Sabah JobHunt | Free tips for JobSeeker

Employer Questions Interview Body Language Tips For Job

2010-05-10T23:17:00.000+08:00

Body posture is important during job interviews and you can adopt the following stance.
1 Sit up straight in your chair, with your back leaning against the back of the chair.
2. Do not slouch or move sideways in your chair because it might be perceived by the interviewer as a lack of interest or boredom.
3. When the interviewer says something, it is advisable to lean forward a little. This shows interest and attention in what the interviewer is saying.
3. Do not cross your arms because this might be perceived as a defensive move.
4 Place your hands loosely on your lap or just put them on the armrest of your chair.

While speaking, you may nod your head occasionally to expound on a subject or to give more meaning to what you are saying. Hand movements can also help to spice up the conversation. The interviewer would think that you are comfortable with the interview process if you make hand gestures.Too much hand movements at the beginning of the interview may not be a good idea. The proper way is to add them gradually throughout the interview.

Be alert to unintentional gestures that you may make sometimes due to tension. Some of the acts that may irritate the interviewer could include:
Tapping your fingers across the desk.
Shuffling your feet.
Biting your nails.
Toying with a pen.

9 Characteristics Common to Job Search Scams

2010-03-01T21:36:00.000+08:00

You will find these scams in e-mail sent to you by people you don't know. You'll also find these jobs posted on legitimate Websites, like Craigslist, and also on well-known job sites.

9 Common Characteristics of Job Scams

Few job requirements - no particular skills, experience, or education are needed.

Job described is so simple that anyone could do it, or there is no description of the job - only a sales pitch.

Little of your time and not much effort are needed.

You are supposedly paid a substantial amount for performing few "duties."

The only contact information provided for your application is not associated with the alleged employer. Contact is only via e-mail to an address at yahoo.com, hotmail.com, msn.com, gmail.com or other anonymous e-mail service.

No Website, domain name, or other public record of the "employer" is available.

Often, poor English, punctuation, and spelling are used.

When you analyze them, the jobs don't make sense.

Anyone/everyone "qualifies" for these jobs.

Beware Job Seeker ! : 10 Ways to identify Job Scam

2009-12-16T08:59:00.003+08:00

Job hunters be aware of the Job Scam/ Fake Job Advertisements! As in a process of finding a job, we must realize that not every job posting is what it may seem. Some of these postings look too good to be true, but remember> be careful of fake job advertisement/ Job scam.

Look at this,

SANDAKAN 7 Dis. — Kementerian Sumber Manusia mengesan tindakan pihak tertentu yang menggunakan portal JobsMalaysia.gov.my untuk melakukan penipuan dengan meletakkan syarat pembayaran bagi kekosongan jawatan di jabatan kerajaan dan sektor swasta.
Timbalan menterinya Datuk Maznah Mazlan berkata kebanyakan kekosongan yang ditawarkan itu menggunakan nama agensi kerajaan bagi tujuan menyakinkan pencari kerja yang lebih berminat untuk bekerja di sektor awam.

Katanya kes penipuan itu dikesan berlaku di negeri ini dengan Jabatan Tenaga Kerja (JTK) Sabah menerima 102 aduan daripada pencari kerja sejak Oktober tahun lepas.

"Seramai 10 orang telah tertipu membayar RM500 seorang bagi urusan permohonan mendapatkan pekerjaan yang diiklankan oleh pihak terbabit,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas melawat lokasi kejadian letupan alat pendandang di sebuah kilang di sini hari ini.
Pada kejadian Jumaat lepas itu, dua pekerja di kilang tersebut maut akibat letupan alat pendandang itu. - Bernama

Source: Utusan Malaysia Online

There are more tips to identify a Job scam/ fake advertisements. You should be careful of job advertisements that:

1. They fail to list a specific location for the job - i.e. they list no location under the city or area that you are searching.

2. They list a salary or hourly wage that seems too good to be true or too specific like $13.64 - 34.23 / hour.

3. Are generally untrue, dubious or misleading (e.g. misleading job title, job description or company description)

4. Ask you to pay money before processing your application or training you;

5. If the description boldly states "No Experience Necessary" but has a promise of high pay.

6. There is no job contact information. A quality job post will tell you who to email or give you a valid company website.

7. Invite you to interviews that turn out to be multi-level marketing or pyramid selling schemes;A link that is to a home business or multi level marketing opportunity website. This isn't a JOB - but a business venture.

8. Misuse your resume information to sell you products (such as insurance, etc) or make offers not connected to the job advertised;

9. A response to your email inquiry with a name and company that does not exist.

10. A quick response to your email inquiry that tells you they have reviewed your resume when you didn't even send it.

We always try to ensure that the job advertisements on our site are for real job opportunities. When we see such scams that advertised at Sabah JobHunt, we will quickly remove it...

Thank you
Sabah JobHunt

Job Fair tips and preparation for job seekers

2009-12-09T12:49:00.005+08:00

How to prepare for a Job Fair?

1. Review the list of companies attending the job fair and filter down a selection of companies you would be interested to meet .

2. Strategy for working the job fair.
- Prioritise the employers you will want to speak to, identify the kind of information you will require from them and specify your objectives for attending the job fair.

3. Preparing resume:
- Make sure your resume is as current as possible and check it twice for spelling errors or grammatical mistakes.
- Then, make at least 20-30 copies - if you are intending to meet more employers than that, make enough copies for them and an additional 10 more, in case you meet other interesting prospects.

4. Prepare to Introduce yourself:
- Think of it as your own commercial where you are the product that you are trying to sell to companies.
- It should introduce yourself, express why you are interested in the company or job area, and briefly relate your background to the company's vacancy requirements or industry area.
- In addition to that, you should also prepare four to five questions to ask companies to answer the questions that you will need answered to help you decide if they are right for you.

Here are tips for job seekers when attending Job Fair

1. Arrive early
- scope out the place
- Work out which parts of the company booth you would like to visit
- See the layout of the job fair plan

2. Making way through booths
- talk to your selected employer
- or take time to others asking/ answer to employer

3. Meet employer personally
- show enthusiasm and interest.
- Give a firm handshake, maintain eye contact and run through your prepared "pitch" for yourself.
- Let the employers know that you're serious about seeking out opportunities with them.

4. Use your research to appear confident and knowledgeable about the company.
- Recruiters are often impressed with people who have done their homework - it shows conscientiousness and motivation.

5. Ask they if they are accepting resumes, and if so, leave yours with them.
- pick up any company recruitment brochure available/ business card as you will want to follow up on interesting leads.

6. Use the opportunity to network with others/ Job seekers.
- Make new contacts and look out for information that they got about companies they met.

7. Dress professionally for the event.
- Even though it may not be a proper interview and office environment, impressions do not count any less in a job fair. They are still potential employers who are seeking to find the most impressive candidates from among thousands.

7. Do follow up after the Job Fair.

Tag: Sabah Job Fair 2009 Sabah Trade Center Kota Kinabalu Sabah

Tips to Safeguard Your Privacy: Introduction

2009-11-30T09:18:00.000+08:00

In any job search, it is important to circulate a resume. However, job seekers need to carefully minimize privacy issues related to resumes and personal data while still maintaining appropriate exposure to employers.

It is important for all job seekers to understand that employers, commercial job search sites, and resume databases vary widely in privacy practices and controls. Learning to choose a quality job search site and resume database with good privacy practices has become an important part of your job search if you plan to use the Internet as a job search tool.

Another key skill is to discriminate between valid job search-related email and other offers and unhelpful maybe even fraudulent solicitations for your resume or personal data.

Remember, in the information economy your resume and your personal information have a "street value." It is important to protect your resume and personal information from people and businesses who want to use it primarily to make a profit instead of primarily to help you find employment.

The World Privacy Forum and the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse have received credible complaints from consumers who had their identities stolen after using the services of online job search sites. Recently, an identity theft scam was operating through job fairs at State Departments of Labor, resulting in stolen identities of hundreds of people who supplied resumes, Social Security numbers (SSNs), and financial information to a fraudulent company. You can go far in avoiding these problems by following these tips.

A Job-Seeker's Guide to Successfully Completing Job Applications: Part 1

2009-11-25T09:18:00.000+08:00

by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

New to job-hunting? This article is designed to provide you with the critical information you need to successfully complete a job application. Should filling out an application be a stressful event? No. If you have a resume, you should have just about all the information you need. If you don't have a resume, now might be the time to create one.

When are job applications used by employers? For many part-time, entry-level, and blue collar jobs, employers use applications to screen potential employees; they use the information from the applications to determine who they are going to call for a job interview. For other types of jobs, applications are simply the paperwork the Human Resources department requires of all job applicants; employers often ask you to complete an application after they have invited you for an interview.

Why do employers use job applications? Many employers use applications as a way of standardizing the information they obtain from all job-seekers, including some things that you would not normally put on your resume. Your goal is to complete the application as completely and honestly as you can -- all the time remembering that the application is a key marketing tool for you in the job-hunting process. Remember that some employers will use your application as a basis for deciding whether to call you for an interview.

Continued:

Deliver a Knock-Out Interview

2009-11-20T09:03:00.000+08:00

Your carefully prepared cover letter and resume paid off. You've landed an interview. Get ready—in ad-vance—to make a good impression:

1. Confirm the interview appointment
Do this one day before your interview. Know the date, time, and location of the interview. Try to find out how long you'll be there. And make sure you have your contact's phone numbers in case you have to call.

2. Clear your calendar
If possible, keep your schedule free of any other commitments. The interview might run over or you could be asked to stay longer. Explaining that you have to be somewhere else could create an awkward situation.

3. Say their names correctly
If you know the names of interviewers in advance, confirm the pronuncia-tion and spelling.

4. Be on time
Don't arrive more than 10 minutes early and, most important, don't be late. Arriving late not only labels you as rude, it also makes you seem unreliable. If unforeseen circumstances arise and you must be late, do everything you can to call ahead of time.

5. Dress to impress
How embarrassing to come to an interview and discover you're underdressed. If possible, find out in advance what attire works. If you're still not sure, wear a suit. There's no such thing as overkill when dressing for an interview.

6. Let them know you've arrived
Walk up to the receptionist, smile, shake hands, introduce yourself, and state that you have an appointment. Offer your resume or business card and wait

7. Shut off the cell phone
Unless there's a bona fide crisis, turn off your cell phone or pager.

8. Use your mouth for talking only
Unless the interview is scheduled with a meal, nothing should be in your mouth but words. Drinking, eating, smoking, and chewing gum don't work during an interview.

9. Prepare a short information statement
Be ready to answer the dreaded question, "Tell me about yourself and your background." Your statement should include some information on the types of compa-nies and industries you have worked for, your strengths, your transferable skills, and some of your per-sonal traits. Practice saying this statement until it feels natural.

10. Be prepared to talk about your successes and experiences
The employer will want to find out about your past experience—successes and failures, your work ethic, and your track record. Be able to am-plify every item on your resume.

11. Be nice
Everyone you meet during your interview—from the receptionist to the interviewer—should be treated with respect and courtesy. The receptionist might not be conducting the interview, but his or her opinion of you might be solicited.

12. Follow up
Send a thank you letter within a day of the interview. Provide any documents that might have been requested, such as references, an employment application, or samples of your work. A few days later, call to express your continued interest and to see if you could offer more information.

Sending Your Resume and Cover Letter Via E-Mail

2009-11-15T09:01:00.000+08:00

As a 21st-century jobseeker, it's important to have an electronic cover letter and resume to send at the click of a mouse. Here are some steps for converting your cover letter and resume from Word or WordPerfect documents into electronic ones:

1. Remove all formatting, including lines, boxes, bold, italics, and underlining
Change the font to Courier, size 12. Convert your page margins to 1 inch on the left and 3 inches on the right. When you save the cover letter or resume, choose "Save As" and change the type to "Text only with Line Breaks." A warning box may come up informing you that you might lose some formatting. Click "OK" or "Yes."

2. Launch Notepad (PC) or SimpleText (Mac) to reformat and clean up your resume
Move all cen-tered items to the left margin, and make sure all text is flush left. As you scroll through your document, remove all Tabs, replace all bullets with asterisks (*), and change bolded words to all caps. Increase white space by hitting Return twice between sections.

3. Make sure your cover letter and resume are e-friendly
Do not send them as attachments, but, rather, pasted in the body of the e-mail. Practice sending them via e-mail to yourself as well as a friend who uses a different Internet service provider—to ensure the documents are clean and professional-looking. Once you've made any required adjustments, your cover letter and resume are ready for a pro-spective employer's inspection.

4. Words matter
Always include keywords in your resume. Recruiters use keywords to search for re-sumes. So choose some of the basic, important keywords in your field and pepper them throughout your resume. For example: Web designer, account manager, communications specialist, to name some.

Prepare an Effective Cover Letter

2009-11-08T08:59:00.000+08:00

A cover letter allows you to personalize your resume. Its main purpose is to emphasize your strengths and assets in a way that will interest employers in interviewing you.

1. To attract the reader's attention, the cover letter must look good and be easy to read
Pay particular attention to spelling, grammar, punctuation, spacing, paragraph length, and margins. Address it to a par-ticular person by name, making sure that the spelling and title of the individual are correct. A good cover letter is not too long, so try to limit yours to a single page.

2. The first paragraph should arouse the reader's interest
State some particular knowledge you have of the reader's business, or comment on a "timely" issue relating to the company's operation.

3. The body of the cover letter should explain what you can do for the company
Put yourself in the employer's position as you write. Present facts that will be interesting and that accurately describe your assets and qualifications. Your prospective employer will be interested in your ability to make or save money, conserve time, and effectively assume and delegate responsibility. Do not stress weaknesses, such as lack of experience.

4. The last paragraph should request action
. Ask for an interview, and state specific times and dates when you will call to arrange an interview (allow at least three business days from the day you send the letter). In all circumstances be courteous, but be direct.

5. The letter should end with the formal salutation "Sincerely."
Below the salutation, type your name and then add your signature.

Craft a Compelling Resume

2009-11-01T08:42:00.000+08:00

Craft a Compelling Resume

Unless you have more than 10 years of experience, your resume should be no longer than one page. Use a simple layout.

1. Know what you want
Compose a clearly stated job objective. State what you want to do, for whom, where, and at what level of responsibility.

2. Stand out from the crowd
Instead of just listing your job skills, describe the benefits and results of your performance. For each permanent job or staffing assignment, develop a list of major accomplishments, placing the most emphasis on your recent achievements. What problems or challenges have you faced? What actions did you take to overcome them? How did your actions benefit the company? Keep in mind that most companies value workers who enhance profits and save time and money.

3. Sell yourself
You only have one shot to make a great impression. Your resume is a word picture of your-self. Showcase your strengths and one or two outstanding skills or abilities. List your education, training, and any relevant awards.

4. Never list the reasons for termination or leaving a job on the resume
The reader can find negative connotations for even the best reason. You're far better off explaining employment lapses in person.

5. Make sure the resume and the cover letter are error-free
Proofread, and have others proofread them, too. Make your resume understandable by avoiding jargon and using plain English.

How to Maximize Your Job Fair Experience

2009-10-28T08:40:00.000+08:00

How to Maximize Your Job Fair Experience

Prepare Your Resume and Bring 20 copies.
Proofread your resume for typos and have others proofread as well.
Bring at least 20 copies of your resume to hand out to employers.
Take a portfolio or briefcase to hold these documents.

Do Your Research.
The more you know about a company, the more you can converse with the company representative and the more memorable you will be.
As companies register for the APS/DPP Job Fair, they will be posted on Employers Attending.

Prepare a 30-Second Commercial.
Be ready to greet each employer with a smile and an enthusiastic 30-second sales pitch.
Think about your strong points, your goals, and the company

Dress Professionally.
Wear proper business attire.
Style your hair conservatively.
First impressions are very important.

Arrive Early.
Come early while employers are fresh.
Visit the booths of employers you are most interested in first.

Be Assertive and Show Initiative.
Shake hands and introduce yourself to recruiters when you reach the table.
Impart enthusiasm about the company and their job opportunities.

Network.
Speak with companies you wouldn’t normally be interested in.
Talk to other job seekers—you may hear about opportunities of which you were unaware.

Get the Interviewer’s Business Card.
Collect business cards from employers you speak with.
Follow-up and send personalized thank you notes.

Job Interview Answer: What Was the Biggest Accomplishment in This Position?

2009-09-30T11:30:00.000+08:00

Your potential employer will want to know what you accomplished, and what you didn't, in your current or last position.

The best way to respond is to give an example of something you accomplished that is directly related to the job you are interviewing for. Review your resume and review the job posting. Find the best match and use that to show how what you accomplished will be beneficial to the company you are interviewing with.

If you wrote a targeted cover letter when applying for the job use the information you included to create your response. For example, if you are interviewing for a job at a school where you will need to manage student registration, explain to the interviewer how you registered students for courses, designed and managed registration software, and solved customer problems.

If you didn't fail at anything, say so. If you can think of an example, be sure that it's a minor one and turn it into a positive. For example, if you were working on a project that was behind deadline, explain to the interviewer how you adjusted the workload and the timeline to get back on track and ahead of schedule.

Job Interview Answer: Why Are You Leaving Your Job?

2009-09-26T11:31:00.000+08:00

One of the questions that is typically asked in an interview is "Why are you leaving your job?" or "Why did you leave your job?" if you have already moved on. If you were fired from your job, use these answers to respond. If you left of your own accord, review these suggestions on how best to answer and tailor your response to meet your particular situation. Be direct and focus your interview answer on the future, especially if your leaving wasn't under the best of circumstances.
Don't Badmouth Your Boss

Regardless of why you left, don't speak badly about your previous employer. The interviewer may wonder if you will be bad-mouthing his company next time you're looking for work. I once interviewed a person who told me that her last employer was terrible. They didn't pay her enough, the hours were awful and she hated the job. That company happened to be my company's biggest, and most important, customer. And there is no way I would have hired someone who felt that way, justified or not, about our valuable client. So, she gave up any opportunity of getting the job as soon as she answered the "Why did you leave?" question.

Prepare answers to typical job interview questions, like this one, in advance. Practice your responses so you sound positive, and clear, about your circumstances and your goals for the future.

Sample answers to the interview question "Why did you leave your job?

> I found myself bored with the work and looking for more challenges. I am an excellent employee and I didn't want my unhappiness to have any impact on the job I was doing for my employer.
> There isn't room for growth with my current employer and I'm ready to move on to a new challenge.
> I'm looking for a bigger challenge and to grow my career and I couldn't job hunt part time while working. It didn't seem ethical to use my former employer's time.
> I was laid-off from my last position when our department was eliminated due to corporate restructuring.
> I'm relocating to this area due to family circumstances and left my previous position in order to make the move.
> I've decided that is not the direction I want to go in my career and my current employer has no opportunities in the direction I'd like to head.
> After several years in my last position, I'm looking for an company where I can contribute and >I am interested in a job with more responsibility, and I am very ready for a new challenge.
> I left my last position in order to spend more time with my family. Circumstances have changed and I'm more than ready for full-time employment again.
> I am seeking a position with a stable company with room for growth and opportunity for advancement.
> I was commuting to the city and spending a significant amount of time each day on travel. I would prefer to be closer to home.
> To be honest, I wasn't considering a move, but, I saw this job posting and was intrigued by the position and the company. It sounds like an exciting opportunity and an ideal match with my qualifications.
> This position seemed like an excellent match for my skills and experience and I am not able to fully utilize them in my present job.
> The company was cutting back and, unfortunately, my job was one of those eliminated.

Job Interview Answer: What Were Your Expectations for the Job?

2009-09-22T11:27:00.000+08:00

In many cases, interviewers will want to know what you expected from your last job when you were hired, so, be be prepared to answer the interview question "What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met?"

There isn't a right or wrong answer to this question. The best way to respond is to discuss what you expected when you took the job and give examples of how the position worked out for you. If the job wasn't exactly what you expected, it's fine to mention that. However, you should focus on the job itself, not the company, your boss, or your co-workers (if they were a problem). Do be careful how you answer and don't focus too much on the negative. Instead, address the highlights of the job.

When responding, be specific. Prepare some examples to share with the interviewer in advance. For example, if your job involved creating web applications using Cold Fusion, discuss the specific programs you developed and the responsibilities you were given. If you were provided training and opportunities for professional development to help you achieve your goals, mention that, as well

Job Interview Answer: Describe Your Employment History

2009-09-18T11:25:00.000+08:00

Interviewers expect a candidate for employment to be able to review their work history in detail. Be prepared to tell the interviewer the names of the companies you worked for, your job title, your starting and ending dates of employment, how much you earned and what your job entailed.

You'd be surprised how many job applicants fumble when asked about prior employment. Don't be one of them! Refresh your memory prior to the interview by reviewing your resume, so, you can speak about your prior work history in detail and accurately.

If you don't have a resume, make sure what you tell the interviewer matches what you filled out on your job application. The best way to prepare is to download a sample job application ahead of time. Complete the sample application and bring it with you when you are applying for employment. This way you will be able to copy the information rather than having to remember dates and other employment information.

Job Search Questions

2009-09-15T11:20:00.000+08:00

Why haven't you found a new position before now?

Finding a job is easy; finding the right job is more difficult. (You are being "selective.")

Had you thought of leaving your present position before? If yes, what do you think held you there?

Challenge, but it's gone now.

What do you think of your boss?

Be as positive as you can.

Would you describe a situation in which your work was criticized?

Be as positive as you can.

What other types of jobs or companies are you considering?

Keep your answer related to this company's field.

Top 10 Issues You Need to Know to be Resume Ready

2009-09-11T11:17:00.000+08:00

Your resume is your ambassador to the work world. It functions for you 24 hours a day, opening doors to opportunities you didn't even know existed. But not all resumes are alike or are used alike today with all the electronic means available to reach your potential employer. Here are the most important issues to consider as you prepare your resume to represent you in the marketplace:

1. Write your resume in your own words. It may be challenging - especially if writing ranks among your least favored activities - but if you write your own resume and don't hand it off to someone else you'll be able to be sharp in your interview. No embarrassment not knowing what the resume expert meant when he wrote that smart phrase on your resume! If you do hire an expert to help you, work closely with that person to be sure your resume realistically reflects your abilities and your vocabulary.

2. Put your best foot forward. People remember what they see first and last, so place your least important information in the middle. Have an objective or a key word summary or both in the beginning of your resume and end your document with strong content - such as your educational background.

3. Tell war stories. Make a list of all the work or volunteer experiences you have had that support your candidacy for the job. Select the best ones and write them so that they show what Problems you've solved, Actions you've taken to do this, and the bottom line Results you've achieved. For example:

4. Managed the design, equipment selection, installation, and start-up of a four-aisle, man-aboard storage and order-picking system 35 feet high and 120 feet long, handling 6,000 items. Project was completed on time within the $400,000 budget.
Use resume etiquette. The word resume does not belong any place on the document. Never use "I" to start out a sentence. The language of your resume should be specific, clear, succinct, positive, and exciting. Make it easy for someone to contact you. Of course references are available. Don't use valuable resume real estate to say this.

5. Know what format to use. The two most commonly used and accepted resume formats are the chronological and the functional. Often elements of both are combined. A chronological resume is most widely used and preferred by recruiters and interviewers. It is good for someone with a consistent work history. A functional resume focuses attention on your accomplishments and is often used more successfully if you are trying to change careers or industries or to downplay gaps in your career.

6. Tell the truth. If you lie about your education, job experience or any other element of your work history, you will probably live to regret it. True stories abound of professionals receiving awards, only to have their careers ruined when research revealed that portions of their resumes were fabricated. On the other hand, if a job title you had does not adequately reflect the work you really did, clarify it. "Clerical Assistant" does not tell the scope of responsibilities as well as "Meeting Planning Coordinator."

7. Know your audience. Your resume and every interaction in your job search should answer the question to the employer - "Why should I hire you?" Communicate the information necessary to evaluate your ability to do the job. Use language that is appropriate to the industry or field, but be aware that extreme jargon may not speak to those who are intermediaries between you and the ultimate hiring manager.

8. Get some objective feedback. Have others who have not worked as closely with the resume as you have read it for accuracy and typographical errors before you submit it. Ask questions about whether the resume communicates what you intended. Does your resume support your claim of being qualified for the job? Does it address the requirements of a specific job description you're after? Does it need to be modified to fit the situation exactly?

9. Know your parts of speech. Action verbs are the bedrock of good writing. Use them liberally throughout your resume to communicate your accomplishments: Developed, streamlined, pioneered, implemented, produced - use your word processor's thesaurus to identify alternatives so that you don't need to repeat yourself. Key words are nouns demonstrating essential skills that are most effective for electronic formats, scanned by computers who are the first line screeners: Operations manager, project planning, data analysis. Use a KeyWord Summary at the top of your resuming, choosing the top 20 or 30 words that represent your abilities.

10. Hit the highlights. Remember that your resume is only one element of your job search strategy. It's important and needs to get you in the door, yet cover letters, email and fax communications and telephone interactions will extend the conversation and add further evidence of your ability to do the job. Be prepared to give more detail later. Think of your resume as your personal brochure.

Job Interview Answer: What were your starting and final levels of compensation?

2009-09-07T11:28:00.001+08:00

Interviewers expect a candidate for employment to be able to provide the details of their compensation history. Be prepared to tell the interviewer how much you earned at each of your prior positions.

Make sure that what you tell the interviewer matches what you listed on your job application. Refresh your memory prior to the interview by reviewing your compensation history, so, you can speak in detail and accurately. Don't exaggerate or inflate your earnings. Many employers will check references and confirm your salary history prior to making a job offer. A discrepancy between what you reported and what the employer says could knock you out of contention for the job.

Top 10 Interview Tips

2009-09-07T11:14:00.001+08:00

Great interviews arise from careful groundwork. You can ace your next interview if you:

1. Enter into a state of relaxed concentration. This is the state from which great basketball players or Olympic skaters operate. You'll need to quiet the negative self chatter in your head through meditation or visualization prior to sitting down in the meeting. You'll focus on the present moment and will be less apt to experience lapses in concentration, nervousness, self-doubt and self-condemnation.

2. Act spontaneous, but be well prepared. Be your authentic self, professional yet real. Engage in true conversation with your interviewer, resting on the preparation you did prior to coming to the meeting. Conduct several trial runs with another person simulating the interview before it actually occurs. It's the same as anticipating the questions you'll be asked on a final exam.

3. Set goals for the interview. It is your job to leave the meeting feeling secure that the interviewer knows as much as he or she possibly can about your skills, abilities, experience and achievements. If you sense there are misconceptions, clear them up before leaving. If the interviewer doesn't get around to asking you important questions, pose them yourself (diplomatically) and answer them. Don't leave the meeting without getting your own questions answered so that you have a clear idea of what you would be getting yourself into. If possible, try to get further interviews, especially with other key players.

4. Know the question behind the question. Ultimately, every question boils down to, "Why should we hire you?" Be sure you answer that completely. If there is a question about your meeting deadlines, consider whether the interviewer is probing delicately about your personal life, careful not to ask you whether your family responsibilities will interfere with your work. Find away to address fears if you sense they are present.

5. Follow up with an effective "thank you" letter. Don't write this letter lightly. It is another opportunity to market yourself. Find some areas discussed in the meeting and expand upon them in your letter. Writing a letter after a meeting is a very minimum. Standing out among the other candidates will occur if you thoughtfully consider this follow up letter as an additional interview in which you get to do all the talking. Propose useful ideas that demonstrate your added value to the team.

6. Consider the interviewer's agenda. Much is on the shoulders of the interviewer. He or she has the responsibility of hiring the right candidate. Your ability to do the job will need to be justified. "Are there additional pluses here?" "Will this person fit the culture of this organization?" These as well as other questions will be heavily on the interviewer's mind. Find ways to demonstrate your qualities above and beyond just doing the job.

7. Expect to answer the question, "Tell me about yourself." This is a pet question of prepared and even unprepared interviewers. Everything you include should answer the question, "Why should we hire you?" Carefully prepare your answer to include examples of achievements from your work life that closely match the elements of the job before you. Obviously, you'll want to know as much about the job description as you can before you respond to the question.

8. Watch those nonverbal clues. Experts estimate that words express only 30% to 35% of what people actually communicate; facial expressions and body movements and actions convey the rest. Make and keep eye contact. Walk and sit with a confident air. Lean toward an interviewer to show interest and enthusiasm. Speak with a well-modulated voice that supports appropriate excitement for the opportunity before you.

9. Be smart about money questions. Don't fall into the trap of telling the interviewer your financial expectations. You may be asking for too little or too much money and in each case ruin your chances of being offered the job. Instead, ask what salary range the job falls in. Attempt to postpone a money discussion until you have a better understanding of the scope of responsibilities of the job.

10. Don't hang out your dirty laundry. Be careful not to bare your soul and tell tales that are inappropriate or beyond the scope of the interview. State your previous experience in the most positive terms. Even if you disagreed with a former employer, express your enthusiasm for earlier situations as much as you can. Whenever you speak negatively about another person or situation in which you were directly involved, you run the risk (early in the relationship) of appearing like a troubled person who may have difficulty working with others.

Getting ready for an interview? Pretend you’re going on a date.

2009-08-31T07:42:00.000+08:00

Has it been a while since you’ve interviewed? Not much time to prepare? Don’t panic. The rules of dating can also be applied to interviewing.

Do not arrive too early.
Human resources professionals and hiring managers have busy schedules and work by appointment. By arriving more than ten minutes before the meeting is scheduled you show disrespect for their time. If you must, wait in the lobby or your car before going to the interview location.

Do not show your desperation!
Telling the interviewer that you haven’t had an interview in months, you don’t have health insurance, or that you really need this job is not going to improve your chances. Quite the contrary! If you told someone on a first date that you’re broke, about to lose your house – and car, and you really need to marry them because you need health insurance, what do you think are the chances that you’d see that person again?

A proper thank you is always appreciated.
Send a note and thank the interviewer for their time. Have the envelope addressed and stamped before you even leave for the interview, and the moment you get home, write the note. (At the very least, send an email!) This is important because the discussion will be fresh in your mind, and you should reference one or two key points from your conversation. Use this opportunity to reinforce why you are a good fit for the position and how you can benefit the company.

Whatever you do for God’s sake do not stalk the interviewer.
This includes calling and hanging up. Yes, they have Caller ID, and they know it’s you! Nobody likes to be stalked or harassed. When they have news about next steps they’ll reach out to you. If they don’t, you may need to prepare for the fact that they just might not be that in to you. Ask at the end of your interview when and how you should follow up, and do it. If at that time they don’t have any news for you, ask when and how you should follow up next.

How should you update your resume to reflect your experience?

2009-08-27T07:41:00.000+08:00

In a piece for the online Wall Street Journal, Elizabeth Garone raised some key points for those who are considering making the move to their second job. Of note:

Update your resume and interview style. It sounds like a given, but a first-timer’s resume is likely to list internships and college leadership roles. Now you’ve got experience and you’ll need to make sure it shows. “The resume definitely needs to change to emphasize your accomplishments,” says [career and life coach] Mr. Steve Piazzale. …Your resume bullet points should demonstrate how you used your skills to solve problems and produce value at that first job. “With a first job under your belt, you can also use them as stories of value during interviews,” offers Mr. Piazzale.

This advice is key. So many people forget that the resume they used right out of school isn’t going to be the right choice now that they have actual “work experience.”

In my experience, many people fail to move their “Education” section to the bottom of their resume once they have a position and enough experience under their belt (and no specific reason to keep Education on top). Many also still list their high school diploma, even when they have a bachelor’s degree.

School activities and awards also play a prominent role in many resumes. For a first job out of school, these may be valuable and important. After that point, some very prominent awards may remain on the resume, but college awards should not be a main focus of the resume beyond the first job.

There is no fail safe ”one size fits all” advice for resume writers, but most job seekers will want to make these changes and more to their job seeking documents before seeking their next job. Otherwise, they will appear less experienced than they may be and jeopardize their chances for an interview.

What should I include on my resume?

2009-08-24T07:39:00.000+08:00

There is a lot to consider when writing your resume. You don’t want to miss an opportunity for an interview by offering a less than stellar result. Here are my top 5 Resume Do’s:

DO
> Remember that your resume is a marketing piece, not a laundry list. Sell yourself; don’t just list what you’ve done.

> Focus on transferable skills and quantifiable accomplishments. Determine the employer’s key words and incorporate them. Include soft skills, otherwise known as emotional intelligence. Use strong, active language that helps the reader picture you working for them.

> Design your resume to be easy to read and scan – both with software and the eye. Remember that the typical first read allows a 10-second glance. (Some say 7 seconds is all you get!) Make it count by using white space, bullet points and bold, appealing design elements. Ensure that your resume is error free.

> Target your resume to the employer. Do NOT zap your generic resume to 100 different online job postings. If you do not personalize your resume to include key words, you may be wasting your time sending it at all.

> Be precise. Although the “one-page” rule no longer applies for all employers, it is important to narrow your information to include the most important material. (Typically, two pages are plenty.) Employers do not want to wade through a lot of extraneous information.

What NOT to do on your resume

2009-08-21T07:37:00.000+08:00

So much to learn about writing resumes! Here is my list of top things NOT to do on your resume:

DON’T
> Use “I, me or my” in your resume. The first-person is implied. Don’t use the phrase “responsibilities included” or “responsible for.” These are passive ways to structure your information.
> Don’t use an objective. Your objective is to get the job, so you are wasting space in the very important real estate of your resume – the top! Attract readers with a targeted “Accomplishments,” “Highlights” or similarly named section. Don’t list “References upon request.” This is assumed.
> Don’t include ANY personal information such as age, gender, religion, marital status, social security number, weight, etc. In the U.S., do not include a picture on your resume. All of this information is inappropriate and will make you seem dated and unaware of correct resume etiquette.
> Don’t rely on standard resume templates, especially from your word processing program.

> Don’t copy text from sample resumes posted on the web. You are unique; your resume should be distinctive.
> Don’t ever lie on a resume. Present the best possible image consistent with the truth.

Quick tips for job seekers : assess your skills and accomplishments

2009-08-18T07:36:00.000+08:00

Writing a resume is a complicated affair! Are you sure that you have accurately assessed your skills and accomplishments. How can you know? Talk to your friends and co-workers. Review written evaluations of your work. Think about the skills you use/d in your positions. Study a skills and accomplishments list.

What aspects of your job do you enjoy? What type of work do you hope to do in the future? What skills do you have that will be the stepping stones to getting to the next rung of your career ladder? Once you identify what you have to offer, it will be easier to connect the dots between the employer and you.

There is some controversy regarding they types of skills to include on the resume. For example, are you emphasizing what you might be GOOD at doing, but don’t care to do at work?

Richard L. Knowdell spoke at the Career Management Alliance conference, and I was intrigued by his suggestion that coaches advise clients to OMIT skills from their resumes if they are skills the job seekers do not enjoy.

In a tight job market, this advice seems extreme, or even foolish, on first glance. Shouldn’t we all be marketing everything we have to offer? It’s a recession, after all! But, if you highlight skills you hate, you are more likely to wind up with a job that you hate.

Job Search Tips: Direct Contact Using the Internet

2009-08-15T07:30:00.000+08:00

Getting information directly from company web sites is probably the most valuable use of the Internet for a job seeker. The Internet can help you:

> get information about companies
> choose companies that fit your skills
> find job openings
> contact potential employers

The Hidden Job Market

2009-08-12T07:28:00.000+08:00

An estimated 80% of available job openings are never advertised publicly. This is called the Hidden Job Market. These jobs are filled by direct contact with employers or by networking with friends, neighbors, relatives and people you know in the workplace.

The Internet is just one tool in a successful job search. Estimates are that only 4% of people being hired found their job on the Internet. Most people, 70 to 80 %, found their jobs by direct contact with an employer or by networking. Newspaper ads, employment agencies, and government services help many people but only account for 20-30% of hires.

Interview Tips and Resume Writing

2009-08-09T07:27:00.000+08:00

Interview Tips
Be punctual
Demonstrate self confidence in your posture
Be enthusiastic and positive
Dress appropriate for the position
Ensure your grooming is neat and tidy
Make eye contact with the interviewer
Introduce yourself offering a strong, confident handshake
Be attentive and listen carefully
Research the company and what they do
Ask questions about the position, expectations
Talk about what skills and benefits you bring to the position and sell them
Be ready to give examples of situations where you demonstrated your problem solving ability, interpersonal skills, and responsibility
Identify and solve employer’s needs

Resume Writing
Your resume is your first impression to a potential employer. Make it easy to read and concise.
Prepare cover letter specific to position
Prioritize your experience, skills and education
Clearly state your career aspirations
Record only Facts
Be accurate with all spelling and grammar
Record your Name, Contact Information, Work Experience and Education (starting with the most recent work experience)
Record any Special Skills, Training, Volunteer Experience, or Memberships
Keep it to a maximum of 2 pages in length
Do not crowd your Resume, leave plenty of open space
Have a third party critique and proof read your Resume
Identify accomplishments

Tips for a successful job search in a tough market.

2009-08-06T07:22:00.000+08:00

There’s no doubt about it; the 2009 job market will be tough. There’s increased competition and, in many industries, fewer openings. Here are a few tips on how you can maximize your job search resources and land the job you want.

Start by searching the job boards. Search the traditional job boards such as CareerBuilder and Monster, but don’t stop there. Be sure to check out industry specific job boards. For example, if you are looking for a senior administrative assistant position, seek out job boards that specialize in administrative and clerical job postings such as IAAP. Don’t forget to also explore your regional job boards and local classifieds.

Do your social networking. These days, it seems just about everyone belongs to one of the social networking sites. If you have not already done so, be sure to get yourself a presence on LinkedIn or Facebook, or both. These sites are a great way to connect with old high-school buddies, as well as make some great contacts that can assist with your job search. Be sure to keep your site professional – you never know where your next opportunity may crop up. For more tips on how to best use the web for your job search, check out our white paper “Job Hunting in the Digital Age.

Consider temp work. In tough times, temporary employment is a great way to make money and contacts. In addition, it helps you stay active in the marketplace, sharpen existing skills and develop new ones. What starts out as a part-time job could turn into a full-time opportunity.

Attend professional networking events. This is a great way to make new contacts in a non-threatening environment. In addition, don’t discount sport and social clubs – the more people you know, the more professional contacts you can make. By joining professional associations, you show future employers your commitment to your professional development.

Develop versatile skills. Be sure that your skills are transferable from one industry to another. In these tough times, you may need to broaden your search criteria.
Most important, remain positive and be proactive – your next opportunity could be just around the corner!

40 Tips for Job Seekers Over 40

2009-08-03T07:11:00.000+08:00

Too often, companies emphasize hard work over experience, when instead they should put smart work ahead of hard work. Ever felt that kind of disdain? Then this list is for you.

1. CareerJournal.com: Start by deciding what you want to do next. Emily Allen, manager of the Workforce Initiative Program at AARP: for older workers, it’s often “the first time in life that they can consider what they want to do rather than what they need to do.”

From Forbes.com via YourHRGuy via Waypoint:

2. Midlife job seekers need a resume that looks forward, not backward. To quote from the article- “a résumé shouldn’t read like the testimonial at your retirement dinner.” Rather- “Change the perspective from “look at everything I have done,” to “look at everything I can do for you.””

3. Don’t be defensive and don’t omit dates. You’ve worked hard to get where you are, so be proud of what you’ve accomplished along the way and be even more enthusiastic about what you have yet to accomplish.

From BBC News:

4. Age stereotypes exist no matter how old you are, so get over it. According to the article, “the worst thing a job seeker could do is try and emphasize the positive qualities which employers associate” with your age.

5. Play up any qualities you have that are usually associated with younger people.

6. Resist being put off by younger-sounding ads that use terms like fast-paced and multi-tasking. Growing a family requires tremendous multi-tasking skills, so know that you can compete with anyone.

7. Learn new skills and technologies. Prove that you can teach an old dog new tricks. Everyone knows how difficult it is to keep up with an evolving field, all the more impressive when you’ve been doing it for a long time. The latest tool for job search is Twitter, and my free e-book The Ultimate Twitter Job Search Guide will teach you everything you need to know about it.

8. Be open to new careers. Think about the skills you have that are transferable to another industry or profession; it’s never too late to find a dream job.

9. Join a group of people like yourself for support, advice and networking purposes. Be part of the JobMob Community, other Internet groups, or perhaps a local job seekers club.

10. Go employ yourself. With a lot of experience, it may be straightforward enough for you to enter consulting, doing the work you know but charging higher prices than former colleagues.

11. Stay healthy by exercising and eating a balanced diet. This is always important, more so when you’re in a difficult transition period between jobs.

12. Make time for friends and family. Job hunting is similar to actors auditioning for a role; there can be many rejections before a break comes and you will need every bit of encouragement that they can give you.

13. Volunteering is a great way to “keep a work-based routine and keeps you involved in the community” which also translates into many networking opportunities.

From Job-Hunt.Org:

14. Update your knowledge before sending out resumes. Even if you’ve been keeping up with new skills and technologies, you may have missed the latest industry jargon and trends.

15. Limit your resume to two pages, and focus on the past positions that are most relevant and impressive with regards to the job you are applying for.

16. If you are interviewed by a younger manager, make a point of describing situations where you worked well with younger people, especially if they were younger leaders.

From Quintessential Careers:

17. Downsized? “If you’ve been downsized, look for work as soon as you can. The longer you’re out of work, the harder it will be to find a new position.”

18. Aim for companies that embrace older workers. SimplyHired 50+ and Jobs4.0 are two job search engines specializing in this domain (both are US-only, unfortunately).

19. If your children have already moved away, offer to put in hours that are difficult for younger people who have family obligations to manage.

20. Registering with a temp agency is a good way to update your skills or learn new ones, especially if you are someone who prefers ‘learning by doing’.

More from Quintessential Careers, on resumes:

21. List about 15 years’ worth of jobs on a resume, and only mention others if you have a compelling reason.

22. Consider a chrono-functional resume style to emphasize relevant skills.

23. Soften the job titles on your CV as necessary to avoid appearing overqualified.

24. Be sure to specify any recent professional training courses you attended in order to demonstrate your willingness and ability to stay up-to-date.

25. Looking for your first salary after a long time as a homemaker or volunteer? Learn to portray your skills as transferable to your next job.

Quintessential Careers on interviews:

26. “Realize that you will probably be interviewed by someone younger than you, and don’t be unnerved by that situation.”

27. “Be prepared for interview questions that are inappropriate, borderline illegal or downright unlawful.”

RetirementJobs.com on resumes:

28. “Check for arcane acronyms.” Avoid appearing outdated.

29. “If you have good computer skills, be sure they are highlighted to help overcome the perception that older people are less computer savvy.”

30. “If you are looking for career continuation… use a more traditional resume. If you are planning to change significantly… summarize your long work career in a single paragraph. Then focus… on skills you have developed and accomplishments… that are applicable to your new career focus.”

I’ll add…

31. Look in the mirror, or perhaps have someone do it with you.

32. Prevent yourself from feeling that you missed an opportunity solely because of your age. Most of the time it simply isn’t the case, so avoid clouding your understanding of what the issue really was and focus on any potential improvements for the next interview.

33. Follow job blogs like JobMob and the others listed above. Jobs4.0 in particular likes to hear about older workers’ new job experiences.

34. Do a startup. People tend to associate startups with young go-getters and will be more likely to remember a standout older person taking those risks. Leverage that recognition along with your experience and contacts as you move forward. Plus - with a longer credit history, banks are more likely to help you with financing than a student who only recently opened a first account.

35. Do a startup where your exit strategy is a job offer at another company. As you make progress with your new business, job opportunities will arise through your new network of contacts around the startup.

36. Do a startup of a third kind - take the initiative to form a local support group or job club if you can’t find one in your area.

37. Network, network, network. Many contacts accompany much experience over a long career, and you should use that broad reach to find the people that can help you most.

38. A career coach may be able to guide you towards your objective. Prices can be high, so first try being your own career coach instead.

39. Consider boomeranging- returning to work for a former employer. You may still know people on the inside who can vouch for you.

40. Don’t try to act young in your eyes, you will just look old in their eyes. Always be yourself- it has gotten you this far already.

This article is part of LifeTwo’s Carnival of Careers in Middle Age.

Job-hunting is Fun

2009-07-31T08:07:00.000+08:00

by Ngeow Yoke Meng

This statement is true and only true when four premises are fulfilled

Premise 1:
When there is strong growth in economy which creates job opportunities in immense abundance and variety.

Premise 2:
When the labor market is tight and the unemployment rate is low.

Premise 3:
When the job seeker has reasonable demand, achievable goal and a good personal profile.

Premise 4:
When the job seeker is physically healthy, psychologically stable, free from emotional tension and family problems.

Since premises 1 and 2 have been successfully fulfilled in the Malaysian context, it is up to us to make this job-hunting process fun and entertaining.

To start a job search, please bear in that:
1. Job-hunting requires persistence and constant efforts, qualities which we find difficult to have.
2. Job expectations should be realistic enough so that chances of meeting them are relatively high.
3. Job seekers should have a positive attitude about themselves, the society and the country.

Be optimistic about chances of getting a better job. It is possible that somehow, somewhere in Malaysia someone needs you badly to work for him. So stay alert for new opportunities and never let them pass you by with no avail.

Job-hunting is a process full of pressure, and pleasure - depending on how you look at it.

Source: http://my.jobstreet.com/career/search/hunt8.htm

Personal grooming

2009-07-29T08:04:00.000+08:00

Roslina Ahmed Tajuddin
People who take buses to the interview should use perfume to cover the smell of sweat. If possible, bring extra clothes to change before the interview session.

NORHAYATI MOHD ALI
Focus on doing the right things, then on doing things right. Remember that working on inappropriate tasks do not contribute towards successful time management. Make a daily "To Do” list which includes activities to achieve weekly goals, priorities and time estimates. Prioritise as follows: top priority (must be done NOW), secondary concern (must be done but can be POSTPONED or DELEGATED), least important (can be DEFERRED or FORGOTTEN). Always work on the top priority tasks first, then your secondary tasks. If you have some time left, you can attend to your least priority tasks.

Shanice Ong
First impression counts, so proper make-up is important. The type of foundation you use is important. You need to know your skin type and use the correct foundation. People with dry skin should use liquid-type foundation because you would not want your skin to be flaky by the the time you go for the interview. Do apply moisturizer before that. For medium or combination skin, you can be more flexible as you can use liquid foundation or compact powder. But it is important to apply some moisturizer before that. As for the oily skin type, please be very careful in choosing the foundation. My advice is to use a matt finish powder rather than liquid foundation. Matt finish powder has oil control formula so that you will look radiant. The interviewer will not want to see a candidate with oily face. You will get a few marks on grooming. Last advice is always look at yourself in the mirror before going into the interview room, not only to check on grooming but also to build up your own confidence. Always have oil blotters ready to blot off the excessive oil.

Low Ching Soon
When you go for an interview, wear clothes that are appropriate to the occasion. It is not the price of your clothes or how well they match the latest fashion but rather the distinct appearance of taking time to put them together is what gains you respect from the interviewer.

Awang Abdul Hamid Bin Awang Ibrahim
Always wear something cheerful and light-coloured, like cream or light blue, light yellow or the most simple, white. Never wear black or dark colours because other people will think you are not in a good mood.

Hummairah Sulaiman
Menjadi seorang pekerja yang profesional tidak semudah menyebutnya. Anda mesti memiliki kriteria-kriteria yang penting: Tidak mempunyai sifat mengalah semasa menjalankan tugasnya dan sentiasa mencari penyelesaian untuk masalah yang dihadapi. Sentiasa berinisiatif mencari peluang secara sukarela untuk menyempurnakan segala tugasan. Bekerja bersungguh-sungguh untuk mencapai kecermerlangan dan tidak hanya mengharapkan pangkat kedudukan dan ganjaran besar. Sentiasa melaksanakan tanggungjawab sosial tanpa memikirkan keuntungan diri sendiri. Cekap menguruskan masa istilah lewat, tidak sempat dan kurang masa tidak pernah ada dalam diari hidup seorang pekerja profesional. Jujur dan amanah; tidak gemar mencuri tulang dan menggunakan tipu daya ketika menjalankan tugas. Bermoral dan bertatasusila; bijak berurusan dengan pihak atasan, pelanggan, masyarakat umum dan sesiapa sahaja dengan penuh kesopanan dan kemesraan. Insaf dan sedar diri; sentiasa berpijak di bumi yang nyata dan tidak mudah lupa diri apabila disogok dengan kemewahan dan kesenangan. Sedar akan kelemahan dan kekurangan diri dan sentiasa berusaha untuk memperbaiki diri dari masa ke semasa.

Fazlina Masbah
Wear soft coloured attire. Do not go for striking colours. Be very careful with the colour you choose because it can effect the mood and environment. The combination of colours you choose should depend on the job you want. For example soft colours will make you and the interviewer feel comfortable and you can be more relaxed. Do not wear red. It has the aura of domination and confrontation.

Source: http://my.jobstreet.com/career/search/jtips5.htm

Job Search Tips

2009-07-26T08:01:00.000+08:00

Resume
Roslina Ahmed Tajuddin
Nowadays, many employers are seeking people that have the experience to work with their companies. So in your resume, please state clearly your job experiences. Do not feel shy to write about your experiences even though you only have one or two.

Alex Lee
Most people think that having a resume that is comprehensively filled with details of their achievements and experiences is the way to go in securing their dream job. This is not always true as executives are busy people who usually glance through resumes as opposed to spending a long time reading them. The tip is to focus on several relevant strengths pertaining to the job you are applying and keep them concise. Remember, quality better than quantity.

Ramlee Bin Sulaiman
Do not lie about your qualifications. A degree holder should not keep his qualification a secret when applying for a position that needs a lower qualification as the number of unemployed graduates are increasing and the competition to secure a job is high.

Fong Hui Hui
Limit your Resume to one or two pages. Include only relevant information. Set your objective in the Resume. Use buzz words. Check for spelling accuracy. Be consistent with the layout throughout the entire Resume. Have someone else read and comment on it before printing the final copy.

Lim Theen Kin
Resume is the first impression of you! A bad resume gives a bad impression. A good resume gives a good impression. Whenever you write a resume, keep your language simple and organized. A good resume must not have any typo error. If you need another person to proofread your resume, get it done. It is better to be cautious than to be sorry.

Mazlan Muslim
Keep your resume to the point and stress the important facts and figures that relate to the job you are looking for. Include IT-savvy items such as the use of spreadsheet and word processing software and other technical software for the relevant post. One's strength in language(s) and courses attended must be included, besides the academic credentials.

Shirley Leong
We do not have to be looking for a job to write a resume. A resume reflects our career profile, experience and skills that we acquire daily. Therefore, build and improve our resume as time goes by. At least when we are ready to look for a job opportunity, we already have an up-to-date resume to use.

Tan Kok Hong
Be precise with your job titles, roles and responsibilities. Do not over-sell yourself. Be short and straight to the point on your work achievements – bullet points are recommended.

Goh Ching Kai
Always prepare a hard copy of your resume and other copies of useful documents. Many interviewers have your documents in their PC but they prefer to glance through those documents during interviews to look for things that they wish to know more from you instead of reading on the PC monitor.

Goh Ching Kai
Write down something unique about yourself. Some little experience in participating or organising any activity, be it official or just casual among your friends, will help. For example, organising a trip for your friends can be a tough task even if it not official. Just write itdown.

Kugendran Shanmuganathan
If you want to market yourself right, it begins with a well-drafted resume and honest details of what you have to offer.

Kugendran Shanmuganathan
Resumes are like brochures of yourself. They have to stand out from the competition if you expect to be sold (recruited) to the best in the industry.

Alex Lee
When mentioning achievements in a job, make sure the end result is S.M.A.R.T which are Specific, Measurable, Ambitious, Realistic and Time framed. However, do not overdo it and try not to be arrogant.

Source: http://my.jobstreet.com/career/search/jtips2.htm

The Job Search Attitude

2009-07-23T07:59:00.000+08:00

We have included this topic because we believe that all the job tips in the world cannot help an individual unless their attitude is right.

It is a well-researched fact that employers prefer to hire an employee with a positive mental attitude or 'can do' approach to work and enthusiasm will communicate itself to those around you.

We always recommend to job applicants to have an attitude that conveys the following message:

Somebody out there has a great ......it's got to be me!
During your job search, constantly remind yourself of you capability to locate a suitable job and that there is a fantastic opportunity waiting for you. Discard all "negative" thoughts that are not supportive to your job search. Listen to advice and guidance that will help progressin your job search and not to unhelpful talk that will paralyse you with fear. Feat is not useful in a job search situation becuase it closes you down instead of opening you up to all the opportunities that exist out there.

The Job Search Attitude Checklist
> Listen to what you are telling yourself, erase any message that may negate your job search efforts, for example, "it's hard to find a job" ... "it's very competitive out there" ... "nobody wants someone with my qualification". This is not useful - STOP IT!
> Find evidence around yout o prove to yourself that you can find a great job. Read inspiring articles and talk to people who have 'made it'.
> Improve your knowledge on the industry or job that you are interested in.
> Go out and meet people, who are happy in their jobs and find out the secret of their success.
> Be committed to improve yourself. If you have the time, attend a self-development program or read a good self-development book. Employers generally like people who are self motivated and proactive in their own development.
> Learn to self-manage your career. Find time to attend a career management workshop or read a good career management book. Quite simply. take ownership and responsibility for your career success.

Clean Resume

2009-07-20T07:56:00.000+08:00

It is important to keep your job application free from typo or grammatical errors. You may ask what is the big deal anyway with keeping your resumé error-free?

By not bothering to keep your resumé "clean", you are telling the person who reads your resumé that you could not be bothered to make extra efforts to check your spelling and grammar, hence you would be seen as "not being interested enough" in your job application.

A faultless job application will give no reason for the prospective employer to mull over petty mistakes that could have been easily avoided by clicking on the spell-check button.

By dotting all your I's and crossing all your T's, the recruiter will be focused only on your cover letter and resumé, allowing your application to be given due consideration.

Always make sure that you get your addresses right.
Get the proper address, i.e. the title of the recipient in your cover letter. Find out who will be the recipient of your job application. If you only know that your application should be sent to the Senior Manager or the Human Resource Manager, go the extra mile and find out who that person is. Call the company up or surf their website for more information. Personal touches never fail to touch, literally.

However, never ever spell the title wrongly or worse, to misspell the name.
A Ms Elisa Jon will not be amused if you spell her name: Mr Eliza John. If you want to do things right, do it right the first time. Never think that it does not matter. All the small things will add up to a lot and a job application tattered with minor errors all over will be regarded as messy and disorganised, jeopardising your chances of getting the interview.

Get the mailing address right too. The last thing you want is for the application to be sent back to you. Even if your application gets to the recruiter, getting the address wrong or misspelling some words in the address underlines the fact that you are careless and could not even copy a simple address onto the envelop and your cover letter.

Also avoid simple grammatical mistakes. By writing `I are' instead of `I am' you are only exposing your poor command of English. Get your subject and verb agreement correct too. Relearn the basic grammar that you learnt way back in primary school and avoid the mistakes when writing your cover letter or resumé.

Remember, some extra efforts to ensure that your resumé is "clean" will not guarantee you the job but will help to increase your chances of being shortlisted.

Secure your Job - Making a Powerful Impression

2009-07-17T07:50:00.000+08:00

Career Tips by Serena C

Dressed to impress
Dress in any appropriate outfit that mirrors their professionalism. Just remember to keep it simple, but elegant--Men in business suits, or shirt and slacks; women in pant suit or blouse and knee-length skirts or long pants.

Mind the time
Avoid planning for an interview during your lunch breaks or during any short breaks in between in order not to rush over things. You may get all panicky and lose your focus should you need to dash here and there for the interview.

Be careful of what your body language speaks
Greet the interviewer with a strong, firm handshake as a start. Don't hunch and remember to look at the interviewer in the eyes. These small gestures leave a lot of obvious clues to the interviewer about you and your confidence.

Give me some energy!
Leave your monotonous speech behind and insert some energy and life into your words and expressions. Speak clearly and loud enough while answering all questions enthusiastically.

Behave professionally
You may find yourself striking up the right cords with the interviewer but always remember to keep your conversation professional. Just be pleasant throughout the interview.

Good riddance to all negativity
Keep your grudges with your ex-boss at bay and be careful with your answers. Do not condemn anything related to your current or previous management or company. Your answer will reflect your maturity and as someone who keeps hatred in mind.

Do your research
Run a search through the Internet on the company hiring to get some basic company background knowledge. Never pretend to know the answer to some questions posed if in fact you really don't.

Send a thank you note.
Send your interviewers a short thank you note to carve a lasting impression of yourself. The thank you note may just prove to be your entry ticket to a second interview or even a job offer.
Hunting Down & Securing Your Dream Job

Source: http://www.jobsdb.com.my/MY/EN/V6HTML/jobseeker/120b_career.html

What Your Horoscope Says About Your Career

2009-07-14T07:47:00.000+08:00

Aries Career
Aries need freedom above all else and they like to do things their own way. In their choice of career Aries needs a large degree of autonomy. They're leaders by nature and a subordinate position doesn't suit them well, nor will repetitive work of any kind hold their interest long enough to see the task through to a successful conclusion.
Ideal career: Own businesses, Heading expeditions or tour leaders, Military Officer, Manager, Politician, Actor, Sports Professional, Newscaster or Model.

Taurus Career
Taurus has a natural ability when it comes to handling and acquiring, money. They are well suited to a banking or financial career, having the propensity to make money for others as well as themselves. Other occupations where they may find their niche are in the field of the performing arts. Taurus people are very physical and can train their bodies to a pinnacle of artistic creative expression if they so desire.
Ideal career: Farmer, Painter, Sculptor, Investment Broker, Banker, Stockbroker, or Insurance Agent.

Gemini Career
They are very cerebral and tend to live exclusively in their minds, and whatever new business whim they may think, they are generally swift at executing it. The airy nature of the Gemini personality makes them perfect for a career in the media or communications of some jobs that bring them into contact with the public would be ideal for their outgoing natures. Their ability to communicate ideas quickly, clearly and effectively can be put to good use in a variety of sales positions, whether door-to-door or on the showroom floor.
Ideal career: Salesperson, Public Relations Executive, Surgeon, Scientist, Politician, Actor or News Anchor.

Cancer Career
Cancer's are quite well suited to the caring professions. Nursing, psychology or indeed any sort of medical career can all be very rewarding for Cancer persons. They might consider a career as an historian, antique dealer, building restoration or any work associated with preservation. There is an artistic side to Cancer people that can often be expressed in creating something that will enhance their homes or nourish their loved ones.
Ideal career: Psychotherapist, Social Worker, Chef, Counselor, Commercial Fisher, Obstetrician, or Teacher.

Leo Career
They constantly need to have their efforts recognized in public and a strong tendency towards the dramatic. Working behind the scenes isn't very appealing to the typical Leo, who would normally prefer to take the center of every stage. Leos enjoy being the boss. The nature of their work is of less importance than the way in which they execute it. Leos can be difficult to work with in team situations, due to their unrelenting tendency towards self-promotion. As long as they receive a bit of recognition, they can be very productive and versatile employees.
Ideal careers: Manager, Actor, Lawyer, Politician, Computer Programmer, Director, or Small Business Owner.

Virgo Career
They are generally very sincere and dependable, and can be trusted intimately with all important business matters. They have a strong work ethic and are experts at "burning the midnight oil", the only problem is that they may not know when to stop. What they see as a consummate professionalism translates out to their coworkers as a restrictive perfectionism that can rub less dedicated people the wrong way. Virgos are discreet in the workplace, and can often rise into the upper echelons of the business world by virtue of sheer labor, as long as it's in an intellectual and not physical sense.
Ideal careers: Actuary, Investment Banker, Stockbroker, Insurance Agent, Corrections Officer, Government Minister, or Accountant .

Libra Career
People born under the Sign of Libra are generally very ambitious at their jobs. Libra people are suited to any profession where their skills of tact and diplomacy count for something. They make excellent personnel managers, counselors of various kinds, and, of course, their innate sense of justice can serve the law well, whether as a private lawyer or a judge. Their appreciation of the arts and beautiful thing can fit them well for a career in the fashion industry, or interior decoration. They are innovative at design and decor. Their sense of verbal communication can result in them becoming authors of great literature.
Ideal careers: Writer, Astrologer, Interior Decorator, Painter, Game Show Host, Lawyer, or Prime Minister.

Scorpio Career
Scorpio people can be natural detectives as they have a natural affinity with all things hidden and mysterious. Work in the fields of psychology, medical research or investigative journalism satisfies their desire to unearth the secret answers of the universe. Scorpio people also have excellent memories capable of retaining large amounts of information, which can make them eminently suitable for the sciences or as college professors or computer programmers. It is important for Scorpio people not to get too emotionally involved in their work, or they could worry themselves into a nervous breakdown over relatively minor things.
Ideal careers: Detective, Pathologist, Butcher, Soldier, Journalist, Market Analyst, or Undertaker.

Sagittarius Career
Sagittarius is always freewheeling souls who are unafraid of taking risks and enjoy new experiences. Many are interested in starting their own businesses, and they generally have a great deal of good luck and success at such ventures. Many Sagittarius people seem to have a positive knack of being in the right place at the right time. They are also adaptable and able to tend several pots on the stove all at the same time. Sagittarius people are also associated with professional sports and intellectual professions such as teaching and the law.
Ideal careers: Veterinarian, Priest, Lawyer, Writer, Teacher, Athlete, or Small Business Owner.

Capricorn Career
They have great ambitions, and will work tirelessly to get to the top of their chosen field. They have a painstaking thoroughness with whatever project they are working on, and don't mind investing long hours if they are convinced it will pay off and further their career. Capricorn people make all their decisions deliberately and sensibly as they assess the situation. They are patient and quite happy to wait for their turn to come as they put one foot after another further up the ladder of their career. They are found in all trades related construction. Capricorn people enjoy being totally responsible for a given company, and they shine at the top.
Ideal careers: Manager, Banker, Accountant, Producer, News Anchor, Art Dealer, or Engineer.

Aquarius Career
Aquarius tends to have successful careers in the fields of communications, electronics, and aviation. They dislike being tied to a routine, and might do well out in the community working for the benefit of their fellow man in some way. Aquarius people shine in any career that offers them the scope to apply their ideals and utilize their unusual talents. They need to have a large degree of autonomy in their working day, and the responsibility to make decisions without having to constantly defer to a superior. Aquarians have a gift of being at ease with their colleagues, and are often active members of societies and clubs in their spare time.
Ideal careers: Scientist, Photographer, Astrologer, Singer, Social Worker, Inventor, or Writer.

Pisces Career
People born under the Sign of Pisces possess a vast fund of artistic creativity. The personal dream world Pisces people often inhabit can provide them with a wealth of material with which to create careers in writing, music, acting, dancing and all other artistic professions. They are also in their element when their work involves caring for others, whether medically, spiritually or through a charitable organization. If they are emotionally involved in their work, their sense of vocation is very strong and they can be dedicated enough to specialize in their chosen field.

Ideal careers: Ballet Dancer, Painter, Musician, Director, Priest, Advertising Executive, or Social Worker.

9 Rules of All Successful Job Hunters

2009-07-11T07:43:00.001+08:00

The term "job interview" usually sends a shiver down the spine to most job hunters out there, for they may never know what awaits them over at the other end of the employment table. Stories of grueling job interviews are abound everywhere, and many victims, especially the fresh ones have walked out from those interrogations with their self-confidence fall flat onto the ground.

Many employers have their own set of principles and methods in choosing his right employee to work for him in his company. But for all job hunters out there, ever wondered how is it that some people just get it right at the snap of their fingers? Well, they generally have at hand the "9 Rules of All Successful Job Hunters".

Number 1
Please be punctual
Getting there early at the interviewer's place will not hurt you because for one thing, it clearly shows that you are someone who values time and that could have already earned you a few plus points. Being late ultimately hurts your interviewer's first impression on you as someone who could not care less about wasting other people's time. So, the next time you attend an interview, arrive at least 15 minutes earlier.

Number 2
Be courteous
You should be polite to everyone over at the interviewer's office because you will never know who may leak some etiquette news over to the interviewer's ears. Just engage in simple conversations with anyone you come by, especially the front-office staff because they are often the ones whom your employer would usually seek opinions on about your manners when you first came to the office.

Number 3
Take control of your mouth
Do not go on and on in your replies but instead keep it to a considerable length, enough to get your message across in a pleasant way, thus leaving nonsense blabber behind you. It is important that you try not to be too talkative till the extent of interrupting the interviewer because that eventually puts down all your professionalism and impressive resume.

Number 4
Be cautious of your body language
One major aspect of a person that one would usually tend to ignore is his unspoken language, that is, the body language. One's posture and movements tell a whole lot about the person's character and manners. Therefore, do not slouch while seated or standing but instead keep your posture upright because it exudes confidence and maintain your eye contact on the interviewer because it would mean respect and honesty. Also, always remember to give your interviewer a strong, firm handshake before you leave the room.

Number 5
Honesty is the best policy
Make honest statements about yourself and do not try to lie to your interviewer because a lie discovered would mean immediate dismissal of your application. Interviewers definitely appreciate truthful replies because they would probably find it a hefty task later on should they admit one dishonest employee into their organization.

Number 6
Show assertiveness
Job hunters who do follow-up on their applications for their jobs by calling to the companies and asking about the status of their applications would show that they are initiative people. Some companies tend to view this as being positive because you are displaying your desire to work for that company and that you are indeed very passionate about the job that you are applying for.

Number 7
Be ready at all times
It is important that you should have done some background check on the company before going for the interview because your answers would reveal whether you have taken the time or interest to get to know the company and ultimately the job itself. Having sufficient preparations and knowledge will create an impression that you are not just a job seeker, but you are actually looking to work with the company itself.

Number 8
Promote professionalism
It helps to ensure that your resume and all other documents are well-presented and in a good condition because even while looking for jobs, you should try to portray professionalism because it is a much sought after criterion in an individual.

Number 9
Thank your interviewers
Most interviewers like receiving thank you notes after interviews because thanking them for their time would show your thoughtful side. You could also offer to provide them with any other additional material needed for verifications of any kind. Do not underestimate an appreciative gesture because it might move you up onto a more favorable position for the job your desire.

Source: http://www.jobsdb.com.my/MY/EN/V6HTML/jobseeker/127_career.html

9 Rules of All Successful Job Hunters

2009-07-06T03:28:00.000+08:00

Top 10 Tips for Attending Career and Job Fairs

2009-07-04T03:23:00.002+08:00

Compiled by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

Number 10
Always have a Pen / Pencil
Have a pen/pencil and paper available for notes

Number 9
Bring Resumes / Portfolio
Bring resumes and a folder or portfolio to hold your materials on your job hunting

Number 8
Find Out More
Take the time to find out what hiring companies will be represented before the day of the career fair

Number 7
Do Research
Research information about the participating companies and organizations prior to approaching the recruiters. Use the Internet, news sources and career fair materials to learn about the companies' booths you plan to visit. You can impress a recruiter by knowing about his or her company and can discuss its current situation

Number 6
Use time wisely
Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them. Focus on three companies that you are truly interested in

Number 5
Broaden Your Focus
Broaden your focus and include many types of employers. For instance, you may not have considered working for a hospital, but hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields (e.g., hospital management, information systems, or health care)

Number 4
Aware of Time Demands
Be aware of time demands on employers. Do not monopolize an employer's time. Ask specific questions and offer to follow up after the fair, as appropriate

Number 3
Self-Introduction
Be direct. Introduce yourself, including your name and career interests. If you are job-seeking, state the type of position in which you are interested. If you are gathering information, let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information. Remember to use good eye contact and a firm handshake. Career fairs are the perfect place to use your elevator speech

Number 2
Understand Employment / Hiring Trends
Make sure you learn from the recruiter employment and/or hiring trends, skills necessary for different jobs, current openings, salary negotiations, benefits, training, and other information about the organization. Also make sure you know whom to contact for follow-up discussions

Number 1
Follow-Ups
Ask the employer for the next steps in the recruitment process and try to obtain the recruiter's business card for follow-up discussions/correspondence

Source: http://www.jobsdb.com.my/MY/EN/V6HTML/jobseeker/131_career.html

Ideas on Job Interview Questions

2009-06-20T07:34:00.000+08:00

Steven Schlagel

There are tried and true job interview questions and techniques that lead to success in hiring. When I'm asked how to interview employees and get the very best, one answer comes to mind every time. Character. If you look at most employers, they hire skills first and only vaguely consider character. Often the problem is that those with high skills and mediocre character end up going away or being fired for character issues. Why not improve employee retention by hiring character first and skills second?

A Job Interview With a Purpose

Character and attitude should be the first traits you seek in a new employee and specific job skills second. This will never happen unless you are prepared to interview knowing which character traits are a must for your business. With this you will be able to select interview questions that give you useful information.

How to Interview to Get the Best

A successful job interview is a two way street. There are things you must learn about the candidate from the job interview questions you ask and there are things the candidate must learn about you, your organization, and the other employees. This will help them to see if this job is right for them too. Employee retention is the goal. It's costly to always be hiring and firing.

It is important when hiring employees to communicate well not only what the job involves but also what the culture of your business is, what the key character traits are, and walk them through an average day. They need to have a complete understanding of what your business is about.

Conducting a good job interview is both a skill and an art. A typical failure of many employers is to go through their job interview questions, even if the questions are well thought out, and never tell the employee candidate what your company culture is. Both you and they have information vital to making a good decision. Share it!

Let Your Current Employees Help!

Let the candidate interview with one of your employees in addition to yourself. They can find out whether this job will fit them by spending time with a current employee and learning about your culture. They'll often ask them questions they would never ask you. You don't want to hire someone who won't fit in. It wastes your time and theirs.

Not Once, But Twice!

Here is a great job interview tip. Take the advice of the carpenter! You know the old carpenter's adage: measure twice, cut once. This works when recruiting employees too. Interview twice, hire once!

I highly recommend that during the hiring process you always give a second interview to any candidate worth considering. Never make a hiring decision on the spot at the first interview. Interviews make people nervous and while one person might perform exceptionally well during the first interview another may not and that second interview might yield entirely different results.

Interviewing employees a second time often helps an employee relax and helps you see who they really are. Compare results and answers from both employee interviews to help you determine the best candidate for each position.

Remember to get another employee involved in the first job interview. The potential employee will have a better picture of your business when they come for the second job interview. They will have thought of other questions that will give you more insight as to their character and ability. The give and take of job interview questions will give a better result for both of you.

Don't forget, that no matter how well you conduct a job interview, you won't really know how things will turn out until the new employee is on the job.

I remember an employee we hired years ago. Three different people interviewed the candidate and she seemed like an outstanding choice. Her first day on the job shocked us all. It was like we must have interviewed her twin sister because the person who showed up for work was nothing like the one we interviewed!

The lesson: some people handle job interview questions well and some don't. Try talking to prior employers of the candidate. It's a great way to gain insights and to avoid unpleasant surprises. Take the time and do it right. Interviewing employees is as much an art as a skill.

How to Prepare For and Answer the Ones They WILL Ask You! (Part Three)

2009-06-20T07:32:00.000+08:00

By David Sherrell

In studying Part One of this series you made notes on answering typical interview questions. In Part Two you began studying special tips and tactics for those questions, and here you'll finish them up.

8. "What is your greatest weakness?" -- Come up with something real here, and yet put it in positive terms. You might consider an answer similar to this: "It's hard for me to put down a project I'm excited about. I tend to be a workaholic that way."

9. "What is your greatest strength?" -- Making yourself sound well qualified and yet not overly egotistical or too cocky can be a challenge with this one. Spend time preparing and rehearsing this one.

10. "Do you prefer to work on your own or as part of a team?" -- Use your knowledge of the company structure and the position in question to help you with this answer. If the position requires a great deal of solo work by someone who must be a "self-starter," tell them how you fit that requirement. If a team player is required, go with that.

You can always mention, whichever way your main answer goes, that you also work very well in the other situation. Bring in a past work experience for this question somehow.

11. "Why are you interested in working for this company?" --Again, knowledge of the company and its mission and goals is critical. Weave that knowledge into your answer.

12. "How do you handle a difference of opinion with your colleagues, and with superiors?" -- An example can help you answer this. Everyone else will likely just say they can handle these situations "just fine." Stand out by giving an example of a difference of opinion in a past job situation, and explain how you handled it professionally.

13. "Why should I hire you?" -- You cannot lose by being forthright with your answer. Most people will answer this question in a wishy-washy manner and say something like, "Well, I think I could contribute to the company goals."

Answer differently and nail this one by saying something like, "You need me in this position, because I bring _____, and _____ to your team. I can offer _____ toward the company's goal (or project) of _____." Again, your prior company research is critical.

Forcefulness and answering with specifics on this question will help - they will not knock you for it. And jump right in with your answer - don't stop to think about it. Solid preparation makes the difference here.

14. "What would you bring to this company that someone else would not?" -- This is similar to the previous question. Nail this one down with your preparation ahead of time.

15. Questions specific to the company doing the interview -- Your interviewer may ask you questions specifically related to the type of work the company does or that you would do in your new position. I can't give you examples of these, but your research about the company and the position will help you here.

Spend time trying to anticipate what questions of this type they might ask you. Write them down, and also write out your answers. This kind of company-specific preparation is critical and will help you stand out from everyone else who applies.

Apply all the ideas you've received in these three articles -- prepare as if your job depends upon it, because IT DOES! Good luck -- you'll be great!

How to Prepare For and Answer the Ones They WILL Ask You! (Part Two)

2009-06-20T07:31:00.000+08:00

By David Sherrell

In studying Part One of this series you made some notes on answering typical job interview questions. Now we'll start giving you the special tips and secrets you need to really nail your answers down. We cover seven of these questions here in Part Two, the rest in Part Three.

1. "Tell me something about yourself." -- Avoid telling the interviewer what you are not: "Well, I am not . . ." Be ready with positive character-type traits, such as honesty, reliability, and dependability.

This is also a time when you should share a past accomplishment or experience that relates to one of these positive traits and characteristics -- do not just leave it at, "Well, I'm always dependable."

Experiences don't all have to be work related if they're good illustrations of something positive about you. For example, you might have been lost in the snow when young and you could tell how you never gave up, stayed calm, and survived.

A little creativity here will not hurt you. These ideas and suggestions will apply to many of the questions below -- use them creatively.

2. "How do you handle stressful situations?" -- See the question above for ideas about how to answer this.

3. "How do you deal with criticism and stress?" -- Another great opportunity to give a creative example from a past work experience.

4. "What is your definition of success?" -- A good opportunity here to share your experience of someone, perhaps a parent, relative or other mentor, who provided a positive influence on your learning about what success really means. You could also share about a current or historical role model.

5. "Have you ever been fired, and if so, why?" -- DO NOT LIE when answering this question. Answer this question truthfully. If the answer is "Yes," you have an opportunity here to prepare ahead of time and put a positive spin on the circumstance or situation.

If you were fired because of something irresponsible or negligent that you did, own up to it. Explain that you learned and grew from that experience, and that you are consequently now a different person. Honesty like this can show strength of character and make you appear to be a good employee prospect.

Everyone has a negative experience like this in their past, and answering truthful about it can help you . Furthermore, they will likely find out about your prior termination anyway, so honesty is critical.

6. "Why do you think you would fit in with this company?" -- Your previous research about the company becomes absolutely critical with this question. Mention specific projects or goals of the company and describe how you can make a positive contribution to those goals. Doing this will place you way above most of your competition.

7. "Where do you see yourself in five years?" -- Answer this as if you would still be with that company. Use your research about the company structure to determine an advanced position into which you could be promoted, with hard work and determination on your part.

You probably don't want to say you expect to have the interviewer's position, but you can show here that you do know something about the company and took the time for research.

I'll continue this question-by-question critique in Part Three. While waiting for that part, use the ideas and tips I've given you above and start fine-tuning the answers you already started outlining from Part One. You're on your way to really acing your next job interview.

How to Prepare For and Answer the Ones They WILL Ask You! (Part One)

2009-06-20T07:30:00.000+08:00

By David Sherrell

While there are a number of areas you must take care of before facing your next job interview, such as proper dress, how to act, what to say and not say, most people find their palms sweating just thinking about all those questions the interviewer will ask. "How can I prepare ahead of time for those?" -- This question may race through your mind, making you very nervous.

This three part series will prepare you for answering all the typical interview questions. Relax -- we'll get you ready for the toughest of them.

When you know what questions are likely to come up you can plan your answers ahead of time. The confidence and reduction in stress this alone can provide will certainly help you to appear in charge of the situation and a "natural-born," confident leader, as well as a desirable employee.

When reviewing these questions you'll think of others an interviewer might ask. Write all of them down and also write out your answers. Don't just read the question and think to yourself what your answer would be -- write down your answer. Then practice your answers, out loud.

By writing out your answer for each question you will create the opportunity for two things to happen:

1. You can spend time studying your answers. Take several days for this, just as you would prepare for a mid-term exam in a college course. This one interview is more important to your life than any school exam ever was. Treat your upcoming interview that seriously -- this is a major key to acing it.

2. You can also arrange for someone to quiz you on your answers. Ask a friend or family member to act as the interviewer and ask you the questions, and you give your answer. Do this several times so you're comfortable with all these questions.

Below are the typical questions you can expect in the usual job interview. In Parts Two and Three of this series I give you specific tips and ideas about how you should answer each of these questions -- definite do's and don'ts apply here. Using these three articles you will arrive at your interview better prepared than 98% to 99% of your competition.

Expect these questions:

1. "Tell me something about yourself."

2. "How do you handle stressful situations?"

3. "How do you deal with criticism and stress?"

4. "What is your definition of success?"

5. "Have you ever been fired, and if so, why?"

6. "Why do you think that you would fit in with this company?"

7. "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

8. "What is your greatest weakness?"

9. "What is your greatest strength?"

10. "Do you prefer to work on your own or as part of a team?"

11. "Why are you interested in working for this company?"

12. "How do you handle a difference of opinion with your colleagues, and with superiors?"

13. "Why should I hire you?"

14. "What would you bring to this company that someone else would not?"

15. You can also expect questions specific to the company interviewing you and to your job duties there.

While you're waiting for the next two parts of this series, write down these questions and start outlining your answers. When you actually study Parts Two and Three you can put the polishing touches on your answers based on my tips and secrets -- the polishing touches that will make you shine!

One more activity for right now -- research your "new" employer. Go online, Google the company, and find their website. Study everything you find -- what the company does, major products and contracts, your job position and responsibilities, your manager's name, title and anything about him/her, and so on. This knowledge will give you a big advantage in the actual interview.

Look for Parts Two and Three to bring everything together so you will ace your next job interview.

Tips To Find The Right Job Fast

2009-06-20T07:26:00.000+08:00

By Fernando Ratkoczy

In these economic times finding a job is complex enough, but even now we want to find the right job and as soon as possible. Job search is a process, a job in itself that well managed can be productive and relatively fast.

The first thing to remember is that the best jobs out there might not be advertise on typical job boards we are use to see. Think about this; If you are a company and have an open position which has great working hours, salary and benefits, and if the individual in charge to fill this position has other people working for him/her and knows personally some other professionals that can pass the word of this great opportunity, the question is; how long and how many interested parties will appear under the rocks in a record time? Let me tell you, not too long.
We define this process as Networking, you have to exist in the recent memory of others so they will think of you the moment they hear anything. It's a fact that anywhere from (depends where you get your numbers) 60% to 80% of individuals acquire the best jobs through some kind of Networking.

Regardless of your level and experience in the food chain you can benefit from being present or practicing Networking. A common mistake is to think that to be able to network well you need to know the right people at the right companies, of course that won't hurt either.
Let' me say that if you know the President of leading companies and they owe you their lives, you would not be reading this. But most of us don't have that set up. Most of us are like you. We have some friends, family and some co-workers we know.

Where you make connections and with whom? Easy! Anywhere and everybody! Let me illustrate this point by giving you a real life example:

I had a client, John, who recently had been laid off from his company after 11 years. My first advise was; don't take it personally, keep positive, healthy and look forward. One the things he started doing to keep healthy was jogging every morning around his neighborhood. After a while he wandered off around other neighborhoods. One morning in one of his runs he saw a gardener having some difficulty picking up a big bag of mulch. He approached him at helped him. They struck a short conversation. Since you don't find to many people to talk to at 10AM, he went on relating his recent layoff and that he worked with computers. The gardener listened and responded that the owner of that house he was working for owned some kind of computer related company. Of course John acted interested in knowing more. The Gardener proceeded to explain that it was a great guy and that he knew him for many years and suggested to John that he should talk to him. John quickly wrote the info down and the gardener promised to mention him to his employer later that day.

Well guess what? John called and as they say in the movies that was the beginning of a long working relationship. Bottom line you never know where or with whom it will come from. All you need to do is relate and develop relationships. Remember; everyone knows somebody and/or something you don't.

Guide For Teenagers and Part Time Job Seekers

2009-06-20T07:24:00.000+08:00

Tenacity is also key for applying for part time jobs as a teenager. Employers like to hire teens who "want" the job.

There is a difference between wanting the job and needing the job. All teens want extra money and therefore need a job, but only some teens really show the employer that the "want" the part time job.

What's the main way to show your potential employer that you really really "want" the job?

How do you show your potential employer that you are the best candidate for the position that they are hiring for?

Imagine for a second that the potential employer sees hundreds, yes hundreds, of applications each month. How can you stand out among the rest? The answer is simple.

It's all in your behavior. What does that mean? It simply means that that the person who shows the most enthusiasm and persistence with a positive attitude and willing to take a proactive approach is usually the winner.

Think about it this way, if you were the employer and wanted to hire a good team member to fit in with the rest of your crew and you had to choose from 100 people that filled out an application, but only one of those people filled out several job applications over a few weeks and constantly came in to follow up with the hiring person, would this potential candidate stand out to you?

You better believe it!

There's a good old saying that goes "The harder I work, the luckier I get."

Basically, it means that the people who continue to work hard at trying to achieve their goals are always opening more doors of opportunity. In the end, it looks as if they were lucky, but the truth of the matter is that they worked hard at putting themselves in the right place at the right time.

Tips For Successful Interviews

2009-06-18T07:07:00.000+08:00

By Logan Odell

Attending an interview can be a stressful process for even the most composed and focused of applicants. Here are a few tips and tricks to help alleviate some of the pressure and maybe give you a little bit of an extra edge when it comes to your next interview.

First and foremost you MUST be prepared. Preparation is the key to interview success. Inadequate preparation can have serious negative consequences on your application.

Before moving onto advice for the interview itself, let's briefly look at some of the most important preparation issues.

Do you know the format of the interview? For example how long it should last, who it will be with, will it involve group work and whether you need to specifically prepare anything?

Where and when it is to be held? What do you need to take? What do you need to wear? Do you know enough about the actual position you are applying for? Have you done your research on the job itself, matters associated with the job such as market conditions, profile, news and also the organization interviewing you?

What about your psychological preparation? Are you ready in yourself? Most people feel nervous about interviews but it's important to remember that an interview is all about providing you with the opportunity to clearly display your suitability for a position. An interview gives you the chance of finding out more information about a job and the organization, to interview them and decide whether the position is what you thought it was and is something that you want to pursue.

The Interview

They say 'first impressions count' but to what extent?

Studies reveal that first impressions are made up of 55% visual impact, the way you dress, facial expressions and body language; 38% of a first impression comes from tone of voice, whilst only 7% is down to what you actually say. The conclusion: look good and act positively.

Last impressions are important too. Firm handshakes and warm sincere smiles can go along way, as can insightful and positive final comments that can help elevate you memorably above other candidates.

Between favorable first and last impressions through you need to manage your nerves. Breathing a little slower and deeper than usual and slowing your speech and deepen voice tone for gravitas early on will help. Go with the flow when it comes to etiquette and behaviour. Take the interviewers lead.

Be prepared for and aware of different interviewing styles, so that you can handle the interview accordingly.

You will likely be asked any or all of a range of different type questions. Some that seem trivial - 'have a good weekend?' and others that seem tricky, 'what's the biggest failure you've been involved in?' Prepare questions of your own. Stay calm and considered, but be sure to appear engaged and interested. Never use bad language and never dwell on negativity or bash your current employer. Discretion is the better part of interviews.

Always remember that the currency of the interview is not what either you or the interviewer say - it's largely the subtext and what that subtext reveals about you that will determine your success.

The 5 P's Of A Job Search

2009-06-03T09:30:00.000+08:00

Step One - Plan:

Most people spend more time planning a one to two week vacation than they do planning their lifetime career. When planning for a vacation, you look at where you want to go, what your reason is for wanting to go to that particular place, how long it will take to get there, whether or not you want to take any side trips, what type of budget you will need, and what type of clothes you will need to take. You may also speak with people who have been there to find out a little more about the destination and activities or do some research on the internet or at the library or a travel agency.

It is important to do the same type of planning for a career. You need to take a look at where you want to go and how you are going to get there. You will need to look at: whether or not you need post-secondary education or some type of training. How long will it take you to get the skills you need? What is the best way to get these skills? What kind of money do you require for the life style you want? Think about whether or not you know anyone who is currently working in this field or if you know anyone who knows anyone working in this field. Where else can you go to find out more information?

If you are still in school, speak to a guidance counsellor and ask for information. You can also do informational interviews with people working in the field you are interested in. Another option is speaking with a career counsellor or doing some career tests.

If you are out of school, contact an employment agency to speak with a counsellor or do some personal research at the library as well as networking and making good use of your contacts.

Step Two - Prepare:

Preparing for your job search involves doing a thorough personal inventory to determine your transferable and adaptive skills. Learning more about your skills prepares you so that you will be able to tell an employer the skills you have that match the job that you would like to have. This takes time. It may involve completing a questionnaire or sitting and writing down all the things you have done over the years. This is not simply listing your job description, as most people do more than what is listed on the job description, it also involves activities that you do at home.

Most of us take our skills for granted. We are so used to doing certain tasks that we do not recognize that not everyone can do what we are doing. We also do not always recognize the skills we are using in our daily activities – problem solving, decision making, driving, fixing appliances, preparing food, personal counseling. People may express amazement or be impressed by something that we take for granted. Listen to what they are saying. This is a strong skill for you and may be developed into a career goal.

Once you have reviewed your skills, you can work on developing a 30-second summary of these skills, also known as an “elevator speech”, which can be used during a telephone contact, in your cover letter, in an interview, or when talking to friends about your job search.

Preparing also means doing research on companies you might like to work for. This research may be done at the library, through personal contact, informational interviews, reading newspaper articles, or an informal visit or tour.

The development of a targeted resume is another crucial step. A targeted resume is one which highlights specific skills to demonstrate your suitability to an employer. It provides details of your work experiences which match the skills they might require. A cover letter should also be prepared for a targeted employer.

Another part of preparation is reviewing potential interview questions and determining the type of information you want to provide or you may be expected to provide to an employer. Following this, you need to practice speaking about yourself in order to be comfortable in presenting yourself to an employer.

People often think about getting a resume prepared, and maybe a cover letter in response to a job ad, but then they forget about preparing for the interview. Although a good resume and cover letter can get you in the door, the interview is what gets you the job.

Step Three - Practice:

Practice!! How many people would step on the ice in an NHL game without having practiced? How many people would step on stage to sing or act without several rehearsals? How many Olympic athletes would compete without any preparation? Very few, if any - and yet, when we fail to practice our interview techniques, it is comparable to doing one of the above.

Practicing can take place with a friend, family member or a counsellor. There are many books available that provide sample questions and sample answers. Feedback on your interview skills may involve peers, general comments, and/or videotape. Here are some sample questions for you to use:

·Tell me about yourself.

·What do you look for in a job?

·How long would it take for you to make a meaningful contribution?

·Why are you looking for a new career?

·How would your boss describe you?

·How would your colleagues describe you?

·What were the five most significant accomplishments in your last position?

·What are your strong points?

·What are your weak points?

A videotape is an excellent way for you to see yourself as an employer would see you. You can dress as you would for an interview and have someone you know act as the interviewer. You will then be able to notice how you handle yourself, how you sit, and how you respond to questions. For instance, did you give enough information or too much information. You can also note if you have any habits you are unaware of. This will help you become comfortable in presenting your skills to an employer.

When you think of the years of training it takes a hockey player to reach the skill level of an NHL player, or the years a ballerina spends in practicing before she performs at the NAC, a few hours of practicing your interview/presentation techniques isn’t asking too much.

Step Four - Perform:

Think of your interview as a performance. You must prepare for it (research the employer, practice interview questions), dress appropriately (dress for the job you are applying for), and have the proper equipment (copy of resume, references, portfolio, and pen) to show that you are ready to do the job.

The first two to three minutes of your interview are the most important. An employer usually makes a decision based on your appearance and your opening presentation. It is important that you make the most of these precious minutes.

A smile is a big part of your wardrobe. If smiling doesn’t come naturally to you, practice in front of a mirror until it feels comfortable. Ensure that your body language doesn’t send the wrong message. Don’t cross your arms across your chest, or keep checking the clock. Check your appearance, both standing and seated, in a mirror. It is important to try to relax, but do not slouch in your chair. Don’t chew gum during your interview, and if you are a smoker, try to have your last cigarette at least 10 minutes before your interview and freshen your breath with a breath mint.

Another important point is to never say anything negative about your previous employer. It may make the employer wonder what you would say about them, and you never know who is related to whom.

Make sure that you have some questions to ask the employer. Not “how much money will I make and how long do I get for vacation?”, but questions that show you have researched the employer and have some knowledge of their company. Make a list of potential questions to ask. If the interviewer has been very thorough and you can’t think of any questions, at least find out when they will be making a decision and ask if it is ok to follow up.

Here are some sample questions you can ask.

Why is this position open?

What are some of the more difficult problems one would have to face in this position?

What significant changes do you forsee in the near future?

What are some of the objectives you would like to see accomplished in this job?

What are some of the long-term objectives you would like to see completed?

How is one evaluated in this position?

What accounts for success within the company?

Step Five - Post-Mortem:

Once your interview is over, review it in your mind. Was there anything you should have said that you didn’t, or anything that you said that you shouldn’t have? Make a mental note, or write down how you felt about the interview. By reviewing your interview, you can prepare for the next one.

Once you get home, it’s time to prepare a thank you letter. In this letter you thank the interviewer(s) for their time and the opportunity to find out more about the company. Express appreciation for the way they handled the interview, the information provided, etc., as well as expressing your desire to work for the company. If there was anything you forgot to tell them about your skills during the interview, or any information you said you would provide them with, now is your opportunity to do so.

Don’t forget to follow up one to two weeks after your interview to indicate that you are still interested in being considered for the position and to check on whether or not a decision has been made. If they have hired, and you are not the successful candidate, ask permission to call back in case there are any other openings in the future and let them know that you would like to be considered.

Remember that you usually have to go through about 200 "no's" before you get to a "yes". Try to keep positive about your job search by sticking with a routine and talking with as many people as possible about looking for work. Let everyone know that you are currently unemployed and tell them the type of work you are looking for. Attend workshops on Job Search or consider joining a Job Finding Club for extra support during your job search.

Fran Watson is a Career Counsellor, Workshop Developer/Facilitator, Coach, and member of Toastmasters. You can find out more at http://www.franwatson.ca where you can also sign up for her FREE ezine, "Fran's Facts and Findings".

Top Tip For Interview Confidence

2009-05-22T07:16:00.000+08:00

By Roseanna Leaton

How you think prior to going in to your interview has a direct impact upon your performance. Research has clearly demonstrated that what is going through your mind dictates the outcome which you subsequently experience. Your thoughts create your emotions and these direct your actions.

The more you think about a particular scenario the more emotion you give to it and this emotion becomes increasingly more powerful. As you continue to think along the same lines, this powerful emotion in effect magnetizes whatever you are thinking about into your reality. This may sound a bit far-fetched to some, but I can assure you that this is very much the truth. Just think for a moment about energy. Everything around you has it's own frequency of energy transmission, everything is made up of energy, be it a leaf or a stone, the sun, the moon, and you yourself. We humans are energy beings, although not many of us acknowledge or pay heed to this fact.

I think that almost every one of us does "know" our energy connection at some level. You hear someone saying "we're on the same wave length", or "we're on a different wave length" or "we are so in tune with each other" or "I can feel the vibes" and these sayings often come from an unconscious awareness of the energy waves which we are experiencing. I think everyone will also acknowledge that we feel more comfortable in the company of those with whom we feel are on a similar wave-length.

Your interview is both a performance and a "getting to know one another" scenario. It is therefore important, if you want to get that job, to get in tune with the person or people who are conducting the interview. In this way they will feel comfortable with you, they will like you, and at the end of the day they are far more likely to employ someone whom they like than someone who for some unknown reason they feel slightly uncomfortable with. The use of body language goes some way to achieving this aim, but your mind is far more powerful factor in this equation.

Getting on the same wave length mentally is a skill which you can learn, just as you can learn the techniques of body language. Job-hunting is a competition. Just as you would psyche yourself up if you were competing in the Olympics, you need to do exactly the same before you enter the interview arena. In sport, everyone at the top uses mental rehearsal to prepare for success. Hypnosis is probably THE most powerful and effective way in which to train your mind for success.

Hypnosis is normal and natural. It is a state of relaxation whilst at the same time allowing you to focus clearly upon your goals. With the help of hypnosis downloads, you can access this powerful state and learn to visualize the outcome which you want to achieve - you can visualize yourself calm and relaxed, comfortable and confident, easily getting on the same wave length...and getting that job. You will learn to overcome worries and trepidation and instead create a feeling of calm control. You will have an inner knowledge that the "vibe" which you are transmitting is that you are the perfect person for the job.

Interview confidence comes from the inside, and with the use of hypnosis you can access the inner workings of your mind, creating an expectation of success which magnetizes exactly that into your reality.

Roseanna Leaton, specialist in hypnosis downloads for hypnosis confidence.

Tips for Job Seekers Who Use Online Resume Services

2009-05-12T09:26:00.000+08:00

1. Read the privacy policy.
Do not use a job search site, a resume writing service, a resume distribution service, or any job search service that does not have a posted privacy policy on its Web site. A privacy policy is a legal document that explains to you how a site or business will handle your personal data. It is also the basis of legal protection for you in case you run into any problems. If the privacy policy is not posted on the Web site, you do not have this legal protection. Posting privacy policies is voluntary. Most job sites today do post privacy policies. When you use the site, print out the policy and keep a copy of it for your records.

Be sure to look for specific privacy policy statements about resumes, registration information, and statements about how that information is used, stored, and shared. Pay particular attention to how long a site says it will keep or store your resume. Preferably, job and resume sites should state that they promise to keep your resume for a limited, specific amount of time, such as one to six months, after which the site will delete your resume. Without specific, written statements about how long your resume may be kept, your resume can be archived for years, legally. Most job seekers do not want resumes circulating after they have gotten a job.

2. Make sure you can delete the resume.
Before you post a resume, check to make sure you can delete your resume after you have posted it. Look in the job site's privacy policy for resume deletion instructions. If you don't find any such instructions on the site, write an email to the site and ask how or if you can delete your resume. If you are not satisfied with the reply, do not post your resume to that site. You must be able to delete your resume when you want to. After all, it belongs to you.

3. Get it in writing.
If you plan on using a resume writing service in your job search efforts, get an agreement in writing that the service will not sell or share your resume or personal data with any third parties or partners. Also, ask to see the privacy policy of any resume writing services you may use and ask specifically about how the service handles and stores your resume. This applies to traditional and online resume writing services. For additional tips on resume writing services, see the next section.

4. Post your resume sparingly.
It is tempting to go to every job site you can find and post your resume. Focus on quality, not quantity. If you believe you must post your resume online, hand-pick just a handful of sites that have good privacy policies and a good track record. Choose sites that other people working in your profession have had good luck with, and post only to sites that allow you to mask your contact information.

5. Use a disposable email address.
If you decide to post your resume to a site that does not allow you to mask your identity, then mask it yourself. Use an email address that you can cancel if you start getting spam, and don't give out your full name, phone number, or home address.

6. Omit references on your resume.
When you post a resume online with your references' names and phone numbers on it, you are giving their information away without their consent in what can be a very public forum.

7. Pay attention to business affiliates.
Be aware that many resume writing services and job sites have affiliations with other businesses. When you are given recommendations, be sure to evaluate each recommendation on its own merit. Check for yourself if it is a good deal or not.

8. Limit personal information.
No credible employer ever needs your bank account numbers, credit card numbers, mother's maiden name, or identifying characteristics such as eye color. If an employer requests these items from you, don't give them the information.

9. Safeguard financial data.
If you plan on purchasing services from a commercial job site or writing service, look for a privacy policy that details how that service will handle your credit card data. Whenever possible, you may want to consider using PayPal to purchase services in order to protect your financial information from a company you do not know well.

10. Protect your Social Security number.
Some legitimate online job application sites and employment kiosks may sometimes ask for your Social Security number(SSN) and date of birth prior to posting a resume or applying for a job. (For example, www.sportsauthority.com, www.albertsons.com, usajobs.opm.gov, studentjobs.gov, and many state job sites request this information.) Some of these sites conduct instant SSN matching or background checks on your information to verify it.

It is the position of the World Privacy Forum that you as a job seeker should never have to submit your SSN or date of birth prior to applying for a job, especially online where verification of where the SSN is going is more challenging. Broad dissemination of your SSN can lead to identity theft. It is appropriate for you to allow a serious employer to use your SSN and date of birth to conduct a background check after you have engaged in the interview process.Not all sites that request your SSN and date of birth are legitimate. As a general rule, you should not supply this information up front, especially in combination with your credit card information. If you are unsure about a site's validity, please see the help section at the end of this guide for options.

11. Limit cookies.
Cookies that are deposited on your computer from third-party companies such as an advertising network (for example, Advertising.com, Atlas DMT, or Doubleclick) may track your activities over many Web sites. Most sites will allow you to browse without accepting cookies.

Set your browser to not accept third-party cookies. If you pick up third-party cookies, delete them. You can visit the Network Advertising Institute's (NAI) opt-out page and opt out of this tracking: http://www.networkadvertising.org/optout_nonppii.asp. Some companies that do not offer the NAI opt-out may allow you to opt out on separate pages.

12. Use an anonymizing service.
Research has found that most sites allow you to look at job ads using anonymizing services. By all means take advantage of this. Using these services, which are free, will protect you from cookies and other privacy threats. Visit www.anonymizer.com, www.nonymouse.com, and www.junkbuster.com for more information about anonymous browsing.

13. Be realistic about risks.
Even the most careful, conscientious sites cannot control your resume after an employer or a recruiter has downloaded it. Job sites do not have the ability to track or physically control how a recruiter or employer uses your resume after it is downloaded. Most sites watch for problems - such as rapid resume downloads -- and enforce terms of use agreements with employers and recruiters. But let the job seeker beware. When it comes to resume databases, some responsibility does fall to the job seeker to understand the risks involved in posting a resume in a database.

14. Avoid vague offers.
The more general the email "job" offer, the less valid it usually is. Vague wording like "We have thousands of jobs" or "We work with major companies" is a red flag. Requests to send in a new copy of your resume can spell trouble, too. Avoid vaguely worded offers, and avoid sending your resume in response to general email resume solicitations after you have posted your resume online.

15. Handling unsolicited email about your resume posting.
If you post a resume to a resume database and receive unsolicited email other than from legitimate employers or recruiters, be sure to notify the site where you have your resume posted and tell them you have received the email. Be sure to forward the entire email you received to the site so that it can take action. Again, the more vague the email, the less legitimate it is likely to be.

16. Keep good records.
Be sure to keep a record of where you have posted your resume. Remember to go back and delete your resume from the sites where you have posted it after you have finished your job search.

17. Your resume belongs to you.
According to current copyright law, you own your resume and the copyright on it. If you don't like how your resume is being handled, you have the right to complain and take action.

18. Resume posting options.
Job seekers have several options in circulating a resume.

One option is to reply to job ads directly without going through a third party. Look for a company-related email address to send your resume to. Another option is to post a resume directly on the Web site of the company you wish to work for. Working with one carefully selected "headhunter" or recruiter is also an option.
Many job sites and resume databases let you mask your contact information or email address when you post a resume. This resume posting option allows you to control who contacts you or not. If you are going to post a resume online, this should be the only way you post it.

Five Steps to Find a Job in Difficult Times

2009-05-07T08:19:00.000+08:00

By John Vespasian

Thanks to unemployment, newspapers and television are managing to recapture part of their lost audience. Pictures of forlorn job seekers alternate with interviews of puzzled white-collar workers who, until today, had never given a thought to the possibility of finding themselves on the street.

In some countries, the number of job seekers is reaching unheard-of proportions. Ireland and Spain, two of the worse cases, are on their way to a 20% unemployment rate. If disasters paralyse, absolute disasters can wipe out all capacity for action.

Should you be searching for a job, here is some advice to help you move faster on the road back to employment:

1.- FORGET ABOUT DEPRESSING UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS. No matter how bad the business downturn is, there are jobs out there. All you need to do is to find yourself one. If you are flexible, organized, and relentless in your approach, you won't remain unemployed for long.

2.- UNDERSTAND THE REASONS. Mass unemployment is a phenomenon that results from major shifts in the economy. You, as an individual, are in no way to blame for circumstances that affect a great segment of the population. Do not take it personally and, above all, do not waste a minute complaining.

You cannot change factors that are causing the loss of thousands of jobs in certain locations or sectors of the economy, but you can move away from those and, instead, seek a job in areas where you stand much better chances.

3.- GO WHERE THE MONEY IS. If companies in the field where you have been working for the last ten years are going bankrupt one after the other, you'd certainly want to move to greener pastures. The same principle applies if you reside in an area whose economy is in shambles.

Even in a downturn, there are bad places and horrible places to look for a job. Don't waste your time trying to land a job in companies that are falling apart. You have better things to do than seeking to get aboard The Titanic, now and for the rest of your life.

4.- BE RELENTLESS IN YOUR SEARCH. Don't post your curriculum vitae on just two web sites, but on twenty. If that doesn't work, then try another twenty. Call up ten companies per day, ask to talk to their human resources manager, and pitch your skills. If that doesn't work, call another ten.

Looking for a job is a tedious chore, but if you have to do it, you might as well give it all you have. The faster you get it done, the sooner you can go back to normal life.

5.- MAKE OFFERS THAT ONLY A FOOL WOULD REFUSE. As a result of your active search, you will be invited for interviews. If you really want the job for which you are being interviewed, chances are that you will get it if you manage to convince the other party that you are reasonably competent and extraordinarily motivated.

A big company might be too bureaucratic to appreciate your willingness to go the extra mile, but a small-business owner will be delighted to hear your plan to lower his risk of hiring you. Here are some examples:

* If the laws of your country allow it, offer to work for a token salary during a certain period, so that he can see how great you are.
* If you are looking for a job in a 24/7 operation, propose to work on the shift that nobody wants.
* If there is a location where nobody wants to go, volunteer to work there temporarily.

In some cases, this approach will bring no results, but sooner or later, an employer won't resist the temptation of accepting your offer. Use your flexibility to get your foot on the door. As soon as you have regained employment, you can go up from there.

If you have the drive and curiosity to be reading this, I have little doubt that you will do what you need to do. Focused thoughts and relentless action constitute the rational approach for finding a job, or in general, for achieving anything of value. May your job search be short and your success spectacular.

JOHN VESPASIAN writes about rational living. He has resided in New York, Madrid, Paris, and Munich. His stories reflect the values of entrepreneurship, tolerance, and self-reliance. See John Vespasian's blog about rational living.

http://johnvespasian.blogspot.com/

One Powerful Technique For Job Hunting

2009-05-05T09:51:00.000+08:00

By Chuck Linart

Lots of people these days are finding that job hunting is a pain in the neck. Right off the bat, let me just say that if you resume is not in tip-top condition, you need to take care of that first. If you do not look on paper like the type of person that someone would want to hire, you will not get any job, let alone the one you really want. If your resume or resumes are in good shape, though, read on because I want to share a story of how I got the best job I ever had and how that translated into the formulation of a winning strategy that I have deployed over and over with great success.

It is very simple, really. The main premise is that nobody can resist something that is offered for free. Successful marketers know that which is why you see so many, "Buy the Whacky Widget now and we'll throw in a Zany Doodad absolutely free"-type offers. We're going to be much more subtle than that in our approach to job hunting, of course.

Anyway, my story begins with my having moved halfway around the world to a town where I knew nobody. (Don't ask why.) I needed a job and had not been "working in my field" for quite some time. It was late spring, and the weather was fine so I hopped on my bicycle and pedaled to the employer for whom I wanted to work, which happened to be a major university. I knew that a summer session was about to begin and that most professors like to take the summer off so I seized the opportunity, strolling into my department of interest and asking to see the department head.

After introducing myself and handing over my resume, I blurted that I was so excited about the opportunity that I was willing to teach for free for the entire summer just to prove my mettle. She hired me on the spot, and I didn't even have to work one day without pay.

Though I have moved on, I always look back on that summer and the two years that followed as being among the happiest of my life. The point, though, is that offering your services for free is a great way to show your employer that you're really the person for the job. I've gotten several gigs since then in the same way, and I have never had to work without pay, except for one two-week stint volunteering at a not-for-profit.

You will have to adapt this knowledge to suit your own situation. Perhaps you could slip something into your cover letter about your willingness to prove yourself as an intern, even though you may have gobs of experience. You could place prominent notice in your resume. You could mention it in the interview. Anyway, it works. There's the knowledge. It's up to you to do something with it!

5 Common Reasons For Failure at a Job Interview

2009-05-04T09:16:00.000+08:00

By Derek Rogers

In the current economic climate these tips could give you that critical edge over other job seekers out there in the market.

The power is with the employers at present. Despite years of candidate driven markets, the tide has turned. Your CV and performance in interviews is now far more important. Are you ready to understand why you fail, and the routes to success above the rest?

The 5 Common reasons for failure at a job interview can be summarised as the following:

1. Lack of enthusiasm for the job, remember that boldness and confidence will do more at interview.

2. People demonstrating a strong attitude of what is in this for me? Be careful not to lead with this as it could prove fatal. You need to focus on what you can do for them; you need to convince the interviewer that you are the solution to their hiring needs.

3. Unclear and unspecific job / future goals - be clear about the job you are seeking. Summarise into three key points why you are specifically suited to the role.

4. Assuming that employers hire candidates based purely on credentials and experience. NO! This is not the case; credentials are only one of the factors. Surveys show that interviewers look for team fit, personality, confidence, communication and appearance (remember to dress smartly).

5. Not selling yourself enough, you have to realise you are selling yourself. Smile, it simply works.

Here are some statistics which you may find interesting:

5000 HR managers were asked "what do you look for most in a candidate?"

With 2756 replying in total, 2322 ranked enthusiasm at the top of their list. The remaining rated body language, tonality, and lastly the actual words spoken.

Remember the key to being enthusiastic is to smile, make eye contact and communicate succinctly/clearly.

Key Interview Points

Are you ready for the four key thoughts all employers have at interview stage? You must take the time to consider and understand what the interviewer wants from you.

I guarantee this is what they will be thinking:

1- What can you do for us?

2- What kind of person are you?

3- What distinguishes you apart?

4- Can we afford you?

Prepare strong answers around these thoughts and you won't go far wrong! Ask yourself what you can contribute to this company. Outline your thoughts and practice your answers.

Please remember to always prepare 4/5 questions to ask the employer. You must realise the brighter, more interested and more knowledgeable you appear the higher your chances of you securing the role.

Here are some ideas to help you succeed:

What's the company's mission and goals?
How can I play a part in growth and success?
What will I be judged on?
How can I surpass expectations?
What do you regard as a successful hire?
What are you looking this person you hire to achieve?
What are the opportunities for progression?
Most people can now expect 14-16 jobs per lifetime. Many jobseekers fail to develop good interviewing skills. This could be costing you more than you can imagine - if you improved your interviewing skills by 20% how much more likely are you to land your dream job?

Remember, the interview is not designed to be an inquisition. An interview is a mutual exchange of information, so try not to be too nervous. The key is practice, and knowing what to expect.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For Professional Recruitment Services, he recommends Consegna, one of the UK's leading Recruitment Agencies

Tips on Filling Out an Online Job Application

2009-05-02T06:47:00.000+08:00

By Will Stone

Given the recent downturn in the economy, many people have found themselves looking for a job. In some cases this is the first time that they've searched for a job using online tools, perhaps because they've been at their previous job for years, perhaps because they're used to being recruited and not actively searching. Regardless, there are many advantages to an internet based job search and some differences between that and the old school cover letter and resume approach. The most obvious difference is the online job application.

In many cases, hiring managers or recruiters have posted a job opportunity and specified that they do not wish to receive phone calls about the job. Certainly, one should look into the company one is applying to for employment, but what if that information is nowhere to be found on the job posting? The key to a successful online job application is following the wishes, written in black and white as well as between the lines, of the hiring manager.

It's important to read the job listing carefully to ensure that you provide all the information requested as well as coming up with a way to make your electronic submission stand out from hundreds of others. Look carefully at the job requirements and if available, the "wish list", a list of traits or experiences that the hiring manager would like to see in an applicant, but does not require.

Do not assume that your resume will be read in detail and do not make the cardinal mistake of sending off your resume with the minimal amount of personal information. Spend some time writing a cover letter in the "optional cover letter" box which details, in exciting or creative prose, specific examples of your past experiences dovetailing with hiring manager's "wish list" traits.

The online job application can look cold and boring, but the optional cover letter is your opportunity to catch the eye of the recruiter or hiring manager. It's your chance to show that you understand exactly what they are looking for, that you possess every trait and experience they desire, and that really, you are the best fit for their team.

That's a lot to get across in a few short paragraphs so choose your words carefully, read the job posting to find the best light to present yourself and remember, there is no physical presence or body language for the hiring manager to look at. The cover letter in the little box is the online representation of you, so make it as vibrant and exciting as you are!

Will Stone has offered employment tips and company background information for years to those that are looking to improve their lives. Click here for a Employment News or to learn more about what Will Stone offers take a look at his other tips for filling out an Online Job Application. It has always been important for one to be a productive member of society and one way is to have a positive impact as either an employer or employee and Will does all he can to offer aid to those with the same though process.

Job Finder Solutions

2009-04-28T05:53:00.000+08:00

By Shaun Hummel

This article discusses some best practice job search strategies for the information technology sector. According to a recent survey that studied the best practices for prospective employees obtaining employment with a company these were the best practices in order of effectiveness:

• Networking With Company Employees Is Most Effective

• Submitting Your Resume Directly To The Company Web Site

• Submitting Your Resume With Staffing And Service Companies

The following strategies employ all those practices of networking, submitting your resume directly to the company web site and leveraging the contacts and relationships recruiters have with company employees. In all cases the web sites and companies listed all are most profitable and fastest growing within the information technology industry. I have included as well some additional web sites focusing on a specific industry. The networking tools such as Linkedin and other such tools are key in your establishing contacts with employees of prospective companies.

I.T Staffing Companies
Staffing and service firms business model includes both contract, contract - permanent, and direct opportunities. The clients include fortune 1000 companies in North America across all industries. It is an excellent opportunity for the candidate to work with the company for a defined contract period while gaining industry standard experience and leverage that with new opportunities. A lot of the companies have some health insurance plan that is partial or fully funded. In addition there are training resources, 401K plans, and a multitude of other employee benefits. Submit your resume online with there companies and search current opportunities. Keywords are very important with resumes and any search process keeping that in mind

Cisco 10,000 Partner Network
This is a new venture Cisco has started linking skilled engineers with their 10,000 partner companies. These companies employ Cisco, Microsoft Engineers, Developers, Sales and Project Managers. The official name is cisco partner talent network.

Top 500 VAR Companies
This list of fastest growing technology companies is published each year based on revenues from sales and professional services. They hire network engineers, sales, project managers, administrative personnel, and developers.

Social Networking Sites
LinkedIn is the best known business social networking site with 35 million that focus on promoting contacts among business people, job seekers and those with common interests. Create your own group however have a strategy why your doing it.

See network job solutions for additional job solutions to help with your job search process including the job finder package.

Shaun Hummel
http://www.networkjobsolutions.com
http://www.zoomhosted.com

7 Essential Skills That Are Required For Any Job

2009-04-24T10:51:00.000+08:00

By John M. Glover

In this highly competitive economy, employers are looking for workers who can do more than just fill a vacancy - they are looking for people who can help them grow. While any job has a specific skill set associated with it, companies want workers with "evergreen" job skills that are always useful in changing times.

If you want to find a job that will let you grow professionally, you'll want to make sure that you have skills that will help your company grow right along with you. These skills will make you a highly sought-after candidate in any field, and will help you to keep the job you get:

1. Research skills

Nobody has all the information they'll ever need in their head (or on their desk) already, but if you know how to do research, you'll always be able to find the information in a timely manner.

2. Logic and reason

Every company runs into problems, and those problems need to be solved. A firm grasp of logic and reason will make you an invaluable asset.

3. Technological literacy

Computers have taken over the workplace, and every worker needs to have at least a basic level of skill and comfort with modern technology, just to be able to function.

You don't need to have a degree or special training in computers or information technology, but you'll be expected to have a basic level of ability to work with computers.

4. Communication skills

Every job will require you to communicate with other people, in speaking and often in writing as well. Employers are interested in workers who can express themselves clearly in their dealings with supervisors, underlings and co-workers.

5. Organization

A messy desk may be acceptable (though it is never recommended), but a messy approach to your work is never something an employer is looking for. You'll probably have to do a lot of different tasks, each with a different schedule and deadline, and being able to organize your work is crucial.

6. Interpersonal skills

Every workplace has people in it, and those people often have different personalities and temperaments. Being able to work well with others, and communicate across barriers of culture and personality is necessary.

7. Career-minded orientation

If you don't know where you're headed, neither does your company. Having a plan for your own career will make your employer more willing to help you achieve your goals since they will benefit from your growth.

These skills aren't the only ones that you'll need for your specific job, but they are skills that will make you an asset to any employer, and serve you well in any position that you'll find yourself in.

John Glover has been helping people to find jobs for many years. On his website http://blog.freejobhuntingtips.com he is offering tips on how to find and keep that perfect job. If you want to go from "Fired" to "Hired" by tomorrow then enroll in John's free 10 day job hunting course today at http://www.freejobhuntingtips.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_M._Glover

Where Can I Find a Job?

2009-04-19T04:55:00.000+08:00

By Waller Jamison

Finding a job at the moment is tough and with many people being laid off, it's getting even tougher. So if you have been asking the question "Where can I find a job?" what can you do?

When looking for a job at a time when the economy is unstable, it's important to widen your job search and to be open to new job hunting methods. The more traditional methods of job seeking are not the most efficient, even at the best of times and so are likely to be even less productive when times are hard.

This means that looking for a job by searching through the classified job advertisements and checking out the online job boards are not going to be the best ways forward. This doesn't mean that you should ignore them, but it would be wise not to make them your main source of potential vacancies.

Using contacts to find a job is by far the most efficient job search strategy. So you should have a look at who you know, and all the people they in turn know. You might not think that anyone in your circle of friends and acquaintances would be able to help you, but you don't know who they know.

Start out with colleagues from your previous jobs, and then look at college lecturers or professors you worked with as a student. How about other people who were students with you? You will have plenty in common with them, especially if you studied the same subjects. Is it possible that they might have contacts which would be useful to you?

You may have lost contact with your fellow students, especially if you left college a long time ago, but these days it's very easy to find people through social networking sites, many of which have groups for graduates of specific colleges.

Then think about your family. If your parents are still of working age, do they have friends or work colleagues who might be able to help? If they are retired, their friends might have children who could help.

If you have children yourself, they will have friends and will know more kids from school and after school activities. And those friends will have parents, who will have friends.

So whilst your immediate circle may not include people able to help you, you need to go beyond the people you see every day and ask them to speak to their friends, family and co-workers.

Next, make sure you sign up for our free mini course "How to Thrive in the Recession" at http://jobseekerssuccesskit.com/how-to-employment.html

And don't forget to read our tips on replying to job ads and discover more answers to the question Where can I find a job?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Waller_Jamison

Your Dream Job

2009-04-16T09:28:00.000+08:00

Your Dream Job - 5 Ways to Decide If You Should Be an Entrepreneur Or Employee

By Kimberly Damon

Sometimes turning a passion into a profession takes all the passion away. Other times it makes going to work seem like a day at the park. Often, the trick is not only making sure that you are doing work that you love, but that the way it is structured meets your other needs.

One - What is your risk tolerance?

This is a big one that is very subjective. Everyone has a different tolerance for risk not just for themselves, but also for those who depend on them to survive. Today, this is complicated even more by rampant unemployment and underemployment. Unless you are in health care, government, or the funeral business, you may not have much job security anyway. That said, there is a certain comfort level when you just show up to do a job, and aren't the person who is paying the electricity bill, hiring and firing, collecting payments, and other responsibilities of the business owner. In addition, consider if you'll need to buy "loss of use" insurance. What happens if you can't work, or if a hurricane drops a tree through the roof and you have to close for six months?

Two - Are you aware of the hidden costs of running your own business?

While a sole proprietor working at home has little additional expenses save quarterly tax filings and double social security and medicare taxes, a brick and mortar storefront is another matter entirely. Make sure you are aware of the various taxes, licenses, and miscellaneous fees the city, county, state, and federal government may require you to pay on employees, intangibles, and property whether you are profitable or not.

Three - How many hours do you want to work?

I know the notion of a "four-hour" work week is enticing to many of us. For the great majority, though, it 's going to take a while to get there. If you are running your own business, and you're striving for profitability, you may find that you feel like you aren't doing enough if you are doing anything besides working. If you'd really rather work only forty hours a week, you might prefer a dream job to your own dream business.

Four - Benefits

Do you work for benefits? Can you afford to buy independent health insurance, life insurance, and other benefits if you go it alone? Do some research to figure out how much your current benefits are worth in dollars and calculate how much that adds to your salary. Now add on the additional taxes you would have to pay to figure how much you would need to make as an entrepreneur to equal an employee.

Five - The Other Tasks

Let's say you love photography and so you want to open a studio. Some professionals estimate they spend more than fifty percent of their time not doing what they love, but marketing their business and searching for customers. Is that what you want? Or, truly, would you be happier working for someone else, but taking photographs full time? You don't have the control, but you actually do what you love more of the time.

In the end, many entrepreneurs find that they spend so much time on the management tasks of running a business that they aren't doing what they love. Others thrive on the challenge, excitement, and control of doing it all. The question is, what works for you?

A bonafide "Scanner" Kimberly Damon has learned a little bit about a lot of things in a career spanning several industries and functions. She combined that knowledge with her natural creativity to create Your Idea Genie. The genie helps people figure out how to find work that feeds their passions and fills their wallet.

If you have a Dream Business Idea or Dream Job Idea but aren't sure how to get started pursuing it, please visit Your Idea Genie. Each week, Your Idea Genie grants a few subscribers three ideas to help them move their dream forward. These ideas are published in a weekly email that only subscribers receive. You'll benefit from seeing all the dream business and dream job ideas, plus the granted ideas from the Genie. Your wish may be selected as well! http://www.yourideagenie.com

Copyright 2009

Applying For Enjoyable Job Opportunities

2009-04-14T12:55:00.000+08:00

By Uma A Ilango

Most people are raised to think that finding a job is supposed to be something that you toil at day to day, and that you are supposed to develop the discipline to put up with it for the sake of the money you will earn. The reality is that applying for enjoyable job opportunities provides you with more passion for what you do, more motivation to go to work to do the tasks that will pay you, and the right to brag to friends who are not enjoying themselves at their their own places of employment. All a person needs is the opportunity to find out what they like and the freedom to go out and get it.

Consider what kinds of work you could see yourself doing comfortably for 10 years or more. Think about the kinds of things you enjoy doing, whether it is working with your hands, helping others, or anything else that makes you excited. Choosing your proper opportunities based on things you enjoy will provide you with a foundation for making a steady income that will help to motivate you to go to work every day. If you are enjoying your work, there will be less stress and burden on your shoulders to perform at something you only see as work.

Do not let anyone discourage you from pursuing what you want to do instead of pursuing whatever is available. Many people do not appreciate someone with the courage to change the way they feel about their work. Seeking out opportunities without listening to negative individual's opinions or comments will help to empower you further for jobs that you really care about. Employers know when they talk to you that you are passionate about applying for enjoyable job opportunities and it will make them feel good that you chose to work with them in their establishment. Keep your head up and be persistent.

Be patient when looking for enjoyable job opportunities. Do not expect to get the first position you apply for, and it would be wise not to expect to get the job you enjoy right away. The economy is rough, and people are applying everywhere, but believe that you will find a job that you truly care about, and you will find exactly what you are looking for. If you make it a point not to be desperate about receiving the position you enjoy, you will receive it in due time.

Bigarticlepool.com is a source of expert content in the form of short, informative and educational or entertaining articles. We provide experts in hundreds of different niches from around the world. Thousands of new articles are added every month. Uma Ilango is a programmer from profession. Has lots of interest in non-technical writing too. She has written articles in several topics. Her hobbies include reading, surfing, writing and playing chess. She writes regulary at Bigarticlepool.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Uma_A_Ilango

Getting a Job? Not With Your Credit Score

2009-04-03T06:21:00.000+08:00

By Ryan J. Taylor

As more and more job seekers are searching for a new employer, the competition is quite thick. You have to be polished, qualified and have sharp interview skills. But more and more employers are not extending jobs to even the most qualified applicants. In many cases you must also pass a basic background check.

Employers are pulling the credit scores of potential employees before extending an offer. Not only does this information show them how responsible you are with your money, but a lot of other conclusions can be made as well. For instance, your credit report may show your previous addresses and previous employers, which can allude to your stability. Employers are not keen on hiring people that move around a lot, as it raises concerns that you could quit at any moment.

Your credit information can also show public records information, such as judgments, accounts in collection and bankruptcies. This tells employers that a potential employee may have big issues going on in their lives that can distract you from your job.

What an employer wants to see is a responsible person who has a credit score that is at least around the national average. Someone that is responsible enough to pay their bills can probably be trusted to show up to work everyday and do their job.

Employers have choices, and when it comes to hiring you over another person can come down to very slim differences. By knowing where you stand on the credit score scale, you can feel confident knowing you'll beat your competition.

See how your personal credit score compares to everyone else.

Look it up for free at at http://www.thecreditfix.info
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_J._Taylor

Are You Prepared For Your First Real Job?

2009-04-03T00:10:00.000+08:00

By Adam Singleton

Most people can remember their first job. But while it may be very far from being the pinnacle of your whole career, it is still a defining moment in your life; and there is a lot to think about as well. Preparing yourself to start your first job can take some time, depending on what you will be doing and where the job is located.

For example, some people may get a job working in a big city. If you live some distance away then you will need to arrange travel permits in order to make it quicker and easier for travelling to and from work each day.

Some companies provide an interest free loan to cover the cost of a travel pass. You may still need to buy a short term one to tide you over until you can get the loan though, so be sure you know what the situation is before you start.

Another thing you will probably need to think about is clothing. Some jobs require a uniform that is normally supplied to you, but that won't be the case if your position is based in an office. If you have come fresh from university, smart office clothing isn't likely to be a big feature in your wardrobe and that means you will need to think about buying some appropriate clothes to wear each day.

Therefore, once you have found out you have been offered that specific job it will pay dividends to jot down what you need to do before you show up on the first day. If you allow plenty of time to do this then you won't get caught out in a last minute panic either.

It is well worth taking a look at your finances too. University life is very different from your working life, and it makes sense to make that transition as smooth and pain free as possible. Make sure you know which account your new salary will go into, and have all the details to hand to give to your new employer.

Now is also a good time to think about setting up a savings account for the future. If you put away a small sum of money from each pay cheque you will set up a habit that will stay with you for life. Some people can find that starting a new job can be an expensive time. However, you can prepare for this by taking out a graduate loan to tide you over if needed. This can make the transition much easier to cope with, especially if you do have a lot of expenses to cover.

In the end you will look back on this time with fondness. But while you are going through it you should make sure you are as prepared as possible.

Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

It's okay to be confused

2009-03-25T08:45:00.000+08:00

by Koon Mei Ching

Perhaps it is because we understand more at a younger age these days; perhaps it is because we are allowed to experience more than we once could have; or perhaps it is because the world is getting smaller and our horizons are getting wider.

Whatever the reason may be, more and more graduates believe that they should...no, need to know exactly what they should do with their career once they leave university. Because many of you do not, you feel you have to "do" something else to help you find your way before you hit the job market. Whether it is taking a year out to travel, doing a Masters degree or volunteering to save the turtles in Venezuela, the reality is you probably will not be any wiser as to your future career.

But before you throw up your arms in exasperation, let me tell you one truth...most people never know exactly what they want to do with their lives when they leave university. Your parents probably did not, your uncles and aunts may not have had a clue, and I surely did not too!

It is okay to be confused. It is okay to be at a loss as to the kind of job you should take on when you leave university for the first time.

When I left university, I had a job in hand with Shell as a Finance graduate. I took it because it was the only job I interviewed for and heck, it was Shell! So I took a leap. My career journey since then has taken me through four career moves in six years but I have definitely enjoyed my ride in between. At 28, I can say I've found the perfect career in a great company that I might stick around with for a while - because I finally understand who I am and what makes me happy career-wise.

Your first few years out of university will be a process of discovery. You might get a job that bores you, is completely out of joint with your style or is in a field that does not engage you. Remember, you are not stuck in one job forever. When you have less obligations to deal with - being married with children, for example, IS an obligation - you have more leeway to make a few career mistakes. It only becomes a negative mistake if you do not learn from it.

Your career is one long journey that starts with your first job. At each job, you will learn new skills and enhance the ones you already have. These skills may not be specific knowledge in, say, database management or medicine. But they could take the form of project management, client liaison or business development - skills applicable in whatever field you are in. You also learn more about your own work style preferences - Do you like to work in a team or independently? Do you have a knack for managing financial numbers?

As you go down this journey, your skills base will build and you will understand your work style better. With each step in your journey, you will be able to focus your career path a little better because you are gaining real-life experience in a working environment.

Taking a year out is great to experience life and challenge yourself as a person in different situations, undertaking a Masters will develop your knowledge in a specific field and keep your student lifestyle of studying and partying one or two years longer, volunteering to save turtles will contribute to the earth and your tan line. But if you're looking to figure out what you want to do with your career life, it is unlikely that you will find it doing these things. To get this kind of clarity, it takes a few years living your career journey, making choices, and learning from your successes and mistakes.

One day in a few years, you will wake up and be excited about work because you are doing exactly what you wanted to do. Trust me, when that happens, it's a great feeling!

Source: Career Resources JobStreet.com

Learning To Network

2009-03-04T11:30:00.000+08:00

Networking is an important part of any job. Getting fresh ideas and perspectives can enhance the way you work and what you are able to contribute to your organization. While it is imperative that you make contacts, it isn’t necessary that you be the life of the party to do so. With this in mind, take note of these tips for making your networking a success
Make an effort to remember names.

Keep in mind that a person's name is the sweetest and most important sound in any language to them. People naturally feel friendly toward you if you've made the effort to remember this one important fact about them. And, because you took the effort, they'll likely feel you're already a friend. It's really fairly easy to remember people's names, and it may be the most important career skill you can learn. We go into detail on this strategy in the Dale Carnegie Course, but the key is to associate the person with something you can easily picture so you can recall this image when you are trying to think of their name.

Create conversations and be a good listener.Encourage others to talk about themselves, because people love to speak about their lives. All you have to do is ask a few leading questions and most people will keep the conversation going with only a few comments from you leading them to further details. Get people talking and before you know it, you'll have plenty of fresh contacts lined up.

Become genuinely interested in other people. Being a good listener is important, but the next step to keeping up the relationship is to really care about these people. Remember things about their personal lives or their jobs and sincerely show you care. For example, I once had a co-worker whose daughter had a serious illness. At least once a week I stopped by and asked how her daughter was doing. It doesn't take much of your time to make people feel as though you truly care about them, but it will forge lasting relationships that will help you throughout your career.

These are some truly easy ways, which can enhance your relationships with people both in your personal and professional life. Don’t worry that you are not the one doing all the talking. In most cases, it is best to listen and then share to form a real bond.
(Source: Dale Carnegie Archives)

How To Write A Winning and Marketable Resume

2009-02-22T07:33:00.000+08:00

by Steven Ho

"Your resume is the first point of contact with a prospective employer; so make sure it gives a good first impression"

Do you know that a typical executive job advertisement in Saturday's The Straits Times Recruit page can easily attract an average of 100+ job applications? How would you like to stand out among the crowd and be selected for the interview? As a HR professional and certified resume writer, I have had the opportunity to vet thousands of resumes and sat in several recruitment interviews. What became obvious was that those outstanding resumes usually get the attention of the HR Manager faster and therefore put them ahead of the rest in terms of getting an interview and of course, the job offer. But what makes a resume outstanding? Basically, it answers the following questions, which most resumes do not:

"Why should we hire you?"
"What can you value add to our organisation?"
"How can you best contribute to our company?"

Here are some additional tips which you may wish to consider before you submit another resume:

1. Start your resume with a summary of qualifications, which consist of three to five statements of your career experience. Unless you are a fresh graduate or intend to switch career, it is not appropriate to start your resume with an objective. I have observed that many executives, including senior management tend to overlook this, and miss out on the opportunity to highlight their best attributes right upfront, for example, " 15+ years of product marketing experience".

2. List your professional strengths next. Don't just give general statements but use keywords or buzzwords that companies and recruiters need to see, for example, "Marketing management", "Cost controls", and "Product training".

3. Highlight your achievements. Be clear and specific about what you have accomplished under different job positions or titles. Don't just state your job duties and responsibilities but go a step further to show the impact or results of what you have accomplished for the organization. Wherever possible, quantify your achievements, for instance, "increased sales turnover 80 percent through new product launch and innovative pricing strategies".

4. Having written your job responsibilities and achievements, you should then present your educational qualifications and training. The most common practice is to state the degree earned, name of university and year of graduation. Be true to what you say. For example, if you complete a three-year course but did not graduate, do not say that you have gotten the qualification.

5. Put some effort to make sure the overall layout or presentation of your resume gives a good visual appeal. Format your resume well. Choose the correct font size and layout to avoid too much white space. Also avoid cramming too much on one page. The overall effect should be that your resume projects a touch of class and professionalism.

Do remember that your resume ought to be a "marketing masterpiece" and not just a mere collection of past histories. Your resume is the first point of contact that determines if you should be granted an interview. It is therefore important to put your best effort in creating a good first impression.

Source: JobStreet. the #1 jobsearch

Work-Life Balance: Pipe Dream or Possibility?

2009-01-30T11:10:00.000+08:00

So which is it? A pipe dream or a possibility?

For those of you who haven't recently experienced the joy of a balanced life, then I can guess your answer. It's probably "pipe dream." Or is it "pipe dream you stupid *#+#@#$%!" If it's the second then you need this article worse than I thought!!

But even if you think it's a pipe dream and even if you think I'm crazy for suggesting that it's a possibility, there may still be hope for you. You know you can achieve anything in life if you really, really want it. And my guess is that many of you really, really want a work/life balance.
So what do you need to do to achieve this wonderful state? Well, as with achieving any goal, it's gonna take some hard work, ingenuity and a serious commitment to making it happen.
The busy professionals (let's call them stars for fun) I know who have successfully integrated their work and life outside of work take this whole balance thing very seriously. They are super-successful but yet they aren't at the office 12 hours a day. They're at home with their kids, or helping their aging parents or volunteering for their favorite charities or even out taking rumba lessons! "How do they do it?" you ask.

Five simple reasons.

Number 1
They are super organized.You won't find piles of papers and file folders strewn about their work areas. No way. They keep their offices filed, clean, and organized. And no - it is not because they all have secretaries. In fact, many of them don't. They understand how much time they save by staying organized, so they have made it a way of life.

At any given time you can go to these people, ask them for something and they can find it in under a minute. Do you know how much time is wasted looking for work-related items that are improperly filed? A ton!

So just get organized. Read a book about it. Implement the basics. For example when you are opening mail, make a decision on the spot about each piece you touch. Don't let junk mail take up precious real estate in your office. Dump it already!!

Number 2
They don't let anyone manage their timeStars who have achieved "the balance" are masters at setting boundaries. Think you'll talk one of them into some non-essential use of company time. Not! Don't try and talk one of these guys into taking over that project you don't feel like doing. It's not gonna happen. Stars are really good at saying "no;" a lesson many people have yet to learn. They set their course and deviate from it only when absolutely necessary. Like when their boss wants them to do something.

Now I'm not saying that the stars are all duds and never spend a social minute at work. They do. But they don't do it a lot. And you won't catch them getting involved in idle gossip. You see they are on a mission to be efficient (remember efficient does not equal corporate stooge) at work and lollygagging around the water cooler just doesn't fit into their plan.

Number 3
They are ingeniousThe stars are constantly looking for ways do things better, faster, cheaper, more efficiently. This not only helps them to get their job done more quickly but demonstrates to their boss a constantly improving performance level.

Number 4
They understand the delicacy of "the balance"Achieving the balance is like walking a tightrope. One false move and it's splat-city, baby. And believe me, stars don't want splat-city, so they are very careful to walk the tightrope carefully. Stars are constantly analyzing projects, people, meetings, opportunities, to see if they will potentially lead to splat-city. If there is even a chance that it will, they will avoid the splat-inducing situation at all costs.

Number 5
They are committed to the balanceMost stars who have achieved "the balance" have experienced a time in their life when things were terribly out of balance. They were living in splat-city full time. They understand the cost of living in that nasty place. They know that it costs them their sanity, their relationships with spouse, kids, friends, their health. And the list goes on and on.

But something happened to these stars and they were able to move forward and get to the place of balance. And believe me...they don't wanna go back.

So they have committed to doing what it takes to stay in balance. They are ever-mindful of staying in balance. The minute they forget their commitment, they lose their footing and get another taste of splatsville. But not for long. They re-commit and proceed more committed than ever before! They are like balance groupies. They love it and can't get enough of it!
So...what do you think? Are you ready to throttle our stars, or are you ready to join their ranks and reap the rewards that they enjoy on a daily basis. It's your decision, of course, but I say you should go for it. You can do it if you want it bad enough.

Now go out there and be a STAR!

Tips for Effective Time Management

2009-01-19T23:50:00.000+08:00

Heed these time-saving tips and put yourself in control of your work and personal life!
Are you always on the run? Coming to work earlier and leaving later? Working even on Saturdays and Sundays? Perenially fatigued, harassed and irritable?

Time to slow down, say your concerned family and friends. But wait. It may not be a case of being overworked as much as a simple case of poor time management. Heed these time-saving tips and put yourself in control of your work and personal life!

1. Make a plan.
Planning is the key to time management. But don’t just make a great-looking plan, implement it and stick to it! Be sure it’s a realistic one that provides for the usual interruptions, distractions and delays.

2. Believe you’re entitled to some personal time.
Take a holistic approach to planning. Incorporate time for family and friends, hobbies, exercises and outings rather than giving them whatever scraps of time are left. Leisure time is never wasted time, but precious personal space that allows you to put your life in perspective and recharge your batteries to perform better at work.

3. Don’t be a perfectionist.
Complete projects within the time frame you’ve set-and deliver. Wanting to do a great job is one thing; being obsessed about it to the point of going over the details again and again and missing your deadline is another.

4. Learn to say no.
Inability to refuse more projects, invitations and responsibilities is a major cause of work pileup and torpedoes your carefully laid-out plans.

5. Know your priorities.
Make a list of your priorities and label them according to importance and urgency. Tackle the most important first, hopefully move on to the medium-priority projects and do the low-priority items when and if you have the time.

-- Reprinted from the Summit PublishingCo., Inc. newsletter "@summit atbp."

Job Search: Selling yourself with a "Wow"

2008-12-19T05:44:00.000+08:00

Blaine, Washington - America is probably the most heavily marketed-to society in history. Every day, in print, on television and even on the Internet, there's deluge of advertising, all carefully designed to capture consumers' attention. Persuasive product messaging is key to any company's effort in "building a brand" that is both desirable and completely unique. In a tough U.S. job market, employment seekers will have to do some of the same brand-building that traditional product advertisers do.

Those applicants who want to stand out from the pack must promote their salable skills and experiences using the same American brand-centric "wow" techniques that marketers employ. You are selling a product, and the product is you. This "wow" principle is even more important for you if you are applying for a position from outside of America. Your competitors may be applying for the position from within the USA, and the applicants from within the States will most likely be more appealing to the employer as it is more convenient for them to hire a person who is already in the country and is ready to start work.

For this reason alone, it is very important for you to sell yourself to the employer in the best possible manner and present yourself as the BEST candidate for the job. Marketing yourself with what I call the "wow factor" is a delicate task. The initial spark for product branding is: The Right Product With The Right Message. You must use this mantra when you market yourself to an employer, as you are the advertising campaign for yourself. Before you "wow" anyone, you first have to be sure of what it is you are selling, and who you are selling it to. You must find out what your "consumer" - the Employer - is seeking from an employee and design your "wow" campaign toward getting yourself that important first interview. So before you apply for any job, try to learn as much as possible about the company you're seeking employment with. Use the Internet to find their corporate website or search for cached news stories about their successes, and their failures.

Make a file on the company so that you know what they do, who they appeal to, and what their needs are. After you've done your research, you may want to try to arrange an informational interview as a casual employment seeker. These types of interviews are not always easy to set up outside of the traditional corporate recruitment campaign, but if there's a sympathetic person in a particular department you'd like to find employment with or in the company's human resources department, you should jump at the opportunity to learn more. Use your investigative knowledge to discover or confirm who their "ideal" employee is, what their department or organizational needs are, etc.

This is what advertisers would call a Market Survey. From there, it's a matter of designing your advertising - your "wow" campaign -- to attract the employer's attention. From your informational interview and research, you'll have a pretty clear idea of exactly how to design your employment campaign to directly appeal to the company or industry. Use the details you've gleaned from your research to assemble a cohesive and impressive cover letter and American-style resume. Successful "wow" employment campaigns will cut through the clutter of other job applicants. Things like creating your own website that you can direct potential employers to is a trendy idea. Online, you can display your statistics, your portfolio of accomplishments, even a pictorial history of successful projects you worked on.

A website doesn't replace a resume and portfolio, but instead reinforces it, and allows the employer to potentially spend some more time with "you" on their own time, at their convenience, learning more about you. This kind of web presence not only explains just what you do, but also shows that you have the good organizational skills needed to build and launch the site, the creative talents you have to offer to the job, and your determination to speak to the employer on a business-to-business level. Another winning, if less visual and more direct, way of reaching potential employers is to advertise yourself like a product in trade or professional association publications.

This can be an expensive proposition, but if you pick your placement carefully and economically, you will be speaking directly to an audience that is prepared to appreciate your skills and talent. Many of these industry-specific newsletters and magazines offer low-cost or free classified listings for job seekers. Every stage of your job search is a part of your branding campaign to make a good impression on the employer. At all points in the job application process, you and your efforts are being critiqued. It is important to always be at your best and always be your true self. This kind of brand building or self-marketing will serve your purpose to "wow" the employer, and most likely get you the job interview you want.

Salary Negotiations

2008-12-17T06:19:00.000+08:00

KOhila Dhevi A/P N.Subramaniam
Do a research on your experience and position. Familiarise yourself with the relevant salary range. Determine the salary range that you want to negotiate and be firm about the lowest to want to accept. Consider other additional allowance while negotiating. For contractual positions, know exactly what is the package offered. If there is no medical benefit, ensure the salary offered is at least 10% extra.

Mariatul Kibtiyah Silahudin Jarjis
When negotiating for that dream wage, consider these points: Can you commit to the extra responsibilities that come with the higher salary you are asking? Is it within the acceptable salary range for the job? Is the company prepared to meet your demand? Don't be greedy. Negotiation should be a win-win for both you and the company!

Ramli Bin Md Noor
To negotiate a better compensation package, you have to sell yourself as the best possible candidate and then demonstrate why your qualifications justify a higher salary. First, sell yourself. Describe the unique skills you bring that other candidates cannot offer and demonstrate how these skills add value to the company. Position yourself as having a skill set superior to others candidates in similar positions. Before negotiating salary, do some research to determine the appropriate salary for your position based on geographic location, position level, responsibilities and skill set. Obtain information from several sources and compare the results to determine a range of acceptable salaries. Then bring this information and your unique skills to the table to justify a salary at the higher end of this range.

Fabian Tan Han Pheng
When you negotiate salary, the interviewer will normally ask how much you want. You should respond with confidence and logic, relating your request to your capabilities, qualifications and experience. Some interviewers look at your salary range as your capability to work. Please be aware that the requested salary will be related to the stress that you will face once you are accepted for the job.

Mohd. Suhaimi Hashim
If the interviewer suggests a salary lower than what you reasonably expect, do not uprightly mention that it is very low and inadequate. Try to convince him/her about your great strengths and your ability to jump in and make some distinct improvements to the company. These are not cheap and the requested salary should not be too much.

Kugendran Shanmuganathan
Remember that qualification does not necessarily equal Salary. Salary is equal to skill sets and responsibilities.

Choosing the Right Workplace

2008-12-16T11:30:00.000+08:00

Consider these factors when you decide to join a company or leave an organization for job change:

~Scope of Work
~Field of Interest
~Skills Application
~Morale or Culture
~Working Conditions
~Working Days/Hours
~Geographical Location
~Education and Training
~Self Improvement
~Salary
~Bonus
~Promotion
~Fringe Benefits
~Personal Value
~Responsibilities
~Organization Goals
~Organization Prospects
~Relationship with Superiors
~Relationship with Colleagues
~Relationship with Subordinates

Eight Essential Telephone Etiquette Tips

2008-12-12T06:13:00.000+08:00

Even in these days where we communication mainly by e-mail or SMS, the first contact a customer has with your company is often through the good old telephone. Make sure it's not the last with these eight simple etiquette tips.

Answer the phone within 3 rings.
Answer on the first ring if possible. If you don't answer fast enough, your caller may hang up in disgust and call your competitor.

Calm down before you answer the phone.
This is particularly important if you're having a heated discussion with a colleague or dealing with looming deadlines. Take a deep breath to regain your composure before you pick up the phone.

When you answer the phone, begin with a greeting.
(Hello/Good morning/Good afternoon) followed by your company name and then identify yourself. E.g. "Good morning, Widgets Inc. Mary Lee speaking." Starting with "Good morning" or "Hello" starts your conversation on a cordial note, and allows the caller to hear your company name and your name clearly.

Smile when you speak on the phone.
This may seem odd when the caller can't see you, but it really does make a difference in your tone of voice and your attitude.

If you need to transfer a call, tell the caller who you are transferring them to before putting them on hold.
Tell the caller the name of the person to whom he or she will be transferred, or at least the name of the department. E.g. "I'll transfer you to Zahara / Sales." If possible, give them that other party's direct number before putting them on hold. Don't just say "Hold on please" and leave them to wonder what's going to happen. Also, accidents do happen and you might get cut off. When they call back they will be able to dial or ask for that other person directly.

Use the mute button wisely.
Most modern telephone systems have a mute button. Make sure you know how to use it. When you need to transfer a call or if you need to put the caller on hold to look up something, make sure to push that mute button; don't just put your hand over the mouthpiece. You never know what might happen that you won't want a caller to overhear.

Don't keep them on hold forever.
Never keep a caller on hold for longer than 20 seconds. Even if you haven't found the answer for them, check every 15 seconds or so to make sure they're still on the line – and to let them know that you're still on the line. Nothing turns off a potential customer faster than thinking that they've been forgotten.

Hang up last.
When winding up a call, make sure the caller hangs up before you hang up. He or she may think of something to ask at the last moment, and you don't want to risk leaving them talking to a dial tone!

http://www.jobsdb.com.my

My first resume: a guide for fresh grads

2008-12-11T06:35:00.000+08:00

The key to effective resume writing is knowing what your strong points are. By drawing attention to experiences that highlight these strengths -- academic, extra-curricular or even volunteer work -- your resume can be a powerful tool to land you that much coveted first job.

Jing Santamaria graduates this March with a degree in management from a large Manila university. While excited about leaving school behind, she can't erase niggling fears about her chances in today's tough job market. Can she compete with thousands of other jobhunters, many of whom can boast of years of professional experience, impressive track record and work skills she doesn't have?

Many new graduates are feeling a lot like Jing these days. But there's no need to fret. With a little creative thinking, you can greatly enhance you employment chances. The first thing to do is draft a power resume that will grab hiring managers' attention.

"The resume provides the job applicant the proverbial 'foot-in-the-door' that could later lead to an interview," says Mr Ernesto O. Cecilia, immediate past president of the Personnel

Management Association of the Philippines or PMAP. "If you want the prospective employer to be interested in you as a possible employee, you better compose an effective resume. Otherwise, your 'bio-data' will end up with others in the trashcan." So how does a new college graduate go about making that sellout resume? The power of packagingIf you'd been a working student, your job experience-no matter how lowly you think it is-comes in handy.

It all depends on how you package it. For instance, translate your six-month stint at Jollibee into effective resumespeak: "Gained valuable service-oriented experience at a fast-paced, high-volume business." Or, how would you describe your part-time job at a paging company? "Developed communication skills and customer-relations experience at a well-established telecom company."

By choosing your words with care, you can show prospective employers that despite the lack of experience at a genuine career, you're not exactly wet behind the ears in the work environment. And even without any work background, you can still apply this packaging ploy to describe your school life and how it relates to the position you're applying for. Show that though not an expert yet, you have some experience that could be useful in the workplace. Dina, who's worked as a TV news reporter for a year now, did exactly that.

In her resume, she highlighted her stint as a TV intern and was hired to an entry-level position in a TV newsroom. About her internship, she wrote: "Active member of roving news team, took down notes and conducted interviews with government figures and wrote reports for the 7 p.m. news." Another new graduate, Don, a Literature major, used his experience as a writer for the school paper to land a position in a political magazine, while Delia's stint as a part-time accountant's aide in college served her well when applying for a position at a Makati-based accounting conglomerate.

What's important to remember is that your resume should not be a mere listing of your college jobs, the courses you took, your grades, the seminars you attended. Rather, it should point to your achievements, your leadership qualities and how you performed beyond expectations. Say you headed the group that won first prize in a school debate, then highlight that as an example of your leadership skills. Or, if you took an active role organizing school plays, include that to prove your organizing and coordinating skills. You want to show potential. Dos and don'tsSo, you've managed to package yourself well, turning what you thought was a lemon into a lemonade. But that's not all there is to a brilliant resume. Below are some dos and don'ts to bear in mind: Avoid spelling boo-boos.

Errors of any kind reflect poorly on the job applicant, especially simple typo blunders, says Mr Cecilia, who exhorts applicants to proofread their resumes over and over until they're perfect. Streamline. Remove personal pronouns like "I" and articles like " a," "an" and "the" to create punchy phrases and save space. Don't write: "As a service crew, I was assigned to wait on customers, maintain cleanliness of the food area and cook."

Better: "Acquired expertise in customer service, food area maintenance and fast-food cooking." Use power verbs. Enliven your resume with action words that tell the reader what you did and how well you did it. They show that things happened when you were around. Instead of writing, "I learned to use Excel, " say, "Assisted chief accountant in drafting worksheets using Excel, cutting work from six hours to three." The standard formatAccording to Mr Cecilia, a well-written resume should have the following elements in the given order: Job objective, to immediately tell the recruiter whether he has a match between the applicant and the job opening.

Mr Cecilia cites as good examples of job objectives:"Managerial or supervisory position in the manufacturing division of a large petroleum company." "Professional or technical position in a laboratory of a large pharmaceutical multinational company." Relevant experience and skills, in lieu of work background, highlighting your scholastic achievements or job stints while in school.

Education and training, providing an overview of your general educational background. "Be sure this is properly highlighted by listing down in reverse order all the degrees you received," Mr Cecilia says. "You may limit your list up to your high school diploma. Enumerate the schools, the degree and the exclusive years you were in school and your scholastic honors, if any." Personal background, revealing only personal information that has bearing on the job.

Says Mr Cecilia. "You need not state present salary or salary desired, age, sex, marital status, health and hobbies. Leave a little something for the interviewer to ask when you are called for an interview."

References, with "Available upon request" normally sufficing "The recruitment officer knows that you will list down names that are very partial to you and will probably not bother calling them. But they do their own background information and believe me, they have a way of getting the right information," Mr Cecilia adds.

In essence, what it all boils down to is believing in yourself. If you downplay yourself because you think all you've got is your degree, then others will too. Think you have got what it takes, and you'll rise to the occasion.

Top 10: Interview Mistakes

2008-12-06T06:18:00.000+08:00

Most of the time, potential job candidates are not aware of the mistakes they make before and during the interview. These small mistakes that might cost them a job.

Number 10: Running Late Without Notice.
Turning up late for the interview and never calling to say you are running late will not give a good impression to your potential employer. If you are running late, do inform your interviewer and apologize that you are running late and ask if it is possible for you to attend the interview a little bit late or just request for the interview to be rescheduled if that is not possible.
Of course, the worst that could happen which could quash your employment chances is your attitude when you do not even bother to turn up at an interview without calling.

Number 9: Lack of Preparation
Preparation for an interview includes:
~Research on the background of the company
~Bring along an extra copy of your resumé and relevant supporting documents, just in case
~Be prepared with the answers for possible common interview questions
~Rehearse on your speech, clarity, confidence, etc. prior to the interview

In the event that you are required to attend an interview at short notice and you applied for a job with no company description stated in the ad, keep your cool and ask questions during the interview to know more about the company.

It is recommended that you carry an extra copy of your resumé in your working bag just in case you ar e called for a job interview during your lunch/tea break at short notice.

Number 8:Lack of Confidence/Over Confidence
Lack of confidence could be perceived by potential employers as your lack of preparation; being nervous could also be giving the impression that you are trying to cover something or is lying. Being over confident may turn interviewers off as you may be viewed as being too big-headed or you may be viewed as a braggart who talks more than you deliver.

Number 7: Talking Too Much
It is not wise to talk too much and fail to listen and understand the questions asked. Listen carefully to answer the questions asked, be clear and concise in your answers to show that you understood the question and are not just rambling for the sake of talking. Be specific and respond directly to the questions asked. Be careful with your selection of words and think before you say anything to decide if what you are going to say is necessary or appropriate.

Number 6: Inappropriate Dressing
Avoid revealing clothes or being underdressed - stick to conventional dressing, i.e. mono colours and minimal accessories.

Number 5: Body Language
Avoid weak or too strong handshakes, minimal or almost no eye contact with the interviewer and slouching when seated. Keep a straight back when seated and refrain from fidgeting or shaking your legs, twitching your nose, biting your nails or other signs that showed your nervousness. Take a deep breath to remain calm and be aware of your body language. Your body language tells your interviewers more about you than your speech.

Number 4: Criticising or Slating Your Previous Employers/Company/Colleagues or Complaining About Your Day
No one likes a person who complains, keep in mind that it is not a recommended icebreaker. You are being interviewed to promote yourself as the best possible candidate for the post, not to criticise others or complain about the train/car that broke down on your way to the interview.

Number 3: Lying or Concealing Information
Never attempt to lie or cover up any vital information, no matter how important you thought it was for you to conceal the information. You may land the job but how long it will be before you are found out?

Number 2: Failing to Ask Questions
Ask questions to show that you are interested in the job, lack of enthusiasm is a killer of your chances of employment.

Number 1: Money Talk
Never bring up talk on salary at the beginning of the interview. Only talk about salary or your employment package, i.e. remuneration, benefits, etc. when the interviewer asks you or the matter has not been brought up and the interview is near its end.

9 Tips for Better Online Job Hunting

2008-12-05T06:52:00.000+08:00

Job hunt - a "task" that influence your future and life goes without saying that the Internet has drastically changed the way people today hunt for jobs. It's probably been a few years since you've submitted a resume via mail or fax. But even most professionals turn to the Internet for help locating a new position, not all understand the finer points of a Web-based job search.

Following are some tips to keep in mind the next time you look online.

Number 1: Top Job sites
It's prudent to start your job search by visiting top job sites such as JobsDB.com because of the sheer number of listings offered. In addition, employers of all scales and industries are apt to list their job openings on sites with strong brand recognition. If you're at a crossroads in your career or willing to relocate, the big boards offer the widest view of what jobs are currently available.

Number 2: Submit your online resume or ready-made resume
Resume and cover letter are the marketing tools to sell yourself to the employers. Employers will judge you based on your resume. You must ensure that the submitted resume is great and containing the essential details. You may spend some time to fill in your online resume step-by-step. Or, to save your time, you may make use of the resume upload function to upload your ready-made resume to the recruitment site if you have it on hand. The advantages of a full online resume over a ready-made resume is that it guides you through developing a good resume without missing out the important details that all employers would like to know about the candidates. But be mindful of your spelling and grammar when typing information directly onto online forms.

Number 3: Essential of Resume Update regularly
Always get your resume prepared with updated information to tackle every opportunity when great openings present. In order to maximize the opportunity of getting hired, you should regularly update your resume with relevant accomplishments, new job duties, recently achieved certifications, and other similar achievements.

Number 4: Get jobs come to you, Job Alert Subscription
In addition to search the large boards, you may get the jobs come to you by subscribing to service offered by recruitment site - Job Alert! The service allows the job seeker to specialize your preferred job function and suit to your field. Besides, it always keeps you up-to-date on opening or position offered by employers. All you need to do is check your email daily to get the job alert, you may apply directly when suitable job found. Subscribe now to Job Alert!

Number 5: Appropriately utilise quick apply
Most job sites enable users to apply for a position with a simple click of the mouse. But don't blindly apply. Recruitment managers seek tailored resumes that directly tie a job seeker's unique skills and abilities to the requirements of the position. Take the extra time and effort to customize your application materials to each specific opportunity.

Number 6: Be an expert in job hunting
Make yourself full with knowledge of job hunting especially for newcomers to the job market. Guides to write great resume and cover letter, negotiating your salary, tips of attending interview, asking the right question in the interview and so on are the precious intellectual treasures for your career hunting. You may subscribe to e-Newsletter where you can receive lots of useful tips on job hunting. Sometimes, you may find some special messages or special recruitment messages from the employers. So, don't miss them, it is vital! They may change your life. Let's subscribe to e-Newsletter now.

Number 7: Let the resume be searchable
Always keep your resume "open" for searching! A searchable resume will open the door to be head hunted by the potential employers. You don't know when the employers will knock on your door unexpectedly to offer you a job opportunity. Probably you will receive some resume request from employers which are unexpected or you may not be interested on the positions offered. But you can still send a resume and cover letter to the company to widen the opportunity, as anything can happen in future.

Number 8: Scanning oldies for goodies
It is a big mistake to limit your search to positions posted in the last few days. Some positions posted one month ago might still available; especially hard-to-find skills are required. It will be advantageous to focus on oldies opening while most job seekers focusing on recent postings, you may be competing with fewer candidates.

Number 9: Follow up
When job hunting is done online, it's critical that you follow up with prospective employers after applying for a position. If you've submitted your application and haven't heard back from the company, make a call or send an e-mail to verify that the resume was received and to reassert your interest in the position. But it should be done within two weeks of submitting application materials.

An online job hunt shouldn't be the only strategy you use to find a new position while the Internet has revolutionized the way job seekers connect with prospective employers. The best searches combine various approaches, including exploring the services offered by recruiting and staffing firms, touching base with members of your professional network, and participating in industry events where you can hobnob with hiring managers.

Articles from Jobs DB.com

It's still the First Impression stupid!

2008-12-04T06:42:00.000+08:00

by Paul Shearstone
In the 1992 USA Presidential election, political strategist James Carville hung a sign in Bill Clinton's Little Rock campaign office that read, "It's still the economy, stupid." His intent? Simply to keep everybody focused on the most important issue of the day. History clearly demonstrates he was right and George Bush Sr. was soundly defeated.

The lesson to be learned from this is that even the most important among us; the inarguably qualified, are still not immune to a potential to overlook the obvious.

When it comes to job-hunting, nearly everyone's heard the mantra; You never get a second chance to make a first impression. True words to be sure – the importance of which, few will argue. Nevertheless, too many of us fail to appreciate how critical and how important the first impression really is.

Need proof? Try a little experiment of your own. Sit down at a local mall or somewhere there are people to pass by you. Assume for a second that every person you see is more than qualified for whatever job you want to imagine. Your task is to look at each person and decide whether you would offer them a job or not.

Strange as it may sound, you'll find yourself saying things like, "That Person? Definitely not! Him? Maybe. Her? Not sure. That person? Without question!" and so on.

The fact is, you can evaluate people and the reason is, we ALL do it subconsciously ALL the time. It's intrinsic to fundamental human interaction regardless of who we are or where we come from. Ironically, we couldn't stop engaging in this activity even if we wanted to.

The chilling part of doing an experiment like this comes with the realization you could and were making INSTANT value judgments based solely on first impressions that, if it were in the real world, would have significant consequences [positive or negative] on the lives of those you've judged - and it only took you a second! Would it be too Carvillian of me to point out, "It's still the First Impression stupid!" for success in the practice of job hunting?

Reflecting on my own experience as a trained recruitment interviewer for a Fortune 500 Company, first impressions colored nearly every interview. That's not to say people were hired strictly on the way they looked but rather to point out those who made poor first impressions put themselves at an obvious and avoidable disadvantage from the get-go.

There is another misunderstanding as it relates to first encounters. A first impression has so nothing to do with having to look like a movie star and everything to do with Looking the Part.

Clearly few of us can compete with Britney Spears and I've never seen Brad Pitt looking back at me whenever I look in the mirror. The important aspect to understand here is that we must take what ever genetics has given us and then work diligently to a) ensure we make the best of it, and, b) make certain our appearance is convincing.

Professional actor Dustan Hoffman has played many convincing roles ranging from a gangster to a woman. Aside from his obvious acting talent, what made him credible was how he appeared. A dress and makeup were essential for his role in Tootsie but hardly believable for his part as the Savant in Rain Man.

We can learn another lesson from actors. Practice, Practice, PRACTICE! Long before any actor steps on stage or in front of the camera, considerable time and effort has gone into rehearsing for the role expressly to achieve one thing - Believability!

Actors look for guidance from other actors and directors in a focused effort to improve their presentation. Would it make sense we do the same if our comport; how we look, walk, talk, sound and appear - in the span of a few seconds - may make the difference in getting a job or not?

The Bottom Line:Too often the barriers that challenge us for success in anything are indeed fundamental, obvious and avoidable. In job hunting, we'd do well to observe James Carville's minimalist approach and remember, "It's STILL the First Impression stupid!"

From JobStreet.com

How to get a new job – fast!

2008-11-30T17:23:00.000+08:00

by Atul Mathur

Here is a true story of someone who got a new job in six days by tapping the job market, which most job seekers don’t see.

Day 1: A friend of mine, Mr Helpful, asked me if I could help a friend of his, Mr Smart, by forwarding his resume to some of my friends. I said: "Okay, please send Mr Smart's resume to me."

Day 2: Mr Helpful sent Mr Smart's resume to me, which I forwarded straightaway to two of my friends, Mr Hire and Mr Fire.

Day 3: Mr Hire, who works for a US multinational, called Mr Smart and invited him to come for an interview.

Days 4 & 5 (weekend): No action!

Day 6: Mr Smart appeared at the interview and got the job!

It all happened in less than a week. There is, however, nothing miraculous about it. Miracles, by definition, are not supposed to happen every day. The way Mr Smart got the job is how the majority (yes, majority!) of jobs get filled up in the job market – every day!

According to some estimates, about 70-80% of jobs are filled up in this manner – without ever being advertised. Welcome to the invisible job market!

As a job seeker, you may think the best way to get a job is to look for ads in the newspapers, magazines and job search web sites, send in applications and then wait for interview calls.

The reality is that the job market you see in the newspapers and on the Internet is only about 20-30% of the total job market. The larger job market remains invisible. For every vacancy you see in a newspaper or on the Internet, there are three or four that you do not see and will never see.

If you want to get a job fast, focus a larger (not all!) proportion of your efforts to tap the invisible job market. And that means doing something as simple as Mr Smart did: Telling those you know that you are looking for a job and sincerely asking them to help you. This is also known as "networking."

The approach of involving others works because it is like adding 20 or 30 more eyes to our own two while searching for a job. It makes the search easier and faster.

There are two more ways you can tap the invisible job market:
1. Approach potential employers directly even if they have not advertised any vacancies.
2. Approach recruitment agencies.

If you have been looking for a job for quite some time without success, try changing your strategy. Start focusing on the invisible job market. Your search may end faster than you can imagine.

Copyright © 2006 by Atul Mathur
Atul Mathur is a career coach and the author of two ebooks The Best Career Move: Know Yourself and The Secret of Finding the Right Career Direction.Web site: www.atulmathur.com

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Five Quick Steps to a New Job

2008-11-30T17:11:00.000+08:00

by Atul Mathur

On the face of it, getting a new job appears to be a straightforward affair: Just look for job opportunities in the newspapers or on the Internet, prepare resumes, send applications, appear at interviews and accept job offers. The process is indeed simple; it is not rocket science. Yet, as you probably know, a job search can sometimes extend to painfully long periods of time, going up to months or even years. And when a new job does not come along after repeated attempts, it is common for job seekers to point fingers in various directions.

Some people blame their qualifications. Some see the general scarcity of jobs as the main problem. To those who have many years of experience, the age appears to be the main barrier. There is no doubt that economy, market demand, qualification, experience, age and luck all play a part in making it easy or difficult for you in the job market. But unfortunately, what most people do not realise is that a set of completely different factors is more responsible for their long, inconclusive job search. To understand these factors, you have to first understand the hiring process.

Getting a job is like surviving a multi-round game of elimination, which begins with spotting job opportunities and ends at interviews. Some people do not use the right job search methods and thereby fail to even spot job opportunities. They get eliminated even before the real game begins. Some do see the job opportunities, but their weak and unacceptable resumes fail to open doors for interviews. Out of those who survive up to the interview stage, many bow out of the race because they fail to project their own value to the employers. Finally, the winner is someone who survives all through and proves to be the best among fellow survivors.

If you have been looking for a new job for quite some time and are in the mode of blaming lack of opportunities, education, experience, luck, age, etc. for your current situation, it is time you shift focus to the way you are playing the game. Specifically, pay attention to the following five steps.

Play by the rules
It was Albert Einstein who said: “You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.” Play by the following rules:

~Rule of least effort: At every stage of your job search, ensure that employers spend least effort (and time) while dealing with you.
~Rule of Needs and Means: Your success lies in understanding employer’s needs and then showing that you have the means (experience, education, skills) to satisfy those needs.
~Rule of seeds: If you want something to happen, plant more seeds—make more attempts and be prepared that many of these attempts will not bring the desired results.
~Rule of obsession: When you chase jobs that you are obsessed about, you are bound to succeed. Your obsession is your trump card.
~Rule of perceived value: What matters is not what you think about yourself, but how much value employers see in you.

Conduct smart job search
If you ask 500 different persons how they got their jobs, you might see two interesting insights emerging from the replies. First, there are not just two or three methods of searching for a job. There are at least 10 different ways of finding a job. Second, not all methods are equally effective. For example, seeking help from your colleagues and friends can be one of the most productive ways of getting a job.

The smart job search is about knowing all the different methods of spotting job opportunities and then focusing on the ones that promise quicker results.

Prepare compelling resume
Once you spot a job opportunity, it boils down to how compelling is your resume. In the job market, your resume is like a brochure about your capabilities. And employers treat it the same way you treat the brochures you come across in your daily life. If your resume is neat, relevant, simple, solid, sharp, short, solid and without mistakes, it can open doors for interviews and vice-versa.

Send impressive cover letters
An impressive cover letter accompanying a well-written resume can make a significant difference to your job prospects. The purpose of a cover letter is to connect personally with a specific person on the other side and also to show how well positioned you are to meet and even exceed employer’s needs. The cover letter is a critical document as it makes the first impression.

Be a success at interviews
If everything goes well, you will reach the final stage: the interview. How you conduct yourself, not just during the interview, but also before and after it, decides your ultimate fate. If you prepare well, avoid well-known pitfalls and follow proven strategies, you will come out a winner.

Scores of highly capable, sincere and hard-working people stay stuck in their jobs or suffer unemployment just because they lack the skills to survive and play the hiring game. You need not be among them. If you learn the above five steps, you might find it is after all not that difficult to get a new job.

Copyright © 2006 by Atul Mathur
Atul Mathur is the author of three ebooks: 5 Quick Steps to a New Job, The Best Career Move: Know Yourself and The Secret of Finding the Right Career Direction. He also writes a free monthly newsletter Career Tips. Web site: www.atulmathur.com

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Job Hunting with Least Effort

2008-11-30T17:03:00.000+08:00

Job Hunting with Least Effortby Atul Mathur

What would you do in the following situations?

ONE: You have to go up to the 10th floor in an office tower. You have two options:
1. Go by stairs
2. Take an elevator

TWO: You want to increase the volume of your TV. You have two options:
1. Get up and go to the TV to do it
2. Use a remote.

THREE: You want to withdraw money. You have two options:
1. Go inside the bank and withdraw money
2. Use an ATM outside the bank

There is nothing tricky about these questions and the answers are so obvious. Do you, however, see the not-so-obvious phenomenon underlying the everyday choices?

“People like to spend least effort to accomplish their objectives.” This is the Law of Least Effort. You can see its evidence in every facet of daily life in the form of Internet banking, washing machines, ready-made foods and so on.

The natural tendency to spend least effort is so strong that most of the technologies, products and services are aimed at helping people do just that: minimise the effort!

The Law of Least Effort also applies to the job market. The only catch is that it works against job seekers when they follow the path of least effort. And it works in their favour if they somehow enable employers to follow the path of least effort. Here is how it works.

Resume: Job seekers often prepare one standard resume and send it to multiple employers, hoping it might click somewhere. This is a classic example of job seekers spending least effort.

When these one-size-fits-all resumes reach employers, they also spend least effort. They usually ignore all resumes except those which are especially tailored to their unique needs.

Who loses? The job seeker who did not put in more effort by studying potential employer’s needs and tailoring the resume accordingly. So, avoid mass mailing of standard resumes.

Even if you decide to tailor your resume to a potential employer’s needs, but do not take care to make it short and sharp, it works against you. When long, vague resumes, stuffed with superfluous information, reach employers, they have to spend more effort in figuring out the suitability of a candidate. Again, if a resume demands more effort on the employer’s part, it is likely to go to the rejection pile.

Keep out unnecessary details from your resume, make it simple, credible and short — two to three pages maximum. When you spend more effort to craft your resume, you save employer’s effort, and they would like it.

Interview: When job seekers appear at interviews without preparation, it again makes employers spend more effort. They have to explain the job requirements and dig out all the relevant information from the candidates to assess their suitability.

What employers would prefer is someone who has done the homework by studying job requirements and can show them how he or she fits into them. Least effort for them!

Job hunt: Job seekers mostly focus on vacancies advertised in the newspapers. For employers, however, the route of advertising vacancies, then receiving a large number of applications and interviewing scores of candidates is a route of “more effort.” They would prefer if someone could cut short this process.

As a job seeker, if you can get in touch with potential employers either through contacts or directly, you save them the extra effort (and money, too). That is the reason many smart people get jobs by simply networking and seeking help from their friends or showing the guts to approach employers directly even when they have not advertised a vacancy.

Basically, to enjoy success in the job market, ask yourself, "How can I help potential employer take the path of least effort?" Invariably, this would mean putting in more effort on your side. But that extra effort is worth it. Job market rewards those who help employers spend least effort at every stage of recruitment.

Copyright © 2006 by Atul Mathur
Atul Mathur is a career coach and the author of two ebooks The Best Career Move: Know Yourself and The Secret of Finding the Right Career Direction.Web site: www.atulmathur.com

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Avoiding Job Scams

2008-11-30T16:47:00.000+08:00

by SS Quah, JobStreet.com

Scam. The very word spells danger, unease, regret among people who have fallen victims to scam artists. Everytime I hear this word, I keep thinking about the illegal pyramid schemes that cheat people out of their money. I also keep thinking about the infamous Nigerian email scams that somehow continue to con gullible people worldwide to part with their money.

But scams do not only target people who think there is an easy way to invest money without putting in their fair share of due dilligence work.

No, scams also take advantage of unsuspecting people who are out there looking for a living. Jobseekers, especially, should be careful of the occasional employment scams that target vulnerable people who are looking for a job. The basic way these job scams work is very simple:

First, there will be an advertisement in the newspapers or on websites that offers interested candidates a job.

Second, candidates that answer the job advertisement will be called and told to pay a fee or deposit in order to have their applications processed.

It is at this point that candidates suddenly realize, after having paid this fee or deposit, that they do not hear any more from this company. Effectively, the jobseekers have fallen for a simple job scam.

Recently, you may have read in the newspapers that the stakes in employment scams have been raised a notch higher and unsuspecting jobseekers who fell for them have lost substantial sums of money, some more than RM100,000.

According to a New Straits Times story (25 Jan 2007), there had been advertisements offering good salaries for Administrative Executive positions. The job offer comes with a five-day training in forex trading after which those successful candidates are asked to deposit RM80,000 into an overseas account for forex trading. After a few weeks, the new employee is told to deposit more money to cover shortfalls in the forex trade. And these shortfalls attract hefty interest charges which continue to eat into the deposits. Soon, there is nothing left in the account. The newspaper went on to say that 10 people who had reported this scam to the National Consumer Complaints Centre had lost a total of RM1.5 million.

This is by far one of the largest scams that have been unearthed by the newspapers. It may actually be just the tip of the iceberg and it is very unfortunate that there are unsuspecting people who fall for them all the time.

How can you protect yourself against such scams that come disguised as job advertisements? Well, it is a matter of practising personal good judgment and being careful when you come across job advertisements that fall into these two main categories:

1. Advertisements that ask you to pay a fee or deposit in order to process your job application;
2. Advertisements that promote pyramid selling or some other similar schemes.

A real job advertisement will never ask you to pay any money (some asking for an outrageously large amount like in the scam story above) whether by calling it be processing fee or training fee. A real job advertisement will also not ask you to make a purchase of any kind in order to obtain the job. So, be careful with your hard-earned money. Moreover, a real job advertisement will not make you offers that are inconsistent with the job advertised. Finally, a real job advertisement will never originate from a public, web-based email address such as Yahoo!, Gmail, Hotmail, etc, or ask you to reply to one.

As a responsible corporate citizen, JobStreet.com will endeavour to ensure that all advertisements on our websites are for real job opportunities only. It is part of our process to remove job advertisements that look dubious.

From JobStreet.com
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