Making Resume Cover Letter Writing (Almost) Enjoyable! by Mario Churchill
Believe it or not you do not need to prick your fingertips with blood and use it as ink in order to write an impressive cover letter that will complement your resume quite nicely. In fact, if you are willing to look at the cover letter writing process in a rather unconventional light you just might find that the process can be almost fun in a challenging sort of way.
Most people fail from the start when it comes to writing a cover letter because they somehow miss the point of writing one all together. A good cover letter is not a summary of the resume at all. In fact, a good cover letter merely invites the hiring manger to read the resume rather than rehashing the bland details that are more often than not contained in the resume. Your cover letter should be anything but bland if you are hoping for results. Hiring managers sift through dozens if not hundreds of bland cover letters on a daily basis. If you want to create a resume that will stand out you need to create one that is fun to read. The best way to do that is to have some degree of fun while writing it. Yes, you did read that correctly, I said have fun with your cover letter.
Having fun while writing a cover letter shows hiring managers that you can have fun with some of the less pleasant tasks that will be required in the real working world as well and definitely sets you apart from those boring two-dimensional cover letters that are littering the wasteland known as the dead pile of cover letters. If you want a few extra brownie points you might try laughing while writing your cover letter chances are if you find it funny and entertaining so might the hiring manager that has been bored to tears for hours sifting through all the others.
The purpose of the cover letter is not to highlight your skills, education, or prowess in your field but rather to entice the hiring manger that yours is the resume he or she wants to pay attention to over the many others that have graced his or her desk. You are not likely to do this if your cover letter sounds like all the others that have come his or her way. Make it sound different, add your 'voice' to your cover letter and make sure it is your voice at its best. You want your cover letter to be an interesting and entertaining read that is actually true to who you are. Your personality should fill the page if you are really interested in landing the interview. Of course you will want to make sure you bring your personality along with you when the interview occurs so that they know you are one and the same person that wrote the cover letter.
If you are still too nervous about writing the cover letter to inject it with your personality you should change your mind set about your cover letter. The cover letter isn't about getting the job. That should never be the purpose of writing a cover letter. The goal of your cover letter should be in getting the interview. This takes a little bit of the stress off and reminds you that the job search process is much more than one thing though a great cover letter can definitely open the door to an interview you will need to shine in the interview as well. Do not hinge all hopes of getting the job on the cover letter though or you will find that you come across far too bland and are held back from showing the hiring manager that true appeal of your personality through fear.
Cover letters can be stressful but if you make them fun you will find that you procrastinate less and, more importantly, land more interviews when all is said and done. Hiring managers hire people to work with their companies and not a set of skills. If you keep this in mind it is much easier to write a winning cover letter and enjoy (well almost) the process of doing so.
About the Author
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information on resume cover letter checkout his recommended websites.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Evade Job Interview Mistakes! by Lionel Estridge
Evade Job Interview Mistakes! by Lionel Estridge
Job interviews can be worrying, and most people feel a large amount of nervousness and pressure about sitting in the hot seat, being questioned over their work history and individual ability. But there is no reason to feel so pressured in a job interview as you can without difficulty avoid the most common blunders people make, and come out of that meeting glowing.
The first error is showing a noted lack of self-confidence in both yourself and your abilities, even if you think you're not showing it, your interviewer will be able to sense your lack of confidence and your interviewer will be unlikely to trust in the abilities of someone who does not show to trust themselves. You should be truthful about your capacities but play up your ability in what you can do when speaking to your interviewer. Do not fret about rubbing your possible employer the wrong way by seeming overconfident. As long as you do not act like a prima donna. Take the possible job seriously, and keep away from demeaning your interviewer or their business, come off as self-confidant, rather than arrogant. Watch your words carefully to evade letting on the extent of time you really plan to be employed by your interviewer's business. If you are planning to stick around for a while, that's cool. If not, try to reduce the potential damage without been deceitful.
If your work history shows that you've been changing jobs frequently, make sure that you prepare some good reasons for why you've been so wandering in regards to employment, if possible with a good, rational reason for leaving each job.
Pick the right words to leave your interviewer with the notion that you will be there for a long time, but at the same time, do not lie about your intentions. What employers look for is dependability, and they do not want fly-by-nighters. Be ready to answer some hard questions about your employment history, more than ever if it shows that you move from job to job. Have your reasons and explanations for shifting employments ready-at-hand.
A lot of people want temporary work, or are not sure if they will be with the business for a lengthy time. Always try to leave your interviewer with the thought that they will not have to go through the hiring process anytime soon.
Employers look for staff that are reliable, and those who bounce from job to job are not going to have good chance of being hired. If your work history shows that you have changed jobs often, be prepared to answer why and make sure those reasons are solid. Preparation for a job interview is one more must that a lot of people frequently overlook. If your resume has less than satisfying facts or history on it, you will want to set up for the interviewer to discover those facts and talk about them.
Sweating out a job interview is not the way to land a dream job. All it takes is self-confidence, and excellent pre-interview planning.
About the Author
Lionel Estridge, publisher of Zero to Hero newsletter; subscription is FREE. To subscribe go to http://www.lionel1.com/ or visit http://getyourprofits.com/z/377/CD8084
Job interviews can be worrying, and most people feel a large amount of nervousness and pressure about sitting in the hot seat, being questioned over their work history and individual ability. But there is no reason to feel so pressured in a job interview as you can without difficulty avoid the most common blunders people make, and come out of that meeting glowing.
The first error is showing a noted lack of self-confidence in both yourself and your abilities, even if you think you're not showing it, your interviewer will be able to sense your lack of confidence and your interviewer will be unlikely to trust in the abilities of someone who does not show to trust themselves. You should be truthful about your capacities but play up your ability in what you can do when speaking to your interviewer. Do not fret about rubbing your possible employer the wrong way by seeming overconfident. As long as you do not act like a prima donna. Take the possible job seriously, and keep away from demeaning your interviewer or their business, come off as self-confidant, rather than arrogant. Watch your words carefully to evade letting on the extent of time you really plan to be employed by your interviewer's business. If you are planning to stick around for a while, that's cool. If not, try to reduce the potential damage without been deceitful.
If your work history shows that you've been changing jobs frequently, make sure that you prepare some good reasons for why you've been so wandering in regards to employment, if possible with a good, rational reason for leaving each job.
Pick the right words to leave your interviewer with the notion that you will be there for a long time, but at the same time, do not lie about your intentions. What employers look for is dependability, and they do not want fly-by-nighters. Be ready to answer some hard questions about your employment history, more than ever if it shows that you move from job to job. Have your reasons and explanations for shifting employments ready-at-hand.
A lot of people want temporary work, or are not sure if they will be with the business for a lengthy time. Always try to leave your interviewer with the thought that they will not have to go through the hiring process anytime soon.
Employers look for staff that are reliable, and those who bounce from job to job are not going to have good chance of being hired. If your work history shows that you have changed jobs often, be prepared to answer why and make sure those reasons are solid. Preparation for a job interview is one more must that a lot of people frequently overlook. If your resume has less than satisfying facts or history on it, you will want to set up for the interviewer to discover those facts and talk about them.
Sweating out a job interview is not the way to land a dream job. All it takes is self-confidence, and excellent pre-interview planning.
About the Author
Lionel Estridge, publisher of Zero to Hero newsletter; subscription is FREE. To subscribe go to http://www.lionel1.com/ or visit http://getyourprofits.com/z/377/CD8084
Travel Nursing, Housing and Tax by Penny Roberts
Travel Nursing, Housing and Tax by Penny Roberts
If you're a traveling nurse, the issue of housing would be something you'd have to handle. Here we look at housing and the tax home status.
Permanent housing applies to the traveling nurses who are in the position of maintaining their own house or apartment, which is known as the primary residence, before they begin their traveling nurse assignment in another state. One of your major concerns if you do own a house is your tax situation or status. Depending on which state your property is based and your personal unique housing situation, it's always advisable to speak to a tax expert who will help you.
First, you have to find out if your property is a tax home while you are away travel nursing and if it is, you may be applicable for tax-free housing. According to the IRS, a tax home is seen as your 'historical area of residence'; a place where you spend most of your time. A tax home is not some storage units or mobile unit / RV that can come with you and even if all your mail such as bank letters etc are posted there, that doesn't qualify the property as a tax home.
If you are a traveling nurse hoping to work in another state other than the state your primary residence is located and your property is of tax home status then with a tax home, you could save yourself up to $9000 or more a year. Other tax-free benefits you get as part of this tax home status are travel expenses, and utilities expenses such as telephone and laundry. These are the tax savings you get by maintaining a tax home. Be also aware that there is a time limit to how long you stay in a certain area before it affects your tax home status because the tax home shifts after a certain time.
As traveling nurses, there may be confusion on how far you have to travel before you are to be considered to be working away from home. There is actually no mileage number that can measure this. The IRS rule is normally the 'sleep and rest test', this means that on a practical level, you are working away from home when your primary residence is far away enough from your hospital that when you finish working, it would be impractical and unreasonable to drive home, rest, sleep and drive back for 12 hour shifts or more. Travel nurse agencies state a 50 / 55 miles minimum, however, this just makes it easier for them to calculate who is applicable rather than having to work out individual travel nurse journeys.
The reasoning behind having a tax home status is that if there is a duplication of living expenses whilst you are away travel nursing in another state or in another location. And if it is impractical for you to be using your primary residence whilst working as a travel nurse, then you should be entitled to tax-free housing and to certain expenses that are duplicated because of the traveling. The tax system works this way to try to be fair on the travel nurse by lessening the monetary burden of duplicated living expenses. The tax-free benefits you're entitled to can be organised through the travel nurse agency you've signed up with or you can claim a tax deduction individually through the tax system when calculating your tax. One of the advantages of getting the tax benefits via your traveling nurse agency is that most of the thinking, calculating and paperwork should be done for you whereas claiming your own tax can be laborious task and it generally takes a longer time.
Any specific questions you may have, it is advisable to consult a qualified travel nurse tax expert or an advisor at the IRS.
About the Author
Penny Roberts writes for www.lifeofthetravelnurse.com. Travel nursing is one of many topics she writes about. Visit www.lifeofthetravelnurse.com to see other articles on the various aspects of the life of a travel nurse.
If you're a traveling nurse, the issue of housing would be something you'd have to handle. Here we look at housing and the tax home status.
Permanent housing applies to the traveling nurses who are in the position of maintaining their own house or apartment, which is known as the primary residence, before they begin their traveling nurse assignment in another state. One of your major concerns if you do own a house is your tax situation or status. Depending on which state your property is based and your personal unique housing situation, it's always advisable to speak to a tax expert who will help you.
First, you have to find out if your property is a tax home while you are away travel nursing and if it is, you may be applicable for tax-free housing. According to the IRS, a tax home is seen as your 'historical area of residence'; a place where you spend most of your time. A tax home is not some storage units or mobile unit / RV that can come with you and even if all your mail such as bank letters etc are posted there, that doesn't qualify the property as a tax home.
If you are a traveling nurse hoping to work in another state other than the state your primary residence is located and your property is of tax home status then with a tax home, you could save yourself up to $9000 or more a year. Other tax-free benefits you get as part of this tax home status are travel expenses, and utilities expenses such as telephone and laundry. These are the tax savings you get by maintaining a tax home. Be also aware that there is a time limit to how long you stay in a certain area before it affects your tax home status because the tax home shifts after a certain time.
As traveling nurses, there may be confusion on how far you have to travel before you are to be considered to be working away from home. There is actually no mileage number that can measure this. The IRS rule is normally the 'sleep and rest test', this means that on a practical level, you are working away from home when your primary residence is far away enough from your hospital that when you finish working, it would be impractical and unreasonable to drive home, rest, sleep and drive back for 12 hour shifts or more. Travel nurse agencies state a 50 / 55 miles minimum, however, this just makes it easier for them to calculate who is applicable rather than having to work out individual travel nurse journeys.
The reasoning behind having a tax home status is that if there is a duplication of living expenses whilst you are away travel nursing in another state or in another location. And if it is impractical for you to be using your primary residence whilst working as a travel nurse, then you should be entitled to tax-free housing and to certain expenses that are duplicated because of the traveling. The tax system works this way to try to be fair on the travel nurse by lessening the monetary burden of duplicated living expenses. The tax-free benefits you're entitled to can be organised through the travel nurse agency you've signed up with or you can claim a tax deduction individually through the tax system when calculating your tax. One of the advantages of getting the tax benefits via your traveling nurse agency is that most of the thinking, calculating and paperwork should be done for you whereas claiming your own tax can be laborious task and it generally takes a longer time.
Any specific questions you may have, it is advisable to consult a qualified travel nurse tax expert or an advisor at the IRS.
About the Author
Penny Roberts writes for www.lifeofthetravelnurse.com. Travel nursing is one of many topics she writes about. Visit www.lifeofthetravelnurse.com to see other articles on the various aspects of the life of a travel nurse.
Studying With a CDL Sample Test - Preparing For The Exam by Jason White
Studying With a CDL Sample Test - Preparing For The Exam by Jason White
There are simple ways to 'beat' the testing system. A CDL sample test is an excellent way to get test practice in and ease your test-taking apprehension. If you pay close attention, then you will know what areas you'll need to study more. There are many sample tests online and some of those questions you'll see again! I saw many of the review questions on my written test.
Usually you can throw out one of the multiple-choice questions and narrow it down to 3 choices. Sometimes a long answer, longer than the other choices, is a giveaway that it may likely be the answer. Take your time and remember that your first answer is probably the correct answer. How many times in the past have you changed your answer to find out that it was right the first time?
The difference between a CDL sample test and the real thing is that you actually have a BETTER chance of passing the real thing! Let me explain... Let's say on the section that you're testing on there are 30 questions. You have to get 80 percent correct, so that leaves room for 6 wrong answers. Now, there are more then 30 questions in the computer even if you are only going to be asked 30. If you come back and retake the test you will see most of the ones you saw the first time and then some different ones. If you get all the questions correct your test will end early before you ever get to the 30th question. This is a HUGE benefit to you! You see, you can skip questions and come back to them later. BUT, if you are on a roll and getting everything right, using this technique is like a 'lifeline' when you get to that one question you just can't remember from the CDL sample test or review material!
It's almost like cheating it works so well! Don't get me wrong, you won't be able to pass the test without knowing the material, but you have the chance to skip a difficult question or two and if you are doing well enough on the material, you will not have to go back to answer them!
For more information on review material that will speed up your study time visit CDL Practice Test
Good luck! See you down the road!
About the Author
Jason is a technology enthusiast often found working and experimenting in other industries.
There are simple ways to 'beat' the testing system. A CDL sample test is an excellent way to get test practice in and ease your test-taking apprehension. If you pay close attention, then you will know what areas you'll need to study more. There are many sample tests online and some of those questions you'll see again! I saw many of the review questions on my written test.
Usually you can throw out one of the multiple-choice questions and narrow it down to 3 choices. Sometimes a long answer, longer than the other choices, is a giveaway that it may likely be the answer. Take your time and remember that your first answer is probably the correct answer. How many times in the past have you changed your answer to find out that it was right the first time?
The difference between a CDL sample test and the real thing is that you actually have a BETTER chance of passing the real thing! Let me explain... Let's say on the section that you're testing on there are 30 questions. You have to get 80 percent correct, so that leaves room for 6 wrong answers. Now, there are more then 30 questions in the computer even if you are only going to be asked 30. If you come back and retake the test you will see most of the ones you saw the first time and then some different ones. If you get all the questions correct your test will end early before you ever get to the 30th question. This is a HUGE benefit to you! You see, you can skip questions and come back to them later. BUT, if you are on a roll and getting everything right, using this technique is like a 'lifeline' when you get to that one question you just can't remember from the CDL sample test or review material!
It's almost like cheating it works so well! Don't get me wrong, you won't be able to pass the test without knowing the material, but you have the chance to skip a difficult question or two and if you are doing well enough on the material, you will not have to go back to answer them!
For more information on review material that will speed up your study time visit CDL Practice Test
Good luck! See you down the road!
About the Author
Jason is a technology enthusiast often found working and experimenting in other industries.
CDL Hazard Test - How To Prepare For Your Exam by Jason White
CDL Hazard Test - How To Prepare For Your Exam by Jason White
You may have heard that the CDL Hazard Test is the most difficult portion of all the CDL written exams, and rightfully so. Most of the CDL exam sections can be 'winged' to some degree - if you have gone over your material. But walking into the Hazardous Materials Exam without enough preparation will have you coming back for a retest.
The first advice I would give you is to pay attention to the CDL Hazard test questions when you get something wrong during the actual test. In a computer-administered exam, you will be given the correct answer after you get a question wrong. Please pay close attention! A lot of times you will want to kick yourself because you knew the answer! If you have to return for a retest, you may have all the info you need just from the previous test experience.
To increase your odds of passing on the first try, make sure to prepare sufficiently. The CDL Hazard Test review section is not all that much information; it just contains a lot of details. Read over the chapter slowly without trying to memorize everything. Set it down, give it a rest for a few hours, and then come back to it. Pay attention to details like distance regulations and process and procedure guidelines.
Remember, all the different classifications of hazardous materials are just a portion of the test. If this is what you're having a hard time with, then spend more time focusing on the rest of the information. Just make sure you know what the different classes are, which ones can be mixed and what the distance regulations from different situations are. For example, there are certain rules about how close you can be to a flame, even a cigarette, with certain materials.
Give it your best shot and you will be on your way to passing the CDL Hazard Test! For more study material check out CDL Practice Test
Good Luck!
About the Author
Jason is a technology enthusiast often found experimenting and working in other industries.
You may have heard that the CDL Hazard Test is the most difficult portion of all the CDL written exams, and rightfully so. Most of the CDL exam sections can be 'winged' to some degree - if you have gone over your material. But walking into the Hazardous Materials Exam without enough preparation will have you coming back for a retest.
The first advice I would give you is to pay attention to the CDL Hazard test questions when you get something wrong during the actual test. In a computer-administered exam, you will be given the correct answer after you get a question wrong. Please pay close attention! A lot of times you will want to kick yourself because you knew the answer! If you have to return for a retest, you may have all the info you need just from the previous test experience.
To increase your odds of passing on the first try, make sure to prepare sufficiently. The CDL Hazard Test review section is not all that much information; it just contains a lot of details. Read over the chapter slowly without trying to memorize everything. Set it down, give it a rest for a few hours, and then come back to it. Pay attention to details like distance regulations and process and procedure guidelines.
Remember, all the different classifications of hazardous materials are just a portion of the test. If this is what you're having a hard time with, then spend more time focusing on the rest of the information. Just make sure you know what the different classes are, which ones can be mixed and what the distance regulations from different situations are. For example, there are certain rules about how close you can be to a flame, even a cigarette, with certain materials.
Give it your best shot and you will be on your way to passing the CDL Hazard Test! For more study material check out CDL Practice Test
Good Luck!
About the Author
Jason is a technology enthusiast often found experimenting and working in other industries.
CDL Driving School - What Should I Expect? by Jason White
CDL Driving School - What Should I Expect? by Jason White
A short time spent training and I'm ready to hit the road, right? In short, Yes. However, you should know what to expect when choosing a CDL Driving School.
Most students will likely be brought into the schools by recruiters or ads that promise 'No Experience Necessary', 'Will Train' and maybe even how much they could expect to be earning. (By the way, expect a salary in the mid-30's starting out with much higher potential)! Aside from the quick road to success, what are you getting yourself into?
One way or another the training has to be paid for. Typically, a carrier will promise you a job in return for paying for your training. You'll only be able to work for this company for a while, and they will likely withdraw loan payments from your paycheck. This could be a quick way to get experience fast if you have no other financing available.
Another way you could finance the CDL driving school tuition is traditional financing. If you were to do it this way, then you probably would be in the same boat, paying back your loan in little amounts from each paycheck and not having to start payments until you are finished with school and on the road. The advantage to doing this is that you will not be bound to any one company. The schools have a long list of companies just waiting for grads--and guess what--most of those grads are already 'promised' away! You will have first pick!
For a little-known way to have your training paid for, check out your state's Workforce Center. If you lost your job through 'no fault of your own' you may qualify for the state to pay your CDL Driving School dues! This is something that you would not have to pay back!
Need to get ready for the exam? Check out CDL Practice Test
See you down the road!
About the Author
Jason is a technology enthusiast often found experimenting and working in other industries.
A short time spent training and I'm ready to hit the road, right? In short, Yes. However, you should know what to expect when choosing a CDL Driving School.
Most students will likely be brought into the schools by recruiters or ads that promise 'No Experience Necessary', 'Will Train' and maybe even how much they could expect to be earning. (By the way, expect a salary in the mid-30's starting out with much higher potential)! Aside from the quick road to success, what are you getting yourself into?
One way or another the training has to be paid for. Typically, a carrier will promise you a job in return for paying for your training. You'll only be able to work for this company for a while, and they will likely withdraw loan payments from your paycheck. This could be a quick way to get experience fast if you have no other financing available.
Another way you could finance the CDL driving school tuition is traditional financing. If you were to do it this way, then you probably would be in the same boat, paying back your loan in little amounts from each paycheck and not having to start payments until you are finished with school and on the road. The advantage to doing this is that you will not be bound to any one company. The schools have a long list of companies just waiting for grads--and guess what--most of those grads are already 'promised' away! You will have first pick!
For a little-known way to have your training paid for, check out your state's Workforce Center. If you lost your job through 'no fault of your own' you may qualify for the state to pay your CDL Driving School dues! This is something that you would not have to pay back!
Need to get ready for the exam? Check out CDL Practice Test
See you down the road!
About the Author
Jason is a technology enthusiast often found experimenting and working in other industries.
CDL Driving Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions by Jason White
CDL Driving Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions by Jason White
Big money question: How much will I make in a CDL driving job?
Starting out salary is much higher than other industries. Expect a starting pay in the mid 30's, and if you want to haul flatbed, perhaps in the 40's. Why so much more? Flat bed drivers are required to stop and check their load every few hours. How much do you want to earn? Many full time drivers are earning into the 50's and that number can go even higher if someone decides to owner-operate or become a driver-trainer. If you are working local, starting pay could be anywhere from 10 - 14 per hour, with lots of hours available and the opportunity to be home most nights!
How much time will I be on the road if I take up a CDL driving job?
Some companies may want you out up to 4 weeks at a time. Others guarantee home time. Family is important and with drivers leaving companies because of that reason, more companies are offering home time. Be selective! Ask about home time. If this is an all-important factor for you then think about focusing on a local job.
What kind of route can I expect?
CDL driving jobs differ. Some companies may want you to 'start at the bottom' and work the northeast New York area while others may give you regional selection or possibly even a dedicated run between two companies!
Give me some interesting facts about CDL driving jobs.
OK. For starters, most companies will let you bring your dog and even a rider along! Sometimes you can even get your 'own' truck. Meaning no one else drives it when you're away. There is always a need for truckers in any market. Goods are always being sold! You will never have to worry about job security.
Where are you going today? Perhaps a CDL driving job could be just what you're looking for. If you've decided to get your CDL check out CDL Practice Test for some excellent test-taking preparation.
About the Author
Jason is a technology enthusiast often found experimenting and working in other industries.
Big money question: How much will I make in a CDL driving job?
Starting out salary is much higher than other industries. Expect a starting pay in the mid 30's, and if you want to haul flatbed, perhaps in the 40's. Why so much more? Flat bed drivers are required to stop and check their load every few hours. How much do you want to earn? Many full time drivers are earning into the 50's and that number can go even higher if someone decides to owner-operate or become a driver-trainer. If you are working local, starting pay could be anywhere from 10 - 14 per hour, with lots of hours available and the opportunity to be home most nights!
How much time will I be on the road if I take up a CDL driving job?
Some companies may want you out up to 4 weeks at a time. Others guarantee home time. Family is important and with drivers leaving companies because of that reason, more companies are offering home time. Be selective! Ask about home time. If this is an all-important factor for you then think about focusing on a local job.
What kind of route can I expect?
CDL driving jobs differ. Some companies may want you to 'start at the bottom' and work the northeast New York area while others may give you regional selection or possibly even a dedicated run between two companies!
Give me some interesting facts about CDL driving jobs.
OK. For starters, most companies will let you bring your dog and even a rider along! Sometimes you can even get your 'own' truck. Meaning no one else drives it when you're away. There is always a need for truckers in any market. Goods are always being sold! You will never have to worry about job security.
Where are you going today? Perhaps a CDL driving job could be just what you're looking for. If you've decided to get your CDL check out CDL Practice Test for some excellent test-taking preparation.
About the Author
Jason is a technology enthusiast often found experimenting and working in other industries.
How Not to Get Yourself Fired! by Rick Hillard
How Not to Get Yourself Fired! by Rick Hillard
Today, getting a job can be very tiresome. Even so, a few people argue that attempting to hold on to a job to avert the risk of losing it is in even harder. This is because they are rendering any viable way there is, in order not to lose their jobs.
Unemployment is a devastating circumstance in the society. It crashes ambitions and dreams, and the destination to experience a joyful and decent life. As a matter of fact, unemployment had such an effect in the U.S. in 1990, where it merely recorded forty-five percent its population working and from here; only 24% are on the job regularly full-time. That's why it is exceedingly crucial for a person to find a job and attempt harder not to lose it.
Nowadays, the portion of folks who are employed gradually increases and the earnings that they make steps up also, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. The families that solely bring in from $10,000 to $50,000 in a year are already less common since other people are making a lot more money.
For folks who already have a job and desire not to be out of work once more, here are a few tips that they must observe in order to continue course:
1. Employees ought to always attempt their best to better their performance
This entails a chain reaction inside the workforce in the company. The employee had better, by all means try harder to do their job well likewise improve their performance in order to step-up productivity.
When productiveness has been bettered, the revenue of the company will rise, implying there will be a lot funds for remuneration and more chances that the company will stand by to its employees' cultivation and motivation.
2. Avoid procrastination
If a individual doesn't prefer to lose his or her job, procrastination should be headed off. Devising up weak excuses, even if there's the slimmest accuracy in it, will never justify the work undone.
3. It's more beneficial for a individual to encounter a job that he or she genuinely wishes.
It would be more difficult to hold on to a job that a someone doesn't like. This will alone consequence to mediocre performance and everything. It's better for a someone to find a job that would add meaning to his or her life.
The primary point here is that employees had better know how to convert unsuccessful performance into success in order to center one basic goal: never to lose a job once more.
About the Author
Rick works with job seekers providing job search assistance for people looking for a job or a better career using a job search engine. www.jobcab.com
Today, getting a job can be very tiresome. Even so, a few people argue that attempting to hold on to a job to avert the risk of losing it is in even harder. This is because they are rendering any viable way there is, in order not to lose their jobs.
Unemployment is a devastating circumstance in the society. It crashes ambitions and dreams, and the destination to experience a joyful and decent life. As a matter of fact, unemployment had such an effect in the U.S. in 1990, where it merely recorded forty-five percent its population working and from here; only 24% are on the job regularly full-time. That's why it is exceedingly crucial for a person to find a job and attempt harder not to lose it.
Nowadays, the portion of folks who are employed gradually increases and the earnings that they make steps up also, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. The families that solely bring in from $10,000 to $50,000 in a year are already less common since other people are making a lot more money.
For folks who already have a job and desire not to be out of work once more, here are a few tips that they must observe in order to continue course:
1. Employees ought to always attempt their best to better their performance
This entails a chain reaction inside the workforce in the company. The employee had better, by all means try harder to do their job well likewise improve their performance in order to step-up productivity.
When productiveness has been bettered, the revenue of the company will rise, implying there will be a lot funds for remuneration and more chances that the company will stand by to its employees' cultivation and motivation.
2. Avoid procrastination
If a individual doesn't prefer to lose his or her job, procrastination should be headed off. Devising up weak excuses, even if there's the slimmest accuracy in it, will never justify the work undone.
3. It's more beneficial for a individual to encounter a job that he or she genuinely wishes.
It would be more difficult to hold on to a job that a someone doesn't like. This will alone consequence to mediocre performance and everything. It's better for a someone to find a job that would add meaning to his or her life.
The primary point here is that employees had better know how to convert unsuccessful performance into success in order to center one basic goal: never to lose a job once more.
About the Author
Rick works with job seekers providing job search assistance for people looking for a job or a better career using a job search engine. www.jobcab.com
Competency Based Interview Questions: How To Give Perfect Answers by Annette Lewis
Competency Based Interview Questions: How To Give Perfect Answers by Annette Lewis
The use of Competency Based Interview Questions is becoming increasingly common and not just within the largest corporations. Smaller and medium sized companies are using these tools as a means of improving their recruitment decisions.
This method of interviewing is also called Structured Interviewing and uses Behavioral Interview techniques to assess how a candidates past performance in work related situations can be used as a predictor of future performance.
Every job can be described in terms of Competencies, which are the skills, abilities or behaviors required and some of which will be regarded as essential and others desirable.
You may see them categorized as Managerial Competencies, Individual Competencies, Analytical Competencies, Interpersonal Competencies and Motivational Competencies however the 12 most common competencies are:
Communication, Achievement, Customer Focus, Teamwork, Leadership, Planning and Organizing, Operational Awareness, Flexibility, Developing Others, Problem Solving, Analytical Thinking and Building Relationships.
These of course will vary depending on the role and the level however in the job interview, you should expect a series of Competency Based Questions exploring each competency. These are usually behavioural in nature and take the form of:
* Tell me about a time when
* Describe a situation
* Give an Example
When you give your answer the interviewer may choose to probe deeper and ask about the detail such as:
* How exactly did you do that?
* Tell me exactly what steps you took to resolve that
* What was your involvement
By investigating further the interviewer is trying to discover more about your skills as well as looking for clues which may suggest that you are exaggerating your part in the process or have created a complete fabrication.
When answering competency based interview questions we suggest that you choose answers based on real experiences that you have had and be ready to give details. Your response needs to be relevant and sufficiently detailed. Be specific and tell a story. A technique to use when answering behavioural questions is what I call iPAR:
I = Talk about the part you played in IDENTIFYING or noticing the problem
P = Describe the PROBLEM, situation or task
A = Talk about the ACTION you took
R = Describe the successful RESULT by using figures and data to illustrate the benefit to the company.
And always use "I" rather than "we".
Prepare answers which relate to all the achievements on your resume or CV as you will surely be asked questions referring to these. You will find that you should have a sufficient stock of answers that will help you answer any competency based interview question irrespective of the style used.
About the Author
Annette Lewis is an accredited interviewer, job coach and career consultant. She provides free advice for job interview candidates at http://www.blueskyinterviews.co.uk/ and was involved in developing the highly successful online interview skills training system http://www.interviewgold.com/
The use of Competency Based Interview Questions is becoming increasingly common and not just within the largest corporations. Smaller and medium sized companies are using these tools as a means of improving their recruitment decisions.
This method of interviewing is also called Structured Interviewing and uses Behavioral Interview techniques to assess how a candidates past performance in work related situations can be used as a predictor of future performance.
Every job can be described in terms of Competencies, which are the skills, abilities or behaviors required and some of which will be regarded as essential and others desirable.
You may see them categorized as Managerial Competencies, Individual Competencies, Analytical Competencies, Interpersonal Competencies and Motivational Competencies however the 12 most common competencies are:
Communication, Achievement, Customer Focus, Teamwork, Leadership, Planning and Organizing, Operational Awareness, Flexibility, Developing Others, Problem Solving, Analytical Thinking and Building Relationships.
These of course will vary depending on the role and the level however in the job interview, you should expect a series of Competency Based Questions exploring each competency. These are usually behavioural in nature and take the form of:
* Tell me about a time when
* Describe a situation
* Give an Example
When you give your answer the interviewer may choose to probe deeper and ask about the detail such as:
* How exactly did you do that?
* Tell me exactly what steps you took to resolve that
* What was your involvement
By investigating further the interviewer is trying to discover more about your skills as well as looking for clues which may suggest that you are exaggerating your part in the process or have created a complete fabrication.
When answering competency based interview questions we suggest that you choose answers based on real experiences that you have had and be ready to give details. Your response needs to be relevant and sufficiently detailed. Be specific and tell a story. A technique to use when answering behavioural questions is what I call iPAR:
I = Talk about the part you played in IDENTIFYING or noticing the problem
P = Describe the PROBLEM, situation or task
A = Talk about the ACTION you took
R = Describe the successful RESULT by using figures and data to illustrate the benefit to the company.
And always use "I" rather than "we".
Prepare answers which relate to all the achievements on your resume or CV as you will surely be asked questions referring to these. You will find that you should have a sufficient stock of answers that will help you answer any competency based interview question irrespective of the style used.
About the Author
Annette Lewis is an accredited interviewer, job coach and career consultant. She provides free advice for job interview candidates at http://www.blueskyinterviews.co.uk/ and was involved in developing the highly successful online interview skills training system http://www.interviewgold.com/
Job Interviews: What Makes A Great Interview Candidate? by Annette Lewis
Job Interviews: What Makes A Great Interview Candidate? by Annette Lewis
While regarded by many as an imperfect way to choose a new employee, interviews are used by almost all organisations irrespective of size or sector. You may not like the process and indeed some fear interviews intensely however to get that crucial first job and to move up the career ladder you must become not only comfortable in the interview room but also learn how to become an excellent interviewee.
Many candidates believe that having a great resume/CV is enough to see them through the interview and win the job offer. This is a common mistake that results in disappointment. The reality is that all candidates have a great resume/CV and in my experience it is often not the applicant with the best experience or skills who will win the job rather the one who performs best at the interview.
So just what do you have to do to stand out of the crowd and impress on the interviewer that you are the right person for the job? This article looks at the key techniques that any job interview candidate can use, irrespective of the type or level of the position to succeed and win those great job offers.
Be Prepared:
A common mistake made by candidates is not being fully prepared and there really is no excuse. There is usually more than enough time from the date you receive your invite to the interview itself and proper preparation and practice will enhance greatly your ability to answer questions, to communicate and to present yourself in the best possible light. There is no one recommended way to prepare for an interview. Instead, there are key tools and techniques that can be used to improve one's chances of interview success. Find out as much as possible about the type and format of the interview. Research the company to find out how commercially viable it is, what skills are they looking for and discover if the company is right for you.
Focus on your strengths:
Remember that the organization knows that you CAN do the job and they want you to confirm this to them during the interview. Don't let any negative experiences or a gap in your career for example negate all the great work you have done.
Step into the Interviewers Shoes:
What exactly is the interviewer looking for from you? Imagine yourself in the interviewers place and try to get a feel for what they need from you. Once you can do that effectively you will be able to build a relationship with them from the first moment of the interview.
Listen:
Focus on the questions being asked and if you are not sure of the meaning of the question, then ask. This is a two way conversation and the interviewer will respond favorable to being engaged like this however, don't do this with every question as you may come across as lacking in confidence.
Relevant Answers:
Keep your answers relevant to the question and do not be tempted to ramble. You may have an interesting story to tell or a great strength but if it is not required in the job don't mention it.
Body Language:
Smiling, maintaining eye contact, a relaxed focused posture, restrained gesticulation are all examples of good body language which will work for you in the interview.
Ask Questions:
You will be given an opportunity to ask questions usually at the end however you do not have to wait until then necessarily. As in any conversation there will be appropriate time when you can interject and ask relevant questions. Be aware that questions about salary, working hours, holidays etc should not be asked at this stage.
About the Author
Annette Lewis is an accredited interviewer, job coach and career consultant. She provides free advice for job interview candidates at http://www.blueskyinterviews.co.uk/ and was involved in developing the highly successful online interview skills training system http://www.interviewgold.com/
While regarded by many as an imperfect way to choose a new employee, interviews are used by almost all organisations irrespective of size or sector. You may not like the process and indeed some fear interviews intensely however to get that crucial first job and to move up the career ladder you must become not only comfortable in the interview room but also learn how to become an excellent interviewee.
Many candidates believe that having a great resume/CV is enough to see them through the interview and win the job offer. This is a common mistake that results in disappointment. The reality is that all candidates have a great resume/CV and in my experience it is often not the applicant with the best experience or skills who will win the job rather the one who performs best at the interview.
So just what do you have to do to stand out of the crowd and impress on the interviewer that you are the right person for the job? This article looks at the key techniques that any job interview candidate can use, irrespective of the type or level of the position to succeed and win those great job offers.
Be Prepared:
A common mistake made by candidates is not being fully prepared and there really is no excuse. There is usually more than enough time from the date you receive your invite to the interview itself and proper preparation and practice will enhance greatly your ability to answer questions, to communicate and to present yourself in the best possible light. There is no one recommended way to prepare for an interview. Instead, there are key tools and techniques that can be used to improve one's chances of interview success. Find out as much as possible about the type and format of the interview. Research the company to find out how commercially viable it is, what skills are they looking for and discover if the company is right for you.
Focus on your strengths:
Remember that the organization knows that you CAN do the job and they want you to confirm this to them during the interview. Don't let any negative experiences or a gap in your career for example negate all the great work you have done.
Step into the Interviewers Shoes:
What exactly is the interviewer looking for from you? Imagine yourself in the interviewers place and try to get a feel for what they need from you. Once you can do that effectively you will be able to build a relationship with them from the first moment of the interview.
Listen:
Focus on the questions being asked and if you are not sure of the meaning of the question, then ask. This is a two way conversation and the interviewer will respond favorable to being engaged like this however, don't do this with every question as you may come across as lacking in confidence.
Relevant Answers:
Keep your answers relevant to the question and do not be tempted to ramble. You may have an interesting story to tell or a great strength but if it is not required in the job don't mention it.
Body Language:
Smiling, maintaining eye contact, a relaxed focused posture, restrained gesticulation are all examples of good body language which will work for you in the interview.
Ask Questions:
You will be given an opportunity to ask questions usually at the end however you do not have to wait until then necessarily. As in any conversation there will be appropriate time when you can interject and ask relevant questions. Be aware that questions about salary, working hours, holidays etc should not be asked at this stage.
About the Author
Annette Lewis is an accredited interviewer, job coach and career consultant. She provides free advice for job interview candidates at http://www.blueskyinterviews.co.uk/ and was involved in developing the highly successful online interview skills training system http://www.interviewgold.com/
Career Changes for Baby Boomers: Ability, Not Age, Matters by Kelli Smith
Career Changes for Baby Boomers: Ability, Not Age, Matters by Kelli Smith
Baby boomers. They're the generation born between 1946 and 1964. They came of age in the early 70s and early 80s. They're the generation that made changes and waves, worked harder and longer, put off marriage and children, did things differently than previous generations.
Whether because of financial necessity or because they have something to offer, baby boomers are staying in the workforce longer. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and projections indicate that by 2010 there should be 18.5 million boomers ages 45 to 49 in the labor force, as compared to 14.7 in 1995, and 16.8 million versus 10.6 million in the 50- to 54-years-old range.
They're still making changes. They're retiring later, or not at all. If not downsized or laid off, boomers often continue to work. When they don't choose to continue in the same career, it doesn't mean they're ready to stop contributing, and sometimes they're making transitions to new careers.
"On average there are three to five career changes in a person's lifetime and that's pretty common," says Kevin Gaw, Director of Career Development, University of Nevada, Reno. "It's pretty common that a layoff ends up being a great opportunity for someone to find something that's more suited to them, too."
But it can be challenging to a baby boomer to be suddenly confronted with a career change. They were raised in a world where you got your education, then got your job, and while you may not have stayed with the job until you retired, you would probably stay in the same profession. "It can be jarring to realize you have to transfer your skill set to another area," says Gaw.
In 2004, Gaw's office worked with 208 alumni. Nearly 7.5 percent were going through a career change, three percent because of a forced situation such as layoff or company closure or relocation. The rest of them just wanted to do something different. When you’re faced with an important career shift, there are things you can to do make it easier on yourself and achieve a more enjoyable, productive career change.
• Look at your skills. Determine which are transferable to other jobs.
• Find your passion. What do you love to do? "It's not about the money," Gaw says. "The money isn't what makes us happy. What makes us happy is doing something that's meaningful to us."
• Look at reality. If you want to be an astronaut but can't do math, Gaw says, the reality is it's unlikely. People need to work through that disappointment and maybe change that passion to a hobby rather than a vocation.
• Determine whether you want to make a radical career change? say from legal secretary to Web designer? or stay within the same profession.
• If you like the company you're with but feel the need for change, see if they can retain and retrain you. If it comes down to a complete career change, there are also some things you can do to help create a whole new career for yourself.
• Promote yourself rather than your age. Once you get into a position and can show off your skills, you'll be known for those skills rather than your years. • Start slow. Before investing heavily in education, determine if it's the right career path for you.
• Network. Many non-entry level positions are found by references. Join professional organizations in the field you want to enter.
• Consider working for yourself. A job market survey conducted in 2005 by global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., quoted on thematuremarket.com, indicated that of 3000 job seekers, 13 percent chose to work for themselves, and 86.6 percent of them were over 40. From Small Business Administration chapters based on most university campuses to SCORE? Service Corps of Retired Engineers? there are programs that can help you start up.
Another option is to leverage your experience and teach or train. Moving into training? coaching people just entering the profession you're leaving? is a fairly informal move. Teaching requires state licensing, and there are programs helping place retiring workers into teaching positions. The University of Nevada Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning takes executives through a first-time licensing program and puts them in the schools in just a couple semesters, often teaching in high-needs areas like math, science and languages.
Likewise, IBM unveiled their Transition to Teaching program in September, reimbursing them for tuition and providing stipends while they student teach. Many of their executives are highly trained in math and computer sciences.
Whether making a career change to a new profession or a new position, Gaw says such changes are a normal life pattern. "It's a good thing to be open to change. The challenge is recognizing skill sets and knowing how to capitalize on them and present them to the new opportunities."
About the Author
Edu411.org is a career education directory for finding colleges and universities, training schools, and technical institutes. For more information about careers, online education and campus based career programs, please visit us at
Baby boomers. They're the generation born between 1946 and 1964. They came of age in the early 70s and early 80s. They're the generation that made changes and waves, worked harder and longer, put off marriage and children, did things differently than previous generations.
Whether because of financial necessity or because they have something to offer, baby boomers are staying in the workforce longer. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and projections indicate that by 2010 there should be 18.5 million boomers ages 45 to 49 in the labor force, as compared to 14.7 in 1995, and 16.8 million versus 10.6 million in the 50- to 54-years-old range.
They're still making changes. They're retiring later, or not at all. If not downsized or laid off, boomers often continue to work. When they don't choose to continue in the same career, it doesn't mean they're ready to stop contributing, and sometimes they're making transitions to new careers.
"On average there are three to five career changes in a person's lifetime and that's pretty common," says Kevin Gaw, Director of Career Development, University of Nevada, Reno. "It's pretty common that a layoff ends up being a great opportunity for someone to find something that's more suited to them, too."
But it can be challenging to a baby boomer to be suddenly confronted with a career change. They were raised in a world where you got your education, then got your job, and while you may not have stayed with the job until you retired, you would probably stay in the same profession. "It can be jarring to realize you have to transfer your skill set to another area," says Gaw.
In 2004, Gaw's office worked with 208 alumni. Nearly 7.5 percent were going through a career change, three percent because of a forced situation such as layoff or company closure or relocation. The rest of them just wanted to do something different. When you’re faced with an important career shift, there are things you can to do make it easier on yourself and achieve a more enjoyable, productive career change.
• Look at your skills. Determine which are transferable to other jobs.
• Find your passion. What do you love to do? "It's not about the money," Gaw says. "The money isn't what makes us happy. What makes us happy is doing something that's meaningful to us."
• Look at reality. If you want to be an astronaut but can't do math, Gaw says, the reality is it's unlikely. People need to work through that disappointment and maybe change that passion to a hobby rather than a vocation.
• Determine whether you want to make a radical career change? say from legal secretary to Web designer? or stay within the same profession.
• If you like the company you're with but feel the need for change, see if they can retain and retrain you. If it comes down to a complete career change, there are also some things you can do to help create a whole new career for yourself.
• Promote yourself rather than your age. Once you get into a position and can show off your skills, you'll be known for those skills rather than your years. • Start slow. Before investing heavily in education, determine if it's the right career path for you.
• Network. Many non-entry level positions are found by references. Join professional organizations in the field you want to enter.
• Consider working for yourself. A job market survey conducted in 2005 by global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., quoted on thematuremarket.com, indicated that of 3000 job seekers, 13 percent chose to work for themselves, and 86.6 percent of them were over 40. From Small Business Administration chapters based on most university campuses to SCORE? Service Corps of Retired Engineers? there are programs that can help you start up.
Another option is to leverage your experience and teach or train. Moving into training? coaching people just entering the profession you're leaving? is a fairly informal move. Teaching requires state licensing, and there are programs helping place retiring workers into teaching positions. The University of Nevada Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning takes executives through a first-time licensing program and puts them in the schools in just a couple semesters, often teaching in high-needs areas like math, science and languages.
Likewise, IBM unveiled their Transition to Teaching program in September, reimbursing them for tuition and providing stipends while they student teach. Many of their executives are highly trained in math and computer sciences.
Whether making a career change to a new profession or a new position, Gaw says such changes are a normal life pattern. "It's a good thing to be open to change. The challenge is recognizing skill sets and knowing how to capitalize on them and present them to the new opportunities."
About the Author
Edu411.org is a career education directory for finding colleges and universities, training schools, and technical institutes. For more information about careers, online education and campus based career programs, please visit us at
How to Be A Success In Acting by Jimmy Cox
How to Be A Success In Acting by Jimmy Cox
Many people work a long time, perhaps an average of six years is typical, in order to secure the first beachhead on the island of success as an actor.
Some actors, and it happens all too often, mistake that first beachhead for the island. They think they've clinched the career itself when all they've really got is a foothold on it: a foothold on the first rung of a very tall ladder.
But you, as an actor, haven't got the island of success secured until you have taken the last beachhead; the one that assures you of continuity in your career and a genuinely solid place in the entertainment world.
In the early phases of his career an actor is as great as his last show. Only the seasoned star rises above his vehicle and has the staying power to survive a bad show, lift a fair one above mediocrity, and always enhance a good one by his very presence.
If you want to "live your own life," don't become an actor. As an actor you will have to live the life that will be best for your career. And you will have to accept one final source of authority to determine what that best is.
You will have to put your money into the right kind of clothing and accessories for the furtherance of your career, not into a helter-skelter assortment of clothes that you happen personally to prefer. You'll have to get the haircut that will get you a job, not the one that follows a fad.
The world of the actor is made up of highly competent specialists who are vastly important to the entertainment industry - and to your career.
No single person ever "makes" an actor. Many people have a hand in creating him - possibly from some of the very substances inherent in you.
The head electrician, you will eventually discover, is just as much a specialist in his particular field as the writer or director is in his. The man in the cutting room is, in his way, just as important to a film as its producer.
The people in wardrobe, hairdressing and make-up departments know how the actor should appear in relation to a production as a whole. With their specialists' eyes, they "see" the actor as he can rarely see himself.
The sound engineers, who have learned to hear as the sound system hears, know how the actor should sound. The publicists know how to spotlight public interest in him. The agents know how he should be presented for available roles that are right for him, just as the teachers and coaches know what he is professionally capable of doing.
All these people, along with other specialists, know best what is right for the actor. They are not prejudiced by personal whim. They arrive at their decisions by workmanlike co-operation, functioning in a chain of command that goes, link by link, to the top.
Actors today have unprecedented prestige and social standing.
Most of them use their advantages to good purpose, as does Bob Hope, globe-circling, good-will ambassador extraordinary to the court of humanity. Royalty welcomes Danny Kaye, and so, in many lands, do the underprivileged children to whom he has brought the vitalizing nourishment of laughter.
While the successful actor acquires prestige and social standing in plying his well-paid profession, he attains other gratifying goals.
Almost without exception, every notable performer refers nostalgically to some artistically worth-while venture about which he says happily, "I didn't make much money with it, but it was a great satisfaction to do."
Where does this satisfaction come from? It comes from giving an audience something he believes in: something that to him represents, either inspirationally, dramatically or amusingly, the truth as he sees it.
Acting is a noble craft and well worth all the effort you can put into it.
About the Author
If You're An Aspiring Actor, But Don't Know Where To Start, Then You're In For A Treat... New Found Book Has The Answers!
Click here for FREE online ebook!
http://www.actingcamp.net/
Many people work a long time, perhaps an average of six years is typical, in order to secure the first beachhead on the island of success as an actor.
Some actors, and it happens all too often, mistake that first beachhead for the island. They think they've clinched the career itself when all they've really got is a foothold on it: a foothold on the first rung of a very tall ladder.
But you, as an actor, haven't got the island of success secured until you have taken the last beachhead; the one that assures you of continuity in your career and a genuinely solid place in the entertainment world.
In the early phases of his career an actor is as great as his last show. Only the seasoned star rises above his vehicle and has the staying power to survive a bad show, lift a fair one above mediocrity, and always enhance a good one by his very presence.
If you want to "live your own life," don't become an actor. As an actor you will have to live the life that will be best for your career. And you will have to accept one final source of authority to determine what that best is.
You will have to put your money into the right kind of clothing and accessories for the furtherance of your career, not into a helter-skelter assortment of clothes that you happen personally to prefer. You'll have to get the haircut that will get you a job, not the one that follows a fad.
The world of the actor is made up of highly competent specialists who are vastly important to the entertainment industry - and to your career.
No single person ever "makes" an actor. Many people have a hand in creating him - possibly from some of the very substances inherent in you.
The head electrician, you will eventually discover, is just as much a specialist in his particular field as the writer or director is in his. The man in the cutting room is, in his way, just as important to a film as its producer.
The people in wardrobe, hairdressing and make-up departments know how the actor should appear in relation to a production as a whole. With their specialists' eyes, they "see" the actor as he can rarely see himself.
The sound engineers, who have learned to hear as the sound system hears, know how the actor should sound. The publicists know how to spotlight public interest in him. The agents know how he should be presented for available roles that are right for him, just as the teachers and coaches know what he is professionally capable of doing.
All these people, along with other specialists, know best what is right for the actor. They are not prejudiced by personal whim. They arrive at their decisions by workmanlike co-operation, functioning in a chain of command that goes, link by link, to the top.
Actors today have unprecedented prestige and social standing.
Most of them use their advantages to good purpose, as does Bob Hope, globe-circling, good-will ambassador extraordinary to the court of humanity. Royalty welcomes Danny Kaye, and so, in many lands, do the underprivileged children to whom he has brought the vitalizing nourishment of laughter.
While the successful actor acquires prestige and social standing in plying his well-paid profession, he attains other gratifying goals.
Almost without exception, every notable performer refers nostalgically to some artistically worth-while venture about which he says happily, "I didn't make much money with it, but it was a great satisfaction to do."
Where does this satisfaction come from? It comes from giving an audience something he believes in: something that to him represents, either inspirationally, dramatically or amusingly, the truth as he sees it.
Acting is a noble craft and well worth all the effort you can put into it.
About the Author
If You're An Aspiring Actor, But Don't Know Where To Start, Then You're In For A Treat... New Found Book Has The Answers!
Click here for FREE online ebook!
http://www.actingcamp.net/
How to Get the Job You Want by Jimmy Cox
How to Get the Job You Want by Jimmy Cox
Here are some excellent points to remember while you are looking for a job.
(1) Few people getting jobs paying more than $4,000 a year are employed at the first interview. So the first must be planned to lead to a second, and because the first is the hardest, it will be well to prepare yourself in advance. Get quiet within yourself; use prayer, and the recognition of God's presence. Let your mind rest for a few moments on the most peaceful scene in nature that you can recall.
(2) Recognize the responsibility of your interviewer to his company and himself, and don't try to rush him into a quick decision. If a snap-judgment is called for, his safest one is, "No." But do remember to keep your best foot forward, and remain at all times frank and tactful. Also remember this line from Shakespeare: "To thine own self be true and... thou canst not then be false to any man." Then, even if he must turn you down, your cooperative attitude will encourage him to suggest other possibilities, or leave the interview open to follow-ups.
(3) The technique of the "open-end interview" has proved .invaluable, not only in keeping the door open with your interviewer-of-the-moment, but in frequently leading him to become your "salesman" for other jobs. Let's take the worst possibility - you have been turned down cold. You make a graceful recovery by open-ending your interview in this manner: "Thank you for your time, sir. I do appreciate your consideration, and I want you to know that I realize every applicant cannot fit into your organization.
It's your job to tell me that I don't, and I'm grateful for the considerate way you did so. Just the same, in the course of our interview, while you came to know me well enough to realize I won't do here, is it possible that you know me well enough to know where I might fit?"
There is more in the above statement than meets the eye. The executive has turned you down, but by expressing appreciation of his consideration instead of resentment or disappointment - that would only make him feel guilty and want him to get rid of you the faster - you have demonstrated that you are a nice guy. He doesn't like to reject nice guys.
(4) Follow up your interview with a letter of appreciation. Whether your interviewer has turned you down, or left matters in the air, or referred you to someone else, you have put him through a few uncomfortable minutes. Though there were some good things about the interview - there always are - there were also some adverse, or not-so-good, or else you would have been hired. The adverse things are what the interviewer is remembering, if only to justify his action in turning you down or stalling
Your follow-up letter, which is really a thank-you note few executives get from job seekers, and therefore appreciate all the more, should also contain a condensation of the good things you got out of the interview. Not only does this make him feel good for having done you some good, but your letter, refreshing his memory with the more constructive parts of your conversation, serves to supplant with positive thoughts whatever negative thoughts were raised at your interview. In that mood he may begin to feel that possibly he had been a little hasty in reaching his first judgment.
Putting this advice into practice should lead you to your ideal job in a very short space of time.
About the Author
Treat Yourself To Unlimited Success - Discover How To Tap Into A Wealth Of Information That Guarantees You Lifelong Abundance
Click here for FREE online ebook!
http://www.definitionofsuccess.net/
Here are some excellent points to remember while you are looking for a job.
(1) Few people getting jobs paying more than $4,000 a year are employed at the first interview. So the first must be planned to lead to a second, and because the first is the hardest, it will be well to prepare yourself in advance. Get quiet within yourself; use prayer, and the recognition of God's presence. Let your mind rest for a few moments on the most peaceful scene in nature that you can recall.
(2) Recognize the responsibility of your interviewer to his company and himself, and don't try to rush him into a quick decision. If a snap-judgment is called for, his safest one is, "No." But do remember to keep your best foot forward, and remain at all times frank and tactful. Also remember this line from Shakespeare: "To thine own self be true and... thou canst not then be false to any man." Then, even if he must turn you down, your cooperative attitude will encourage him to suggest other possibilities, or leave the interview open to follow-ups.
(3) The technique of the "open-end interview" has proved .invaluable, not only in keeping the door open with your interviewer-of-the-moment, but in frequently leading him to become your "salesman" for other jobs. Let's take the worst possibility - you have been turned down cold. You make a graceful recovery by open-ending your interview in this manner: "Thank you for your time, sir. I do appreciate your consideration, and I want you to know that I realize every applicant cannot fit into your organization.
It's your job to tell me that I don't, and I'm grateful for the considerate way you did so. Just the same, in the course of our interview, while you came to know me well enough to realize I won't do here, is it possible that you know me well enough to know where I might fit?"
There is more in the above statement than meets the eye. The executive has turned you down, but by expressing appreciation of his consideration instead of resentment or disappointment - that would only make him feel guilty and want him to get rid of you the faster - you have demonstrated that you are a nice guy. He doesn't like to reject nice guys.
(4) Follow up your interview with a letter of appreciation. Whether your interviewer has turned you down, or left matters in the air, or referred you to someone else, you have put him through a few uncomfortable minutes. Though there were some good things about the interview - there always are - there were also some adverse, or not-so-good, or else you would have been hired. The adverse things are what the interviewer is remembering, if only to justify his action in turning you down or stalling
Your follow-up letter, which is really a thank-you note few executives get from job seekers, and therefore appreciate all the more, should also contain a condensation of the good things you got out of the interview. Not only does this make him feel good for having done you some good, but your letter, refreshing his memory with the more constructive parts of your conversation, serves to supplant with positive thoughts whatever negative thoughts were raised at your interview. In that mood he may begin to feel that possibly he had been a little hasty in reaching his first judgment.
Putting this advice into practice should lead you to your ideal job in a very short space of time.
About the Author
Treat Yourself To Unlimited Success - Discover How To Tap Into A Wealth Of Information That Guarantees You Lifelong Abundance
Click here for FREE online ebook!
http://www.definitionofsuccess.net/
The Art of Interviewing by Adrienne F. Manson
The Art of Interviewing by Adrienne F. Manson
Preparing for the Interview
Once you get the call for the interview, the next thing that you have to do is prepare for it. You can never over prepare for an interview. The more prepared you are, the harder it will be to make mistakes. It is best to prepare yourself emotionally as well as intellectually for an interview. Giving a great interview is not as hard as some may think, but not as easy as others do either. Here are a few things that must be done in order to prepare for your next interview.
Remember, during an interview, you are a salesman. You are there to sell yourself to your prospective employer. You want to market yourself in the most interesting way possible. Great preparation for the interview is your best bet. A salesman that is knowledgeable, friendly and positive always gets the close.
Do Your Research
It doesn't matter how much knowledge or experience you have about the position that you are trying to get in a company if you don't have a clue who the company is or what they do. It is disastrous to enter into an interview and not be able to tell your interviewer what their company is about. How else are you going to tell them why you feel that you would be a good addition to their company?
A good and less time consuming way to get to know about a company is to look up their website. You can get all of the general knowledge about them that way, including the names of key people and their job titles. (There will be more on that in a minute) You should sift through most of their pages, including the pages that show samples of their work and/or products.
You can also look them up in the media files if there are any. Read the articles about them and soak in as much information as possible. Another thing that would be nice to do is to check out the surrounding area around the company. It makes for a nice breaker during the interview. You can make a comment about a particular monument or resting place nearby.
A trickier way to get a little extra information about the company is to call them on the phone and ask general questions, without referring to yourself as a potential employee. It's a nice way to get the goods on upcoming promotions etc.
Know Your Contact
When called for an interview, ask to whom you will be talking to. It is nice to be able to greet your interviewer by name at the beginning of the interview without first being told who they are. It shows that you are on top of things, and have prepared before hand.
You will also want to do some research on the person that will be conducting your interview. Learn what they do for the company and try to get some samples of their work or achievements in the company.
If you know what department that you are going to work in you may want to get the names of your potential colleagues and superiors prior to the interview as well. This way you can get some information about their roles in the company and the types of work that they have done. Mention some of the things that you learn about your potential colleagues in the interview and about how much you look forward to working with them in the future. If you can, give an example of their work so that you will appear more sincere.
Practice Your Responses
It is best, if you are prone to nervousness, to practice giving your responses to the questions that may be asked of you. (A list of the most common questions will appear later on in the manual) You should practice your wording and the tone of voice that you plan to use; Try keeping your responses as brief as possible, but with as much detail as you can.
When you are trying to work out the proper responses to the interviewer's questions, you will also want to practice the art of getting your nerves under control as well as ridding yourself of any other odd habits while talking; like expressing yourself with your hands. Practice answering your interview questions with a friend. Get his or her opinion about your delivery and gestures. Perhaps your friend will have some nice insights for you to use during the real interview.
Dress the Part
Pre-select your attire the day before your interview. You want to make sure that your clothes do not have any wrinkles or stains on them. Pick an outfit that best suits the type of job that you are applying for. If you are going to work in an office setting, you should dress conservatively. Soft earth tones are best for women. Try to avoid mini skirts and shirts that show too much skin. A nice dark suit is good for a male.
Of course if you are planning to work outdoors or in an artistic environment, you can dress a little more casually. Just be certain to avoid wearing denim jeans, over sized clothing, and under sized clothing. Women should try and avoid wearing too much make-up as well. It gives the wrong impression.
Even in the hotter seasons, you should not wear sandals or gym shoes to an interview. It sends an unprofessional message. The same goes for hats and other accessories.
Get Organized
Make sure that all of the things that you will need for the interview are prepared the day before. Make a checklist of the things that you will need if you have to. You should always have an extra resume handy during the interview. You should also bring with you a note pad to take notes during the interview if needed. (Only write down the important things that you think you will need to remember)If you have a business card, have one handy, it makes for easy contact later, and it also shows that you are professional and may help the employer to remember your name.
How Should I Act?
There are many things that you can do that can take some of the pressure off during an interview. The way that you behave is one of the most important. It's not all in the words that come out of your mouth, but often has a lot to do with the mannerisms that you use.
Interviewers are not just wondering if you are skilled enough for the job, they are often wondering if you would fit in nicely with you co-workers. Your personality is a big part of your interview and can make all the difference. Here are some of the little things that you should pay particularly close attention to during an interview.
You do not want to be chewing gum or breath mints during your interview. You also don't want to speak in slang during your interview either. It is unprofessional and rude.
Show Confidence
You cannot enter into an interview with a defeatist attitude. You cannot mope or exude too much placidity in your manner. It is not inviting, and does not give the impression of a person that you want to face every day. Be sure of your abilities without appearing cocky or narcissistic. You want to let you interviewer know that you are equipped to perform well at your job, without alienating other workers. You should point out your accomplishments in your field while remaining somewhat humble. List your accomplishments in a matter of fact way without going into too much detail. I know this sounds repetitive, but you can never get this point too strongly. Understand that body language plays a large part in exuding confidence to others. Sit straight. Practice good posture, and keep your head up.
Keep a Positive Attitude
You should always try to smile and keep a positive outlook during your interview. If what you are hearing something that doesn't sound good to you, don't frown and look disgruntled, just keep a slight smile on your face until it is time for you to say something. Then approach your interviewer with your questions or concerns when the time is appropriate.
Maintain Eye Contact
Keeping eye contact with your interviewer is very important, especially when one of you is speaking to the other. If you are looking around the room or at the items on the interviewer's desk, you will appear uninterested. Just imagine what you would be thinking if you were speaking to him and he was looking all over the room. You would probably think that you already lost the interview.
Body Language
We've touched on this a little bit but you should mind some of the common errors that many people make when they are speaking to others. I've listed some of the common things that you should avoid when sitting through an interview.
Avoid fidgeting while speaking to your interviewer. It shows a lack of self confidence.
Avoid speaking while using overly expressive hand gestures. It is distracting.
Avoid biting your lips in between sentences. It gives the impression that you are making things up.
Do not sit with your arms crossed because it makes you appear stand-offish.
Do not shrug your shoulders when asked a question that you are unsure of. Take a second to think of your response. Shrugging your shoulders gives the impression that you don't know the answer.
Don't answer with nods and head shakes. Use your words to answer questions.
Get plenty of sleep the night before the interview. You don't want to yawn in front of the interviewer. He will think that you are expressing boredom.
Your First Impression
First impressions can be a hard thing to get past in any situation. During an interview you want to give the best first impression that you can. There are many small things that you can do to assure that you give the best impression possible. They are as follows:
You can never be too polite to the person that directs to your waiting area when waiting to be interviewed. A small gesture like, asking how they are doing can work wonders for you when you leave the building later.
While waiting to be interviewed, sit properly and behave as if everyone passing you by is your potential interviewer. (They just might be) Smile at people as much as possible. Do not act impatient or bored, it sends the wrong message. Some interviewers will keep you waiting just to see how you handle yourself.
Greet you interviewer with a firm handshake and a smile.
Remain standing until your interviewer asks you to be seated. It is simply polite and shows proper etiquette.
Again, dress according to the type of job that you are applying for.
Show yourself to be well organized, by having all things needed for the interview.
While waiting do not eat or drink anything.
Finally, don't chat on your cell phone while waiting for your interviewer. It makes you look distracted.
http://www.theskillcenter.blogspot.com
About the Author
Creator of The Skill Stimulator and Abundant Waters Coaching
Preparing for the Interview
Once you get the call for the interview, the next thing that you have to do is prepare for it. You can never over prepare for an interview. The more prepared you are, the harder it will be to make mistakes. It is best to prepare yourself emotionally as well as intellectually for an interview. Giving a great interview is not as hard as some may think, but not as easy as others do either. Here are a few things that must be done in order to prepare for your next interview.
Remember, during an interview, you are a salesman. You are there to sell yourself to your prospective employer. You want to market yourself in the most interesting way possible. Great preparation for the interview is your best bet. A salesman that is knowledgeable, friendly and positive always gets the close.
Do Your Research
It doesn't matter how much knowledge or experience you have about the position that you are trying to get in a company if you don't have a clue who the company is or what they do. It is disastrous to enter into an interview and not be able to tell your interviewer what their company is about. How else are you going to tell them why you feel that you would be a good addition to their company?
A good and less time consuming way to get to know about a company is to look up their website. You can get all of the general knowledge about them that way, including the names of key people and their job titles. (There will be more on that in a minute) You should sift through most of their pages, including the pages that show samples of their work and/or products.
You can also look them up in the media files if there are any. Read the articles about them and soak in as much information as possible. Another thing that would be nice to do is to check out the surrounding area around the company. It makes for a nice breaker during the interview. You can make a comment about a particular monument or resting place nearby.
A trickier way to get a little extra information about the company is to call them on the phone and ask general questions, without referring to yourself as a potential employee. It's a nice way to get the goods on upcoming promotions etc.
Know Your Contact
When called for an interview, ask to whom you will be talking to. It is nice to be able to greet your interviewer by name at the beginning of the interview without first being told who they are. It shows that you are on top of things, and have prepared before hand.
You will also want to do some research on the person that will be conducting your interview. Learn what they do for the company and try to get some samples of their work or achievements in the company.
If you know what department that you are going to work in you may want to get the names of your potential colleagues and superiors prior to the interview as well. This way you can get some information about their roles in the company and the types of work that they have done. Mention some of the things that you learn about your potential colleagues in the interview and about how much you look forward to working with them in the future. If you can, give an example of their work so that you will appear more sincere.
Practice Your Responses
It is best, if you are prone to nervousness, to practice giving your responses to the questions that may be asked of you. (A list of the most common questions will appear later on in the manual) You should practice your wording and the tone of voice that you plan to use; Try keeping your responses as brief as possible, but with as much detail as you can.
When you are trying to work out the proper responses to the interviewer's questions, you will also want to practice the art of getting your nerves under control as well as ridding yourself of any other odd habits while talking; like expressing yourself with your hands. Practice answering your interview questions with a friend. Get his or her opinion about your delivery and gestures. Perhaps your friend will have some nice insights for you to use during the real interview.
Dress the Part
Pre-select your attire the day before your interview. You want to make sure that your clothes do not have any wrinkles or stains on them. Pick an outfit that best suits the type of job that you are applying for. If you are going to work in an office setting, you should dress conservatively. Soft earth tones are best for women. Try to avoid mini skirts and shirts that show too much skin. A nice dark suit is good for a male.
Of course if you are planning to work outdoors or in an artistic environment, you can dress a little more casually. Just be certain to avoid wearing denim jeans, over sized clothing, and under sized clothing. Women should try and avoid wearing too much make-up as well. It gives the wrong impression.
Even in the hotter seasons, you should not wear sandals or gym shoes to an interview. It sends an unprofessional message. The same goes for hats and other accessories.
Get Organized
Make sure that all of the things that you will need for the interview are prepared the day before. Make a checklist of the things that you will need if you have to. You should always have an extra resume handy during the interview. You should also bring with you a note pad to take notes during the interview if needed. (Only write down the important things that you think you will need to remember)If you have a business card, have one handy, it makes for easy contact later, and it also shows that you are professional and may help the employer to remember your name.
How Should I Act?
There are many things that you can do that can take some of the pressure off during an interview. The way that you behave is one of the most important. It's not all in the words that come out of your mouth, but often has a lot to do with the mannerisms that you use.
Interviewers are not just wondering if you are skilled enough for the job, they are often wondering if you would fit in nicely with you co-workers. Your personality is a big part of your interview and can make all the difference. Here are some of the little things that you should pay particularly close attention to during an interview.
You do not want to be chewing gum or breath mints during your interview. You also don't want to speak in slang during your interview either. It is unprofessional and rude.
Show Confidence
You cannot enter into an interview with a defeatist attitude. You cannot mope or exude too much placidity in your manner. It is not inviting, and does not give the impression of a person that you want to face every day. Be sure of your abilities without appearing cocky or narcissistic. You want to let you interviewer know that you are equipped to perform well at your job, without alienating other workers. You should point out your accomplishments in your field while remaining somewhat humble. List your accomplishments in a matter of fact way without going into too much detail. I know this sounds repetitive, but you can never get this point too strongly. Understand that body language plays a large part in exuding confidence to others. Sit straight. Practice good posture, and keep your head up.
Keep a Positive Attitude
You should always try to smile and keep a positive outlook during your interview. If what you are hearing something that doesn't sound good to you, don't frown and look disgruntled, just keep a slight smile on your face until it is time for you to say something. Then approach your interviewer with your questions or concerns when the time is appropriate.
Maintain Eye Contact
Keeping eye contact with your interviewer is very important, especially when one of you is speaking to the other. If you are looking around the room or at the items on the interviewer's desk, you will appear uninterested. Just imagine what you would be thinking if you were speaking to him and he was looking all over the room. You would probably think that you already lost the interview.
Body Language
We've touched on this a little bit but you should mind some of the common errors that many people make when they are speaking to others. I've listed some of the common things that you should avoid when sitting through an interview.
Avoid fidgeting while speaking to your interviewer. It shows a lack of self confidence.
Avoid speaking while using overly expressive hand gestures. It is distracting.
Avoid biting your lips in between sentences. It gives the impression that you are making things up.
Do not sit with your arms crossed because it makes you appear stand-offish.
Do not shrug your shoulders when asked a question that you are unsure of. Take a second to think of your response. Shrugging your shoulders gives the impression that you don't know the answer.
Don't answer with nods and head shakes. Use your words to answer questions.
Get plenty of sleep the night before the interview. You don't want to yawn in front of the interviewer. He will think that you are expressing boredom.
Your First Impression
First impressions can be a hard thing to get past in any situation. During an interview you want to give the best first impression that you can. There are many small things that you can do to assure that you give the best impression possible. They are as follows:
You can never be too polite to the person that directs to your waiting area when waiting to be interviewed. A small gesture like, asking how they are doing can work wonders for you when you leave the building later.
While waiting to be interviewed, sit properly and behave as if everyone passing you by is your potential interviewer. (They just might be) Smile at people as much as possible. Do not act impatient or bored, it sends the wrong message. Some interviewers will keep you waiting just to see how you handle yourself.
Greet you interviewer with a firm handshake and a smile.
Remain standing until your interviewer asks you to be seated. It is simply polite and shows proper etiquette.
Again, dress according to the type of job that you are applying for.
Show yourself to be well organized, by having all things needed for the interview.
While waiting do not eat or drink anything.
Finally, don't chat on your cell phone while waiting for your interviewer. It makes you look distracted.
http://www.theskillcenter.blogspot.com
About the Author
Creator of The Skill Stimulator and Abundant Waters Coaching
Interview Answers: How To Give Job Interview Answers With Maximum Impact by Annette Lewis
Interview Answers: How To Give Job Interview Answers With Maximum Impact by Annette Lewis
So all your hard work has paid off and you have finally received an invite to an interview for that dream job. However you still have more work to do to win that elusive job offer and effective communication is vital if you are to succeed.
The interview is very much a two-way dialog, it is an exploratory conversation where you and your interviewer are assessing each other. You will be trying to discover if job is right for you and in turn your interviewer is trying to gather as much information about you and what you bring which will allow them to make a correct decision.
As with all conversations, there are ways of communicating which work better than others and here are some key guidelines to help you give powerful interview answers. I am going to show you how to structure answers to two common interview question types so that they have maximum impact:
1. Competency Based and Behavioral Interview Questions
It is very likely that you will be asked Competency and Behavioral Interview Questions. These are relatively easy to spot as they usually start with phrases such as:
'Tell me about at time when....' 'Describe a situation....' 'Talk through a project/event...'
These questions can often seem deceptively simple however without careful preparation, it can be very difficult to give a truly effective interview answer. Many candidates tend to ramble and to overcome this, I recommend a technique called iPAR when structuring your answer.
I = means both the use of 'I' rather than 'We' and also relates to the situation where you initiated or identified a problem
P = stands for the Problem, the situation requiring attention
A = refers to the Actions you took to resolve the situation
R = refers to the Results, the successful outcome
Very importantly, when talking about the Result, quote figures to illustrate the magnitude of the success and the positive impact your actions had.
Keep this technique in mind when preparing answers and during the interview itself and it will help you to deliver a concise, focussed and interesting answer to any Competency or Behavioral Question.
2. Direct Questions
Direct questions are even easier to spot and they begin with Why, What, Where, Who etc. For example:
"What are your strengths?"
Here is an easy to remember formula which is great for giving structure to your answer and which will help demonstrate your communication skills. It really is as easy as ABC:
A: ANSWER the question in your first sentence
('I have a number of strengths which I can offer in this position and three, which I believe will be of particular benefit are my ability to lead and motivate large teams, my negotiation skills and my experience in delivering complex change management programmes.')
B: Having set the scene, carry on and BUILD your answer methodically
(Give more detail which gives evidence of your ability and which re-enforces and lends credibility to your opening statement.)
C: Summary and Conclusion: CONCLUDE your answer by referring back to the role, discussing how you see yourself contributing in the job.
(Overall, I am a dedicated and experienced Manager and I believe these skills will be of real benefit in delivering excellent results, in motivating the team and in ensuring that your clients have a better customer experience here than anywhere else.)
About the Author
Annette Lewis is an accredited interviewer, job coach and career consultant. She provides free advice and help for job interview candidates at http://www.blueskyinterviews.co.uk and was involved in developing the highly successful interview skills training system http://www.interviewgold.com
So all your hard work has paid off and you have finally received an invite to an interview for that dream job. However you still have more work to do to win that elusive job offer and effective communication is vital if you are to succeed.
The interview is very much a two-way dialog, it is an exploratory conversation where you and your interviewer are assessing each other. You will be trying to discover if job is right for you and in turn your interviewer is trying to gather as much information about you and what you bring which will allow them to make a correct decision.
As with all conversations, there are ways of communicating which work better than others and here are some key guidelines to help you give powerful interview answers. I am going to show you how to structure answers to two common interview question types so that they have maximum impact:
1. Competency Based and Behavioral Interview Questions
It is very likely that you will be asked Competency and Behavioral Interview Questions. These are relatively easy to spot as they usually start with phrases such as:
'Tell me about at time when....' 'Describe a situation....' 'Talk through a project/event...'
These questions can often seem deceptively simple however without careful preparation, it can be very difficult to give a truly effective interview answer. Many candidates tend to ramble and to overcome this, I recommend a technique called iPAR when structuring your answer.
I = means both the use of 'I' rather than 'We' and also relates to the situation where you initiated or identified a problem
P = stands for the Problem, the situation requiring attention
A = refers to the Actions you took to resolve the situation
R = refers to the Results, the successful outcome
Very importantly, when talking about the Result, quote figures to illustrate the magnitude of the success and the positive impact your actions had.
Keep this technique in mind when preparing answers and during the interview itself and it will help you to deliver a concise, focussed and interesting answer to any Competency or Behavioral Question.
2. Direct Questions
Direct questions are even easier to spot and they begin with Why, What, Where, Who etc. For example:
"What are your strengths?"
Here is an easy to remember formula which is great for giving structure to your answer and which will help demonstrate your communication skills. It really is as easy as ABC:
A: ANSWER the question in your first sentence
('I have a number of strengths which I can offer in this position and three, which I believe will be of particular benefit are my ability to lead and motivate large teams, my negotiation skills and my experience in delivering complex change management programmes.')
B: Having set the scene, carry on and BUILD your answer methodically
(Give more detail which gives evidence of your ability and which re-enforces and lends credibility to your opening statement.)
C: Summary and Conclusion: CONCLUDE your answer by referring back to the role, discussing how you see yourself contributing in the job.
(Overall, I am a dedicated and experienced Manager and I believe these skills will be of real benefit in delivering excellent results, in motivating the team and in ensuring that your clients have a better customer experience here than anywhere else.)
About the Author
Annette Lewis is an accredited interviewer, job coach and career consultant. She provides free advice and help for job interview candidates at http://www.blueskyinterviews.co.uk and was involved in developing the highly successful interview skills training system http://www.interviewgold.com
Aerospace Engineer by Stephen
Aerospace Engineer by Stephen
I am PhD Candidate at Ryerson University. I am looking for a full time permanent position to expand my knowledge of engineering and to apply the skills I have attained in both a team and independent environment. With my experiences I feel that both your company and I can benefit from working together.
I work well in a team environment. I had opportunity to work in a design project with 7 other people. We successfully designed an escape pod for the International Space Station (ISS). My communication skills are well developed. I have strength in both oral and written communication. I have practiced these skills by presenting to corporate and student audiences, preparing conference papers and journals. I am adaptable to new environments. The time spent in a new country and experiencing a new culture studying abroad in Glasgow Scotland was challenging and fulfilling. I have hands on experience doing personal construction projects electrical, concrete, drywall, plumbing, structural reinforcement of a garage loft. I have experience with schematic diagrams and training. I am self motivated, disciplined and I always finish something I start in a timely way.
http://www.aeroway.ca
About the Author
Phd Candidate in aerospace engineering
I am PhD Candidate at Ryerson University. I am looking for a full time permanent position to expand my knowledge of engineering and to apply the skills I have attained in both a team and independent environment. With my experiences I feel that both your company and I can benefit from working together.
I work well in a team environment. I had opportunity to work in a design project with 7 other people. We successfully designed an escape pod for the International Space Station (ISS). My communication skills are well developed. I have strength in both oral and written communication. I have practiced these skills by presenting to corporate and student audiences, preparing conference papers and journals. I am adaptable to new environments. The time spent in a new country and experiencing a new culture studying abroad in Glasgow Scotland was challenging and fulfilling. I have hands on experience doing personal construction projects electrical, concrete, drywall, plumbing, structural reinforcement of a garage loft. I have experience with schematic diagrams and training. I am self motivated, disciplined and I always finish something I start in a timely way.
http://www.aeroway.ca
About the Author
Phd Candidate in aerospace engineering
What It Takes To Become a Successful Retail Merchandiser. by Dennis Adcox
What It Takes To Become a Successful Retail Merchandiser. by Dennis Adcox
Ability to work on your own - It takes a lot of initiative and motivation to become a successful retail merchandiser. For one you have to keep yourself motivated each day to get out the door and complete any assignments you have for that day, cause there is no time clock to punch and no boss to report to so if you are not motivated and have the initiative, you may start to slack off on getting the assignments completed in a timely and professional manner. This is just human nature and if you do this it will catch up to you and you will not make it as a merchandiser. All companies have deadlines and you have to meet those deadlines. Deadlines are strictly enforced in the merchandising industry.
Good People Skills- You will need to have good people skills to make it in the merchandising industry, because you will be dealing with store personnel which include store managers, department managers on down to the receiver in the stores receiving department. You will also be dealing with customers in the stores, even though most of the time you will not be dealing directly with a customer, customers will approach you and ask you questions thinking that you work for the store, so having good people skills and a willing to help attitude will get you a long way with store staff and customers.
Good Communication Skills- You will need to be able to communicate effectively with store staff and companies you work with. Many companies will want detailed information on what you did in the store, and information on store staff that you interacted with. It will not hurt to brush up on your reading, writing and comprehension skills.
Reliable Transportation- Is a must have in the merchandising industry. To make a good income in merchandising, most reps have a territory or area they work and depending on the area you live in you may be driving up to 60 or more miles a day, it depends on how many retailers are near you.
Equipment- A cell phone is almost a necessity, when you are in a retail outlet and you have a problem or question about the job you need to be able to call you manager. A digital camera is required a lot; you may have to take pictures of a display, or a section that you have just reset.
A Clean Background- A lot of merchandising companies require a criminal background check before you are hired. Some may require a drug screen test.
A Home Office- Although it is not required it will help you manage your paperwork, job assignments, etc. if you have an area in your home for your work. You will also need a personal computer with high-speed internet service if available in your area and a fax machine will help but it is not necessary.
If you have these qualities and items listed above then you are ready to get started in the merchandising industry and if you to remember to practice the first three things above you will be successful.
About the Author
Dennis is a Army veteran and is affiliated with http://www.dvdrentalkiosks.us/ and http://www.merchandisingbuzz.com/
Ability to work on your own - It takes a lot of initiative and motivation to become a successful retail merchandiser. For one you have to keep yourself motivated each day to get out the door and complete any assignments you have for that day, cause there is no time clock to punch and no boss to report to so if you are not motivated and have the initiative, you may start to slack off on getting the assignments completed in a timely and professional manner. This is just human nature and if you do this it will catch up to you and you will not make it as a merchandiser. All companies have deadlines and you have to meet those deadlines. Deadlines are strictly enforced in the merchandising industry.
Good People Skills- You will need to have good people skills to make it in the merchandising industry, because you will be dealing with store personnel which include store managers, department managers on down to the receiver in the stores receiving department. You will also be dealing with customers in the stores, even though most of the time you will not be dealing directly with a customer, customers will approach you and ask you questions thinking that you work for the store, so having good people skills and a willing to help attitude will get you a long way with store staff and customers.
Good Communication Skills- You will need to be able to communicate effectively with store staff and companies you work with. Many companies will want detailed information on what you did in the store, and information on store staff that you interacted with. It will not hurt to brush up on your reading, writing and comprehension skills.
Reliable Transportation- Is a must have in the merchandising industry. To make a good income in merchandising, most reps have a territory or area they work and depending on the area you live in you may be driving up to 60 or more miles a day, it depends on how many retailers are near you.
Equipment- A cell phone is almost a necessity, when you are in a retail outlet and you have a problem or question about the job you need to be able to call you manager. A digital camera is required a lot; you may have to take pictures of a display, or a section that you have just reset.
A Clean Background- A lot of merchandising companies require a criminal background check before you are hired. Some may require a drug screen test.
A Home Office- Although it is not required it will help you manage your paperwork, job assignments, etc. if you have an area in your home for your work. You will also need a personal computer with high-speed internet service if available in your area and a fax machine will help but it is not necessary.
If you have these qualities and items listed above then you are ready to get started in the merchandising industry and if you to remember to practice the first three things above you will be successful.
About the Author
Dennis is a Army veteran and is affiliated with http://www.dvdrentalkiosks.us/ and http://www.merchandisingbuzz.com/
Things to consider when relocating for a new job by Andy Chappel
Things to consider when relocating for a new job by Andy Chappel
Job relocation is no doubt an exciting career venture. It brings with it an immense change in the life style, which not only affects you but also your family members. Hence it is important for you to take the appropriate measures to ensure the process of relocation takes place as smoothly as possible.
In order to adapt to the new circumstances that come with job relocation, there are several things you need to consider. Irrespective of the reasons for the relocation, such considerations are surely going to stand you in good stead once you switchover to the new surroundings.
One of the most vital factors that one tends to overlook while relocating is the job itself. Since you will be spending a majority of the time at your job place, it is necessary to do some reality check before you start the entire process. The foremost thing to look for is the new salary. If you are open to several career options, then consider the one with the highest salary. Relocation is always associated with some initial investment and expenses. Hence earning more than the usual will definitely prove beneficial in that case.
Apart from the salary, you also need to get a clear idea about the benefits that you are supposed to reap from the new job. Enquire with the recruitment agencies about the various benefits your prospective employer is going to offer. If you are relocating within the same company, then make sure to bargain some additional benefit points than what you are currently enjoying. For example, you need to know whether the company is providing benefits like vacation time, medical benefits, retirement funding, car pool facility, etc.
Once the issues related to the jobs are taken care of, then you need to consider the location that you are going to shift to. Make a thorough research on the area of relocation in order to find out its basic characteristics. Since your family will accompany you as well, it is important to find out the options for your children’s school, hospitals and other emergency services available in that area.
Try to negotiate with your employer about the relocation package. Try to persuade them to include all the associated costs such as the utility costs, commuting costs, moving costs, etc, so that the company for which you are relocating reimburses such expenses.
Since job relocation is an important career decision, do not make haste. Instead, take each step very cautiously.
About the Author
Andy is a job consultant and runs a recruitment agency. For more information on job relocation he recommends you to visit http://www.boycerecruitment.co.uk/
Job relocation is no doubt an exciting career venture. It brings with it an immense change in the life style, which not only affects you but also your family members. Hence it is important for you to take the appropriate measures to ensure the process of relocation takes place as smoothly as possible.
In order to adapt to the new circumstances that come with job relocation, there are several things you need to consider. Irrespective of the reasons for the relocation, such considerations are surely going to stand you in good stead once you switchover to the new surroundings.
One of the most vital factors that one tends to overlook while relocating is the job itself. Since you will be spending a majority of the time at your job place, it is necessary to do some reality check before you start the entire process. The foremost thing to look for is the new salary. If you are open to several career options, then consider the one with the highest salary. Relocation is always associated with some initial investment and expenses. Hence earning more than the usual will definitely prove beneficial in that case.
Apart from the salary, you also need to get a clear idea about the benefits that you are supposed to reap from the new job. Enquire with the recruitment agencies about the various benefits your prospective employer is going to offer. If you are relocating within the same company, then make sure to bargain some additional benefit points than what you are currently enjoying. For example, you need to know whether the company is providing benefits like vacation time, medical benefits, retirement funding, car pool facility, etc.
Once the issues related to the jobs are taken care of, then you need to consider the location that you are going to shift to. Make a thorough research on the area of relocation in order to find out its basic characteristics. Since your family will accompany you as well, it is important to find out the options for your children’s school, hospitals and other emergency services available in that area.
Try to negotiate with your employer about the relocation package. Try to persuade them to include all the associated costs such as the utility costs, commuting costs, moving costs, etc, so that the company for which you are relocating reimburses such expenses.
Since job relocation is an important career decision, do not make haste. Instead, take each step very cautiously.
About the Author
Andy is a job consultant and runs a recruitment agency. For more information on job relocation he recommends you to visit http://www.boycerecruitment.co.uk/
Tips for Effective Public Relations by Jane Shaw
Tips for Effective Public Relations by Jane Shaw
As we all know Public Relations is a set of activities, which an organization undertakes to generate a widespread acceptance among its various public. The term public would include all the stakeholders of the company, viz. customers, suppliers, shareholders, other business associates and not to forget the employees who visualize bright career prospective with the organization.
PR has to be a continuous process that targets all the above listed stakeholders. Many feel that PR activities help you to build a positive image among people. But image cannot be built; it has to be earned, earned over the years by providing quality products and services. Public Relation’s job is basically to communicate and strengthen this image.
Here are some tips for effective public relations that will come handy when you chart out PR strategies for your organization:
- Managing Media Relations: PR activities need wide use of media, and to gain media confidence and support it is necessary that you be open to provide media the information they require. The biggest blunder that any PRO can make is to lie to media. Thus make sure that you supply only true facts to them.
- Words of Mouth: A word of mouth always has more impact than any form of advertisement can have. And the best people to carry words of mouth messages are your employees. They will speak high of the organization and its products only when they themselves believe in it. Thus public relations first have to begin in-house, targeting your employees.
- Localize your Campaigns: Your PR campaign will touch the hearts of the target audience only when they can relate themselves to it. Thus your PR campaign with the broader global outlook should have the local touch in it.
- Get Right People for the Job: For any organization the biggest strength are its employees. Thus the success of your PR activities at your workplace will also depend upon the people whom you assign your PR Jobs to. Thus while you undertake recruitment,look for experienced people who know the need of the hour. The reason being, PR is all about communicating right things at the right time.
- Fulfill your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Being socially responsible will get you in the good books of your stakeholders as well as the media. It will also give you a reason to feel proud of. You do not necessarily have to spend high on the CSR campaigns. You can associate yourself with non-profit organizations supporting a good cause.
About the Author
Jane is a PRO with a leading service sector company and for more information on the topic she recommends you to visit http://www.boycerecruitment.co.uk/
As we all know Public Relations is a set of activities, which an organization undertakes to generate a widespread acceptance among its various public. The term public would include all the stakeholders of the company, viz. customers, suppliers, shareholders, other business associates and not to forget the employees who visualize bright career prospective with the organization.
PR has to be a continuous process that targets all the above listed stakeholders. Many feel that PR activities help you to build a positive image among people. But image cannot be built; it has to be earned, earned over the years by providing quality products and services. Public Relation’s job is basically to communicate and strengthen this image.
Here are some tips for effective public relations that will come handy when you chart out PR strategies for your organization:
- Managing Media Relations: PR activities need wide use of media, and to gain media confidence and support it is necessary that you be open to provide media the information they require. The biggest blunder that any PRO can make is to lie to media. Thus make sure that you supply only true facts to them.
- Words of Mouth: A word of mouth always has more impact than any form of advertisement can have. And the best people to carry words of mouth messages are your employees. They will speak high of the organization and its products only when they themselves believe in it. Thus public relations first have to begin in-house, targeting your employees.
- Localize your Campaigns: Your PR campaign will touch the hearts of the target audience only when they can relate themselves to it. Thus your PR campaign with the broader global outlook should have the local touch in it.
- Get Right People for the Job: For any organization the biggest strength are its employees. Thus the success of your PR activities at your workplace will also depend upon the people whom you assign your PR Jobs to. Thus while you undertake recruitment,look for experienced people who know the need of the hour. The reason being, PR is all about communicating right things at the right time.
- Fulfill your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Being socially responsible will get you in the good books of your stakeholders as well as the media. It will also give you a reason to feel proud of. You do not necessarily have to spend high on the CSR campaigns. You can associate yourself with non-profit organizations supporting a good cause.
About the Author
Jane is a PRO with a leading service sector company and for more information on the topic she recommends you to visit http://www.boycerecruitment.co.uk/
How to Stay in the Zone in Sales Jobs by Jonathan Walker
How to Stay in the Zone in Sales Jobs by Jonathan Walker
A lot of people outside the selling business actually wonder at the amazing determination of the people within it. Apparently brick-solid willpower is the norm. Is being in the sales industry a thankless occupation? How much more rejection can you take until the next deal comes through? For experienced salespeople the answer is probably not enough. Years of constant fieldwork has already inured them from the scenarios which are common to anyone with even a rudimentary experience in the business of selling. As if the thought of not making another successful deal was not enough, you also have to think of the other person who will do anything to beat you out on a sale, like a pack of rabid hyenas keeping a wounded wolf at bay. While this may sound as a sadistic analogy, this paints a very realistic picture of what you'll have to deal with once you enter this industry. At this point you may ask: why are some people particularly good at their game? The secret is that they keep themselves in the zone no matter what.
Since you are involved in an industry where the market shifts at every turn and is saturated at an alarming rate, and where brand loyalty is all but totally wiped out because of some minor controversy or malicious rumor, you need to be mentally conditioned in order to face up to the variables which litter your path. If you are entering the market with a product which is practically innovative and new, you have to face up to the doubts concerning it and prove its worth in order to make a breakthrough; but if you are trying to get your own niche for a product on a market which is practically saturated with it, then you have your work cut out for you, but there is still the problem of carving your first notch on the bed post, so to speak. If you are going to respond to the pressure, don't do it like a quarterback who lingers with the ball too much, and is clobbered before he makes the pass, or like the micromanaging entrepreneur who took such pain in details that he ends up tied in knots and burned out.
The pressure of competition can get to you, and it is understandable and expected; after all, you're just human, and it is normal to feel self-doubt once in a while. If you are undergoing a career crisis lately, maybe its time that you wind down and take a really thorough look at your dilemma. Some deep introspection may reveal the problem to be not as bad as it seemed at first, and most of the time this is the case. This realization should cheer you up, and encourage you to do some strategic planning for your subsequent attempts. Find out any faults, or fine tune your strengths; work out how you should change your strategy, and make minor and gradual changes in it for a certain period, say a week. After the week is over go back to the game plan and reassess which changes where helpful and add another idea onto it, until it ends up as an almost foolproof method for your approach. Remember that market conditions are factors which are out of your control, and the best place to make a lasting positive change is deep within your self.
About the Author
This article is written by Jonathan Walker of UK Sales Careers, offering Sales Recruitment and Sales Jobs
A lot of people outside the selling business actually wonder at the amazing determination of the people within it. Apparently brick-solid willpower is the norm. Is being in the sales industry a thankless occupation? How much more rejection can you take until the next deal comes through? For experienced salespeople the answer is probably not enough. Years of constant fieldwork has already inured them from the scenarios which are common to anyone with even a rudimentary experience in the business of selling. As if the thought of not making another successful deal was not enough, you also have to think of the other person who will do anything to beat you out on a sale, like a pack of rabid hyenas keeping a wounded wolf at bay. While this may sound as a sadistic analogy, this paints a very realistic picture of what you'll have to deal with once you enter this industry. At this point you may ask: why are some people particularly good at their game? The secret is that they keep themselves in the zone no matter what.
Since you are involved in an industry where the market shifts at every turn and is saturated at an alarming rate, and where brand loyalty is all but totally wiped out because of some minor controversy or malicious rumor, you need to be mentally conditioned in order to face up to the variables which litter your path. If you are entering the market with a product which is practically innovative and new, you have to face up to the doubts concerning it and prove its worth in order to make a breakthrough; but if you are trying to get your own niche for a product on a market which is practically saturated with it, then you have your work cut out for you, but there is still the problem of carving your first notch on the bed post, so to speak. If you are going to respond to the pressure, don't do it like a quarterback who lingers with the ball too much, and is clobbered before he makes the pass, or like the micromanaging entrepreneur who took such pain in details that he ends up tied in knots and burned out.
The pressure of competition can get to you, and it is understandable and expected; after all, you're just human, and it is normal to feel self-doubt once in a while. If you are undergoing a career crisis lately, maybe its time that you wind down and take a really thorough look at your dilemma. Some deep introspection may reveal the problem to be not as bad as it seemed at first, and most of the time this is the case. This realization should cheer you up, and encourage you to do some strategic planning for your subsequent attempts. Find out any faults, or fine tune your strengths; work out how you should change your strategy, and make minor and gradual changes in it for a certain period, say a week. After the week is over go back to the game plan and reassess which changes where helpful and add another idea onto it, until it ends up as an almost foolproof method for your approach. Remember that market conditions are factors which are out of your control, and the best place to make a lasting positive change is deep within your self.
About the Author
This article is written by Jonathan Walker of UK Sales Careers, offering Sales Recruitment and Sales Jobs
Accenture Complete Its Acquisition of H.B. Maynard and Co., Inc by Madhav Srinivasan
Accenture Complete Its Acquisition of H.B. Maynard and Co., Inc by Madhav Srinivasan
Accenture, a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, acquires H.B.Maynard and Co., Inc. a consulting and software firm, which provides workforce-productivity-management solutions to assist companies enhance their market competitiveness. Accenture is an outsourcing company which teams up with its customers to help them become high-performance governments and companies.
By providing Accenture with the dedicated expertise of Maynard in workforce performance methods, the acquisition makes the Retail practice of Accenture much stronger. This provides a diversity of services to facilitate customers improve their workforce performance.
Janet Hoffman, managing director of Accenture's Retail practice in North America said, "The combination of Accenture's experience with Maynard's processes and tools will help our clients achieve both operational and workforce efficiency more quickly than ever, putting them on the road to high performance." He further said that this acquisition has facilitated them to improve their management consulting practice, mainly around retail stores and distribution.
The changeover of more than 90 employees of Maynard to Accenture complements the aggressive recruiting initiatives of Accenture to meet up the increasing demand of customers for management consulting services. No agreement terms were revealed.
Click here for more information : http://www.big4.com
About the Author
Accenture Complete Its Acquisition of H.B. Maynard and Co., Inc - November 2007
Accenture, a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, acquires H.B.Maynard and Co., Inc. a consulting and software firm, which provides workforce-productivity-management solutions to assist companies enhance their market competitiveness. Accenture is an outsourcing company which teams up with its customers to help them become high-performance governments and companies.
By providing Accenture with the dedicated expertise of Maynard in workforce performance methods, the acquisition makes the Retail practice of Accenture much stronger. This provides a diversity of services to facilitate customers improve their workforce performance.
Janet Hoffman, managing director of Accenture's Retail practice in North America said, "The combination of Accenture's experience with Maynard's processes and tools will help our clients achieve both operational and workforce efficiency more quickly than ever, putting them on the road to high performance." He further said that this acquisition has facilitated them to improve their management consulting practice, mainly around retail stores and distribution.
The changeover of more than 90 employees of Maynard to Accenture complements the aggressive recruiting initiatives of Accenture to meet up the increasing demand of customers for management consulting services. No agreement terms were revealed.
Click here for more information : http://www.big4.com
About the Author
Accenture Complete Its Acquisition of H.B. Maynard and Co., Inc - November 2007
How to make your Mark in Medical Sales by Jonathan Walker
How to make your Mark in Medical Sales by Jonathan Walker
Planning your way in the medical sales industry entails certain challenges that you won't find anywhere else. For starters, you will be representing a company which expects you to sell a product to a group of people who probably know more about it than you do, and they are a very scrutinizing group composed of medical experts, who most of the time knows the profession inside out. Also consider that the product you are presenting may be involved in some hot debate or controversy in the medical field, and your job as a representative is to allay all doubts and fears in order to secure patronage of your product.
The solution for this problem is thorough research and preparation. You can get ahead of the debate by detailing the advantages of the particular product you are endorsing, and anticipating probable questions by pointed suggestions which not only calms the issue, but also builds the confidence in your abilities as well. Make sure that you have a firm grasp of the big picture; that is you have to know your business thoroughly enough. In addition to this, prepare a realistic process which leads to your established vision. If your vision for the moment is to chip out a significant chunk of the market you plan to enter, then plan out a strategy on how this could be achieved; assessing the actual size of the market, the stake of the competition, how the logistic side of the business should be efficiently undertaken... What this implies is that you should be able to leave the guesswork out of the business as much as you can and face up to the risks head-on.
The status of your target market is the first thing you should consider. How large is it? How's the competition, have they all established a solid base, or is it a new playing field for everyone? What are the risks involved in it? Is it a relatively volatile market where trends occur at a regular basis, or is it stable? Do enough feasibility research into the field so that you won't have to make dire decisions at the last minute just because you were not sufficiently prepared. Attend symposiums, as these are the most hands-on means for measuring the strength of the industry. After this, assess your financial capabilities, so that you can have a rough idea on how much you are willing to spend for the risk of taking a pie shot at the market you want to enter. If you have finally decided to push through, make sure that all your departments are fully integrated into one body for a smooth operation, from the administrative to the executive functions. It is also imperative that you have an introspective search concerning the purpose of your company; this strengthens corporate vision, and serves as the moral push which the organization needs to get the job done. Finally, you need to be competitive in the market if you want to at least survive; with constant planning, adapting, restructuring and research, your company will be able to stand its own ground, no matter how unpredictable the situation may get.
About the Author
This article is written by Jonathan Walker of Medical Sales and Medical Sales Jobs
Planning your way in the medical sales industry entails certain challenges that you won't find anywhere else. For starters, you will be representing a company which expects you to sell a product to a group of people who probably know more about it than you do, and they are a very scrutinizing group composed of medical experts, who most of the time knows the profession inside out. Also consider that the product you are presenting may be involved in some hot debate or controversy in the medical field, and your job as a representative is to allay all doubts and fears in order to secure patronage of your product.
The solution for this problem is thorough research and preparation. You can get ahead of the debate by detailing the advantages of the particular product you are endorsing, and anticipating probable questions by pointed suggestions which not only calms the issue, but also builds the confidence in your abilities as well. Make sure that you have a firm grasp of the big picture; that is you have to know your business thoroughly enough. In addition to this, prepare a realistic process which leads to your established vision. If your vision for the moment is to chip out a significant chunk of the market you plan to enter, then plan out a strategy on how this could be achieved; assessing the actual size of the market, the stake of the competition, how the logistic side of the business should be efficiently undertaken... What this implies is that you should be able to leave the guesswork out of the business as much as you can and face up to the risks head-on.
The status of your target market is the first thing you should consider. How large is it? How's the competition, have they all established a solid base, or is it a new playing field for everyone? What are the risks involved in it? Is it a relatively volatile market where trends occur at a regular basis, or is it stable? Do enough feasibility research into the field so that you won't have to make dire decisions at the last minute just because you were not sufficiently prepared. Attend symposiums, as these are the most hands-on means for measuring the strength of the industry. After this, assess your financial capabilities, so that you can have a rough idea on how much you are willing to spend for the risk of taking a pie shot at the market you want to enter. If you have finally decided to push through, make sure that all your departments are fully integrated into one body for a smooth operation, from the administrative to the executive functions. It is also imperative that you have an introspective search concerning the purpose of your company; this strengthens corporate vision, and serves as the moral push which the organization needs to get the job done. Finally, you need to be competitive in the market if you want to at least survive; with constant planning, adapting, restructuring and research, your company will be able to stand its own ground, no matter how unpredictable the situation may get.
About the Author
This article is written by Jonathan Walker of Medical Sales and Medical Sales Jobs
Career Advice: 8 Ways To Make Meetings Work For You by Ramon Greenwood
Career Advice: 8 Ways To Make Meetings Work For You by Ramon Greenwood
You might as well stop complaining about meetings and committees. Like it or not, they are here to stay. So it makes sense to make meetings work for you. Here eight things you can do to reach that goal.
1. Do your homework. Most people don't. Just by being prepared you will enjoy an advantage. Know what the meeting is all about--the stated purpose as well as the hidden agenda. If you don't know, ask. Study the background materials. Set your own goal for the session. Make a list of the points you want to make and compile the facts to support them.
2. Never be late for a meeting. If the others have started without you, you begin with a disadvantage. The positioning ritual has already begun, and some information has been exchanged.
3. Understand that meetings go through stages: (1) participants feel out each other; (2) a pecking order is established; (3) ground rules and purposes emerge; and (4) the subject is addressed.
Obviously, you clog up the process if you are operating in one stage while others are in another. 4. Understand the dynamics of the meeting, especially the seating arrangement. For example, you will see that if you are to be seated at a rectangular table, the leader will gravitate to the head of the table, whether the seat is assigned or not; the number two person will sit at the other end. Even if someone other than the top honcho is seated at the head of the table that person will act more forcefully than usual.
You can also get a feel for how confident various people are feeling about their roles by observing how they sit in their chairs. Those who are confident in their power are likely to be sitting more relaxed, sort of laid back in their chairs. Those who are supplicants, anxious to win a point or make an impression, are apt to be sitting forward in a somewhat rigid position.
5. Participate. You weren't invited to the meeting because of your good looks. Speak up. If you have questions about the purpose of the meeting or the order of the agenda, say so. Help keep things on track by sticking to the point and challenging (in a friendly way) those who stray off the path. 6. If you have what you think is the best idea since sliced bread, offer it with confidence and enthusiasm, but not as if it were the only solution. If someone tries to skew your idea in a direction you never intended, try saying, "I am sorry I didn't make myself clear. What I suggesting suggesting..."
Expect that others may attempt to amend your idea. If they are successful, always be the one who restates the revised version. This way you are assured your core idea survives and you retain authorship.
7. Don't be afraid to disagree with other participants when it is necessary. Although, disagreements are never pleasant, the meeting is foreordained to failure if honest differences of opinion aren't tolerated. Try to disagree pleasantly, of course. 8. Do your part to make meetings effective. Remember, some wise man said, "The only thing wrong with meetings is the people who attend them."
About the Author
To subscribe to Ramon Greenwood's free semi-monthly newsletter and blog please go to http://www.commonsenseatwork.com>; His advice comes from a world of experience, including serving as Senior Vice President of American Express, an entrepreneur, professional director, career coach and author.
You might as well stop complaining about meetings and committees. Like it or not, they are here to stay. So it makes sense to make meetings work for you. Here eight things you can do to reach that goal.
1. Do your homework. Most people don't. Just by being prepared you will enjoy an advantage. Know what the meeting is all about--the stated purpose as well as the hidden agenda. If you don't know, ask. Study the background materials. Set your own goal for the session. Make a list of the points you want to make and compile the facts to support them.
2. Never be late for a meeting. If the others have started without you, you begin with a disadvantage. The positioning ritual has already begun, and some information has been exchanged.
3. Understand that meetings go through stages: (1) participants feel out each other; (2) a pecking order is established; (3) ground rules and purposes emerge; and (4) the subject is addressed.
Obviously, you clog up the process if you are operating in one stage while others are in another. 4. Understand the dynamics of the meeting, especially the seating arrangement. For example, you will see that if you are to be seated at a rectangular table, the leader will gravitate to the head of the table, whether the seat is assigned or not; the number two person will sit at the other end. Even if someone other than the top honcho is seated at the head of the table that person will act more forcefully than usual.
You can also get a feel for how confident various people are feeling about their roles by observing how they sit in their chairs. Those who are confident in their power are likely to be sitting more relaxed, sort of laid back in their chairs. Those who are supplicants, anxious to win a point or make an impression, are apt to be sitting forward in a somewhat rigid position.
5. Participate. You weren't invited to the meeting because of your good looks. Speak up. If you have questions about the purpose of the meeting or the order of the agenda, say so. Help keep things on track by sticking to the point and challenging (in a friendly way) those who stray off the path. 6. If you have what you think is the best idea since sliced bread, offer it with confidence and enthusiasm, but not as if it were the only solution. If someone tries to skew your idea in a direction you never intended, try saying, "I am sorry I didn't make myself clear. What I suggesting suggesting..."
Expect that others may attempt to amend your idea. If they are successful, always be the one who restates the revised version. This way you are assured your core idea survives and you retain authorship.
7. Don't be afraid to disagree with other participants when it is necessary. Although, disagreements are never pleasant, the meeting is foreordained to failure if honest differences of opinion aren't tolerated. Try to disagree pleasantly, of course. 8. Do your part to make meetings effective. Remember, some wise man said, "The only thing wrong with meetings is the people who attend them."
About the Author
To subscribe to Ramon Greenwood's free semi-monthly newsletter and blog please go to http://www.commonsenseatwork.com>; His advice comes from a world of experience, including serving as Senior Vice President of American Express, an entrepreneur, professional director, career coach and author.
Achieving Goals: Navigating the Uncomfortable Stages by Sharon Teitelbaum
Achieving Goals: Navigating the Uncomfortable Stages by Sharon Teitelbaum
Getting there is uncomfortable but being there is not.
My favorite spinning instructor frequently reminds us at one point in the workout, "This next drill is going to get uncomfortable for you. So think about how good it's going to feel when you've gotten through the discomfort." She's always right.
She doesn't mean it will feel good when the workout is over (though it certainly will). She means once the heart rate is raised to the higher workout level, it will feel good. The transition is hard.
It always surprises me -- there comes a point when I've made the transition, my heart is up at the high end of my workout zone, and I am loving it. GETTING THERE is uncomfortable. BEING THERE is not.
I had the chance to apply this in a different context recently. My husband and I went out for a walk. About 20 minutes into our walk, I felt tired and wanted to turn back, and my husband really wanted to go all the way into Cambridge (a total of about 3 miles). There was nothing pressing I had to get back to, so I decided to apply the spinning rule to walking and keep walking through the discomfort. Sure enough, a few minutes later I was completely beyond the discomfort zone. And I very much enjoyed the rest of the walk, the time in Cambridge, and so forth.
Given how long it seems to be taking me to learn this lesson about hanging in through the discomfort, I figure I will be learning this one for the rest of my life. I need to hear it every week: "You're going to get uncomfortable, but it's going to feel great on the other side." Oh yeah.
How about you? Where in your life do you stop when it gets uncomfortable when in fact if you pressed on a little longer you would be glad you did? Of course there are some situations where the discomfort should be interpreted as a cue to turn around and head for home. If you're alone at night in a dark alley and you hear footsteps coming up behind you . . . that's a whole other thing.
Our discomfort requires scrutiny: we need to assess before deciding whether to bolt or whether to hang in. This month, witness (without judging) where and when you get uncomfortable. Notice how you respond to the discomfort. In which situations do you hang in and in which do you turn back? Do these decisions serve you? Where they do, acknowledge yourself for navigating well in your own interest. And where they do not, what other choice might you consider?
If you could use some help in any aspect of the discomfort dynamic, consider doing a short burst of coaching work. Contact me to set up an initial consultation.
Copyright 2007 Sharon Teitelbaum. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Sharon Teitelbaum, author of "Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: Restoring Work-Life Balance," Master Certified Coach, helps high achievers re-claim their work-life balance. Her interactive coaching process provides a powerful catalyst towards greater career and life satisfaction. Visit Sharon's website at http://www.reclaimyourworklifebalance.com and subscribe to her e-course "The 5 Keys to Reclaiming Your Work-Life Balance".
Getting there is uncomfortable but being there is not.
My favorite spinning instructor frequently reminds us at one point in the workout, "This next drill is going to get uncomfortable for you. So think about how good it's going to feel when you've gotten through the discomfort." She's always right.
She doesn't mean it will feel good when the workout is over (though it certainly will). She means once the heart rate is raised to the higher workout level, it will feel good. The transition is hard.
It always surprises me -- there comes a point when I've made the transition, my heart is up at the high end of my workout zone, and I am loving it. GETTING THERE is uncomfortable. BEING THERE is not.
I had the chance to apply this in a different context recently. My husband and I went out for a walk. About 20 minutes into our walk, I felt tired and wanted to turn back, and my husband really wanted to go all the way into Cambridge (a total of about 3 miles). There was nothing pressing I had to get back to, so I decided to apply the spinning rule to walking and keep walking through the discomfort. Sure enough, a few minutes later I was completely beyond the discomfort zone. And I very much enjoyed the rest of the walk, the time in Cambridge, and so forth.
Given how long it seems to be taking me to learn this lesson about hanging in through the discomfort, I figure I will be learning this one for the rest of my life. I need to hear it every week: "You're going to get uncomfortable, but it's going to feel great on the other side." Oh yeah.
How about you? Where in your life do you stop when it gets uncomfortable when in fact if you pressed on a little longer you would be glad you did? Of course there are some situations where the discomfort should be interpreted as a cue to turn around and head for home. If you're alone at night in a dark alley and you hear footsteps coming up behind you . . . that's a whole other thing.
Our discomfort requires scrutiny: we need to assess before deciding whether to bolt or whether to hang in. This month, witness (without judging) where and when you get uncomfortable. Notice how you respond to the discomfort. In which situations do you hang in and in which do you turn back? Do these decisions serve you? Where they do, acknowledge yourself for navigating well in your own interest. And where they do not, what other choice might you consider?
If you could use some help in any aspect of the discomfort dynamic, consider doing a short burst of coaching work. Contact me to set up an initial consultation.
Copyright 2007 Sharon Teitelbaum. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Sharon Teitelbaum, author of "Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: Restoring Work-Life Balance," Master Certified Coach, helps high achievers re-claim their work-life balance. Her interactive coaching process provides a powerful catalyst towards greater career and life satisfaction. Visit Sharon's website at http://www.reclaimyourworklifebalance.com and subscribe to her e-course "The 5 Keys to Reclaiming Your Work-Life Balance".
Being Passionate About Your Work by Sharon Teitelbaum
Being Passionate About Your Work by Sharon Teitelbaum
As a work-life and career coach, I certainly believe that having passion for your work is a good thing. But I don't believe we should expect to feel passionate about our work all the time. Even if you are doing work that is a perfect match for you, it is unlikely that you'll feel passionate about it on a daily basis. Most people experience a satisfaction ebb and flow in what they do, and I think we all have days or hours when it's all we can do to slog through: left, right, left, right, left, right.
It's also possible that at this moment in your life, your passion is elsewhere -- it's not in your paid work. If you're raising a family, maybe you're passionate about your children, and your job is just your job. Maybe you're passionate about your garden, or your dearly loved spouse, or your music, or the conservation work you do in your town. Maybe you're passionate about election reform or moderating CO2 emissions or getting surplus food to hungry people in the world.
It's also possible that you're in the midst of a life challenge that just doesn't leave a lot of room for passion in your work. You're recovering from a deep loss, you're dealing with illness in yourself or a family member, you're working through a life transition of one sort or another. As you move through this challenge, you will once again have the bandwidth to feel connected to your work in a central way, and have the possibility of passion.
With so many resources available that encourage us to find our passion and our bliss in the work we do, I think sometimes people's expectations can get out of hand. I'm the last one to say, "tough it out" if you're doing work that's really a bad fit for you. But expecting that doing the "right" work will be a constant diet of joy and fulfillment is setting yourself up for disappointment. I think that even in the best of circumstances, there is a natural ebb and flow of highs and lows in one's work that's just the nature of the beast.
And if you're consistently not happy enough in the work you're doing, then by all means get yourself some career help and make a course correction. You always, always, always have choices. If you are considering working with a coach, contact me for an initial consultation at no charge.
Copyright 2006 Sharon Teitelbaum. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Sharon Teitelbaum, author of "Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: Restoring Work-Life Balance," Master Certified Coach, helps high achievers re-claim their work-life balance. Her interactive coaching process provides a powerful catalyst towards greater career and life satisfaction. Visit Sharon's website at http://www.reclaimyourworklifebalance.com and subscribe to her e-course "The 5 Keys to Reclaiming Your Work-Life Balance".
As a work-life and career coach, I certainly believe that having passion for your work is a good thing. But I don't believe we should expect to feel passionate about our work all the time. Even if you are doing work that is a perfect match for you, it is unlikely that you'll feel passionate about it on a daily basis. Most people experience a satisfaction ebb and flow in what they do, and I think we all have days or hours when it's all we can do to slog through: left, right, left, right, left, right.
It's also possible that at this moment in your life, your passion is elsewhere -- it's not in your paid work. If you're raising a family, maybe you're passionate about your children, and your job is just your job. Maybe you're passionate about your garden, or your dearly loved spouse, or your music, or the conservation work you do in your town. Maybe you're passionate about election reform or moderating CO2 emissions or getting surplus food to hungry people in the world.
It's also possible that you're in the midst of a life challenge that just doesn't leave a lot of room for passion in your work. You're recovering from a deep loss, you're dealing with illness in yourself or a family member, you're working through a life transition of one sort or another. As you move through this challenge, you will once again have the bandwidth to feel connected to your work in a central way, and have the possibility of passion.
With so many resources available that encourage us to find our passion and our bliss in the work we do, I think sometimes people's expectations can get out of hand. I'm the last one to say, "tough it out" if you're doing work that's really a bad fit for you. But expecting that doing the "right" work will be a constant diet of joy and fulfillment is setting yourself up for disappointment. I think that even in the best of circumstances, there is a natural ebb and flow of highs and lows in one's work that's just the nature of the beast.
And if you're consistently not happy enough in the work you're doing, then by all means get yourself some career help and make a course correction. You always, always, always have choices. If you are considering working with a coach, contact me for an initial consultation at no charge.
Copyright 2006 Sharon Teitelbaum. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Sharon Teitelbaum, author of "Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: Restoring Work-Life Balance," Master Certified Coach, helps high achievers re-claim their work-life balance. Her interactive coaching process provides a powerful catalyst towards greater career and life satisfaction. Visit Sharon's website at http://www.reclaimyourworklifebalance.com and subscribe to her e-course "The 5 Keys to Reclaiming Your Work-Life Balance".
Use Job Search Engines to Find that Great Job by Mort Ferguson
Use Job Search Engines to Find that Great Job by Mort Ferguson
Looking online, you will find many job search engines to assist with your hunt for a job or career of interest to you. These engines use background computer technology to help with any job pursuit you may have. Simply enter the information that is relevant to your interest, such as the city in which you are looking, any keywords that you want to use to locate a desirable job, and your qualifications.
Within these search engines, new jobs are added every few hours, or as frequently as they employers can post them. That is why it is important to check your preferred job search engines at least daily, if not more frequently. Search engine usage is really one of the most powerful and efficient means of locating a job these days. You can be right on top of many new job postings so that you are one of the first applicants some of potential employers spot.
Some search engines produce better, more helpful results than others. The good ones allow you to see all the major companies and potential jobs they offer. Monster, America’s Job Bank and Jobster are three of the leading job search engines and have uncovered jobs for millions of people around the world through the past several years. They all store jobs from tons of companies covering almost every imaginable type of job, and range from part time entry level roles to world wide executives positions.
By entering a specific job category, state, and city you are interested in, your search may yield hundreds of jobs that at least meet your basic criteria. From there, you simply apply for one or more of the jobs by following the requirements stated on the web site. You likely will be able to upload your resume and apply completely online, though some businesses prefer that you to fax your resume or call to speak with a person in their human resources department. Make sure you follow their directions completely, because that will be your first step in proving to them that you can be a valuable employee! (Those who cannot even follow the online instructions are easily weeded out.)
Job search engines are relevant to almost everyone, and are a vital component in finding the best job opportunities available. Since many companies rely on the Internet to post a majority of their external job vacancies, it is best to learn how to use the search engines effectively and daily.
About the Author
For practical job hunting & career information, please visit http://www.job-hunting-careers.com, a popular site providing great insights on your search for just the right job or career, ranging from US Post Office to a travel nurse p
Looking online, you will find many job search engines to assist with your hunt for a job or career of interest to you. These engines use background computer technology to help with any job pursuit you may have. Simply enter the information that is relevant to your interest, such as the city in which you are looking, any keywords that you want to use to locate a desirable job, and your qualifications.
Within these search engines, new jobs are added every few hours, or as frequently as they employers can post them. That is why it is important to check your preferred job search engines at least daily, if not more frequently. Search engine usage is really one of the most powerful and efficient means of locating a job these days. You can be right on top of many new job postings so that you are one of the first applicants some of potential employers spot.
Some search engines produce better, more helpful results than others. The good ones allow you to see all the major companies and potential jobs they offer. Monster, America’s Job Bank and Jobster are three of the leading job search engines and have uncovered jobs for millions of people around the world through the past several years. They all store jobs from tons of companies covering almost every imaginable type of job, and range from part time entry level roles to world wide executives positions.
By entering a specific job category, state, and city you are interested in, your search may yield hundreds of jobs that at least meet your basic criteria. From there, you simply apply for one or more of the jobs by following the requirements stated on the web site. You likely will be able to upload your resume and apply completely online, though some businesses prefer that you to fax your resume or call to speak with a person in their human resources department. Make sure you follow their directions completely, because that will be your first step in proving to them that you can be a valuable employee! (Those who cannot even follow the online instructions are easily weeded out.)
Job search engines are relevant to almost everyone, and are a vital component in finding the best job opportunities available. Since many companies rely on the Internet to post a majority of their external job vacancies, it is best to learn how to use the search engines effectively and daily.
About the Author
For practical job hunting & career information, please visit http://www.job-hunting-careers.com, a popular site providing great insights on your search for just the right job or career, ranging from US Post Office to a travel nurse p
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Building Work-Life Balance into Your Next Job: Work Redesign by Sharon Teitelbaum
Building Work-Life Balance into Your Next Job: Work Redesign by Sharon Teitelbaum
Among the myriad factors you may be considering while evaluating job opportunities, be sure to examine the ones pertaining to work-life balance -- they might be the most important details you can consider this time around.
If you think work-life balance is an issue that pertains only to people with young children, you are sorely mistaken. Everyone needs to have a life outside of work. Whether your life includes a spouse and/or children or older parents you take care of, or whether you have a life as a musician or hiker or fiction-reader or gourmet cook, you will need some balance. As Barbara Ehrenreich put it, "Meaningful work and a balanced life are deep-rooted human needs. They can be repressed or ignored, but sooner or later they're going to assert themselves."
Following are some work-life balance factors you might consider when investigating a position..
A. The Structure and Nature of the Job
If you are interested in the potential for flexibility within the position, regardless of whether you want to negotiate "flex" now or some time in the future, consider these four types of flex, as they apply to this position. Please note, I learned about these very useful categories from the ThirdPath Institute (http://www.thirdpath.org), a not-for-profit whose mission is to assist individuals, families and organizations in finding new ways to redesign work to create more time for family, community and other life passions.
1. Schedule. To what extent does your work actually need to be done during a particular time of day? Many professionals find that large chunks of their work - research, writing, analysis, visioning, thinking, and planning - can be done during non-traditional work hours, such as:
very early mornings
9 p.m. to midnight
weekends
holidays.
In fact, some leaders find that some of their best work is done outside of regular working hours. In many global organizations, working non-traditional hours is the best way to manage your team members in other parts of the world. Be sure these non-traditional work hours are instead of and not in addition to conventional working hours. A burnt-out you doesn't serve anyone.
2. Physical Presence. To what extent does your work require you to be in a particular place? If you are an emergency room doctor, you need to be in the emergency room for your clinical hours. But your non-clinical hours, such as planning the monthly meeting, or writing up your research, may be worked from home. In the corporate world, there's a lot to be said for "face time" with your team. But if your team includes people in London, Delhi, and Tokyo - the closest thing to face will be teleconferences, which you can lead from anywhere.
3. Workflow. How much control do you have over the volume and the pace of your work? If you're a lawyer who works 80% time in a firm where the full time annual standard is 2000 billable hours, you know you'll need 1600 billable hours. But who decides which cases you take on-can you say "No" when your plate is full? I know a CFO who works three days a week, and a senior vice president of marketing who works a four-day week. Filling a senior position on a part-time schedule requires discipline and strong boundaries. And of course, even a full time schedule has limits . . . there are only 24 hours in everyone's day. Who's in charge of how much is on your plate?
4. Substitution. To what extent can someone else do your work? Are there peers who can take over for you, and/or are there subordinates who can pick up some of your lower-level tasks? Could you job-share with someone? I know of several pairs of vice-president level professionals who are successfully job-sharing.
B. The Culture of the Organization
As you interview with a prospective employer, take a good look at the corporate culture as it relates to work-life balance -- see what you can pick up. Is the office open 24/7 and are there people working all hours of the day and night? Do people routinely send emails at 3 a.m. as a matter of course? Do people leave the office at 6:00 and not really come back to work until the next morning? Does the company equate loyalty with long hours? Are there work-life initiatives being implemented? Do they have the support of the most senior management? How can you tell?
In some organizations, non-traditional job structures are standard fare. In others, flexibility to accommodate a parent's absence in order, for example, to get to the soccer team playoffs is permissible as long as the job gets done. In still others, neither of these options is routinely available at all, but might be arranged for rising stars with impeccable, world-class track records. And in still other companies, it's not an option for anyone, ever, period.
The most important thing you can do is to be brutally honest with yourself about what you want and need. There are seasons in some people's lives when work is their only consuming passion and they really want to just go at it at 120%. The April 2005 cover story in Fast Company magazine was called "Extreme Jobs and the People Who Love Them." If this is where you are in your life and this is what you want, by all means, go for it. And if you truly want something different for yourself, make sure you're consciously seeking it out.
Even if your new position has no structural or informal flexibility to it, there are still many ways to maintain your work-life balance if it's a high enough priority for you. This article was originally published in March, 2006, by Kennedy Information, Inc, at their website, http://www.executiveagent.com, in the Career Tips and Tactics online newsletter.
Copyright 2006 Sharon Teitelbaum. All rights reserved
About the Author
Sharon Teitelbaum, author of "Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: Restoring Work-Life Balance," Master Certified Coach, helps high achievers re-claim their work-life balance. Her interactive coaching process provides a powerful catalyst towards greater career and life satisfaction. Visit Sharon's website at http://www.reclaimyourworklifebalance.com and subscribe to her e-course "The 5 Keys to Reclaiming Your Work-Life Balance".
Among the myriad factors you may be considering while evaluating job opportunities, be sure to examine the ones pertaining to work-life balance -- they might be the most important details you can consider this time around.
If you think work-life balance is an issue that pertains only to people with young children, you are sorely mistaken. Everyone needs to have a life outside of work. Whether your life includes a spouse and/or children or older parents you take care of, or whether you have a life as a musician or hiker or fiction-reader or gourmet cook, you will need some balance. As Barbara Ehrenreich put it, "Meaningful work and a balanced life are deep-rooted human needs. They can be repressed or ignored, but sooner or later they're going to assert themselves."
Following are some work-life balance factors you might consider when investigating a position..
A. The Structure and Nature of the Job
If you are interested in the potential for flexibility within the position, regardless of whether you want to negotiate "flex" now or some time in the future, consider these four types of flex, as they apply to this position. Please note, I learned about these very useful categories from the ThirdPath Institute (http://www.thirdpath.org), a not-for-profit whose mission is to assist individuals, families and organizations in finding new ways to redesign work to create more time for family, community and other life passions.
1. Schedule. To what extent does your work actually need to be done during a particular time of day? Many professionals find that large chunks of their work - research, writing, analysis, visioning, thinking, and planning - can be done during non-traditional work hours, such as:
very early mornings
9 p.m. to midnight
weekends
holidays.
In fact, some leaders find that some of their best work is done outside of regular working hours. In many global organizations, working non-traditional hours is the best way to manage your team members in other parts of the world. Be sure these non-traditional work hours are instead of and not in addition to conventional working hours. A burnt-out you doesn't serve anyone.
2. Physical Presence. To what extent does your work require you to be in a particular place? If you are an emergency room doctor, you need to be in the emergency room for your clinical hours. But your non-clinical hours, such as planning the monthly meeting, or writing up your research, may be worked from home. In the corporate world, there's a lot to be said for "face time" with your team. But if your team includes people in London, Delhi, and Tokyo - the closest thing to face will be teleconferences, which you can lead from anywhere.
3. Workflow. How much control do you have over the volume and the pace of your work? If you're a lawyer who works 80% time in a firm where the full time annual standard is 2000 billable hours, you know you'll need 1600 billable hours. But who decides which cases you take on-can you say "No" when your plate is full? I know a CFO who works three days a week, and a senior vice president of marketing who works a four-day week. Filling a senior position on a part-time schedule requires discipline and strong boundaries. And of course, even a full time schedule has limits . . . there are only 24 hours in everyone's day. Who's in charge of how much is on your plate?
4. Substitution. To what extent can someone else do your work? Are there peers who can take over for you, and/or are there subordinates who can pick up some of your lower-level tasks? Could you job-share with someone? I know of several pairs of vice-president level professionals who are successfully job-sharing.
B. The Culture of the Organization
As you interview with a prospective employer, take a good look at the corporate culture as it relates to work-life balance -- see what you can pick up. Is the office open 24/7 and are there people working all hours of the day and night? Do people routinely send emails at 3 a.m. as a matter of course? Do people leave the office at 6:00 and not really come back to work until the next morning? Does the company equate loyalty with long hours? Are there work-life initiatives being implemented? Do they have the support of the most senior management? How can you tell?
In some organizations, non-traditional job structures are standard fare. In others, flexibility to accommodate a parent's absence in order, for example, to get to the soccer team playoffs is permissible as long as the job gets done. In still others, neither of these options is routinely available at all, but might be arranged for rising stars with impeccable, world-class track records. And in still other companies, it's not an option for anyone, ever, period.
The most important thing you can do is to be brutally honest with yourself about what you want and need. There are seasons in some people's lives when work is their only consuming passion and they really want to just go at it at 120%. The April 2005 cover story in Fast Company magazine was called "Extreme Jobs and the People Who Love Them." If this is where you are in your life and this is what you want, by all means, go for it. And if you truly want something different for yourself, make sure you're consciously seeking it out.
Even if your new position has no structural or informal flexibility to it, there are still many ways to maintain your work-life balance if it's a high enough priority for you. This article was originally published in March, 2006, by Kennedy Information, Inc, at their website, http://www.executiveagent.com, in the Career Tips and Tactics online newsletter.
Copyright 2006 Sharon Teitelbaum. All rights reserved
About the Author
Sharon Teitelbaum, author of "Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: Restoring Work-Life Balance," Master Certified Coach, helps high achievers re-claim their work-life balance. Her interactive coaching process provides a powerful catalyst towards greater career and life satisfaction. Visit Sharon's website at http://www.reclaimyourworklifebalance.com and subscribe to her e-course "The 5 Keys to Reclaiming Your Work-Life Balance".
Career Assessment Do's And Don'ts by Tony Jacowski
Career Assessment Do's And Don'ts by Tony Jacowski
There are simple ways to achieve success by assessing your career:
- Do compare the results of the assessment tests given online and then choose one that suits your needs and preference.
- Do be aware that the assessments guide you towards the right career. A qualified career counselor can interpret these assessments and guide you accordingly. Many experts have doubts on the reliability of the free online assessments.
- Do keep a check on your expectations of the results obtained from such free online assessments. You can benefit from the direction and guidance offered by these tests. You should not rely on them completely or expect too much from the tests.
- Do take several assessments to learn more about yourself and your preferences. By taking a number of assessments, you can understand the reliability of a test and the results.
- Do study in detail the results obtained from online assessments and then compare them to create a career chart. Sometimes they provide you with a new direction, one that you may have never imagined was possible.
- Do believe in your inner instincts and not completely on the online assessments. If you find the information provided irrelevant after the assessment, you should disregard the information.
- Do take career assessments along with attempting other self-discovery activities, to analyze and examine your strengths and weaknesses. You should be able to distinguish between the activities you enjoy the most and the ones you dislike.
- Do enjoy yourself while attempting the career assessments, as self-discovery should be entertaining and enlightening.
There are also some don'ts when taking career assessments:
Don't neglect the possibility of a new career option offered by online assessments, especially if you have never considered it before.
Don't rely completely on the free online assessments for self-discovery and guidance. For further guidance, you should meet with a career counselor, so that they can guide you professionally. Compare the assessment results of the online tests and the ones conducted by the career counselor to come to a conclusion. If you are unable to interpret or understand the results, it is better to ask the counselor to interpret the assessments.
Career assessment tools are different for different categories.
1. For Teens And Adults: The assessment tests are designed to help them select special study and also guide them towards a career of their choice and interest.
2. For Established Job Seekers: The career guidance offered helps to increase their understanding of themselves and their likes and dislikes. This assessment test provides them with career guidance and the jobs that match their preferences.
Career assessment depends on the effective use of the assessment tools available. Assessments can help a new grad choose a particular subject to major in and a professional to consider more career options.
Assessments can also help a mid-career professional to focus on their career goals. Students should take advantage of available assessments regularly, as their interests and skills keep changing.
About the Author
Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution's Six Sigma Online offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.
There are simple ways to achieve success by assessing your career:
- Do compare the results of the assessment tests given online and then choose one that suits your needs and preference.
- Do be aware that the assessments guide you towards the right career. A qualified career counselor can interpret these assessments and guide you accordingly. Many experts have doubts on the reliability of the free online assessments.
- Do keep a check on your expectations of the results obtained from such free online assessments. You can benefit from the direction and guidance offered by these tests. You should not rely on them completely or expect too much from the tests.
- Do take several assessments to learn more about yourself and your preferences. By taking a number of assessments, you can understand the reliability of a test and the results.
- Do study in detail the results obtained from online assessments and then compare them to create a career chart. Sometimes they provide you with a new direction, one that you may have never imagined was possible.
- Do believe in your inner instincts and not completely on the online assessments. If you find the information provided irrelevant after the assessment, you should disregard the information.
- Do take career assessments along with attempting other self-discovery activities, to analyze and examine your strengths and weaknesses. You should be able to distinguish between the activities you enjoy the most and the ones you dislike.
- Do enjoy yourself while attempting the career assessments, as self-discovery should be entertaining and enlightening.
There are also some don'ts when taking career assessments:
Don't neglect the possibility of a new career option offered by online assessments, especially if you have never considered it before.
Don't rely completely on the free online assessments for self-discovery and guidance. For further guidance, you should meet with a career counselor, so that they can guide you professionally. Compare the assessment results of the online tests and the ones conducted by the career counselor to come to a conclusion. If you are unable to interpret or understand the results, it is better to ask the counselor to interpret the assessments.
Career assessment tools are different for different categories.
1. For Teens And Adults: The assessment tests are designed to help them select special study and also guide them towards a career of their choice and interest.
2. For Established Job Seekers: The career guidance offered helps to increase their understanding of themselves and their likes and dislikes. This assessment test provides them with career guidance and the jobs that match their preferences.
Career assessment depends on the effective use of the assessment tools available. Assessments can help a new grad choose a particular subject to major in and a professional to consider more career options.
Assessments can also help a mid-career professional to focus on their career goals. Students should take advantage of available assessments regularly, as their interests and skills keep changing.
About the Author
Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution's Six Sigma Online offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.
Delegation Skills: 7 Tips for Success by Sharon Teitelbaum
Delegation Skills: 7 Tips for Success by Sharon Teitelbaum
I recently led three breakout sessions on delegation skills at a daylong Executive Forum for women in Advertising and Marketing/Communications, hosted by The Ad Club of Boston. Here are the highlights from those sessions, as identified by the participants in their evaluations.
1. It's OK to feel a little guilt when delegating . . . but don't let it stop you.
2. Delegating work that doesn't have to be done by you frees you up to do the work that can only be done by you. Chances are, that's what you're getting paid to do.
3. Delegating work to someone else often provides an opportunity for that person to develop their skills, be successful in a new way, be visible to others, grow their capacity by shouldering more of the work, or to benefit from it in other ways. As one participant wrote, "you are not just passing off the crap."
4. Delegating on the home front can alleviate stress at work and improve your work performance.
5. Sometimes what's hard about delegating is not being in control of the task, and not having it done to your standard. Know when and where a B+ job is good enough.
6. Don't assume you have to do it all yourself.
7. Lots of people have issues about delegating.
Tuning up your own individual delegation skills can increase your capacity for getting things done. Similarly, tuning up delegation skills in your organization can expand your group's productivity.
Copyright 2007 Sharon Teitelbaum. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Sharon Teitelbaum, author of "Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: Restoring Work-Life Balance,†Master Certified Coach, helps high achievers re-claim their work-life balance. Her interactive coaching process provides a powerful catalyst towards greater career and life satisfaction. Visit Sharon's website at http://www.reclaimyourworklifebalance.com and subscribe to her e-course "The 5 Keys to Reclaiming Your Work-Life Balanceâ€.
I recently led three breakout sessions on delegation skills at a daylong Executive Forum for women in Advertising and Marketing/Communications, hosted by The Ad Club of Boston. Here are the highlights from those sessions, as identified by the participants in their evaluations.
1. It's OK to feel a little guilt when delegating . . . but don't let it stop you.
2. Delegating work that doesn't have to be done by you frees you up to do the work that can only be done by you. Chances are, that's what you're getting paid to do.
3. Delegating work to someone else often provides an opportunity for that person to develop their skills, be successful in a new way, be visible to others, grow their capacity by shouldering more of the work, or to benefit from it in other ways. As one participant wrote, "you are not just passing off the crap."
4. Delegating on the home front can alleviate stress at work and improve your work performance.
5. Sometimes what's hard about delegating is not being in control of the task, and not having it done to your standard. Know when and where a B+ job is good enough.
6. Don't assume you have to do it all yourself.
7. Lots of people have issues about delegating.
Tuning up your own individual delegation skills can increase your capacity for getting things done. Similarly, tuning up delegation skills in your organization can expand your group's productivity.
Copyright 2007 Sharon Teitelbaum. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Sharon Teitelbaum, author of "Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: Restoring Work-Life Balance,†Master Certified Coach, helps high achievers re-claim their work-life balance. Her interactive coaching process provides a powerful catalyst towards greater career and life satisfaction. Visit Sharon's website at http://www.reclaimyourworklifebalance.com and subscribe to her e-course "The 5 Keys to Reclaiming Your Work-Life Balanceâ€.
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