer of a position for which you may have been the best qualified candidate. Do a search for yourself and family members to double check on the information recorded. http://www.calindareview.com/Employment-Background-Check.html
Posted by bizz at 8:46 PM 1 comments

Many Corporations Are Using Background Check Companies
As with just about everything else these days, corporations are outsourcing their checks on potential employees to background check companies that specialize in using public and private records to find out about anyone. There are many reasons why they might want to check on their potential employees, and many reasons why it's more cost effective to use background check companies rather than try to accomplish this themselves.Legality to Work in the CountryIt's unfortunate that there is a need for checks on any potential employees, but there are many reasons why they may be absolutely necessary. For example, the issue of illegal immigration is hotly debated in the political arena, but the reality is that a company can be liable if they hire persons who are not authorized to work in this country. Background check companies can investigate visas, work permits, green cards, and documents like these, and make sure that an immigrant's paperwork is in order. This is especially needed if the company is in the habit of sponsoring visas for workers. Failure to comply with needed checks for those that are not natural born citizens can result in hefty fines for corporations that employ them, which is much more than the cost of hiring background check companies to check these things in the first place.Liability for Certain JobsImagine a limousine company hiring a driver that has many drunk driving offenses. Or a company that processes catalog orders over the phone hiring someone that's been convicted of identity theft. Or worse yet, a child molester being hired at a school or daycare center. Unfortunately, these scenarios are not as fictitious as you might think; they've all actually happened before simply because the employer did not use background check companies as part of their hiring process.There are certain jobs like the ones mentioned above that put an employee in certain positions that make others more vulnerable to theft, physical assault, and the like, but of course crimes can be committed by anyone in any position. Those that already have a criminal record are probably more likely to commit another crime than those without, and using background check companies to research anyone's history is a good idea for a company. Your employee does not need to be working a certain position to make the company liable for damages if they injure someone else, steal money from someone, or do anything else criminal while on company time. Consider the legal fees and liability damages that are often awarded by the court, it can make much more financial sense to use background check companies before hiring anyone to check on their history and get an idea for their moral character.Identity TheftThere have been more and more cases of identity theft in the nation and even around the world, and sometimes it's very difficult for a Human Resources manager to be able to tell the difference between legitimate paperwork and not. Background check companies however are much more adept and experienced at being able to compare social security numbers and credit reports to confirm a person's true identity. It's interesting to note that after natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, where persons were displaced and lost much of their personal paperwork, background check companies were in full force not just preventing identity theft but in assisting persons to reestablish their identity as well.These are just a few of the reasons why more and more companies are using background check companies for their employees. There may be others of course, and if you are the owner of a corporation or a Human Resources director, you may find that it's not just financially sound to outsource to background check companies, but can also protect your own company from a lot of headache down the road.Answering the demand for more background report services, calindareview considers the main players in the industry and provides recommendations for various search categories.http://www.calindareview.com
Posted by bizz at 8:45 PM 0 comments

Discovering the Wide-Range Possibilities of Operations Management
While a multitude of executive positions are found in the business world, without the employees in the operations management industry - the efficiency and effectiveness of business operations would cease to exist. The responsibility of overseeing the growth and processing of goods and services lands on the shoulders of operations management, often found in large companies with the same sort of activities seen on a smaller scale as well. Job opportunities are seen in a variety of areas, including retail, wholesale goods, and manufacturing. To learn more, consider some of the jobs listed below that fit this particular field:Risk and Claims Management CoordinatorWhat can five years of experience in risk assessment and management; insurance coverage and claims; and workman's comp claims get you in the work world - a position as a Risk and Claims Management Coordinator. With a salary typically found between $35,000 to $45,000 per year, it pays to display exceptional communication skills (both oral and written), which come in handy with the many levels of personnel, management, and other groups you may come in contact with. A minimum of a two-year associate's degree is required with computer skills in Word, Excel, and Outlook. An interviewer will also look for skills in operational risk analysis, risk management, and project risk assessment.Computer Operations ManagerThe planning, directing, and management of the day-to-day operations of a computer operations department become the responsibility of a Computer Operations Manager. The establishment of department policies and procedures is also connected to this job, as well as the responsibility of operating mainframe and peripheral information system equipment. These managers also create schedules concerning the usage of each piece of equipment on the job, which may require an associate's degree in a related area. At least eight years of experience in the field is needed, as it is not uncommon to manage a group of computer operators while on the job. A typical salary for this position is seen between $57,469 and $116,984.Construction Management DirectorThe daily activities of a construction company becomes the duty of a Construction Management Director, who is in charge of the supervision of all employees working on a particular construction assignment, including administrative personnel, construction and project managers, and staff in the field. This position also assumes the role as primary customer contact. A bachelor's degree with at least ten years of experience in the field is expected, where a candidate should showcase a familiarity with an array of field concepts, practices, and procedures. Top management often looks to the director for updates and guidance. A yearly salary for this career choice is between $73,808 and $150,281.Operations SupervisorAs an Operations Supervisor, the supervision of daily activities within an operations unit will center on operational polices and procedures. They are in charge of handling the decision-making regarding workflow and scheduling. With a high school diploma (or its equivalent), one can apply for this position when they have racked up three to five years of experience in the field or in a related area. An Operations Unit Manager usually oversees his or her progress. It is not uncommon to see this position pay between $30,458 and $49,568 on a yearly basis.Investment Operations Management ManagerAn Investment Operations Management Manager becomes an important part of the investment management group attached to a particular company. They are put in charge of daily management duties, as they review investment strategies, seek out new opportunities, and recommend changes in investment operations in order to make significant improvements in profit. A bachelor's degree in area of expertise and at least seven years of experience in the field is required. When considering this career choice, make sure you are aware that a variety of tasks and the leadership of others is vital to your success. An average yearly salary is seen between $74,783 and $125,303.Diving Operations ManagerThis type of operations manager is expected to watch over various employees, such as the Project Managers, Facilities and Equipment Manager, and Vessel Manager of a particular company. When working for a commercial diving business, the Operations Manager ensures that offshore projects have enough people working with enough equipment. They assess the performance level of the job to make sure client expectations are being met. Client relations are also a key component to their job description. Depending where the company is based, diving experience in a certain region is often required. Usually, the salary for this job position is negotiable depending on experience.Tip on Conducting an Operations Management Job SearchWhen looking for decent employment in operations management, you should seek out companies with a reputation for being one of the largest providers of a specialized product or service, such as Aerotek, which is known for supplying North America with solid, specialized personnel and management services to the Department of Energy, utilities business, engineering and consulting firms, as well as the commercial nuclear industry.Search, post, and find online jobs, hot jobs, and usa jobs at Seek4Jobs.net.
Posted by bizz at 8:44 PM 0 comments

Jobs: Importance of Skills Emphasis on Job Interviews
Skill emphasis during the interview is important to show the employer what makes you different from all the other job candidates. In this competitive world, companies search for the most qualified employees by weighing skills of the candidates and determining how they would benefit the company.Majority of the top companies search for employers who stands out based from their expertise, ability to give new developments, and pleasing personalities that would enhance the organization.Skills are grouped into three kinds �" knowledge-based, transferable, and personal traits.1) Knowledge-based skills are those learned from experiences. These may include educational attainment, additional training, seminars attended, and other practices that you have studied to enhance your expertise.Knowledge-based skills include computer and communication skills, marketing or managerial knowledge, product development, and many more. These skills vary depending on the field of industry of each job candidate.2) Transferable or portable skills are those you bring to a specific job. This is the reason why interviewers ask, “What could you offer the company?” Transferable skills are important because companies strive to look for quality employees that would improve the development of the workforce.Portable skills include problem solving, team leader potential, organized, writing and communication skills, customer service oriented, time and project management, and good with numbers and budget. This kind of skills varies depending on the experience and versatility of each job candidate.3) Personal traits determine who you are. In a job interview, one of the most common things an employer says is “Tell me something about yourself.” Your response is vital because it would set the tone for the rest of the interview.Personal traits include good judgment, well organized, analytical, goal oriented, flexible, creative and many more. Try to sell yourself in as modest as possible within a limited time.* Self-assessment. In order to provide an impressive presentation, examine your resume and list all the skills you have used for each past job experience. Make a comprehensive list of your skills and strengths including personal traits, knowledge-based and transferable skills. This would be the basis for your personal commercial.* Once you have completed your script, you are now ready to face the interviewer. Remember that employers are interested in your accomplishments. Use words that are concise, direct and clear.Although many companies require a unique set of skills, you should still highlight your technical skills in the interview. These skills, which top companies usually seek, include leadership, communication, confidence, flexibility, problem solving and energy.Emphasizing all of your strengths and skills on job interviews would increase your chances of landing the desired job.Submit your articles and get a PR4 backlink to your website! Submit Articles! We provide free articles and information. Check us out at Free Articles!
Posted by bizz at 8:42 PM 0 comments
Thursday, January 24, 2008

The Top 10 Beliefs Stopping You from a Career Change that you are Passionate About!
1.I don't trust myself to choose the RIGHT business or career.The fear of making the wrong choice can freeze you into inaction. So often we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to have THIS career choice be the perfect one. Give yourself a break! If you are following your heart and your passions this career choice, even if it is not the "perfect" one, will put you on the path to a career you love.2.I don't know enough."If I only knew more I would be ready to move to that next career or start my own business." It is easy to spend the rest of our lives researching, learning and NOT doing. Do you want to know how to learn the fastest? Learn in action! It's not always pretty but it gets the job done. You will never know enough until you jump into that new career or business.3.I can't make enough money doing what I love.First of all saying the word "can't" shuts down all creativity and makes that statement come true. Instead ask yourself, "What are some ideas that will turn what I love into money streams? Remember you can have several streams of income. It doesn't all have to come from one place. Sit down with a positive friend and brainstorm all the ways you can make money from what you love. 4.Changing careers is too hard.Staying at a career you hate is too hard!! Sure any change takes some focus and action but when you are moving towards your dreams it is worth it. Break it down. Take it one step at a time and soon you will be there.5.I'm to old to make a career change.I remember reading about a women who had always dreamed about being a doctor. She entered medical school at the age of 60. Often people would say to her, "Do you know how old you will be when you finish?" Her answer always was, "I'll be in my 70's anyway. I would rather be a doctor when I am 70 then just be 70." It is never too late to make a career change or start a business that brings you joy.6.I am not good at marketing and promoting so I can't start my own business.Most people do not start out being excellent at marketing themselves or their business. Don't let that stop you! There are plenty of books and classes that will teach you how. Find one that fits your personality. Also consider partnering with someone who is great at marketing and let them do it for you in exchange for a piece of the action.7.I don't have enough confidence to change careers or start a new business.Be willing to take baby steps. With each action your confidence will build. If your lack of confidence is keeping you from even taking a baby step find a Life Coach to work with you on building that confidence. Change the beliefs about yourself that are holding you back and you will take steps you never thought possible!8.I should just be happy where I am.Whenever I hear a "should" I know that compromise is nearby! It is important to follow your intuition and inner guidance. Being unhappy in a career is often a red flag from your wise self saying, "Listen up! It is time to head a different direction."9.I don't want to do anything forever.This is a common theme from a true idea person. This type of person has so many great ideas that it is hard to stick with just one. The key to success is picking one idea and growing it into a successful career or business then and only then is it time to move to the next great idea. You don't have to stick with it forever!10. All the good opportunities are gone.You don't have to be the first one to do something! Most successful businesses and careers are built by modeling what others have already done well. There are always fabulous opportunities if you are willing to open your eyes and see.Leanna Fredrich helps people discover their passion and build a business or career around it. She specializes in helping people get over their fears and limiting beliefs quickly and easily so they can create their dreams. Are you ready to enjoy a career you love? Get the FREE report "The Top Ten Secrets to Discover Your Passion-filled Work." For your free report go to

How to Find Yourself a Job

Firstly you should write a C.V. It is important to produce the best C.V. you can. In fact, it should be perfect. Employers will make the decision on whether or not to interview you, based on your C.V. If you do not feel you can do justice to yourself, consult a C.V. writer. You will find these advertised in employment/business services pages of newspapers, or Yellow Pages. These people will usually charge for their services, but the cost is not great. If you register for work with employment agencies, most will create a C.V. for you for free.Secondly, you should register with a few employment agencies. To register with more than three or four can cause confusion, and in the worst instance can lose you a job opportunity if two agencies introduce you to the same employer. Which agencies to register with? Follow the recommendation of friends or colleagues if possible. Alternatively, study the advertisements placed by agencies in newspapers and specialist magazines. Contact companies which seem to be handling your sort of jobs. Or you could ask your employer/ex-employer which agencies they use regularly. Or you could telephone the personnel department of a company which employs your sort of people, and ask them who they recommend. (Ask them if they've got any jobs while you're doing it!) When you register with agencies, insist that they ask you before introducing you to any company, or sending your C.V. to anyone. If they won't comply with this request, withdraw from the agency.Keep a log of all events connected with your jobhunt: which agencies you've registered with, companies your C.V. has been sent to, when to follow up, interviews attended, results/feedback. You should treat your search for employment as a job of work.If your agency is prepared to call companies proactively on your behalf, help them out by making a list of companies you would like to work for. These should be companies you would be of interest to, with your particular skill-set and experience. They should not be companies you fancy working at just because it sounds appealing to e.g. sell golf clubs. Help your consultant by pointing out exactly why you could be of interest to Company A, B etc. ('I'm familiar with their equipment' / 'I know their customers').DIY! When all else fails, you're the only person you can rely on. Go into the local library, study a business directory - Kompass or Kelly's are very useful - and make a list of companies in the right field and/or geographic area to suit your requirements. Telephone the company switchboard and ask for the name of the director or manager responsible for hiring people of your type and level. If in doubt, ask for the name of the managing director. Make sure you get the correct spelling of his/her name and title. If you are asked, explain that you want to write them a letter. If asked what it is about, explain further that you are seeking employment. You may be asked to direct your letter to personnel, in which case you should find out the name and job title of the individual concerned.Send your C.V. to the relevant manager by name, with a short covering letter offering your services on any basis whatsoever, and explaining briefly what benefits you can bring to the organisation.Example:Dear Mr Jones,I am a skilled Quality Controller, and I am very interested to meet you with a view to working for The Big Company. I believe my past experience would equip me to contribute immediately and effectively to your company.I am prepared to work on any basis whatsoever - full time or part-time, permanent or temporary, PAYE or self-employed.I enclose my C.V. for your information. I will telephone you on Friday week but if you call me first I will be delighted to talk with you.Yours sincerely,Word-process or type the letter and C.V. ensuring that there are no spelling mistakes. Get someone to check them if necessary. Hand write the envelope in your neatest handwriting. The letter is more likely to be opened by the person to whom it is directed, as secretaries will think it is a personal letter (it is!). Also, many people like to see an example of your handwriting. Put a first-class stamp on the letter.Do not be afraid to be assertive, by saying you will call on a specific date! Employers appreciate it. Never end your letter with 'I look forward to hearing from you' because, you never will!You may want to alter your C.V. and letter depending on the company/type of company you are sending them to.Diarise your call-back date, and make sure you call then!Keep a copy of your letter so you can refer to it if Mr Jones or one of his colleagues calls you back sooner. Keep a careful log of everything you do. If you send out fifty letters, you should get five interviews, and at least one job offer.A baby boomer, graduated in science in the 1970's and entered into recruitment in 1979. Some 10,000 interviews later and having set up Seltek Consultants Ltd in 1985 he is more than qualified to offer sage advice on career guidance issues.

Tutoring: It's Not Just a Great Way to Earn Extra Income

The most obvious benefit of tutoring is to earn some extra money. Who couldn't do with some extra cash? Tutoring generally pays more per hour than many other types of casual work. If you are good at what you do, and are prepared to put in a real effort, tutoring can be as financially rewarding as any part-time job, but with much more flexibility.Tutoring, however, can be a satisfying and rewarding proposition in other ways, too. I have worked in many fields, as an employee of the government, within universities, in the private sector, and in small business. While each has had its own good points, private tutoring has been something I have always found the most satisfying. Satisfying for many reasons.I began taking private students while I was still a University student. In fact, I began tutoring part way through my first year at University. Private tutoring enabled my boyfriend and me to enjoy a far better than average standard of living than most other students. The money I earned doesn't seem like a lot now, but then, it meant being able to go out for a movie and a nice meal most weeks!Tutoring also keeps you sharp. If you're a professional using the discipline you're tutoring, there is nothing quite like the rigour of having to explain concepts to students to help cement your understanding of the discipline.Tutoring helps develop your spoken communication skills. A student who does not understand what you're talking about will look at you blankly or tell you outright that they don't understand. A colleague at work might be more likely to pretend to understand what you're saying in order to avoid 'looking stupid'.If you're still a student yourself, to be able to say on your resume that you tutored privately demonstrates entrepreneurial ability, a capacity to instruct others, maturity, personal motivation and drive, and an ability to manage your time. I mentioned my private tutoring work in my resume when seeking a graduate position straight out of university, and I found this really impressed the selection panels. It certainly made me stand out from colleagues who'd worked in 'low end' jobs!Tutoring can help you develop your personal self-confidence. While awards, job promotions, good performance reviews and pay rises are great for one's ego, there is nothing quite as deeply satisfying as seeing someone succeed because of what you did. You'll find too, as did I, that most students are genuinely appreciative of your help. My students have constantly surprised me by keeping in contact for years after I took them through their degrees. I frequently received cards, gifts, and even dinner invitations from grateful students. Tutoring was one of the only areas of my working life in which I felt I had 'made a difference'.Tutoring is something that has many advantages over other types of self-employment. I urge you to consider looking into this enjoyable and profitable small business.Aletha Blayse is a former tutor and author of You Can Tutor: A Guide to Getting Started as a Private Academic Tutor, published by Lulu Press, Inc., and available for purchase for just US$21.95 for a paperback copy or US$10.95 for an instantly downloadable e-book.

Need a Sample interview question? 8 great sample interview questions and answers!

Interviews can be nerve racking and tortuous if you are not prepared. While the interviewer can ask anything there are always a few questions out there that are difficult to answer or can trap you into saying something you do not really mean. With a great sample interview question and answer you can prepare yourself for these tough points in an interview and come out looking like a star! So let’s look at these 8 great sample interview questions and answer them with style!

1. Tell me about yourself.

Often used as an opening to an interview and is scary because it is so open ended. You could keep the answer short, or long. You could be brief or detailed. You have so much choice of what you can put into this answer it can be confusing and flustering ... which is exactly how it is designed. This is usually just the first question however, they have many more to come so putting everything in would be foolish. What the interviewer wants if a quick summary of why you are the best person for this position. Use it as an opportunity to sell yourself and humanize yourself to the interviewer at the same time. Keep it short and to the point and let the interviewer get the other information out of you by other questions.

2. What is your greatest weakness?

Don't you hate this one! What do you do? Do you say you have none? Surely a sign of an out of control ego. Do you say you are a workaholic? Surely a sign of a liar or someone who considers working hard a weakness!? Fumbling with this question really shows a lack of understanding of what an employer is looking for. No person is without weaknesses and interviewers understand that, what they are looking for is some honesty and introspection. You can do this and still look like a great candidate for the job by presenting them with something that actually is a weakness of yours but also explain how you plan to fix this shortcoming. This shows honesty and a drive to better yourself and will make you look much better than any glib answer you can make up to avoid letting a weakness out!

3. What are your long term plans?

This can be easier for some than others, if you have a good long term plan for your career you can probably let fly with your prepared objectives. For some though the future can be less clear. However in either case what the interviewer wants to know is how is your long term goals going to help his business, not your own. If you’re long term plan is to own your own business that is not what he wants to learn, he wants a good employee with plans to improve his company. Always focus on a long term plan that is beneficial to your interviewer’s long term plans too.

4. Do you work well in a team?

No one in their right mind answers 'no' to this question but the interviewer is actually looking for proof of you being a team player more than a straight yes or no answer. Give the employer some examples where you have worked well in a team, especially focus on those times where working well as a team has given some success. Team sports, other workplaces working in teams, interest groups you may be involved in. If you name more than one or two it truly shows your ability and enthusiasm for working with others and being a sociable person which will be easily integrated into the workplace.

5. Have you ever had a conflict with other co-workers or your boss? How have you resolved this?

Conflict is always a part of life and is no different in a workplace. The interviewer wants to know your social problem solving skills but also wants to know if you are a combative person. Answering no to this usually encourage the interviewer to dig deeper looking for any conflict you may have had even if minor. It is best to pick a single example and show how you skillfully solved the problem to everyone’s advantage. It is best not to give too many examples lest the interviewer thinks you are a trouble maker however.

6. How would you describe yourself?

This is an interesting question and the tone of how you answer it often has more to do with the content of the answer. You want to appear friendly and confident without being too egotistical not too shy. Be honest with yourself and tell them your personality strengths not your weaknesses and present them clearly and quickly, you do not need examples unless they ask for them.

7. How has your education and previous work prepared you for this job?

This is a question where they want concrete examples of how you would fit the role they are offering. It is also important to show behavioral examples on how your general attitude would be good for their business not just your job specific skills. Give them a few examples that showcase your skills, attitude and work ethic. If you do not have much experience concentrate on your attitude and examples from life or study that could be modified to show applicable skills.

8. Why should I hire you?

This one can surprise many people with its directness. There is no room for doubt here you have to be confident that you ARE the best person for the job and don't be afraid to show it. The interviewer is also looking for confidence, passion and commitment so you should give them a short powerful speech that shows these qualities without being over the top and obviously out of your depth.

While there are thousands of other sample interview questions and variants on each sample interview question as well these are some of the most asked and toughest questions you will encounter. Remember confidence without ego with good preparation is the key to success, no gimmicks or tricks can be used against a good interviewer.

Good luck!




Did you find these tips useful?Do you want to be ultra prepared for that interview?Do you want a proven advantage over all the other candidates?Do you want to get your career the greatest boost it can get?If so, click here for all the interview techniques you will ever need!Just check out the free samples for proof!

Need help writing your resume? - Making a resume a winner with these 7 tips

In todays crowded job market and the ease of submitting to many jobs via the internet your resume must stand out from the crowd to even get you considered for a position. Even those who consider themselves experienced at looking for jobs and at making a resume may find they are lackign many key elements and if you are new to the search you definatly need help writing your resume!

First lets just quickly look at some statistics:

1. One study showed that 82% of job hunters can't prove their top ten skills for the jobs for which they are interviewing.
2. Recruitment firms sort the 1,000's of resumes daily by computer and only 1% of those get a thorough read through.
3. On the average, employers grant one interview per 245 resumes.
4. Research revealed that for every 1,400 resumes sent out, there is only ONE job offer!
5. According to HR professionals survey, nearly 94% of resumes in circulation (either on paper or in cyberspace) are bad.

Now imagine your resume as just one of those number in that statistic ... you need some help.

1. Use headings to match the job you want! When you are applying for a job and they start looking at your skill set and you put down just a mundane title like "computer skills" this is so broad and boring that it does not catch the eye. If you have these skills tie them into a more interesting title like "Electronic Administration" or "Electronic Recordkeeping". Make sure you make these major headins for your skills stand out and more importantly be targetted towards the type of job you want. If you are applying for a managerial position from an assistant position make your skills SOUND managerial.

2. Attention grabbing You resume must grab the attention of the person who is reviewing it. This does not mean it has to be colorful, great design or anything like that. To grab the attention of the person reading the resume you must understand what they are looking for, they are looking at a very quick glance if you are going to be suited to the job at all! If they cannot see that at a quick glance at your resume it will be canned. To do this all the relevent information that pertains to the job at hand must be clearly visible to the eye. When this happns a snap decision can be made to look at that resume further.

3. Sell yourself Once your resume is read in depth you must not just be catchy, you must sell your credentials to that particular job. This does not mean exagerating or lying about your abilities, skills and history but it does mean changing how you word what you say. So instead of saying "Word, Excel and Powerpoint skills" you could write "Electronic recordkeeping, letter writing, spreadsheet analysis and presentation experience with Word, Excel and Powerpoint" While this may amount to the same thing is is more descriptive and creates a much more full sounding set of skills. The more skilled and well promoted you seem the more chance you will not only get a job but amybe even higher salaries.

4. Use power words What is a power word? These are words or phrases that have a high level of interest within the industry you work in and in the workplace in general. Saying "Gave" say "Directed" or instead of saying "Completed" say "Acheieved". It is a mix of industry jargon and positive words that make impact on readers minds.

5. Quantify If you can use numbers in your resume this can be good too. To boast of how many accounts you services or to showcase increased workload or profits shows you understand just how much you helped your previous employers and can be comfortable in showing success. Without using these numbers any boasting of success can seem a little flat or made up.

6. Sell to all the employers needs With a bit of research into the job you are applying for and the employers company you can sometimes add content that shows your skills can pply to other areas of thier business. Or if you can find information of past failings of previous employees try to promote how you can handle the job better than they did. Stray outside the exact jobs description to show how much more you can bring to thier business.

7. Show how you will benifit them In the end you need to bring profit to the company you are applying for and as such you need to explain how you can benifit the company with your skills. Do not show that you can just do the job though you need to cover that fully. Create an image of yourself that shows how you can be a great benifit to their company and bring success and wealth because of your skills and abilities far into the future. You must sell beyond the minimum requirements of the job!

Using these 7 tips making a resume that will get noticed will be much easier and may increase your chances of landing that job by enormous amounts!



Still need help writing your resume?Want to get heaps more tips and tricks for a killer CV?How about knowing all the big mistakes you can make so you can avoid them?Then there is the cover letter and interviews of course.If you want to know in depth how to master all of these aspects of job seeking click here!