A Job Seeker s Guide. About this Guide

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1 A Jb Seeker s Guide Abut this Guide This guide is designed t assist yu in yur jb search. Included in this guide are many helpful tips that yu can use thrughut yur jb search prcess. In this guide, yu will learn hw t: Apply jb search strategies Write and frmat a resume Cnduct yurself during a phne screen Excel befre, during, and after an interview Dress prfessinally Master a behaviral interview Answer tricky interview questins

2 Jb Search Strategies Seeking new emplyment requires fcus, dedicated attentin, assertiveness and persistence. strategies belw t increase yur success in finding yur next psitin. Use the 1. Identify yur strengths. Reflect n yur career and dcument yur mst significant accmplishments, successes and experiences. Be ready t clearly articulate why yu are the best candidate fr the jb, and the unique attributes yu culd bring t the cmpany. Practice yur elevatr speech: if yu had 30 secnds in an elevatr with the head f the cmpany, hw wuld yu cnvince them t hire yu? It is imprtant t be able t quickly highlight yur strengths and make them interested in hearing mre abut yu. 2. Chse yur next jb carefully. Think abut yur best jbs and yur wrst jbs. Ask yurself what yu want in yur next pprtunity. Cnduct yur jb search with yur skills, interests, and values in mind. Research cmpanies t determine what pprtunities best match yur target psitin. 3. D research. Try t determine wh yu can talk t at yur target cmpany s yu can learn f pprtunities and becme a candidate prir t a jb psting. 4. Take actin be heard. Use yur vice. Cld calling prspective emplyers can be scary, but it can als be an imprtant jb search strategy. Once yu have identified a psitin in which yu are interested, ask t speak t the hiring manager wh will be making a decisin n filling the psitin. Ask fr a few minutes n their calendar t discuss why yu are a gd candidate. 5. Netwrk Cntinuusly. Tell everyne (family members, friends, frmer clleagues, etc.) that yu are lking fr emplyment. Ask them t think f yu when they hear f any pprtunities. Jin prfessinal rganizatins t meet thers wh might be able t help yu. Try t meet face-t-face with at least three r fur peple per day. Offer t buy them a cup f cffee. Tell them yu are seeking advice and cunsel fr yur jb search. The purpse f yur cnversatin is t build a relatinship, rather than t ask fr a jb. At the end f the cnversatin, ask them wh else wuld be gd fr yu t talk t. Ask them if yu can use their name as a reference. 6. Seek utside advice. Cnsider using an emplyment agency t help yu. Spend time understanding the services they will prvide and the csts f such services. 7. Take advantage f temprary jbs. Be flexible. Cnsider taking a cntract, temprary r cnsulting psitin. Oftentimes, these types f pprtunities can lead t full-time emplyment. 8. Write succinctly abut the psitin. When sending ut résumés, make certain yur cver letter mirrrs the psitin descriptin and specific jb requirements. Catch the recruiter s/ hiring manager s attentin by highlighting hw yur skills and experience match what they are lking fr. 9. Dcument yur search. Write dwn all the jbs yu applied t: include the title, cmpany name, cntact persn & phne number, interview date(s), wh referred yu and fllw-up dates/ actins.

3 Als, make a list f the peple yu are netwrking with. Keep their names and cntact infrmatin in a cntact file. Writing a Stellar Resume There are many resurces nline that prvide excellent examples f bth resumes and cver letters. These websites can be accessed by using a search engine such as Key wrds t use in yur search include Resumes, Resume Writing, Cver Letter, Jbs and Emplyment. Spend time researching effective resume writing. Chse a resume frmat that best highlights yur prfessinal skills. Create a resume that represents yur experiences and accmplishments: Wrk experience bullet pints shuld represent quantifiable/ measurable gals r achievements. Ask yurself what skills and/r experiences make me unique frm ther applicants? Tw-page resumes are acceptable t describe yur wrk experiences and accmplishments. Once yu have created a resume, prfread it carefully t make sure that the spelling, punctuatin and infrmatin is crrect. Have smene review yur resume and prvide yu feedback. Cnquering a Telephne Screen Emplyers use telephne interviews as a way f identifying and recruiting candidates fr emplyment. Phne interviews are ften used t screen candidates in rder t narrw the pl f applicants wh will be invited fr in-persn interviews. They are als used as way t minimize the expenses invlved in interviewing ut-f-twn candidates. While yu're actively jb searching, it's imprtant t be prepared fr a phne interview n a mment's ntice. Yu never knw when a recruiter r a netwrking cntact might call and ask if yu have a few minutes t talk. Be Prepared Prepare fr a phne interview just as yu wuld fr a regular interview. Cmpile a list f yur strengths and weaknesses, as well as a list f answers t typical interview questins. In additin, plan n being prepared fr a phne cnversatin abut yur backgrund and skills. Keep yur resume in clear view, n the tp f yur desk, r tape it t the wall near the phne, s it's at yur fingertips when yu need t answer questins. Have a shrt list f yur accmplishments available t review.

4 Have a pen and paper handy fr nte taking. Turn call-waiting ff s yur call isn't interrupted. If the time isn't cnvenient, ask if yu culd talk at anther time and suggest sme alternatives. Clear the rm - evict the kids and the pets. Turn ff the stere and the TV. Clse the dr. Unless yu're sure yur cell phne service is ging t be perfect, cnsider using a landline rather than yur cell phne t avid a drpped call r static n the line. Practice Interviewing Have a friend r family member cnduct a mck interview and tape recrd it s yu can see hw yu sund ver the phne. Any cassette recrder will wrk. Yu'll be able t hear yur "ums" and "uhs" and "kays" and yu can practice reducing them frm yur cnversatinal speech. Als rehearse answers t thse typical questins yu will be asked. During the Telephne Screen Dn't smke, chew gum, eat, r drink. D keep a glass f water handy. Smile. Smiling will prject a psitive image t the listener and will change the tne f yur vice. Speak slwly and enunciate clearly. Use the persn's title (Mr. r Ms. and their last name.) Only use a first name if they ask yu t. Dn't interrupt the interviewer. Take yur time - it's perfectly acceptable t take a mment r tw t cllect yur thughts. Keep yur answers as shrt as pssible, while still answering the questins fully. Yur gal is t set-up a face-t-face interview. After yu thank the interviewer ask if it wuld be pssible t meet in persn. After the Telephne Screen Take ntes abut what yu were asked and hw yu answered. Fllw up with a thank yu nte which reiterates yur interest in the jb. Interview Tips Befre, During and After BEFORE THE INTERVIEW: Prepare: Ensure yu have directins t the interview lcatin and knw where t park. Research the cmpany and interviewer. Review the jb descriptin. Develp questins t ask interviewer abut the psitin and the cmpany.

5 Determine salary expectatins Discuss during an ffer f emplyment nly Bring clean cpies f yur resume and references. Prvide references nly if asked Practice: Stay away frm memrizing answers r having canned respnses. Wrk n yur demeanr during the interview. Dress fr success make sure utfit is neat, tidy and irned. Arrive minutes early. DURING THE INTERVIEW: Turn ff yur cell phne and thrw gum away befre entering the building. Greet everyne yu meet, smile and shake hands firmly. Chat with the receptinist this is yur chance t make a gd first impressin! Ask the crrect prnunciatin f interviewer s name. Make an impressin. Smile and shw enthusiasm in the psitin and the cmpany. Fllw the interviewer s bdy language. N sluching! Make eye cntact with everyne, even thse nt asking questins. Sell yurself. Keep it psitive. Avid speaking prly abut previus supervisrs, cwrkers, etc. Avid slang and/r pr language. Stay away frm pause wrds such as like, um, uh, etc. Avid persnal and cntrversial tpics.

6 Use specific examples frm yur experience. Never answer with a yes/n. Tell the truth! Ask yur prepared questins. Restate yur interest in the psitin and ask abut timelines and next steps. Thank yur interviewers fr their time, and request a business card. AFTER THE INTERVIEW: Send a Thank Yu nte via , handwritten, r bth within a day r tw f the interview t each interviewer separately. Assess hw the interview went: What wuld yu answer differently? What infrmatin were yu nt able t present abut yurself that yu shuld have? Wuld yu ask better questins? Keep a recrd f the interview Cmpany, Date, Psitin, Names, Interviewers, Receptinists, etc. Dress fr Success Yur clthes say a lt abut yu and play a supprting rle in getting a jb. Apprpriate dress attire supprts yur image as a cmpetent prfessinal ready and capable t wrk in a business envirnment. Wmen Men Neutral clred suit Neutral clred suit Skirt length - a little abve the knee Neutral clred r cnservative stripe shirt

7 Bluses shuld be cttn r silk Neck tie Simple accessries Dress shes Minimal make-up in cnservative tnes Dark scks, mid-calf length Hair shuld be clean and neat Hair shuld be clean and neat Neatly manicured clean nails Minimal clgne r perfume Minimal clgne r perfume Limit the aftershave Briefcase r prtfli case Briefcase r prtfli case Mastering a Behaviral Interview What is a behaviral interview? Behaviral based interviewing is fcused n discvering hw the interviewee handled specific emplyment-related situatins. This interviewing methd is based n the assumptin that past perfrmance can be a strng predictr f future perfrmance. Traditinal Interview vs. Behaviral Interview In a traditinal interview, yu will be asked a series f questins which typically have straight frward answers, such as "What are yur strengths and weaknesses?" r "Describe yur typical wrk pace?. In a behaviral interview, an emplyer has decided what skills are needed in the persn they hire and will ask questins t find ut if the candidate pssesses thse skills. Instead f asking hw yu wuld behave in a situatin, they will ask hw yu handled a similar situatin in the past. Questins in a Behaviral Interview Behaviral interview questins will be mre pinted, mre prbing and mre specific than traditinal interview questins: Give an example f an ccasin when yu used lgic t slve a prblem. Give an example f a gal yu reached and tell me hw yu achieved it. Describe a decisin yu made that was unppular and hw yu handled the implementatin f that decisin. Have yu gne abve and beynd the call f duty? If s, hw? What d yu d when yur schedule is interrupted? Give an example f hw yu handle it.

8 Have yu had t cnvince a team t wrk n a prject they weren't thrilled abut? Hw did yu d it? Have yu handled a difficult situatin with a c-wrker? Hw? Tell me abut hw yu wrked effectively under pressure. Fllw-up questins will als be detailed. Yu may be asked what yu did, what yu said, hw yu reacted r hw yu felt. Preparatin fr the Ptential Behaviral Interview It's imprtant t remember that yu wn't knw what type f interview will take place until yu are sitting in the interview rm. Cnsequently, it is best t prepare answers t traditinal interview questins, and als t refresh yur memry n sme special situatins r prjects yu have wrked n that were particularly challenging. Prepare respnses that illustrate times when yu have successfully slved prblems r managed a difficult prject successfully. Review the jb descriptin, jb psting r advertisement. Yu may be able t get a sense f what skills and behaviral characteristics the emplyer is seeking frm reading the psitin requirements. Think abut frmer prjects r psitins that present examples f hw yu demnstrated the desired skills. During the Behaviral Interview During the interview, if yu are nt sure hw t answer the questin, ask fr clarificatin. Then be sure t include these pints in yur answer: A specific situatin The tasks that needed t be dne The actin yu tk The results It's imprtant t keep in mind that there are n right r wrng answers. The interviewer is simply trying t understand hw yu behaved in a given situatin. Hw yu respnd will determine if there is a fit between yur skills and the psitin the cmpany is seeking t fill. Answering Tricky Interview Questins Why shuld we hire yu? Here is yur chance t really sell yurself. Briefly and succinctly lay ut yur strengths, qualificatins and unique attributes yu culd bring t the psitin. Be careful nt t answer this questin t generically. Why d yu want t wrk here? This is ne tl interviewers use t see if yu have dne yur hmewrk. Yu shuld never attend an interview unless yu knw abut the cmpany, the cmpetitin and the industry. If yu have dne yur

9 research, this questin gives yu an pprtunity t shw initiative and demnstrate hw yur experience and qualificatins match the cmpany's needs. What are yur greatest weaknesses? The secret t answering this questin is being hnest abut a weakness, but demnstrating hw yu have turned it int strength. Fr example, if yu had a prblem with rganizatin in the past, demnstrate the steps yu tk t mre effectively keep yurself n track. This will shw that yu have the ability t recgnize aspects f yurself that need imprvement, and the initiative t make necessary changes. Why did yu leave yur last jb? Even if yur last jb ended badly, avid answering the questins negatively. Be as diplmatic as pssible. If yu d pint ut negative aspects f yur last jb, find sme psitives t mentin as well. Describe a prblem situatin and hw yu slved it. Smetimes it is hard t cme up with a respnse t this request, particularly if yu are cming straight frm cllege and d nt have prfessinal experience. Interviewers want t see that yu can think critically and develp slutins, regardless f what kind f issue yu faced. Even if yur prblem was nt having enugh time t study, describe the steps yu tk t priritize yur schedule. This will demnstrate that yu are respnsible and can think thrugh situatins n yur wn. What accmplishment are yu mst prud f? The secret t this questin is being specific and selecting an accmplishment that relates t the psitin. Even if yur greatest accmplishment is being n a champinship high schl basketball team, pt fr a mre prfessinally relevant accmplishment. Think f the qualities the cmpany is lking fr and develp an example that demnstrates hw yu can meet the cmpany's needs. What are yur salary expectatins? This is a difficult questin, particularly fr thse with little prfessinal experience. Research the salary range in yur field prir t the interview t get an idea f an apprpriate expectatin fr a salary amunt. Avid any discussin f salary specifics befre receiving a jb ffer. Let the interviewer knw that yu will be pen t discussing fair cmpensatin when the time cmes. If pressed fr a mre specific answer, always give a range, rather than a specific number. Tell me abut yurself. Interviewees ften have difficulty with this questin because it is s brad. Remember that the interviewer s primary mtive is t get t knw yu prfessinally, rather than persnally. Chse a few aspects abut yurself that are particularly relevant t yur prfessinal experience and yur career gals. Wrap up yur answer by bringing up yur desire t be a part f the cmpany. If yu have a slid respnse prepared fr this questin, it can lead yur cnversatin in a directin that allws yu t elabrate n yur qualificatins. Tp Reasns Peple Dn't Get Hired Pr persnal appearance Over-aggressiveness

10 Inability t express infrmatin clearly Lack f interest and enthusiasm Lack f planning fr career-- n purpse r gal Nervusness, lack f cnfidence and pise Overemphasis n mney Unwillingness t start at the bttm Lack f tact and curtesy Lack f maturity Negative attitude abut past emplyers N genuine interest in the emplyer r jb N eye cntact with the interviewer Incmplete r slppy applicatin frm N sense f humr Arriving late fr the interview Failure t express appreciatin fr interviewer's time Failure t ask questins abut the jb Vague respnses given t questins N fllw-up with thank yu nte r phne call