Networking Survival: 8 Tips for Introverts

August 17, 2010

By Karen Kodzik, Career Management Consultant, Cultivating Careers & Robert Shindell, President & “The Career Doctor” at ILostMyJob.com

A well-crafted and targeted article with tips on how to master the art of networking in a way that works for introverts.

12 Dos and Don’ts for Negotiating Salary in a Tough Economy

July 20, 2010

by Dawn Dugan, Salary.com
In an economy that’s less than robust, more companies than ever are cutting back — not only on their workforce, but also on the compensation and benefits they offer.

Whether you are applying for a new position, or you are just up for your annual review, you might feel lucky to just have a job.  Before you settle, know that you can negotiate a salary in a tough economy. This article explores 12 dos and don’ts that will increase the odds you get what you deserve.

Best formula for selling yourself

July 9, 2010

By Frances Cole Jones, CareerBuilder.com

Here’s the thing: Sometimes we’re selling our ideas, sometimes we’re selling our products and, these days, many of us are selling ourselves as the best candidate for the job. With this in mind, here’s the proven formula for selling your best self to anybody, anywhere, any time.

How to Initiate and Conduct an Informational Interview

June 14, 2010

From timesunion.com
by Tom Denham

You may be thinking, “I know I need to get out there and network, but I don’t even know how to start!” An Informational Interview (also known as networking) is a meeting initiated by you to gather information about a particular field, organization or position. What you learn from experts in the field can help you make a more informed career decision. It can also help you expand your sphere of contacts for future career growth. You will need to be proactive and contact them either by an introductory letter, email or phone call.

To view the whole article, please click here.

Seven Stupid Interview Questions…and What They Really Mean

April 26, 2010

From GovCentral.com:
If you’ve been in the workforce long enough, the same inane questions will continue to creep up in interview after interview. What is your greatest weakness? Where do you see yourself in five years? You know, the small-talk questions that fill up just enough time between the really important questions.

But all those meaningless questions actually have a purpose. That’s why everyone uses them. But what are interviewers really trying to find out with these questions? We’ve put together a guide of the seven “stupidest” interview questions to help decode the underlying meaning.

To see the article and list of questions, please click here.

Mastering the Phone Interview

March 15, 2010

CNN’s Stephanie Elam and Money’s Donna Rosato discuss how to make your next job interview a success.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2010/03/11/elam.state.of.your.job.cnn?hpt=T2

9 Things that Seal the Deal for Hiring Managers

March 8, 2010

From CNN Living:

One thing about the hiring process is true: It leaves much room for speculation. Whether you got the job — or you didn’t — most job seekers want to know why. Why were you chosen over the next guy? Or, better yet, why weren’t you? Was it your experience, your attitude, your interview answers, your outfit?

We decided to ask hiring managers directly: What seals the deal when you choose to hire a candidate? Why do you choose one person over another? Their answers will give you some insight as to what you should pay attention to the next time you’re up for a job.

Here’s what hiring managers had to say…
http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/worklife/02/24/cb.seal.job.interview/index.html?hpt=Sbin

Interviews 101: Clothes

March 2, 2009

Clothes make the man (or woman). Have you ever heard that statement? In most cases this is not true-we are not who we are because of the clothes we wear, but in the interview it is the case. When meeting the employer for the first time our clothes convey an unspoken statement about ourselves. With the right clothes you can say a lot of positive things to your employer, but with the wrong clothes you can say goodbye to your dream job. Martin Yate, writer of “Knock ‘em Dead” a great book to guide you in the job search, sums it up perfectly. “When you dress like a professional, you are likely to be treated as one, and that’s a good head start to give yourself without saying a word” (Knock ‘em Dead, p120). Here are some simple rules to help you decide what to wear for the interview.

Rule 1: Be Conservative (everyone). While at heart you may be the most liberal minded person, you are trying to get a job-not speak out about your personal beliefs through you style of dress. When thinking conservative clothing, think about neutral colors like black, navy, gray, or white, though I would suggest avoiding the white leisure suit. No bright colors, so no hot pinks or teals or purples. You do not want the employer to focus so much on your suit that they are not even listening to you because you chose to wear that purple suit with the black wing tip shoes. Not a good choice.

Rule 2: For the Men When choosing your interview attire remember to keep a professional image in mind. This includes a suit (2 or 3 button), a nice tie, matching shoes (preferably in leather), and a solid or small patterned shirt. Always make sure that your suit fits and does not sag or is to tight. If you do not have a suit you can buy an reasonably priced one from any of the local department stores. Make sure your tie and shirt match your suit. No animal or art inspired ties. Remember to stay conservative.

Rule 3: For the Women Ladies your rules are very similar to the men’s but with a few additions. Women should try to go with skirted suits versus a pant suit. Skirts are the most conservative for women, but if you only have a pant suit do not panic, it is not the end of the world or your job prospect. The skirt of your suit should rest at or just above your knee. It is a nice length that allows you movement but does not show too much leg. Also check the length when you sit down. If it crawls to far up your legs go for another suit.

Rule 4: Jewelry (for everyone)

Again keep it conservative. Only women should wear earrings. Sorry guys leave them at home. For women the earrings should be small and not flashy. No other body piercing should be visible. Rings: only one per hand. And women if you wear a necklace keep it simple. If you have a question about a piece of jewelry better to err on the side of caution and not wear it.

There are a lot of other rules written and unwritten that you should consider when dressing for your interview. Click here for more information about Interview attire at the Virginia Tech’s Career Services. For more tips please go to the Career Center website or visit our office and peruse our reading material.

Do you have any interview clothing stories or tips?

Reference: Yate, Martin. Knock ‘em Dead. Avon, MA: Adams Media. 2006. (This book and others are located in the Career Center library).

 

If At First You Don’t Succeed….(in finding a job)

December 8, 2008

As a child, when I would try something and be unsuccessful, my teachers or family would repeat this old saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!”   Nowhere is this advice more true than in the job search.

The job search always requires persistence and resilience, even in good economic times, but even more so in bad economic conditions like we are now experiencing.  The job search will likely take more time and effort than it may have in the past.  There is no use sugar-coating it, hiding from it or complaining about it.  (Okay, you are allowed to complain a little).

In this economy, you are likely to apply for many, many positions before successfully landing a post-graduate job opportunity.  Upcoming graduates seem to be shocked when we tell them that applying to 3-4 jobs will probably not result in a job offer.  You will most likely have to apply to many more than 3-4 jobs in order to even land an interview!  This is where the persistence part comes in.  Apply to as many jobs as possible, as long as they are opportunities that interest you in some way, or will provide you with skills and experience you need to move to the next level.  Also, if you aren’t getting interviews for the types of jobs you desire because you lack experience, look for positions that are the next level below the type of job to which you aspire.  Depending on the career field you are seeking to enter, this may be the only way to gain a position, due to the levels of competition for certain types of career opportunities.

Rejection is also just part of the process. You will apply to jobs, and despite following up with the employer with a well thought out phone call or email, you won’t hear back from them at all.  You’ll interview for positions and be turned down.  Here is where the resilience comes in…pick yourself up and just keep applying and interviewing.  Don’t let the rejection get you down, because this will negatively affect the next interview.  Learn from each experience and you’ll do better the next time.  And don’t eliminate a company just because they turn you down – if they have other jobs later on, apply for those as well!  Sometimes the employer may like you, but just not think you’re the right fit for one position – but you may be the right fit for a different one!   (Yours truly would not be writing this blog entry if I had given up on the College of Charleston – I applied twice for the exact same position.  I was rejected the first time, but the second time…well, here I am!)

If you have questions or concerns about how to conduct an effective job search make an appointment to see a staff member in the Career Center.  We’d be happy to assist you in developing your own personalized job search plan of action.

Top 10 Ways to Ace the Interview

November 10, 2008

10. Dress the part! Come to the interview in professional business suit. This will impress the interviewer and they will be able to picture you working in their office.

9. Maintain eye contact! This is a simple but effective way to show confidence in yourself and your abilities.

8. Speak clearly and smoothly. You want the interviewer to understand you so no slang and no filler words to jumble up your answers. Also, if you have a thick accent try to enunciate clearly.

7. Arrive early for the interview. Show up to the interview at least 15 minuets in advance, yes you may have to wait but it is all about the company—not you.

6. Be familiar with the position you are applying for. While this may seem very obvious, know the title and duties of the position you are applying for, you do not want to make a fool of yourself when you have to ask the “stupid” questions.

5. Take notes during the interview. This is a way to show the interviewer that you are really interested in the position and the company plus it will help you later when you have to way different options. But don’t forget to give the interviewer your undivided attention.

4. Ask questions. This is another way to show interest in the position. If you do not ask questions the interviewer may perceive you as uninterested and pass you by.

3. Do your research before hand. This will not only help you develop questions to ask the interviewer but it will be a gold star for you in their eyes. Showing knowledge about the company shows your interest and helps with conversation.

2. Act like everyone you talk to is interviewing you. This includes the secretary, all the employees you are introduced to, everyone! While these people may not be part of the formal interview, it is part of an informal interview—they will all share their notes afterwards and you want to make a great impression.

1. Know yourself! You’re most likely thinking that this is the easiest thing but it is hard for some. You need to not only know all of your past experiences but know where you want to go and where you are currently. This will come in handy when the interviewer asks you “Why should I hire you?”

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