How to find a job

Tips on getting noticed during a job interview

September 26, 2012|employees, How to find a job, Job interview| No comments yet

With a large amount of candidates applying for jobs today, it’s imperative that once you’ve landed an interview, you need to make sure the attention stays on you as a candidate. An interview is a “make or break” situation and it’s more than just answering questions. It’s about preparing for the interview, understanding the organization’s needs, and responding to those needs.

There are several ways to prepare for an interview and make yourself noticed. All of these tips need to be researched and prepared before you attend your interview if you want to be noticed.

Understand the Roles in Interviewing
Most people don’t realize that many recruiters dislike the interview process as much as the interviewee. A recruiter tries to do three things during the interview: Sell the organization, assess your interest in the organization, and determine if your qualifications match those on your resumé. Likewise, your role during the interview is to sell yourself, understand the company’s needs and respond to those needs.

Know the Prospective Employer
You’ve heard this a million times but if you’ve done your homework and researched the prospective employer, your efforts will stand out. Know what the organization is about by reading their mission statement and any other information you can find about them. Understand what they sell or what services are offered to their client base.

Sell Yourself
Now that you know the business of the prospective employer, take a look at your background and choose 3-5 achievements or abilities that will be an asset to this organization. Choose instances that show initiative, good performance, and/or leadership. Write down those specific items and take them with you to the interview. Rehearse them to the point that you can comfortably discuss them without your notes.

Dress Appropriately
Research the prospective company to determine what the appropriate business attire is. It could be jeans or suits and whatever it is, you’ll need to wear clothes geared towards their dress code.

What Do Recruiters Look For?
Recruiters will look for several behaviors during the interview process. Each recruiter is different but if you realize the following behaviors, your chances are better at getting noticed.

Assertiveness: This attribute wins job offers. Assertiveness is a good balance between self-assurance and cockiness. Your goal as an assertive candidate is to draw others to you and your thoughts or words. When you come across as an assertive person, that means that you’re confident in who you are as a professional.

Experience: Recruiters like to hear responses that are focused on results. Gear your responses to the end result. This will make you more appealing.

Versatility: Candidates that are adaptable and versatile are more apt to succeed in an organization and recruiters know this.

Ask Questions
If the recruiter is doing all the talking during the interview, it’ll be assumed that you have no interest in the open position. Ask questions throughout the interview to gain a better understanding of the position. Show enthusiasm and interest.

Google: The most interesting company for job seekers

September 14, 2012|employees, How to find a job, Interesting Facts| No comments yet

Finding a job can be a difficult task, especially in today’s economy. However, finding the right job seems almost like an impossibility. Add that preponderance to being a student just entering the workforce and fresh into the career world and it may seem as if getting a job, any job will likely ever happen.

Do not lose hope just yet, though. With up and coming companies like Google, the possibilities are opening up and will be offered to individuals with fresh ideas and cutting edge abilities. With Google and the job search, knowing what is available and honing in on what the company is looking for in employees just might land you a position with one of the most interesting companies on the market.

The Positions

Google basically breaks down its available positions into three teams. We will call them the Builders, theSellers, and the Doers. Within each of these teams there are a variety of jobs and assignments completed.

The Builders are those individuals involved in engineering, operations and support, product management, and technical client-facing. Engineers create the technology that’s fueling the development now and for the future. Operations and support staff are involved in supportive internet technology development and usage. Product management personal manage the process of creating, integrating, and launching new products. And, those in technical client-facing build the bridge that connects Google and technology itself.

The Sellers includes the innovators behind retail and business management within the company, including positions in sales and account management, product and customer support, partnerships, and sales operations. Each of the individuals in this team is directly responsible for the success of company interaction, product innovation, business expansion, and smooth operation, respectively.

The Doers encompass possibly the most diverse team of Googlers, ranging from business strategists to real estate and workplace servicers. Yet, much like the name suggests, without the Doers in the company, little would actually be accomplished. This team is a fine team of people comprised of positions in administration, finance, marketing and communications, legal and public policy, people operations, and others. Taking on the grit of the Google workforce, this team maintains the atmosphere and environment presented at the company as well as brings new ideas to the table for business practices and discipline.

Aside from even these opportunities, though, Google offers specific prospects for student involvement. Google offers internships for current students in the technical field and even gives precedence to recent technical graduates. And, in the sales, general, and administrative departments, the company offers student internships as well as career paths to those working on higher education degrees.

The Requirements

As Google is such an innovative company, the application and acceptance process is a rigorous path to reflect the company’s high expectations. With Google, the process is comprised of six steps that offer the company ample opportunity to get to know its candidates.

So, at Google it is about standing out in the crowd, about letting people get to know you as an individual, and sharing innovative ideas. Presenting yourself as a “go-getter” is a must, so being proactive about the application and interview process is crucial. To this end, Google has compiled a list of tips and suggestions available on its student website (http://www.google.com/intl/en/jobs/students/joining/) to aid individuals through the hiring process.

Whether just entering the field or just looking for a career move, Google is worth considering. I mean, it is the most interesting company in business today…

Pros and cons of personal agency

August 21, 2012|employees, How to find a job, Tips At work| No comments yet

When it comes to locating a job, some people rely on employment agencies. Employment agencies can be suitable outlets for gaining an income and sense of stability. However, there are good and bad sides to using an employment agency. If you wish to make use of one of the many agencies around the country, the information below may help.

Pros

1. You Can Stay Away From Boredom

When you use an employment agency, it is less likely that you will find boredom. Agencies expose you to several different businesses and companies; as a result, you will always find something new. A new job is exciting and even fun for the first month; you spend a lot of time learning an area and socializing with coworkers; because employment agencies usually specialize in temporary jobs, you will not have the time to become bored. You can move on to something else.

2. You Can Develop a Network

When you start work at a new company, you can develop a relationship with one or more fellow employees. These employees may help you in the future when you are seeking permanent employment. If nothing else, you can gain a new friend. Working for a lot of companies implies that you can meet more people than normal. You can gain an advantage over the typical worker. Do not be afraid to talk to somebody new; he or she may be able to give you the lead that you need.

Cons

1. It May Not Last Forever

An employment agency does not guarantee that you will find permanent work. Many jobs that you come across will only last for a few months. If your finances are tight, it is crucial to consider work that is stable. Some people become stressed when they learn that work will not last forever; they may worry about the next paycheck. It may not be a good idea to rely completely on a personal agency. If you choose to do so, it is possible to pose a risk for your family. Do not be afraid to try something different and ask staff members for help.

2. Benefits Are Few

Some businesses do not offer benefits to employees that will not be around for a long time. The people in charge may not believe that it is worth the effort, and you should keep this in mind. This is a large negative that you should not ignore. If you or a member of your family needs healthcare, inadequate benefits are not going to work. Talk to the staff at the agency. Make sure that they are aware of the fact that you need benefits in some form. You do not know if something will not work unless you try.

Employment agencies are helpful to many people. To these individuals, any job is vital. This does not mean, however, that employment agencies are flawless. If you want to stay aware of the good and the poor, the information above can help you. Use caution and common sense no matter what.

10 skills employers look for in future employees

July 26, 2012|employees, How to find a job, Interesting Facts, Tips At work| No comments yet

In today’s job market, some skills are valued more highly than others. Employers look for different skills based on the job, but several skills are desirable for many different fields. These skills can help job seekers beat out the competition for a job.

Computer Skills
Though there are jobs that require no computer interaction, there are many more that do. Even the most basic computer skills are helpful in many jobs. Basic skills include typing ability and understanding how to use computer software.

Teamwork
Many jobs require working in a collaborative environment. Employers look for employees that can handle taking direction from others and contribute to a healthy team environment. Those with egos are less desirable in many job atmospheres.

Communication Skills
Communication skills are crucial to just about any job. Employers desire employees who can communicate well through both verbal and written forms. Additionally, employees must be able to comprehend instructions well.

Positive Attitude
Job seekers who give off a negative attitude are not likely to get hired. A positive attitude tells the employer that the prospective employee is willing to do what it takes to get the job. Sometimes, a positive attitude is enough to get the job when the job seeker’s other skills don’t quite meet expectations.

Problem Solving
Through the course of a day, employees frequently come across new and challenging issues. Employers prefer workers who can tackle these problems and not give up. Even asking for help is an acceptable way to solve a problem on the job.

Math Skills
Math skills are useful in most jobs, though sometimes little more than basic math is required. Other jobs, however, rely heavily on solid and advanced math skills.

Flexibility
In today’s competitive world, many jobs require workers to be flexible enough to take on multiple projects at once. Retail workers, for example, are constantly dealing with separate customers requiring assistance. Good workers are able to juggle multiple issues at once without getting stressed.

Interaction with the Public
Many jobs, especially those in customer service, require constant interaction with members of the public. Employees need to have a pleasant demeanor and treat each customer with respect. Workers who get stressed and lash out at clients are not useful to an employer.

Research Skills
Employers are looking for potential employees who are able to research and analyze problems. The ability to research shows that a worker is able to take the initiative on a task and not wait around for explicit instructions. It also demonstrates that a worker is able to take on more responsibilities and assume a more active role in the company.

Work Ethic
A good work ethic is one of the most ideal skills for any employee to have. Many employers can get a hint of a prospective worker’s work ethic from a careful reading the worker’s resume. A solid work ethic demonstrates to an employer that the future employee will be punctual, efficient and able to meet deadlines.

Improve job prospects with a language course

July 19, 2012|employees, How to find a job| No comments yet

More than ever, employers are looking for multilingual people, even in roles you would not necessarily expect. Why? Thanks to the internet and mobile technology, the world is getting smaller by the day. It is not uncommon for a small company in Tokyo to do business with a company in London and that company to do business in New Delhi. Adding a language to your resume is an excellent way to demonstrate that you are a forward thinker preparing for the business world of tomorrow. Being able to communicate in the native language of a customer or business is a great way to establish a common bond and build trust.

The choice to take a foreign language course also speaks to a desire for consistent betterment of oneself. Employers looking for long-term members of their teams are not interested in stagnant minds that want to stay mired where they are at. Why? Strong, innovative minds are the catalyst for new developments. Communicating that desire and ability is a bit difficult to do directly through a resume. Putting forth the effort to learn a foreign language is a great way for you to demonstrate in a way they can easily interpret and understand.

There should be some thought put into what direction you should take with a foreign language. While the prospect of learning Latin might seem exciting, it won’t do you a whole lot of good. Instead, take a look at the industry, business, and its areas of operation. India is a major player in a number of different industries and on the internet, making Hindi a very good candidate. Korean, Japanese, and Chinese are all good choices. And, of course, there is Spanish. Spanish speaking people comprise a very large segment of the world’s population. It would be pretty difficult to go wrong with learning Spanish.

The great thing about developing your skills with a foreign language is that there are no downsides. It is a skill you can and will use moving forward. It can help you develop a more worldly attitude that can add a lot of depth to your life, your character, and your employment appeal. With a little self improvement, you could be opening up new and exciting avenues in your career!