Monday, September 24, 2012

8 Tips To Get Your Desired Job



You have to make a job out of getting a job, in other words: It's not just a matter of applying for one job and waiting, or even applying for lots of jobs with the same approach. Getting the job you want is a full time project. It helps if you can plan out the key steps. Here are 8 steps that should help you:

1. Research your target employer and the job role. The more you know about them, the better your chances of winning.

2. Make recruitment agents your competitive advantage. Explain you will prepare well for any interviews as this will raise their chance of earning commission by placing you into a job! Find out which companies they place a lot of people into, as this could be an easier way into your next job. Ask them (or an employer's human resources department) which process they will use to decide who gets the job. Who will be interviewing you, when and what should you prepare? What are the top 3 most important qualities that the interviewer will be looking for?

3. Find out the key requirements: Each time you apply for a job you should find out the key job requirements and make sure you put 3 aspects of your experience that match the job at the top of the first page. What can you refer to in your education, interests, social life or sporting achievements that show you have the qualities that the role requires? Are you able to provide references from people who know you and your capabilities? Do you have any specialist knowledge in areas the job requires, perhaps from holiday jobs or voluntary work?

4. Always put a covering email or letter with your CV. State clearly your interest in the job and one or two reasons why you are suitable for the job. Don't just use the same generalised content every time as it is likely to be ignored!

5. Follow up by phone no more than 3 days after mailing the application.Get through to the person handling the application and ask if it's convenient for the person to speak - people can be busy - if it's not convenient fix a time to call back. When you can speak to the person handling the applications, ask if your application arrived ok, stress your interest in the job and ask what the process will be and when interviews will be held.

6. At the right time, ask for an interview. It's just a question - ask in a friendly positive voice stating that it's really important to you as your research about the organisation makes you really interested in the job. You have a right to ask and they have a right to say yes or no, but if you don't ask you don't get! As soon as you get an interview agreed, find out who you will be interviewed by and what they will be looking for.

7. Preparation: Take time before the interview, think about all the possible questions you could get asked and the answers. Try out the question and answer session with a friend to see how it feels to answer tough questions. Think about, and note down, a few questions you can ask that demonstrate real interest in the job and the organisation.

8. Follow up and time management: Use some kind of a calendar or diary to track your activities in the search for a job. After an interview, not more than 48 hours, send a thank you email to the interviewer and as well as thanking them for their time repeating your interest in the job and re-confirming two or three reasons why you fit the job. In your diary, record who you spoke to, what they said and when to call back or when to expect the next step. With several job applications going on at the same time, it's easy to forget calling someone back or providing a reference by a certain date.

Finally, when you do start your new job make sure you have a plan for early success, try our course Work to help you. LET'S-BEGIN courses are built on a unique range of working experiences from over 30 years in job roles that required very strong inter-personal skills in sales, sales management, general management and organisational leadership. 


Monday, September 10, 2012

How to Improve the Quality of Your Networking?


In this age of metrics, it’s tempting for job hunters to seek solace in the sheer numbers of their effort: 200 job postings answered, 300 resumes mailed, 400 business cards collected for the purposes of professional networking…..   

But if you think about how these brute-force employment campaigns affect the professional on the other side of the desk -- the HR recruiter, the networking contact in a powerful position -- it quickly becomes apparent that the rack-up-the-numbers networker is on the wrong track. That’s because these days employers are looking to select a very few outstanding professionals from a tidal wave of good people who just want a job.

So in the end, the quality-oriented networker, the thoughtful individual who always tries to give better than he gets, should have the advantage. Here are 10 points to keep in mind as you emphasize quality over quantity in your professional networking.
1.    Quantity Is a Turnoff

If you hand out business cards like you’re dealing poker, most folks will fold. “People don’t want to do business with a card thruster,” says Shel Horowitz, a marketing consultant in Hadley, Massachusetts. In fact, speed networking probably does not yield the best return on your investment of time. “Quantity networkers are forgettable individuals,” says Benjamin Akande, dean of Webster University’s George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology. “If a guy is just looking for his next consulting contract, I don’t want to know him.”

2. Don’t Work the Room

Don’t kid yourself: If you’re always on the lookout for the next professional hookup, people will take offense. “When people spend 50 percent of the time looking over my shoulder, I don’t feel warm and fuzzy,” says Sally Haver, a senior vice president at The Ayers Group, an HR consultancy in New York City.

3. Take Time to Make a Real Connection

When you and a new acquaintance seem attuned, take time to explore how you might help each other out. “A lot of people figure that coming back from a networking opportunity with just one contact makes it a failure,” Horowitz says. “But my hour with one good contact makes it a success.”

4. Make Your Case for Building a Relationship

Recognize that if you’re between jobs, you probably have more discretionary time than most of your valuable networking contacts do. “People are overrun with requests,” Haver says. “Unless there’s a compelling reason for someone to meet with you, they won’t make the time.” So work hard to make yourself useful.

5. Exchange Stories

Don’t forget that you are more than the professional objective at the top of your resume. “Networking is about telling your story, describing your human competitive advantage -- what you do that nobody else can do,” Akande says. And ask a new contact to tell you her story. “At the start of a professional relationship, I ask questions to get unique pieces of information about the person,” Haver says.

6. Respond to Others’ Challenges

There’s no better way to establish a business networking relationship than to contribute to the solution of your new contact’s pressing problem. “If someone states a challenge that they’re facing, respond -- no later than the next morning -- with something of value that addresses their issue,” says John Felkins, president of Accelerant Consulting Group , an organizational development consultancy in Bartlett, Tennessee.

7. Set Yourself Up for the Next Contact

If you intuit that a new contact will have lasting value, start building a bridge to your next exchange before you say your first good-bye. “I ask people what they’re working on right now, which gives me a segue to another contact,” says Akande. “I make notes so that the next time I can say, You mentioned in our last conversation…’”

8. Make Yourself Useful, Again and Again

“If you consistently position yourself as a resource to others -- fellow college alums, former colleagues -- it will make you more valuable to your contacts, and, in turn, their contacts, as time goes by,” says Amanda Guisbond, an account executive in the Boston office of PR agency Shift Communications.

9. Don’t Forget Social Media

Social media are powerful tools for professional networking when used judiciously. But spam is distasteful no matter what the social medium du jour. So be selective, and use virtual contacts to supplement, not supplant, face-to-face meetings. As Horowitz puts it: “Social networking is deeply reinforced by an in-person connection.”

10. Mind These Three Watchwords for Quality

Looking for a slogan to sum up quality networking? Try Haver’s: Selectivity, discretion, mindfulness.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Some exclusive Tips For Getting A Promotion


Once you have found a job that you love, it's important not to get too comfortable in your new position. Although I will be the first to admit that everyone needs some time to settle into a new job, but once you're comfortable with the job, it's time to start thinking about a promotion….

 The tricky thing about promotions is that almost everyone wants one, but very few people are willing to actively work toward getting them.


Working hard isn't enough, however, because most of the time the people who get promoted aren't always the people who work the hardest and never complain. Some people work themselves to death, hoping that a promotion will be tossed into their lap. When it doesn't happen, they become discouraged and their work ethic suffers. Most employers want to promote people who are good at what they do and who have leadership abilities. If you want to get promoted, you have to show that you are eager to learn, willing to lead and take charge of your career path.


If you have been trying to get promoted, here are 5 tips that can help:

 Do your best at every task - When your boss has a project that needs to be done quickly, he or she will most likely give it to the person who is the busiest. It might seem counterintuitive to give more work to the person who has the most on their plate, but the busy person is also the one who is most likely to give the task their best effort. Managers take note of this and soon, the busiest person will be kept busy doing the most challenging and rewarding projects. These projects give them a chance to learn new skills and deliver results to people who will notice them. Which means that they have a shot at showing their skills and leadership abilities to the very people who will make decisions about who to promote.

Always be professional - Everyone tries to be professional, but even the best of us can allow our egos to get in the way of our otherwise professional behavior. In a meeting, when working with a team or even in a dispute with a co-worker, your have to put your ego to the side. Going into a meeting and arguing with someone might make you feel better and you might even "win" the battle, but anything you gain will be short lived. That type of behavior shows that you can't handle stress, criticism and that you don't work well with others. These aren't qualities that employers want in their managers. When it comes to conflict at work, don't take it personal. Instead, use the experience as a chance to show that you can stay cool under pressure and that you respect others - all great management qualities.

Trust yourself - When faced with a difficult problem, we almost always know the right decision, but we often don't act on it. Instead, we over think it and put off making the decision until it's too late. Instead, trust your instincts and make a decision. If you really don't feel qualified to solve the problem, make a list of pros and cons and present the problem, along with possible solutions to your boss. Showing that you are able to work under pressure and make decisions is an important part of being a good leader.

Accept responsibility for your actions - If you make mistakes - and trust me, you will - take responsibility for them. Even if you don't think it was all your fault, accept the blame and move on. Don't take it personally and don't try to defend your honor. Your boss isn't interested in the excuses and they will only make you look bad. Once you accept the blame, move on and don't dwell on it. Forget the mistake, but keep the lesson. Don't fall into the trap of beating yourself up over it. Be grateful for your mistakes because without them, you wouldn't have the chance to learn from them and get better.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

How to define that why you have lost your job


Recognize that there is life after a job loss and take some time to reflect and recharge your attitude. Think about what you learned from the experience, what you could have done differently, and what you will do going forward………

Here are seven things to prepare you when the subject comes up in an interview:

Don't lie.
Be prepared to be up front and honest about your dismissal. Don't lie. If you fail to disclose that you were dismissed for cause, it is likely to come out when the employer checks references and your perceived dishonesty for not sharing this information may cost you the job. When interviewing, be brief in discussing the situation, show what you've learned or what you are doing to change and then move on to what you accomplished and how you can contribute to the new company.

Right job, wrong boss.
If your dismissal resulted from a change in management and you didn't get along with a new boss due to bad chemistry or a difference of opinion, acknowledge that you recognize some people just don't click, then share references of other supervisors you previously worked for and other colleagues.

You might say, "My new supervisor and I, unfortunately, had very different personalities and management styles. I made a strong attempt to create an amicable relationship. I had very good relationships with previous supervisors and was well-thought of by my colleagues." Whatever you do, don't bad mouth the boss. You'll be the one who looks bad. Have a list of other supervisors and coworkers readily available to share with the interviewer. Most people have had a difficult boss at some point in their career and will likely understand.

Change in strategy.
Briefly acknowledge that there was a change in company strategy that you didn't fully agree with, then move on to what you learned from the situation. Say something like, "After the merger, my new boss had a different strategy in mind for our product group. I didn't fully agree with it. Looking back, I realized that I should have tried to find out more about the rationale for the change and find ways to support it." Don't trash the company. Don't blame the company for not following your direction. Every company will change. Show that you are willing to adapt to change.

Lack of skills.
If your job moved forward but you didn't, it's probably time to acquire the necessary skills to succeed. If you haven't yet embraced technology, use your time off to take a few beginners computer classes and learn common office software. In addition to local colleges, many industry associations offer courses and workshops to keep your skills up to date. Take a refresher accounting course, attend a workshop to recharge your creativity, improve you management skills or learn to write for the web. Share your new-found skills with prospective employers and show how these skills will add value at the new employer.

Poor reviews.
If you received a series of poor performance reviews, you need to truly assess why. First, if you can muster the courage, consider calling your old boss and asking for advice. You may find the conversation easier than you think, now that the ties of employment have been broken. Call or meet with a former colleague or two and ask them for their honest opinion of how you could improve. Don't be defensive. Listen openly.

If you made repeated mistakes, if you weren't thorough enough in your reports, or missed your sales quotas, consider what you could do to improve. You may find that the job you had wasn't really right for you. If you were a great sales administrator who was promoted to an outside sales position, but lost your job because you couldn't make the quotas, perhaps you need to seek an administrative position. If you were a great sales person who was promoted to manage the sales force then let go due to your poor management skills, maybe you'd be happier and more successful if you were back in front of customers instead of behind a desk.

Misdeeds or dishonesty.
If the reason for your dismissal was for something more egregious, like misusing company funds, sexual harassment, substance use or falsifying company information, you may need to accept that companies could be reluctant to hire you. Whatever the reason always be honest, say only what you need to say, share what you learned and how you've changed and focus on the more positive aspects of your performance and accomplishments.

Solid and legitimate references.
Ideally, your former employer will agree to just give the facts, by verifying your dates of employment and your titles. Secure references from other supervisors and colleagues who will give you a positive review and vouch for your integrity and ability. It's best to have two to three business references as well as a couple of personal references.


Saturday, August 25, 2012

No One Likes Rejection. Here's a Great Way to Make it Work in Your Favor


You just reached the end of your phone screen or your interview and the news is not what you wanted to hear. So this individual be they a hiring manager, recruiter, or human resources person, will not be hiring you nor will they be bringing you in for a future interview…….

End of the road, right? Well, not so fast.

Nobody likes rejection, but here is one time when you can make simple human emotion work in your favor. You can use a recruiter's secret that makes rejection work in Your Favor and puts new momentum in your job search.

Here is the situation:
You just had a conversation with someone who
is a likely fountain of information about the industry.
already knows a little about your background and the fact that you showed incentive by either calling or inquiring about a specific opportunity.
would like to end the conversation on a positive note.
In short, you've got them right where you want them, especially at point (c.) above. So don't slink off the phone or out of their office without taking full advantage of your power. This is your golden opportunity to get further information for your job search. After all, you've earned it.
Remember, people usually want to help other people. It's a basic human emotion. When someone can help someone else in a small easy way, they will be glad to do so. All you have to do is ASK.

So ask a parting question such as:
"Is there someone else in the company that (is hiring, could use someone with my skills)?" or,
"Are there other divisions or sister companies that might need people like myself?" or
"What other companies in your niche should I also consider?" or
"Who do you know in the business community that I might introduce myself to?"
Make a list of these questions beforehand. Put them in your own words and pick the one or two that you feel the most comfortable with. Write these as part of your phone script and keep them handy when you’re on the phone. Commit them to memory and use them.

Bonus Tip: In parting, ask to leave your phone number with this individual in case they should come across another lead in the future and want to call you.

You will be amazed at the amount of support you get when you just ask. When you get a lead, thank them and always ask if you may use their name when you call in to speak with their referral.


Monday, August 13, 2012

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.


Monday, July 30, 2012

The Top Ten Success Don'ts


Every person out there, especially you, has his/her own special abilities and potential to achieve whatever they set their mind to….
 Sadly due to the wrong mindset, that true potential is never reached. There are many reasons why most us in our own minds are unsuccessful. But I am going to express what I believe are the top ten. I want to share them with you so you can become aware of them, and ultimately drop some of these habits or traits, whatever you want to call them. Lets get started right now.

10.Procrastination
Yup, everyone knows their guilt in this area. If there is an important task you must get started on, by all means, START NOW! Not tomorrow or a month from now, right now! There will never be a perfect time or place to start, so start now! I honestly believe that procrastination causes time to speed up. You say "Okay, I'll start next week", next week comes "okay next week" and so on. Whatever the task is, it is always on the back of your head. And you know you were supposed to start last night. No more of this, this has to change. This is one of the first crucial steps to doing anything, do it right away!

9. Comfort

Think of where you are at in your job. Whether you like it or not it's money right? And for the time being, it sure beats getting a whole new different job starting form square one, when your already at square 9 or 10, right? As well as the fact that for many of you it has taken quite some time. 1, 3, 8, 15, 20 years to establish yourself, which you do not want to go to waste, correct? We can safely agree that you are for the most part comfortable with your situation. You do not feel the need to go outside of your comfort zone and try something new or different. If you want to accomplish things for your SELF, and not your BOSS, you have to be willing to sometimes venture outside of the comfort zone.

8.Fear

One big reason we as human beings choose not to go outside our comfort zone is fear of the unknown. Whether it be fear of loss, change, or fear of fear itself, no one will give it a try. This is how fear, comfort and procrastination team up and stop you from ever stepping up to the plate, let alone getting started. IF you let go of fear, the sky's the limit. The biggest risk is not taking one!

7.Overwhelming

Getting started is just the first small hump with even bigger ones to follow. Seeing where you need to go, and seeing all the obstacle obscuring your view can be too much too handle sometimes. Most of the time success, however you define it, is a far, far, far path, the kind that makes it easier to just turn around and go back. You must learn to break a big task into smaller steps that can be completed daily.

6. Boring effect

If you do not make what your doing fun and interesting, you will become bored with it and eventually withdraw completely form your task. You might even have to question whether it is a smart move to even consider going on with certain tasks you might be doing, because deep down it is not something in your heart that you enjoy doing or can tolerate. Be creative as to not lose interest, and always follow your heart.

5.No Urgency

Treat the tasks you complete yourself like the tasks you do for your job. If you hope to make a big change with where you are in your life, you must place whatever that is in high regard. When it comes to yourself, it's very easy to hold low importance on tasks beneficial for you. There is no pressure to get them done, usually there is no pay, and you don't have to report to anyone. It's very easy to forget about. If you want big change, treat it with bog importance.

4. Unaware of self-improvement

I had a friend who wanted to become an entrepreneur and quit his job. He had goals of making $60,000/yr form his own business. As soon as you set a goal such as that, you need to acquire the right mentality and responsibility to live up to it. But he was still heavily involved in his job and took his business lightly. There would be no way for him to be making that kind of money with the mindset he had at the time. The only way he can make that a reality is to become more professional and have a higher self-esteem, which he did not care about. Bettering yourself in the best ways possible towards your success, is the only way to success.

3. Short-term thinking

The only way to ultimately get by in this world is to look at the big picture. Nothing happens overnight, even the lotto (you have to wait 3-5 weeks after you claim the money). Many people today fall victim to wanting results NOW, and if that doesn't happen, they are thru with whatever they signed up for. Do you honestly think Bill Gates got what he wanted in one year? Absolutely not. It took him more than a decade to get to where he is and maintain it. He knew he had to stay in for the long run and make decisions based on that.

2.Absence of knowledge

Knowledge is an important key to whatever you do. Everyone wants to be able to instantly transform and have the type of skills they've always wanted without the hard work and research. Even worse, trying to start a certain task or job without acquiring the proper skills can waste money, time, and effort. Do not pursue something you cannot do. Countless times have I come across individuals who not only foolishly jump in head first without proper knowledge, but they also have a certain air about themselves and feel they can do it on their own without anybody's help. In the end, they eventually got frustrated, and moved on to something different. Make sure you seek the help you need beforehand and acquire the skills needed to start your task.

1.No Clarity

This is the single most devastating business killer of them all. 85% of new businesses fail in the first 3-5 years of business. Either there was not any clarity, or they did not change what they needed to stay clear. Do not venture into the void if you are not clear on exactly where you want to go. Having no clarity will only cause you too shoot shots in the dark, not knowing what you are trying to hit.

Your outlook on life should be clear and long term, but that doesn't mean you lose focus on daily tasks. If you really elevate yourself in these areas, and are willing to make changes, I'm sure you will accomplish whatever it is you set out to do.



Friday, July 27, 2012

How Facebook can actually help you find a perfect job of your dreams?


Facebook may sometimes look like a way to simply post some pictures, chit chat with loved ones or tell your friends about your birthday, but on the other hand it can be useful in your professional career…..

 Facebook allows job seekers tap an informal network of friends or friends of friends who can play a vital role in creating success. The collections of friends you have on Facebook are more likely to have your back.

How to take benefit from it?

Modify your avatar In an online search, your avatar is usually the first thing that a potential employer sees on Facebook. So if you are in search of employment, it is significant to have a professional avatar, which can help you get hired. You should get a custom avatar which should include your contact information and it should let people know that you are looking for a job. In addition, your profile must be kept secret; it just should contain the information of your email address and the history and experience of jobs so that recruiters can reach you directly.

Make use of your status 

Using you status is a good way to tell your Facebook friends that you are looking for a job. For instance, refer to your own website, which features samples of your work and curriculum resume, or ask them to write you an e-mail if they are be acquainted with any of a good lead. Be specific when you tell your friends about what type of job or company you’re after. It will make it easier for them to help you out. We suggest that during your job search use your status to update your friends on how it goes. Do not flood friends with all the little details; try to make every status conversational and optimistic.

“Keep it real” but never get yourself appear like a saddest and most hopeless person alive.

Take out an ad of Facebook 

When you complete you degree and graduated from university, you wish to get hired for a job, so at that time you can take out an advertisement on Facebook to target the desired companies. The advertisement is seen to the Facebook users. Once you click on the advertisement, users can refer your personal website that contains your curriculum resume/CV. After that each company will be able to inform that your resume is passed on to their Human Resources department and or wish to meet you. Facebook is the fastest and easily useable platform which contains a number of job opportunities for everyone like you.

Companies where you desire to work:

Since most companies have a presence on Facebook these days, by clicking on the “like” button on the fan page of any company will be the signal that you are interested in doing a job there. In addition, it is a simple way to learn about the latest news and happenings in the company, It can be helpful with interview. Also remember some companies also place their available jobs on their page.

Always Keep it genuine 

As we all know that Facebook is a less formal network, people expect to see a more relaxed part of your personality so there is no need to bestow a professional tone. Try to present a casual as well as professional and responsible personality. It will give a great effect.


Friday, July 20, 2012

Advice And Tips On Avoiding Interview Disasters


There are definitely things that you can do to avoid minor mishaps which could ultimately blow an interview…..

 Become familiar with these 7 potential interview disasters so you can prevent them from obstructing your path to that ideal job.

Showing up late is both rude and inconsiderate. Is this the first impression that you want to leave with a potential employer? Map out your route and try it out before the interview. Plan on being at least half an hour early to your appointment. This will provide a buffer to protect against wrong turns, traffic jams and all the other mishaps that may befall you. If you arrive early, you can use the time to calm your nerves.

Many a nervous candidate has been known to accidentally call the interviewer the wrong name. In order to avoid this disconcerting faux pau, find out who you will be speaking to before the interview. Memorize the name(s). If this information is not available prior to the meeting, then write the person’s name on your notepad as soon as you sit down for the interview. If you do slip-up, do not make a huge fuss. Apologize quickly (and sincerely) and move on.

Choose your words carefully. Avoid impulsive answers; the first thing that pops into your head may not be the best response. Remember, it’s ok to pause if you need some time to think. Feel free to say "that’s a good question; let me take a moment to think about it." This demonstrates that you think before you speak. Is your everyday speech peppered with expletives or other potentially offensive phrases? If so, take care to avoid these during your meeting.

Interviews are stressful situations for even the most qualified candidates. This tension can lead to candidates freezing up during the meeting. Alleviate some of the expected stress by practicing mock interview questions. Have a friend conduct simulated interviews. If possible, have him/her conduct the interview in a variety of manners including reserved, rushed, and disinterested. This way you will be better prepared for whatever the interview may bring.

Nature has a funny way of acting up at the wrong moments. Fortunately, you can help prevent these unwanted incidents. Avoid the awkwardness of a growling stomach by eating a few hours before the interview. Be careful in what you eat and drink in the 24 hours prior to the interview. Do not overindulge; an upset stomach or hangover is formidable distraction.

The interview is no place for humbleness. Too much modesty can make you appear introverted or lacking confidence. Don’t be afraid to be your own cheerleader. Prior to the interview, make a list of your accomplishments both personally and professionally; practice talking about them. Have a friend listen to your answers as you practice. This will help prevent you from crossing the line between justifiable pride and boasting.

No one wants to work with a stick in the mud. With this in mind, how can you prevent from appearing lukewarm? Smile and maintain eye contact. Sit forward in your chair. Avoid speaking in a monotone. Be positive in your responses.

By preparing yourself against these potential interview disasters you are one step closer to getting the job of your dreams. Remember sometimes it really is the little things that make the difference.
,

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Locating the Job You Want


Most small companies are not household names. They tend to advertise jobs locally, their businesses often are quite specialized, and typically they don´t have a human resources department to promote them...

Small companies are forming at rapid rates and are generating most new jobs in the US. Use local resources (such as radio and newspapers) as well as your contacts and Web sites to learn about small employers hiring needs.

The Internet has created profound opportunities for all companies, large and small, to publi cize themselves and their job openings. If your resume is posted on major search engines, any employer can easily find it. Also be sure your networking efforts include both large and small employers.

Posted Jobs
A posted job is one that´s advertised or somehow actively publicized by an employer to encourage applications — usually to fill the position as soon as possible.

Job postings can be direct or indirect: 
·         Direct postings are job descriptions that are made public, either broadly or narrowly. Printed announcements often are internal postings on traditional or electronic bulletin boards to inform current employees. Jobs may be directly posted externally on the Internet, usually in the company´s Careers or Employment section. Ads in local and/or national news­papers, journals and magazines (such as Chemical & Engineering News), data banks, or other Internet lists are also examples of direct postings.
·         Indirect postings occur when an employer provides information about job openings to a third party — temporary employment agencies, headhunters, or faculty. Sometimes an available job will be intentionally leaked out to generate appropriate candidates. Jobs announced at employment clearinghouses sponsored by professional societies (ACS, Eastern Analytical Symposium, Pittsburgh Conference, and many others) are considered indirect postings because you must attend to learn about them.
In addition, vendors at trade shows and technical meetings often have job opportunities to discuss, even if the opening isn´t posted publicly at all. (Remember that many vendors are small companies.)

Finding Posted Jobs
For directly posted jobs:
·         Visit your sources regularly, including newspaper or magazine ads, Internet web pages, your network members, bulletin boards, and so forth.
·         Identify those jobs that seem to match your values, drivers, and skills (see Chapter 2).
·         Follow instructions in the ad exactly to apply for the job and line up an interview.
Because they are readily available to any applicant, competition is heavy for directly posted jobs. To find indirect postings, you must go where the postings are placed: 
·         Call or visit temporary agencies and headhunters in your area to ask about jobs; remem ber, many temporary agencies have national and regional job lists, as well as local ones.
·         Go to meetings that feature employment clearinghouses and visit the exhibitions area, where vendors display their products (for example, the ACS Career Fair occurs at the semiannual ACS national meetings).
·         Keep resumes or business cards with you and hand them out.
·         Try to interview on the spot — encountering a potential employer in person can be a great advantage in the job search process.
Many candidates use these techniques, so your competition will be heavy for both directly and indirectly posted jobs, too. 


Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Key Salary Negotiation Technique


Here's an ideal scenario: After a grueling number of job interviews with a prospective employer who is hiring someone for the job of your dreams, you're again meeting with the hiring manager when she turns to face you and gives you the job offer, but at a salary below what you had expected. You are still excited, elated actually, but what you do next could have consequences for years to come.

Even if the job offer is acceptable to you, most career experts agree that you should take the time to clear your head and consider the offer -- away from the pressure of an interview. So, make sure to thank the interviewer for the job offer and express your interest in the job and the company, but ask for some time to consider all the details.

But what if the offer is unacceptable to you? If it really is one of your dream jobs -- or even simply a job you really want -- you should consider moving into the negotiation phase by making a counter proposal to the employer. That's what this article is all about -- taking you through the key negotiation strategies you should apply and providing you with one key tool -- the counter proposal letter -- as a means to negotiating a better offer for yourself.

Key Salary Negotiation Strategies

1.             Delay salary and benefit negotiations for as long as possible in the interview process. You’ll have more power to negotiate when the field of candidates has been reduced to just you -- when the employer is completely sold on you as the best candidate for the position.
2.             Remember that you'll have your greatest negotiation leverage between the time the employer makes the original offer and the time you accept the final offer. Once you accept an offer, you have little to no room to negotiate.

3.             Don't negotiate at the time the initial job offer is made. Thank the employer for the offer and express your strong interest and enthusiasm in the job, but state that you'll need time to evaluate the entire compensation package. Most employers are willing to give you a fair amount of time to review -- and if you run across an employer who wants a decision immediately, consider long and hard whether you want to work for such a company.

4.             Do your research. The greatest tool in any negotiation is information. Make sure you have done a thorough job of determining your fair market value for the job you are seeking, the salary range of the job for this specific employer, and geographic, economic, industry, and company-specific factors that might affect the given salary. Also try to obtain information on the employer's standard benefits package so that you have information beyond salary.

5.             Just do it. While a large percentage of corporate recruiters (four out of five in one study conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management) are willing to negotiate compensation, only a small percentage of job-seekers actually do so. You don't have to be an expert negotiator to get a sweeter deal; you just need to know the rules and strategies of negotiation.

6.             Negotiate to your strength. If you are a smooth talker (an extravert), call the employer and ask for a follow-up meeting to discuss a counter proposal. If you communicate better in writing, follow our guidelines for writing a counter proposal letter (below).

7.             Always ask for a higher salary (within acceptable limits) than you are willing to accept so that when the employer counters your proposal, the salary should be near your original goal. And when possible, try and show how your actions (once on board) will recoup the extra amount (or more) that you are seeking -- through cost savings or increased sales revenue, productivity, efficiencies.

8.             If the salary you're offered is on the low end -- and the employer has stated that salary is not negotiable (probably due to corporate salary ranges or pay grade levels), consider negotiating for a signing bonus, higher performance bonuses, or a shorter time frame for a performance review and raise. Always negotiate base salary first, and then move on to other elements of the job offer.

9.             When presenting a counter proposal to the employer, be sure and include a few benefits that are expendable so that you can drop them in a concession to the employer as negotiations continue.

10.           Remember that even if all salary issues are "off the table," there are still numerous other benefits you can negotiate, such as moving expenses, paid vacation or personal days, professional training, and more. See the sidebar for the entire list of negotiable items.

11.           Never stop selling yourself throughout the negotiation process. Keep reminding the employer of the impact you will make, the problems you will solve, the revenue you will generate. And continue expressing interest and enthusiasm for the job and the company.

12.           If you have no intention of accepting the company's offer, don't waste your time or the company's by entering into negotiation. Negotiation is a process designed to find common ground between two or more parties.

13.           If you have multiple job offers, don't put the companies into a bidding war for your services; it rarely works out.

14.           Don't enter negotiations with the wrong attitude. Always have in the back of your mind that your goal with these negotiations is a win-win situation. You want to get a better deal, but you also need to let the employer feel as though they got a good deal as well.

15.           Given a number of factors, such as the strength of the economy, the size and vitality of the company, and the supply of job candidates with similar qualifications, some employers simply will not negotiate.

16.           Never make demands. Instead, raise questions and make requests during negotiations. Keep the tone conversational, not confrontational.

17.           Be prepared for any of a number of possible reactions to your counter proposal, from complete acceptance to agreeing to some concessions to refusal to negotiate.

18.           You have to be willing to walk away from negotiations. If you don't have a strong position (a good current job or one or more current or potential job offers), it will be harder for you to negotiate. If you really need or want the job, be more careful in your negotiations.

19.           Once the employer agrees to your compensation requests, the negotiations are over. You cannot ask for anything more -- or risk appearing immature or greedy and having the employer's offer withdrawn or rescinded.

20.           Always be sure to get the final offer in writing. Be extremely wary of companies that are not willing to do so. Note: one advantage of writing a counter proposal letter is that you list the terms of the offer in your letter.


Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Make Extra Income From Home Jobs


Everyone knows how to do something. Believe it or not, there are still people who don't know a thing about using the web……

 And even if that was the only thing you knew, it would still be something you could use to teach others and make extra income. So I'm sure you know a lot more than just how to search the web. So let's look at different ways you can use what you know and transform that into a way to pay the bills.

1. Tutoring

There are companies that are willing to pay you to work from home and tutor people. You can even do a Google search and you'll find companies on your own as well as on the RatRaceRebellion.com website. You can gain experience working with one of these companies or even volunteering at a youth program, local school, or non profit organization. Then market yourself as an expert in whatever field you tutor in. Make bulletin postings, classified ads, circulars and you can even add yourself to the Yellow Pages.

2. Teacher

Just like there are online schools, there are online teachers as well. KeyStone High School, for example, hires teachers to work from home and there are literally hundreds if not thousands of high schools, universities, and independent course programs that employ in the same manner.

3. Training

Earn extra money training company employees in skills not currently offered. You can market your clients through a direct mail campaign and follow up each mailing with a phone call. Offer in person meetings for a chance to display your talent and market your abilities. Another idea is to partner up with others offering similar training and you can spread the training time over a 5 day period; increasing the rate of pay and acquiring awesome career experience.

4. Test Coach

Many people are confronted with tests and have a hard time passing. From the GED, SAT, ACT, CLEP, the BAR and more. If you can train others to prepare for a test, why not make money doing so? Advertise your coaching abilities in school bulletins, school papers, and online ads where students hang out.

5. Mentor Modestly

When venturing into something new, we all wish for support we can talk to as well as learn all of the ins and outs with. Such people are not always easily accessible. This is where you come in. Say you've been successful in stocks. Why not offer to take someone under wing, teach them enough about the subject to send them packing; all the while collecting a modest fee for your efforts.

There are many more opportunities that you can conjure up to keep you busy and on your way to earning a living from home. Stop waiting. Stop dreaming. Start planning and finally start living.