Jobs

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Things You Absolutely Need to Do Before a Job Interview (Salary.com)

Do Your Prep Work

The cover letter has worked. The resume has piqued interest. You get the call you’ve been hoping for and the company wants you to come in for an interview.

This is where the rubber meets the road.

Getting ready for the interview isn’t all about getting primped and pressed, although that’s important. You want to make a good first impression, but it’s that research you do ahead of time that will keep the questions flowing, build a rapport, and ultimately give you the best chance to land the job.

Do Your Homework

The company you’re about to interview with is going to do their own research on you. What do you know about the company?

You’ll want to show off some of that research in the job interview. Let them know you’re so invested in this company that you’ve taken some time to find out who is in charge, what it is that they do every day and how you can fit in and make a difference. Make sure you’ve checked the company’s web site, annual reports and any other pertinent information like press releases and news stories.

Having some background knowledge through research will serve you well. You don’t want to come across as cocky, but to make a good impression, confidence is key. It’s the research you do ahead of time that will give you the type of knowledge to help you stand tall.

Harness the Power of the Internet

Let Google be your guide.

If you’re walking into an interview and the company was just featured in a newspaper or on a web site, you’ll want to know about it. You can also find a wealth of information on social media. Maybe the company has a Facebook page or key executives have a Twitter feed or are on LinkedIn. It’s worth spending some time in front of your computer poking around.

Rest assured, they’re Googling you and checking out your social media. So be smart about what you post, especially leading up to the interview. Don’t be the job candidate who boasts on Facebook about how you're going to order the most expensive steak on the menu because the company is flying you into town for the job interview.

Investigate the Company Culture

Delve into the company culture. Find out what it is that makes the company either a place where people want to work or drives employees away.

Maybe you have a friend who has worked for the company in the past? Or maybe there’s a friend of a friend, or someone on LinkedIn, who wouldn’t mind giving you some insider information on your potential employer.

The work you do ahead of time will also provide fodder for both asking and answering questions that show you are fully engaged.

Know Every Bit of Your Resume

Make sure you know your resume inside and out. That’s the document your interviewer is going to use to ask you questions. Study it as if you’re cramming for a final exam where an A is a must.

And be prepared to answer pointed questions about it.

Why did you leave that job after just six months? How come you never finished that graduate degree? What were your job responsibilities at that job five years ago? How will those courses you took translate into helping the company?

Practice Your Interview

Sit down and rehearse your answers to key questions before you do the interview. Think about questions you’ve been asked in the past that have stumped you under the hot lights and pressure of sitting across a conference room table.

Know what you’re going to say when the interviewer asks: Who is your favorite author or what’s the last book you read? Know what you’re going to say if the interviewer asks where you see yourself in five or ten years. And if there’s an answer you’re hoping they don’t ask, have an answer for it at the ready. Because you know it’s coming.

Long pauses or evasive answers will hurt your credibility. Be ready with personal anecdotes and information that can help solidify your answers to questions. By practicing ahead of time, you’ll come across as polished, relaxed and poised under pressure.

Prepare Questions of Your Own

An interview isn’t all about what you’ll be asked, but is also a chance for you to get answers. Prepare a list of questions in advance that you want answered to help make an informed decision.

But be leery of jumping too quickly into questions about salary and benefits -- save those for when things get serious. They’re important questions but may turn off the interviewer if that’s where you start.

Ask about expectations and how your performance in meeting those expectations will be evaluated. Take some time to get know about your direct supervisor and the people you will work with, digging into the workplace environment. And, most importantly, let them know you’re still interested by asking what are the next steps and when you should expect to hear from them.

Shop Til You Pop

You want to make a good first impression, so what you wear to the interview could be as important as what you say or do.

First of all, nothing too flashy or too revealing. Let them know this job is important to you by wearing something that’s fresh and stylish. And make sure it fits. There would be nothing worse than getting up on the morning of the interview, taking your shower and then realizing your clothes are too tight or baggy.

Oh, and just before you’re called into the office, make sure you take a minute to look in the mirror – not because you’re vain, but to make sure there is no

Thursday, September 17, 2015

5 Ways to Demonstrate Value During Job Interviews (Salary.com)

Set Yourself Apart by Showcasing Your Value

Demonstrating value for employers is a way to set yourself apart from the competition even before you land the job. The value for you is that such a distinctive approach is likely to accelerate your successful hire! An effective strategy for showing your value is to develop a plan to identify and solve problems for the company, using tact in case the person who created the gaffe is also the hiring manager!

Research the Company

To accelerate your job search using this approach, you must target a specific company of interest. If you attempt to concentrate on a number of companies simultaneously, your efforts will be diluted and less likely to produce the results you desire. Focus your research on challenges the company is currently facing or analysis of products and publications. Match the area of analysis with your strengths and skill set so that you can highlight your value for the company.

Identify Problems

Your research will create the framework for your plan by identifying gaps or gaffes in the company’s current operations. Gaffes are more likely to be found in branding or publications. If you are a proofreader or marketing specialist, you can distinguish yourself by identifying confusing marketing messages or typos in corporate publications. Gaps can be identified across a number of areas, including inefficient operations, slow sales, or ways that money is being left on the table, for example.

Create an Effective Plan

Here is where your talents shine! Create a stellar step-by-step plan for improvement using your strong skill set and unique perspective. Explain your rationale and implementation so the employer gets a clear sense of how you created the plan from start to finish. Your initiative is only one of the strengths on display in your plan.

Examples of plans you might offer include:

a marketing plan to expand into an entirely new market with an existing product line
strategies to increase productivity
creating an employee communication curriculum
cost-cutting manufacturing processes

Make the Right Pitch to the Right Person

Gaining access to the right people can be the challenge in this part of your job search. Return to your earlier research and pull out the names of specific department managers or project leaders. Ideally, you will be able to present your plan to the person with authority to implement the changes. Once you have the right names, package your resume and your plan with a brief cover letter and send it off. If using e-mail to present your plan, be certain to create an intriguing subject line to increase the likelihood that your email will be opened. Take the key aspects of your plan and incorporate these into a concise and eye-catching subject line.

Examples of effective subject lines might include:

Penetrate New Markets with Existing Product Lines
New Strategies to Accelerate Staff Productivity
Better Customer Service with Improved Staff Communication
Smart Strategies to Reduce Manufacturing Costs

Another important consideration in e-mail communication is whether attachments will be opened. Some recipients may be concerned about attachments containing viruses or company spam filters may block your email. Include previews of salient points in the body of the email to generate interest and spur the manager to open your attachments.

Always Follow Up

Your contact information will be included in your resume and e-mail signature, but continue your proactive approach by following up. Try following up with a phone call so you can have a real-time conversation with the decision maker. In attempting to get through, be certain to mention the plan you provided and state your intent to clarify any questions and to tailor the plan to the executive’s needs. If unable to get through, request a time to return the call or schedule a call. Your organizational skills will be noticed.

Creating a plan to address employer’s needs before you are even employed sets you miles apart from the competition! Your emphasis on providing value to the employer and making an investment of your time speaks volumes about the value you can provide on the job. Show employers your value to win more interviews and you will soon be getting paid for your skills and expertise!

Jobs

Monday, September 28, 2015

Job Fairs: October 12, 13 & 14 @ Doral & Sweetwater

NASCAR : Job Opportunities in one weekend! ... October 13, 14

Friday, September 25, 2015

Job Fair...Honeybaked...September 29, @ 10 am

Hiring...Jobs...T-J-Maxx