The title of the next chapter was “Interview Like a Pro.” There are many things you can do to improve the finesse of your interview. Take initiative by confidently setting goals and exhibiting assertive behavior. While it may seem natural to be timid or nervous in an interview, if you can be confident and assertive, you will have the upper hand and an edge over your competition.
Just like when playing a sport, playing in a band or singing with a choir, it’s important to prepare as if it were the real thing. The better you practice and prepare, the better you will perform when it’s time for the actual interview. Take the time to practice. If you know someone who is familiar with the interviewing process, it would behoove you to ask them to give you a trial run. Any practice is good practice!
When preparing for an interview, be sure to eliminate your bad habits, especially nonverbal ones. If you have trouble avoiding eye contact, practice holding eye contact with friends when engaging in conversation. If you tend to roll your eyes, make a conscious effort to not do so. If you cross your arms in tense situations such as interviews, practice relaxing your muscles. Keeping your arms crossed in an interview makes you appear defensive and irritated.
And, as always, be sure to follow up with a handwritten note.
Another thing you should do while conducting your job search is research the salaries associated with various positions in your field. Salary is just one of the many things you must evaluate when looking at a job offer. Other things to consider include flexibility and opportunity for personal and career development.
If you have received an offer and you think you want the job, you should thank them graciously for the interview and give them a set time to hear back from you. If you are POSITIVE you want the job, say so! Then, immediately follow up in writing. Next, quickly notify other potential employers that may be considering you for a job to let them know you are off the market. If you do not want the job, tell the employer promptly via telephone and then follow up with a letter. Thank them graciously for the offer and wish them future success. Always leave an offer on good terms.
But what if you get rejected? There was a whole chapter dedicated to “Handling Rejection.” Well, the first thing to remember is try to separate your emotion from logic (I’m not very good at that! It’s hard!) And not let it get under your skin. Just remember that setbacks are temporary, and you should continue your job search with optimism. Don’t be defensive, and own up to any mistakes you know you made during the interview. If you really analyze what you may have done wrong, you will be able to improve upon it. To show that your feelings aren’t hurt and to demonstrate initiative, ask the employer if you are more qualified to fill a different position at this time. It shows your flexibility and your willingness to be a part of their team.
The final chapter was titled “Taking Charge of Your Career.” This chapter focused on ways to make yourself more flexible and valuable as an employee once you do get that job! Remember that the most common cause of job failure is poor interpersonal skills. Always make sure you’re communicating, friendly, and easy to talk to. This will let everything else come to you much easier than someone who is hard to talk with or get along with. When mastering your new job, always keep your eagerness to learn at a maximum! Be very persistent when trying new things. Don’t give up. Be a team player and be professional with your coworkers. If the new job offers you some sort of orientation or training, PAY ATTENTION!
While it’s of the utmost importance to learn your new job quickly, you must also realize it is necessary to adapt to change. Being flexible shows your competence and ability to learn. You can do several things to keep up with the changing work world. Participate in classes or workshops (many employers will offer to pay for you to take classes) or join professional associations related to your field. Also, you can subscribe to periodicals related to your field to keep up with the latest technology and news.
Dear Reader, I know this letter has been really long and there’s been quite a lot of information to process. But I have a sincere confidence that with your work ethic, positive attitude and this list of tips and suggestions, that you will land your first job in no time at all. Always feel free to contact me if you have any questions! I wish you the best of luck on your job search!
Your Friend,
Rachel
Monday, April 19, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Letter to a friend: Part III
The following chapter discussed interview essentials. The most important thing to focus on during an interview is your attitude and enthusiasm. You can demonstrate a positive attitude through your appearance, body language, and how you speak. Nonverbal communication can actually mean more than your verbal communication during your interview. For example, you could say all the right things, but if you say them unenthusiastically, arrogantly, or with too much nervousness in your voice, your message won’t be well received.
As much as I hate to admit it, you will be judged on your appearance. But you don’t have to be a super model to land the job! Instead, you must look clean, fresh, and very professional. It is better to be overdressed than underdressed, and dressing conservatively is always the safest route.
One way to ensure that you will have something meaningful, worthwhile, and positive to say in the interview setting is to create your own “60- Second Commercial.” Your commercial will include short phrases about your qualifications (kind of like the “why” a product is good in a commercial). These could include your GPA (if it’s a good one), what you’re a member of, and any computer programs you’re familiar with.
You should include your target job position and employer (kind of like the brand that is promoted in the commercial). Employers will like to hear you speak as if you’ve already accepted their position and have joined their team. Next, you should briefly summarize your education and training, in addition to job skills and those transferable competencies you’ve listed before. This could include any classes you’ve taken that relate directly to the job, examples of leadership ability, and examples of self-motivation.
Another thing to include is a “Proof of Benefits Provided”. This is where you get to brag upon past accomplishments. Tell the employer things you actually did that made a difference. For example, you could tell them about a committee you created, a team you helped organize, or what you accomplished as part of a group.
One chapter was dedicated to breaking down different types of interview styles and questions. Knowing ahead of time what kind of interview to expect can help you prepare. A structural interview includes a predetermined set of questions and records responses on a checklist. It focuses mainly on factual information. A screening interview is used to screen out those who do not have the basic qualifications for the job. A behavioral interview is when the interviewer asks questions that force the applicant to give specific examples of how they have successfully used skills needed for the job. You also may be interviewed by a panel or a board, where you speak with more than one person at the same time. Each person on the board will probably have a different aspect of you to focus on.
Behavioral interviews are pretty common, so it’s wise to keep a list of accomplishments and examples of how you handled situations well. Also, when answering questions such as “what are your weaknesses”, never reply defensively. Instead, reply with optimism and in a way that shows you’re working on those weaknesses.
Here are some examples of questions you may be asked, and appropriate responses:
What is your greatest weakness?
answer: My weakest area is math, but I have taken some courses such as Concepts of Mathematics, Intro to Accounting, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Intro to Statistics to become more proficient in this area.
Why do you want to leave your current job?
answer: I am seeking a new challenge to begin a new chapter in my life.
Do you think of yourself as a team player? Give examples.
answer: Yes, definitely. I have played defense and midfield in lacrosse for the past 6 years. These positions rarely put a point on the board. However, we play an enormous behind the scenes role, and we have ultimately won many games for our team. Also, I have worked in teams in academics. Our class was assigned a huge group project for our Problems in Society class. Five of us worked together to create an aesthetically pleasing and meaningful collage on child abuse. Additionally, we each had to prepare a 3-5 minute speech on a particular aspect of child abuse. We needed to work together to make sure there was no overlap in our speeches, and that each person’s speech adequately represented a portion of the collage. We received one of the highest grades in the class.
Under what management style do you work most productively?
answer: I can be productive under any kind of management. However, I most appreciate managing styles where lines of open and honest communication are encouraged.
What is important to you in a company?
Integrity and honesty are very important to me in a company. A policy of striving for the very best for the customer. A willingness to communicate and a willingness to gladly fix any issues that occurred the first time.
What have you accomplished that demonstrates your initiative?
I have worked relentlessly in the classroom, and outside of it, to always achieve high academically. I have maintained 3 semesters as a 4.0 student. I have been inducted into several honor societies. I have achieved these things while self-financing my tuition, working a part time job, and being a member of the club lacrosse team.
How would you describe yourself?
I am busy. I like to get into everything. I am very good at following directions and carrying out tasks, but I’m also a thinker. I’m a confident, positive, outgoing individual. I like meeting new people and learning about new things.
What rewards do you look for in your career?
Answer: Appreciation from my coworkers and management.
What kinds of decisions are most difficult for you?
Answer: Decisions that are going to personally let down a group of coworkers or constituents. Business is business, and I can be very objective when making decisions. However, I am a very compassionate individual, and decisions that are going to severely negatively impact a group of constituents can be morally difficult for me to make. I strive to pick the best choice for all involved.
I hope this will give you a good example of how to deal with those tough to answer questions!
As much as I hate to admit it, you will be judged on your appearance. But you don’t have to be a super model to land the job! Instead, you must look clean, fresh, and very professional. It is better to be overdressed than underdressed, and dressing conservatively is always the safest route.
One way to ensure that you will have something meaningful, worthwhile, and positive to say in the interview setting is to create your own “60- Second Commercial.” Your commercial will include short phrases about your qualifications (kind of like the “why” a product is good in a commercial). These could include your GPA (if it’s a good one), what you’re a member of, and any computer programs you’re familiar with.
You should include your target job position and employer (kind of like the brand that is promoted in the commercial). Employers will like to hear you speak as if you’ve already accepted their position and have joined their team. Next, you should briefly summarize your education and training, in addition to job skills and those transferable competencies you’ve listed before. This could include any classes you’ve taken that relate directly to the job, examples of leadership ability, and examples of self-motivation.
Another thing to include is a “Proof of Benefits Provided”. This is where you get to brag upon past accomplishments. Tell the employer things you actually did that made a difference. For example, you could tell them about a committee you created, a team you helped organize, or what you accomplished as part of a group.
One chapter was dedicated to breaking down different types of interview styles and questions. Knowing ahead of time what kind of interview to expect can help you prepare. A structural interview includes a predetermined set of questions and records responses on a checklist. It focuses mainly on factual information. A screening interview is used to screen out those who do not have the basic qualifications for the job. A behavioral interview is when the interviewer asks questions that force the applicant to give specific examples of how they have successfully used skills needed for the job. You also may be interviewed by a panel or a board, where you speak with more than one person at the same time. Each person on the board will probably have a different aspect of you to focus on.
Behavioral interviews are pretty common, so it’s wise to keep a list of accomplishments and examples of how you handled situations well. Also, when answering questions such as “what are your weaknesses”, never reply defensively. Instead, reply with optimism and in a way that shows you’re working on those weaknesses.
Here are some examples of questions you may be asked, and appropriate responses:
What is your greatest weakness?
answer: My weakest area is math, but I have taken some courses such as Concepts of Mathematics, Intro to Accounting, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Intro to Statistics to become more proficient in this area.
Why do you want to leave your current job?
answer: I am seeking a new challenge to begin a new chapter in my life.
Do you think of yourself as a team player? Give examples.
answer: Yes, definitely. I have played defense and midfield in lacrosse for the past 6 years. These positions rarely put a point on the board. However, we play an enormous behind the scenes role, and we have ultimately won many games for our team. Also, I have worked in teams in academics. Our class was assigned a huge group project for our Problems in Society class. Five of us worked together to create an aesthetically pleasing and meaningful collage on child abuse. Additionally, we each had to prepare a 3-5 minute speech on a particular aspect of child abuse. We needed to work together to make sure there was no overlap in our speeches, and that each person’s speech adequately represented a portion of the collage. We received one of the highest grades in the class.
Under what management style do you work most productively?
answer: I can be productive under any kind of management. However, I most appreciate managing styles where lines of open and honest communication are encouraged.
What is important to you in a company?
Integrity and honesty are very important to me in a company. A policy of striving for the very best for the customer. A willingness to communicate and a willingness to gladly fix any issues that occurred the first time.
What have you accomplished that demonstrates your initiative?
I have worked relentlessly in the classroom, and outside of it, to always achieve high academically. I have maintained 3 semesters as a 4.0 student. I have been inducted into several honor societies. I have achieved these things while self-financing my tuition, working a part time job, and being a member of the club lacrosse team.
How would you describe yourself?
I am busy. I like to get into everything. I am very good at following directions and carrying out tasks, but I’m also a thinker. I’m a confident, positive, outgoing individual. I like meeting new people and learning about new things.
What rewards do you look for in your career?
Answer: Appreciation from my coworkers and management.
What kinds of decisions are most difficult for you?
Answer: Decisions that are going to personally let down a group of coworkers or constituents. Business is business, and I can be very objective when making decisions. However, I am a very compassionate individual, and decisions that are going to severely negatively impact a group of constituents can be morally difficult for me to make. I strive to pick the best choice for all involved.
I hope this will give you a good example of how to deal with those tough to answer questions!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
"Letter to a Friend" Part II
This is the second part of my series on career search tips. This entry covers resumes, cover letters, and job applications.
The sixth chapter was dedicated to resumes. I know you’re well aware that a resume is a very important document that you must always be revising, updating, and perfecting. Make sure you tailor your resume to each position you apply for. That is, don’t just send out the same resume to everyone. Tweak it to match each prospective employer in the best way possible. Start your resume with your specific objective for the job, and then follow up underneath that with your qualifications. It is effective to include your qualifications near the top of your resume because it becomes the focal point for employers. It emphasizes your specific skills and capabilities and shows why you are the best candidate for the position.
Always use strong, powerful key words in your resume. This is helpful because sometimes an employer will process your resume through a program that highlights key words related to the industry. For example, if you are applying for a public relations position, some strong words to fit into that resume might include “Media”, “Communicate”, “Press”, “Organize”, “Plan”, “Revise”, “Events”, “Relations”, and “Write.” It’s a good idea to incorporate such words even if they don’t use an electronic device to scan your resume. The reader will appreciate your use of specific industry key words.
A piece on “Job Applications and Cover Letters” provided several things to keep in mind when applying to jobs. First, ALWAYS make sure that you fill out the application correctly. That may seem obvious, but you would be surprised at how many people fail to follow directions. If you can’t follow directions, the company certainly isn’t interested in hiring you. When sending an application, cover letter, or resume to a prospective employer, be sure to send it to the correct person. The heading of your letter should be like this:
Name
Title
Company Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip
You should begin your cover letter with an introductory paragraph. This should include an introduction of yourself as well as how you know of the employer. Mention the position you are seeking and how you heard of it. Explain your interest in their organization.
Next, include your objective statement and achievements. These two can go together. An objective statement clearly and concisely explains what it is you hope to achieve. Your past achievements provide the setting for that objective. You should include 2-4 relevant stories of accomplishments.
Lastly, you must close the letter. Do not be presumptuous- do not ask for a job. Rather, ask for an interview and give them a time frame of when you will follow up. State that your resume is attached to the cover letter and graciously show your appreciation and thanks for their time. Time is the most important thing any potential employer can give you.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE: DO NOT DUPLICATE INFORMATION FROM YOUR RESUME VERBATIM. If the employer actually takes the time to look at both your resume and cover letter, they will be disappointed to find they’re the same thing.
Additionally, ALWAYS proofread your documents several times before sending them.
The sixth chapter was dedicated to resumes. I know you’re well aware that a resume is a very important document that you must always be revising, updating, and perfecting. Make sure you tailor your resume to each position you apply for. That is, don’t just send out the same resume to everyone. Tweak it to match each prospective employer in the best way possible. Start your resume with your specific objective for the job, and then follow up underneath that with your qualifications. It is effective to include your qualifications near the top of your resume because it becomes the focal point for employers. It emphasizes your specific skills and capabilities and shows why you are the best candidate for the position.
Always use strong, powerful key words in your resume. This is helpful because sometimes an employer will process your resume through a program that highlights key words related to the industry. For example, if you are applying for a public relations position, some strong words to fit into that resume might include “Media”, “Communicate”, “Press”, “Organize”, “Plan”, “Revise”, “Events”, “Relations”, and “Write.” It’s a good idea to incorporate such words even if they don’t use an electronic device to scan your resume. The reader will appreciate your use of specific industry key words.
A piece on “Job Applications and Cover Letters” provided several things to keep in mind when applying to jobs. First, ALWAYS make sure that you fill out the application correctly. That may seem obvious, but you would be surprised at how many people fail to follow directions. If you can’t follow directions, the company certainly isn’t interested in hiring you. When sending an application, cover letter, or resume to a prospective employer, be sure to send it to the correct person. The heading of your letter should be like this:
Name
Title
Company Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip
You should begin your cover letter with an introductory paragraph. This should include an introduction of yourself as well as how you know of the employer. Mention the position you are seeking and how you heard of it. Explain your interest in their organization.
Next, include your objective statement and achievements. These two can go together. An objective statement clearly and concisely explains what it is you hope to achieve. Your past achievements provide the setting for that objective. You should include 2-4 relevant stories of accomplishments.
Lastly, you must close the letter. Do not be presumptuous- do not ask for a job. Rather, ask for an interview and give them a time frame of when you will follow up. State that your resume is attached to the cover letter and graciously show your appreciation and thanks for their time. Time is the most important thing any potential employer can give you.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE: DO NOT DUPLICATE INFORMATION FROM YOUR RESUME VERBATIM. If the employer actually takes the time to look at both your resume and cover letter, they will be disappointed to find they’re the same thing.
Additionally, ALWAYS proofread your documents several times before sending them.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
"Letter to a Friend" Part I
I am currently working on my final paper for my career search class.
The assignment was to draft a letter to a friend about the main things I have learned in the class. There were 15 chapters in the book; this is just part 1 of many. I hope you can take a few things from this post and apply them to your next job or internship search. I would highly recommend this class to anyone concerned about finding a job upon graduation, or to anyone who wants to have the competitive edge over your fellow job seekers. Enjoy!
Dear Reader,
I understand you were unable to take Orientation 252 with Dr. Cox this semester due to your schedule. I would recommend that you take it this fall if possible. However, I know that you are beginning your job search this summer, so I am writing to you to give you a brief overview of the most important things we learned in her course. They are extremely helpful, and cover the course of the job search from beginning to end.
The first chapter we covered was titled “The Job Search Process”. Some important information to remember is to be very persistent and to start your job process early. Follow up on every lead you find! Something that may help you is to compile a Career Management Files Binder. This document would contain your research notes, a network list, references, your resume and cover letter, and any other work related documents. Assess yourself. Are you positive, assertive and enthusiastic? These qualities are important from beginning to end in your job search.
The second chapter focused on what employers expect. The main focus on this chapter was to explain that employers are more interested in hiring a person with good personal skills over good technical skills. They are looking for employees that have thinking skills- the ability to solve problems on the job. Being a good communicator is also of the utmost importance. Make a list of your competencies- that is, what you’re good at. First list your technical skills (computer skills, building skills, accounting skills, culinary skills, etc.) and then your personal skills (sense of humor, attentiveness, positivity, etc.) Know your strengths and weaknesses.
Another thing to consider is to monitor the job market for your preferred field. Get online and conduct a search on the growth of your future job industry. Then, you can search for particular job titles and descriptions of what you must do on the job. Find out what tasks you must complete, what technology you must be familiar with, how much education it will require, and also how much it will pay! All of these things are very important to know beforehand. If you are seeking a job in psychology, make sure you know the difference between different jobs in your field. One may suit you much better than another! Just because they fall under the same category doesn’t mean they are similar jobs!
The third chapter was all about marketing yourself with confidence. Dr. Cox explained to us that talking about yourself is one of the hardest things to do, which is pretty ironic considering that you should know more about yourself than anyone else does! In order to communicate easily with a potential employer about your qualifications, you need to always be thinking of your experiences from your education, training, and accomplishments. Pick a few stories that show your abilities the best, and commit them to memory. Make a list of your job-specific skills; that is, technical skills that will be used in a particular job. Then, make a list of your transferable competencies. Transferable competencies are the skills that you possess that can be applied at any job, like teamwork and problem solving.
The fourth chapter focused on networking. I can personally vouch that networking is one of the most important things you can do when conducting a job search. Sometimes, it IS all about who you know! Always be working on developing relationships with new people in your field. You never know when they will be able to help you in some way. They can also serve as references to include in your resume. Some tips on effective networking include sharing information about yourself, always being tasteful, professional, and polite, and always be businesslike. Sometimes, a contact can help you connect with that hard-to-reach employer or job opportunity.
The advent of social media has greatly increased the ease of networking. I know you already use Facebook, but I would suggest you tighten your security on your page so potential employers can’t see you doing that keg-stand last weekend. (Yes, they WILL look at your Facebook!) I advise you to set up a Twitter and a LinkedIn account. These are other ways that potential employers may check you out before actually offering you an interview.
Chapter five included information about job searching. The more research you conduct on your field, the more you know. This will give you a competitive advantage over any other job seekers that did not complete research. Being educated about the field you seek lets you make better career decisions. It will increase your competency, and therefore increase the possibility of being hired! If you’re more of a hands-on learner, I suggest you complete volunteer work or an internship in your field. It provides you practice for your job one day, and also will add to your list of references. The internet can assist you in finding internships and volunteer opportunities.
The assignment was to draft a letter to a friend about the main things I have learned in the class. There were 15 chapters in the book; this is just part 1 of many. I hope you can take a few things from this post and apply them to your next job or internship search. I would highly recommend this class to anyone concerned about finding a job upon graduation, or to anyone who wants to have the competitive edge over your fellow job seekers. Enjoy!
Dear Reader,
I understand you were unable to take Orientation 252 with Dr. Cox this semester due to your schedule. I would recommend that you take it this fall if possible. However, I know that you are beginning your job search this summer, so I am writing to you to give you a brief overview of the most important things we learned in her course. They are extremely helpful, and cover the course of the job search from beginning to end.
The first chapter we covered was titled “The Job Search Process”. Some important information to remember is to be very persistent and to start your job process early. Follow up on every lead you find! Something that may help you is to compile a Career Management Files Binder. This document would contain your research notes, a network list, references, your resume and cover letter, and any other work related documents. Assess yourself. Are you positive, assertive and enthusiastic? These qualities are important from beginning to end in your job search.
The second chapter focused on what employers expect. The main focus on this chapter was to explain that employers are more interested in hiring a person with good personal skills over good technical skills. They are looking for employees that have thinking skills- the ability to solve problems on the job. Being a good communicator is also of the utmost importance. Make a list of your competencies- that is, what you’re good at. First list your technical skills (computer skills, building skills, accounting skills, culinary skills, etc.) and then your personal skills (sense of humor, attentiveness, positivity, etc.) Know your strengths and weaknesses.
Another thing to consider is to monitor the job market for your preferred field. Get online and conduct a search on the growth of your future job industry. Then, you can search for particular job titles and descriptions of what you must do on the job. Find out what tasks you must complete, what technology you must be familiar with, how much education it will require, and also how much it will pay! All of these things are very important to know beforehand. If you are seeking a job in psychology, make sure you know the difference between different jobs in your field. One may suit you much better than another! Just because they fall under the same category doesn’t mean they are similar jobs!
The third chapter was all about marketing yourself with confidence. Dr. Cox explained to us that talking about yourself is one of the hardest things to do, which is pretty ironic considering that you should know more about yourself than anyone else does! In order to communicate easily with a potential employer about your qualifications, you need to always be thinking of your experiences from your education, training, and accomplishments. Pick a few stories that show your abilities the best, and commit them to memory. Make a list of your job-specific skills; that is, technical skills that will be used in a particular job. Then, make a list of your transferable competencies. Transferable competencies are the skills that you possess that can be applied at any job, like teamwork and problem solving.
The fourth chapter focused on networking. I can personally vouch that networking is one of the most important things you can do when conducting a job search. Sometimes, it IS all about who you know! Always be working on developing relationships with new people in your field. You never know when they will be able to help you in some way. They can also serve as references to include in your resume. Some tips on effective networking include sharing information about yourself, always being tasteful, professional, and polite, and always be businesslike. Sometimes, a contact can help you connect with that hard-to-reach employer or job opportunity.
The advent of social media has greatly increased the ease of networking. I know you already use Facebook, but I would suggest you tighten your security on your page so potential employers can’t see you doing that keg-stand last weekend. (Yes, they WILL look at your Facebook!) I advise you to set up a Twitter and a LinkedIn account. These are other ways that potential employers may check you out before actually offering you an interview.
Chapter five included information about job searching. The more research you conduct on your field, the more you know. This will give you a competitive advantage over any other job seekers that did not complete research. Being educated about the field you seek lets you make better career decisions. It will increase your competency, and therefore increase the possibility of being hired! If you’re more of a hands-on learner, I suggest you complete volunteer work or an internship in your field. It provides you practice for your job one day, and also will add to your list of references. The internet can assist you in finding internships and volunteer opportunities.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Ode to Aries
I wear the symbol of an Aries on my back
My mother none too fond of a tattoo
But everything was on my back already
And my sign helps me get through
If I were without determination,
I could not carry this weight
Thankful to be born under the Arian Sun
This symbol, this sign, this fate.
My mother none too fond of a tattoo
But everything was on my back already
And my sign helps me get through
If I were without determination,
I could not carry this weight
Thankful to be born under the Arian Sun
This symbol, this sign, this fate.
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