Top 4 Interview Mistakes

Mistake #1: You Sound Like Everyone Else
The key to a successful interview is to stand out in the employers mind. This doesn't mean wear funky clothes. To stand out, you need to stand for something. Pick one or two things you want the employer to remember about you. Refer to those one to two points several times during the interview.

For example, you may choose to brand yourself as someone who is deadline driven. When asked about working in a team environment, answer the interview question but feel free to weave in your main point. "Because I am so deadline driven myself, I’ve really learned how to work with others’ strengths and weaknesses in order to reach our goals on time.”

Mistake #2: Vague Responses
Vague responses will almost guarantee you a rejection letter. Not only are vague responses easily forgotten, they carry little credibility. By providing detail to each interview question, your answers become more real, tangible and most importantly... memorable.

Mistake #3: Little to No Preparation
Mistakes #1 and #2 are usually caused by lack of preparation. Give yourself plenty of time preparing answers to the interview questions related to the position you are applying for. Make sure you have a firm grasp of the products or services sold, the customers the company serves, and the competition. There really is no substitute for preparation.

Mistake #4: No Pause
When under pressure, some of us freeze up. Others talk more quickly. Regardless of how you act under pressure, take advantage of the pause. Here are 2 uses for the pause:

Pause before providing a response to each interview question asked. Use the time to formulate your answer. You can also use a stalling phrase like “That is a great question” to buy yourself some time.

Pause before delivering an important point. Anytime you pause, you will immediately gain the attention of your interviewer.

For more information visit www.readyprepinterview.com

10 Top Mistakes People Make in Job Interviews

By Dave Johnson | CBS Money Watch - Tue, Feb 12, 2013

You can never be too prepared for a job interview -- you never know what minor element of your personality or presentation can make or break your chances.  But while you maybe polished to a luster for the usual interview questions and your resume is gleaming, what about some of the other intangibles involved in getting hired?

After all, for better or for worse about a third of hiring managers assess candidates and make a hiring decision within the first 90 seconds or so.  Fair?  Of course no.  But it does mean that it's critical to control those elements that aren't just about your previous job performance.

Recently, education research firm Classes and Careers published an interesting infographic that rolls up a slew of less obvious things that influence the hiring process.

For starters, there are a slew of nonverbal queues that hiring managers consider mistakes that can cost you the job.  The most egregious one?  Failure to make eye contact is at the top of the list.  Other deal-breakers include failing to smile, bad posture and fidgeting.

In addition, your choice of clothing is important.  More than half of hiring managers say that your choice of clothes can be the deciding factor when choosing among similar candidates.  In particular, it can be a liability to dress too fashionably or trendy.

According to Classes and Careers, here are the 10 most common mistakes people make at job interviews:

10. Over-explaining why you lost your last job
  9. Conveying that you're not over having lost your last job
  8. Lacking humor, warmth or personality
  7. Not showing enthusiasm or interest in the job
  6. Inadequate research about the position or company
  5. Concentrating on what you want rather than what the company needs
  4. Trying to be all things to everyone
  3. Winging the interview
  2. Failing to set yourself apart from the other candidates
  1. Not asking for the job

7 Hot Jobs for $70K+

Hot Jobs
By Alida Moore, PayScale.com

When it comes to planning for your financial future, securing a ob in a growing industry might be your best bet. But, which jobs have the most promise for a $70K (or higher) payday?

According to online salary database, PayScale.com, industries on the rise include technology, engineering, and finance. "Jobs in these industries are "hot" because they are in high-demand, rapidly growing fields, and are expected to experience positive growth, both in pay and job opportunities," says Katie Bardaro, Director of Analytics at PayScale.

Here are seven jobs that typically pay over $70,000, each with a predicted growth rate of over 14 percent, the average rate of all jobs as predicted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Petroleum GeologistMedian Pay: $100,000
The oil and gas industry frequently appears in lists of industries that are thriving.  A petroleum geologist plays a key role in finding oil, using various sciences to discover potential oil traps.  A bachelor's degree is required, though some positions require candidates to have a master's degree in geology or petroleum engineering.

Data Scientist, IT
Median Pay: $ 91,5000
Big Data is technology's newest player and it's here to stay, Bardaro says.  "In today's world., everyone wants to collect and analyze data to make their products and businesses more successful," she explains. A data scientist is required to spot trends in data, so this career might be good fit for you if you are inquisitive, patient, and analytic. A bachelor's degree is required.

Management Consultant
Median Pay: $87,400
With the economy still in recovery from the Great Recession, businesses need to be strategic about their choices. A management consultant can help a business decides the best path of action to take when it comes to making decisions about growth, employees, and products. Ideally, a management consultant helps render businesses more successful. This job typically requires a bachelor's degree.

Portfolio Manager
Median Pay: $84,500
With the uncertainty of the economy., it's good to have a team of professionals overseeing portfolios, explains Bardaro. "Typically, portfolio managers work for a company, rather than an individual, managing financials to ensure they grow year over year, to make sure the boat doesn't sink," she says. This job typically requires a bachelor's degree.

Clinical Engineer, Medical Devices
Median Pay: $72,600
The demand for healthcare services rises with our increasing population. As by boomers age, the need ultrasound machines, dialysis machines, and other medical devises will continue to multiply. A clinical engineer is responsible for responding to this need by making these devices smarter, more technologically advanced. This job requires a bachelor's degree.

Content Strategist
Median Pay: $72,100
If you are a creative thinker who understands how to make a brand appeal to a wide audience, you might be well-suited for a career as a content strategist. Bridget Quigg, content strategist at a Seattle, WA tech startup, enjoys a lot of variety in her career. "I love my job. It's creative almost 100 percent of the time. Infographic, whitepapers, articles, blog posts - I get to make all kinds of topics shine," says Quigg. Typically, a person in this career holds a bachelor's degree.

Android Software Developer
Median Pay: $70,500
Next time you are waiting on line at the coffee shop, look around and notice how many patrons are using their phones. "Smartphone usage is on the rise; mobile devices have become one of the main ways people consume media," says Bardaro. If you have ideas for great apps and an understanding of the Android operating system and software development, you might enjoy this career.

Source: All salary and education data provided by online salary database PayScale.com. Salaries listed are median, annual pay for workers with five to eight years of experience and include all bonuses, commissions or profit sharing. The projected growth rate is the Bureau of Labor Statistics forecast of the percentage job growth between 2010 and 2020.

Digging Deep: How to Uncover Critical Accomplishments to Make Your Resume Shine

By Wendy Enelow, CCM, MRW, JCTC, CPRW
ResumeWritingAcademy.com 2012

As professional resume writers, we all know that a great deal of a resumes effectiveness is based on accomplishments - what a job seek has done to improve operations, increase revenues, strengthen bottom-line profits, reduce operating costs, enhance business processes, upgrade technologies, and so much more.  And, we also know, one of the most difficult tasks can be identifying those accomplishments when clients cannot easily articulate them.

To help you you become even more effective in identifying your clients' achievements, I've outlined key areas of accomplishments for 13 different professions.  Use this information as a guideline when you're interviewing your clients, digging deep to uncover their accomplishments and showcase them in their resumes.

To identify your clients' achievements, begin by asking these questions:

ACCOUNTING & FINANCE:  It's all about the money!

• Improvements in revenues, profits, ROI, EBITDA, and other financial measurements
• Negotiation of contracts including dollar amounts, profits, cost savings, and more
• Partner relationships with investors, pension plan administrators, board of directors, auditors, and others

ADMINISTRATION & OFFICE MANAGEMENT:  It's all about organization and efficiency!

• Introduction of automated tools, programs, and systems to enhance efficiency
• Contributions to improved operations, cost reductions, and overall performance improvements
• VIP and executive responsibilities and relationships

CUSTOMER SERVICE:  It's all about customers, clients, patrons, and others!

• Top industry rankings for quality of customer service organization
• Contributions to sales growth
• Key account management responsibilities and results

ENGINEERING:  It's all about development and improvement!

• Project planning, management, staffng, leadership, and financial success
• Engineering/design of new products and processes and their positive financial impact on the organization
• Integration of advanced technologies to expedite engineering and expand capabilities

EXECUTIVE & GENERAL MANAGEMENT:  It's all about bottom-line performance!

• Leadership of and contributions to strategic planning and long-term business development
• Recruitment and leadership of successful management teams (and their contributions)
• Success in expanding into new markets, new geographic regions, new countries and more

HEALTH CARE:  It's all about quality!

• Positive impact on quality of care and quality of patient outcomes
• Expansion of health care services, programs, and outreach to meet patient needs
• Reduction in disease incidence and overall health improvement of targeted patient base

HUMAN RESOURCES:  It's all about the people and their impact o the organization!

• Creation of expatriate recruitment, training, employee support, and related programs
• Improvements in traditional employee benefits and reduction in premium costs
• Success in recruiting personnel and their performance within the organization

LAW:  It's all about distinction!

• Establishing legal precedents
• Managing prestigious cases and clients
• Relationships with regulatory, legislative, judicial, and other agencies/organizations

MANUFACTURING & PRODUCTION:  It's all about yield and output!

• Increase in production yield and output, worker productivity, and other performance measurements
• Seamless introduction of new products into existing manufacturing plants and favorable financial results
• Implementation of new technologies, robotics, and other automated processes, systems, and equipment

RETAIL:  It's all about product movement and sales performance!

• Distinction for merchandise design and display (including sales results)
• Departmental staffing and management responsibilities, and quantifiable results
• Increases in revenues, profits, and market share

SALES & MARKETING:  It's all about capturing clients and generating profitable revenues!

• Development of new territories and new markets
• Introduction of new products and services (and results)
• Capture of new key accounts and revenue streams

TEACHING:  It's all about innovation and student/learner excellence!

• Measurement of student/learner performance and achievement
• Development of new curricula and instructional programs
• Experience in training and developing other teaching staff

TECHNOLOGY:  It's all about technology innovation and advances!

• Development of new technologies and their organization/operational/market impact
• Success in systems migration, conversion, integration, and more
• Patent awarded and/or pending

Dear Class of 2016: Get Moving on Your Future

By: Emily Glazer, www.wsi.com


Welcome to the hallowed halls of academia. Now start planning for life in the real world.

It’s still a tough jobs market out there and likely will continue to be for some time. So it isn’t too early for freshly minted college students to start making themselves more marketable – from taking classes that polish essential skills to building a strong network.

“The size of your support network and mentoring group can often be as important as your degree,” say Rich Feller, president of the National Career Development Association, which provides programs and services for career development.

Here’s a timeline on the moves to make over the next four years:

Freshman Year
Classes: You’ll likely be required to take certain basic courses or prerequisites for your major. But this also is the time to sharpen basic – but essential – communication skills, says Mark Brostoff, associate dean and director of Weston Career Center at Olin Business School at Washington.

So sign up for writing and public-speaking classes. And you’ll be able to carry the skills over into your job search and professional life. Think cover letters, elevator pitches, product presentations and company reports. It’s also the time to start fostering relationships with professors or alumni who will later help with career advice and internship and job leads.

Activities: Most students don’t step foot in the career services office until senior year, but it’s a good resource for freshmen as well. Many career services offices offer personality tests to help students figure out their passions and interest, says Robin Ryan, a Seattle-based career counselor.

Summer: It is likely too early to land an internship, but you still can gain valuable skills from a summer job. Try to tailor the job to your field of study in some way. Also consider asking about volunteer opportunities at a company or organization in your field of interest, Ms. Ryan says.


Sophomore Year

Classes: Take a business-writing course that homes in on writing cover letter, executive summaries and proposals, Mr. Brostoff says. It’s also time to become proficient with math – the kind you’ll actually have to use in everyday life. That means taking both an accounting and personal-finance class.

Activities: Narrow down membership to a few clubs or teams where you can stand out, and take an active role by volunteering for projects and events.

Summer: This is the time to start working internships, says Mr. Brostoff. Visit your career services office for a list of available internships and cast a wide net. Also ask professors and acquaintances in your field of interest.


Junior Year

Classes: You’ll likely need to declare your major by this point, says Mr. Feller. Keep in regular contact with your academic advisor to make sure you’re on track to complete requirements.

Activities: Join a professional or community organization based on your interests and field of study. And keep networking with professors and alumni.

Summer: If you haven’t secured a summer internship by now, this is the time to land one. The career services office can help place you in an internship or fellowship. Most offer help with resume writing and mock job interviews


Senior Year
Classes: If you still have electives to take, choose classes that build on what you’ve learned during a summer job and internship. Engineering majors can take a website-coding class, a skill that’s in demand for digital or technical positions.

Activities: Try to get a leadership position on a least one club or organization and outline what you hope to do to make your mark. It’s also time to put networking into high speed.

Summer: It’s all about landing that full-time gig – and putting all the advice and steps that you’ve hopefully taken over the last four years into practice.

Lastly, join your school’s alumni association so you can continue to build your network.

For more information see: The Wall Street Journal (online), Family Finances, August 28, 2012

The Skills You Have and the Skills They Want

Article by Michelle Tullier, Monster Contributing Writer

Anyone who can write term papers, cram for exams, survive the roommate from hell, run a campus club, participate in sports or tackle other college challenges deserves a job and has demonstrated the ability to hold one.

Hot Skills Employers Want

Experts who study trends in hiring find that most companies, regardless of size or industry, look for the same basic skills when hiring. Believe it or not, you are most likely to develop these competencies during college. They include

• Critical Thinking: Seeing the big picture and being analytical; comprehending what you need.
• Communication: Getting your point across effectively when writing and speaking.
• Visionary Qualities: Brainstorming, looking to the future, setting goals.
• Self-Motivation: Showing a willingness to take the initiative.
• Proficiency with Information: Being inquisitive, curious and resourceful, knowing how to conduct research.
• Globally-Minded: Understanding and showing an interest in other cultures and getting along with diverse groups of people.
• Teamwork: Working well with others to achieve common goals.

Chances are, you possess a number of these key competencies. Once you realize you are very skilled, you'll be better able to sell yourself to employers as exactly the type of candidate they want.

For more information visit: http://career-advise.monster.com

7 Employer Danger Signs: When to Turn Down a Job Offer

Article by Charles Prudy, Monster Senior Editor

According to the US Department of Labor, the average employed adult spends 7.5 hours a day on the job. Over time, that adds up to a significant chunk of your life, so (as many people know from experience) an unhappy work situation can make the rest of your life pretty miserable as well.

For that reason, you'll want to avoid working for a miserable company.  But how can you spot a bad company to work for? By doing your research and looking for the following seven warning signs during the hiring process.

1. Communication with you is unprofessional or disrespectful. Your treatment during the hiring process is a clue as to how you'll be treated as an employee.
2. The recruiters and hiring managers actively distrust you. Just as you don't want to make a bad career move, employers don't want to make a bad hire--so expect a background check and reference check. These checks should all be carried out in a non-accusatory manner.
3. The workplace seems unhappy. You shouldn't take a job without paying a visit to where you'll be working. Note the attitudes and interactions of the workers there as well as the overall environment.
4. The company has a bad reputation. The Internet makes it easy to find out what former and current employees have to say about a company. Doing your research into this aspect of an employer should be part of how you prepare for a job interview.
5. You don't think you'll get along with your boss or colleagues. Be sure to discuss work styles and communication styles with the hiring manager to make sure they are at least compatible with yours.
6. The job's duties are unclear, or your interviewer can't define what success in the role will look like. After you have interviewed with one or two people, you should have a clear idea of how your job performance will be measured and what your key objectives will be in your first few months on the job.
7. They want to hire you right away, without any interviewing or reference checks. Desperation on the employer's part can be a danger sign. In the hiring process, recruiters and managers often rely (at least a little bit) on their "gut" when making decisions about candidates. Trust your gut, too. If it doesn't feel right, do a bit more research before accepting a job offer.

For more details visit http://career-advice.monster.com

Nonverbal Communications: Escape the Pitfalls

Article by Carole Martin, Monster Contributing Writer

It begins even before you say your first word in an interview. As the interviewer walks towards you to shake hand, an opinion is already being formed. And you sit waiting to spew out your answers to questions you've prepared for, you are already being judged by your appearance, posture, smile or your nervous look.

Don't underestimate the value of a smile. In addition to the enthusiasm it expresses to the interviewer, smiling often makes you feel better about yourself.

Nonverbal Messages:

• The Handshake: It's your first encounter with the interviewer. She/He holds out her/his hand and receives a limp, damp hand in return-not a very good beginning. Your handshake should be firm--not bone-crushing--and your hand should be dry and warm.
• Your Posture: Stand and sit erect. We're not talking ramrod posture, but show some energy and enthusiasm. A slouching posture looks tired and uncaring.
• Eye Contact: Look the interviewer in the eye. You don't want to stare at her/him like you're trying to look into her/his soul, but be sure to make sure your eyes meet frequently.
• Your Hands: Gesturing or talking with your hands is very natural, but keep it in moderation.
• Don't Fidget:: There is nothing worse than people playing with their hair, clicking pen tops, tapping feet or unconsciously touching parts of the body.

Preparing what you have to say is important, but practicing how  you will say it is imperative. The nonverbal message can speak louder than the verbal message you're sending.

For more for detail visit: http://career-advice.monster.com/

6 Key Interview Answers Employers NEED to Hear

The reality is that employers have neither the time nor inclination to play games with you, especially when hiring. Your interviewer is not trying to outguess you--he/she is trying to assess your answers to six key questions:

1. Do you have the skills to do the job?  According to Brad Karsh, a former recruiting professional for advertising giant LEO Burnett and the current president of career consulting firm Job Bound, the employer must first determine whether you have the necessary hard skills for the position.  The interviewer is also looking for key soft skills you'll need to succeed in the job and organization.
2. Do you fit? "Every organization's first thought is about fit and potentially fit in a certain department," Corey Blanck says. That means the interviewer is trying to pinpoint not only whether you match up well with both the company's and department's activities but also whether you will complement the talents of your potential co-workers.
3. Do you understand the company and its purpose?  If the organization fits well with your career aspirations, you'll naturally be motivated to do good work there--and stay more than a month or two, Corey Blanck reasons.
4. How do you stack up against the competition?  You're being evaluated in relation to other candidates for the job.
5. Do you have the right mind-set for the job and company?  "I'm always looking for someone who has a can-do type of attitude," Corey Blanck explains. "I want someone who wants to be challenged and is internally motivated to do well."
6. Do you want the job?  Most employers know better than to believe everyone they interview actually wants the position being offered.  They understand some candidates are exploring their options, while others are using an interview with a company they don't care about to hone their interview skills.

For more information visit click here
Article by Peter Vogt, Monster Senior Contributing Writer

Politics and What College Graduates Shoud Care About

2008 proved a landmark election year for the 18 to 29 year-old demographic, with 51% of qualified Americans within this age range showing up at the polls.  Sixty-two percent of those with at least some college experience voiced their opinions on economic, social, and political issues, and four years later, it's looking like they may very well show up in the same (relative) droves. Because so many topics big and small directly dictate their lives, it behooves new and seasoned voters alike to familiarize themselves with today's most pressing debates. Start with the following and branch out from there for a broad view of everything currently at stake.

Jobs:
The New York Times refers to the current crop of college graduates as "The Limbo Generation" because they happen to enter into an economy pockmarked by high unemployment. Growing up, higher education was always touted as an essential gateway toward many (if not most) career paths, but reality proved otherwise when businesses just stopped hiring. A 2010 Center for Information & Research on Civil Learning & Engagement showed that voters between the ages of 18 and 29 considered improving the economy the most pressing political issue, with 59% reporting it as their primary concern.

Tuition and student loans:
College students continue demonstrating in the United States and Canada alike, angered largely over tuition hikes and favoring student loan reform. For obvious reason, of course! President Barack Obama, the Democratic incumbent in the 2012 election cycle, has already made some headway in making it easier for graduates to pay off the money they've taken out for their higher educations, but more legislation needs implementing to protect their interests. As it stands now, the laws restricting payments to paying out no more than 10% of disposable income will not go into effect until 2014.

For more detailed information visit ResumeBear

Lurk First (and 4 More Tips on Getting the Most our of LinkedIn Groups)

Interested in finding a new job, switching careers, attracting more clients or building a stronger professional network? LinkedIn Groups is the place to be.

Groups provides opportunities to meet and engage in discussions with members of your industry, your alumni community or other professional interest areas. Becoming active in LinkedIn Groups is like attending a professional conference every time you log on.

To join a group, start exploring the Group Search page, which has recently been updated to make it easier for you to find the most valuable places to network. Then click "Join" for any groups that sound appealing. Once you're accepted as a member, you'll be able to post and comment on discussions, review job postings, connect with your fellow members and more.

For more information see www.lindseypollak.com/blog

10 Secrets to Success

1. How You Think is Everything.  Always be positive. Think Success, not Failure.  Beware of a negative environment.
2. Decide upon Your True Dreams and Goals.  Write down your specific goals and develop a plan to reach them.
3. Take Action. Goals are nothing without action.
4. Never Stop Learning. Go back to school or read books.  Get training and acquire skills
5. Be Persistent and Work Hard. Success is a marathon, not a sprint.  Never give up.
6. Learn to Analyze Details. Get all the facts, all the input. Learn from your mistakes.
7. Focus Your Time and Money.  Don't let other people or things distract you.
8. Don't Be Afraid To Innovate.  Be different.  Followng hte herd is a sure way to mediocrity.
9. Dean and Communicate with People Effectively.  No person is an island.  Learn to understand and motivate others.
10. Be Honest and Dependable.  Take responsibility, otherwise numbers 1-9 won't matter.

More information at Pick The Brain

11 Surprising Ways to Hurt Your Career

by Megan Malugani, Monster Contributing Writer

While most career advice focuses on how to succeed, we can all learn valuable lessons by dissecting career failure as well. Workplace experts offer insights into some of the top ways workers undermine their own careers and jeopardize their career development.

1. Not Taking Your Education Seriously: If you party too much in college and end up with a run of the mill 2.5 GPA, you'll be passed over for the best entry-level jobs, says New York City based executive recruiter and coach Brian Drum of Drum Associates.



2. Not Having a Plan: In the current poor job market, you may have defaulted into a career you aren't crazy about. That is OK, as long as you develop career plans to get where you want to be.



3. Lying: You'll lose professional credibility in a hurry if you lie, from exaggerating on your resume to getting caught fibbing on Facebook.



4. Sullying Your Reputation on Facebook or Twitter: Social media can harm your reputation in other ways, too. Personal posts and tweets from work -- when you are supposed to be doing your job -- can tag you as a slacker.



5. Not Respecting Professional Boundaries: Sharing TMI about your personal life with colleagues is unprofessional.



6. Gossiping, Slandering, Excessively Criticizing: If you publicly bash fellow employees, the boss, the board of directors or even your competitors, you'll be perceived as negative at best and a troublemaker at worst.



7. Carrying on an Inappropriate Relationship with Your Boss: A romantic entanglement with a boss can do real damage to your ability to collaborate with peers.



8. Not Controlling Your Alcohol Intake or Libido: Getting drunk at the office party or on a business trip damages your credibility. Ditto a romantic, ahem, "indiscretion" that your colleagues know about.



9. Job-Hopping Just for the Money: Job-hopping -- in moderation -- may not automatically disqualify you from a position. "But it gets to the point -- like if you have seven or eight jobs by the time you are 35 -- that employers are not going to want to invest in you," Drum says.



10. Losing Touch with References: You'll kick yourself later if you leave a job without collecting personal contact information from colleagues who can serve as professional references for you in the future.



11. Leaving a Job on Bad Terms: Don't become a lame duck when you've got one foot out the door, Drum says. "The employer only remembers about the last five minutes you were there," he says.

For additional information click here

Combating Entry-Level Boredom

One of the most common complaints we hear from young professionals in entry-level positions is that they are bored out of their minds. They are generally assigned menial tasks which, thanks to the wonder of word processing, do not take up much time, and their supervisors are reluctant to assign any substantial work.

Compounding the problem of boredom is the ever popular "face time" requirement. Everyone feels pressured to hang around the office for eight hours or more, out-waiting the boss or each other, regardless of their workload. This essentially trains us to be less efficient, because we feel penalized for finishing our work too quickly.

Consequences of Boredom:
After leaving school filled with enthusiasm and ambition, the letdown of insignificant workloads can cause feelings of depression and worthlessness. And our twenties are a dangerous time to be bored at work because we are now forming on-the-job habits which, like smoking or biting our nails, will be hard to break.

Tips on Battling Boredom:

• Start out the day by writing down your "five before five" - a list of things you want to accomplish before the day is over -- and tape it to your monitor as a constant reminder.




• Be honest with your supervisor and ask for more work. Hopefully, he or she will appreciate your efficiency and ability to get the job done fast and reward you with a more challenging set of tasks. If your employer does not value efficiency, then perhaps it is time to look for a better fit.




• A mentor can help you think of ways to increase and diversify your tasks by explaining the various roles and skills required in your industry or organization. A mentor can be any person with a career track to which you aspire, whether that is a co-worker, friend of the family, or fellow alum.




• Try online courses to further your job skills and association Web sites for research and literature relevant to your field. Keep up with the news in your industry, and you'll be prepared with some impressive small talk next time you run into your boss' boss in the elevator.




• Set up a meeting with a co-worker or supervisor to discuss the status of a project. Let them know that you are interested in becoming more involved.

Information provided by CareerRookie Spring 2012

WATCH OUT!! 10 Interview Questions Designed to Trick You

For the long-term unemployed or those workers looking for a change, getting an interview in today's market may feel like a win in itself. But once you're in the door, interviewers often put you through an obstacle course of depceptive questions with double meanings or hidden agendas. Do you know how to read the subtext?

"On the other side of the desk, hiring managers spend countless long hours inteviewing candidate after candidate," says Joyce Lain Kennedy, a nationally syndicated careers columnist and author of Job Interviews for Dummies. " A tricky question may be used as a time management tool to quickly eliminate a less qualified candidate."

Kenney says that even if job hunters have rehearsed anticipated topics, an unexpected question may jar loose an authentic answer that exposes hidden problems. She outlines the top 10 most common questions designed to trick you.

1. Why have you been out of work so long, and how many others were laid off? This question may also be followed by the more direct, "Why were you laid off?" Kennedy says it is an attempt to figure out if there is something wrong with you that your former company or that other potential employers have already discovered.



2. If employed, how do you manage time for interviews? "The real question is whether you are lying to and short-changing your current employer while looking for other work," says Kennedy. The interviewer may wonder: If you 're cheating on your current boss, why wouldn't you later cheat on me?



3. How did you prepare for this interview? The intention of this question is to decipher how much you really care about the job or if you're simply going through the motions or winging it.



4. Do you know anyone who works for us? This one really is a tricky question, says Kennedy, because most interviewees expect that knowing someone on the inside is always a good thing. "Nothing beats having a friend deliver your resume to a hiring manager, but that transaction presumes the friend is well thought of in the company," she says. Because the interviewer will likely associate the friend's characteristics and reputation with your merits, she recommends only mentioning someone by name if you're certain of their positive standing in the organization.



5. Where would you really like to work? "The real agenda for this question is assurance that you aren't applying to every job opening in sight," says Kennedy.



6. What bugs you about coworkers or bosses? Don't fall into this trap. Kennedy says you always want to present yourself as optimistic and action-oriented, and hiring managers may use this question to tease out whether you'll have trouble working with others or could drag down workplace morale and productivity.



7. Can you describe how you solved a work or school problem? Kennedy says that, really, no one should be too taken aback by this, as it's one of the most basic interview questions and should always be anticipated.



8. Can you describe a work or school instance in which you messed up? This one is a minefield. "One question within the question is whether you learn from your mistakes or keep repeating the same error," says Kennedy. Similarly, the interviewer may be trying to glean whether you're too self-important or not self-aware enough to take responsibility for your failings.



9. How does this position compare with others you're applying for? "The intent is to gather intel on the competitive job market or get a handle on what it will take to bring you on board," says Kennedy.



10. If you won the lottery, would you still work? It's another opportunity to underscore your motivation and work ethic. Kennedy advises acknowledging that you' d be thrilled to win the lottery but would still look for meaningful work because meeting challenges and achieving make you happy.

Information provided by Forbes.com and written by Jenna Goudrea. To see article in full.

TEAMBUILDING: The Most Rewarding Act of Leadership

The experience of great teamwork is one of life's greatest thrills. Unfortunately, it is also rare and fleeting. If you want to turn your own working group of individuals into a magnificent, all-conquering team, you need to guide them on a journey of 5 steps, from Unshared Certainty to Shared Certainty.

1. Unshared Certainty - At the first stage of teambuilding, the team are no more than a disparate group of individuals without any close links. Their main aim is to look after number one and they do this by seeking personal advantage in any situation. As a result, there is no risk and no teamwork.


2. Loose Links - At the second stage of team development, the group start to find reason for working together. They may do this initially because they see some personal advantage for themselves, for example, by working with others whom they like, or with others who have information they need, or who have skills that complement theirs.


3. Shared Certainity - A breakthrough in teambuilding is achieved when the group start to share a purpose, mission, or goal which can only be realized by working together. This is nearly always a big goal and one that excites and motivates at an emotional level.


4. Team First - At the fourth stage of teambuilding, the group now starts to put the team before themselves. This only happens when they see that they have far more to gain from working together than from working on their own.


5. Shared Uncertainity - Once a team sees themselves as a distince, cohesive unit with a huge pool of resources to call on and an exciting goal to strive for, they start to realize that they can achieve far more together than apart.

For additional information see the article in full in the EOE Journal Volume 22. Article is written by: Eric Garner

Insight into Diversity Makes for Bette Job Interviews:

An Informed Process for Job Seekers

What is diversity and why should it matter? It matters because the more you know about corporate diversity, the more successful you will be in your job search process and interview experiences.

• What components must be in place for a diversity program to succeed? Find out what it takes to run a successful diversity program, in essence, all of the components that must be in place and the infrastructure need for sustainability.


• What facts can you discover about the company? Next, collect background information on the company, namely, the nature and breadth of its ties to diversity. Once you have digested what has been collected so far, develop a list of conversation starters, interesting points, and questions that might help to fill in the blanks and clarify what seems curious or motivating.


• What is the company's reputation as an employer? Move on to third-party endorsements for firsthand experiences and hearsay renderings. These sources offer insight into the company's reputation.


• What role should advisors and recruiters play in the process? Engage school placement counselors (Career Services) and/or recruiters in meaningful diversity conversations using the information you've gleaned as a starting point. Ask for their thoughts and insights, use them as a sounding boards, and have them engage you in practice runs.

For further information see the article in full in EOE Journal, Vol. 22 - Num. 91 - March 2012 by Dr. Kathryn Alexander

How To Turn Job Interviews Into Job Offers

"I can do the job, so why don't I get the job offer?"

Being confident in your professional skills and being able to transfer that confidence in your competence to recruiters and hiring managers are two very different but equally important skills.

Who gets the job offers? The people who turn job interviews into job offers with the greatest ease are the people who are able identify and discuss the recurrent problems that lurk at the heart of their work, these people are seen to "get" the job in ways that other candidates don't.

Read on to find out how to turn interviews into job offers.

Article by: SimplyHired.com

SINCE YOU ASKED: Should I use social media to help with my job search?

Listen: Look at a company's presence on Facebook, follow its Twitter feed, get a feel for what the company is saying, and what people are saying about it. If you actually "listen" to the dialogue, you will get a sense of the culture and pulse of the organization. You can learn a lot through photos, videos, stories and feedback from users. This is a great starting point for your career search that can help form impressions and make decisions.

Engage: People often underestimate social media as a relationship builder. A decade ago, you could only look at a career site, but today it's a two-way street. If you have specific questions, first search for the answers. Never ask a question that can be answered on the company's website. If you send a well-thought-out question, you can usually get to the right place and get a response. Plus, you will get the added value of commentary from other users.

Build Relationships: The whole idea is use conversation platforms to get your questions answered and build a relationship. And the earlier the better! For instance, if you are looking for an internship, consider how many of your friends who have already graduated are out in the workforce and connect with them.

"The whole idea is to leverage your connections as you build relevant relationships."


Steven Ehrlich, Global Vice President, Client Development at TMP Worldwide
Becky Parson, Senior Project Manager, University Relations at AT&T

SIFE* 2011 / Career Connections

EFFECTIVE LISTENING: Discover Why Good Listeners Get More Jobs!

An Excerpt from Effective Listening: The Key to Successful Interviewing
by: John G. Igwebuike
Associate Professor of Legal Environment of Business
Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs
Alcorn School of Business (ASB)

Communication is two-sided: there is a sending side (speaking and writing) and receiving side (reading and listening). To have one without the other, or to emphasize one at the expense of the other, results in ineffective communication. Why is listening so vital in an interview? We must first understand that a job interview is essentially a strategic communication for the purpose of exchanging information.

Consider why listening can make or break an interview:
a. Effective listening contributes to effective speaking
b. Employers want employees who are good, courteous listeners
c. The interview is an opportunity for you to interview the company. Careful and attentive
listening gives you the essential information you need which will later assist you in your
decision-making.

Silence is golden. Don't be afraid of short pauses. When asked a question, take time to think, understand the question, and formulate your answer. Remember, the word "silent" is "listen" with the letters transposed.

Ask a question - and then listen. Towards the end, the interviewer usually will ask if you have any questions or anything you wish to add. It's best to have prepared a few questions and to listen to the answers you receive. Remember, one of the key purposes of the interview is for you to gain knowledge so that you can make the right decisions.

Effective listening can give you an edge to say that current job market is fiercely competitive is an understatement. What is a job seeker to do? Improving your listening skills may give you the necessary leg up. Start by demonstrating your interest to the interviewer. The following tips will help you remember to LISTEN:

L - Lean slightly towards the interviewer, or sit up straight to show your attentiveness through your body language.

I - Ignore distractions such as a ringing phone, knock on the door, visitors, etc. A key quality of really great conversationalists is that they have a unique way of making you feel as though you are the most important person to them.

S - Smile in a relaxed manner with confidence. What shows on the outside, grows on the inside. A smile builds rapport and relaxes you so that you can really pay attention.

T - Take a few notes. Jotting down a couple of points is fine. Beyond that, note taking becomes distracting. When you look down to write on the notepad, you break eye contact with the interviewer. Train yourself to make mental notes of important points.

E - Eyes are the windows to the soul. Maintain eye contact to the degree that you and the interviewer remain comfortable.

N - No cell phones. This seems too simple a point to even mention, but you'd be surprised a the number of recruiters who tell me of cell phones sounding off to all manner of musical notes, beats, beeps, and jingles to ruinous consequences for the interviewee.

SIFE* 2011 / Career Connections