Get a Job - Helpful Tips for Answering Interview Calls

If you are actively searching for jobs online, you are sure to send off some resumes or fill out some online job applications. If you have a well-written resume and if you apply for jobs that you are qualified for, you stand a good chance of getting a call to schedule a job interview. While most of your attention is likely focused on the actual interview, be sure to take some time to consider those phone calls that will likely be coming soon.

When answering a phone call for an interview call, here are some important points to keep in mind.

It is a bad idea to screen your phone calls. Why? For most of us, screening our phone calls means letting our voicemail pickup the call when we see a number that we don't recognize. Companies are looking to schedule an interview with you right now; they aren't interested in playing a game of phone tag. Moreover, if you have an answering machine, it can create the bad impression that you are screening your phone calls when you finally pickup after they start to leave a message.

Always answer your phone with a simple "hello" or "hi." Granted, this is how most of us answer a phone call, especially when we see a phone number on caller id that we aren't familiar with. However, you might be surprised how many people do the not-as-popular-as-it-seems "how you doing?" or "whatzz up?" If you are actively looking for a job, it is best to start answering all phone calls professionally and properly.

Do pick an interview time if you are given the option to do so. What you want to avoid saying is "whatever works for you, works for me." Let's say you are given the option to come in for an interview on Tuesday, pick a set time. This shows you aren't willing to do whatever the boss wants just to create a good impression. It also shows that you are determined and able to make decisions (no matter how small) yourself.

Be sure to verify the date, time, and location of your job interview before ending the phone call. This should be done for a number of reasons. First, you want to make sure you have the accurate information. Finally, some job interviews will take place at different branches or locations than where you applied at. If you don't want to sound like you weren't listening, state something like "I look forward to meeting you at the bank on West Street on 1pm on Tuesday." You will be corrected if you have the wrong information.

Finally, it is important to end the phone call with the standard "thank you, have a nice day." Nowadays, a lot of us simply hang-up when we are done talking with friends or family. Be sure to not do this. You don't want to seem ungrateful or like you are in too much of a rush. While saying "thank you" seems like common sense, it is a simple step that goes a long way in creating a good and professional impression.

By Adnan Masood

10 Jobs That Can Be Done Online From Home

Does your personal economy match the world economy of late? Are you looking for a change of career, or possibly to supplement the career income you already earn? Whatever reason you are considering working from home, now is the best time of all to be looking for an online job.

Here are 10 work-from-homes jobs for you to consider looking into more.

Blogger
Are you passionate about a hobby? Are you an expert about something? Do you like to write, or just voice your opinion? Then blogging may be right for you. The options for monetizing a popular blog are pretty wide and varied.

Review Writing
For one, there are websites who will pay for professionally written unbiased reviews of their own, or other peoples, products and services. For two, you can write reviews to generate traffic to a website and monetize the traffic through affiliate marketing.

Proof-reading
Do you have an eye for detail? Are you a grammar superstar? Or perhaps you just like finding other people's mistakes? Companies pay for proofreaders for book drafts, screenplay manuscripts, articles, columns and blogs.

Data Entry
Everything from medical billing receipts, to credit card applications, to filling out classified website adverts - there are a ton of data entry jobs available online these days - work at your own pace and get paid for it, easy!

Product Tester
You may be thinking how can I test a product online? I can't push my baby down the street in an e-stroller! Indeed, but there are numerous software products available over the internet that require testing including computer games, office related applications, new improved websites and so on.

Market Research Analyst
Companies like to know what is going on in their marketplace, and they hire people to do that research for them. Many of these positions can now be found working online.

Article Writer
You can be paid on assignment for writing articles for someone, or you can write your own and use them to promote your own website, business, or services.

Insurance Agent
The insurance industry can be pretty savvy, and they have been making use of 'virtual employees' for years. Work online as an independent agent, call center rep, or as part of the company - your choice!

Virtual Assistant
Today's hectic lifestyle can make it hard to keep on top of everything you need to remember, and in recent years a new assistant has arisen to answer the call - the virtual assistant can take care of most of your business needs just like one in your office can, and if you know this kind of work, you could be that very assistant!

Software Engineer
Supply & Demand at its finest - need an application developed but can't find the talent locally? No problem, there are countless software engineers and programmers on the Internet looking for employment, and with such high demand for new software every day, there's always room for one more! Could it be you?
With so many different options to suit almost anybody and their talents and interests, what is stopping you from looking into this further?

By John W Robertson

What Are The Best Ways to Find Administrative Assistant Jobs?

Are you looking for a job as an administrative assistant? If so, there are a number of different job search approaches you can take to find this type of position. A few of the best ways, which are likely to produce the best results, are highlighted below.

Job Search Sites

Job search sites are recommended when it comes to looking for administrative assistant jobs. This does not mean that you should avoid your local newspaper's employment section, but know that most employers prefer the online approach as it is a more cost effective way to reach a larger pool of job seekers.

When performing a search on a job search website, keep in mind that some companies refer to the position of an administrative assistant as something different. For that reason, it might be a good idea to perform multiple searches with varying search phrases. Get started with administrative assistant, then try office manager, then try administrative secretary, and so forth.

Free Resume Databases

This method of finding an administrative assistant job or gig doesn't involve you doing any searching. Instead, you should find a number of free resume databases online to post your resume too. It is also a good idea to go to the best job search sites and upload your resume in their searchable database as well.

Free resume databases are ideal because a growing number of companies are getting frustrated with applicants who aren't qualified for the job. That is why more companies are instead searching for qualified talent, as opposed to posting job listings online. The only difficulty with this approach of trying to get a job is that you might not see immediate results. A hiring manager might contact you in one month or six months.

Company Websites

Administrative assistant positions are found in just about any industry. Even an auto repair shop is likely to hire an administrative assistant or office manager. But what you can do is find the websites of local businesses (doctor offices, insurance offices, and so forth). Look around that website for a "jobs," "careers," or "employment" section. If you see an open position in the office that involves some managerial duties, send off your resume. This typically involves using the uploadable resume form or emailing your resume to the provided email address.

Apply In Person

One of the best ways to find an administrative job is to get out there and network. Visit the local business in your area that could benefit from an office manager. Go in professionally dressed and drop off you resume. You stand a better chance of getting hired or scoring an immediate job interview when you notice a now hiring sign. However, many hiring managers will still accept and save you resume in the event a position opens up later down the road.

By Adnan Masood

Too Often Candidates Aren’t Focused on the Same Issues as the Company

I recently asked approximately 30 people in-transition what candidates mean when they say, “I’m qualified for the position.” The answers were, experience, skills, can do the job, etc. All hard skills listed on the resume. Then I asked what they think a hiring authority means when they say, “I think this is a good candidate.” The answers were, fit, liked the person, work well with others, etc. All soft skills, which are not visible on a resume. So in reality, candidates and hiring managers are measuring different things in the interview. This is why someone might be a great candidate, but not the right candidate.

I don’t believe candidates spend enough time researching and understanding the soft skills required to get the job. They walk into an interview prepared to talk about all of their skills and experiences, yet the interviewer is not only listening to those but also evaluating the soft skills. Chances are they already know you have some level of hard skills or you wouldn’t be there to begin with.

This is an area candidates should focus on more as they prepare during their job search. Understanding how they present themselves from the moment they walk in the door, how they sit in the chair, use their hand motions, the speed at which they talk, how they listen to the questions and answer them, including how they mirror the interviewer should not be taken for granted. These are all relatively easy things to do and learn. There are many helpful books, videos, and webinars available for candidates to help them prepare. Just fine tuning a few things in your presentation can give you the edge you may need to beat out the competition.

To download the free chapter on Conducting an Effective Phone Interview from our book “This Is NOT The Position I Accepted” go to http://www.bradremillardcareercoach.com and then click on the Free Search Resources link.

How effective is your job search? If you are not sure, download our free 8 Matrix Job Search Self-Assessment Scorecard. Go to http://www.bradremillardcareercoach.com and then click on the Free Search Resource link.

I welcome your thoughts and comments.

Brad Remillard

Job Seeker Tips: 3 Reasons to Job Search From Your Android Phone

Are you a job seeker who has an Android phone? If so, did you know that you can perform a job search right from your phone? You can! In fact, there are a number of benefits to utilizing this method.

Number of Apps to Choose From

If you have an Android phone with a full internet browser, you can easily visit the mobile websites of popular career sites, such as Monster or CareerBuilder. But, there are benefits to being able to search multiple job sites at once. Not only will your search on the Android Market produce a number of results, but you'll see how far apps have come in recent years. There are a number of programs that enable you to search all the best job sites (hundreds or thousands) at once.

When it comes to choosing a job finder for your Android phone, take into account the ability to search multiple career sites at once. Also, be on the lookout for other timesaving features that enable you to apply for jobs via the app, forward a job listing onto a friend, add jobs to your favorites lists and more.

You will see that some apps are free and others are reasonably priced, often less than $2. Stat with a free app first.

Job Search Anywhere, Anytime

Yes it is true that you can turn on your computer in the middle of the night and find current listings via an internet search. With that said, the ability to search for jobs via a mobile device means you can literally search anywhere and anytime.

Let's say that you had to cut your internet access to save money. Your home phone was recently replaced with your cell phone. So even if you do not have internet access via a computer from home, you still have the option to hunt for current openings via your phone and a finder app.

Let's say that you are out and about enjoying a traditional day of grocery shopping, you happen to notice that an office nearby has a now hiring sign posted. Along with that sign, it says "checkout our ad online." But wait! What website? If you have an Android app that lets you search all the best career sites at once, it isn't a problem. Do a search with the company name to find the listing right away.

Easier to Find Jobs

For many job seekers, it is easier to find companies hiring now because we often carry our phones with us at all times. Let's say that you job search online once a day via your home computer. Great! But, this leaves the potential of a few jobs falling through the cracks. Job seekers are more likely to search more often via a device that is with them 24/7.

In sort, there are many benefits to looking for open positions via your Android phone. Please note that Android phones were used solely as an example. Similar apps can be found for iPhones, Window phones, and more!

Install the free Job Finder for Android to job search on the go. Search all the best career search sites at once, upload your resume, and more!

By Adnan Masood

Resume Tips For the 21st Century Job Seeker

1.    Keep your resume on your mobile device for sending at a moment's notice.

2.    Consider creating a Visual CV.  It's free.  You can showcase your use of social media tools, post a video and samples of your work.

3.    Add your resume to your LinkedIn page as a SlideShare presentation.

4.    Your resume is your marketing document.  Is it engaging and an interesting read?  If not, add case "stories" to add a personal touch.

5.    Highlight your accomplishments. Quantify and qualify as much as possible.

6.    Does your recruiter have the most up-to-date version of your resume?

7.    Resume must be letter perfect.  In this tightly competitive market, you don't want your resume to be eliminated due to spelling errors.

8.    Make sure your current contact information is listed.  Include Linkedin as well.

9.    Use social media tools to their fullest advantage. If you are job hunting, consider posting your resume to your Facebook page.

10.    Arrange your content in reverse chronological order, starting with current status and work backwards. Recruiters prefer this format.

11.    Tell the truth.  Do not fudge or claim credit for work that was not yours.

12.    Use action words. Trim the language on what you "do".  That is a job description.

13.    A resume is a work in progress. You may have different versions and need to update them as needed.

14.    Show your resume to individuals outside of your specialty area.  Do they understand what you are trying to communicate in plain English?

15.    What is your UPS (unique positioning statement)?  Once you fully understand how to position yourself, writing your summary statement will be much easier.

By Lynn Hazan 

Resume Writing Tips That Speak To The Employer

It's critical that when you are writing a resume, that you target it specifically for the people who will be reading it, and for the position you are applying for. With that in mind, it's critical that you speak directly to your prospective employer, spark some interest in them, and really sell yourself in a very specific way for the position being applied for.

Below are 5 tips you can use when you are writing a resume to help you speak directly to the employer - the person you really need to impress if you want to end up in that hot seat for an interview.

Resume Writing Tip #1: Spark Interest - the employer has already told you what they are looking for, it's all contained in the job description. Make sure your resume speaks directly to what the employer is asking for. It might sound obvious, but most people write resumes as a bland employment history, they don't make it specific enough for the job they want.

Resume Writing Tip #2: Sell Yourself - Your resume is quite literally a sales ad, with you being the product on sale. Savvy sales ads don't play down relevant points, they emphasize them. They find a pain / pleasure point and they highlight their product as the solution. When you are writing a resume, you should think along the same lines - what problem is the employer looking to solve, and how do you provide a solution they can't ignore.

Resume Writing Tip #3: Focus On The Needs Of The Employer - you might think i am hammering this point home from different angles, and i am, because this point is important. The employer has needs, he doesn't really care if his applicants did some white water rafting 10 years ago, or enjoy long walks on the beach... he cares about his problems and his needs, and he needs to find an answer in one of the applicants.

Resume Writing Tip #4: Be Specific - Resist the urge to cover as much employment history and background activities that aren't related to the job description as possible. With too much filler content, or irrelevant information the employer will gloss over your resume and quite possibly miss the parts that make you perfect for the position. When you are writing your resume, make sure that every word ont he page is tightly focused ont he position you are applying for. No fillers, no fluff, no random facts.

Resume Writing Tip #5: Learn To Summarize - All to often people write a resume that consists of an employment history, and some skills and experiences they have. In a stack of dozens of applications how many do you think will get read all the way through? Research has shown that employers tend to scan resumes, and often only read the first couple of paragraphs to decide if the candidate is suitable. Use a highly specific summary of your most relevant skills and experiences, and focus on what you can offer to solve the underlying needs of the employer.

There are countless more tips and tidbits of advice I could offer on writing a resume, but following these 5 will certainly help you speak directly to the employer, and that alone is a powerful tool in your attempt to secure an interview and ultimately a new job or promotion.

By John W Robertson

The Specifics of Effective Resume Writing

The primary requirement to secure a job interview is to submit a resume. Hiring managers scrutinize first each and every detail before they invite applicants for an interview. Most of the time, hiring managers do not get the chance to further read through the entire pre-employment document of applicants because there are a lot more still piled on their desks. During this situation, managers tend to skim resumes and pick those that captured their attention. For this reason, job candidates should remember to always present a striking application, something that can make their names be recalled. The reality is - many job applicants do not know how to make a presentable application. They find it hard to come up with an effective resume writing.

Many things are being taught at school. These academic teachings aim to prepare students for their future. Ironically, it is true that writing a resume has never been a topic of thorough discussion inside the classrooms. Although this has been discussed briefly, it is never given ample time to prepare students by the time they graduate and look for available jobs. However, people can now utilize the Internet to learn more about resume writing. The Internet provides a lot of resources and references that can help and teach people of the things that must be learned about best crafting the job search essential.

Constructing one is not that easy. It takes a process in order to produce one that really catches attention. Here are the tips:

Prepare all the materials needed

This is a basic, initial step to do. Gather materials, such as laptop, previous application, employment records, and other personal and professional credentials that can help in writing factual and relevant data. After this, you can then proceed to the writing proper.

Header

This part is what hiring managers initially look at. This portion includes personal information: name of the applicant and his contact details (physical address, telephone and cellular phone numbers, and e-mail address). Making this part captivating will surely allow the reader to read through the succeeding details. To make it eye-catching, here's how:

* Use visual enhancers, such as table, highlights, boldfaces, icons, designs, and other symbols. Apply these minimally.

* Allocate bigger margin on top of the document in order to maximize the space for the heading.

* Use modern job titles and skill headings (or career tag) that really relate to or match the desired job.

Body of the Resume

When the hiring managers got attracted with the heading, for sure they will be interested to read the information below it. The body of the resume contains sections in their basically organized order: Qualifications Summary, Areas of Competencies, Professional Experience, Earlier Career, Education, Professional Trainings, Awards and Honors, Affiliations, Activities, Certificates, and Licenses.

Remember to:

* Create content that sells. Presenting accurate, factual, and consistent data is a big factor in the application. The writer should avoid committing grammatical errors and misspellings.

* Quantify and use power keywords. Always be selective with keywords to be included in the document. Most employers gauge the relevance of a resume to a vacancy through the density of significant keywords. If there are no or very little keywords in the application, chances are, your application will be disregarded.

* Sell the benefits of the applicant's skills.

* Check every detail. Let other people check the output to ensure it's error-free.

Prepare Cover Letter

Resume writing doesn't stop here. There is an additional task to be performed. When the applicant is done with his resume, it's time to work on his cover letter. Make sure, though, that the letter is equally effective as your application.

By Nelson Mullins

Need Help Finding A Job? Follow These Tips

Being jobless is an experience which can be very depressing. Looking for a job can be stressful as well. And what makes the situation more difficult is that jobless people find vacancies where their skills do not fit or where they are just not needed. If you are one of those needing help finding a job, then this article is for you. How do you get a job quickly and how do you locate the job that suits your skills?


It is very easy to locate job vacancies today. You always start by knowing what you want. You start your search for a job by identifying and integrating your skills. What is it you can do best? What is it you have felt at home doing in your past job experiences? These are very important questions you need to ask yourself. Your past work experiences must have helped you harness skills that new employers would love to have. If you have identified what kind of job you are looking for, one that is a passion for you, then you are ready to go about pitching your talent.


The best way to pitch your talent, to make yourself known, to be noticed bycompanies and to get invited for an interview, is to write a great resume. Mind you, a resume is not just a list of jobs you have had in the past. It is not about how desperate you are in finding a job. It is a confident presentation of yourself and your skills.


Your objective is something that sells your resume and catches the interests of most employers. The way you speak about yourself and your past work experiences is what makes you shine. Be careful not to express your sense of uncertainty or your fears about not meeting the mark in your resume. Give it a sense of direction while highlighting those areas where you excel.


The second sure way of getting help finding a job is to post your resume in job listing sites like Craigslist, Job Street, Snag A Job com and many others. This will offer you the possibility of getting noticed by employers looking for your skills. If your resume is powerful and compelling, you will definitely have companies scrambling for you. It takes skill to draw interest in your job skills. Make yourself noticed. One way of making yourself noticed is giving your resume a great title that will be easily found by search engines.


Joining a job listing company will enable you to get notifications of job vacancies that are advertised by employers. Attending seminars on how to get help finding a job could be an invaluable tool on understanding how interviews work. Browsing online will offer you multiple job postings. Always make sure you read the job description carefully and update your resume accordingly. A resume that is confidently and audaciously written will ensure a breakthrough for you in the business world.


By Jeremy Winters

Job Seekers Career Management – Interviewing Preparation to Land Your Next Job

Here is an effective technique to help you prepare for your upcoming interviews. You could use this technique both for formal job interviews or less formal informational interviews.


First search websites or books for typical interview questions. Then print out this list of questions and cuts them into individual questions. Load a large bowl with these typical interview questions. You could have a separate bowl for informational interview questions. Before dinner your family to each draw a question or two from the bowl.


During dinner have each of them take turns asking you these various questions. This technique gives you practice delivering your carefully crafted responses. Use the SAR (situation – action – result) format to organize your thoughts.


This technique gives you practice speaking without notes and improve your public speaking skills. You can focus totally on the delivery of your message. Your significant other will see and understand the efforts you have put into preparing for this interview situation. Your teenage children have a role model for preparing for their own job interviews. The kids understand the type of preparation that will give them an edge when they are competing for a job. The teens also can appreciate the amount of work you put into your job search.


Bottom line? Here is a win-win situation for the entire family. The job seeker practices responding to typical questions. In the process he or she becomes more comfortable and confident. This family gains insight as to the important work required to prepare for an interview. You will arrive at the interview with the tools to give you the confidence to make a positive impression.


By April M. Williams

Business Analyst Jobs and Careers

In a tough economic environment like the one we are currently mired in, there is nothing more important to businesses than cutting out the waste and becoming more efficient. That is why many companies have taken it upon themselves to hire a business analyst. As you might have already guessed, the jobs of an analyst to examine the business needs of his clients in order to locate any present or potential problems and then pose practical solutions. A business analyst is also often known as a systems analyst or a functional analyst and there are some promising careers available.


The simple truth is that no matter how well any one company is run, there is always room for improvement. With the rapidly changing technological environment and nearly daily computer upgrades, greater efficiency can be achieved if you know where to look. And that is where a business analyst comes in. It is their job to keep abreast of all the new techniques and products that can help companies improve their efficiency.


How does one become an analyst?


There is no set path that one can take to get involved in business analyst careers. Many times they have technical experience, either as a programmer or in engineer jobs. Analysts who specialize in computers often have a Computer Science degree or experience with IT solutions. While others come from a business background and have firsthand experience with many of the problems that they encounter.


The unique experiences and responsibilities of business analyst careers also make them qualified to perform some of the tasks of project managers and consultants. In fact, when many analysts retire, they often offer their services as high paid, part time consultants.


But an analyst does not only work on computer-related project, their skills are also utilized on marketing and financial projects. Though it is true that many analysts will stick to their own particular area of expertise, some analysts are truly jacks-of-all-trades and they customarily work on projects in different industries. The most popular job industries for analysts include: finance, insurance, banking, utilities, telecoms, computer and software services.


Just as the path to becoming a business analyst is not set in stone, neither are the roles or responsibilities of the analyst. Yes, of course, ultimately they are hired to improve efficiency. But they may also be asked to focus on only one department or division in the business. For example, an analyst may be asked to help improve sales planning, scaling, or even business strategies.


Why would someone want to become a business analyst?


For one thing, experience. As we mentioned, because of the various demands of the business, it is not uncommon that an analyst will work on different types of projects and encounter different problems and challenges every time out. This means that the analyst will quickly acquire a wealth of experience that he can call on in all future endeavors. If, for example, he wants to become a consultant or start his own consulting firm, he will have the background to handle nearly any problem that comes down the pike.


Another great reason to get involved in business analyst career is market demand. The truth is that business analysis is a relatively new field and it is growing by leaps and bounds. There are still not enough of them to go around, which means that a good analyst can always find work. He can also become a project manager or consultant if he ever has problems finding a job.


The likelihood is that a good business analyst will never want for work. And even as the field expands and more managers graduate from colleges, the fact is that businesses will always need experienced individuals to help them cut costs, take advantage of available resources and improve overall business functions. Unlike many other businesses that are content to enroll new employees in training programs to help them learn the ropes, business analysts have on the job training. Their fees are almost entirely dependent on their experience and their reputation in the field. They are also only as good as their last project.


That is one of the reasons why business analysis is not for everyone. It is a highly stressful job that requires an individual to take charge and communicate with people from many different disciplines. And at the end of the day, if the client is unhappy with the results, the blame falls on the head of the analyst. This can not only hurt his reputation but also his paycheck for all upcoming projects.


However, if you are a take charge individual who does well in high pressure situations and can complete projects under hard deadlines, then business analysis jobs may be right for you.


By Marcus Lim

Resume Writing Approaches for Older Job Seekers

Are you a baby boomer who seems to be going over the hill? Do you feel ashamed to admit that your age is over 40 years? Do you feel your age and appearance are detrimental to getting hired for a job? Do you fear that recruiters and hiring managers will change their minds right after your first meeting?


If you are one of the thousands of job seekers out there in the job market, you probably have experienced something like you were a little left out. There is nothing to worry about, but rather be proud of ‘who you are’, especially if you believe you are reliable, dependable, hardworking, experienced, and enthusiastic.


You know you still got what it takes to excel in your chosen career. Apparently, you are not ready to retire but you encounter hiring managers and staff who are younger than you. You started to notice that they don’t seem to be that responsive to your application. It starts to bring a voltage of fear and anxiety to you.


What are you going to do when these happens? Can you blame these people if you think they are discriminating you?


Need to makeover


You may not see it at first, but an outdated resume can possibly be the source of your woes, that is, whatever you put in there or whatever it looks like.


To avoid being categorized as a job seeker who is “over the hill” or “out of date”, you should take a hard look at your resume.


Do not allow innovations to leave you behind. Carry out an extreme resume makeover using the following tips:


Apply the latest trends in resume writing by researching about it
Checking out multiple job descriptions that employers or hiring managers are looking for
Determine missing technology skills that you need to develop
Consider enrolling in classes where you learn to fill the technology skills gap
Incorporate current keywords and terminologies used in your target occupation or industry
Search for job descriptions related to your target occupation or industry
Look for recurring terms and find a way to use them correctly and effectively
Read the latest articles and journals published by your target industry’s professional organizations to remain current
Be affiliated in any way with professional organizations to become aware and familiar with the latest industry-speak
Most of the time, experience still speaks the most when it comes to an applicant’s qualification to a job vacancy. So don’t fret, still. You still can outdo other younger applicants when it comes to that valuable aspect in a resume. Regardless of your age, skill, or educational qualification, there is certainly a perfect resume writing approach just for you.


By Melinda Edwards

World’s Best Job Interview Tips

When it comes time for you to meet with a prospective employer you want to be a prepared as possible. It doesn’t matter if you are seeking an hourly wage position or an executive level career posting — the person who will make the hiring decision wants to see you at your best. From the way you appear to them when you first enter the interview area, to the answers your offer to their questions, to the overall demeanor of your personality, you will be judged — make no mistake of that. Understanding that reality means it is to your decided advantage to control as many of the key job interview factors as you can. In this article we will address some of the world’s best job interview success tips, so you may have a better idea about how to address and manage some of those key job interview skills.


First of all, appearance. As obvious as it may seem to some, not everyone dresses appropriately for a job interview. Your idea of appropriate dress may often come into conflict with what is expected by the hiring authority — maybe not. Please remember that the hiring decision maker, like most of us, wants respect. They don’t necessarily want to see your sexiest garb, or your hippest attire, or your most faddish display. Mostly, they want to see you dress nicely, usually in a suit — yes, even for hourly wage jobs.


Recently, I had a restaurant executive who met with the CEO of the company atone of the restaurants that happen to be in the local area where the job candidate resided. It was meant to be a job interview meeting, but one orchestrated to occur at one of the CEO’s causal themed restaurant locations. The CEO felt it was a good way to illustrate the image and flavor of the company to the prospective job candidate. Imagine the surprise, which I heard about later, when the job candidate walks in wearing a golf shirt and pair of loose fitting jeans and sneakers. The job candidate, whom I questioned later, felt since it was a casual job interview location it was appropriate to dress casually. I informed him that the CEO did not feel the same way. The idea is this, even if the interview location is casual, always dress in a suit, ladies too. Dress to show the level of your professionalism, not to match the physical location. However, that rule goes out the window when the job interview might be in an unusual environment, such as a factory tour location, heavy construction area, or such. In those cases, ask the person setting the interview what sort of dress is expected. Otherwise, always dress to make a great impression the instant you enter the job interview area.


The next most important job interview success tip is your demeanor, your personality. Smile. Be friendly, but not superficially pleasing. Plan to engage the job interviewer as much as they engage you. Strive to remain composed throughout the interview. Most interviewers will attempt to put the applicant at ease, in order to elicit “off the cuff” remarks and spontaneous answers that reveal aspects about one’s self that may not otherwise be offered. If you enter into a job interview with the intention to retain a somewhat detached, friendly, but professional attitude, you will be at ease, but you will also maintain your sense of decorum and objectivity. That sort of an approach helps create in the mind of the interviewer the belief that you have an aire of confidence and control, a friendly, but results oriented personality — because it will be true. But that sort of demeanor doesn’t happen on its own. You must prepare by practicing those attributes prior to your job interview. And it’s easy to practice those skills.


Without announcing your intention, enter into just such a somewhat detached, but friendly and still engaging attitude when you are visiting with family or friends, or if you meet someone new. You will soon see that such a professional demeanor is an easy persona to turn on or off. And don’t feel like you are portraying a fake part of yourself, a faux-you. You don’t go out in public in your underwear — or, at least most of us don’t. In that same way, job interviewers want to see the best part of your personalities, not the full spectrum of your emotions.


Lastly, prepare in advance for the type of questions you expect to have to address in a job interview. Each vocation will have its own set of related job questions, so it is difficult to address in this article all the possible questions that may arise. Suffice it to say that if you make a list of the primary issues or other problems that are routinely addressed in the sort of job you will interview for, then create a specific list of solution strategies that answer those problems with practical remedies — and have an example from your experience about how each remedy was implemented — then you will move far ahead in your efforts to express yourself as solutions oriented job applicant.


In many cases, it is also prudent to quantify your answers as much as possible; meaning to say, apply to your answers numerical statistics or results. If you think of a job interview as a sales presentation — which it is — then you will understand that every supporting material you can bring to bear will strengthen your candidacy for the job at hand. That includes having copies of any training or educational or vocation related certification or degree or accomplishment that may apply to or be of interest to the interviewer, or related to the job.


Follow the guidelines above, let them guide you as you prepare for a job interview. Too often applicants feel that they know their skills and experiences better than anyone else and that they alone can decide the best way to present their credentials and skills. Maybe that is true for some. But for most of us, we get caught up in ego based beliefs that cause us to enter into a job interview without consideration of how what we do or say or how our behavior may influence the outcome of a job interview. If you doubt that statement, please ponder the example of the very skilled, very professional, very knowledgeable restaurant executive whose “beliefs” caused him to dress down because his logic told him strongly that a casual environment meant casual dress. He is still looking for a good job, and has since realized the mistake it was to follow his own good advice when it comes to a job interview.


By Mark Baber

4 Interview Styles For the Job Seeker to Prepare For

Welcome reader! By opening this web page you are basically opening the doors of human resource and hiring manager offices across the USA. As a corporate recruiter consultant, for over twenty years I work closely with hiring managers, human resource professionals and of course job-candidates.


My job has me working anywhere from 3 months to 2 years at a single company then I’ll move on to the next company to help staff people to fill their open positions of employment. My career has allowed me to work in many different H.R. departments across the U.S.A. I’ve witnessed first-hand what a company both wants and needs in their next new employee. I’ve also learned that there are different ways to interview a candidate during a face-to-face interview. Step into my office and I will tell you about the four most common face-to-face interview styles. In learning about these interview styles you will also learn how to prepare for them thus gaining greater self-confidence and a greater chance to secure the position from the competition.


Obtaining a face-to-face interview is always a good thing…even if you end up not being selected for the job. Meeting with someone that represents the company allows you to properly sell yourself and get a foot in the door for future opportunities.


Not all interviews are held in a stuffy human resource office, some are held in astuffy hiring manager’s office. Some interviews are conducted over a meal at a local diner or in a large conference room where several key players have gathered. If you are fortunate you might be told in advance what type of interview you can expect. Being organized and prepared will help you be relaxed and make the entire interview process flow smoothly.


Traditional Interview- Traditional interviewing revolves around asking a series of questions which typically elicit straight-forward answers centering on education, qualifications and the experiences of the candidate. Traditional interview questions are excellent for laying a foundation of what to expect from the candidate. For example, in a traditional interview the hiring authority can discover that a candidate is a Registered Respiratory Therapist with five years of clinical experience; with this knowledge the interviewer will expect the candidate to be able to have a shorter new-hire ramp-up time than the Certified Respiratory Therapist with six months home health care experience. Most traditional interviews are conducted in an enclosed room in a one-on-one setting.


Following are some traditional interview questions:


• What are your major strengths and weaknesses?
• What is your favorite web site?
• Who do you turn to for help in making decisions?
• Where do you see yourself five years from now? (Personally I despise this question and I wouldn’t fault the fool that says they see themselves on a beach in Hawaii sipping Mai-Tai’s. If you are unfortunate enough to be challenged with answering this mind-numbing question try to answer in terms of skills or experiences you hope to learn.)
• Why are you interested in working for us?
• What would you do if you won the lottery?


Panel interview- This type of interview can be highly efficient and yet rather nerve-racking for the candidate. I remember my first panel interview where I was seated at the end of a very long table as 15 people began to announce their name and title. “Mary, Director of E.R.. Bob, Director of Laboratory. Sam, Director of Oncology. Dr. Danforth, Director of Nursing…” By the time they got to me I wanted to blurt out, “Hi, I’m Kelly and I’m going to need one of you as soon as I faint from a severe case of intimidation.” I managed to make it through the interview and get the job. Once I got over the willies I found the process to be an effective way to exchange a great deal of information, with a lot of different people, in a short amount of time.


Some corporations prefer the Panel interview as it embodies their culture of team-work, or perhaps it embraces their non-hierarchical approach. Whatever the reason, the Panel interview is not only an efficient use of time but a great way to see how the candidate handles stressful situations as well as witness how they interact with peers and superiors.


Behavioral interview – Behavioral interviewing has been quite the rage for the past couple of years. Behavioral interviewing emphasizes past performance and behaviors thus indicating predictable future behavior. A candidate will not be able to prepare a canned answer for the behavioral question. This method of interviewing seeks examples of how interviewees have behaved during certain situations that are important in the position. For example, “Describe the last time you had to handle an angry patient.”


Following are some behavioral questions:


• Decision Making and Problem Solving
Give me an example of a time when you had to keep from speaking or making a decision because you did not have enough information.
Give me an example of a time when you had to be quick in coming to a decision.


• Leadership
What is the toughest group that you have had to get cooperation from?
Have you ever had difficulty getting others to accept your ideas? What was your approach? Did it work?


• Motivation
Give me an example of a time when you went above and beyond the call of duty.
Describe a situation when you were able to have a positive influence on the action of others.


• Communication
Tell me about a situation when you had to speak up (be assertive) in order to get a point across that was important to you.
Have you ever had to ‘sell’ an idea to your co-workers or group? How did you do it? Did they ‘buy’ it?


• Interpersonal Skills
What have you done in the past to contribute toward a teamwork environment?
Describe a recent unpopular decision you made and what the result was.


• Planning and Organization
How do you decide what gets top priority when scheduling your time?
What do you do when your schedule is suddenly interrupted? Give an example.


• Other Behavioral Questions
Give a specific example of a policy you conformed to with which you did not agree.
Give me an example of an important goal which you had set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it.
Describe an instance when you had to think on your feet to extricate yourself from a difficult situation


The key to answering behavorial-based questions is to provide clear, concise yet detailed responses where the interviewer can understand how you played a role in the situation.


Mass interviewing – More commonly referred to as a ‘Job Fair’. When an organization has a large amount of the same type of job to fill within a short amount of time then a mass interviewing event may be the best way for them to go. One large corporation that I was hired to assist with their recruiting department needed to hire 100 RN’s within a four month time span. A marketing firm was hired to spread the word about the special day where all hiring resources would be available. In order to catch the RN’s that had different shifts to work the event lasted from sun-up to sun-down for two days. This corporation was very wise in not calling it a ‘Job Fair’ but a ‘Hiring Event’, this way the RN’s knew that the company was serious about extending offers on the spot. This event was a tremendous success netting over 60 new hires to fill the vacant RN slots. Mass interviewing events more commonly are arranged to hire call center and customer service professionals.


Dinner interview – There are generally three reasons why an interview is conducted in a public place while dining. One reason is flexibility with time and/or location is a necessity in getting the interview accomplished. Reason two is that the interviewer is trying to please or impress the candidate. The third reason is that the interviewer wants to witness how the candidate might interact in this setting as dining out with clients is going to be part of the job that the candidate is vying for. The interviewer will watch to see if the candidate orders alcoholic beverages, do they use proper table manners, what do they order from the menu, do they talk with their mouth full, are they polite to the staff? If you are invited to interview while dining out it is without question your hosts’ responsibility to pick up the tab. Be sure to thank the host for the meal and their time.


The dinner interview should have a more informal feel to it where perhaps the interviewer might get to know you on a more personal level. Types of questions asked might relate to your educational experiences, your reasons for choosing your career path, some of your outside interests or what are your greatest passions in life. The dinner interview isn’t the proper setting for a strong set of behavioral-based questions.


No matter how informal the interview setting the interviewer should never ask you questions pertaining to your race, age, religion, whether or not you are pregnant or disabled. If an interviewer blatantly or mistakenly asks you a question relative to one of these topics, simply respond with, ‘I’d rather not answer that question’ and quickly change the subject.


By Kelly A Smith

Reasons Why American Job Seekers Are Less Competitive

It’s not simply the economy. There are calculated reasons why some American job seekers are not getting the jobs they want and the pay that they feel they deserve. Many of the reasons for lack of success are deeper than a resume that is not 100% or lack of ability to negotiate salary. It has to do with American society as a whole. Here are some of the variables that make the young American job seeker less competitive by the day:


1. Education – The later they graduate college, the worse their writing skills are. Judging by the hundreds of resumes that come into KAS Placement every day, it seems that poor grammar and a lack of ability to express oneself clearly is not reserved for the graduates of lower-tier schools.


Instead, some of the most reputable colleges are letting students graduate without merit (but, with payment, of course) which is diluting our country’s talent pool. Mainly, this is due to colleges feeling they need to spend tremendous amounts of advertising dollars to compete with online schools, then filling this deficit with students who can barely read, but can definitely pay.


2. Impulsive Behavior – Younger Americans have become more impulsive than ever and seem to need everything right this moment – a characteristic that hinders many upon searching for a job.
When dealing with younger job seekers, our recruiters have more difficulty explaining to them that things may not happen the instant they want them to and not to act on that frustration.


While our recruiting firm explicitly explains to job seekers that their resume submissions will be read, but we can’t contact everybody right away, we still see emails in our inbox demanding that we read a resume submitted three hours ago. These types of actions instantly force our recruiters to blacklist the individual because we can’t have that type of behavior going on with our clients.
Since 2005, the aforemetioned behavior among young job seekers has probably increased about 7 to 8x (this is factoring in increased resume submissions year over year).


3. Loss of Entrepreneurial Spirit – Many of today’s younger generation has just about every technological advantage over the older job seeker, but only a tenth of the research and creativity of job seekers with 5+ years experience.


KAS Placement’s website has a section dedicated to recent college graduates. As a test about a year ago, I switched the tone of the main page telling recent graduates that recruiters could not do everything for them, but instead offered them advice on how to find a great job. Visitors rarely returned and frequently exited the page without visiting these “recommended pages.”


The problem is that young job seekers from overseas are willing to do the research it takes to find the right position, as their custom applications and ways to get in touch with decision makers are more unique than going directly to a website and applying. This is making it very tempting for some companies to start sponsoring young job seekers from the U.K. and Western Europe.


The Positive Takeaway
The positive takeaway for many younger American job seekers is that many companies are not going to sponsor overseas workers, thus the competition for great jobs is going to continue to stay domestic, as it were. If a job seeker begins to seriously look at his or her defaults, a simple correction can spawn a great career.


By Ken Sundheim

How to Start a Seasonal Summer Job Search

Do you plan to do a job in the summer? Yes? but how do you persuade your employer keep you?. If you do then you should apply now. Most of the companies start looking for candidates by spring for summer internships and job applications so that they can start interviewing the candidates they want to recruit by summer. It is not too early to start planning and searching for a suitable new job or internship.


Here are a few tips and tricks to help you start your summer job search:


Starting a Summer Job Search


If you are a fresh graduate, go to your school’s guidance office or college’s career services office and take suggestions on the various options available. You can then choose one which can help you develop specific skills and experience.


If you are under eighteen, you need to have working papers as per requirement of specific states. These papers can help you legally work in the state.


You should develop a resume which lists details about your achievements and qualifications. It can also have details on any awards or accolades that you have won, leadership roles and other special skills acquired.


You also need to include a few references to add value to your resume. Keep a list of references ready to give to your interviewers or prospective employers. This can include your teachers, mentors or guides.


Conduct adequate research to search for a suitable summer job and choose one which matches your requirement. Check websites which provide lists of summer job opportunities. Communicate to your family members and friends so that you can inform you about any new job opportunities.


Don’t forget your local newspapers. Check the newspapers or apply in person to the jobs that fit your requirements.


Networking with people through your social media profiles and LinkedIn can also help you reach prospective employers.


Good summer jobs get filled quite fast; hence you should be proactive and apply in advance to get a suitable one.


What do you think is the best way to start you Seasonal summer job search? Networking, posting resumes on sites or checking available jobs in the newspapers?


When employers are looking to hire full time employees beyond the holiday season, they may consider you if you follow the suggestions mentioned above. If you want to turn your seasonal job into a full time position, you have the formula.


By Ray Right

How Using a Recruitment Consultancy Benefits Job Seekers

Saving time and effort


Finding a new job is a time consuming business. When someone is already in full time employment, finding the time to regularly check for new opportunities can be problematic, to say the least. By discussing what roles and expectations a job seeker is looking for with a consultant the applicant can have a company checking their details against newly posted jobs. Their CV is kept on file, and their details are check against all new roles without them having to lift a finger.


Not all Jobs are visible


Because of the way recruitment consultants work not all vacancies are advertised. They are as likely to fill roles from their stored databases of CVs as they are to advertise a role. The only way to be considered for some of the best posts out there is to be on the consultants’ books and be approached for the position before the need to advertise arises. It’s also worth noting that work that is offered to applicants this way is much more likely to result in a job, than a post that has been advertised nationally and gained hundreds or even thousands of applications.


Why think local?


If you’re happy to relocate, or even work abroad, recruitment consultants open up a whole world of possibilities. Their expertise means that any possible need for permits can be explained in full and in some cases dealt completely with as part of their service. Applicants are likely to need to go to interview first, which can bring the risk of a lot of expense just to find out the role isn’t what was advertised, or that the company doesn’t suit. Because the consultant knows the role and workplace well they can save a wasted trip by discussing the company ethos, workplace and role before you set foot out of your door.


Expert advice


The consultancy wants you to succeed; they get paid if you get hired. And this means that they will go out of their way to make sure you are presented in the best possible light. They will have your CV before it gets forwarded to their clients, and can advise you on how best to tailor it to the needs of the opportunity, what areas in it need highlighting, and what can be edited out. They can also advise you on how to best deal with interviews, and what areas of your past experience are most relevant to their clients. In short they can provide you with insider knowledge that someone dealing with the company direct is unlikely to know.


By Martin P Reed