Monday, December 31, 2007

Get A Job - Common Interview Questions

If you are in the job market and looking to land a great opportunity, one of the things you should prepare for is the dreaded job interview. Many job seekers do not like to be judged or evaluated especially when it is as important as being selected for a job. One of the ways you can excel at the job interview is prepare for common interview questions that are asked. Here are some tips.

Believe it or not most interviewers constantly ask the same questions to prospective employees. It doesn’t matter what industry or job position, the high probability that you will be asked a common interview question is high.

Some of the most common interview questions that are asked are:

• What is your biggest strength/weakness?
• What are your goals?
• What is your proudest achievement?
• Tell me about yourself and your work ethic?
• How do you deal with conflict? How did you deal with conflict in the past?

As you can see if you have already been on an interview, you have probably been asked a question or two from the above list. By being prepared for common interview questions you can focus on making a good impression for yourself and land a great job.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

How To Prepare Yourself For An Interview

The key to a successful interview is ‘how prepared you are’ for it. This is where the following interview tips are useful.

Before the Interview
• Research and gather information regarding the structure, history, achievements and goals of the company.
• Prepare your updated resume and make sure you can explain everything on your resume. Remember, you can be asked questions regarding any thing mentioned on your resume.
• Prepare some specific questions that you can ask the interviewer. At the end of the interview, you should ask some questions to the interviewer.
• Practice your interview skills. For example, rehearse interviews at home by setting up a role-play with friends or relatives.
• Pay special attention to how you will answer particular, and sometimes awkward questions that deal with possible barriers to getting the job.
• Know the time and place of the interview. Make sure that you arrive on time. After all, nobody ever got a second chance to make the first impression.
• Know the name of the person who will interview you. Sometimes, more than one person conducts interviews. Try to know about them, who they are.
• Get a good night’s sleep before your interview so that you feel refreshed and relaxed on the day of the interview.

During the Interview
• The first few minutes are very crucial, where you get an opportunity to make the first impression to the interviewer. For example, you should enter with a smiling face and shake hands with the interviewer.
• When you are asked casual questions, such as about your hobby or the weather, show pleasure in answering such questions. However, keep your answers short.
• Be confident about your skills and abilities, and show this confidence to the interviewer.
• Describe your skills, abilities, knowledge, experience and qualifications with specific examples. Your motive should be to assure the interviewer that you are the right person for the job.
• In your answers, show that you are motivated, dependable, and enthusiastic, and will do the job very well.
• At the end of the interview, the interviewer will ask you if you have anything to add or any question. Take this as an opportunity, and ask the questions, you have prepared for this occasion. Questions must be designed in a way that it shows your interest in the company.

At the End of the Interview
• Thank the interviewer. Use a formal salutation.
• Ask when you can expect to hear from them.

If you are unsuccessful in clearing the interview, do not feel bad about it. Learn from each interview and improve on your shortcomings so that you are ready for the next interview. With patience and experience, you will soon become more capable of getting the job of your choice.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Get A Job - How To Write A Resume

If you are beginning your job hunt or have had little luck with your current hunt for a job, look into writing your resume. Writing a resume is absolutely crucial. Employers today are going through resumes with a fine tooth comb, making sure that prospective employees are the right fit for the job. If you are presently looking for a job here are some resume writing tips.

An up-to-date and impressive resume is your gateway to the job of your dreams. Therefore, you must be very careful what you put down on your resume and what you do not.

Writing A Resume: Do’s
• Tailor your resume to the different positions you are applying for and include relevant skills.
• Pay attention to detail. Make sure you have added everything, such as complete job description of your past jobs relevant to the position you are applying for, complete records of educational achievements, training and workshops, letters of appreciation, etc.
• Proofread everything, including spelling, grammar and tone, and make sure you have you have thoroughly followed the instructions of the company’s hiring manager.
• Keep your descriptions clear and to the point. Mention every detail in a logical fashion.
• Focus on what you can offer to the company and not what you want from the job.
• Be professional.
o Add an email ID that should sound professional.
o Add your website address, where you have put together extensive details of everything you have mentioned in your resume. The website should reflect your professional ambitions
o Use a simple easy to read font.
o Use a white A4 size printed copy

Writing A Resume: Don’ts
• Never say you have done something that you have not, or exaggerate your qualifications and experience. Be honest.
• Never include age, height, weight, healthy condition, and marital status, number of children, religious and political beliefs etc unless the nature of the job demands so.
• Do not add any personal information related to your life, except for the contact details. For example, there is no need to state ‘I own three apartments in Los Angeles’. After all, no interviewer is interested in how many apartments you own.
• Do not emphasize any barriers to getting a job.
• Even if it is true, never mention a negative reason for why you left your last job, for instance, ‘was fired’, ‘was asked to leave’, ‘that involved lots of traveling’, ‘because of long working hours’ etc.
• Do not make the resume too long. Stay focused and to the point.
• Do not put too much information on one page. If the information is that important, use an additional page.
• Do not use a font size bigger than 12
• Do not use decorative fonts, such as Comic Sans MS, Monotype Corsiva, Impact, etc.
• Do not use colors or shadings
• Do not use all UPPER CASE. It is considered the written counterpart of yelling.
• Do not use odd email addresses in your contact details
• Do not use a photocopy

Remember a resume is a marketing tool which can help you get your foot in the door. A résumé’s sole purpose is to get you a job interview. There are also many software programs that can help create great looking resume templates and fill in your job information with ease. Making your resume look and read professional is a big part of building a successful resume. Follow above tips in order to maximize your chances of getting a job, and see how offers and interview calls start pouring in.

Monday, December 24, 2007

Get A Job - Do and Don’t For Writing A Cover Letter

When you do not get an opportunity to introduce yourself personally and request an interview, for instance if you are sending your resume via email, you need to have a cover letter enclosed with your resume. If your resume is a fact sheet, the cover letter is your sales pitch to a specific company for a specific job. Again, since only a few candidates are selected for interview after going through hundreds of resumes, your cover letter must be impressive enough to win the chance for an interview for you. This is where the following tips will prove a great help to you, and help you make your resume attractive.

Some Basic Handy Tips on How to Present the Resume
• No grammatical, spelling, or typographical errors (such mistakes are fatal)
• Remember, it should communicate ‘what you can offer’, not ‘what you want’
• Do the basics – write a rough draft in order to refine, order and edit your letter
• Make it Easy to read and to the point
• Adapt a formal tone to promote yourself as a professional.
• Use strong, active verbs to describe what you have accomplished, such as developed, established, collaborated, systematized, trained, designed etc.
• Make sure all the details are up-to-date, especially your contact details.
• Highlight points from your resume that you want to draw attention to.
• Try to downplay the words "I" and "me" and emphasize "you" instead.
• Tailor your cover letter according to a specific company and position, showing how your background and abilities fulfill the needs of a particular company or position.

Structure of The Cover Letter
Here are some structure guidelines for an impressive cover letter:
• The opening Paragraph
o Explain the purpose of the letter in a way that it should build the reader’s interest.
• The body of the letter
o Persuade the reader that you have skills and abilities useful to the company.
o Demonstrate that you can do the job, explaining why you are the ‘best fit’ for the organization, and how your skills and qualifications meet the organization’s needs.
o Show that you are motivated and enthusiastic, and are willing to do the job
• The Closing Paragraph
o Refer to your enclosed resume, application form or other attachments.
o Thank the reader for considering your application.
o End with a statement that you would welcome an interview to discuss your suitability.
o Include your phone number again.

Design and Format
• Type your cover letter on A4 white or off-white paper.
• Leave one inch margin from all sides.
• Double spacing between lines.
• Font size - 12
• Use non-decorative font face, such as Arial, Bookman Old Style etc
• Use a clean printed copy only. Never use a photocopy.
• Use envelope – DL-size (If your cover letters and attachment do not fit a DL size envelope, you can use an A4 envelope)
• Neatly staple your cover letter.

If you are writing a cover letter for the first time it might be worth your while to visit online job sites that provide tutorials for job seekers on how to write a cover letters properly. Writing a cover letter does require some tact and preparation. Other good resources are publications that can be found in book stores.

Your cover letter is as significant as is your resume. The way you write and present it tells the prospective employer a lot about you. Therefore, follow the above tips in order to maximize the likelihood of your success and getting interview calls.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Get A Job - Top Online Career Services

If you are just out of college or entering the job market once again, you will be happy to know that there are plenty of online career services that can help you land the perfect opportunity. Top online career services include Career Builder, Monster and Hot Jobs. There are also a few niche sites that deal with specific professions such as accounting, IT and sales. If you are looking for top online career services, here is some information.

Today it is much easier than just a decade ago to find a job. You no longer have to worry about faxing resumes, checking listings in every home town newspaper or mailing your resume out. You can find thousands upon thousands of available opportunities online through top online career services.

Most top online career services are free for job hunters, just create an account, upload a resume and cover letter and start searching for jobs. One of the best resources to find jobs are at top online career services. They are jammed pack with great tutorials on how to build the perfect resume, interviewing tips, networking tips and cover letter essentials. No matter what level you are at, you can find an opportunity that fits your skill set, location and salary requirements.

If you are looking to find that perfect job opportunity, take a look above at the top online career services.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Get A Job - Online Job Search Basics

Internet is one of the easiest and the most important places to look for a job. If you do not have access to the Internet at home, you have other options where you can easily access the Internet, such as Internet Cafes, Public Libraries, etc. However, you must know the following basics in order to maximize the likelihood of your getting a job through online search.

How To Search: Handy Tips
• Do not try to do all at once. Follow a proper plan. You will get an ample amount of information on the Internet; assess them carefully; and choose the one that best suits your requirements.
• Be careful where you search. Websites from different countries may not offer you the information relevant to the US.
• You will find many websites that are not updated regularly. Therefore, make sure that the information you find is current and up-to-date.
• Do not stick to one search engine. In order to get a range of websites, use several search engines.
• Use specific keywords to search. For instance, using a keyword ‘jobs’ will give you an extensive but ambiguous result, but using a keyword ‘Jobs for MCA professionals’ will give specific results and can be very helpful.

Applying Online: Things to Consider
• Cover Letters
o Be brief and to the point. Use short paragraphs.
o Use the ‘subject’ line of the email to write the title of the position you are applying for.
o Use bullet style format
o No bold or italics
o Avoid writing in UPPER CASE

• Resume
o Send your resume via email as an attachment to your cover letter.
o Some organizations specify whether they accept a word document, an RTF document or a PDF document as an attachment. Send your resume in proper format as per their instructions.
o However, if there are no specific instructions, use a PDF document for the attachment, as it cannot be tampered with.

• Electronic portfolio
o If you have an electronic portfolio that includes all the materials relevant to your skills and qualifications, such as a record of your training and professional development, evidence that you have achieved certificates and awards mentioned in the resume, etc, it will certainly give you an edge over other applicants.
o You can prepare your electronic portfolio in the form of HTML pages, or PowerPoint presentations, or digital video and images in CD-ROMs.
o Unlike your resume, you should make your electronic portfolio as extensive as you like. If you have an effective resume, your potential employer will certainly like to look at your electronic portfolio.

Hence, No doubt, using the Internet is a great way to get a job. However, in order to utilize this source to maximize your chances, you must know the basics as discussed above.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Job Search Basics To Get A Job

Getting ready to enter the job market, you can make your job search more productive with a few job search basics. Here are some tips.

Job searching can be a difficult and trying time. For some people it may take months to find a decent job and this can affect their self esteem. If you want to hit the job market up and running, here are some tips on improving your chances of landing a great job. First and foremost, know which job you have the qualifications and skill set for. Many people usually chase big money, but are not called upon because their skill set is not compatible with the job. Find a job position that you can accommodate well.

Put together a resume. Resumes are nothing more than marketing tools to get you into the door for an interview. Make your resume stand out, not with extremely heady language, but make it clear and concise. Let the employer easily know what job you are looking for and back it up with skills and experience you have had.

Cover letters are also a great tool to help you stand out from the crowd. Cover letters can help you explain more about your skills and experience and also give the interviewer hints to your personality.

Another job search basic is to find where the jobs are. You can easily go online and find thousands upon thousands of available jobs in your field. The key is to know where to look. Many jobs aren’t publicly advertised. You might need to contact job placement services or professional organizations to find a great job. If you are looking to land a great job opportunity, take a look at the above suggestions.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Basic And Strategy To Get A Job

Getting a job can be a daunting and stressful process for anybody. You must know how to sell yourself, but before that, you must understand some basics in order to give yourself the best shot at getting the job you want.

How to Decide what Type of Job You Want
• Do a self-assessment of all your skills and qualifications, including education, work experience, professional qualifications, key skills, etc.
• Decide whether you want a full-time or a part-time job. Also, consider if you are comfortable with changing shifts, including night shift.
• Make a target for how much remuneration you want.

How to Write an Effective Resume
• Make sure your resume includes all the information thoroughly in a logical fashion, such as contact details, career objectives and summary, key competencies, education and training, work experience, activities and interests, and references.

Where to Look For a Job Vacancy
• Upload your up-to-date resume on leading job search websites on Internet. You can also use various search engines to find a specific job.
• To find a recruitment agency, look in the yellow pages under ‘Employment agencies and consultants’.
• Look up the “Situations Vacant” columns in leading newspapers or in trade or professional magazines
• Consult your network of friends, relatives and colleagues

How to Apply for a Job
• Make your resume up-to-date, and tailor the same to match with the specific needs of the position you are applying for.
• Prepare an effective cover letter. Choose the right type, depending upon whether you are responding to a job advertisement in a newspaper, or applying online or through referrals.
• Apply in plenty of time before the closing date for applications.

How to Face Your Interview
• The key to a successful interview is ‘how prepared you are’. Therefore, do not neglect the basic preparation.
• Be confident and positive. Make the best possible impression on the interviewer.

How to Negotiate after You Get a Job Offer
• See if the offered salary and other benefits match with the industry standards.
• If you feel the salary offered is not reasonable, do not hesitate to ask for adjustments. However, you must know how far your limits allow you to go for that.
• Whatever is your decision once you are offered the job– acceptance or refusal, inform the company as soon as possible.

Remember, you will have to use all your will power in order to impress a potential employer. Be positive, but at the same time, you must be prepared for rejections as well. Do not panic if you face a few rejections in the beginning. Just give yourself the best possible shot, and always remember, there is a job out there for you somewhere.