How to Decode a Job Posting

It gives you much more valuable information than you may realize.

by Jerome Young, Forbes.com

During your job search you will review hundreds of job postings. Some will be very well written and provide quality information, while others will tell you little about the employer's needs. The majority of them have a similar format and characteristics, and they provide insight into what the employer wants--if you know what to look for.


As the founder of AttractJobsNow.com, I have conducted extensive research on the job market and the recruiting process employers use to find and choose candidates to fill open requisitions. In the process I've learned a lot about what you can divine from a simple job posting.

Postings can be written by a hiring manager or a recruiter, but it's usually the recruiter who receives and screens the applications. With this in mind you should be sure that your resume will make a recruiter feel confident that you are qualified. By making the most of the insight you can glean from the following three sections of a typical job posting, you can better position yourself to impress recruiters and get interviews:

The job title
Every job posting includes a job title. It is often what first piques your interest in the posting, and it's the first thing the hiring manager thought of when he or she decided to create the position. Most job seekers overlook the intelligence the job title provides and suffer for it. The job title gives you the most likely keywords that will be used to find qualified candidates for the job, and because of that you can use it to your advantage.

At AttractJobsNow.com we use the job title as our guide in creating effective customized resumes by ensuring that each candidate's summary statement and areas of expertise are in line with the job title. We ensure that the words in the job title appear prominently throughout the resume, so that our clients will appear at the top of candidate searches. As a result, more than 95 percent of our candidates succeed in getting job interviews at their companies of interest.

Responsibilities
The responsibilities section describes what will be expected of the employee in the position. You'll often find that there are five to 10 bullet points in this section, but in our research with recruiters and hiring managers we've found that the first three responsibilities are the most important. Job postings are usually based on a primary business need to which additional responsibilities are added to create a full-time position. Your resume should focus on your experience, results, and accomplishments in the tasks outlined in the first three bullets in the responsibilities section. Also you'll find keywords in those first three bullets that recruiters will use in searching for qualified candidates.

Qualifications
The qualifications section provides insight into the experience, skills, and education the hiring manager has in mind for the person they feel will be capable of excelling in the role. As in the responsibilities section, the first three qualifications are usually the most important. If you meet those top three qualifications, you should directly say so in the summary section at the top of your resume, to instantly inform the hirer that you're qualified and to persuade them to read the rest of your resume. If you don't meet the top three qualifications but have others strengths that qualify you to excel, definitely mention them in your summary section.

Taking the time to analyze job postings and customize your resume based on their job titles, responsibilities, and qualifications is often the difference between receiving interviews and being screened out of the recruiting process.

Jerome Young is the founder and president of AttractJobsNow.com, a job search and recruiting consulting firm.

Job Info , Jobs , Employment

Are You a Professional?

Source : Tipsforsuccess. org

How you look, talk, write, act and work determines whether you are a professional or an amateur. Society does not emphasize the importance of professionalism, so people tend to believe that amateur work is normal. Many businesses accept less-than-good results.

Schools graduate students who cannot read. You can miss 15% of the driving-test answers and still get a driver license. "Just getting by" is an attitude many people accept. But it is the attitude of amateurs.

"Don't ever do anything as though you were an amateur.

"Anything you do, do it as a Professional to Professional standards.

"If you have the idea about anything you do that you just dabble in it, you will wind up with a dabble life. There'll be no satisfaction in it because there will be no real production you can be proud of.

"Develop the frame of mind that whatever you do, you are doing it as a professional and move up to professional standards in it.

"Never let it be said of you that you lived an amateur life.

"Professionals see situations and they handle what they see. They are not amateur dabblers.

"So learn this as a first lesson about life. The only successful beings in any field, including living itself, are those who have a professional viewpoint and make themselves and ARE professionals" — L. Ron Hubbard

A professional learns every aspect of the job. An amateur skips the learning process whenever possible.

A professional carefully discovers what is needed and wanted. An amateur assumes what others need and want.

A professional looks, speaks and dresses like a professional. An amateur is sloppy in appearance and speech.

A professional keeps his or her work area clean and orderly. An amateur has a messy, confused or dirty work area.

A professional is focused and clear-headed. An amateur is confused and distracted.

A professional does not let mistakes slide by. An amateur ignores or hides mistakes.

A professional jumps into difficult assignments. An amateur tries to get out of difficult work.

A professional completes projects as soon as possible. An amateur is surrounded by unfinished work piled on top of unfinished work.

A professional remains level-headed and optimistic. An amateur gets upset and assumes the worst.

A professional handles money and accounts very carefully. An amateur is sloppy with money or accounts.

A professional faces up to other people’s upsets and problems. An amateur avoids others’ problems.

A professional uses higher emotional tones: Enthusiasm, cheerfulness, interest, contentment. An amateur uses lower emotional tones: anger, hostility, resentment, fear, victim.

A professional persists until the objective is achieved. An amateur gives up at the first opportunity.

A professional produces more than expected. An amateur produces just enough to get by.

A professional produces a high-quality product or service. An amateur produces a medium-to-low quality product or service.

A professional earns high pay. An amateur earns low pay and feels it’s unfair.

A professional has a promising future. An amateur has an uncertain future.

The first step to making yourself a professional is to decide you ARE a professional.

Are you a professional?

Job Info , Jobs , Career

Avoid Unexpected Wardrobe Problems

By Tamara Dowling, CPRW

You have pressed the suit, coordinated matching accessories, and polished your shoes. You are sure to walk in the door looking like a winner. With 30 minutes to spare, you sit down for your breakfast. Right on cue, you dribble juice down the white shirt and slide your sleeve in the butter. That is just one of many mishaps that can add stress to the big interview day.

Here are some quick tips to save you. Have breakfast in your dressing robe. Don't dress until you are ready to head out the door. Pack these items for wardrobe emergencies:

• Safety pins and a mini stapler for torn hemlines.
• "Tide to Go" stain remover.
• White cloth and a bottle of water works well to remove soil from shoes.
• Ladies, an extra pair of hosiery is a must.
• Mini sewing kit for popped buttons.
• Grooming essentials (mints, comb, tissues, lipstick)

There are many important things to pack, rehearse, and remember for your interview. However, you are judged by your appearance in those early seconds, so make sure you look your best!

Job Info , Jobs , Employment

My Uncomfortable Secret to Motivation

A five-letter word is my secret.

As you probably know, routine casts a trance-like power with devastating impact. As a result, it is an absolute necessity to break free of its grasp.

If you can't find a way out of the vicious pattern and into a new set of thoughts, feelings, and actions, you have no hope of changing or improving your life.

Consider this five-letter word my guaranteed release.

Working with remarkable speed, it personally shakes me out of autopilot, delivers an eye-opening wake-up call, and motivates with more force than anything I know.

Not bad for a five-letter word.

My hope--and my assumption--is that it will have the same positive effect on you.

The Word, My Release

I know a time will come when I'll no longer be able to act on the things I want, the things I've dreamed about experiencing and things I've always wished to become.

I will have to let them go. I will have to let go of all those exciting ideas I tossed about in my mind, all the goals carefully constructed while daydreaming.

They will have to be put to rest, once and for all. And I will never experience them.

Never.

This is a frightening thought for me. It is startling, can be gut-wrenching, and tip-toes toward terrifying.

But it's also something else. And it's here, on the other side of the coin, that I find my secret.

The Flip-Side of the Word

Coming to grips with reality can be scary.

So much so, that most men and women choose the other door. They hide from the truth and tuck their dreams into the fairytale 'someday.'

'I'll do it someday...someday.'

A sigh of relief follows and it's back to the safe and comfy routine. No need to face fears, no need to rise to challenges, no need to take action. That will all happen someday--but not today.

If only this were true. It is not.

Here is the truth: Someday eventually meets the edge of the cliff. Someday eventually runs out.

Someday eventually turns into never.

Frightening? Perhaps. But it's also your way out. It's also your release from the routine that strangles your hopes and dreams.

By focusing intently--and I mean intently-- on 'never,' in regard to your lifelong wishes and wants, you will be shocked out of your pattern of procrastination and jolted into a new mindset.

You'll have the motivation you need to stop hesitating because you know, without question, if you keep it up, you'll never experience the life you've been waiting for all these years.

Without action, talk is only noise. Below is what I do in particular to get the most out of this five-letter word. It's something you can do, anytime and any place, to dismantle procrastination and ignite your inner drive.

Action Steps - Short & Sweet

Think of something you want. Not a lip-service dream, but something you truly desire, something either for yourself or for someone else.

Our results have shown that people imagine themselves experiencing the joys of progress or success when asked to think of a goal.

This time I want you to do the opposite.

I want you to imagine, vividly, that your idea, your chosen dream or goal, cannot happen. No matter what you do, you'll never get it. Never. Never.

If you do it right, you'll feel anxious, like you have to get up out of your seat right now and do something before time runs out. This is the power of 'never.'

Don't hide from the truth. Let it smack you in the face and punch you in the gut. Only then can it snap you out of the routine and drive you into action. Only then can it change your life.

If you don't do something now, you may never do it then.

Never hide, never avoid, never run from 'never.' Use it as a fire to place beneath your greatest ideas and accept it as a truth that can set you free.

Embrace...'never.'

Job Info , Jobs , Employment

10 Effective Employee Benefit Ideas from Google Headquarters

Google’s founders often state that the company is not serious about anything but search. They built a company around the idea that work should be challenging and the challenge should be fun.


To that end, Google’s culture is unlike any in corporate America, and it’s not because of the whimsical lava lamps and large rubber balls, or the fact that one of the company’s chefs used to cook for the Grateful Dead. In the same way Google puts users first when it comes to online services, Google puts employees first when it comes to daily life in its offices.


“The goal is to strip away everything that gets in our employees’ way. We provide a standard package of fringe benefits, but on top of that are first-class dining facilities, gyms, laundry rooms, massage rooms, haircuts, carwashes, dry cleaning, commuting buses – just about anything a hardworking employee might want. Let’s face it: programmers want to program, they don’t want to do their laundry. So we make it easy for them to do both.” Eric Schmidt, CEO Google


Benefits Philosophy: We strive to be innovative and unique in all services we provide both to customers and employees, including our benefits and perks offerings. We realize and celebrate that our employees have diverse needs, and that this diversity requires flexible and individually directed support. Our priority is to offer a customizable program that can be tailored to the specific needs of each individual, whether they enjoy ice climbing in Alaska, want to retire by age 40, or plan to adopt 3 children (Google Jobs).


When you take a close look at these employee benefits Google provides, you will see a common thread that indicates how much Google sees their employees as a close-knit family. The thought, consideration and assistance they offer, with their employees' needs being the focus, is the glue that keeps their workers happy, healthy and financially taken care of.



10 Simple and Effective and Effective Employee Benefits You Can Learn from Google:

Here are some of the benefits, other than the standard good health care and retirement plans, that people who work at Google love. Maybe you can incorporate some of these ideas into your Employee Benefits Package:

1. 529 College Savings Plan. Now, this is an incredible benefit that provides a way for employees to save part of their paychecks for post-secondary education for themselves or their children.

This plan is another offering besides Google's Flex Spending Account and their matching 401(k) Plan options.

2. Maternity Leave. Google offers up to 18 weeks off at about 100% of an employee's regular pay. That's especially generous because many large corporations only give up to four weeks' paid.

Check this out: on top of the fantastic paid leave, new moms and dads are able to have take-out meals covered up to $500 during the first 3 months they are home with the new baby.

3. Parental Leave. This is a special benefit for non-primary caregivers. For example, if your sister wound up in the hospital and needed you to fly out to care for your nieces and nephews, you get up to 7 weeks off, paid at approximately 100%.

4. Employee Referral Program. Google's motto is, "Good people know other good people," and encourages recommendations of candidates for openings. If they hire your referral and remains employed at Google for at least two months, the referrer (you) gets a nice bonus.

5. Back-Up Child Care. If your babysitter doesn't show or your daycare suddenly closed its doors one morning, Google will provide five days of free childcare through Children's Creative Learning Center (CCLC), for ages 6 weeks to 12 years of age.

6. Gift-Matching Program. Let it never be said that Google doesn't contribute to charity and go the extra mile to encourage their employees to get more mileage out of their charitable dollars.

Google matches contribution of up to $3000 per year from eligible employees to non-profit organizations, says the Google site. "Bolstering employees contributions to worthy causes with matching gifts doesn't just mean helping hundreds of organizations, both locally and globally, it's also a tangible expression."

7. Adoption assistance. Google assists their employees by offering financial help in the adoption of a child.

Google will reimburse the adoptive parents up to $5,000 for legal expenses, adoption agencies, or any other professional adoption fees. On top of this, parental leave and take-out benefits also apply here.

8. Financial Planning Classes. Google provides their employees with objective and conflict-free financial education courses that are comprehensive and cover a wide variety of financial topics---free.

In addition to these courses, Google offers EAP, an Employee Assistance Program that provides services for employees and their dependents that include free short-term counseling, legal consultations, child care referrals, and even pet care referrals.

9. Great On-Site Services. Google headquarters in Mountain View, California provides their employees with an on-site oil change, car wash, massage therapy, dry cleaning, hair stylist, gym, fitness classes and bicycle repair.

In addition to these services, gourmet chefs create a wide variety of healthy and delicious---and free---lunches and dinners for Google's employees. Google also offers satisfying snacks in between meals.

10. On-Site Doctor. Also at Google's Mountain View headquarters, employees have the convenience of seeing a doctor for medical attention right on-site.

This perk could save having an employee leave the workplace in order to be seen by a medical professional.

Important Points to Remember when Adding Employee Benefits to your Business:

• Make sure your benefits and rewards match the accomplishments. In other words, a reward does not need to cost a lot of money; what matters is that the benefits is of value to the employee.
• Center your company benefits around your employees' needs.
• Be fair with reward systems. Make sure that whatever benefit or reward system you set up can never be construed into “playing favorites.”
• Don’t let your mood(s) dictate when to offer benefits or rewards to employees for jobs well-done. Employees can detect when an employer is sincere when showing appreciation.
• Never use benefits or rewards as leverage to get what you want. Don’t put a reward in place for everyone and then use it against everyone---for lack of performance by one or two people---by taking it away. Again, be fair to all.
• Learn to incorporate and give rewards to the right employees for the right reasons.

Job Info , Jobs , Employment

How to Boost Your Personal Power and Command of Life

Source : Tipsforsuccess.org

You are about to read about one of the most effective self-improvement tools ever discovered. This one technique can do more for your mental strength, job performance and overall competence than dozens of self-help books or motivational seminars.

This simple formula eliminates self-criticism, fear and stress. It is applicable to any situation and works every time. You can use it repeatedly without limitation.

L. Ron Hubbard discovered the KRC Triangle in 1960.

"THE K-R-C TRIANGLE"

"The points are K for KNOWLEDGE, R for RESPONSIBILITY and C for CONTROL."

"It is difficult to be responsible for something or control something unless you have KNOWLEDGE of it."

"It is folly to try to control something or even know something without RESPONSIBILITY."

"It is hard to fully know something or be responsible for something over which you have no CONTROL, otherwise the result can be an overwhelm."

"Little by little one can make anything go right by

"INCREASING KNOWLEDGE . . . ,"

"INCREASING RESPONSIBILITY . . . ,"

"INCREASING CONTROL . . . ."

"If one sorts out any situation one finds oneself in on this basis, he will generally succeed."

"By inching up each corner of the KRC triangle bit by bit, ignoring the losses and making the wins firm, a being at length discovers his power and command of life." — L. Ron Hubbard

KRC Triangle Application Recommendations

Select a problem and write it down or type it into your computer. Then write or type the answers for each of these five steps.

1. Raise the Knowledge corner.

How can you increase your knowledge about the problem? What do you need to learn about it? What should you study to better understand the problem?

2. Raise the Responsibility corner.

How can you take more ownership for the problem? What parts of the problem are you responsible for? Can you accept responsibility for the parts you did not cause?

3. Raise the Control corner.

What part of the problem can you control? How could you take a little more control for the other parts?

4. Ignore the losses.

If you focus on losses or failures, they get bigger and more overwhelming. You then pull in even more losses. So find ways to ignore these losses.

If ignoring losses is difficult, try writing them down on a sheet of paper and then destroy the paper. Shift your attention. Stop talking or thinking about them. Avoid people who bring them up. Move on.

If you catch yourself dwelling on losses, knock it off. Put your attention elsewhere. Stop talking about losses. And learn to ignore the failures of others as well.

5. Make the wins firm.

What can you do to make your successes firm? How can you solidify them?

Maybe you can write them down or put them on a wall. Keep a record of your wins. Talk about them to everyone you can. Celebrate them.

Also, make a habit of finding and focusing on the wins of others. The more attention you put on success, the more success you get.

Some of your answers to these questions are easy, enjoyable steps. Do those right now! You will see a sudden improvement in the problem.

Then do the tougher steps you wrote. Once you start on them you will find they are not so tough after all.

If following these five steps does not completely solve the problem, repeat the steps until the problem is gone forever.

As well as solving problems for you, these steps will start to bring out the best in you. You will discover a new sense of command over life that you have always had, but never used.

Use the KRC Triangle to release the real powerhouse you know that you are.

Job Info , Jobs , Employment

12 Steps To A Promotion

By : Edward Chalmers

Climbing the corporate ladder requires hard work, good timing and a little bit of luck. It would be great if your academic credentials, job skills and performance reviews would magically open the doors to the executive suite, but life's not like that. You need to create and execute your own plan.

Here are some tips to help you land that promotion.

1- Master your current job

Even if you're not interested in making your present position your life's work, give it your very best. Keep track of your accomplishments. Find ways to increase productivity. Offer well-researched suggestions that will reduce costs. Accept constructive criticism. Always be prepared to deal with any situation without becoming defensive, blaming others or blowing your professional image.

2- Volunteer to take on (valuable) extra tasks

Plan your strategy. Sometimes it's better to take on a series of smaller tasks instead of a flashy major project in addition to your regular workload. While others are vying for the more visible responsibilities, you'll be proving your worth and value by efficiently taking care of the less coveted ones.

3- Make your boss look good

Even if you do not particularly like your current manager, make it your goal to ensure the department is successful. When your boss gets promoted, someone has to take his place. Why shouldn't it be you? When you're seen as knowledgeable, skilled and interested, you'll be considered promotable. Just don't be a brownnoser or tie yourself too closely to your boss. If he's fired for incompetence, you don't want to be guilty by association.

4- Stay in close contact with the HR department

Making friends with people in personnel will help you find out quickly about upcoming openings. Your human resources department can also advise you of available training opportunities. Let it be known that you have long-term goals with the company. When decisions are being made for career development opportunities, you want to be on the HR short list.

5- Maintain positive relationships with the staff

You're not going to like everyone you work with, but no one else needs to know it. Be polite, considerate and courteous at all times. Be a team player and share accolades with others. By acknowledging the efforts of other employees, you'll earn their trust and respect. And watch your reputation: Keep your personal relationships private and don't do or say anything you might regret in the office, on business trips or at company functions.

Show off those skills, teach someone your position and always look good

6- Let your leadership skills shined

Every rung on the corporate ladder requires a strong image as a natural leader. Offer encouragement to others in the office, recognize special achievements and, on occasion, organize office outings. Getting the staff together for a beer after work is a great team-building tool.

7- Groom a successor

If you're the only one who can do your job, guess what? You'll be doing it forever. Share your knowledge and skills. When you're going on vacation, ask other people to handle aspects of your job and teach them how to do them well.

8- Get a mentor

Find someone you trust, preferably a senior manager or director with a lot of experience and a large network. Ask for advice. Discuss your career goals with him and plan your strategy. Sometimes you need to take a lateral transfer to gain a different type of skill in order to return to your preferred area in a higher position of authority.

9- Take additional training

No matter what your educational background is, there's always more you could learn. Look into night courses, seminars and workshops, and ask your mentor and your boss if they would add value to the company. Read business publications and books. Sign up for online informational newsletters. Stay up-to-date on your industry as a whole, not just your job.

10- Look presentable at all times

It's difficult to see vice president-potential in someone who constantly dresses down. If khakis and polo shirts are the standard in your office, make sure yours are clean, well-pressed and of good quality. Have a sports jacket handy in case you're called to an important meeting in the executive offices. Keep your hair stylish and your shoes polished.

11- Perfect your elevator pitch

You never know when opportunity will knock. If you meet the CEO, introduce yourself in a way that will leave him wanting to learn more about you. When networking or meeting clients, you want them to remember you for the right reasons. Never brag and don't be pushy. Ambition is an admirable trait unless you're perceived as being an egotistical showoff.

12- Watch your timing

It's usually better not to ask for a promotion. Avoid bringing this up when your boss is obviously stressed and has a strict deadline to meet. Choose the time wisely and let it be known that you feel ready to take on additional responsibilities. Try not to show you are in a rush for a raise and a new title.

Be patient.
promotions don't just happen
You cannot expect to be offered a promotion based solely on merit, potential or seniority, and there will be times when someone seemingly less qualified is offered a position you feel you deserve. Don't quit in a childish huff or you'll prove that you weren't the right person for the job. Hang in there and continue following these tips. An even better position may become available or the incumbent will fail miserably and you'll be promoted to replace him.

Remain focused on your long-term career goals. Maintain your integrity, your confidence and your efforts, and you'll get yourself promoted.

Job Info , Jobs , Employment

Six Secrets Of Successful Networking

By: Victoria K. Munro

Networking is an art as well as a highly effective tool to grow most any business. Anyone can become an effective networker and enjoy the process, provided they're willing to invest a little time and energy. Just showing up and hoping for the best won't result in success. Apply the Six Secrets below and make networking work for you and your business.

Secret #1: Keep an Upbeat Attitude
Attitude is critical. Failure to maintain a positive, enthusiastic attitude towards networking is guaranteed to diminish your success. Put yourself in a good frame of mind by remembering that you can learn and benefit from everyone you meet.

Focus on what you'll gain. For example, you can:
• Get to know potential power partners and people who might be able to help your clients or who might eventually become clients themselves.
• Learn from other people's experiences as you listen to them.
• Make new friends.

Secret #2: Go with a Game Plan
Wear something unique that stands out and makes it easier for others to ask you questions and start a conversation. Pins, custom nametags or embroidered logos can also pique someone's curiosity and beg a question.

Create meaningful conversational starters. Instead of asking, "What do you do?" when you meet new people, you could ask:
• What do you enjoy most about networking?
• What do you find most rewarding (or challenging) about being a business owner?
• What are you passionate about?

Secret #3: Craft a Dynamic 30-Second Commercial
At most networking functions, you will be repeatedly asked what you do. Respond with a commercial that is:
• Emotionally engaging
• Memorable
• Succinct -- don't ramble
• Sincere and caring -- expressing genuine passion for what you do
• Intriguing -- causing people to ask more questions

Use strong visual language -- word pictures they'll remember. This will make it easier for them to refer you when they meet someone who needs your products or services. A friend who operates a pest control company gave the same short message at his leads group each week. "If it moves and you don't want it to, call me!" No one ever forgot what he did. A children's portrait photographer encourages potential clients to buy the gift that she guarantees mom-in-law will never return. Always focus on the benefits you offer.

Secret #4: Get a Great Business Card
Always carry an adequate supply of business cards, and make sure that your card truly reflects who you are and what you do. This may be the only representation of you and your company you'll leave with someone. Hire an expert to create a card that clearly, attractively and accurately portrays who you are and what you offer. A creative tag line can help explain even a complex concept and make it memorable.

Secret #5: Don't Focus on the Food
Plan to eat before arriving at an event. If that isn't possible, take care of your hunger first, then start networking. Don't try to mix the two. It's impossible to give someone your full attention while balancing a plate and glass and digging in a purse or pocket for a business card.

Secret #6: Make a Fabulous First Impression
There are no second chances at making a fabulous first impression! Business is built on relationships, and you're there to start building new relationships, not to sell your products or services. A key to making a good first impression is ensuring that the other person feels important, allowing him or her to bask in the spotlight.

Apply the secrets above and develop the fine art of networking to grow your business.

Job Info , Jobs , Employment

Networking To Find A Job

By: David J Clemen

The best and most common way to find out about open positions is through networking. Networking is all about talking to people. As you talk to people your network begins to grow. Once you have built that network it will grow and grow as you communicate with more people. That network will be a valuable resource to gain advice, information and other support to help you be successful professionally.

Networking is not just about calling everyone you know both personally and professionally and asking if they know of any open job positions. An effective networker will take a much different approach.

First they will start by listing as many names of contacts they have that they can possibly think of. This list can consist of both personal and professional contacts. The very next step is to put together some type of presentation. It is important to remember at this stage it is not about just calling up and asking if they know of anyone hiring. The initial goal is to be seeking career and industry advice. The reason you are doing this is because you will not come off as a desperate job seeker but someone doing research. If you just ask about open positions they will quickly say “no” and that will be the end of it. What you want to do is build an active network that will be keeping you in mind when something does cross their path. Here is a better way to approach it a good suggestion for your networking presentation.

“Hi Bob, Jim Jones at ABC Company suggested that I give you a call. Jim and I have worked together over the years and he mentioned you work in the software industry and are the VP of Product Development. I am a programmer and feel you could probably give me some valuable career advice. I would really appreciate some of your time. Would you be available for a cup of coffee next week?”

You did not ask for a job but advice. There is a big difference. People are always willing to help someone that has made them feel good about themselves and who appears to be genuinely appreciative of their time. This approach can be utilized in many ways. You can ask for job hunting advice (resume, cover letter, etc...), industry advice, contacts, industry information and much more. As these people are giving you advice they are learning more and more about your experience and qualifications. Making them a very effective tool for you to identify open positions.

By having these conversations you now have people that are familiar with you keeping you in mind for positions. Also always remember to send a thank you letter to these people. It will go a very long way.

Job Info , Jobs , Employment

Acing the Behavioral Interview

by : Jeanne Knight

Behavioral interviewing is an interviewing technique created in the 1970s by industrial psychologists that has become quite popular with employers. The premise behind behavioral interviewing is that the most accurate predictor of future performance is past performance in a similar situation. For those unfamiliar with this interviewing style, a behavioral interview can be a challenging experience.

Unlike traditional interviewing, which requires opinion-based answers to questions (Tell me about yourself. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why do you want to work for this company?), behavioral interviewing requires job candidates to relate stories about their past employment behaviors. These stories are prompted by questions directly related to the skill sets the company has determined are needed for a position.

So, if a particular job requires strong communication and team- building skills, then, in a behavioral interview, candidates would be asked to recount past accomplishments in those areas. Behavioral interview questions often start with phrases like, "Tell me about a time when..." or "Describe a situation in which..." or "Give me an example of..."

The challenge with the behavioral-interviewing style is that, while your skills and experiences could be a perfect match for a position you are seeking, an interviewer could discount your candidacy if you are unprepared for, or struggle with, the behavioral-interview format.

So, how do you prepare for a behavioral interview? First, you'll want to put yourself in the shoes of the prospective employer and imagine what the ideal candidate for the position you are considering would look like from the hiring decision-maker's perspective. Then, take some time to thoroughly review the job posting and job description if you can get it) and research the company and its culture. Look for cues about which skills are necessary for the job and which are highly valued by the organization. Then, based on your research, identify the skills the successful candidate would have and the behavioral-based questions that correlate to those skills and might be asked in an interview.

Following are examples of skill sets and some associated behavioral-based questions. [Editor's note: While the number and nature of behavioral questions that could be asked is virtually limitless -- thus making behavioral interviews difficult to prepare for -- the questions lusted below provide the flavor of the type of key skills that employers may probe and the questions they may ask to do so.


DECISION MAKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING

• Describe a situation in which you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.
• Give me an example of a time when you had to be quick in coming to a decision.

LEADERSHIP

• Have you ever had trouble getting others to agree with your ideas? How did you deal with the situation and were you successful?
• Describe the most challenging group from which you've had to gain cooperation.

MOTIVATION

• Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond the call of duty.
• Give me an example of a situation in which you positively influenced the actions of others.

COMMUNICATION

• Describe a situation in which you were able to successfully communicate with another individual who did not personally like you (or vice versa).
• Give me an example of a time you had to use written communication to convey an important argument or idea.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

• Give me examples of what you've done in the past to contribute to a teamwork environment.
• Give an example of an unpopular decision you've made, what the result was, and how you managed it.

PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION

• When scheduling your time, what is your method for deciding which items are priorities?
• Describe how you've handled a sudden interruption to your schedule.

Developing Stories as Responses
Once you've determined which behavioral-based questions you might be asked during an interview, look back on your past experiences and develop stories to answer those questions. Your stories should be detailed, yet succinct, and should always include the following three elements:

• A description of a specific, real-life situation or challenge you encountered.
• A description of the tasks and actions you took to overcome that challenge.
• A summary of the results of those actions. (Try to quantify these results whenever possible.)

Sample Behavioral Interview Response
Here is a sample answer to a behavioral interview question that incorporates each of these elements:

Question: Give an example of a goal you reached and tell me how you achieved it. Response: Because of cuts in funding to our adult continuing education program, we faced the daunting goal of drastically reducing our promotional budget without sacrificing our media presence in the community. As program coordinator, I researched alternatives to the effective yet costly course brochure the program produced and distributed biannually to an average of 60,000 residents in our service region. I successfully negotiated with two local newspapers to produce and distribute a new course brochure that increased distribution by 33 percent to 80,000 residents and decreased costs by 50 percent.

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Secrets You Need To Keep From Friends at Office

Socialize it shall be done in your work. Maintain a good relationship with colleagues not only makes your job so much more smoothly, but also make you more comfortable in doing your job. Friendly environment is one factor that can make an employee eager to complete their responsibilities.

Good relationships with colleagues sometimes can be developed into every a good friend. You spend time with him after work hours, 'chat' about personal matters or on the job. Yet, as intimate as you intimately with colleagues, there are limitations on what can you 'talked about' with them. Among them are as follows:



Your efforts to find a new job. Maybe you're excited when you found a suitable job opportunity or be called for tests and interviews. You want to immediately share stories with people closest to you, including a friend who is an office colleague. However, no matter how much desire, you better hold 'lust' storytelling. It is not impossible this news will be circulated among the management and they start to doubt your loyalty to the company, though you are determined to continue to fulfill your responsibility to find a new job. If you find that you will decide to stay in the company right now, this issue will affect the possibility of promotion that you will receive.



Salaries and allowances amount you receive. Salary is a sensitive issue that should not be discussed with other employees. Even some companies cautioned to any matters relating to the amount of salary, allowances or bonuses are not discussed with other employees. The goal is not arise the atmosphere of unpleasant and unconducive to work because another co-worker's salary envy. HRD has its own assessment to determine the amount of salary. This is sometimes not known to all employees so they feel better able to assess the salary received by them and other employees.


Problems about other coworkers or about your boss. Not all day is sunny day at work. Sometimes you have to get unpleasant treatment from your employer, who brought forward the deadline suddenly or work to be revised on a total of over a member of your team whose job it is incompetent. I think you want to 'explode' moment and express your resentment and anger against a boss or colleague to a friend's office. But be careful with these measures. Discuss colleague or boss behind them will affect less well for you. like you're creating a self image as professionals and employees who do not respect your boss, like finding trouble or trouble maker. It is not impossible they also assume you are inciting to hate the boss or other colleagues. In addition, publicly or openly express dislike you will create an uncomfortable work environment for other employees.



Personal Life. Sometimes complaining can make you feel lighter in the face of problems. But get used to not explore your personal problems to a friend's office. There is no point in telling your love story failure, the amount of your current boyfriend, an argument with husband or boyfriend. Instead you will be judged as someone who can not handle your own problems. Moreover, even if you feel you are close to a friend's office, he may not feel comfortable listening to all your stories and laments.


Chat that is racial. It is no longer its time talking about things related and offensive racial. Particularly in the office. Do not let your campaign is blocked in the future because you never reveal your preferences about racial intolerance of other employees in the office.
Have you ever falsified a letter you sick. Sometimes due to reasons saturated, or bored there are times when you are not eager to work and choose to lie to say that you are sick to the boss. Saturation is the thing that's understandable, but lying and skipping work is not something to be proud of, much less to say to a friend's office.

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Lebih Mengenal Head Hunter

Pernahkah Anda mendengar istilah head hunter? Jika belum, head hunter adalah istilah yang digun

akan untuk menyebut para konsultan yang jasanya dipercaya oleh para perusahaan untuk mencari atau hunt para top professional atau senior executive dengan keahlian spesifik dan khusus, yang tidak bisa atau jarang ditemukan dengan iklan lowongan kerja biasa.

Dikalangan professional atau high level executive, ada kebanggaan tersendiri jika mereka sudah dihubungi oleh head hunter. Hal tersebut menandakan bahwa reputasi, kredibilitas dan prestasi kerja mereka dikenali dan dibutuhkan. Karena itulah telepon dari head hunter sering kali diidentikkan dengan kabar gembira bagi para eksekutif karena besar kemungkinan mereka akan ditawari pekerjaan yang mungkin saja lebih baik dan memberikan kompensasi lebih.

Bagaimana cara head hunter mencari kandidat ?

Setelah mendapatkan kualifikasi spesifik mengenai posisi yang dibutuhkan dari HRD perusahaan, head hunter akan mulai 'berburu' kandidat yang sesuai. Memang umumnya sebuah perusahaan executive search sudah membangun network yang cukup kuat sebelum mereka mulai menerima tugas dari klien, akan tetapi masih ada kemungkinan tidak memiliki database kandidat yang cocok. Beragam cara bisa dilakukan seorang konsultan untuk riset kandidat. Kreatifitas adalah kuncinya. Memasang iklan di media cetak terkemuka atau di website yang sudah ternama bisa jadi salah satu pilihan. Sama halnya dengan referensi yang seringkali jadi sumber informasi kandidat yang efektif. Perusahaan kompetitor bahkan bisa jadi sumber informasi database yang besar bagi para head hunter. Bukan tidak mungkin kandidat yang awalnya bekerja di perusahaan kompetitor akhirnya pindah ke perusahaan saingannya karena tawaran yang lebih menggiurkan. Inilah yang membuat head hunter sering dujuluki 'pembajak'.

Bagaimana cara kerja head hunter ?

Tanggung jawab head hunter tidak berhenti walaupun sudah mendapatkan kandidat yang sesuai dengan kualifikasi yang disyaratkan perusahaan. Interview sebagai seleksi awal masih harus dilakukan untuk memastikan bahwa kandidat memiliki kepribadian dan karakter yang sesuai dengan posisi tersebut. Setelah head hunter memastikan bahwa kandidat mereka qualified, barulah nama dan CV kandidat tersebut dikirimkan ke klien. Selanjutnya head hunter akan mengatur jadwal interview potential candidate dengan klien dan menindaklanjuti hasil wawancara tersebut.

Apa yang dibutuhkan untuk menjadi head hunter yang ideal ?

Tidak ada gelar akademis khusus yang harus dimiliki seseorang untuk terjun ke profesi ini. Yang pasti, seorang konsultan executive search harus memiliki communication skills yang baik, memiliki network atau jejaring yang luas, mampu menyelami karakter, menggali kompetensi dan keahlian seorang kandidat untuk melakukan penyeleksian awal. Konsultan juga harus memiliki kemampuan riset yang baik. Seringkali klien berasal dari bidang yang tidak terlalu popular sehingga ia dituntut untuk bisa mendalami suatu bidang tertentu melalui riset. Riset bisa dilakukan melalui Internet, referensi, bahkan terjun langsung ke 'lapangan'.

Tantangan di bidang ini

Seringkali kandidat yang di "approach" oleh head hunter tidak pernah mendengar istilah head hunter atau executive search. Beberapa dari mereka bahkan curiga saat dihubungi. Dibutuhkan waktu dan kesabaran untuk menjelaskan apa yang dimaksud dengan head hunter dan kesempatan baik yang dibawa oleh para konsultan kepada para professional. Sama halnya dengan kepercayaan dari klien. Tidak semua HRD perusahaan familiar dengan jasa head hunter dan seringkali tidak mengerti mengapa mereka harus menggunakan jasa mereka. "Saat berusaha mendekati kandidat yang potensial, terutama mereka yang sudah berada di level top executive, seperti CEO, CFO, seringkali kami mengalami kesulitan untuk 'menembus' birokrasi yang panjang sebelum akhirnya bisa bicara langsung" demikian ujar Helny Widiastuti, Manager Prestige Consulting, perusahaan yang juga bergerak di bidang ini.

Bagaimana prospek profesi ini dimasa yang akan datang ?

Dengan proses rekrutmen untuk senior atau top executive yang bisa berlangsung panjang dan seringkali rumit, kehadiran head hunter atau executive search sangat membantu. Terutama perusahaan-perusahaan besar yang operasionalnya bergerak dengan dinamis, head hunter dengan kekuatan data base, jejaring dan research skill membantu mendapatkan kandidat dengan ketepatan hingga 90%, dalam waktu yang cukup singkat. "Di masa yang akan datang akan makin banyak perusahaan yang menyadari bahwa untuk mendapatkan kandidat top executive yang berkualitas mereka tidak harus menjalani seluruh proses rekrutmen yang seringkali panjang. Head hunter bisa membantu menghemat waktu, tenaga dan effort dengan hasil yang baik" lanjut Helny lebih jauh lagi.

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