Jennifer Jacob: August 2011

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

5- Steps to Improve your Presentation Skills during Job

At some point in your career, you might have to stand up and present to a room full of people. And when you do, you'll find that it's not as easy as it looks. So to help you do it, read these tips and hints to improve your presentation skills. So you've been handed a suite of new projects to manage. What's next? Take these 5 steps to make sure you don't end up working around the clock and pulling your hair out while you're at it...

Prepare with care

To give a great presentation, you need great preparation. Start, by thinking about your topic and the audience and what they are most interested in. Then list your key points and write down the general structure of the presentation ahead.

If you need to, write down every word that you want to say and memorize it. Experienced presenters don't need to do this. But if you're a little nervous or you're new to presenting, then by writing everything down it will boost your confidence and settle your nerves on the day.

On the day

Take these 5 tips to give a fresh, vibrant presentation:

1. Get a good nights sleep beforehand. Eat a healthy breakfast and try and free your schedule, so you're more relaxed going into it.

2. Before you present, spend 15 minutes going over your presentation.

3. Then concentrate on your breathing for 2 minutes. This focuses your thoughts, relaxes you and gets rid of any nerves.

4. Remember, the open and close of your presentation are the most important parts. So put in extra effort here, to make it memorable.

5. If you forget something or make a mistake, then never stop and apologize. Keep going and try and relax. It will soon be forgotten.

Body Language

It's said that 80% of a successful presentation is about body language, and only 20% is about content. So use these top tips to communicate the right message through your body:

1. Make eye contact with people at all times. Never stare at the ceiling or back of the room as you present, unless the nerves are too much.

2. Appear confident. Use an open stance, stand tall and proud. Smile and let your personality shine. Don't be overly formal.

3. Remember that relaxed body language conveys honesty and openness. So walk around a little and make use of props to hold onto.

4. Vary your voice and use slow, open hand gestures. Never have your hands in your pocket or play with a pen. Move your hands to an open position and then pause for effect.

5. Speak slowly and carefully, but passionately. If you're enthusiastic about the topic, then your listeners will be as well.

Spark Interaction

Encourage interaction with others during your presentation. By having others talk for a few seconds, it takes the focus off you temporarily, to let you clear your head and focus on the key points ahead. Another trick to clear your head is to pause while your team are reading a slide or considering a key points you've just mentioned.

Public speaking is one of the most challenging things to master. But if you prepare carefully, take it slowly on the day and are enthusiastic about it, then you will deliver a powerful presentation to your colleagues.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Phone Job Interview Types and its Preparation

Many people do not think of phone interviewing as interviewing. It wasnt an interview, it was ust a phone call. It was still an interview. And it could affect your potential career with an employer. So treat it with all the respect due a full interview.

Three Types of Telephone Interviews

There are three basic types of telephone interviews:

1. You initiate a call to the Hiring Manager and he or she is interested in your background. The call from that point forward is an interview.

2. A company calls you based upon a previous contact. You will likely be unprepared for the call, but it is still an interview.

3. You have a preset time with a company representative to speak further on the phone. Also an interview.

Telephone Interview Preparation

In preparing for your phone interview, there are several things you can do. To prepare for an unexpected contact:

· Tape your resume to a wall where you can view it while on the phone. It will be there for any call (planned or unplanned) and will be a constant reminder for your job search.

· Keep all of your employer research materials within easy reach of your phone.

· Have a notepad available to take notes.

· Keep a mirror nearby (you will understand why in the next few pages).

If the phone interview is to occur at a set time, there are additional steps you can take:

· Place a Do Not Disturb note on your door.

· Turn off your stereo, TV, and any other potential distraction.

· Warm up your voice while waiting for the call. Sing an uplifting song to yourself.

· Have a glass of water handy, since you will not have a chance to take a break during the call.

· Speaking of breaks, if your phone interview is at a set time, make sure you answer natures call first.

· Turn off call waiting on your phone.

In prep for a telephone interview (or any telephone contact), make sure you have a mirror within view. Why? Because I want you to look into that mirror consistently throughout the phone call. And smile. You will improve your telephone presence 110 percent just by using this simple technique. You will find yourself coming across as much friendlier, more interested, more alert. If you are at all self-conscious about seeing yourself in the mirror, you can use the mirror as an occasional checkpoint. But for most of us, seeing oneself reflected back gives us the kind of feedback necessary to make instant modification toward a more positive presence.

Remember, you should be standing, so a wall mirror usually works best. You can pick up a small wall mirror for a limited amount of cash. Its worth it.

Try it the next time you are on the phone. But dont do it with your roommate around.

by: CG

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

5 Tips for Using LinkedIn During Your Job Search

Maybe you're considering upgrading your LinkedIn account from "Basic" to "Job Seeker," which puts a "Job Seeker" badge on your profile. I would counsel against that. The "Job Seeker" label makes you seem desperate (and therefore less desirable). You can, however, take a number of steps to make sure you're making maximal use of your free account while job-hunting. Here are five such tips:

1. Follow a company. You will get updates on who in your network moved where. While it's interesting to see who the "New Hires" are, more important is where they came from, as these might point toward openings at their old company. Also note what their new positions are to get an idea of a possible career path. And, of course, a company's "Recent Departures" list also lets you know of openings.

2. Mine new contacts for even newer ones. Every time someone connects to you, look through his or her list of contacts. View the profiles of those that intrigue you, and reach out to a few of them. Make your message personal, though, with starters like these:

· "Love your photo [of the person] -- did you have it done professionally? I'm looking for a good photographer."

· "Love your photo [of a misty hiking trail in woods] -- Did you take it? -- Where is it?"

· I see you also have Cool Careers for Dummies on your reading list -- isn't it a great resource?

· "I see we have 8 shared connections. We must move in the same circles. Let's make it easier and link directly and let me know if there's anything I can ever do for you."

· "I see we both went to Chaminade University in Hawaii. Not many people have even heard of that school. Let's link, since we're both alumni."

LinkedIn allows people to put up so much content -- slide shows, groups, awards, reading lists, articles, blogs, Twitter streams -- it's very easy to find a common reason to connect.

3. Connect with highly visible people. Search on terms like "speaker," "author," "writer," "coach," "trainer" "evangelist," "sales," "keynote," "award-winning," or "expert." These people are often uber-connectors with thousands of connections. When you find one in your field (or a related one), search for him or her on the Web to find something he or she has written, and send a thoughtful comment or compliment. Make sure it's sincere. If you get a good response, follow up with an invitation to connect, but don't pester the person if he or she ignores you. These well-connected types are very busy people. A visit to the person's Website might reveal an upcoming speaking engagement in your area. Whatever you do, respect an uber-connector's time. Recruiters are in their own category; they often have connections in the thousands and knowledge of job openings, but they are also overwhelmed. If you contact them, make sure you give them a good reason to link and try to be memorable.

4. Connect to "interesting" people. Search on an unusual interest of yours to see who else has it. You might get ideas about career direction, or a contact might be able to give you a job lead. Imagine you're a medical assistant who likes dancing. A search on "flamenco dancer" brought up this title for one person: "Medical Doctor, Wellness Expert, International Speaker, Life Coach, Author & Flamenco Dancer." You could reach out to say, "Wow, another person in health care who loves flamenco!" It's a long shot, but life is made up of such coincidences.

5. Leverage even weak links. I once got an interview by sending a message through LinkedIn to one of my contacts, with whom, truthfully, I was only loosely connected. Not only was she someone I'd never met in real life, but I'd turned her down for an interview! (I got a job offer elsewhere.) A year after our initial connection, I was job searching again, and I noticed she was connected to someone I was targeting. It was gutsy of me to do, but I felt I had nothing to lose, so I contacted her. She forwarded my resume, and I got the interview.

Final Thoughts
These strategic tips should help you expand your reach on LinkedIn. But you don't have to wait until you're a job-seeker to make connections. In fact, it makes more sense to nurture your network before you need it. And remember, always follow up and thank people for connecting!

by MNelson

Monday, August 22, 2011

In the Hot Seat: 7 Interview Tips

The time and effort you put into crafting your cover letter and résumé have finally paid off -- you've been asked to interview with a company you've been pursuing for months…

But you only have a few days to prepare for this brief but monumental meeting. The pressure's on to prove to the hiring manager you're uniquely qualified for the position and would be an asset to the organization.

While books and acquaintances are great sources of advice, consider taking cues from your favorite celebrities. That's because interviewing for a job is a lot like auditioning for a role. It can be a challenging and nerve-racking experience, but with a little preparation and practice, you'll have the confidence you need to shine. Here are some pointers to help you deliver a five-star performance:

Research your role.
Just as actors dig up information on the characters they'll portray, you should learn as much as you can about the potential employer. In fact, in a recent survey of executives by our company, respondents said having little or no knowledge of the firm is the No. 1 reason job seekers lose out to the competition. Avoid this mistake by researching the organization's history, products or services. Find recent news by visiting its Web site, reading industry publications and talking to members of your network. Doing so will help you specifically address the company's needs during the interview.

Practice makes perfect.
Seasoned performers spend extra time rehearsing tricky lines to avoid slipping up on stage. You can sidestep a potentially embarrassing situation by considering answers to tough or strange interview questions ahead of time. Hiring managers may ask about your greatest weakness, for example. In this case, your response should be candid but brief. Ideally, you'll be able to highlight steps you've taken to overcome this flaw. For example, if delivering presentations is not your forte, you might explain how you enrolled in courses to improve your public-speaking abilities.

Expect the unexpected.
Research conducted by our company shows off-the-wall questions also are becoming increasingly common, so don't be surprised if you're asked something like, "If you could have lunch with someone famous, who would it be?" In these instances, interviewers aren't looking for a right or wrong answer -- they're most likely interested in gauging your creativity, ability to think on your feet and personality. Develop concise, yet informative responses to these types of queries by role-playing with a friend so you can answer clearly and confidently.

Get down to the details.
Punctuality, proper attire and strong stage presence all contribute to a performer's professional reputation. Similarly, you should pay attention to the small, and often overlooked, aspects of an interview. Select your outfit the night before -- a two-piece suit is always appropriate, even if the company touts a casual dress code -- and make sure it's clean and neatly pressed. Map out directions to the office, plan to leave early and know whom to call in case you get stuck in traffic. Finally, get a good night's rest so you'll be alert for the big day.

Share something personal.
Compelling actors and actresses often use their personal experiences to add complexity to the characters they portray. You also can use your past to your professional advantage. Have in mind three career achievements that demonstrate hard-to-measure qualities -- like judgment, initiative, teamwork or leadership -- that aren't apparent on your résumé. Perhaps you stayed at the office until 2 a.m. to help a co-worker complete a high-profile project on time. While it wasn't your responsibility, you saw a colleague in need and were happy to help out.

Delve deep.
Skilled actors and actresses aren't afraid to ask their directors for guidance. Similarly, it's worthwhile to consult your interviewer regarding questions you may have about the firm or role. In fact, coming to the meeting with a few queries of your own is a great way to further convey your interest in the job. Inquire about opportunities for growth as well as the company's long-range plans. Discussing these issues will help both of you determine if you'd be a good fit for the position. Just avoid asking about vacation time, benefits or your office space -- you can address these topics once an offer has been extended.

Finish with a bang.
Nothing spoils a good show like a disappointing finale. End on a high note by expressing your appreciation for the interviewer's time and consideration. Also, send a thank-you note to reinforce your interest and ability to excel in the role. A carefully crafted message will advance your candidacy and leave a positive, lasting impression with the hiring manager long after you've left. In today's competitive job pool, it's not enough to "look good on paper." You also must demonstrate solid soft skills, a strong work ethic and a personality that is compatible with the corporate culture during the interview. Whether you have one week or one day before this important meeting, with a little preparation and practice, you can outshine the competition.

BY OfficeTeam

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Tips to Help Balance Career/Job and Family

Whether you are male or female, a mom or a dad, balancing career and family can be really difficult. When you're a woman, though, the choices you have to make seem especially difficult and the responsibilities all the more great. For some reason, women are guilt-ridden with their career decisions and the choices they make about working while trying to raise their children, providing nutritious meals for their family, keeping a respectable house and keeping their husbands happy. Last on the list, of course, is finding some time for themselves. So how does a woman find time to actually feel happy with her daily activities while keeping up with all of the responsibility?

First, take time to smell the roses! Literally, you can take time to smell the roses but you can actually do this with no flowers in sight. Every day, try to look around and appreciate what you have, taking in the sounds of your child's laughter, the wag of your dog's tail, the special glance of your husband as you tell a funny joke. Sometimes, the knowledge of what you have on your plate for the day will feel overwhelming, but a little perspective goes a long way. It may be a cliché and a very tired phrase, but it truly does work. People tend to get lost in the mundane, day-to-day "functioning" instead of really living their lives. For example, next time you are worried about fitting in your exercise with your child's play date at Little Gym, forego the Little Gym and head out with your son or daughter for a run. Strap the little one in the jog stroller or if he or she is old enough, ask them to put on the running shoes with Mommy and head outside! Once outside, you can literally stop to smell the roses. Just a few minutes of gratitude a day will work wonders for your soul and automatically make your life feel more balanced.

Along these same lines, try and give yourself some "me" time once a week. Once a week may not seem like much, but if you really allow yourself to soak it in and enjoy the time spent, it will make the stress of all of the rest of the hectic days melt away. Take a good block of time on a Saturday or Sunday - 2 hours, maybe - and mark this time in your calendar in pen, not pencil. Keep a standing appointment with yourself, and honor it as you would any other. Think you are too busy on a weekend to do this? You will feel much more productive the rest of the weekend allowing yourself this little ‘refresher', rather than trying to cram some time in on a random Tuesday or other weeknight. For this special time, you can book a massage or a facial at your favorite spa. Take a couple of hours to go window shopping at your favorites stores, by yourself or with a friend. Take in a matinee with a couple of girlfriends. If your husband is willing to fly solo on a Saturday night, you can even book a girls' night out once in a while and truly let loose! Even if your budget doesn't allow for these activities once a week, you can lock yourself in the bathroom with a good book, a bubble bath and a nice glass of wine and feel good about your time alone - you deserve some!

Probably the most obvious way to balance career and family is to incorporate your family into what would otherwise be "work time". If you have a short commute to work, for example, perhaps you can drive your kids to school each morning instead of having them take the bus. In the alternative, you could have your morning cup of coffee at the bus stop with them and spend a few minutes chatting about their day and what they plan to learn in school as you sip your cup of Joe and breathe in the morning air to mentally prepare for your own day ahead. If you normally exercise in the morning and leave the house very early, switch your workout time to lunch and leave the office to go to the gym, eating at your desk when you get back. You will have more time with your family each day and get a healthy break from your pile of papers to boot.

You may need to get a little creative with your schedule, but there are definitely ways to help balance career and family. Sometimes an extra few minutes each day or a once-weekly good block of time can go a long way in helping restore your peace of mind and help you feel less harried.

by MH

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Working in Europe - There are two ways to get to Europe

Do you have romantic visions about going to Europe to work and find yourself? The idea can be a little daunting if you don't know where to start. You'll need to know that Europe has two doors: front and back…

The Front Door

First off, if you don't have professional skills that can brave the language barrier (i.e. if you're not an architect, engineer, plumber, electrician, carpenter, computer specialist, etc.) you MUST speak the language, fluently. Second, you have to have a valid work permit or visa.

Your best bet is to find a job with an employer willing to help you apply for a work permit before you leave the States. Start by picking the brains of everyone you know who has ever lived abroad. Call in contacts and apply to companies or organizations your friends have worked for. Go to the study abroad office at your school or to the language department of the country you wish to live in and inquire about work abroad programs. You can also look for a job by doing a web search or looking in the classifieds of international newspapers.

You should also sit down and figure out exactly what kind of job you want and approach these employers directly. If, for example, you'd like to intern at a foreign corporation, you could write to the consulate of that country for information about companies with branch offices in the U.S. or in your city. If you want to work with environmental activists in France, you can get contact information for environmental organizations from the French consulate, from the web, or even from a local organization. Then write to them directly.

The German Goethe Institut and other language schools are good places to get information and make valuable contacts. Also consider working for an American company, agency, or organization with offices abroad. These are easier to find and approach, and they know all about the bureaucratic difficulties you'll be facing.

If you have some time to plan ahead I recommend you think about taking a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course. The one skill that all Americans have (we hope) that is in demand all over Europe is the English language. If you have a TEFL certificate, you are employable in any European country, and your potential employers will fight for your favors. This is especially true in non-EU, former Eastern Block countries.

Once you have a job offer, you have to get a visa. This won't be easy. In EU countries the agencies issuing visas will want to know why a local or another EU citizen couldn't do the job you're applying for just as well as you. Unless you're offered a job in a special program or an internship, there's no telling if you'll secure a visa. You can get the skinny on the whole process by writing to the consulate of the country you're going to be working in. And bring all of your patience and persistence to it.

The Back Door

Now to the back door, the "just save up some money and go" route. Well, the "save up lots and lots of money and know where you're going before you go" route. I can't emphasize enough the importance of bringing enough money. If you are coming to a strange city with no contacts, no job, or no place to stay, even if you are sleeping in parks and eating bread and water, you can easily drop $500 in a month (minimum). And you'll want to give yourself a few months to find your bearings.

The best places to find your first job are tourist places: hostels, hotels, cafes and bars, resorts, and tourist shops. You can start at the hostel you land in; often they'll let you help clean the place in return for a free bed. Hotels are always looking for cheap cleaning staff; cafes and bars in touristy areas will find your English useful and aren't terribly picky about work visas; resorts and tourist shops will have seasonal work and, as long as you aren't planning on staying long or being conspicuous, will often pay under the table. Such employers won't be too concerned about your language skills, as long as you can communicate with their mostly foreign clientele. Just look for a place with foreign, English-speaking staff and be friendly. Once you've gotten to know some people in the expat community, you'll have little problem finding jobs. Note: these jobs don't pay well.

If all you're looking for is some fun and a year off, you could easily make your way around Europe working such jobs illegally. Once you're settled, though, if you'd like to stay where you are and get to know the local fauna a little better, you can branch out into other work. Tutoring English and translating freelance are both well-paying (once you have some regulars) and a good way to meet local people. If you do know a trade or have some particular skills, try spreading the word in the expat community or advertising in a local paper.

The key words to this endeavor, by either route, are persistence and open-mindedness. Take a job you don't think you'll like, break out of the tourist bubble every chance you get, talk to everyone who talks to you, grab every opportunity offered, and batter away at the door, whichever one you choose, until it opens. It may not be as romantic as you envisioned, but it will be infinitely more worthwhile.

By: C. Light