Tampilkan postingan dengan label Careers planning. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Careers planning. Tampilkan semua postingan

Senin, 06 Desember 2010

Settling Successfully Into Your New Job

The euphoria of getting a new job can sometimes be overcome by apprehension about what comes next. After all, you're "the new kid on the block," and there's much to learn--about your new job duties and much more. But here are some things you can do to make the process go smoother. >vacancy
1. Dress for success. You'll want to look professional. Dress on the conservative side for the first week. Once you've got a good idea of what's appropriate and what isn't, you can adjust your style. 
2. Be on time. You never want to start your new job by being late, so make sure you allow plenty of time for your commute. Plan the most direct route, but be aware of alternates in case of an accident or other traffic snarls.
3. Get to know people. Be polite and friendly to everyone you meet, whether it's the receptionist or the general manager. Introduce yourself, smile and make eye contact. Make a positive first impression. Ask about your coworkers' interests. 
4. Ask questions. From "Where's the bathroom?" to "Which tool do I use for this task?" It's OK to ask for help! Your coworkers will feel good about doing whatever they can to assist you. Let them. It's always better to have to ask the right way to do something than to try to figure it out on your own, mess up, and have to do it all over again.
5. Remember your place. You may feel "qualified" to tell your new coworkers that there's a better way to do something, but be patient. Every workplace has its own way of doing things. Never say "That's not how we did it at my old company!" (You're coworkers may invite you to return to your old company!) Be patient and become an accepted member of the team before you make suggestions for improvements.
6. Be careful about office politics. Pay attention to the grapevine, but don't contribute to it. Do not accept at face value what one employee says about another; form your own opinions based on your own interactions and judgment. Never complain about anyone at your old job or your new one. Figure out who has the real authority to give you work to do, and who is trying to take advantage of your newness.
Above all, keep a positive attitude, do your work to the best of your ability, and keep an open mind. Before you know it, you'll be climbing the career ladder and giving advice to newcomers! > employee


Use the Personal Touch to Get a Job

A recent study showed that sales people who used their prospects' names generated a 239% increase in sales.
The simple act of using a name can have a dramatic impact on your own ultimate success in landing a new job! 
During your next interview, focus on remembering the names of the interviewers. Find a reason to say their name at least three times during your conversation. Repeat their name at the end of the interview to make a lasting impression. >vacancy
But don't stop at that. Make it a point to remember and use the names of the other people you meet -- the receptionist, the HR person, anyone you speak to during your visit. They'll remember YOU and maybe nudge the boss in your direction when it's time to make the hiring decision!  
Here's a personal step that you must plan ahead for. After the interview, go out to your car and take out the nice notepaper you've brought along for this purpose. Write your thank-you notes while the interview is fresh in your mind.
In today's high-tech world, a handwritten note is becoming a scarce -- and appreciated -- commodity.
Place the note in an envelope and write the name of the interviewer on it (do separate notes and envelopes for each interviewer, if more than one). Go back inside and hand-deliver them to the receptionist... smile and use his/her name when asking that the notes be delivered.
Do you think any other candidate will do this? Heck no! (Not unless he/she reads this article!)
Have an instant advantage by using the personal touches of: (1) remembering and using names; and (2) handwriting and immediately delivering thoughtful thank-you notes! > employee

How To Tap Into the "Invisible" Job Market

Is there a company in your area that you'd love to work for? Do you assume that, because you don't see them advertising in the classifieds or posting jobs on their website, they have no openings? That may or may not be the case. That truth is, only about one-fifth of job openings are actually advertised! 
Here's how to tap into the huge "invisible" job market.
1. Make a list of companies you'd like to work for that are likely to have positions in your field. When composing your list, do some research and take notes about each company. You'll use that later. 
2. Obtain the names of the people in those companies who have the power to offer you a job. Simply call each company’s main number and ask for the name (ask them to spell it) and title of the manager in your field of expertise (or check to see if this information is available on their website). If possible, also get their email address and direct phone number. Don’t let the receptionist give you the name of the Human Resources manager (unless that is the department where you are trying to get a job) because your first point of contact should be with the hiring manager in your field.
3. Write and send a attention-grabbing cover letter with your resume. Address it specifically to the hiring manager in your field. The saluation should include his/her name and title. (Using something like "Dear Hiring Manager" in an unsolicited letter will likely cause it to be tossed in the garbage.) Say something specific about the company (to show you have a genuine interest and did some research) and explain how your skills and qualifications would help them achieve their goals. vacancy
If you can refer to someone the addressee knows, this will give your letter a big boost. For instance, "Jim Jones in your accounting department mentioned that you might have a need for someone with a background in direct marketing" (or whatever your field is). Yes, this is name-dropping, and it works! If you don't yet have a name to drop, do some networking... talk to everyone you know and see if they know anyone who works at that company; join associations that may have members who work for that company; go to trade fairs in which they may participate... and so on and so forth.
Your cover letter is extremely important because it's your first contact with the hiring manager.
4. Follow-up with the people you sent cover letters and resumes to. You can do this through email or by calling them. Here's a general idea of what you want to say (don't use this word for word): “My name is _________. I'm a graphic designer (or whatever your job title is) and I recently sent you a cover letter with my resume. I realize you are very busy, but I would greatly appreciate it if you could verify that you received it. I am very interested in working for your company and am eager to show you how I can be a contributing member of your team. I'd love to speak with you in person (if doing this by email) or come in for an informational interview."
If you're sending them an email or leaving a message on their voicemail, conclude with: "Please contact me at your convenience..." (leave your contact info; 24-hour phone number and email address). Any other steps you take will depend on the success of this one.
You might want to follow-up one more time after about 10 days if you don't get any response to your first contact. But don't continue pursuing it after that. Focus your job search activities elsewhere.
Even if the majority of people you contact say there are no current openings, these are not necessarily wasted steps. You are demonstrating a proactive approach, and employers admire drive and ambition. You may make such a great impression that you'll be remembered as soon as a vacancy opens up! employee

Jumat, 03 Desember 2010

How NOT to Write a Resume

You can learn a lot about how to do something right by first learning what NOT to do.
Take resumes, for example.
I review about 200-300 a month, and most have at least 2-3 mistakes. Yet, all those hundreds of mistakes can be grouped into just a handful of categories, which you would do well to avoid.
Read on and learn how to write a better resume by avoiding the mistakes of others, some of them unintentionally hilarious ...
Mistake #1: "Golden Retriever Syndrome"
Never talk about yourself in terms that could also describe a hunting dog, like the following language, which appears in far too many resumes I see:
"Hard-working, self-motivated and dependable individual."
Tired phrases like that mean nothing to employers, because they could apply to almost anyone ... or almost anyone's dog.

Instead, dump the empty assertions and back up the claims in your resume with facts, like this:
"Proven sales skills. Ranked in top 3 among 78 reps for 5 straight years, exceeding sales quotas for 18 of 20 quarters."
See the difference?
Mistake #2: A Verbal Jungle
To improve your resume (or anything you write), read it out loud. Since writing is just words on paper, reading it aloud will help you write as you would speak.
Here's an example of language so dense, you'll need a machete to find any meaning:
"Directed assembly of elements from business units in engineering, development, program management, distribution, and legal to effect market research, proposal responses, and contract management into comprehensive, virtual, successful teams ..."
After reading that three times, I'm still baffled.
Worse, do you think employers have time to read a resume three times to figure it out? No. As a result, that job seeker is still looking for work, I'll wager.
Solution: read your resume out loud before sending it out.
If you find yourself gasping for breath halfway through a sentence, stick a period or dash in there and break it in two.
And if anything you write sounds less than 100% clear when you read it aloud, revise until it would make sense to your mother. Doing so will ensure that your resume resonates with readers at all levels, from HR managers to your future boss.

Rabu, 01 Desember 2010

How to Answer the "How Do You Handle Stressful Situations?" Question

When answering the "How do you handle stressful situations?" question during an interview, the best strategy is to give some examples of stressful situations you've dealt successfully with in the past. 
Everyone faces some form of stress on the job now and then. They probably won't believe you if you say, "I've never been in a stressful situation."
So take some time before the interview to think back over your career and come up with some stressful situations you can talk about. Make sure they are situations that had a happy ending, thanks to your reaction.
(If this is for your first job, think of a stressful situation during school or other aspects of your life.)


Selasa, 30 November 2010

Formatting Your Cover Letter

The Net's Premier Resume Writing and Editing Service
Because a cover letter is your first chance to make a lasting impression with a hiring manager, it must be professional. To accomplish this: employee
1. Always use the same heading for your cover letter that you have used in your resume.
2. Whenever possible, use the hiring manager's name. This personalizes the document and shows attention to detail.
3. Include in your opening paragraph what job you're interested in and a specific reason as to why you feel qualified for this position.
4. Include in the body of the letter the specific experience, skills or accomplishments from your past that dovetail with the requirements of the new job. This data should be bulleted, rather than presented in a solid block of text. The human eye is drawn to bulleted areas, and they provide the data in an easy-to-read format, so that the hiring manager can digest the information from one sentence before moving on to the others.
Examples of bulleted areas follow: Vacancy*
As my enclosed resume indicates, my background includes more than two decades of service at US Flight with significant experience in:
  • Aircraft accident investigation as a member of the US Flight disaster team.
  • Security checkpoints, where I handled countless calls for assistance.
  • Training the Ground Security team to protect and promote public safety.
In addition to the above skills, I can also offer your firm:
  • More than 30 years of experience in the airline industry.
  • Expertise in dealing with government agencies, including the FAA where I facilitated communications to reduce company fines.
  • Reduced absenteeism and occupational injuries -- standards I maintained at US Flight, where I achieved the best employee safety record of all US Flight cities.
5. If the letter is being addressed to a specific hiring manager, close your letter proactively indicating that you will be contacting the hiring manager's office within the next week to see if you might set up a time to meet.

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Sending Your Cover Letter by "Snail" Mail

Senin, 29 November 2010

Succeeding with Panel Interviews

These days, job interviews often consist of a panel of three-to-six interviewers.
A "team approach" to finding the best candidate can be beneficial for the employer. Each member brings a different set of skills, experience and judgment to the team, and can point out pros (and cons) about a candidate that the other interviewers might miss
Panel interviews can also be beneficial for the job seekers.
In a one-on-one interview you only have one shot at making the best impression. With a team doing the interviewing, your odds are increased.
Say for example that Interviewer No. 1 had a bad experience with your past employer and unconsciously (or consciously) holds that against you, even though you had nothing to do with what happened. Interviewers No. 2, 3, and 4 have no such prejudices and so could sway the vote in your favor.

While panel interviews often seem more intimidating than one-on-one interviews, here are some steps you can take to ease your stress and ensure a better outcome.
1. Relax. Remember that being faced by a panel of strangers (versus one) is better for you.
2. Smile. Everyone in the room will smile back and you'll all get off to a great start.
3. Greet each interviewer individually. Shake hands with each person. Repeat their names as you are introduced (everyone likes to hear their own name, and it will help you to remember them).
4. Include everyone when answering questions. Face and make eye contact with the person who asks the question, but then extend your eye contact to everyone in the room. You're speaking to all of them, not just the person who asked the question.
5. Get their cards. Before leaving, get a business card from each person in the room. These will come in handy when it's time to send your thank-you notes. (If they don't have cards, ask for their names again if you don't remember them; jot them down. You can contact the HR person or receptionist later to get their email or mailing address.)
6. Send individual thank-you notes. Immediately send a thank-you note to each member of the interview panel, but don't make the notes identical. Make it more personal by pointing out something that person said or asked. For example, "When you asked me about my marketing experience, I forgot to mention that in addition to my three years as a marketing representative at ABC company, I also participated on several marketing focus groups while working at XYZ company." 

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Interviewing Over Lunch: Are You at Risk?

Sometimes a hiring process will include having lunch with the hiring manager. Despite anything said to the contrary (like "It'll just be an informal lunch so we can get to know each other."), this is a formal part of your interview!
This can be a very tricky situation. 
Impressions made in a restaurant are just as important as those in an office or meeting room.
If you don't want an "eating mishap" to ruin your chances at a new job (or a promotion if you're dining with the boss), follow these tips:

1. Avoid ordering messy foods.
This includes long pasta, of course, but also anything with stringy cheese... you know, the kind that stretches up with your fork from the plate to your mouth.
Watch out for soup, anything with a sauce or other "drippable" ingredient. No matter how careful you are, you know an invisible hole can magically appear in your spoon and cause you to drip all over yourself!
Even a salad can be hazardous! Have you ever tried to spear a cherry tomato with your fork and squirted yourself, your neighbor, or watched the tomato go flying off your plate? Not impressive. Avoid cherry tomatoes.
2. Mind your manners.
First, let me say I am definitely NOT "Miss Manners." These are just common-sense tips, not something you'd learn at charm school. (So don't send me an email with the "proper" etiquette, OK?)
This may be considered old-fashioned and unnecessary by some (especially women's libbers, if there's still such a thing), but I think it's still a nice courtesy for a man to pull out a chair for a woman. Either sex can offer to take someone's coat and hang it up. In general, just be nice, thoughtful, and courteous.
Thank the servers.
If you're in a fancy place with 6 different forks, 3 knives and 2 spoons, don't freak out about which to use for what. In general, they're placed in the order in which the food that you use them with will be served... implement furthest from the plate being used first. So when the salad comes out first, grab the fork furthest from your plate. Or just watch what the big shot does and follow his/her example.
If your food comes out first, don't start scarfing it down while the other(s) wait for their food to arrive. If they're courteous, they'll invite you to go ahead before your food gets cold. Likewise, if someone else has been served and is waiting while your food is delayed, invite them to go ahead and eat.
Don't reach... ask someone to pass.
Don't use your bread to mop up sauce, soup, or anything else.
Don't slurp or burp. Ever. Yes, this may be acceptable in some countries as a way to show appreciation for good food, but if you're in the U.S., don't do it. Even if the big shot does.
3. Watch the cost.
It doesn't matter if you've been told, "Order anything you'd like, this is on me." Do not order the most expensive thing on the menu! Even if the big shot does.
4. Beer or wine?
Have you seen that commercial where several guys are at a restaurant with a big shot and he asks what they want to drink? They go around the table and all order a non-alcoholic drink except for the last guy, who orders a Sam Adams (beer). The big shot is "impressed" and orders the same.
Hah! Never fall for anything you see in a beer commercial!
Would you have a beer or glass of wine at the office? (You better say "No!") Despite the surroundings, food and drink, if this is a business function (and it certainly is if you're interviewing or discussing business with your boss), do NOT order alcohol! Even if the big shot does. 

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Kamis, 25 November 2010

Want to Win the Job?

August 2007 brought some bad news for job seekers. The number of Americans with jobs fell in August for the first time in four years, raising fears that weakness in the economy has spread beyond the housing and financial sectors that have panicked markets in recent weeks. It appears that job seekers had a harder time finding work in August. June and July job figures where revised downward by 24,000 and 57,000. 
Yet with this news, some people are still getting hired.
How can you ensure you'll be the candidate who gets that great phone call with a job offer? Be sure to answer the 4 glowing needs every employer has in both your resume and in the interview. If you need help doing this, try using S.C.A.R. as a guide:
Problem Solver
I can't think of one company, business, or organization that doesn't have problems. Companies hire people to come in and solve problems. Demonstrate how your past performance includes problems identified and solved. Try using the following guide:
S - Situation - "I was working at XYZ corporation last year when... 
C - Challenge - ...we had this major crisis happen in the IT department...
A - Action - ...so rather than sit on my butt and watch it happen, I ...
R - Result - ...and because I took the action, the server came back up quickly and work continued."
Show them you fix problems and you'll get the offer.
Money Maker
Companies ultimately exist to make money. Corporate mission and vision statements aside, it's the whole business of business. Are you a good investment? Will the organization make more money as a result of hiring you? If so, then prepare some stories about how you've helped make money.
Here's an example:
S - Situation - "I was working at XYZ corporation last year when...
C - Challenge - ...I identified a process that seemed to be fraught with rework...
A - Action - ...so rather than sit on my butt and let that process continue, I modified it so that ...
R - Result - ...and because I took the action, we saved over $100,000 last year." Show them you can make money and you'll get the offer.
People Lover
People are an organization's most valuable commodity and also the one that's most difficult to manage. Processes can be fixed but people are much more complex. Demonstrate that you have a heart for people and a great ability to deal with them and you'll be very attractive to an employer.
Here's an example:
S - Situation - "I was working at XYZ corporation 2 years ago when...
C - Challenge - ...I took over the management of a division where there was high employee turnover...
A - Action - ...so rather than sit on my butt and let that continue, I instituted a coaching and feedback system ...
R - Result - ...and because I took the action, our employee retention rate increased by 20%."

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Rabu, 24 November 2010

Competency-Based Interviews: 6 Steps to Success!

Competency-based interviews are intended to get the best from you, the candidate, whilst also fulfilling the needs of the organization to get the very best person for the job. There are some easy steps to make the most of yourself and have a much better chance of success.
  1. Prepare well, but keep it sensible As long as you know the job you are going for, ask for details of what you will be measured against. Ask for a set of competencies. Ask for a job description. This sets you up to succeed, not just because you are better informed, but also because you have asked - which will impress the decision-makers, before you even get there!
  2. Get Creative Here is the time to use your own experiences to create 'stories' which you can use in the actual interview. These 'stories' are real scenarios that you have been a part of, which over a period of days and weeks beforehand, you write up. Maybe you will have 20+ initial ideas.
  3. Leverage! Take the very best scenarios and write them out, bullet points first. Then flesh them out, whilst referring carefully to the competencies you've been given. It is amazing how you can 'tune-in' your scenario to include many, if not all of the competencies. And if you can't fit them all in, there will be a use for them - later!
  4. Practice By reading through your scenarios (and by now you should not have more than six or seven) you will familiarise yourself with the contents, so well, that they will become second nature - even in the scary experience of an interview.
  5. In the Interview There are some tactics in here too!
    • Using your scenarios make just three key points about what you've been asked. Make them relevant and the right 'weight'. Not too long or too short.
    • After that, leave space for them to ask more - that's what they are listening for.
    • Say 'I' a lot - they want to know what your personal involvement and experience was, not 'the team' or 'they'.
    • Have fun - whilst not contrived, smile and make some simple jokes, if you feel comfortable with that - they want to employ happy as well as capable people.
    • Can't answer? That's fine. Make sure that you reflect on your shortcomings by saying things like, 'It's one of the first things I want to develop in my next job - if you did your stuff on your scenarios and your competencies well enough, you will have covered 90% of the bases well and you'll be forgiven for not being 'perfect'. If you are really stumped - say so!
    • Ask questions - relevant, about their culture, focus on developing you, opportunities - the positive 'peopley' things (remember it's your chance to see if you want to work with them!).
    • Also ask about current issues they may be facing - you did do your homework on them, didn't you?
  6. Strong Ending!Keep the whole thing light, even as you leave at the end. Have a conversation in general terms - about anything! Do make sure that you ask them some things that are about them - they will love it if you ask them some open (what, how, when, where, who) general questions about your new job! About something nice in the building or their clothes - take as it comes and do what feels comfortable!

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7 Ways to Shine at Your Next Job Interview

Job interview time!
You’ve managed to secure a job interview for a position that fits you PERFECTLY. Now comes the moment of truth: Are you REALLY ready for the interview?
If you’ve rehearsed what you’re going to say and know the perfect answer to every potential question, you’re half way there. There’s just one important thing you’ve forgotten:
Yourself.
How do you sell yourself and show your potential employer how valuable you can be to their company? You want to make them hire you today and not even think about other applicants.
How do you sell yourself and show your potential employer how valuable you can be to their company? You want to make them hire you today and not even think about other applicants.
You know you’re the right person for the job, so how do you make them see that?
Here are seven simple steps you can take to really make yourself shine during the interview process.
1. Find out everything you can about the company you’d be working for. Who are its customers? What is its mission statement? How does the job you’d be performing relate to the company’s goals? Finding out this type of information gives you great insights about the kinds of questions to ask your interviewer, and shows them that you’ve done your research and already have some background related to the company’s business and objectives.
2. Read over the job description carefully. Analyze your own strengths and see how you can tie them directly to the job description. If you have previous experience, make note of those times where you helped achieve a specific result. Employers give more serious consideration to applicants who have a background and a track record in their industry than those who do not.
3. Make a great first impression. Arrive 15 minutes prior to the interview, dress appropriately, greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and maintain eye contact throughout the interview. Be enthusiastic, personable and outgoing. Show a sincere interest in the people you meet and the work you’d be doing.
4. Show that you can solve problems and work well under pressure, since nearly every job will require both skills. If you can identify a particular problem in your industry or that you may face when doing this job, give the interviewer some ideas of how you would solve it. Be calm, relaxed and confident. Some nervousness is expected, but your overall mannerisms (such as fidgeting, nail-biting, slumping in your chair) will be an instant giveaway on how well you really work under stress. Likewise, if you project confidence and security in how you carry yourself, the interviewer will definitely notice.
5. Ask questions. You should always have questions ready, but if your mind goes blank when asked if you have any questions, consider asking how long the position has open. What’s the company’s track record and turnover rate? Are they performing well and keeping employees on board? Remember, you’re not just selling yourself on how you’d be a great fit for this company, but finding out how this company could also be a great fit for you.
6. Deflect inappropriate questions. If an interviewer asks a question that makes you feel uncomfortable, smile politely and ask, "Why would you like to know?" He or she is prohibited from asking you personal questions, including references to your race, gender, sexual preference, marital status and child care situations. Your interview should be focused on how well you can perform the job, not your home and family life.

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Recently Rejected? Turn It To Your Advantage!

Rejection. All of us have experienced it at some point in our lives. It never feels good. Call it what you want, but accept the fact that ultimately you lost. You were not selected. I particularly like the synonym “spurned.” That really makes you feel great, doesn't it? Got any rocks laying around that you can craw under?
So you have been rejected. Now what? How can you turn this into something positive?
I recently was courted to speak at an upcoming conference. I jumped though all the proverbial hoops and was excited about the opportunity. Then guess what happened? I was uninvited. Yes, my ego was dented. After all, they wanted me. They courted me. Something queered the deal. Was it that they didn't want to pay my fee after they offered me an honorarium? I guess I won’t know. I spent about five minutes feeling sorry for myself and trying to determine the perfect plot to get "even." Then I felt better and was back in the real world.
This wasn't the first time I have been uninvited. The secret is that if you are uninvited (rejected, spurned) you need to learn to turn the situation to your advantage. In this case, I decided to write about the experience and turn it into a positive occurrence. I realized my advice could be helpful because we all face rejection at some point. So what should you do if this happens to you?
First, don’t MOPE. You can feel sorry for yourself and plot for exactly five minutes. After that, get over it! The spurning probably has nothing to do with you or is something so obscure it’s not worth the effort to try and figure it out.
Second, see rejection as an opportunity. If it didn't work out this time maybe it will the next time. Many times when we are rejected, we have a sense of guilt or obligation (especially if you have done a lot preparatory work as I had in this circumstance). Use that energy and emotion to your advantage. Is there other work or different opportunities that you can leverage? Are there other programs where you might be a fit?
In my case, the advance research I did on my topic demonstrated to me that there could be dozens of other conferences that would be interested in hearing me speak. I love the proverb that says when one door closes another will open.
Third, try to establish a bond with the person who has rejected you. If this won’t work now, is there another place it will? Can they refer you somewhere else? Will they tell you the real reason you didn't make the cut?
Finally, be prepared to laugh about the rejection and turn it into a funny personal sound byte. It’s not the end of the world. If this was your first or only rejection, you must be really special. You should send the rejecter a funny card. Send something with humor that will make them feel good about rejecting you (kidding). Send them something that will lighten the moment and make them remember you. You have to know that rejection is not comfortable for anyone – even the rejecter. It’s important for them to have a good feeling about you after the fact so that they will call you the next time they need someone with your expertise.
What about dealing with rejection when it comes in the form of a big fat “no” to your sales pitch? Before you become disillusioned when door after door is closed, consider the law of averages for a sale. After all, you are selling yourself aren't you? The average sales person completes 20 calls to make one sale. Yikes! That's 20 appointments. Did you know that it takes a minimum of seven repetitions of a message before someone assimilates that piece of information?
There is probably no worse ego crushing rejection (skip the ones in your love life) than the one associated the job search. How many resumes do you have to send out to get one call back? Consider this before you get all depressed about the job search. It takes, on average, six months to get a new job. Add to that the rule of thumb that for every $10,000 of salary you can add one month to the job search. So prepare to be turned down most of the time. Always remember, however, that rejection can open a door too. Just because they say no now, doesn't mean they mean no forever.
Here are a few ways to nudge that door open a little faster when you have been rejected for employment:
• Make sure to follow up after you have the interview. Especially if you are told the position went to someone else. My favorite technique is a clever card with a great message. I have created a series of cards for just that purpose. My personal favorite is “I think I bombed the interview” and it has a big bomb on the cover.
• Continue to keep in touch. The person that got the job may decline it or it might fall though. Continue to send relevant articles, news clippings about the your success, the company or upcoming industry conferences, (especially if you are speaking) with a short note. A word of caution: don't go overboard. You are keeping in touch and soft selling yourself, not bombarding them with information.
• If something significant happens to you such as an award promotion, etc., make sure to write a press release and send a copy to all the job contacts.
Rejection will happen throughout your life and sometimes it can be disheartening. However, with these simple strategies you can overcome future obstacles and keep rejection at bay.
1) Share your story with others. You are not the only one that has had a "rejection" experience. The more you can talk about it the more it will diffuse the feeling. It can become a funny story or icebreaker when you are in a group of associates. It’s akin to my "Big Head Bio" story. After relating the experience of how I was accused of having a big head, I turned the negative into a positive and gained a relationship at the same time.
2) Find someone whose opinion you value and relate the experience to them (don't sugarcoat it). Ask them to critique what went wrong (if something did) or make suggestions of how to handle the situation next time.
3) Work out alternative rejection scenarios in your head. The more you become comfortable with it the less likely it is to take you by surprise should it happen.
4) Put yourself in the rejecter’s shoes. Was there something that caused to situation to occur or was it just happenstance? Above all, don't take it personally. It’s a business decision that didn't turn out in your favor.
5) Last but not least, get back on that horse. Seek out a better job or a better promotion. There is always another opportunity waiting in the wings.
It’s the perfect time to start your campaign against rejection. The holidays allow us to send cards and token gifts without recrimination. Put your creative hat on. Don't just go out and buy a box of holiday cards. Be clever. After thanks giving I scoured the stores for a clever memento. Turkeys are a perfect door opener. I found the perfect item-honeycomb turkey place cards at 50% off. I can't imagine what I am going to do with them, but something will come to me. In fact, there are quite a few people I have lost touch with during my recent move. I’ve got it! I am a turkey for not staying in touch. The place cards are fat with a place for a personal message. When they arrive in the envelopes (orange of course) I know the recipients will open them to see what's inside. This is an inexpensive yet creative way to say REMEMBER ME and forget about the REJECTED ME!
When I started my career on the packaging industry I was just a lowly underling with no possibility for advancement. I tried all the "company touted" ways to advance my career to no avail. I was frustrated, disappointed and disenchanted about why no opportunities came my way. I was an excellent worker, on time honest and a top performer so why couldn't the "powers that be" recognize that fact?
It was because I don't understand how to package myself. I didn't know that hard work and good performance DOES NOT equate to career advancement. YES, that's right a good performance does not mean that you will get promoted or a raise.
Visibility is the key: who you know and who knows you is the magic door opener. And only you can make that happen. How much personal marketing have you done? I bet its not much. Its a methodical process that requires a commitment each and every week. And we all know how time crunched you are. But what if you have most of the work done for you and marketing yourself was as simple as filling in the blank.

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Selasa, 23 November 2010

Answering "What's Your Greatest Weakness?"

Many interview guides will tell you to answer the very common "What's your greatest weakness?" question with a positive trait disguised as a weakness. For example, "I tend to expect others to work as hard as I do," or "I'm a perfectionist."
That would be a mistake. Why? Because interviewers have heard these canned answers over and over again.
If you use one of them, it will likely backfire on you. They’l

  • You’re not being honest about your true weaknesses and are just regurgitating someone’s advice;

  • You feel that expecting others to work hard and striving for perfection (or whatever other disguised positive traits you use) are "weaknesses," which makes you look ignorant, naïve and/or lazy;

  • You don’t know how to do an honest self-assessment;

  • Or you’re delusional and think you don’t have any real weaknesses! So state a true weakness! No one is perfect, so don’t try to convince anyone (especially yourself) that you don’t have any weaknesses.
    However, I cannot overemphasize the importance of not listing a key element of the position as a weakness! If you do that, you might as well send yourself the rejection letter.
    Pick a neutral weakness about something that’s not critical to the job. Mention that. Then emphasize what you've done to overcome the weakness.
    This shows that you are honest, that you recognize areas in which you need to grow, and that you are actively seeking ways to improve yourself.
    Sample Answers:
    "I honestly can't think of any weakness that would prevent me from doing an outstanding job for you in THIS position. But in the past, I've had some trouble delegating duties to others. I felt I could do things better and faster myself. This sometimes backfired because I'd end up with more than I could handle and the quality of my work would suffer. But I've taken courses in time management and effective delegation, and I've managed to overcome this weakness." [NOTE: You would not want to use this example for a supervisory position]
    "I honestly can't think of any weakness that would prevent me from doing an outstanding job for you in THIS position. But I’m very weak in math and have to rely on a calculator even for basic computations. I always have one with me just in case a calculation is needed." [NOTE: You would not want to use this example for an accounting position or one that requires math skills!]
    This question really isn't so tricky, once you know what to expect and how to respond

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  • Senin, 22 November 2010

    Your Most Important Asset

    When you're looking to get hired or get promoted, what do you think is your most important asset? Your experience? Knowledge? Skill? Talent?  While all of those are advantages that will help you achieve your goals, there's one thing that's more important than all of them combined.  Your attitude!  I attended a board meeting recently. It should've been spelled "bored." Just about everyone's eyes were glazed over or nearly closed with fatigue as one dull presentation after another was foisted upon the board members, staff and audience.
    Then something changed.
    Someone who had never spoken at a board meeting before got up, went to the lectern, fired up her PowerPoint presentation, and totally blew everyone away!
    People perked up in their seats and listened attentively to her every word.
    When she was done, people clapped! (If you've ever attended a public agency board meeting before, you'll know how remarkable that is!) The board president said, "I've seen hundreds of presentations. This is the first time I've ever seen one that elicited applause!"
    Was this presenter more experienced, more knowledgeable, more skilled or more talented than all the others? Absolutely not. As a fairly new employee, she was actually inferior in all of those areas.
    What made the difference? Her attitude.
    She was enthusiastic, positive, upbeat, energetic and truly excited about what she was talking about!
    It wasn't the quality of her presentation that impressed people, it was how she made them feel. Her enthusiasm was contagious, so the audience greatly enjoyed listening to facts and figures that, presented by someone without her energetic attitude, would've bored them to tears.
    Everyone in that room will remember and think very highly of her--not the more experienced, knowledgeable, skilled or talented presenters--because of her attitude.
    You know why companies conduct time-consuming, labor-intensive job interviews instead of simply hiring people based on the qualifications presented in their resumes? One of the reasons is to find someone they'll enjoy working with.
    This can only be conveyed in person, by your attitude.
    Think of your own co-workers. Who do you enjoy working with? The smart guy who has all the answers but acts superior? The woman who has the most experience but whines or complains whenever she's asked to do something in a new way?
    Or the person who always smiles, listens to you, stays positive, friendly and supportive no matter what? 

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