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Showing posts with label job hunting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label job hunting. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Now that You Got the Interview, Don't Mess it Up!
In a good interview, there are a lot of reasons you get the job because of what you said and did. You can also get the job because of what you do not say and do! Follow these tips for a successful interview and make sure you don't make the same mistakes that have hindered so many for a chance to earn a livelihood.
1. Don't ask about time off and salary up front! Wait to find out about salary when they bring it up and wait to hear about perks once they present the compensation package to you. Asking about medical benefits is acceptable though.
2. Don't ask about what the company does! You should've researched that info so don't waste their time (and yours)! I once worked with a hiring manager that grilled candidates about the company and the current state of the company and industry. He wanted to make sure he only had passionate people working on his team.
3. Don't get too casual. I once had a job interview with a highly respected insurance company that I felt real cozy in because I knew the human resources professional. Well, one slip up and it cost me big time. I accidentally used an explicit word because we got a little personal between each other. Later the hiring manager told me I did not get the job due to that fact. Casual only gets you to a place where you lose focus on what you're doing there in the first place. Unfortunately, that's when things may come out of your mouth that shouldn't unless you're with your buddies at happy hour.
4. Don't bash your previous or current employer! It can show that you aren't very loyal and that you don't respect those that aren't on your current radar screen. Hiring managers don't want you to do that to them in case you leave and they certainly don't want anyone who uses and abuses to get ahead. Just because you aren't happy with your previous employer does not mean you have the right to express your true feelings about it to a stranger.
5. Always dress one level up! Just because you might be a tradesman and your job dictates you wear jeans and a shirt to work does not mean you should be wearing that to your interview! Wear one outfit above the job you are interviewing for so in this case, the tradesman would wear a collared shirt and slacks. A salesperson would wear a suit and tie.
Stay positive and show that you really want the job throughout the interview. Asking about salary and perks shows that you don't care about anything else. Research the company before you go. Don't speak negatively about anything, especially your previous jobs. Dress to impress. Practice these simple acts and watch the offers start rolling in!
1. Don't ask about time off and salary up front! Wait to find out about salary when they bring it up and wait to hear about perks once they present the compensation package to you. Asking about medical benefits is acceptable though.
2. Don't ask about what the company does! You should've researched that info so don't waste their time (and yours)! I once worked with a hiring manager that grilled candidates about the company and the current state of the company and industry. He wanted to make sure he only had passionate people working on his team.
3. Don't get too casual. I once had a job interview with a highly respected insurance company that I felt real cozy in because I knew the human resources professional. Well, one slip up and it cost me big time. I accidentally used an explicit word because we got a little personal between each other. Later the hiring manager told me I did not get the job due to that fact. Casual only gets you to a place where you lose focus on what you're doing there in the first place. Unfortunately, that's when things may come out of your mouth that shouldn't unless you're with your buddies at happy hour.
4. Don't bash your previous or current employer! It can show that you aren't very loyal and that you don't respect those that aren't on your current radar screen. Hiring managers don't want you to do that to them in case you leave and they certainly don't want anyone who uses and abuses to get ahead. Just because you aren't happy with your previous employer does not mean you have the right to express your true feelings about it to a stranger.
5. Always dress one level up! Just because you might be a tradesman and your job dictates you wear jeans and a shirt to work does not mean you should be wearing that to your interview! Wear one outfit above the job you are interviewing for so in this case, the tradesman would wear a collared shirt and slacks. A salesperson would wear a suit and tie.
Stay positive and show that you really want the job throughout the interview. Asking about salary and perks shows that you don't care about anything else. Research the company before you go. Don't speak negatively about anything, especially your previous jobs. Dress to impress. Practice these simple acts and watch the offers start rolling in!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
JobStickers Podcast #6: Unusual Job Hunting Techniques with Guest Career Expert Mary Sevinsky
LISTEN:
The 6th installment of the MJW Careers' JobSticker's podcast series will be focused on unusual job hunting techniques. In this market, job-seekers need to be creative in order to showcase their skills to potential employers and this podcast will discuss ways to make yourself stand out amongst the competition and to think outside the box with your job hunt. We will be joined by career expert and owner of the firm, Lifeworks, Mary Sevinsky. Her information can be seen on her website, http://www.life-works.info.
On the show, we discussed some tips and don't forget about our Free Resume contest. For more info about these and other great job hunting tips, please visit www.jobstickers.com or our website www.mjwcareers.com.
For more information on the "Free Resume" contest, check out http://mjwcareers.blogspot.com/2011/01/announcing-free-resume-contest.html
The 6th installment of the MJW Careers' JobSticker's podcast series will be focused on unusual job hunting techniques. In this market, job-seekers need to be creative in order to showcase their skills to potential employers and this podcast will discuss ways to make yourself stand out amongst the competition and to think outside the box with your job hunt. We will be joined by career expert and owner of the firm, Lifeworks, Mary Sevinsky. Her information can be seen on her website, http://www.life-works.info.
On the show, we discussed some tips and don't forget about our Free Resume contest. For more info about these and other great job hunting tips, please visit www.jobstickers.com or our website www.mjwcareers.com.
For more information on the "Free Resume" contest, check out http://mjwcareers.blogspot.com/2011/01/announcing-free-resume-contest.html
Monday, February 14, 2011
JobStickers Podcast #4: Sample Interview Closing Questions
LISTEN:
For the 4th installment of the MJW Careers' JobSticker's podcast, we will be discussing some sample interview closing questions. You should always be asking questions at the end of an interview!
On the show, we discussed some tips and don't forget about our Free Resume contest. For more info about these and other great job hunting tips, please visit www.jobstickers.com or our website www.mjwcareers.com.
For more information on the "Free Resume" contest, check out http://mjwcareers.blogspot.com/2011/01/announcing-free-resume-contest.html
For the 4th installment of the MJW Careers' JobSticker's podcast, we will be discussing some sample interview closing questions. You should always be asking questions at the end of an interview!
On the show, we discussed some tips and don't forget about our Free Resume contest. For more info about these and other great job hunting tips, please visit www.jobstickers.com or our website www.mjwcareers.com.
For more information on the "Free Resume" contest, check out http://mjwcareers.blogspot.com/2011/01/announcing-free-resume-contest.html
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Tell the Company, “Show me the money!”
Salary Negotiations Overview
Many job seekers leave the salary verdict up to employers, assuming that they cannot negotiate their compensation. While some employers do not encourage negotiation, there are others who are willing to be flexible, for the right candidate!
Reasons to negotiate salary:
• Your education, experience and skills are worth more than the offered amount
• The pay range for the position is less than the industry average
• The area’s cost of living is higher and the salary offered does not coincide
• You have received multiple offers with similar salary amounts and benefits
Considerations
You must determine a desired salary range. This gives you more flexibility during negotiation. Most employers already know their range for the position, so you want to aim for the high end.
Consider the following to determine if your desired salary range is reasonable:
• Scarcity of the required job skills and experience in the job market
• Your career progress and experience
• Fair market value for the job
• Level of the job within the organization
• Salary range for the job within the organization
• Salary range for the job within the geographic area
• Salary range for the job within the industry
• Existing economic conditions within your job market
• Existing economic conditions within your industry
• Company-specific factors such as comparable jobs, culture, pay philosophy, and promotion practices
Research the going market rate for someone with your skills and the type of position for which you are applying. When you know you are making less than your industry peers, you have more ammunition to ask for a higher salary or a raise. Check out these and similar websites:
• Jobnob.com
• Salary.com
• SalaryExpert.com
• SalesHeads.com (log in and go to Career Resources>Salary Calculator)
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics at www.bls.gov/bls/blswage.htm
To determine your minimum required salary, also take into consideration your expenses, cost of living, saving needs, etc. Once you establish this baseline number, you know the lowest point in your expected (and desired) salary range.
Also, think of a salary range that seems unattainable to you. When you negotiate, fight as if you were fighting for that amount! It causes you to want it more.
Increasing Your Perceived Worth
By increasing your perceived worth, you gain a powerful position at the negotiation table. Here are some ways to do this:
• Present yourself in a positive manner as the "must have" candidate. They are more interested in a long-term asset, not just the right person for the job.
o Make everything flawless (your resume, interview responses, and dress style).
o Speak confidently about your accomplishments.
o Express your goals.
o Show that you fit in the company's culture.
• Show that your work value is better than what they realize. Speak in terms of the whole company. Instead of “I can provide good customer service”, explain how “I can retain valued customers and stimulate business activity”.
• Convince that you have more to offer the position and the organization. Establish how your unique skills, experience, and understanding of the company's needs, make you more qualified than other candidates.
• Validate your skills while objectively negotiating the offer. Throughout the actual negotiation period, listen and politely assert the value you have presented.
Many job seekers leave the salary verdict up to employers, assuming that they cannot negotiate their compensation. While some employers do not encourage negotiation, there are others who are willing to be flexible, for the right candidate!
Reasons to negotiate salary:
• Your education, experience and skills are worth more than the offered amount
• The pay range for the position is less than the industry average
• The area’s cost of living is higher and the salary offered does not coincide
• You have received multiple offers with similar salary amounts and benefits
Considerations
You must determine a desired salary range. This gives you more flexibility during negotiation. Most employers already know their range for the position, so you want to aim for the high end.
Consider the following to determine if your desired salary range is reasonable:
• Scarcity of the required job skills and experience in the job market
• Your career progress and experience
• Fair market value for the job
• Level of the job within the organization
• Salary range for the job within the organization
• Salary range for the job within the geographic area
• Salary range for the job within the industry
• Existing economic conditions within your job market
• Existing economic conditions within your industry
• Company-specific factors such as comparable jobs, culture, pay philosophy, and promotion practices
Research the going market rate for someone with your skills and the type of position for which you are applying. When you know you are making less than your industry peers, you have more ammunition to ask for a higher salary or a raise. Check out these and similar websites:
• Jobnob.com
• Salary.com
• SalaryExpert.com
• SalesHeads.com (log in and go to Career Resources>Salary Calculator)
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics at www.bls.gov/bls/blswage.htm
To determine your minimum required salary, also take into consideration your expenses, cost of living, saving needs, etc. Once you establish this baseline number, you know the lowest point in your expected (and desired) salary range.
Also, think of a salary range that seems unattainable to you. When you negotiate, fight as if you were fighting for that amount! It causes you to want it more.
Increasing Your Perceived Worth
By increasing your perceived worth, you gain a powerful position at the negotiation table. Here are some ways to do this:
• Present yourself in a positive manner as the "must have" candidate. They are more interested in a long-term asset, not just the right person for the job.
o Make everything flawless (your resume, interview responses, and dress style).
o Speak confidently about your accomplishments.
o Express your goals.
o Show that you fit in the company's culture.
• Show that your work value is better than what they realize. Speak in terms of the whole company. Instead of “I can provide good customer service”, explain how “I can retain valued customers and stimulate business activity”.
• Convince that you have more to offer the position and the organization. Establish how your unique skills, experience, and understanding of the company's needs, make you more qualified than other candidates.
• Validate your skills while objectively negotiating the offer. Throughout the actual negotiation period, listen and politely assert the value you have presented.
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