Job Interview – Tell me about yourself – the perfect answer
Job Interview – Tell me about yourself – the perfect answer
8 Steps to an Effective Job Search
8 Steps to an effective job search
8 steps to an effective job search.
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First, Identify your career goals
Identify your career goals. What is your ideal, dream job? What do you want to do? Put your career goal in writing. This will provide the focus of your job search. Your goal will guide you to search for those jobs that best match your career goals.
Second , Evaluate your job skills
Evaluate whether you have the skills needed to get the job of your dreams. If you need to update some skills or freshen up your resume consider a class that can give you the current skill boost to be competitive.
Make sure you have the basic skills to be competitive in the current marketplace. This includes knowing the basics of computer software: Introduction to Microsoft Word 2013, Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2013, Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint 2013, Introduction to Microsoft Project 2013, Introduction to Windows 7, Introduction to Windows 8, Introduction to Adobe Acrobat X, Introduction to QuickBooks 2014, or Computer Skills for the Workplace.
Be sure that you have basic business skills: Mastery of Business Fundamentals, Accounting Fundamentals, Fundamentals of Supervision and Management, Employment Law Fundamentals, Total Quality Fundamentals, Managing Customer Service, Supply Chain Management Fundamentals, or Leadership.
Third, Research job announcements
Use job boards to research job announcements. Use some of the most common job search websites to look for job announcements that match your career goal: Indeed, Career Builder, Monster, Glassdoor, SimplyHired, Snag a Job, and so forth.
You can also find job announcements on corporate web sites. Identify a company you want to work for, go to their web site, and look for job opportunities. This can add to your job list.
When you find an announcement that matches your requirement; then add it to your list of job options, apply online, and submit your resume.
Fourth, Network
Network with others. Talk to others in your field and see what job openings they know about. Friends, colleagues, other professionals may be able to give you good job leads. Attend professional development luncheons, continuing education seminars, and other professional events where you can mix and mingle with others in your field.
Also consider online networking. Set up a profile on LinkedIn, Facebook, or other social network websites. This kind of online networking can help you gather more job leads, opportunities, and trends.
Fifth, Prepare a cover letter and resume
Prepare a cover letter. Your cover letter should highlight your capabilities and draw attention to how well you meet the job requirements. It should be short, one page, and be formatted professionally.
Make sure your resume is in order. It should include a list of your job experience, skills, professional training and development, and contact information. Keep it to one page, format it professionally, and save it on your computer or thumb drive to easily upload with a job application.
Sixth, Prepare to interview
Search online for common interview questions. Review the questions, prepare a short answer to each question. You want to be truthful and also prepared for the job interview questions.
Consider things you would like to know about the company you are interviewing with. Do a google search to find out about the business, make a list of questions you want to ask at the interview, and consider what you need to know to decide if the job is a good match for your skills.
Finally, prepare a one minute response to the question “Tell me about why we should hire you for this job.” You want to talk about the main three or four reasons you would be well qualified for the job. You will want to use your one minute response in the interview to make it clear why you should be hired.
Seventh, Get into the job market
Sometimes the job search process seems slow. Consider ways to get your foot in the door. Some people like to volunteer as a way to gain skills that they will need for their desired job. Look for ways to volunteer while you conduct your job search. This keeps you in the job market and helps you learn new skills.
Consider a job internship. An internship is often arranged through a school. You work at a company for school credit in order to get “on the job” experience. Other times an internship can be arranged individually. Ask whether it is a paid or unpaid internship and how long it lasts. An internship will typically end after a few months.
Take the financial pressure of the job search by getting a part time job. This keeps money coming in to pay the bills while you prepare for and look for your dream job. A part time job will keep you busy while you conduct your job search.
Eighth, Accept a formal offer
Your job search should lead to a formal offer of employment. Once you receive the formal offer, review the terms and conditions of employment, and if acceptable to you; then accept the offer. Set a date to begin employment. Clarify any job expectations that are still unclear. Make sure the salary and benefits have been clearly explained.
Once you have accepts the formal offer, pat yourself on the back for a job well done! You have successfully completed your job search and landed a job.
Best companies to work for in 2015
Best companies to work for in 2015
Review the Best companies to work for in 2015
These companies have been reviewed based on employee satisfaction, benefits, work/life balance and so forth. As you conduct your job search be sure to consider these best companies. If you join one of these companies you may find yourself well satisfied with the on-the-job perks!
How to Make an Easy Resume Using Microsoft Word
How to Make an Easy Resume Using Microsoft Word
Job Interview Tips – Job Interview Questions and Answers
Listen to job interview tips that will help you do well on the interview
The Perfect Resume
Learn how to create The Perfect Resume:
The Perfect Resume Infographic
The Perfect Resume Infographic Text
Title: The Perfect Resume
Section 1: Use These Power Keywords
Experience, Management, Project, Development, Business, Skill, Professional, Knowledge, Year, Team, Leadership
Using these keywords makes it 70% more likely you’ll get a 5 star rating.
Avoid These Keywords
Me, Need, Chance, Develop, Hard, First, Time, Learning, Myself
Using these keywords makes it 79% less likely you’ll get a 5 star rating.
Include These Sections
Objective, Summary, Work History, Training, References
You’re 1.7x more likely to get a 5 star rating by including these sections.
Avoid These Sections
Languages, Personal Interest, Accomplishments, Hobbies
You’re 24% less likely to get a 5 star rating when including these sections.
600-700 Words
Resumes between 600-700 words in length are rated higher than shorter or longer resumes.
The right length results in a 30% increase in your odds of getting a 5 star rating.
Say “Thank You”
We have found that 10% of 5 star resumes that included a cover letter use the phrase “Thank you for your consideration”.
Increase your chance of receiving a 5 star rating by 29%.
Remember This
Politeness Matters
Make It Clear You’re a Team Player
Present Yourself as “The Solution”
Display Confidence That You Will Get the Job Done
Lastly, Keep it Relevant!
Extra-curriculars and resume: Best practices for putting extra-curriculars on your resume
Extra-curriculars and Resume:
Best practices for putting extra-curriculars on your resume
Extra-curriculars and resume: Make sure you put extra-curriculars on your resume. Spring is here therefore students are searching and applying for internships and jobs. This is also the time that many students realize they need a resume! Drafting a resume for the first time can be frustrating but you can find ways to add to it. Do not despair! Here is a little known fact: you can add the skills you gain outside of class to your resume.
Extra-curriculars and resume: Skills from extra-curriculars to put on your resume
When you’re thinking about what you have to offer a company, keep in mind what you have done in your extracurricular activities. Here are some skills that you may not have realized you have or didn’t think were worth mentioning:
Extra-curriculars and resume:Leadership
- One quality that employers are always looking for is leadership potential.
- Clubs and student organizations on campus are great opportunities to gain leadership experience before you graduate.
- Include your positions. If you have held an officer or manager position in student government, Greek life, sports teams, or any organization on campus, you have experience leading a group of your peers and should be reflected on your resume.
- You can offer them not just leadership potential but leadership experience.
Extra-curriculars and resume:Teamwork
- Being a part of a sports team or other student group requires that you learn to work with the people around you.
- Whether you are planning a fundraising event, working on a community service event or practicing before the next big game you have to be able to communicate effectively and know when to compromise with others around you.
- Being able to successfully work as part of a team is invaluable in the work place and shows the employer your ability to work in a team environment.
Extra-curriculars and resume:Organization
- Helping to plan an event for a club or sports team requires a healthy dose of organization.
- Planning events often means simultaneously recruiting volunteers, communicating with the necessary campus offices, and working with the other members in your group.
- The organization that this requires is a useful skill for interns and employees.
Extra-curriculars and resume: Time management
- It takes forethought and discipline to manage and stick to a schedule so you can make all your meetings, rehearsals and finish your homework.
- Set priorities and make personal deadlines to ensure everything gets done.
- This is exactly what employers need their employees and interns to do.
The take-away from this article is that you should not immediately discount yourself from a position just because you do not have any directly related experience. Think about the skills you have gained from pursuing your other interests. Consider how those skills might apply. People like to see what you do outside of your major.
Who Makes What: Minimum Wage up in 13 states
“The typical minimum wage earner is a provider and a breadwinner – most likely a woman –responsible for paying bills, running a household and raising children. How can we expect her to get by on a wage that, in real terms, isn’t worth as much as it was in the 1950s?
“The value of the minimum wage simply hasn’t kept up with the cost of living, including the essentials a family needs to survive: a gallon of milk, a gallon of gas, monthly rent, a pair of children’s shoes and more.
“Wages also haven’t kept up with workers’ output. Since 1979, productivity has increased more than 90 percent, but real average hourly earnings have gone up only 3.2 percent.”
Read the full article at: 3 Out of 4 Americans Agree: It’s Time to Raise the Wage
See below to see who your state is doing? (click to enlarge)
5 kinds of people you need during your job search
5 kinds of people you need during your job search
There are 5 kinds of people you need during your job search. Searching for a job is a challenge unlike any other. You will be faced with a variety of emotions and experiences. We all know you’ll have some up’s and down’s.
While relatively innocent in nature, a challenging job search (even on the easy days) can knock even the most confident and sane individual off their feet. But similar to the variety of challenges we face in life, the challenge of seeking employment is far easier to tackle when surrounded people to help. We all need those who can assist in a job search.
These are the people who will help lift you up on your worst days. They can challenge you to improve yourself in areas where you’re weak. Your friends can coach abd guide you toward your career goals. They are your support system, but I believe it takes far more than support to complete a successful job hunt.
Inspiring a successful job hunt often comes down to the individuals you choose to surround yourself with. Here are five kinds of people you need during your job search:
The Supporter
This person is your go-to for seeking out the necessary strength needed to succeed. Oftentimes this individual is a close friend, family member, or even your significant other. It’s not necessary for this person to have any job search expertise or even work within your chosen career field, their only duty is to lend an ear and the necessary encouragement to help you “keep on, keepin’ on”.
The Mentor
The relationship you share with this person is generally of a professional nature. Mentors are often previous or current co-workers, managers, or professors who are willing to act as a sounding board for all that you’re faced with during your job search. They can provide you with sound professional advice, as well as insight into their own personal trials and tribulations. When seeking out a mentor, choose someone who isn’t afraid to be critically honest with you–this isn’t a place for a “yes” man or woman.
The Friend
While many of the people necessary to the success of your job search may fall into the friend category, this person is strictly in place to help you do more than just search for jobs. That’s right–your job search needs someone who forces you to get out of your house to go see a movie, get a drink, or even just someone who keeps you laughing. Consider having an agreement where you must refrain from talking about your woes when you’re out and about.
The Motivator
Every job seeker needs a cheerleader. There’s really no specifications for this person, other than their unending ability to send good energy and motivational phrases in your direction. For some, this may be a parent, while others may find their strongest motivational confidant to be someone also immersed in the job search.
The Expert
Having a professional relationship–often considered to be network-based–with an expert can do wonders for your job search. This individual will act as your industry-insider and is likely to be a beneficial connection when it comes to finding job openings and expanding your network.
Sometimes a successful job search comes down to who you surround yourself with. While having these five kinds of people will be key to your success, there may be one person in your support system who plays a multifaceted role.
Who have you been surrounding yourself with during your job search?
The interview question everyone fails
The Interview Question everyone fails
I recently received some feedback from a recruiter that works for a well-known American brand icon about a particular interview question that most candidates can’t seem to answer correctly. It’s one of the most common questions asked in an interview and one of the most fumbled unknowingly by a candidate. Are you ready for the question??
Why should we hire you?
What most people say
Most people answer with “I’ve always admired your company [Insert whatever reason here]” or use this as an opportunity to show off the research they’ve done about the company. While all of these are decent responses, you can really blow a recruiters socks off by taking a slightly different approach.
What companies want to hear
Employers really would rather hear about how you can help their company, because in the end that is why they want to hire you. Unfortunately, it’s not for your great fashion sense or how you tell the best he-said/she-said jokes. While they might come to love these qualities down the road, your initial purpose is to help grow their company. It is the success that you can bring the specific role, department, or company as a whole.
So next time, take this as an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of the company AND show off what you can do for them. For example, you’re interviewing with Advertising Agency that has a strong emphasis on account planning. Your answer should go something like this:
“It sounds like you are looking for someone who is a strong communicator and has the ability to draw in new clients with fresh ideas. During my last internship with ABC Advertising I was able to bring in 10 new clients over a 6 month period in 3 different industries. I believe I have the demonstrated ability to conceptualize and introduce new strategies that build brands and increase product growth while maximizing profits.”
Sounds easy enough right?