|
|
Fastest-Growing Industries
by Tara Weiss, Forbes.com
Amid all the gloomy talk of recession, layoffs, and continued financial turmoil, there are some sectors where more jobs will be created over the next few years. That's according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) latest 10-year outlook for job creation. Though it was prepared before the recent chaos in markets and banking, the forecast still makes some reasonably valid assumptions. Among them: consultancy. Companies will still need outside guidance in crafting their decision-making, no matter how troubled the industry, so think about getting into management or scientific or technical consulting. The BLS says these kinds of high-paying (an average $467,000 annually) jobs will increase to 1.6 million by 2016, up from 920,000 in 2006. =========================================
More from Forbes.com: * In Pictures: Fastest-Growing Industries For Jobs
* In Pictures: 10 Most Recession-Proof Jobs
* In Pictures: What To Do When You're Laid Off
* In Pictures: Seven Ways To Fail Big
=========================================
"Globalization, the heightened need for security, and mergers and acquisitions have made the business world a more complex place, and [businesses] use consultants to help move through that landscape," says Eric Figueroa, an economist with the BLS.
Another growth field: firms that specialize in human resources. As companies consolidate to save money, they are transferring their human-resources functions to these specialized organizations. Health care will be the second-fastest-growing industry, driven partly by demographics: The number of people 65 and older is expected to increase to nearly 46.4 million by 2016, from 35.6 million two years ago. The sector as a whole is projected to add 4 million jobs through 2016; that includes 480,500 home health-care aides and 512,500 nursing home workers. Adding to the health-care boom are technological breakthroughs which continue to increase life expectancy. Medical advancements in the treatment of infertility and cancer also increase the need for more health care professionals. Jobs within the leisure and hospitality sector will continue to grow -- assuming people still have money to travel and stay in hotels. The industry as a whole should add 1.9 million jobs, the BLS says, half of which will be in food and drink service. No surprise there: Americans are working longer hours and want inexpensive, fast meals. Education is also expected to be an expanding industry. Initiatives in universal preschool and all-day kindergarten will drive demand for more teachers and school administrators. Much less convincing is the projection about financial services, made before the market meltdown and President Bush's recent warning that the economy may be headed toward a recession. Yes, the BLS projected an addition of 1.2 million jobs, and yes, there are millions of baby boomers who will need help with pensions and other self-directed retirement decisions. But Wall Street banks and other big financial institutions are in the midst of laying off tens of thousands of people. Did BLS experts know about the credit crisis when they made this forecast? No, and Figueroa offers an explanation: "We do a 10-year projection, because [we're] not trying to forecast the business cycles," says the BLS economist. "We don't forecast recession. Things can average out."
5 Career Changes You Can Actually Make by Gabby Hyman, FindTheRightSchool.com While it's certainly true that many Americans devote their entire working lives to a single employer, the practice is becoming rare in the private sector. On average, a job in this country lasts only three-and-a-half years. You might shift roles in your profession as you advance into management positions. Or you may leap into a new career entirely, training in mid-life for a career that reflects your true passions. In turbulent economic times, you may head back to college to prepare for a radically different, better-paying profession. Seven in 10 Americans admit that they'd change jobs tomorrow if only they could. Well, they can -- and so can you. Online college degree and career training programs offer unparalleled scheduling flexibility, allowing you to shift lanes without slowing down. Some employers will even reimburse your tuition if you're training for management.
Here are five growing fields that make for easy transitions, along with salary figures and the training necessary to make your move: Accountant
Accountants, contrary to old tales, don't sit around all day chewing on pencils and pining for adventure. They earn good wages and tackle dynamic tax, earning, or investment problems for corporations and private individuals. The United States will add 226,000 openings for accountants and auditors over the next decade, for an 18 percent overall increase.
To prepare, keep your day job; meanwhile, enroll in an online bachelor's degree program in accounting. The best jobs will go to those who pursue a master's degree in accounting or finance--also available online. Accountants and auditors drew a median annual wage of $63,180 in 2007. Nursing Administrator
Nursing administrators often begin their careers as floor nurses. Nurses earn good wages and have plenty of job options from which to choose. But some either burn out from stress or want to earn more as health care managers. The Labor Department reports that all advanced practice nursing specialties require completion of a master's degree in nursing (MSN) or business administration.
Typically an online RN to MSN program includes a first-year program that satisfies bachelor's degree requirements. The earnings keep pace with the level of educational attainment. For example, median annual wages for nurses in the U.S. were $62,480 in 2007, compared with a median annual wage of $84,980 for medical and health-services managers. Massage Therapist
Most people become massage therapists because they believe in hands-on healing. Many train online in their spare time while continuing to work in their current careers until they're licensed and ready to change. Some mix in massage therapy with an existing career in healing arts to add a part-time income. Or, you may just be tired of corporate America and ready to follow your dreams.
Employment of massage therapists is projected to increase 20 percent through 2016, meaning that the profession is being rapidly absorbed into mainstream American health care. You'll find jobs with existing practitioners, chiropractic offices, spas, hotels, athletic organizations, and clinics. Each state has its own set of licensing requirements. The median annual salary for massage therapists in 2007 was $40,330. Management Analyst
Take your existing career and deep subject knowledge into the higher echelons of consulting. Jobs for management analysts are predicted to grow by a hefty 22 percent over the 2006-2016 decade. Businesses in the financial, high tech, and sales sectors are on the lookout for expert advice in streamlining operational practices and increasing the bottom line. One of the best ways to qualify is to add a master's degree in business administration. Online MBA programs complement your existing specializations in biotechnology, IT, health care, marketing, or engineering. You'll be rewarded for your continuing education. The median salary for management analysts in 2007: $80,460. Technical Writer
Who says majoring in English can't pay? While your peers may understand technology, health care, engineering, or finance, many of them simply cannot cobble a verb and noun into a coherent sentence. If you're a frustrated prose writer with an arts degree, enroll in a technical writing training program to learn the communication paradigms used in business and technology. Or, if you're an accomplished engineer or techie, learn the writing fundamentals in creating white papers, online copy, training manuals, and marketing publications.
A bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or English with a concentration in technical writing will get you going -- or take classes in publications design, graphics, and technical documentation. Median annual earnings for technical writers in 2007 were $62,780. Gabby Hyman has created online strategies and written content for Fortune 500 companies including eToys, GoTo.com, Siebel Systems, Microsoft Encarta, Avaya, and Nissan UK.
Relax: Find a Low-Stress Job with High Potential
by Vicki Salemi, ClassesUSA.com
"People should look for a job situation or niche that's less stressful than the norm. For instance, stress levels are related to the impact of your decisions in life-or-death situations and consequences of your actions on the job."
Read below about several jobs that can enable you to experience low stress along with job satisfaction and career growth.
Mathematician
Although the most stressful aspects of the job are the importance of being exact and a level of competition, in essence it's all good. Shatkin explains, "Mathematicians are not under pressure as this isn't life and death; they're dealing with theoretical realms."
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, a Ph.D. in mathematics is usually the minimum requirement for entry into the field. BLS indicates the average salary in May 2006 was $86,930. Archivists
While this occupation focuses on planning and overseeing the arrangement of exhibitions of collections, there's a certain degree consistency and low stress levels. Stuart Sidle, Ph.D. and assistant professor of psychology and I/O (industrial organizational) psychology program coordinator, University of New Haven, says, "When people have control over how they organize their tasks, how they behave, the predictability of their job, and the freedom to make a mistake where no one's going to die as a result, they experience low stress."
People typically pursue a bachelor's degree in history or library science prior to entering this field. According to BLS, in May 2006 the average earnings were $40,730. Foresters and Conservation Scientists
Foresters and conservation professionals typically work outdoors in seasonal activities (think: putting out forest fires and maintaining recreational facilities). They also select and mark trees for thinning or logging, manage forest protection activities and patrol park areas to prevent damage.
Least stressful aspects of the job, as pointed out by Shatkin, are the low level of competition, rarely dealing with unpleasant or angry people, and the lack of time pressures which are normally embedded in higher maintenance occupations. According to BLS, the average earnings were $54,970. Travel Agents
Some aspects of this profession include computing costs of travel and accommodations, booking various tours, and selling travel packages. Although accuracy is paramount to success on the job, least stressful aspects include a comfortable pace and low frequency of conflict situations.
BLS notes the average earnings are $29,210 and Shatkin points out this job affords flexibility to be self-employed or work part-time.
"Stressors of any job include the duration of the work week, dealing with angry people, confronting situations and competition. People should look for a job situation where normal work hours are encouraged."
Don't Panic: The Right Job Is Just Around the Corner
by Caroline Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs
Fuel prices are up. Food prices, too. And don't forget foreclosures. The U.S. is still at war and unemployment has reached 5.5%. It's the real-life equivalent of "Lions and tigers and bears!" But, oh my, does a job seeker really have to think the worst is yet to come -- if it isn't already here? Nah! Don't focus too much on the bad news. There's plenty of good news -- and good jobs -- out there. John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the nation's first, oldest, and premier outplacement consulting organization, points out, "There's no reason to start panicking. Jobs are opening up all the time." And while the economy is a bit sluggish as of late, Challenger says, "You can't think of the job market as too monolithic. A number of industries out there are doing very well currently. Health care, energy, international business, agriculture, and commodities are thriving." Health care, sales, and technology are among the categories with the most job listings on Yahoo! HotJobs, and each have enjoyed the biggest category growth from March to April this year. Whatever the economic climate, you can use these four strategies to maximize your opportunities: Rely on Research Outplacement and job-market expert Challenger recommends that job seekers do their due diligence. "What's going in the economy? What's going on in my market? Where are the companies that are hiring? Research all this on Yahoo! Finance and see who's doing well in the market and position your next job search around companies that are in growth mode right now." However, even if an organization's numbers are down, he reminds professionals, "Don't give up on a company that's doing poorly. Troubled companies need good people to solve their problems." Think Positive Janet White, author of "Secrets of the Hidden Job Market: Change Your Thinking to Get the Job of Your Dreams" and founder of jobmarketsecrets.com, thinks workers should stop reading the headlines. "Don't buy it," she says. If you begin your job search with the wrong mindset, it may not go right. "Avoid falling into the mindset that it's tough out there, there's a lot of competition, and not enough opportunity for you," White says. "Imagine yourself being in the job you want. Hold the vision of having it -- go back to daydreaming about it. Whatever you believe to be true becomes your experience. You can believe that it's hard or you can believe that you can have the job of your dreams." Don't Blame the Economy Alone Are you flying blind or do you have a solid job search strategy? Susan D. Strayer, author of "The Right Job Right Now: The Complete Toolkit for Finding Your Perfect Career," says, "One of the things I always see when there is an economic downturn is that job seekers tend to be lazy in their searches and blame it on the economy. People are sending out hundreds of untargeted resumes -- whether it's a bad economy or a good economy. That's not a good strategy." Strayer, an HR executive and career coach, counsels her clients, "You have to focus on your search strategies. And conversations are the biggest piece of that. You need to find advocates within a company." Start reaching out to your network to find these folks and talk to them. She believes insiders can not only help you tailor your resume and approach, "They can also give you a real state of the union -- letting you know which divisions are and aren't doing well and which vacant positions are on hold." While she, like Challenger, believes there are certain industries you can't be optimistic about, she reminds job seekers, "You should always be optimistic about your search." Market Yourself (in Any Market) The experts at Yahoo! HotJobs remind job seekers, "Although we are seeing unemployment rise and the economy somewhat weaken, there will always be jobs available for those who are determined to find the right fit. But it's important to remember that looking for a job is all about marketing yourself." The best strategy for positioning yourself as the most attractive candidate starts with a tight resume. Also, there are jobs lurking around every corner, but you won't find them unless you network. Finally, make full use of the array of tools available on Yahoo! HotJobs to enhance your efforts. Resume and interview tips, online search agents, and job recommendation services are just a few of the features that can help you find work fast.
Job Hunting in an Unsteady Economy
7 Tips for Success
by Tom Musbach, Yahoo! HotJobs
Whether or not the U.S. economy has hit a recession, one thing is clear these days: Uncertainty is in the air, and it affects nearly every economic sector, including the job market.
The recent rise in the U.S. unemployment rate -- 5.0% in April -- indicates that fewer jobs are being created, but the shrinkage may not affect job-seekers in some fields, such as technology or health care. Nonetheless, experts say job seekers should pay attention to current economic conditions and expect that the job-search process may take longer.
Adjust Your Approach?
"The unemployment rate has risen, but it is not at a point that should cause job seekers to panic," says John Challenger, CEO of outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. "Even at 5.2% or 5.3%, there is still demand for workers. Those seeking jobs in construction or mortgage lending might have a more difficult time finding employment, but we have not seen a significant downturn in hiring in other sectors."
Alexandra Levit, author of "They Don't Teach Corporate in College," suggests job seekers may want to alter their approach due to economic uncertainties.
"Perhaps this means earning a paycheck at your current job while conducting interviews over your lunch break or doing volunteer work on the weekend that might lead to a paid gig," she says. "If you are currently unemployed, you may have to settle for a situation that's not 100% ideal in order to keep yourself afloat through the downturn."
David Bach, a workforce development specialist in San Francisco, says job seekers can "improve their competitive edge by becoming more aware of the top ongoing employers." Fields that are less affected by the evolving economy -- such as education, health care, and energy -- make an ideal focus right now, he adds.
Tips for Reaching Your Goal
Experts recommend the following actions to increase your job-search success in an uncertain economic climate.
* Tailor your presentations; don't be generic. "In developing a resume and other promotions materials, think about how your current skills and talents apply directly to the responsibilities you'll hold in the new job," says Levit.
* "Create a target list of companies," says career coach Julie Jansen, author of "You Want Me to Work with Who?" She suggests sending the list to 25 people, asking them if they can put you in touch with an employee at one of the listed companies.
* "Make yourself and your skills more visible," says Bach. He suggests posting and refreshing your resume in more places, such as online job boards, and going to job fairs.
* "Create an advisory board of smart and empathetic people and confer with them regularly about your job search," says Jansen.
* "Hone and utilize your 'elevator pitch' as often as possible," says Bach, referring to a 30-second summary of your professional assets.
* Keep your spirits high. Don't let the process overwhelm you or weigh you down. Jansen advises, "Make a list of your five favorite things to do, and do them!"
* Make an effort daily. "Do one thing each day -- like emailing a new contact or attending a networking event -- that moves your job search forward," says Levit. "Your worst enemy is inertia."
Six Common Job-Interview Questions
| Try These Sample Questions to Help Get Ready |
By Tom Musbach, Yahoo! HotJobs
One of the easiest ways to build confidence before a job interview is to prepare answers to questions you might be asked. Whether you're applying for a position as a web programmer, accountant, or legal secretary, interviewers often use some general questions to assess candidates, so you'll increase your chances for success if you prepare for them in advance. Six common questions are listed below, along with insights from several recruitment professionals about how to answer. As part of your interview preparation, take the time to formulate answers to each question, focusing on specific tasks and accomplishments. "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" This is one of the most well-known interview questions, and interviewers often ask it indirectly, as in, "What did your most recent boss suggest as areas for improvement in your last performance review?" Lindsay Olson, founder of Paradigm Staffing Solutions, a firm specializing in hiring public relations professionals, suggests tailoring your "strengths" answer to skills that will benefit the prospective employer. Though you may have a knack for building gingerbread houses, it might be of little value for the job at hand. When it comes to weaknesses, or areas of growth, Olson recommends building on your answer to include "how you have improved, and specifics on what you have done to improve yourself in those areas." "Why did you leave your last position?" "Interviewers will always want to know your reasoning behind leaving a company ? particularly short stints," says Olson. "Be prepared to tell the truth, without speaking negatively about past employment." "Can you describe a previous work situation in which you ... ?" This question comes in many forms, but what the interviewer is looking for is your behavior on the job. Your answer could focus on resolving a crisis, overcoming a negotiation deadlock, handling a problem coworker, or juggling multiple tasks on a project. The theory behind this type of question is that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior, according to Yves Lermusi, CEO of Checkster, a company that offers career and talent checkup tools. "The key to responding well is preparing real job examples, describing your behavior in specific situations that demonstrate important skills that the job requires." "What is your ideal work environment?" This question is not about whether you prefer a cubicle or an office, so think broadly to include ideas about supervision, management styles, and your workday routine. Bob Hancock, senior recruiter for video game publisher Electronic Arts, says that he uses this question with candidates because it can give "a sense of their work habits, how flexible they are with their schedules, and how creative they are." "How do you handle mistakes?" The best strategy for this general question is to focus on one or two specific examples in the past and, if possible, highlight resolutions or actions that might have relevance to the job you're interviewing for. "Employers want to know they're hiring someone with the maturity to accept responsibility and the wherewithal to remedy their own mistakes," says Debra Davenport, a master professional mentor and columnist for the Business Journal in Phoenix. "What is your most notable accomplishment?" Paradigm Staffing's Olson suggests that candidates think of three or four accomplishments and quantify what their actions meant in terms of increasing revenues, saving resources, or improving resources. "Being able to quantify your achievements in your career will launch you ahead of the rest," she says, "and demonstrate your ability to do the same as a future employee."
The New Power Jobs
by Heather Boerner, for Yahoo! HotJobs
White-hot jobs are opening up in the power sector.
"These aren't just hot jobs, they're sizzling jobs," said Christine Real de Azua, spokeswoman for the American Wind Energy Association. Wind energy grew by 45 percent last year. "We need every type of job candidate."
Indeed, with oil topping $100 per barrel, expect power industry jobs to explode in the next 10 years -- and not just in petroleum or the electric company. Want to repair wind turbines, manage a nuclear reactor or install solar panels? The jobs await.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and energy leaders reveal what fields are expected to grow, and they are listed below with projected growth levels through 2016, salary data, and what you need to get a related job.
Engineers
11 percent projected growth
$44,790-$145,600 annually, depending on specialty
"We're experiencing a comeback in 'dirty jobs,'" said Chris McCormick, partner and head of the energy division of venture capital firm Landmark Ventures. "While a few years ago, what we wanted were the 'clean' jobs in computer engineering, now we're back to the types of engineers who get their hands dirty with chemistry and broad-application engineering."
Chemical engineers who work with biofuels, electrical engineers who design power plants, mechanical engineers who find better ways to capture air and wind energy, and nuclear engineers who make plants run more efficiently will all be in high demand -- with salaries to match. While some engineers, like chemical engineers, may need a PhD to do their jobs, most others, like environmental engineers, only require a bachelor's degree in physics or engineering, according to the BLS.
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
11 percent projected growth
$35,590-$75,240 annually
"When I got out of college, people told me, 'Go do other things.' The conventional wisdom was that nuclear power was going to go away," said Carol Berrigan, senior director for industry infrastructure at the Nuclear Energy Institute. "But now, with some regulatory changes, we have something like nine applications out there for 16 new nuclear power plants in the next few years."
Which jobs will grow fastest? Think Homer Simpson, but with more computer knowledge and less buffoonery. On top of the billions of dollars the industry is spending on new construction, the field's employees are aging: In the next 10 years, half of all nuclear reactor operators are expected to retire. You don't need to have an engineering degree for these jobs, but you should expect extensive on-the-job training and classroom instruction as well as licensing exams, according to the BLS.
Industrial Machinery Mechanic
9 percent projected growth
$42,350 median annual income
Someone's got to install the solar panels and repair wind turbines, and industrial machinery mechanics are often the ones who get the jobs. In solar, Tioga Energy's Executive Vice President Preston Roper said the biggest demand is for solar installers.
Both Roper and Real de Azua said local community colleges are the places to go to get the training necessary for the jobs. Many are offering specialized training in solar or wind repair work.
Skilled Trade Workers
Electricians: 7 percent projected growth
$44,780 median annual income
Line Workers: 7 percent projected growth
$52,570 median annual income
Welders: 5 percent projected growth
$32,270 median annual income
These workers repair the lines that bring power to your home and build and repair power plant structures. Want one of these jobs? Usually you don't need post-high school education, but you will need an apprenticeship through a union or other skilled trade group. The programs usually take about four years
Technology: It's Where the Jobs Are
by Arik Hesseldahl, BusinessWeek.com
Here's a hint for high school graduates or college students still majoring in indecision: Put down that guitar or book of poetry and pick up a laptop. Study computer science or engineering, and plan to move to a big city.
A new survey out this week from AeA, the group formerly known as the American Electronics Assn., reports that jobs in the technology industry are growing at a healthy clip, especially in large cities. The organization's Cybercities 2008 survey says that 51 cities added high-technology jobs in 2006, the most recent year for which data were available. The survey tracks new jobs related to the creation of tech products, including fields such as chip manufacturing and software engineering. It is the AeA's first such survey since 2000, which was taken before the crash of the tech bubble that created so many jobs in the late 1990s.
And while slowing economic conditions have dulled the pace of growth since the 2006 data were collected, AeA researcher Matthew Kazmierczak says it's far from turning south. "Nationally, there are some data that show the rate of growth has slowed since 2006, but it hasn't gone negative," he says.
The leader in number of jobs gained is Seattle, home to such tech companies as Amazon, RealNetworks, and software giant Microsoft, based in nearby Redmond, Wash. Seattle added a net 7,800 jobs during the period surveyed, followed by the New York and Washington (D.C.) metro areas, which added more than 6,000 jobs apiece. The fastest-growing area on a percentage basis was the combined metro area of Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif., which saw its tech-employment figures grow by 12%. Riverside-San Bernardino benefited from higher costs of living in nearby Los Angeles and Orange County.
Salary Strength
The highest concentration of technology workers -- 286 for every 1,000 workers -- was in, no surprise, Silicon Valley. Boulder, Colo., came in second, with 230, and Huntsville, Ala.; Durham, N.C.; and Washington rounded out the top five in density.
Now for the answer to the question on everyone's mind: Where are the highest salaries? That would be Silicon Valley, where the average tech worker is paid $144,000 a year. That's nearly double the $80,000 national average for tech jobs. Runners up included San Francisco and Oakland, Calif. Austin, Tex., home of Dell came in fourth, and Seattle was fifth. San Juan, Puerto Rico, had the lowest salaries, with an average of $38,000 a year, but living expenses there are also considerably lower.
What does all this mean? There's still a labor shortage in tech. And if you took Economics 101, you know that's good news for paychecks. Already, tech wages are 87% higher, on average, than in the rest of the private-sector job market. Tech wages are also growing faster, by an average of 4% a year -- double the 2% reported for private industry as a whole. And in Austin, San Diego, and Sacramento, Calif., tech salaries tend to be twice what they are for private-sector jobs generally.
A Shrinking Pool of Potential U.S. Hires
The AeA's findings jibe with what the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says on the subject of technology jobs: More than 850,000 IT jobs will be added during the 10-year period ending in 2016, which would be a rise of 24%. Add all the jobs that will replace retiring workers, and the total increase could be a tidy 1.6 million. That means one job in every 19 created over the course of the next decade will be in technology.
And while demand for tech-savvy employees is certainly multiplying, another survey, this one from the Computing Research Assn. and released in March, found a 20% drop in the number of students completing degrees in computer-related fields, and the number of students enrolling in these programs is the lowest it's been in 10 years, as far back as the data go.
AeA's Kazmierczak says this confirms what its members are saying about their ability to hire new employees. Unable to find enough U.S. citizens for tech jobs, U.S. companies scoop up as many foreign nationals as they can using the limited pool of H-1B work visas issued by the federal government each year. But it's not enough, and the process is slow and cumbersome. "Our members are having problems finding a number of qualified workers," he says. "The U.S. doesn't really allow foreign nationals to compete in the job marketplace -- we essentially tell them to go home to their own countries and to create competition there."
Click through BusinessWeek.com's slide show of the best cities for technology jobs.
The 10 Biggest Minutes of Your Interview
Why the first 10 minutes of your interview can make or break you and how you can prepare.
By Joe Turner, Career Coach
You've heard it said often: "First impressions are the most important."
When it comes to the job interview, here's recent proof that bears this out:
"Hiring managers often know whether they might hire someone soon after the opening handshake and small talk," a new survey suggests. Executives polled said it takes them just 10 minutes to form an opinion of job seekers, despite meeting with staff-level applicants for 55 minutes and management-level candidates for 86 minutes, on average. Executives were asked, "How long does it typically take you to form either a positive or negative opinion of a job candidate during an initial interview?" The mean response was 10 minutes.*
This came from a survey published April 12, 2007, and developed by Robert Half Finance & Accounting, the largest specialized financial recruitment service in the world. It included responses from 150 senior executives with Fortune 1000 companies.
So what does this mean for you as you approach job interviews?
Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International, sums it up when he says, "The interview begins the moment job seekers arrive, so applicants need to project enthusiasm and confidence from the start. The opening minutes of the conversation often set the tone for the rest of the discussion, making it wise to prepare especially well for the first few interview questions."
Here's how to make the first 10 minutes of your interview work in your favor:
1. Know the four most important questions
Pay close attention to those four most important questions they want answers to:
1. Why are you here?
2. What can you do for us?
3. Will you fit in? (Will you get along with our values and culture here?)
4. What makes you different from everyone else that we may have talked with? (Will you go that extra mile?)
Rehearse your answers with your own personal "stories." These are short narratives describing times when you overcame a crisis, led a team, met a deadline, resurrected a failed project, etc.
Some common questions you'll often encounter at the beginning of the interview:
"Tell me a little about yourself." (Question #2: "What can you do for us?")
"What do you know about us?" (Question #1: "Why are you here?")
"Why are you here today?" (Same)
"Why are you looking to change jobs?" (Question#2: "What can you do for us?")
"What's your most important accomplishment to date?" (Same)
Why should we hire you (over everyone else we've seen)? (Question #4: "Will you go the extra mile?")
2. Know the company
Do your homework. Always research the company before you interview. Know who they are, what they do, what their major products and services are, who their competitors are and the current "buzz" about them.
Here's why:
The first few minutes of the interview are the time to flatter them. Remember the question, "Why are you here?" Show them that you've done your research and not only know something about their company, but also have several reasons for being enthusiastic about working for them. Let this enthusiasm carry over into your demeanor as you walk in the door.
3. Know your role
First impressions count for a lot, especially in the job interview. You're on stage from the minute you enter the room. So play your role by first getting into character:
The "character" you play is that of a problem solver, not a job seeker.
As a problem solver, you know why you are here, you're excited about this company, and you know you can help them achieve their goals. With this kind of ammunition, you can score direct hits on their opening questions and win big points for yourself by demonstrating you are both knowledgeable and excited about their opportunity.
Now have a killer interview!
As a recruiter, Joe Turner has spent the past 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers. Author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked," Turner has been interviewed on radio talk shows and offers free insider job search secrets at: http://www.jobchangesecrets.com.
Copyright 2008 Joe Turner. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without prior written authority.
How to Prepare for an Unexpected Job Search
by Clare O'Keeffe, Salary.com
A glance at the newspaper headlines in the past few months tells a disturbing story. Whether or not one uses the dreaded "R" word, it's clear that more and more companies are reevaluating their workforces. Instead of worrying about your job security, be proactive and lay the groundwork in case you should need to find a job quickly. A little planning can go a long way if you are faced with an emergency job search.
The following eight tips will help you prepare for an unexpected job search. At the same time, however, they are a great way to both update your network and assess your current situation.
Network everywhere you go, all the time.
Networking is one of the most important aspects of a job search. By joining professional associations and attending their events you will build your own personal network. When the time comes, you'll be able to reach out to people with whom you already have a professional relationship. Social networking sites such as LinkedIn are also an excellent way to keep up with contacts. They make it easy to stay in touch with former coworkers and connect to other people in your field.
Check in with your "affinity groups."
The link to college doesn't end at graduation. Most colleges and universities maintain extensive alumni networks. These databases can be used to connect to other alumni in your industry. You can either explore it more formally by looking for job openings or you can use it more informally by setting up informational interviews.
Keep your resume current.
As your job evolves and your skill sets grow, be sure to revise your resume. Promotions, rewards, and important projects should be continually added. It is a living document that should reflect all the work you have put into your career. If and when the time comes, post your resume on several sites. The big sites are good for volume, but don't forget sites that specialize in jobs in your geographic area and your industry.
Research the value of your skills and experience on the talent market. The Salary Wizard is a great place to start.
Consider working with a headhunter.
Corporate recruiters, or headhunters, can be a great resource. Even if you aren't looking for a new job yet, they can show you potential options. And, if you do have to conduct an emergency job search, they'll already be familiar with your resume.
Dust off your references.
Stay in touch with your former employers. Checking in with your previous bosses not only keeps them updated on your career, but also ensures that the memory of your employment stays fresh in their minds. By the same token, make sure you have their current contact information.
Put things in order at work.
Get in the habit of keeping organized and detailed records. Whether you are laid off, promoted, or find employment elsewhere, one day you will be turning over your current responsibilities to someone new. The transition will be much easier if everything is in order. Keep your files organized and be sure to document as many of your processes as possible. Be sure not to neglect your relationships with your coworkers. A good workplace dynamic will improve productivity.
Contemplate your next move.
All the work you have done to prepare for an unexpected job search can be a great springboard into a planned job search. Evaluate your present situation. Take the time to consider what you like and dislike about your career. Do you want to stay in your industry? Are you looking for more risk, less risk, or the same? Are you satisfied with the workplace environment? Does your current job meet your needs?
Go for your dream job.
After assessing your current job, you'll be better able to articulate what you are looking for in a new job. It might be time to take a risk and apply for your ideal job. If your heart is in your work, you'll be a better, more efficient, and more attractive candidate.
That's a Real Job?!
3 Surprising Success Stories
by Jennifer Merritt, ClassesUSA
Can you believe some people are lucky enough to play with food, listen to music, travel the world, and get paid for it? Neither did we, until we unearthed these three fun jobs that provide a good living, too.
Food Stylist
Rachel Ray's cooking show may only take 30 minutes to watch, but hours of prep work and sweat went into that yummy chicken dish. Denise Vivaldo is a culinary consultant whose services include prepping food for shows like Ray's, and she insists it's the hardest, most physically laborious work. "My years as a caterer prepared me for being a food stylist," she says. "Lug, schlep, cook, and present."
Vivaldo, a graduate of the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, broke into the business when one of her buffet presentations at a catered event caught the eye of famed television show producer Aaron Spelling. "He came to one of my parties on a Friday night. I went to work on a production that following Monday morning and have never stopped working," she recalls.
But achieving success is more than nabbing a lucky break. Knowing how to sell is also a key asset. "Either you are selling a brand -- like Rachel Ray, a cookbook, or a lifestyle; certain China, a kitchen knife?, how you represent that food is supporting or persuading that sale." Other steps to success include learning "everything you can about food and apprentice with everyone you can," Vivaldo says. "Work for free, if necessary." And, of course, some culinary courses help, too.
Music Supervisor
Got the catchy tune that carried the final scene of last night's "The Hills" stuck in your head? Thank Jon Ernst. As a music supervisor for the show, and its predecessor, "Laguna Beach," Ernst has the enviable job of sifting through myriad musical submissions he receives each day from independent artists, record labels, and agents.
Ernst studied at Berklee College of Music and the University of Florida where he earned a degree in business, but it was his talent as a singer and songwriter that led to composing and selecting music for various MTV shows. "I like to keep a very open-door policy when it comes to submitting music for me to consider for use in my shows, because I never know where I'll find the next great musical gem that becomes the perfect song to fit the perfect scene," he says.
In this gig, Ernst believes real-world experience is paramount. "Find yourself an internship or assistant job with a company that specializes in film and TV music, whether it's a studio or an independent music supervision firm," he advises. "Also, work on developing a broad knowledge of all musical styles, since you never know what you'll be called on to find for a project."
World Traveler
Christina Stubbs has walked the Great Wall of China, gone snorkeling in Bora Bora, and hiked in Patagonia. As a lover of travel, she sought to do all these things on her own, except that she's lucky enough to have a job that pays her to do it all.
As the marketing manager at Absolute Travel, a New York-based luxury tour company, Stubbs develops marketing initiatives, works with designers on creative material, writes copy, and travels frequently to make sure hotels and activities are on par with the demands of high-paying jet setters. What helped her land the job is what so many people refer to as a "useless liberal arts degree."
"I am really glad that I was an English major," says Stubbs, who studied history and English at Oberlin College. "Once you're in the working world, you realize that being able to write and edit is a skill that is just as valid and useful as any other."
Stubbs' advice is to not be afraid to take risks, recalling how she was offered two jobs at the same time. "The salary offered at one job was more in line with what I had been making in the past, but I decided to take the pay cut for this job because I wanted to learn a new industry and try something different," she says. Five years later, she's still happy with the decision she made.
10 Hot Jobs That Start at $50K+
by Cherie Berkley, PayScale.com
You may be the new kid on the job block, but that doesn't mean your salary has to start low on the totem pole. The PayScale.com Salary Survey identified an array of exciting jobs that pay a total compensation close to or above an impressive $50,000 per year right from the start.
Here is a list of 10 hot professions that show you the money.
1. Investment Banking Analyst. If you are good with numbers and solving real-world problems, this job pays handsomely in the early years and has strong long-term earning potential.
Typical Starting Salary: $59,084
2. Business Analyst, Computer Software. Data mining is a new and hot field with strong career potential. Normally used by financial institutions such as banks, data miners sort through vast amounts of information that help companies make the best use of the information in their data warehouses. Master's degrees in computer science, physics, or statistics are usually required.
Typical Starting Salary: $50,727
3. Forensic Computer Analyst. Computer forensics is the analysis of information contained within and created with computer systems and computing devices. These analysts investigate causes of computer meltdowns, who has misused a computer system, or how someone committed a crime. These professionals are quite popular in white-collar criminal investigations.
Typical Starting Salary: $51,852
4. Junior Associate Attorney. The financial scales of justice certainly tip toward the side of the average attorney. And just after five years experience the average salary jumps to $89,210. Depending on the field of specialty, the long-term earning potential is almost limitless. Big-shot lawyers like former Sen. John Edwards (malpractice) and celebrity criminal defense attorney Mark Gerago have cleaned up millions in their careers.
Typical Starting Salary: $52,678
5. Physical Therapist. If anatomy is your thing, physical therapy may be your path to greener pastures. PTs can even specialize in areas such as hand or back therapy to boost their marketability -- and salary potential.
Typical Starting Salary: $52,573
6. Nurse Practitioner (ARNP). Nursing opportunities never seem to go out of style, and neither does demand in this area. If a doctor cannot squeeze you in for an appointment, chances are there is a nurse practitioner standing by in his place. While nurse practitioners don't command the big bucks that physicians do, their services certainly don't come cheap.
Typical Starting Salary: $67,166
7. Electrical Engineer. It is easy to do the math on how marketable engineers are. Companies dig deep to lure young electrical engineers and other subspecialties across the board. Electrical engineers focus on using electricity to transmit energy. Payscale.com shows that experienced electrical engineers earn an average of $81,078.
Typical Starting Salary: $54,401
8. Software Engineer. Software engineers design, write, and test computer programs. Computer networking and information technology are hot fields that are here to stay.
Typical Starting Salary: $56,795
9. Pharmaceutical Sales Representative. You don't have to be a physician or even science major to make big bucks in medicine. Just about anyone with a college degree and a killer personality can be trained in pharmaceutical sales. These professionals make sales calls to doctors' offices hoping to convince the doctors to prescribe the latest drugs made by the pharmaceutical company they represent. Seasoned pros can make six-figure salaries in this field.
Typical Starting Salary: $51,104
10. Veterinarian. Do you love animals? Veterinarians can combine a passion for their warm, furry friends with great earning power. With growing animal research and interest in pet care, veterinarian medicine is bound to be a popular profession for years to come.
Typical Starting Salary: $59,084
No matter what your skill, passion, or personality, the job market offers numerous professions that also have above-average starting salaries. Just keep your eyes open and reach for the green.
How to Impress at a Job Interview By katiespen
So, your resume was impressive enough to get you that job interview. You’re sure that you’re the right person for the job, but then you hear, “Don’t call us, we’ll call you.” What went wrong? Job interviews can be intimidating and frustrating, especially after you’ve been through a few and still find yourself jobless. Just follow these simple tips to learn how to impress at a job interview.
Things you’ll need:
• Confidence
• Research on the company
• A professional outfit
Step 1
Exude confidence. Stand up straight. Make eye contact. Offer a firm handshake. These simple steps can show the interviewer that you feel confident in your ability to handle the job and yourself.
Step 2
Make small talk. Ask the interviewer how they’re doing or mention the weather. Small talk is a great way to break the ice and give the two of you a moment to relax before the real questions begin.
Step 3
Do your homework. Almost every company has a website, so find out everything you can about the company. You can also do a search for their company on the Internet and find out what consumers and competitors have to say. Come prepared to use terms that are common for that industry.
Step 4
Look your best. Even if you are completely broke, you need to look as though you already have money. Wear your nicest clothes that you have, cleaned and freshly ironed that day. Brush your hair, and make sure your hands and nails are clean. Make sure your breath is fresh and keep your perfume or cologne to a minimum.
Step 5
Be honest. Most interviewers know when a person is lying to them and will make a mental check to not hire you. Even if you get away with the lie in the initial interview, you will eventually be caught in the lie in the future, which would be even more embarrassing.
Step 6
Emphasize your strengths. One of the most common questions asked during an interview is to list your strengths and weaknesses. Obviously, you want to talk more about your strengths. However, you can really impress an interviewer if you show them how you can be strong despite your weaknesses. Show them how you’ve learned from your weaknesses.
How to Dress for a Career Fair 
By eHow Careers & Work Editor
First impressions still count. It is important to put your best foot forward when meeting potential employers at a career fair. If a potential employer is distracted by the way you're dressed, it is unlikely that they are paying attention to your qualifications. Dressing appropriately for the occasion will help make that first impression count.
Step 1:
Wear interview attire. In some cases business casual attire is also appropriate, but it's better to err on the side of caution. Potential employers are much more impressed with those who overdress than those who are under-dressed.
Step 2:
Choose a matching suit. A suit is the safe choice for both men and women. The colors should be conservative. Dark colors such as navy, dark gray and black are appropriate for a career fair.
Step 3:
Make sure that your shoes are comfortable. Since job fairs include a good deal of walking and standing, it is important that shoes don't leave you hobbling before you get through all of the potential employers. Shoes should be conservative and polished.
Step 4:
Attempt to cover all tattoos and body piercings. Although tattoos and piercings aren't as taboo as they once were, covering them up is still a good idea when attempting to look professional. Keep jewelry to a minimum. A conservative watch is a good jewelry choice for a career fair.
Step 5:
Use minimal cologne or perfume. You don't want a potential employer to smell you coming from a mile away. Many people are allergic to perfumes and cologne, so not wearing any could win you brownie points with a potential employer.
Five Secrets of Successful Job Hunters
Joe Turner, for Yahoo! HotJobs
Completing a 26-mile marathon race shares some characteristics with a successful job search.
There is one "winner" who crosses the finish line first. There are the many who quit before they've completed the race. Finally, there are the rest of us who don't finish first, but are determined to complete the race nevertheless.
For most of us, half the battle is finishing the race, regardless of where we place among the finishers. The same goes for a job search.
The Five Secrets
1. Visualize. Marathon runners and other goal-directed athletes are great at visualization. They set a goal and see themselves achieving it. The same applies for your job search. Set a goal and see yourself achieving it. No matter how many setbacks you have, hold that vision of the job you want. Continue to hold it. Focus on the outcome you want, and not on how you're going to achieve it. Picture it in your mind. Be specific. What is your supervisor like? How about your co-workers? What is your workspace like? What hours do you work? Including your right brain in the imagination and visualization process enhances the achievement of your goal.
2. Be Persistent. Just as in running a marathon, nothing worth having is ever easy to achieve. There is a lot of rejection in job search. Sometimes it seems as if you'll never get a "yes." Remember what good sales people already know: that winning a sale, a job, or any other goal is a numbers game. Commission sales people will tell you that every "no" is one step closer to a "yes." When you can see your process from a more objective viewpoint, knowing that you're one more rejection closer to a "yes," you'll be less inclined to take the "no's" personally or get discouraged.
3. Replenish Yourself. The job search process, like a marathon race, can be an endurance test with a lot of disappointments and setbacks. It can also go on for weeks, months, and for some people, even a year or more. If you're going to outlast this process and prevail, you have to take care of yourself. This means taking time to relax to take your mind off the challenges, frustrations and rejections. Work hard on your job search, then take time out to exercise and pursue activities that bring you joy and replenish you.
4. Inoculate Yourself Against Negative Messages. Succeeding at a job search is a mental process, and negative input from anywhere can poison your mental outlook and encourage fear, discouragement, anxiety, anger, and other negative emotions. Associate with positive people and protect yourself from all types of negativity. A job search can be a big undertaking. You need all of the assets and advantages that you can possibly bring to the party. You can't afford to be exposed to the negativity of others. This includes friends, relatives, and negative articles in newspapers and magazines as well as negative TV shows. Make a point of reading books and articles that motivate, encourage, and inspire you.
5. Meditate. This can be the most important secret, yet it can be very simple. Take some time every day to be still and to get away from the "white noise" of life. Whether you are a spiritual person or not, commit to some quiet time away from the noise of TV, radio, and other distractions. Give yourself the gift of quietness to contemplate, calm down, and center yourself. Even five minutes of quiet time can make a positive difference in your life. It will ground you and make it easier to face and overcome the stresses of your job search journey ahead.
As with successful marathoners, job hunters have some secret tactics that make their success look easy to others. Winning the job search game has a mental component. Developing the above five winning secret tactics will enhance your chances of success, and make the process more pleasant and less stressful.
As a recruiter, Joe Turner has spent the past 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers. Known on the Internet as "The Job Search Guy". Joe has also authored 'how-to' books on interviewing and job search. Discover more insider job search secrets at his site.
The Big Question: 'Why Should I Hire You?
by Joe Turner, for Yahoo! HotJobs
"Why should I hire you?"
This is the classic question most of us hear during an interview. It's often preceded by the phrase, "I've already interviewed another person for this position who looks perfect."
Then comes the killer question, "Why should I hire YOU?"
Be careful to avoid clever retorts or comedic one-liners here. Your interview is serious business and a wrong answer will send you packing. This is, in fact, the one question that interviewers like to ask because the answer can so easily separate the contenders from the also-rans. Give a wrong answer and the large "Game Over" sign flashes above your head.
The 'Story' Approach
What they really want to know is, "How are you different than all the other candidates who have applied for this position?" With this in mind, a good way to approach your answer here is to launch into your best "story" that answers this question, "Will you go the extra mile?"
Why is the employer asking why they should hire you? Because there are only five areas of interest that they have about you as a candidate:
• Your skills
• Your knowledge about the company
• Your manageability
• Your affordability
• Whether you can go above and beyond your job description
In this day of "lean and mean" operations philosophy, employers are looking for employees who can think bigger and perform duties above and beyond their jobs.
Demonstrate Your Accomplishments
Realize that there will always be competing candidates with a higher skill level, more experience, more education/training, or even a smoother interviewing style. The one equalizer though, is the ability to demonstrate how you have risen above and gone that extra mile to accomplish an important task, complete the job or realize an important goal.
Here, you recant that story of exactly how you worked 60-hour weeks, acquired new skills, or whatever it took to distinguish yourself and meet the challenge head on to successfully make the sale, save the project or rescue a client. If you can monetize (put a dollar value on) the end result, your story will only be that much more dramatic.
Tell It Often
Knowing this ahead of time, it's wise to put in the time beforehand to work on your answer to this question. Pick your best example of how you went above and beyond in your job. Work on your story to perfect it. Set the scene, describe the challenge and describe your role and the successful conclusion. Use this as an example of how you use your particular set of skills in an extraordinary time to "give it your all" and produce a clear benefit to your employer.
Since no other candidate can duplicate your own personal story here, you'll make a memorable impression. Not only that, but quite possibly you'll pull yourself ahead of that "perfect" candidate who preceded you.
As a recruiter, Joe Turner has spent the past 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers. Author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked," Joe has interviewed on radio talk shows and offers free insider job search secrets at jobchangesecrets.com.
Got Work?
By Sandy Cosser
Anyone who has ever looked for a job, and that includes everyone, has probably tried looking for a job online. It’s a fairly easy thing to do and there are loads of sites available that offer online job hunting. Some are very basic. They are your simple, place your ad, search, find, and apply kind of sites. And some sites offer more. They are more interactive and some even have more of a personal touch. They take the time and put in the effort to make it much more than a cold transaction. They want to make sure that everyone gets the best out of the deal and so they work hard to make sure that only the right candidates are short listed for the jobs advertised.
Sites that go that extra mile usually allow job seekers to upload their CVs to the sites. Or they may have pre-selected templates so that applicants can recreate their CVs on the sites and save them accordingly. Employers then have the opportunity to browse through CVs and find suitable applicants if they so choose (and if they have the time) or the site can match suitable CVs to jobs posted. Employers posting jobs can also create a profile to provide information about their company and can have their advertisements branded with their company’s logo.
Some sites offer an online marketing consultant who will manage and groom your profile page or your mini recruitment website should you have one. This dedicated account manager is also there as a primary phase of support, who will do his or her best to meet your needs. If the site is a good one, it will offer specialized HR SEO techniques, which it constantly develops to increase efficiency and to improve your results. This will in turn increase your return on investment.
In some cases Authorized Employers Agents may be used to exclusively manage the direct recruitment process and/or advertising. In some rare instances employers do not want to use their own branding and then the agent’s logo will be used instead, but it will be accompanied by a small graphic so that those concerned will know that they are applying to an agent and not directly to the employer.
Anyone who has ever applied to a job online, and that must include nearly everybody, Will have found how easy and convenient it can be. There is no paperwork. You are virtually assured of everything getting there safely. No waiting on the postal system. No dodgy fax lines. Communication is virtually immediate. It is easy to follow up and check details or send additional information. And you can adapt your CV quickly and easily to suit the job that you are applying for. Covering letters are a breeze. Job-hunting has never been easier than when you do it online.
On sites like those described in this article, where jobseekers and employers are put in touch, the task of applying for jobs is made even easier. Often all you have to do is enter the region where you would like to work and the category of job that you are looking for and the site does the rest. It comes up with your options and you decide which jobs you like the sound of and would like to apply for. If there are no jobs in that category or for that region it tells you and you are unfortunately out of luck. You should always try another category that your required job could be under, however, because not all people categorize jobs in the same way.
Online job seeking and employer advertising sites have, if not revolutionized the classifieds arena, then certainly moved it along at a mighty swift pace. Job-hunting online is easier and more convenient than searching through pages and pages of classified newspapers and then phoning and posting or faxing your CV through. It sends an easily adaptable CV and all necessary accompanying documents to the intended recipient with the click of one button. No mess, no fuss and no ink stains on your fingers. If you haven’t tried it, it’s time you did. It’s almost worth giving up your job just so that you can apply for a new one.
Sandra wrote this article for the online marketers Employers Jobs job search engine one of the most powerful and recognized employers “only” websites in the industry
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandy_Cosser
The Best Student Job Interview Tips
By Tom Tessin
Jobs have been increasingly harder to come by especially for a recent college student. The United State's job market is and has been in a slump for the past several years. Unemployment levels are increasing which means your chances of scoring a job, especially after college is decreasing. As a recent college graduate, time is of the essence as you will most likely have debts and loans that will need to be paid back sooner rather than later. Upon receiving a time and date for an interview there are several tips you can follow that will help make you stand out and have a successful meeting with your potential employer.
Tip #1 Watch what you are wearing. Dressing appropriately is an immediate notification of the seriousness and professionalism you are showing to your potential employer. You may have heard the phrase "Dress for the job you want" and this is all too important for the initial interview. Wearing dress pants and a dress shirt if you are a male, and a skirt and blouse if you are a female are great starts. If you are applying for a job in the field of transportation, construction, mechanics, or something of that nature this is not very applicable. Also avoiding excessive jewelry and perfume or cologne is suggested.
Tip #2 Go to the interview alone. You are an adult, and an educated one at that. There is no reason for someone else such a friend, relative, or sibling to go with you. You are applying for the job and no one else.
Tip #3 Watch how fast you talk during the interview. On that same note, try to pace the speed of the conversation. Don't talk too much, but answer the questions directly and elaborate when you need to. You can only say so much about where you went to college or what your family is like.
Tip #4 Arrive to the interview early. Roughly half an hour is a good start. You may be filling out paperwork or signing documents before your scheduled meeting. Arriving early ensures you have time to do this, whether they told you about it or not.
Tip #5 Turn off your cell phone or other device prior to your interview. There isn't much more distracting than a ringing or vibrating phone during an interview.
Tip #6 Be enthusiastic! Make sure the employer knows just how interested you are in the position and what an asset you can be for the company.
Tip #7 Be yourself. Try to remain calm and look into the person's eyes. Most likely you will be interviewed by someone who has been a part of the interview process for a while and will see past lies, anxiousness, and nervousness. Be yourself and they will appreciate it.
None of these tips will guarantee you get the job. But all of them will increase your chances and should help you get the job you want. Even if you don't get the job, look at every interview process as a learning experience and learn from it.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Tessin
10 Reasons Your Job Search is Failing By Mary Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Writer
On paper, the prescription for unemployment is rather formulaic: send in résumé, go on interview, be your charming self, get hired.
The frustrating reality isn't nearly as simple. Getting an interview alone is an exercise in persistence and patience.
Here are 10 reasons for why you're not landing that interview and what you can do to reverse the trend.
1. Your résumé and cover letter are as articulate as Courtney Love's Web blog. If your application materials contain typos, grammatical errors and irrelevant or inconsistent information, employers will take notice -- in a bad way. Once you've looked over your résumé and cover letter to the point of dementia, take this advice from Joyce Gioia of the Herman Group: have three people, for whom English is a first language, review your résumé and cover letter before you send it.
2. Your cover letter is generic. Make it personal by tailoring it to the particular job and addressing it to a person, not "To Whom It May Concern." And include a sentence or two about how you are the right fit for that particular job. If no contact is listed, take the initiative to find out who the hiring manager is by searching the company's Web site or calling the reference desk.
3. Your letter is a Cliff's Notes version of your résumé. Instead of simply restating what's on your résumé, include new information like how you found out about the job, why you want to work there and what you can do for them. Finally, close with something that will encourage a response, such as a request for an interview.
4. Your letter exudes self-consciousness, not self-confidence. If you don't feel qualified for a job, why are you applying for it? Don't call attention to your shortcomings in a letter; emphasize your strengths by focusing on your skills, experience and ability.
5. You cross the line from sounding confident to sounding cocky. Don't mistake selling yourself with bragging. Putting "I would be an asset to your company" in your cover letter catches the eye; writing "You would be crazy not to hire me" turns the stomach.
6. Your MySpace page lists "binge-drinking" as a favorite pastime. Don't post anything on a publicly accessible Web site that you wouldn't want a potential employer to see. Not all hiring managers run searches on job candidates, but some do, and it's better to err on the side of caution. Google yourself to see what comes up, because recruiters will see the same results.
7. You assume e-mail is enough. Hitting the send button on an online application is only the first step in landing an interview. For one thing, not every e-mail is received or read. Try following up your application by sending a paper résumé and cover letter via snail mail (indicating you've already applied online). After that, call the hiring manager to see that they've received your application and check on the status of the job in question.
8. You assume the Internet is enough. The majority of all employment opportunities aren't advertised, so be proactive: Contact human resources managers at companies you want to work for inquiring about positions available; register with a job recruitment agency; attend industry events to stay on top of news; and devote energy to meeting like-minded professionals who will be the keys to discovering more opportunities.
9. You misrepresent yourself. It may sound like a no-brainer, but misrepresenting yourself on a résumé is bound to catch up with you. Upon performing a reference check, Denise Moorehead, communications director of a non-profit service agency in Boston, once discovered a job candidate had left her previous job a year earlier than she'd admitted. It turned out that the candidate had gotten burned out and decided to take a year to temp and regroup, but thought the obvious employment gap would be held against her, so she simply lied about it. "I figured if she'd lie about something this easy to explain, she might lie about the deadline-driven work she would have to do with me," Moorehead says.
10. You give up. Remember that looking for a job is a full-time job. If you're not hearing back from employers, considering changing your strategy. Experiment with different cover letters, revise your résumé on a regular basis and look for opportunities to add to your experience even when you're not working (i.e. taking classes, participating in workshops, volunteering).
Get Your 50-Plus Resume Right
How Older Workers Can Balance Experience with Relevancy
by John Rossheim, Monster Senior Contributing Writer
When older workers hit the job market, they commonly take two common -- and ill-advised -- strategies for resume preparation.
Many 50-plus job seekers adopt an "I am what I am" approach. Believing there's no sense in repackaging the defining moments of their careers, they simply update the top of their traditional chronological resume with a brief description of recent projects, while subtracting a few lines from the bottom to abbreviate (not eliminate) mention of a job at a company they left a quarter of a century ago.
The opposite tack, often taken out of fear of age bias and professional obsolescence, is the "I am whatever they want me to be" approach. Swayed by well-meaning friends or strident self-help books, these older job seekers start from scratch, selectively creating a chronology-free professional identity from their past that precisely matches the needs of the hiring company du jour. The resulting functional resume is so artful that it could be mistaken for fiction.
Career experts recommend a superior alternative: The middle path. Workers should highlight their latest and greatest accomplishments in terms that will appeal to youthful recruiters and hiring managers, customizing each resume to directly address the needs of prospective employers without pandering to each job posting down to the bullet point. Here's how to get started.
The Age-Old Question: Which Resume Format?
Choosing a resume format can seem like such a critical decision that it paralyzes some 50-plus job seekers. A common-sense approach may help you address this issue.
"There's no reason to disguise the dates in a work history; just don't use your entire history," says Sarah Hightower Hill, CEO of Chandler Hill Partners, a career search strategies firm.
Many experts suggest setting a time limit on work history. "Experience more than 10 years old is irrelevant, because work has changed so much," says Carleen MacKay, a practice leader at staffing firm Spherion.
The resume date issue hit home for 48-year-old Sue Gehm, who decided to seek a new career direction in education or elsewhere after serving as a permanent and substitute schoolteacher for many years.
"I called the HR superintendent, and he said, ‘Well, your degree is from 1979,' so I realized my degree effectively had expired," says Gehm.
One solution: Include dates on a time-limited work history but omit them from your resume's education section.
Emphasize Accomplishments, Not Years of Experience
Too many dates going too far back isn't the only factor that ages a resume. Another common mistake is to brag about depth of experience as a virtue unto itself. By contrast, recent accomplishments that are relevant to the job opening automatically make a candidate appear more youthful.
As you draft your resume, "compare yourself to younger workers, who are engaged with the job market and know what employers want," says Karen Riggs, a professor of telecommunications at Ohio University and author of Granny@Work: Aging and New Technology on the Job in America.
Claims of experience that may span the lifetime of an industry also raise another risk commonly faced by older candidates: Being seen as overqualified.
Avoid that dubious distinction by deemphasizing prestigious assignments not immediately relevant to the current opening.
Address the Technology Issue Head On
Whether you're a programmer analyst or a cosmetics executive, your resume must confront any reservations the prospective employer may have regarding your technical aptitude.
One concern employers have about hiring older workers is that they haven't kept up with technology. So you should flaunt what you've got in this area, whether it's an impressive list of certifications or a simple mention of office-productivity software training you've undertaken.
You also can't ignore the fact that many employers, especially large ones, winnow the thousands of resumes they receive by analyzing the keywords they contain, especially for technical positions.
With the help of a knowledgeable friend or coworker, audit your resume to make sure it speaks the present-day language of your target industry.
 10 Questions to Dazzle Would-Be Employers
By Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor
Your suit is crisp -- you look impressive. Your résumé is flawless -- you seem great on paper. Now, for the last piece of the successful job search puzzle -- "wowing" them at the interview.
How do you do it? Try asking questions. Besides showing your interest in the position and the company, asking questions gives you an active role in the interview and lets you steer the interview into areas where you shine.
To make sure your next interview is as smooth as your freshly pressed suit, try these 10 questions on for size:
1. "What type of growth and advancement opportunities does this position and the company offer?" This tells the interviewer that you have a long-term vision for your professional future and that you're not just looking for a paycheck; you're looking to secure a career.
2. "How do you see me benefiting the company?"
Finding out why you were selected out of possibly hundreds of other candidates gives you a chance to expand on the qualities that caught their eye, further making the case for your hire.
3. "What would my first project be if I'm hired?"
This will give you a specific idea of what you can expect when you walk into the office that first day after being hired. It also can give you a heads up as to what will be expected of you, allowing you to build on those attrib |
|