Wednesday 2 June 2010

Get That Interview Every Time

Prospective employers will use selection processes to confirm that you have the required knowledge, skills and willingness to contribute and fit into their organisation’s culture. They also want to see if your career aspirations are in line with opportunities available within the organisation. They are looking for the potential in you to become a valued, trusted and productive team member.

In order to make the most of each opportunity, you need to present yourself to a prospective employer. In order for you to do this, most companies will ask for your Resume or (CV).
Think of your CV as your sales brochure. You are managing your own personal marketing campaign and your destiny is in your own hands. You will need to prepare fully. Spending some time on getting it right may make all the difference in getting the job you really want. The time you put in to developing your CV will also provide you with an excellent starting point for your interview preparation.

When assessing a job advert, you will need to study the advert and highlight the main points that show what the employer is looking for.

In addition to this, read between the lines. Think about what other requirements they will be looking for which are not actually stated.
For example:

• Results driven
Are there targets set? Do you thrive on success?
• Good communication skills
Does it involve networking? Will you be dealing with a variety of people? Is there report writing?
• Unsociable hours
Does this include shift work? Will overtime be required? Would you be expected to partake in overnight stays or weekend work?

Also consider what you know about the nature of the work, the industry, or that particular employer. This knowledge will help you to predict the sort of person the employer is likely to be looking for.

Think about which requirements are essential and which would be desirable. Make a list of these requirements and think about what you have to offer that matches what the employer is looking for.

There are many views around about CVs but there is no set format. Remember, your CV has only one objective – to generate an interview! It is your personal advertisement and the message must be clear and easily understood. Don’t expect the reader to read between the lines or spend too much time reading it. Go for IMPACT.

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Monday 10 May 2010

Job Hunting: Should You Lower Your Expectations?

Are you in need of a job? If you are currently unemployed you may even consider yourself to be desperate for a new job. If you are, you may end up wondering if you should lower your expectations, to make it easier to find a job right away. If so, you are definitely not alone.

When it comes to determining whether or not you should lower your expectations when hunting for a job, there are a number of important factors that need to be taken into consideration. One of those factors is your need for a job. For instance, do you have a family to support? Do you have rent, mortgage, or car payments that need to be made? If you do, your need for a job may actually be quite high, especially if you are not receiving money from your state’s unemployment fund. If your survival depends on having a job, you may need to lower your expectations, even just temporarily.

Another factor that needs to be examined, when determining whether or not you should lower your expectations when hunting for a job, is your expectations. For instance, are they reasonable? Are you interested in working as a doctor? If you are, do you have a degree in medicine? If not, your expectations are not only too high, but they are unreasonable. The first step in not being required to lower your expectations when searching for a job is making sure that your expectations are reasonable. For instance, if you worked as a retail cashier for a while and attended business school, you may want to think about trying to acquire a job as a retail store manager. This type of goal is one that is just right, as it isn’t too unrealistic.

It is also advised that you examine the current job forecast for the industry that you would like to work in. In keeping with the above mentioned example of a retail store manager, if the retail industry isn’t doing too well, there is a good chance that not as many new retail stores will open up in or around your area. This may limit the number of retail store manger jobs that are available. In this case, you may need to lower your expectations or just change them, to include something different.

Of course, what you need to remember is that if you do need to lower your expectations when hunting for a job, especially if your survival depends on it, it doesn’t have to be permanent. For instance, if you are required to take a job as a retail store cashier, but you are actually qualified to work as a school teacher, your retail store job doesn’t have to last forever. When working and making a little bit of money, possibly enough to help your family or pay your bills, you can continue on by searching for teaching opportunities. If you keep after your goal long enough, you should be able to find an opportunity that you are more than qualified for. If and when that time comes, you could choose to give up the job that caused you to lower your expectations.

Although you may not necessarily want to take a job that you may consider to be beneath you, there may come a time in life when you have to. If and when that time comes, it is important that you remember that nothing has to be permanent or forever etched in stone. For further tips on successful interviews

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Saturday 8 May 2010

Interview Tips to Help You Land that Job

Are you looking for a new job or a new career? If you are, your first step should be examining job listings. When it comes to finding job listings, you have a number of different options. For instance, you can use your local newspaper, the internet, or career counseling centers. In a way, finding job listings is the easy part. Actually getting the job that you want is the hard part.

When it comes to landing a job that you applied for, your interview will play an important part in whether or not you are hired. If you are able to get a job interview for one of the jobs that you applied for, you are advised to proceed with caution. Your actions or your responses during an interview can either make or break you. To increase your chances of landing your dream job, or at least the one that you applied for, you will want to continue reading on, as some helpful tips are outlined below.

When going to a job interview, it is important that you are properly dressed. You would actually be surprised to learn how many job applicants show up to a job interview in unattractive, unprofessional attire. Even if you are just applying for a job as a cashier at one of your local supermarkets, you are still advised to dress professionally for a job interview. Depending on the job you are applying for, a dress or a business suit may be called for; however, a simple pair of black pants and a white shirt is much better than a pair of jeans.

You are also advised to bring a couple of copies of your resume to your job interview. This is something that many job applicants do not think to do, but it is actually a wise move. Yes, you may have already submitted your resume to the employer giving you the interview, but it is important to remember that they probably received hundreds, if not thousands, of resumes. It is not unheard of for resumes to get lost or misplaced. Bringing along an extra copy of your resume shows that you are responsible and likely to always be prepared. In addition to brining an extra resume for the interviewer, it is also advised that you bring a copy for yourself. This will make reviewing your work history and education easier, as everyone would be on the same page.

During the interview, you will be asked a number of different questions by the interviewer. One of the most common questions asked is about your strengths and your weaknesses. One of the biggest mistakes that a job applicant makes is stating that they don’t have any weaknesses. Everyone has at least one weakness or something that they wish that they could chance about themselves. You will want to be honest and admit this. Of course, you don’t want to go overboard. What you will want to do is try and make your weakness a strength as well.

At the end of most interviews, most interviewers ask the interviewee, which would be you, if you have any questions. You are advised to ask questions. In all honesty, even if you don’t have any questions to ask, you are advised to come up with some. Many interviewers use the “do you have any questions,” as a ploy. Many are turned off by interviewees who do not have any questions. Some even associated it with not be interested in the job or the company. Even if you ask about how the company got started or what the chances are for moving up the company ladder, you are advised to ask questions. Of course, be careful with the questions that you do ask. You don’t want to sound too pushy or overbearing.

At the end of your interview, it is extremely important that you shake the hand of your interviewer and thank them for the opportunity. This is very important. It is hard for some to imagine, but a simple thank you actually goes a long way nowadays, as it is hardly spoken anymore. It is also advised that you send a thank you note the interviewer you met with. This may not necessarily increase your chances of landing the job, but it will make you look professional.

By keeping the above mentioned tips in mind, you should be able to have a successful interview. As a reminder, interviews are the most important part of landing a new job.

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