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Finding a Job: A Warning about Job Search Engines

Bob — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:00:00 +0000

While jobs can rarely be found without using the internet and its multitude of job search engines, there is a sense of awareness that job applicants have to have in order to successfully use these websites. Protecting yourself from harassment and identity theft is important when you have personal information posted on a public website.

Remember that when you allow anyone to see your resume that ANYONE can see it. Your phone number is often on your résumé; if you don’t want it to be made public, you should consider making your résumé private and only sending it to out, not allowing just any employer to see it. Also, set up a new email address to put on your résumé. Often junk email is part of the internet job search process, so prevent your regular email from getting full by having all job search emails go to a special address.

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Job Hunting Tips

Mike — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:00:04 +0000

Are you a fresh graduate and planning to look for a job? Did you just recently quit your job and are looking for greener pastures? Are you unemployed and have little experience regarding ways to secure a job? Whatever your situation may be, it would be to your advantage to study the following tips:

Check your resume for mistakes

Before submitting your resume to a prospective employer, check your it for corrections at least three times before handing it over. After researching about the job position, it is critical that you format your resume to match the needs of the company. For example, if you are applying for an accounting job, you should put in detail your accounting experience on your resume. Typographical and grammatical errors are serious no-no’s. It is also ideal to keep the length of the resume’ to at least a page and a half long.

Taking the interview challenge

A survey conducted by a staffing and consulting firm based in California which corresponded with 1,400 chief financial officers concluded that candidates for employment made most of their mistakes on their interviews. Some of the mistakes they made include:

• Arriving late
• Having little knowledge about the company
• Having little knowledge about the position applied for
• Having a superiority complex
• Behaving arrogantly

The body language of the applicant must also denote that he is confident yet not overpowering. He must maintain eye contact, have a strong handshake, and avoid looking defensive by the act of crossing the arms. Wearing the right clothes is crucial for projecting a confident stance. As they say, it is better to go to an interview over-dressed than being under-dressed.

Answer questions smartly

A common mistake of interviewees is that they tend to get tense and forget the questions that are given to them, which has the effect that they are not prepared for the interview. It is important to research the company and the position applied for to prevent being side-tracked during the interview. If you do not know the answer to the questions being asked, it is better to admit you don’t know the answer to the question and add that you can research about it. Look for the skills or expertise that the company is looking for so that when interview day comes and the interviewer asks about your strengths and core competencies, you will be able to match it to what they need.

Getting the necessary referrals

Having a referral from one of the company employees can go a long way toward landing an interview. A typical company may receive job applications in the hundreds and usually 35% to 60% of all job vacancies are filled by referrals. The odds of getting hired when you have a referral are very high if you have another 200 to 500 applicants vying for the same position. If you do not know anyone from the company that may give you a referral, it is a good idea to network the alumni of your college or university, trade groups, social networks, and professional associations. Remember, having a referral greatly increases your chances of getting the position.

Online application

With the current trend of technology and its merging with business processes, more and more companies are now requiring prospective applicants to submit their application online. Thus, first impressions are relayed not by your first appearance but by the quality and content of your e-mail. E-mails regarding job application should be polished and well-articulated. When applying on-line, use the following tips:

Complete your sentences and do not abbreviate

Employers do not like when you send them application letters that seem to be too casual. It is important to make a letter that is both formal and well written. This gives a good impression regarding your capabilities and skills.

Get directly to the point

When writing an application letter, you must be concise and straightforward. Do not put a story on the letter just to get the attention of the employer, chances are he or she will just get irritated with you and this only reduces your chances of getting hired.

Consider potential issues that may hinder you from getting the job

You may find instances wherein there is a lot of need for a job but the requirements for the position may entail training programs that may bar you from getting the position due to its highly competitive nature. Some require a lot of experience even at least 3 years of work experience. Some may have no barriers to entry but the job itself may entail a very routine work flow.

Getting the job you want may be a challenge but never lose hope. It is better to wait a while and get a job that you will enjoy rather than get a job as soon as possible but ending up dissatisfied and unhappy. Make the right decision then act on it.

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Finding a Job: Job Search Engines

Bob — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:00:42 +0000

In the lightning fast World Wide Web, today’s job applicant has to do more than just look in the local newspaper for job openings. Most employers don’t list in newspapers anymore, and instead have switched to advertising their job postings online. So the job applicant’s search has become an internet search.

Job search engines like Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com are great because they allow you to find exactly what job you are looking for. Simply enter your application information and upload your resume. You can choose to have your resume available for public view or you can send it only to companies with openings that interest you. The sites also have detailed descriptions of the open positions so you can determine whether or not you will fit the offered job. Savvy searchers must be wary of unnamed companies, and companies that are national and do not have local branches. These often are “work from home” scams, or will require you to pay money to sell a product.

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Finding a Job: Researching Your Job Market

Bob — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:00:19 +0000

The cognizant job-searcher will know that he or she needs to do a few things before looking for a job can even begin. Start by researching your job market. How many positions like the one you want are available in your area? How many people with your qualifications are looking for the same job? These numbers can help you figure out what your odds are of even finding a job in your field and whether you will be considered or will drown in a sea of applicants. If there are a lot of applicants, make sure you stand out: update your résumé; wear a bright shirt under that black suit; find something in common with your interviewer and comment on it.

If there are few positions in your chosen field in your area, check into other fields. Also, never quit your current position before you have verified employment with another company. Just because you assume you got the job doesn’t mean you have been accepted; wait until you get the offer letter.

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Interview Tips: New Careers

Bob — Tue, 18 May 2010 15:00:20 +0000

When you are getting ready to switch to a new career, you will probably have to handle difficult questions that may come up in your interviews. Many interviewers will ask about your previous work experience, what your past career was, and why you have decided to turn your attentions to your newly chosen field. While these questions may seem difficult, it is fairly easy to make these inquiries work for you.

Depending on your situation, you may be able to tell your interviewer the truth: “I have been pursuing a degree in this field and have finally achieved it” is a perfectly acceptable answer for someone who worked while taking college classes. But avoid going into personal details like, “My ex-husband works at my old job and I had to get away from him.” Instead say, “I have been looking for an opportunity to pursue this field and changes in my family life now allow me to seek employment in this field.”

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Interview Tips: New Graduates

Bob — Tue, 04 May 2010 15:00:02 +0000

Congratulations! You have finished your college degree and are ready to pursue your chosen career. Now all you have to do is get a job interview in your field and get hired, right? Well, that may sound easy, but it may be harder than you think.

You need to know what to focus on in the interview to draw the interviewer away from your lack of experience in the field. Most college grads have little if any experience in their field; they have the degree, but no actual work experience. Focus on your organizational skills and your ability to finish several things at once (i.e. college exams); focus on any leadership and teamwork skills you may have learned in extra-curricular activities (i.e. fraternal organizations or athletics). Finally, discuss your desire to find a job where you can learn and grow with the company; this will ensure that the interviewer knows you plan to stay with the company after they have trained you.

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Interview Tips: “Do you have any questions?”

Bob — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:00:46 +0000

At the end of most interviews, the interviewer will often ask the interviewee if he or she has any questions to ask about the position or about the company. Many people become afraid to ask a question, fearing that they will either not like the answer or that the interviewer will not like the question.

The thing to remember is that most interviewers like it when interviewees ask questions. This shows them that the interviewee was listening and is genuinely interested in the position. Feel free to ask the hard questions about health insurance benefits like when they begin for a new-hire; ask about the salary; ask about vacation time and sick leave. All of these things should be considered as part of the job package you are being offered. Also, ask about the company and its history. This will prove to the interviewer that you are interested in the company and not just the job.

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Party Planning for Catering Services

Jessica — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:00:50 +0000

If you would like to enter the world of entrepreneurship, catering is for you! Catering business offers a lot of opportunities for growth and greater profit. If you would like to venture into the catering service, here are a few tips you can follow to start your own business:

1. You may start your party catering service by applying for a license to operate as a caterer. You can get your license at the local Health Department where all catering services licenses are issued and approved. The Health Department will inspect and check if you have the capacity to operate in an area where food will be cooked clean and correctly. Food sanitation is one factor they will consider before they will issue the permit for your catering service.

2. You need to have complete items for your catering service. You must have the important materials like cooking utensils, chairs, and tables. You may also consider decorative props that can be an added feature to your set up business. You must also have a separate place for the food operation and your kitchen.

3. As your first step, you must identify your product and your market. You can choose from different options on your market like conferences, parties, receptions, picnics, and exclusive seated dinners for VIP’s. You may choose one from these options, concentrate on it and develop it to be successful. Analyze where you can benefit and earn more. You can also try combining these services as long as your budget and personnel can handle the work and preparation for your catering service.

4. You should know if your catering service could keep in step to some established catering services that are known already in your area. Ensure that your business can be as competent and can serve all the needs your customers look for in a catering service.

5. If you lack funding to finance all the materials and items you need to serve the clients, you may consider renting from other catering services. This will keep your initial funding at a low cost. Renting other utensils will help you to allot money on the more important things you may need for the catering business.

6. You must also establish your menu as your main attraction to your catering service. You must consider a variety of foods that you will serve during functions and parties. As a caterer, you must know how to make all kinds of foods and provide your client all the information you serve in your catering service.

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Interview Tips: Confidence

Bob — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:00:51 +0000

Everyone knows that confidence is the key to successful interviews, but that is can easily leave you when you need it. This is because job interviews are notoriously self-effacing. When you walk into a room full of people who are wondering whether or not you can do a job, you start to second guess your abilities, and that shows in your body language and your facial expressions.

The keys to appearing confident when you really don’t feel confident are posture and eye contact. Stand up straight; walk confidently as if you were walking into a room full of your friends. Remember that these people are only looking for the right candidate and are not trying to be harsh; they are just doing their jobs. Now, shake hands with everyone and make eye contact when you do so. When you are asked a question, look the person in the eye when you answer. Finally, smile; friendliness goes a long way in any job.

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Interview Tips: The Self-Employed

Bob — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:00:23 +0000

Those who are self-employed sometimes want to jump back into the job market and find something that will offer benefits and health insurance. This is a great step for some people, but it can also be disconcerting at first. In your interviews, make sure to focus not on your lack of traditional work experience, but rather your self-motivation skills and your ability to solve problems on your own.

With self-employment comes good business sense. Since you need to be able to handle your own invoicing and taxes, you can mention these as skills in an interview. Many bosses look for people who are self-starters and those who do not need a superior looming over them to motivate them to get their work done. People with self-employment experience are masters of self-motivation: if they aren’t motivated, they don’t get paid. Another thing to focus on is organizational skills: your ability to organize your own business will quickly make you an asset to any company.

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