Know your facts

When it comes to interviewing for a job, you should know some knowledge about the company you are interviewing, because this could land you the job. Some facts to know about a company is about its size, what service or product they sell, their main affiliates and whether the company is international or national. Showing that you have an idea of the direction of the company and its goals will show that you really want the job. During an interview, you can't change what is written on your resume, your qualifications and job history, etc. but you can change little things that could set you apart from the rest of the competition. But be careful not to just spew facts at the interviewer. Like Seymour said, the already work for the company and already know all this. The point is that you aren't trying to show the interviewer just that you memorized these facts, you are trying to show them that you are already motivated about the company and have a desire to be a part of their team.

Posted by Suzanne on 12/31/2008 11:47:00 AM
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Prepare for the Inquisition!

That's why it is utterly vital to prepare for an interview using the tips that Seymour mentioned.  There is nothing worse than leaving an interview with a knot in your stomach because you weren't ready for the tough questions, or didn't plan ahead for traffic to hold you up.  YOU are the only one that is responsible for your end of the bargain, so be sure to study up and keep your eyes on the prize... you just may end up with a [job] offer you can't refuse!

Labels: interview preparation, Interview skills, interviewing process

Posted by Amanda on 12/31/2008 02:52:00 AM
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When at first you don't succeed, ask, ask around

When preparing for a job interview, people often overlook the basic but necessary step of researching their position and prospective employer. This is unfortunate, because countless job seekers are shot down due to their lack of knowledge or preparedness regarding things that, for the most part, are a five-minute Google search away. Oh well - their loss is your gain. Run a search for your employer and the position you've applied for and get to know the lay of the land. If what you find leads you to more specific questions, try contacting the company, its HR staff, or even current employees for the information you need. Nine times out of ten, they'll be more than happy to help out - and remember, there is no such thing as a stupid question, so ask away. Use these resources to their full potential, and you'll have that job in no time! 

Labels: job interview, job search, research

Posted by Brian on 12/25/2008 06:02:00 PM
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We Want You As a New Recruit!

Recruiters are resources that often times do not get the appreciation or attention they deserve. These people work hard to find positions for prospective employees and serve as an excellent go-between for the company and job applicants.

Though I personally have never used the services of a recruiter, I know that as my college graduation date looms, I will be ready and willing to work with one. Not only will job hunting become less stressful, but I will also be able to focus my talents and skills into the most productive way possible... two heads are better than one, indeed and having a recruiter go to bat for me at a company will surely be of great help.

More than anything, I look forward to the advice and knowledge that a recruiter will pass on to me. Their insider information and wisdom will serve as an invaluable tool, should I land an interview with a particular company. Knowing that I can have the power of a recruiter on my side will certainly make graduation a little less scary!

Labels: career prep, job search, recruiter

Posted by Amanda on 12/25/2008 05:43:00 PM
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Interview Skills: Showing Confidence Without Looking Arrogant.

All of your hard work has finally paid off-- you got the call back for an interview! Your resume has made an impression and a potential employer thinks that YOU might be the right person for the job. This is exactly what you’ve been waiting for, but what do you do now? Get through the interview with class, confidence, and most importantly, prove to your potential employer that you are a competent worker and the perfect person for the job. There are a number of things that can be done to ensure that you make the most out of your interview, but the key is to utilize all of them.

Come prepared--Do your research!
It is much easier to have confidence when you actually know what you are talking about. Find as much information as you can on the company you are interviewing for. This can help you to cater your answers to that companies wants and needs. You can easily determine the skills you possess that can add to the productivity of the company. You can use the information you’ve found to show your interest in the company. It can never hinder you to go into the interview fully briefed on the company and it’s policies. It is also a good idea to bring a copy of your resume with you to the interview. If your potential employer doesn’t already have a copy in front of them, then this will serve as a nice reminder of your talents and skills.

Dress to impress.
The right choice of clothing can give you that boost of confidence you may need on the day of the interview. Regardless of the companies’ dress code, it is always better to be overdressed for an interview than it is to wear clothes that may be considered too casual. Wear conservative, professional attire and make sure that your clothes fit you well—they aren’t too loose or too tight. Choosing clothing that is too colorful and ornate may be to your disadvantage, as it can detract attention from your qualifications. Your clothing should show that you are professional and are there for only one purpose: getting the job.

Don’t be late!
In fact, arrive a couple minutes early to the interview. This would give you time to fill out any necessary paperwork or time to just relax and collect your thoughts before going into the interview. Showing up to the interview late will do nothing but hurt you. To an employer, when you are late to an interview the chances are high that you will be late to other important meetings or deadlines in the future. To avoid any complications, know where you are going beforehand and make sure you give yourself enough time to get there—don’t forget to factor in traffic time!

Leave a lasting impression…
Turn OFF your cell phone before arriving for the interview. It would be unprofessional and embarrassing if your phone happened to go off during the interview. In order to save yourself from any embarrassment turn your cell phone completely off. When called into the interview greet your potential employer with a nice firm handshake, eye contact and a smile. Make sure your smile is friendly and not creepy. Creepy smiles and penetrating eye contact could give your potential employer the wrong idea about you. Never feel too comfortable—always sit up straight and use proper language (NO SLANG!). Be sure to emphasize your strengths and call upon as many details of the company as you can. You must make sure that you don’t over do it with the facts, however. Remember that your potential employer already works for the company and already knows most of the details. Your main goal is to show how your strengths work with the company’s wants and needs. When the interview is over make sure you thank your interviewer by name and end the meeting with a nice firm handshake, eye contact and a smile.

If you follow all of these steps it should be easy for you to walk into any interview with the confidence and charisma that could land you the job. Good luck!

Labels: interview dress code, interview preparation, Interview skills, job search tool

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 12/24/2008 11:44:00 AM
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Using recruiters to your advantage.

It is true, we are now experiencing one of the highest unemployment rates since the Great Depression. Jobs are getting harder to come by and people need to make use of any, and all, resources available to them. Creating an amazing resume simply doesn't cut it anymore. People now turn to online resume databases and recruiters to get their resume's seen. It is the recruiters job to find qualified candidates for employers. This means they have built a relationship with potential employers and are well informed of what these employers are looking for. Use this to your advantage. Even if the recruiter does not feel that you are the right person for the job, use the knowledge the recruiter has and make sure to fix any weaknesses and play up your strengths. 

Labels: recruiter

Posted by Jen on 12/23/2008 09:00:00 PM
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Recruiters - The Best Kept Secret

Recruiters are one of the best tools to use in the hunt for a job. Recruiters can be especially helpful if someone is looking for a job in another state or internationally. If I was looking to get a job in say, Alaska, instead of trying to job search thousands of miles away in Florida, I would hire a recruiter up there. A recruiter would know the area and industry much better. They would have access to all the newspapers, job listing and know which industry are expanding. Also, this way a recruiter could drop off resumes and set up interviews so that I could then fly up and be there for the in-person interviews. So if you are looking for a job in another state, or even just in another city, look into using a job recruiter from that area. You will save yourself much time and energy and also will not risk missing out on those really good job opportunities that only people in the area will know about. Recruiters are still very useful even in your own area too. Who could be better at finding and landing you a job than a person who does it for a living!

Posted by Suzanne on 12/23/2008 01:18:00 PM
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Get the word out about recruiters!

These days, everybody's clamoring for a job, but only a lucky few are actually landing them. The next time your buddy picks your brain for job opportunities, direct him to a recruiter. They're a wonderful and unfortunately underutilized tool that can get someone out of a jam and into the dough faster than a lot of other, more commonly-used job search methods. Recruiters need to put food on the table, too - give them some business! 

Labels: job search, recruiter

Posted by Brian on 12/22/2008 02:16:00 AM
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What is, and how do I work with, a recruiter?

If you’re one of those people who’s not afraid to admit you aren’t entirely sure what the heck a recruiter does… then this post is for you. Understanding exactly what a recruiter does, and the best way to work with one, can benefit your career now or down the road. So what does a recruiter do?

Simply put, a job recruiter is a person who specializes in matching the right candidate to an open position within a company or organization. Often referred to as headhunters, recruiters typically focus on a specific industry or niche and play a very important role in providing companies with top talent and in helping candidates find their dream jobs.

While recruiters can be a vital job searching tool, the reality is that recruiters work for the hiring organization, not job seekers. As a result, they look for candidates that will fit the hiring specifications, requirements and culture of their client.

When choosing a recruiter to work with, be sure to seek out recruiters that either specializes in your profession or is retained by key employers for whom you’d like to work. Once you’ve chosen a recruiter to work with, maximize the partnership by following these tips:

Treat recruiters like a potential employer. Don’t let your guard down because of the informality of the interview or conversation. Always approach your conversations, interview, and follow-up communication as if you were interviewing with a potential employer. Recruiters will be judging you on your professionalism and interview performance.

Heed their advice. Because recruiters have developed a close working relationship with their clients, they have valuable insight into each company’s culture, preferences, dress code, and other key factors. Listen to and take their advice.

Communicate with your recruiter. In order for a recruiter to work effectively on your behalf, they need to know exactly what type of position you are seeking, salary requirements, desired company or location, etc. Be very clear and upfront about these preferences. Continue to keep open communication throughout the process. Return your recruiters calls promptly, give them feedback on your interviews, and always keep them abreast of your interest levels and other job offers you may be seeking.

Just remember that recruiters’ credibility is largely based on the type of candidates they are presenting to a client. Therefore, the more professional and enjoyable you are to work with, the harder they will work for you. Good luck!

Labels: job search tool, recruiter

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 12/19/2008 01:06:00 PM
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Movin' on up...to the nice corner office in the sky

In Seymour's blog, there was a lot of good question to consider asking during an interview. I know that I personally will ask employers questions that relate to how I can move up in the company. Although I do not want to seem cut throat, I desire to work for a company with a set plan of advancement for employees. I also really like the question "Can you describe your corporate culture?". I know that I would rather be an unemployed bum than work in an office where people dislike their jobs and are catty. I know jobs aren't all fun and games, but I want to work in an office with high employee morale without sacrificing efficiency. I think that if a workplace has a fun climate, then I would be dedicated to the company and stick around in an entry level position in hopes of landing a promotion. If I get into a job that I dread going into every morning, I would probably spend my days updating my resume and searching monster.com. Although some would disagree that a happy work atmosphere can go hand in hand with a rigid structural hierarchy for jobs, I feel that employees who know their direction in the company and see what skills are required of them can be more at-ease in their job.

Posted by Suzanne on 12/18/2008 04:10:00 PM
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Ready, Set, Interview!

Two of the questions that Seymour mentioned really hit home for me, those being: "What are the day-to-day responsibilities of the job?" and "How many steps are there in the interview process?"

Both of these questions are ones that at some point or another, I have asked during an interview... or wish I had asked. As for inquiring about the day-to-day tasks, that is something that any prospective employee should be aware of, to make sure that the job they are seeking is the one that they want. I applied for a position at one company that defined "sales associate" as cleaning the restroom and scraping gum off the floor... in addition to selling the product. Now, I don't mean to demean janitorial work as a whole, however I was surprised to learn that it was part of a job description at a high end retail store.

In addition, there have been times I wish I had known how many steps the company had in its interview process, because landing a second interview can be monumental or just a small piece of the puzzle, depending on the company. Many corporate offices have days of training in which they assess prospective employees in the job setting and see how many different tasks and obstacles they can handle. That retail interview I went on? I had to find six outfits for an [albeit, imaginary] affluent customer in one minute's time. And had I known what to expect, I may have been able to put together better ensembles.

Interviewing confidence comes with experience, but it's best to prepare yourself beforheand to the challenges you may face. Knowing more about the specific job you are seeking is an excellent start to gaining that confidence and truly believing that you are the best for the position.

Labels: interview preparation, interview questions, interviewing skills

Posted by Amanda on 12/18/2008 02:13:00 AM
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Ask not what your employer can do for you...

Seymour told you about all of the right questions to ask during an interview, but while interviews are a two-way street, so are your questions. There are a few sensitive topics that should never be discussed during an interview, many of which automatically slip out of the inexperienced or incautious interviewee's mouth and ultimately cost them the position. "What can you do for me?" and "Why should I choose this job over (X)?" are as common as they are potentially disastrous, as are unsolicited questions regarding pay, vacation time, or bonuses. Questions like this make potential employers question your dedication. To paraphrase JFK, "Ask not what your employer can do for you -- ask what you can do for your employer." You'll seem serious about the position if you do this, even if you're just fishing around.

Remember, you're always at your interviewer's mercy, and while the answers to questions regarding how a job will benefit you sometimes beg to be asked, they're best reserved for when you've actually landed one. If you aren't satisfied with your employer, you can always turn them down - you're still young. The key is to let them know that you're dissatisfied with them as an employer after it's too late for them to be dissatisfied with you as an employee.

Labels: interview blunders, interview questions

Posted by Brian on 12/17/2008 02:37:00 PM
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Interviewing for a Job is a Two-Way Street

After spending days, weeks or months job searching, you just landed an interview with that company you’ve been coveting. You have picked out your best “dress for success” interview attire, practiced interview questions and researched the company website. But did you remember to prepare your own questions? Remember, interviewing for a job is two-way street!

Asking the right questions of your interviewer will help you to determine if your new boss and/or employer are the best fit for you. Not to mention, you’ll impress your interviewer. For example, inquiring about a company’s long term objectives indicates you’re committed for the long-term. Questions posed about training tell your prospective employer that you want to grow and develop with them, and whether they plan to invest in you as an employee.

A few words to the wise, some of your questions may be answered in the course of the interview or on the company website so be careful not to ask something that’s already been addressed. Also, make sure to keep your questions relevant to the job and the company you are interviewing with. You probably want to know about salary and benefits, but you should let the employer raise this subject first or wait until a second interview.

Questions you should consider asking are:

• What is the company’s organizational structure and how does this department fit in?
• Can you describe your corporate culture?
• What type of training do you offer, and are there ongoing training or continuing education classes available?
• What kind of advancement opportunities exist within the company?
• What are the day-to-day responsibilities of the job?
• What is the management style and how do you approach problem solving?
• Can you describe your ideal employee?
• Is there any other information I can provide you?
• How many steps are there in the interview process?
• When do you expect to reach a decision?

By asking the right questions, you can be sure to leave the interview with a good sense of whether you’d fit in well, with both the job and the company overall. Good luck!

Labels: interview preparation, interview questions, interviewing process

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 12/15/2008 09:57:00 AM
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Proceed with Caution!

One of the hardest lessons I've learned from being an active user of sites like Myspace and Facebook is how to put out the best image of myself for the world to see. I, like most college students, enjoy the occasional social outing and like to take pictures to remind myself of the days when everything was easy... The problem is, come Sunday morning, those pictures might not showcase my most attractive qualities.

Keeping your profile set to "private" or "friends-only"' is the first step to separating your social life from the professional, classy side of yourself you want everyone to know and love. In addition, do not accept friend requests from people that you do not know or do not want to associate with. Having promotional companies for nightclubs on your Top Friends, for example, may not look very appealing to a pencil-pusher boss. In addition, when your profile reads that you plan to attend a "Pimps 'n Hoes" party or a "Get Tanked!" night at the bar, your boss may not be so appreciative of your late night lifestyle.

The main thing to keep in mind with any networking site is that people will only see a two-dimensional version of you. The pictures that you understand as being appropriate to the occasion may not appear so when the viewer does not have a life-size explanation to go with it. The best you can do is keep it classy and remember to always monitor the things you put out there for everyone to see.

Labels: professionalism, security, social networking websites

Posted by Amanda on 12/12/2008 12:38:00 AM
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This ain't a blog, it's a dirty, no-good scandal rag!

   The topic of social networking sites and their growing relationship with the professional world has been quite thoroughly discussed in this blog and elsewhere. Even so, seldom do we get to hear about the juicier aspect of this burgeoning union: the sort of gaffes, tragic missteps and unfortunate turns of fate that make all of the warnings and tutorials that inevitably accompany any discussion of Facebook, Myspace and the like a necessity. Fortunately, luck has been on my side since I was a wee Xanga blogger, so I have no personal accounts of online tragedy to share. This doesn't mean that you don't, though! Have you been admonished, threatened, fired or worse as a result of your own (or someone else's) actions on a social networking site? If so, drop a comment and help scare those among us who still fail to exercise proper "netiquette" straight. 

Posted by Brian on 12/08/2008 08:30:00 PM
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Sadly, it's a fact that books ARE judged by their covers.

I will admit that I have judged someone based on their facebook profile without ever meeting them. I think everyone is guilty of it at one point or another. I think that when we see people's facebooks, we tend to be fooled into thinking it is a complete summary of their character. I try hard to give people the benefit of the doubt, but it is difficult not to judge a person when you see pictures of them doing inappropriate things! But the truth is, if people have a problem with the conclusions being drawn about them, then they should either put their profile on private or filter their pictures and such. By tailoring your profile in order to accent your good characteristics and keeping your not-so-classy moments private, you can manipulate the way people perceive you. Just always try to think about what someone else would think by looking at your profile. And although no one should judge someone by just their facebook, myspace, etc. it's a fact of life that it will happen. So if you can't beat it, work with it!

Posted by Suzanne on 12/07/2008 10:42:00 PM
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Social Networking: Do’s and Don’ts

Social networking sites have become a popular form of communication for people you have met at various times throughout your life. They have also become an important tool in making (and keeping) connections with current and former employers and co-workers. Those connections are imperative to your job search.

Networking is a must when embarking on a job search. With increased competitiveness in the job market, an entirely new set of challenges have been presented to job seekers. A job seeker must make his/her resume accessible to as many people possible. This can be accomplished by utilizing resume database sites, responding to classified ads and utilizing social networking sites. The advantages to social networking sites are vast, if and only if, used correctly. To obtain the maximum benefits of this online environment, it is important to know the Do’s and Don’ts of social networking.

There are many ways to keep your profile safe from the “preying” eye. Fortunately for all of us, there are these great tools called privacy settings. From there you can easily choose the privacy level that best suits your needs. This will help you to differentiate between your personal and business profile. It is always important to remember that the World Wide Web is an enormous place and you never know who may be looking at your profiles—so please be discrete and responsible about anything that you or anyone else posts to your profile.

You should also be careful about who you friend request and who you accept as a friend. It’s like your mom always told you, “birds of a feather flock together”. The friends that you keep are a direct reflection of who you are as a person. More likely than not, a prospective employer may use LinkedIn or Facebook as a tool when making the decision of hiring you or any one of your competitors. Their purpose is to scrutinize you from every possible angle, so Beware!

Social networking websites can often be a double-edged sword if not used properly. Taking these simple steps can ensure that your profile will be working for you and not against you. It also ensures that future employers/colleagues will only see the best parts of who you are. You’d be surprised how hiding or “de-tagging” incriminating, inappropriate pictures from your profile can work wonders for your image.

Also, don’t forget to take total advantage of the information sections of your profile. Use this space to list your talents, hobbies and any previous work experience you have had – minus the reining title of ‘Beer Pong Champion’. By simply using a little discretion and a little creative flare you’ll put your best foot forward and hopefully the job offers will come pouring in!

Good luck!

Labels: damage control, job search, job search tool, social networking, social networking websites

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 12/05/2008 09:53:00 AM
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Publish Your Thoughts, Collect Paycheck. Rinse, Repeat.

The rise in blogs has been astronomical over the past decade or so, thanks in large part to the convenience and easy access of the internet.  I started blogging in my sophomore year of high school for myself... I updated my friends about my thoughts, joys, frustrations, etc. and they would comment back with their own mature outlook on the situation at hand.

Labels: alternative job options, blogging, money

Posted by Amanda on 12/04/2008 04:53:00 PM
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I would definitely be interested in corporate blogging as a part time job. Blogging has been one of the few trends in the past decade to evolve from fun and social to professional. I know myself and my college friends would jump at the chance to be a corporate blogger. It's a chance to flex creative writing muscles while still gaining professional experience and can even grow into a career.
However, blogging for fun in hopes of the blog becoming famous...well it's kind of like trying to make it in Hollywood. Blogs that are famous and widely read usually are either started by an already famous person or the blogger becomes involved in some controversy that brings them out from behind the computer screen. There are probably hundreds of thousands of blogs on the Internet and only a select few ever become famous, and it's sometimes just for their 15 minutes of fame anyways. The two biggest blogging scandals have to be the Internet company employee who leaked company secrets on his blog, the flight attendant for a famous airline who was fired for blogging about her job and the Washington congressional employee who wrote about her sex life with high profile politicians, sometimes for money.
I personally enjoy reading political blogs, celeb blogs, sorority blogs and the occasional sports blog. I feel like reading the blog of someone else who has a similar interest as me is kind of like reading my own thoughts in a parallel universe. For instance, if I every wonder what I would be like if I had gone to high school/college in Maine instead of Florida, I could read the blog of a twenty-something women in college on the east coast who may also be in a sorority and like to read Jodi Picoult books and love watching Nancy Grace, and it would be like reading my own thoughts!

Posted by Suzanne on 12/03/2008 03:01:00 PM
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Internet Success - Turning a Matter of Chance Into a Matter of Time

   The rise of the Internet as a major entertainment medium has opened new horizons of opportunity for up-and-coming creative professionals. The good news is that it's easier now than ever before to distribute your work and make a name for yourself. The bad news is that you're competing with tens of millions of other people with the same goals and the same resources available to them. What to do? 

Labels: creative professionals, getting noticed, social media

Posted by Brian on 12/02/2008 05:00:00 PM
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Blog Your Way Into a Job – Companies Hiring Bloggers

There’s a new trend of companies hiring bloggers to work in-house for the purpose of developing blog content, or to find news for posting to a blog network. This is a great entry into the workforce for anyone looking for corporate writing experience, and to gain a foothold for bigger and better career opportunities within the social media realm.

Corporate bloggers are paid for positions, and depending on experience can be paid anywhere from $20 per post to $5k-$8k per month for those whose work is closely tied to the corporate brand.

If corporate blogging isn’t quite what you are looking for, and you prefer the independent spirit of working for yourself, you can always try your hand at making a career out of your own blog. Check out one article from Fast Company to give you tips about starting a career by developing and writing your own blog.

But even if you are interested in creating a career with your own blog, you can still supplement your income as an independent consultant or freelance blogger in the corporate world. By starting out with your own blog, you build your experience and boost your corporate resume at the same time.

So where do you find these dream jobs of spending your day online and blogging for a living? By blogging, of course. Start by running an Internet search of “careers in blogging” or check out professional blogging sites such as www.problogger.net.

Blogging jobs are not only fun and flexible, but they can be a lucrative way to start your career. Good luck… blogs & kisses!

Labels: alternative job options, blogging, blogs, social media

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 12/01/2008 07:48:00 AM
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