Skype Interviews: What You NEED To Know

Skype Interviews: What You NEED To Know

In this digital day and age, it’s not unusual to be invited for a Skype interview, especially if the position you are applying for is geographically far away. More and more companies are attempting to use technology to streamline the interview process, and Skype interviews allow them to quickly weed out the unlikely candidates.

Although a Skype interview takes place in the comfort of your own home, it should still be taken very seriously and treated like a face-to-face meeting. First impressions are vital, even if they take place through a webcam, so be sure to execute these Skype interview best practices:

Dress For The Occasion

Although you aren’t meeting the company in person, dress smartly and in line with the industry. Not only will it boost your confidence, but the interviewer will see that you are serious about the position.

Avoid stripey or checked clothing as these can sometimes be distorted when using a webcam. Also, be sure that what you’re wearing doesn’t blend in with the back drop; a floating head is sure to distract the interviewer.

Think about your surroundings as well as your personal appearance. There’s no point looking the part if you are sitting in a messy and unclean room. Sit in the position you would for the interview and check behind you to make sure it looks presentable.

Equipment

Ensure that your equipment is up to the task in regards to microphone, webcam, and Internet connection. Having a low quality microphone or webcam can make a Skype interview really tricky if you have to keep repeating yourself or the picture is pixelated.

Likewise, if your Internet connection isn’t up to scratch, there can be awkward delays and a communication struggle. Be sure to test everything well in advance so you can have plenty of time to fix any technical problems or buy new hardware.

When it comes to the actual interview, make sure that you are in a quiet room or even better, an empty house.

Practice

Practice makes perfect, especially when it comes to video calls. Remember to look at the camera and not the person on the screen, and think be sure to speak at a comfortable volume as opposed to shouting.

You could consider recording yourself answering made up questions, then play it back to yourself to see how you sound and pinpoint areas you can improve on.

Smile

Smiling comes naturally in a face-to-face interview, but it’s something that’s easy to forget when you’re sitting in front of a computer screen. Just before the interview, try and get into an upbeat mood, and make a mental note to smile just as you would in person.

Smiling is a proven way to help reduce nerve and stress levels, and a powerful way to convey enthusiasm. Combining this with good posture helps you appear confident and alert.

Have Notes

One of the biggest benefits of a Skype interview is the ability to have notes in front of you without the interviewer knowing. This can help you out of sticky situations, but be sure to subtle glance at them instead of reading off the page.

Consider creating sticky notes to place around the screen, which contain important and concise information. It may be useful to have your resume on hand as well as any information about the company you are applying to. And, of course, don’t forget to note down any questions you wish to ask.

We hope these simple but important best practices help you perform your best during a Skype interview. Remember the first few video calls won’t be perfect, but don’t let this put you off. Although they were once a novelty, Skype interviews are becoming ever more common.

What Not To Say In An Interview

What Not To Say In An Interview

In today’s competitive job market, even getting a job interview can prove to be difficult. So, when you eventually get an interview, you want to make sure that you do everything you can to absolutely ace it. All too often, people can mess up the interview with ill-chosen comments, and before they know it, they’re job hunting again.

But with the right job interview training and tips of what not to say in a job interview, you will significantly improve your chances of getting the job.

Bad Answers

Here’s what not to say in an interview:

Question: “Why do you want the job?”

This is your opportunity to show how the interviewer how passionate you are about the job position. Highlight a good reason why you want the job by for example relating it to your education or background and state what it is you can bring to the job.

Don’t answer with:

“Because my mum told me to” or “Because it will pay for the rent while I look for a job that I really want to do” – Here, you are immediately proving to the interviewer that you do not actually want the job and you will not benefit or bring anything to the company in anyway.

Question: “What do you like to do in your spare time?”

This question gives you the opportunity to show the interviewer what your interests are, allowing them to get to know your personality a little bit more.

Don’t answer with:

“Going to the pub” or “sleeping” – Employers like it when people can talk passionately about their own interests as it helps them to better understand you as a person. Instead of saying “going to the pub” talk about some social activities you enjoy doing, such as a hobby where you’re part of a club or team.

Question: “What do you expect to enjoy most about this role?”

This question allows you to let the interviewer know that you have done your research and understand exactly what will be required of the job role. State the key aspects of the specific role that you are most excited about.

Don’t answer with:

Listing the perks of the jobs such as “ lunchtimes,” “pay,” “discounts,” or “holidays” – This immediately shows that you’re not hard working and that you’re not actually very interested in the job role.

Question: “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

This is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are serious about the industry you are interviewing for and allows you to tell them how you want to progress in the next few years.

Don’t answer with:

“I see myself doing your job”- Don’t threaten your interviewer with the idea that you are planning on taking their job in the future. Although you might eventually get a position similar to your interviewer in the future, saying this will give the impression that you already think you’re better than your interviewer, and arrogance is not an employable attribute to have.

Bad Questions

Here are some questions you shouldn’t ask:

“Do you really do that? I didn’t know that!” – Here, you’re immediately showing your interviewer that you haven’t done your homework and researched the company before your interview.

“Do I have to wear that uniform?” – Questions like this show the interviewer that you have a poor attitude and you care more about what you look like rather than the actual job role.

“Is it okay if I just take this call?” – This highlights to the interviewer that you are not serious about the interview and are more interested in your personal life, demonstrating that you are unprofessional as well as rude.

“What’s the holiday and sickness policy?” – Before you’ve even got the job, you’re showing the interviewer that you’re planning your days off. Asking about sickness also shows the employer that you’re likely to have a lot of time off work.

Bad Statements

Here are some statements you should avoid:

“Sorry I’m late.” – You’re immediately demonstrating to the interviewer that you are unreliable and have poor time management. The last thing they want is someone rocking up to work half an hour late every morning.

“I didn’t like my previous employer.” – Even if this is the case, this is something the interviewer does not need to know. It can reflect badly on your character and is unprofessional.

Finally, don’t swear in the interview, it’s informal and very unprofessional.

6 Real-Life Cover Letter Blunders To Avoid

6 Real-Life Cover Letter Blunders To Avoid

A cover letter can be the first step of a new career journey. Or, it can be a dead end that dooms your attempts to get a job. It all has to do with how you write it. Have you made any of these cover letter blunders?

We collected some real-life examples of dead-end cover letters to serve as examples of what not to do the next time you’re making first contact with a prospective employer.

1. Self-Serving

“I’m interested in seeing what your firm can do to help me find new clients…”

FYI: Whoever is vetting  candidates doesn’t care all that much about what the company can do for you. She’s interested in what you can do for the company. And she has the luxury of being self-serving in that regard. The job seeker, typically, does not.

In your cover letter, avoid describing how you can benefit from the job – write about how the company can benefit from hiring you.

Your letter should succinctly put your experience and skills  in the context of  the job you’re hoping to get. The employer has a need – it’s your job to demonstrate that you can fulfill that need. And if you can prove that, you’ll be closer to fulfilling your need for income, career development, and so on.

2. Desperate

“I’m currently looking for any paying position freelance, part-time, or full-time.”

FYI: If desperation had an odor, it would be somewhere between rotten eggs and microwaved fish – something people would want to get away from. Fast. And like those people in the preceding stink scenario, hiring managers avoid desperation.

You’ll never get a job just because you need a job.

A prospective employer wants you to want to work for his company. To him, the company is a special place. He wants to feel that it would be special to you, too – that working there would be a milestone in your career and you’d give all you could to make it successful.

Even if the bills are piling up and you desperately need a job – don’t let it show. Use your cover letter to describe why you want to work at that particular company.

3. Irrelevant

“I’m married and at the present time, live in a farm located on the countryside … from where I attend to my clients online, grow organic vegetables and raise my two small daughters.”

FYI: You’re a person of varied interests, hobbies, and talents. You have kids or pets. You’re in a community acting troupe. Your chili took first prize at the annual cook off.

But save all these personal tidbits for small talk with new co-workers after you actually get the job.

Every word of your cover letter should aim to pique the interest of the person reading it enough to get them to take a look at your resume – and, once they do, the letter should put your resume in the context of the open position.

4. Careless

“… and would love to offert my skills.”

FYI: If you don’t take the time to proofread and spellcheck your cover letter, a hiring manager will take the time to toss it in the wastebasket (or drag it to the recycling bin).

5. Lacking

“Please see my resume attached. I look forward to speaking with you.”

FYI: The above is not an excerpt. It’s the whole cover letter. As mentioned earlier, your cover letter should aim to put your skills and experience in context with the job and get a hiring manager to move onto the next step of reading your resume. It should also help you start to build rapport with a prospective employer. The example above does none of those things.

6. Lengthy

On the other hand, some cover letters we heard about went on for more than 1,000 words.

FYI: There’s a saying in the news business – burying the lede. That is, putting the most important or interesting info deep in the body of an article when it should be up top. If you’re cover letter drones on for 700, 800, 900 or more words, there’s a good chance you’re burying the lede under a bunch of superfluous stuff.

Regardless if that’s the case, the very appearance of a novella-length cover letter is enough to turn off a hiring manager – especially when she has a hundred more cover letters waiting to be read.

Keep it succinct – three or four short paragraphs max – and include only the  information most likely to get someone to consider you a possible viable candidate and look at your resume. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to expound your experience once you get that interview.

4 Phrases Your Boss LOVES To Hear

4 Phrases Your Boss LOVES To Hear

Managing up is a challenge all professionals face at one time or another. After all, everyone answers to someone. And learning effective ways to advance the relationship is a skill all professionals can use every day.

Managers are not only responsible for your role and responsibilities and to a degree your career; they are also responsible for their duties as well. If you really want to make your boss a fan, think of ways to work these four phrases into your workweek:

“Here’s a potential solution”

Bosses hear a LOT of problems. A. Lot. And more often than not, they are expected to come up with the solution. The thing is; if it isn’t their problem, they are not going to actively seek out solutions. Therefore, when you come to the boss with a problem, immediately follow it up with a proposed solution. This accomplishes two things. First, it shows your manager that you are solution-oriented. You took the time to examine the problem and think about ways to address it. Secondly, your solutions are essentially saving the boss time and energy and those are both gifts to your manager. This approach is a huge win for you and the boss.

“Here’s an idea”

You should be a student of your company. You should be very familiar with the company goals, mission, and vision. You should also have a very good understanding of the company’s challenges. When you know these challenges, you should spend some time each week working on ideas to solve those challenges that the company faces. When you go to your manager to say you have an idea to impact the company’s bottom line, everyone wins. Bosses should love to hear ideas on how to make things more efficient and more profitable. Be looking for these ideas whenever you have down time at work.

“Let me show you”

A picture is worth 1,000 words, and we are deep in the “show me” era. In time-strapped days, it is so much easier to show someone something than it is to tell them. When pitching something to a boss or sharing an idea or even solving a problem, show him/her what you are talking about. Sketch it out, give them a flow chart, something visual and talk them through it. If you can, make a quick prototype. It is so much easier than using just your words when the chances are good that the boss is distracted.

Think about it: When you show people what you are saying, you have captured two of their senses, hearing, and seeing. If you give them something to hold – even better (three senses). This gets their attention and allows them to truly evaluate what you are trying to do for the boss or the company. Always try to show people what you are talking about. It allows them to react to your idea in a more connected way.

“I could use a little mentoring”

Bosses are not solely responsible for your career. This is your responsibility. If you need new challenges, want new opportunities, it is up to you to scope those out and present them to the boss. If you don’t know how to do something or think that you could build out your skills even further, it is up to you to ask for mentor-ship.

As the protégé, you must take the active role in carving out time for the relationship. When you seek mentorship from your boss, know that it may not be the boss that becomes your mentor. You boss may not even be the right mentor, however, they can be the one who facilitates an introduction. When you ask for this type of guidance, your boss knows that you own your experience and will work to support you.

Building a solid relationship with your boss is key to getting where you want to go with your career. These relationships will follow you throughout your career. These bosses will likely one day be the person you call on to be a reference. And when it comes time to be a reference for you, you want them to say that you were solution-oriented, respectful of their time and full of an entrepreneurial spirit. And that is a glowing reference, trust me. When I am hiring, these are precisely the things I want to hear.

What To Avoid When Designing And Writing A Cover Letter

What To Avoid When Designing And Writing A Cover Letter

Sometimes, fixing the little things can offer the most benefit. Anyone writing a cover letter to a hiring rep should follow some golden rules before hitting start on the fax machine, licking that envelope shut, or hitting “Send” on that e-mail.

Treat your cover letter like any piece of business correspondence. It should have a professional appearance, a professional tone, and possess accurate grammar and punctuation.

Remember, you’re out to impress, not turn a job away. Your correspondence should command attention, and if it doesn’t, you’re virtually sabotaging the opportunities that took so long to uncover.

Before sending, be sure to review your cover letter thoroughly. You’re looking for amateur mistakes; the kinds your competitors are making. Below is a list of errors to avoid:

1. Avoid sloppy copy

Visually, your letter should appear consistent and the content should be “tight.” The first impression given to any hiring agent is based upon overall appearance of the letter. The cover letter is the first item seen before proceeding onto the resume. Should a letter arrive on a hiring manager’s desk without consistent margins, font, pica and without effective writing, your candidacy just may be “dead in the water.”

2. Avoid listing unrelated skills and qualifications

Weigh every sentence contained in your letter, and ask yourself two key questions. Does each sentence add to my candidacy? Am I fully relaying my quality and value without that particular sentence? If so, you probably don’t need that sentence in question. Mention only significant skills or achievements that pertain to your current position — or in accordance with the scope of the target position. Including irrelevant information can leave a negative impression, so be selective on what you list.

3. Avoid forgetting to input contact name

By failing to list the basics, like a contact name, you’re showing a lack of attention to detail; and possibly worse, allowing the document to float around the company rather than sitting on the right person’s desk — or in a general e-mail account currently neglected by an overworked secretary.

Yes, there are instances where a company doesn’t list a contact name within job postings. To ensure your resume and cover letter make it into the right hands, consider placing a call to the company or contacting your area Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce to find a proper name to place in your correspondence. Take care to include the proper spelling for the recipient’s name, and to include the correct position title.

4. Avoid forgetting to verify the company’s address

While scouring the Internet or reading your area’s newspaper, how many typos do you uncover? Never assume what’s listed is 100% accurate. In fact, assume the address is incorrect until you verify otherwise. Visit the company’s website or scan the yellow pages to ensure the address you list is perfect.

5. Avoid using an unprofessional layout; use an appropriate business format only

Business formatting has always meant your letter contains certain elements… examples are: current date, contact name, company address, regarding line (RE:), salutation, and signature line. You only need to review two or three letters from your own mailbox to identify common features contained within proper letter formats.

Questions To Ask Before Taking The Job

Questions To Ask Before Taking The Job

So, you’re looking for a job, any job. However, there are a few questions to ask before taking the job with your potential employer. If you want to avoid at least some of the stress of combining work and family obligations, set up a time with the human resources office before taking the job.

Based on my research interviewing fathers about how they balance work and family, here are some important benefits that will help you achieve some kind of balance:

1. Paid Paternity Leave

Most employers that offer paid leave distinguish between maternity leave and paternity leave, although a small number offer “gender-neutral” parental leave. Few companies offer fully paid paternity leave so look closely at both the amount of leave available and the options for pay during this leave. If your company does not offer paid leave, you will be left with some unsavory options – no leave, unpaid leave, or leave that is funded with vacation days.

2. Paid Vacation Days

U.S. employers are not required to offer paid vacation time. Most full-time workers do get paid vacation days, however. This is especially true for those working for larger companies. But check to see how many days you’ll get and whether holidays are included. Remember that schools and daycares are often closed on holidays and other teacher workdays.

3. Paid Sick Days

As with paid vacation time, there is no federal requirement for paid sick days. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act, workers can take time off to care for themselves or a family member, but this is unpaid. Finding child care for a sick child can be difficult so check to see whether your sick days include care for a family member.

4. Flexibility In Work Schedule

There are some good options if you don’t want to work the standard Monday through Friday, 9 to 5. One option is a compressed workweek, which allows employees to fit a full-time schedule into fewer days (e.g., 4/10 – 10 hours per day over 4 days or 9/80 – 80 hours over 9 days). This allows employees to trade longer hours for an extra day off each week or every other week. Another option is flextime, which offers workers the ability to adjust start and end times. This can be especially useful in arranging drop off and pick up times for children.

5. Flexibility In Workplace

This includes telework and home-based work. A majority of large companies now offer this option. Remote working reduces or eliminates commuting, adding hours to your week. This option can also allow you to be more present at home, which may make it easier to eat breakfast with the kids, go to the bus stop, or catch an after school activity.

6. Child Care

This may include on-site centers, emergency back-up care, or subsidies and vouchers for nearby child care centers. Besides reducing child care costs, these benefits can reduce commuting time, resolve child care dilemmas, provide emotional security, and create additional time with children.

7. Family Health Benefits

Health insurance benefits vary quite a bit among employers. Even within the same company, not all employees may be eligible so make time to check what kind of coverage you would be eligible for and whether there is a waiting period. Having family health benefits is likely to reduce stress associated with financial obligations.

Balancing work and family starts with finding the right job. And, incidentally, businesses that want to attract the right employee, especially in today’s environment in which fathers report feeling more work/family conflict than mothers, might do well to put the foregoing policies in place.

4 Benefits Of A Mock Interview

4 Benefits Of A Mock Interview

Mock interviews provide candidates with an opportunity to test out their interview skills with someone who isn’t evaluating them for an actual job. A mock interview may be offered through career services for students or recent alumni, by a career coach or through a local workforce services office for candidates in the process of transitioning to a new opportunity.

Here are some of the benefits of a mock interview:

1. They help you reduce stress and anxiety about interviewing.

If you’re not sure how to answer typical interview questions, mock interviews provide a great opportunity for you to “test drive” your answers. The person conducting the mock interview is most likely a skilled interviewer and can give you feedback on whether or not your response is suitable.

2. They help you boost your confidence.

Job coaches who conduct mock interviews are usually ready to point out your strengths in the interview process. By having confidence in your skills, you will perform better in an actual interview.

3. They provide you with constructive feedback in a low-stress environment.

No one is the perfect candidate, so mock interviews help you clarify responses to certain questions and help you work on areas where you may have weaknesses. In a real interview, there’s often not feedback about your interviewing abilities, so a mock interview is a perfect opportunity to find out why you may be having some difficulty in landing your dream job.

4. They can help you prepare for behavioral-based interview questions.

Many companies use “BI” questions. If you’re not familiar with this type of interviewing, it may be advantageous to give it a practice run in a mock interview.

The expression that practice makes perfect may very well be true with interviewing skills. Take advantage of mock interviewing opportunities even if you think you’re skills are at a very high level. There are things that we can all improve upon when it comes to making a great impression on a prospective employer.

How To Stay Focused In A Distracting Workplace

How To Stay Focused In A Distracting Workplace

If you’re struggling to concentrate in a crowded office, there are a few simple things you can do to weed out distractions and get back to your work.

Co-workers, social media, and even your own anxiety can be overwhelming, but they shouldn’t keep you from your work. These five tips on how to stay focused in a distracting workplace will help you to draw boundaries with your co-workers, turn off Twitter, and silence your inner procrastinator.

1. Wear Earphones Or Earplugs

One of the easiest and most direct ways to tune out ambient noise and idle chitchat is to block up your ears. Earplugs will cheaply and easily muffle your co-workers voices, not to mention the copier, the shredder, and the speakerphone in the next cube. Music also helps some people to focus, although finding the right song for your mood can become a distraction in itself. Many people find that instrumental music works best.

2. Express Your Needs

If your co-workers somehow miss the hint implicit in the wads of foam rubber sticking out of your ears, it might be necessary to tell them directly that you are struggling to get your work done. Try to avoid a confrontational or accusatory tone, while letting them know what small things they might to do help you focus. Simple requests, like asking them to speak more quietly when they’re on the phone, could make a world of difference for you.

3. Schedule Social Media Use

The best and worst thing about the Internet is that there’s always something new to look at. Especially if your work involves using Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or any of the multiple social networks out there, it can be easy to spend the better part of a day without doing anything other than tweeting. There’s a time and a place for everything, and at some point you have to decide where and when. Set aside a given time for social networking, perhaps the last half hour of the day, and geek out after your work’s done. You’ll be surprised how much more you enjoy it when you don’t have anything hanging over your head.

4. Leave

If you can’t concentrate at work, why not go somewhere that helps you to clear your head? Take a stroll on your coffee break, take your laptop to a quiet cafe, work from home, or take a mental health day. While it isn’t always practical to exit the office, it does help to clear your head once in awhile. And if your job permits you a degree of flexibility in where and when you get your work done, you should really make the most of it.

5. Meditate

Once you’ve stuffed your ears, silenced your co-workers, and detoxed from Pinterest, you might just realize that your worst distraction is yourself. There are a host of strategies for for fighting mental distraction, but meditation is one of the oldest and most reliable. It all begins with closing your eyes, sitting still and breathing deeply. If you can do those three things for a few minutes a day, you’ll be amazed how much better you begin to feel.

How To Create An Effective Resume Even If You Were Fired

How To Create An Effective Resume Even If You Were Fired

How can you make an effective resume after getting fired? People get fired from the job for various reasons. However, to a potential new employer it may leave an unfavorable connotation on the candidate.

If you find yourself in such a situation, you may have a number of questions concerning how to address the adverse reactions a potential employer may pose. You may have questions, such as:

• How do I impress an employer given I was fired from my last job?
• Do I include the job on my resume?
• How should I answer when asked the reason for departing my previous job?

Understandably, there are many questions on your mind. And yet, there are ways to be truthful in answering the questions your potential new employer may have for you, along with tips to make such a situation feel a little less threatening.

Essentially, before updating your resume for the next job opportunity, think about:

Is The Experience From Your Last Position Relevant?

If there is little to no relevance between the positions, you do not have to showcase it on your resume. The hiring company is primarily interested in relevant experience and skills you can bring to their company. You may be able to break your resume into Relevant Experience and Other Experience sections.

How Long Were You In The Position?

If you were in the position for only a few months, it may not be necessary to mention it on your resume. Determine if the gap of unemployment, should you choose not to include it, would be cause for concern by an employer. In today’s market, it’s not a surprise to see some candidates unemployed for a year before finding a new job.

How Severe Was The Cause For Firing?

Were you laid off due to lack of performance or conditions outside of your control? If the latter, then you should put on the resume the reason such as “Major Downsizing,” “Company Relocated,” or “Management Reorganization” all of which indicate that the termination was not due to your performance.

If the reason you were terminated was due to a minor issue that can be easily explained and seen from your point of view by a potential employer, than including the position on your resume should not be a concern. Be honest with yourself and think through your response to a potential interviewer.

Your answers to the questions above will tell you whether it is appropriate to include the job on your resume. If it is included, consider the following to help you through the application and interview process.

1. Showcase Your Achievements And Accomplishments

Your mission is to get your foot in the door for an interview and to make an outstanding impression. You do not need to bring up that you were laid off from your last job on paper, especially if you were there for a few years. If necessary, you will have the opportunity during an interview to explain further details.

2. Don’t Insult Your Past Employer

Even if you were fired and have bitter feelings toward your former boss or co-workers, this is not the time or place to reveal it. It is seen as unprofessional and leads to questions that focus on negative aspects. So, even if the interviewer wasn’t planning on asking you the reason for leaving, you may have just brought it upon yourself.

3. Don’t Lie About Your Employment

If asked, you need to address the question truthfully, but keep it brief regarding the reason for your departure and move on to more positive points. At least you now have your foot in the door and have a greater advantage to explaining the reason for departure in a more positive light.

You can also use it to your advantage to reinforce points of achievements and accomplishments that may apply for the job. Remember that companies do check references and background information. Any candidate caught lying is grounds for dismissal.

4. Pull Together Your References

Gather people you worked with on the job as references, whether it’s co-workers, clients or vendors. Individuals who worked with you on the job and who can speak positively about your work can help effectively rid any negative connotations associated with being fired. In this instance, it makes sense to include references with your resume, especially written recommendations.

5. Focus On Functionality Rather Than Chronology

This is a last resort option. Functional resumes typically are not used since it lacks detail on dates of employment – information most employers want to know. A functional resume focuses on grouping specific skills and experiences together as the highlight of the resume.

This type of format is also appropriate to use for the career changer and those with gaps in employment history that are due to other pursuits, such as education or family.

Being fired means you have an additional hurdle to overcome to find a new job, but it is not insurmountable. It’s all in the way you handle yourself in addressing the matter if the subject comes up. Remain positive, address any concerns succinctly and honestly and then move on to the more positive highlights.

6 Ways To Secure A New Job

6 Ways To Secure A New Job

Here are a few ways you can secure a new job:

1. Recruitment Agencies

Contact a number of recruitment agencies, ensure they have your resume and other details, explain to them what you are looking for in terms of your next role, and keep in regular contact with them so they know you are still looking.

Ideally, the agencies you register with would be a combination of those that specialize in your business sector and larger agencies who might handle a greater number of vacancies. Agencies that specialize in your business sector can advise you on ways you can make yourself more employable. Some of the best agencies include PrideStaff and UltimateStaffing.

2. Job Websites

A large number of internet job sites and job boards now exist such as Monster, The Muse, and FlexJobs to name just a few. Typically these include lists of vacancies that you can apply for in the traditional manner. However, they also allow you to post your resume and other details so that employers and recruitment agencies can search for suitable candidates.

Get to know the sites that employers and recruitment agencies in your business sector look at, and then post your resume. Pay special attention to job boards in your preferred sector. For example, if you’re into tech, then technology-focused job boards such as Dice should be your go-to site. And don’t forget Craigslist which is always jam-packed with jobs in your area.

3. Personal Websites

Why not take the approach of posting your details on the internet one step further, and make use of a personal website? You may already have such a site; if not you can set up a simple site or blog at very low cost or even free. Use the site to post brief details of your career and your skills, knowledge and experience. Think about keywords you could use on the site. For example, you might want to come near the top of a web search that involves the title of your profession and your location (i.e. ‘financial adviser New York’). Ensure the site includes your contact details.

Sometimes it’s the more intuitive, off-the-cuff strategies that can really cause a stir and make you stand out. Even if you’re applying for a job with a traditional resume, ensure you include a link to your blog to display your passion for the particular sector.

4. Networking Websites

A number of websites focus on building work-based contacts, such as LinkedIn. You can send invitations to people you’d like to become a part of your network and, if they accept your invitation, you can then send messages to them at any time. In addition, you don’t need to keep up-to-date with the career moves of your contacts, as their profile will follow them around from job-to-job. A website of this nature will also allow you to post your resume and other details, and allow other users to search for your profile.

5. Previous Employers

Another approach you can adopt is to ask people you have worked for (or with) in the past whether they know of any opportunities. If you leave an employer, there’s probably a good reason, but a number of people return to a previous employer later in their working lives (the company could be offering an attractive role, or a new role might not have worked out).

Your previous colleagues may have moved on to other roles themselves, and they may be able to assist you in securing employment with their current company. Even if they are not in roles that allow them to make recruitment decisions, they can often provide valuable information to their employer’s human resources department about your skills and abilities – a kind of informal reference.

It pays to keep tabs on where some of your former colleagues work now. Sometimes, an entire business department closes and every employee within that section is made redundant – this happened regularly in the UK financial services sector during the 2000s. In these circumstances, try and get the phone numbers of a few people who held management roles within the department, or try and maintain dialogue with them via a business networking site, or even a general social networking site.

6. Networking

There are a number of ways you could build a network of business contacts. When you are looking for a job, these may then be people you could ask. Simply being part of a network and having people know about your skills and experience could result in an out-of-the-blue job offer! Networks such as BNI are great for mixing with influential, local professionals and you can often visit your nearest group without having to commit to join.

Examples of people who could form part of your network include:

• Clients – If they use your services, it follows that they trust you and value your skills and knowledge
• Suppliers – Again, if they are willing to supply you, that could also indicate that they have a favorable impression of you
• Industry colleagues – Try attending industry events, such as seminars, or getting involved with the appropriate trade association, and get to know people in other companies in your business sector.

How To Customize A Cover Letter For A Specific Job Opening

How To Customize A Cover Letter For A Specific Job Opening

It’s finally happened. After months of searching the job boards, you’ve found the job you have been waiting for. All that’s left is to send in a resume and get that face-to-face interview, and the job could be yours.

The question now is how do you make sure that your resume gets you chosen? How do you make sure that your resume is even seen? The answer: by creating the best cover letter possible.

Make The Cover Letter Specific To The Position

Recruiters, in more cases than not, spend a little time looking at a cover letter before deciding if they want to go ahead and read the resume. Your cover letter is like a sales page, and you need it to really speak to the person in charge of hiring. You need a cover letter that lets them know that you are the ideal candidate for the position and that you are more than qualified and capable when it comes to handling the job.

So, how do you do it? You tailor the cover letter to the job itself. If the company has mentioned four things they are looking for in the ideal candidate, you make it clear near the beginning that you possess all four qualities or abilities and explain how or why this is true.

Try to match the language the company uses in case they utilize filtering software to select potential candidates. Explain what makes you a great fit for that specific company, and make sure that you have done your research into their brand and into the way they present themselves so that the tone of your cover letter is in line with the general tone of the company itself. If a company is innovative and fun, you want to use different wording than you would for a company branded around professionalism and tradition.

Tailoring your cover letter doesn’t have to be a difficult process, but it should involve some research. Really get to know the brand behind the company you want to work for, and strive to create a resume and cover letter that match that brand. It not only helps you stand out, but it shows the company that you are a good fit for their ideals and their style. Your cover letter is your ticket to the next step in the hiring process—make it count!

Top 15 Words HR NEVER Wants To See On Your Resume

Top 15 Words HR NEVER Wants To See On Your Resume

Do you think it’s a weird phenomenon that job ads state they want team players and great problem solvers yet HR considers these to be among the WORST terms to have on your resume? It’s because of how generic they are!

As humans, we’re all problem solvers… and ideally, team players—but those terms rarely show how unique we are compared to another candidate. Here’s a list that more than 2,200 hiring managers just compiled of 15 words they NEVER want to see on your resume:

• Best of breed
• Go-getter
• Think outside of the box
• Synergy
• Go-to person
• Thought leadership
• Value add
• Results-driven
• Team player
• Bottom-line
• Hard worker
• Strategic thinker
• Dynamic
• Self-motivated
• Detail-oriented

Chock full of vague soft skills that could apply to most candidates in the job market. I’m sure now you can see how hard it becomes to stand out in a crowd. You can still give the employer the soft skills they’re looking for; just wait until the interview to discuss them. Instead, invest time showing how your experience and skills are a great match! Focus on keywords, quantifiable achievements, and unique successes.

How To Prove You’re The Perfect Person For The Job

How To Prove You’re The Perfect Person For The Job

Don’t you love when someone just “gets” that you’re the perfect person for the job? They see your value and what you bring to the table immediately, but then there are others you’ll never convince.

How do you communicate the ROI the employer will receive for hiring you as opposed to another to those who may not readily see it but are open to it? This question came to me as I was working with some prospective clients over the past week.

Prove You’re The Perfect Person For The Job

Some employers are dead set on doing it their way, only hiring someone with X number of years of experience or they think they know exactly the type of person (and personality) they want to hire—and no manner of explaining is going to change their mind. These are the people you just have to let go. I’ve learned you can’t get all worked up over those who will never see it. It’s not worth stressing yourself out over someone who will just never “get it.”

However,  there are those who may not see the perfect fit that you are—but once they’re enlightened to it they very easily see that the positive outcomes outweigh the costs. Whatever those “costs” may be. Maybe it’s the degree you haven’t finished yet, those two years of experience that you haven’t obtained, or something else altogether…

How can you as a potential candidate for the job communicate the value, return on investment, and the many benefits they’ll receive upon choosing you? Here are a few suggestions I’ve discovered along the way that I hope will serve you well:

In The Interview:

Who can argue with experience? Share examples of how you’ve successfully tackled similar problems and situations in the past. Theory goes, if you’ve been successful with something once before, history will repeat itself. These examples will speak volumes because they’re not statements about how you might handle something; they’re statements about how you’ve already successfully overcome something.

On Your Resume:

Make sure that you use C.A.R. statements (challenge, action, results statements) that help to illustrate exactly the challenge you were up against, the action you took to address the challenge, and then the great results you achieved. S.A.R. is very similar; it’s situation, action, and results. Whichever you use, they’re great tools for communicating exactly what you’re capable of bringing to the table by demonstrating what you’ve accomplished in the past.

While Networking

Let your passion show and focus on expertise. Whether you’re networking in person or online, focus on your areas of expertise. Discuss what you’re passionate about. Your excitement and enthusiasm are contagious, and people catch on to that. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and your own professional Web site or blog are great places to share your expertise with others.

Write about what you know, what interests you—and do it in a way that helps others who enjoy the same things or are in need of help. When talking with others in person, that contagious enthusiasm is much easier to pick up; others will easily see why it is that you love what you do, and they’ll see the value you offer as an expert in your field.

It’s important to be yourself, positioning yourself as an expert, and show that you’re passionate about what you do. Like I mentioned before, that excitement and enthusiasm you hold inside you for what you do will shine through—and others will catch on to it a lot quicker than you think.

What We Can Learn From Steve Jobs

What We Can Learn From Steve Jobs

See, by studying successful people like Steve Jobs, I like to think that we become a bit of a patchwork quilt made up of the traits we admire in others. Our lives then become a beautiful mosaic, combining elements of success and happiness that we learn from others.

This is the fastest way, in my opinion, to become the person you want to be and achieve the results you want in your life. That could be getting your first job, your dream job. or starting a business. Modelling success is the key.

1. Do Great Work

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do… Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.”

Don’t settle until you find what you love to do. Couldn’t say it better myself, Steve.

2. Live Each Day Like It’s Your Last

Steve says that every morning he would look at himself in the mirror and ask himself this question:

“If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I’m about to do today?”

What a powerful question. He goes on to say that whenever the answer was “no” for too many days in a row, he knew he had to change something.

So, are you settling with your comfortable, unpleasant job right now? Would you want to do what you’re about to do today if it were your last day? If the answer is no, then keep reading. At the bottom, I share a resource for finding a job that’ll get you excited to hop out of the bed in the morning.

3. Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

This was his closing remark in that powerful speech, and it’s how he said he strove to live his life.

Your time is limited. And Steve says not to waste it living someone else’s life. He advises to “follow your heart and your intuition – they somehow already know what you want to become.”

5 Ways To Recover From A Bad Job Interview

5 Ways To Recover From A Bad Job Interview

Did you ever leave a job interview feeling like it didn’t go so well? Self-doubt can creep in as soon as you walk out the door. Little things nag at you like your posture, tone, and answers you gave.

You can turn these negative experiences into positive ones and become better at interviews. Learn what went wrong and improve your performance. Here are five ways to recover from a bad job interview:

1. Write It Down

As soon as a bad job interview is over go, to your car and write down what you are feeling. Write what you feel may have gone wrong. Putting your thoughts on paper immediately after the interview gives it the most validity. This is when raw emotions come out and your thoughts are true.

After a couple of days, revisit what you wrote. Look at your entries completed in the heat of the moment. Reflecting in these thoughts with a clear head can help you focus on how to develop your interviewing skills.

2. Get Feedback

Several years ago, I was in a job interview that didn’t go well. When someone asked me how it went, I merely responded “fine.” The fact is, it was not fine. The interviewer did not want to be there. He wrote down things when I was in the middle of talking. Needless to say, I did not hear back about the position.

In retrospect, I passed up a chance to become a better interviewee. In talking with someone else, you have the chance to get their perspective. They can provide insight based on their own experiences and what they know about you.

3. Identify Strengths

The job interview can be a crucible. It is a source of stress for any job seekers. The thought of saying something wrong or not presenting yourself correctly can be taxing in an already nerve-wracking  job search. But the stress and adversity can make you stronger going forward in any job interview process.

Think about what you did that went well. Did you explain situations you were in through solid storytelling? Reflect on what parts of interviews you were most comfortable in. Think about your approach and mindset in these areas. Develop an interview strategy with this as your foundation.

4. Set Up A Routine

Many great figures in sports set up a routine before any game. Whether it’s because they are superstitious or not, there is a level of comfort in doing something familiar. It eases their minds and gets them into the flow of the game.

Develop your own routine for yourself with job interviews. The morning of an interview, go for a run, read, or do something you enjoy that gets your mind of the interview. Develop a routine and set your own flow, and you will improve in the job interview.

5. Contact Your Interviewer

This is something few job seekers do. Yet, it is so easy and can yield great results. At the end of an interview, make sure you get the contact information of your interviewer. Call or email them a few days later thanking them for the opportunity.

If you do not hear back in over a week, contact the interviewer again. If the interview went well, it could provide the chance of setting another one up. If it went badly, ask for information about what had gone wrong to help in future interviews.

Some employers may be reluctant to give information about the interview. Organizations have been faced with lawsuits for unfair hiring practices. Information like this can be valuable, so be professional when seeking this information.

Don’t let a bad job interview cloud your vision for future opportunities. Learn from the experience and improve yourself going forward.

Tips For Negotiating With Employers – It’s Not As Bad As You Think!

Tips For Negotiating With Employers – It’s Not As Bad As You Think!

Why Do We Get Uneasy At The Idea Of Bigger Negotiations?

We equate them with confrontation. Why? Because that’s what negotiations are to many of us – power plays where one side dominates over the other. When you think about it, we generally view negotiations as a give and take kind of event. Thus, our dislike of negotiating comes when we recognize there is a chance we can lose. Let’s take one of most common business negotiations as an example – working out a compensation package with a potential employer.

It’s All About ‘The List’

This kind of negotiation makes many of us feel uneasy for a variety of reasons, including its complexity. Here are just a few items you might want to negotiate depending upon your field and experience level:

• Salary/commission
• Bonuses
• Vacation time
• Sick time
• Health insurance – medical, dental, and vision
• Life, disability, and accidental death Insurance
• Retirement plan
• Continuing education/tuition reimbursement
• Relocation compensation
• Signing bonus
• Health club/fitness stipend

That’s actually quite a bit, right? And it gets even more complicated when you consider that each of these components may have multiple options to choose from!

Now, Let’s Imagine…

You’re sitting down with your potential employer to decide what level of each benefit you will receive. There’s a good chance you think some of those items are more important than your potential employer, and vice versa. Let’s use health insurance as an example. It is quite costly for companies, so they may want to minimize either what they pay or what you receive. You, on the other hand, may be okay with the second tier of health insurance coverage but really want an extra week of paid vacation.

If you both assume the other party holds the same priorities you do, then, over the course of the negotiation, you’re unlikely to recognize potential compromises. So, what’s the solution? Instead of preparing yourself for a win-lose outcome, look for an integrative one, where both sides needs are met.

Tips For Negotiating With Employers

How do you prepare yourself for an integrative negotiation? Here are some tips:

1. Your Best Alternative To A Negotiated Agreement (BATNA) - If you don’t take this job (or agree to this deal), what will you do instead?

2. Your Walk-Away Point - What is the minimum you’re willing to accept? It is important to distinguish this from your BATNA, as your walk-away rate is specific to this negotiation and not to your general situation.

3. Your Target Price - What is your dream outcome?

4. Your Sources Of Power - What gives you leverage?

Now you might be thinking that given today’s economic situation, you should not be negotiating – you should just be happy you have a job offer. I’m not so sure this is the best approach. After all, if you can negotiate a compensation package that both benefits you and saves your employer money, they may be willing to work with you. Plus, it can start you off on the right foot with your new boss.

This said, it’s always wise to consider the things listed above before deciding your approach. You’re going to have to sit down and figure out all of this information before you talk to HR. Take some time to work out what you want and what you can live with. You may base these upon mundane things, like the amount of money you need to pay rent, buy food, and generally exist. Or they could be expressions of greater desires, like wanting to return to school or wanting flexible hours so you can stay with your children.

So, if you’re going through this process now, take some time and think about what you want. Having a clear idea of what you need versus what you’d love will help you to make smart concessions during negotiations, ensuring that at least your minimum needs are met.

Okay, have that list in hand?

Now, do the exact same thing, but for the other side. That’s right, pretend to be the hiring manager and think about what their BATNA, reservation price, target price, and sources of power are. I’ll help you a bit.

1. Their BATNA? Chances are it’s hiring someone else (you’re not the only fish in the pond).

2. Their Walk-Away Point? That depends on how much they want you, but chances are it’s not going to be much higher than the price of another candidate.

3. Their Target Rate? It’s probably the combination of benefits that will cost them as little as possible.

4. Their Sources Of Power? There are a few; again, one is their ability to hire someone else.

See a pattern here?

Of course, you’re not going to be 100% accurate in this assessment. If you were, then you wouldn’t have to negotiate – you’d know the perfect outcome that would satisfy both sides. Instead, the idea is to understand where the other side is coming from, figure out points of commonality, and look of for ways to satisfy the interests of both parties.

Don’t just take my word for it.