Got a job interview?
Worried about how it will go?
Concerned about whether or not you have the right skills?
"Getting an interview is a huge hurdle to clear, and a wonderful sign
that you’re on the right track with your job search efforts. Now it’s
time to shift your focus to becoming a rock star candidate."
Check out what Careerealism has to say on the subject: Click here
It is a good idea to practice sample questions before the interview. Get a friend to help you out, and if you can, videotape the interview so you can assess yourself when you are done.
To your job search success
Fran
P.S. If you aren't at the interview stage yet, perhaps your resume needs a little work
P.P.S Here is a questionnaire that might help with the basics Click here
Showing posts with label interview tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interview tips. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 02, 2016
Monday, June 23, 2014
Procrastination
Procrastinate: to be slow or late about doing something that should be done : to delay doing something until a later time because you do not want to do it, because you are lazy, etc.
It seems that I have been procrastinating about keeping up my blogs. Instead of getting up and enjoying the day and getting started on all my tasks, I have been lying in bed, falling back to sleep and then getting up and rushing around and not accomplishing half of what I planned.
Has this ever happened to you? Do you find yourself putting off things you should be doing in your job search? Getting that resume updated? Spending time searching the job sites (www.indeed.com, www.monster.ca, www.charityvillage.com )? Sending out your resumes? Looking for the "hidden" jobs in your area?
Do you think that coffee with friends or cleaning your house is a better use of your time? Think again. If you are job searching, you should be spending the same amount of time searching as you want to be working. If you want a full-time job, then you should be spending a full day on your job search activities - checking the local paper (or online version), checking the job search sites, looking up information on companies you might like to work for, crafting a resume tailored to the specific job (no, there is no "one size fits all" resume), and practicing your interview skills.
For more tips click here
Happy job searching...
Good luck!
Fran Watson
P.S. For some interview questions, click here
Thursday, May 09, 2013
Bad Interview?
I am a recent college graduate, and I totally bombed my first real job interview. I was not prepared for there to be a group of interviewers. There were 5 interviewers, from different departments of the lab. The lab manager was the one who had called me in for the interview, but when she asked if I had true work experience besides my internship, I answered "no" and she seemed surprised, even though this was clearly stated on my resume. Also, I did not bring the correct paper to show my certification, I brought another (maybe less official) paper showing that I had passed the exam and was certified.
Have you had a bad interview lately? Did you think you were prepared, but fell apart when they started asking questions?
Click here to get more information on how you can be successful at your next interview. Pick up a copy of my Interview Planning Form.
To your job search success
Fran Watson
How Did the Interview Turn Out?
I was EXTREMELY nervous, and after their questioning my certification I was flustered. They told me then that they would not be offering me the position. If I was in their position, I would not have hired me either. (Info from About.Com)Have you had a bad interview lately? Did you think you were prepared, but fell apart when they started asking questions?
Click here to get more information on how you can be successful at your next interview. Pick up a copy of my Interview Planning Form.
To your job search success
Fran Watson
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Action Plan
WHAT IS ACTION PLANNING?
Action planning is a process which will help you to focus your ideas and to decide what steps you need to take to achieve particular goals that you may have. It is a statement on paper of what you want to achieve over a given period of time. Preparing an action plan is a good way to help you to reach your objectives in life.
An effective action plan should give you a concrete timetable and set of clearly defined steps to help you to reach your objective, rather than aimlessly wondering what to do next. It helps you to focus your ideas and provides you with an answer to the question ‘‘What do I do to achieve my objective?’’.
It’s OK to have several objectives, but you will need to make a separate action plan for each, otherwise things get confused.
Although here we are applying the techniques to careers, an action plan can be used effectively to help you to reach your goals in many aspects of your life, for example: to pass your driving test.
The following are all valid goals for an action plan:
To get more involved in a student society to get to know more people.
Deciding what skills I need to improve and deciding how I will improve them.
To investigate the different tools available to help me to choose a career, such as computer-aided careers guidance.
When action planning in a careers sense there are likely to be three main areas in which you want to develop action plans. These are:
* Choosing the career you wish to enter.
* Working out a strategy to help you enter this career e.g. application and interviews.
* Developing skills that you need to acquire to allow you to enter the career of your choice and to be successful in it.
It's time to take action for your career. If you need help, click here
To your job search success
Fran
P.S. If you need someone to help you through the job process, click here
Action planning is a process which will help you to focus your ideas and to decide what steps you need to take to achieve particular goals that you may have. It is a statement on paper of what you want to achieve over a given period of time. Preparing an action plan is a good way to help you to reach your objectives in life.
An effective action plan should give you a concrete timetable and set of clearly defined steps to help you to reach your objective, rather than aimlessly wondering what to do next. It helps you to focus your ideas and provides you with an answer to the question ‘‘What do I do to achieve my objective?’’.
It’s OK to have several objectives, but you will need to make a separate action plan for each, otherwise things get confused.
Although here we are applying the techniques to careers, an action plan can be used effectively to help you to reach your goals in many aspects of your life, for example: to pass your driving test.
The following are all valid goals for an action plan:
To get more involved in a student society to get to know more people.
Deciding what skills I need to improve and deciding how I will improve them.
To investigate the different tools available to help me to choose a career, such as computer-aided careers guidance.
When action planning in a careers sense there are likely to be three main areas in which you want to develop action plans. These are:
* Choosing the career you wish to enter.
* Working out a strategy to help you enter this career e.g. application and interviews.
* Developing skills that you need to acquire to allow you to enter the career of your choice and to be successful in it.
It's time to take action for your career. If you need help, click here
To your job search success
Fran
P.S. If you need someone to help you through the job process, click here
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Interviews
Common Job Interview Questions
By rehearsing interview questions, you'll become more familiar with your own qualifications and will be well prepared to demonstrate how you can benefit an employer. Some examples:
"Tell me about yourself."
Make a short, organized statement of your education and professional achievements and professional goals. Then, briefly describe your qualifications for the job and the contributions you could make to the organization.
"Why do you want to work here?" or "What about our company interests you?"
Few questions are more important than these, so it is important to answer them clearly and with enthusiasm. Show the interviewer your interest in the company. Share what you learned about the job, the company and the industry through your own research. Talk about how your professional skills will benefit the company. Unless you work in sales, your answer should never be simply: "money." The interviewer will wonder if you really care about the job.
"Why did you leave your last job?"
The interviewer may want to know if you had any problems on your last job. If you did not have any problems, simply give a reason, such as: relocated away from job; company went out of business; laid off; temporary job; no possibility of advancement; wanted a job better suited to your skills. If you did have problems, be honest. Show that you can accept responsibility and learn from your mistakes. You should explain any problems you had (or still have) with an employer, but don't describe that employer in negative terms. Demonstrate that it was a learning experience that will not affect your future work.
"What are your best skills?"
If you have sufficiently researched the organization, you should be able to imagine what skills the company values. List them, then give examples where you have demonstrated these skills.
"What is your major weakness?"
Be positive; turn a weakness into a strength. For example, you might say: "I often worry too much over my work. Sometimes I work late to make sure the job is done well."
"Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others?"
The ideal answer is one of flexibility. However, be honest. Give examples describing how you have worked in both situations.
"What are your career goals?" or "What are your future plans?"
The interviewer wants to know if your plans and the company's goals are compatible. Let him know that you are ambitious enough to plan ahead. Talk about your desire to learn more and improve your performance, and be specific as possible about how you will meet the goals you have set for yourself.
"What are your hobbies?" and "Do you play any sports?"
The interviewer may be looking for evidence of your job skills outside of your professional experience. For example, hobbies such as chess or bridge demonstrate analytical skills. Reading, music, and painting are creative hobbies. Individual sports show determination and stamina, while group sport activities may indicate you are comfortable working as part of a team. Also, the interviewer might simply be curious as to whether you have a life outside of work. Employees who have creative or athletic outlets for their stress are often healthier, happier and more productive.
"What salary are you expecting?"
You probably don't want to answer this one directly. Instead, deflect the question back to the interviewer by saying something like: "I don't know. What are you planning on paying the best candidate?" Let the employer make the first offer. However, it is still important to know what the current salary range is for the profession. Find salary surveys at the library or on the Internet, and check the classifieds to see what comparable jobs in your area are paying. This information can help you negotiate compensation once the employer makes an offer.
"What have I forgotten to ask?"
Use this as a chance to summarize your good characteristics and attributes and how they may be used to benefit the organization. Convince the interviewer that you understand the job requirements and that you can succeed.
Good luck in your job hunt
Fran
P.S. For more information or assistance, click here
By rehearsing interview questions, you'll become more familiar with your own qualifications and will be well prepared to demonstrate how you can benefit an employer. Some examples:
"Tell me about yourself."
Make a short, organized statement of your education and professional achievements and professional goals. Then, briefly describe your qualifications for the job and the contributions you could make to the organization.
"Why do you want to work here?" or "What about our company interests you?"
Few questions are more important than these, so it is important to answer them clearly and with enthusiasm. Show the interviewer your interest in the company. Share what you learned about the job, the company and the industry through your own research. Talk about how your professional skills will benefit the company. Unless you work in sales, your answer should never be simply: "money." The interviewer will wonder if you really care about the job.
"Why did you leave your last job?"
The interviewer may want to know if you had any problems on your last job. If you did not have any problems, simply give a reason, such as: relocated away from job; company went out of business; laid off; temporary job; no possibility of advancement; wanted a job better suited to your skills. If you did have problems, be honest. Show that you can accept responsibility and learn from your mistakes. You should explain any problems you had (or still have) with an employer, but don't describe that employer in negative terms. Demonstrate that it was a learning experience that will not affect your future work.
"What are your best skills?"
If you have sufficiently researched the organization, you should be able to imagine what skills the company values. List them, then give examples where you have demonstrated these skills.
"What is your major weakness?"
Be positive; turn a weakness into a strength. For example, you might say: "I often worry too much over my work. Sometimes I work late to make sure the job is done well."
"Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others?"
The ideal answer is one of flexibility. However, be honest. Give examples describing how you have worked in both situations.
"What are your career goals?" or "What are your future plans?"
The interviewer wants to know if your plans and the company's goals are compatible. Let him know that you are ambitious enough to plan ahead. Talk about your desire to learn more and improve your performance, and be specific as possible about how you will meet the goals you have set for yourself.
"What are your hobbies?" and "Do you play any sports?"
The interviewer may be looking for evidence of your job skills outside of your professional experience. For example, hobbies such as chess or bridge demonstrate analytical skills. Reading, music, and painting are creative hobbies. Individual sports show determination and stamina, while group sport activities may indicate you are comfortable working as part of a team. Also, the interviewer might simply be curious as to whether you have a life outside of work. Employees who have creative or athletic outlets for their stress are often healthier, happier and more productive.
"What salary are you expecting?"
You probably don't want to answer this one directly. Instead, deflect the question back to the interviewer by saying something like: "I don't know. What are you planning on paying the best candidate?" Let the employer make the first offer. However, it is still important to know what the current salary range is for the profession. Find salary surveys at the library or on the Internet, and check the classifieds to see what comparable jobs in your area are paying. This information can help you negotiate compensation once the employer makes an offer.
"What have I forgotten to ask?"
Use this as a chance to summarize your good characteristics and attributes and how they may be used to benefit the organization. Convince the interviewer that you understand the job requirements and that you can succeed.
Good luck in your job hunt
Fran
P.S. For more information or assistance, click here
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Unemployed? Looking for Work?
Why can’t I find work?
The first question to ask yourself is, “where am I looking?” If the newspaper is your only source, you are cheating yourself of some great opportunities. If you are searching only on the internet, you are also short-changing yourself. Many companies do not use either of these methods for hiring; they use networking techniques. You have heard people say, “It’s who you know,” and this is true.
Think about it for a minute. Which would you choose, a complete stranger or a person referred by one of your employees or friends? If you had a choice between placing a job ad that costs $100 - $200 or paying an employee a bonus of $50 for a referral, which would you choose? It makes economic sense for employers to use networking, and it makes good sense for you to do it too.
How do you network? To start off you make a list of everyone that you know, even slightly – your barber/hairdresser, the bank teller, the cashier at the grocery store, your next-door neighbour. Keep writing until you can’t think of anyone else. Then look at your list again and try to figure out where each person works and what kind of information they could provide you with. These are probably not the people who will be hiring you, but they may be the link to the person who will.
Have you let everyone know that you are looking for work and the type of work you are looking for? Or do you just say you are looking for “anything.” People need to know more facts than that. Will you really do “anything” or are there some limits on what you are willing to do. Take some time to write down a short summary of your skills and experience and what you are looking for. Use this when contacting employers.
Is your resume up to date? Does it have all your skills and experience on it? Is it targeted for the specific work area you are looking for, or is it so general that people have to try to guess what it is you are applying for? Do you have extra copies that you can give to the people in your network? Or are you waiting until that perfect job appears before you write it up? You should always have a current resume ready as you never know when that perfect opportunity will arise.
If you need help with your resume or your job search contact me
To your job search success
Fran Watson
Career/Employment Coach
P.S. You will also find some tips on interviews here
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Resume Writing
How to write a good resume
How do we define a “good resume”? In my experience, a good resume is pleasing to look at, easy to read, and contains all the information necessary to know whether or not the person represented by said resume can do the job in an effective and efficient manner. A good resume should look professional and reflect the abilities of the person it is meant to represent without a lot of fluff in between the lines.
Your resume is equivalent to a "sales flyer". It should have enough information that the employer wants to meet you, but not so much that he/she doesn't have to. You want to be called for an interview, so don't give too many extra details.
Knowing how to write a good resume could quite possibly be one of the most valuable business skills you can ever learn. Hardly anyone stays in the same job for years and years and years like days of the past. We are constantly looking for new challenges, more money, and more satisfaction, so having the skill of knowing how to write a good resume is something that you will always have. It can mean the difference between getting an interview and not getting an interview.
The employer wants to know 3 things: What can you do for me? How can you save me money? How can you save me time? They are making an investment in you and want to make sure they are getting their money's worth.
A good resume will include only pertinent information about you – the job applicant. It is written in a professional and positive manner focusing on abilities, skills, and talents that can benefit your future employer. Of course, that can be a little difficult to do on paper, but not when you know what words to use. A thesaurus can be a life saver here when you are looking for the right words.
Never, ever, make any job sound like it is a mundane, boring position. It doesn’t matter if you are standing behind the counter at your local Starbucks, you can still focus on the positive aspects of that job. For example, when you make the coffee, you are responsible for quality control. When you give it to the customer, you are insuring good customer service. When you ring it up on the cash register, you are responsible for cash flow. Any job can sound much better when you “flower it up” and be creative in doing so!
You can look on the Internet for tools and tips on how to write a good resume. Not only do they have examples of resumes to refer to, there are many articles on how to write a good resume and even resume writing services where you pay a professional resume writer to craft your resume from information you provide to them.
Want to know how to write a good resume? Just be honest, give as much information as possible in the space provided, and then let the resume talk for you.
Keep watching this blog for information on How To Ace The Interview.
Fran Watson
Career Coach
How do we define a “good resume”? In my experience, a good resume is pleasing to look at, easy to read, and contains all the information necessary to know whether or not the person represented by said resume can do the job in an effective and efficient manner. A good resume should look professional and reflect the abilities of the person it is meant to represent without a lot of fluff in between the lines.
Your resume is equivalent to a "sales flyer". It should have enough information that the employer wants to meet you, but not so much that he/she doesn't have to. You want to be called for an interview, so don't give too many extra details.
Knowing how to write a good resume could quite possibly be one of the most valuable business skills you can ever learn. Hardly anyone stays in the same job for years and years and years like days of the past. We are constantly looking for new challenges, more money, and more satisfaction, so having the skill of knowing how to write a good resume is something that you will always have. It can mean the difference between getting an interview and not getting an interview.
The employer wants to know 3 things: What can you do for me? How can you save me money? How can you save me time? They are making an investment in you and want to make sure they are getting their money's worth.
A good resume will include only pertinent information about you – the job applicant. It is written in a professional and positive manner focusing on abilities, skills, and talents that can benefit your future employer. Of course, that can be a little difficult to do on paper, but not when you know what words to use. A thesaurus can be a life saver here when you are looking for the right words.
Never, ever, make any job sound like it is a mundane, boring position. It doesn’t matter if you are standing behind the counter at your local Starbucks, you can still focus on the positive aspects of that job. For example, when you make the coffee, you are responsible for quality control. When you give it to the customer, you are insuring good customer service. When you ring it up on the cash register, you are responsible for cash flow. Any job can sound much better when you “flower it up” and be creative in doing so!
You can look on the Internet for tools and tips on how to write a good resume. Not only do they have examples of resumes to refer to, there are many articles on how to write a good resume and even resume writing services where you pay a professional resume writer to craft your resume from information you provide to them.
Want to know how to write a good resume? Just be honest, give as much information as possible in the space provided, and then let the resume talk for you.
Keep watching this blog for information on How To Ace The Interview.
Fran Watson
Career Coach
Monday, September 12, 2011
Choosing A Career
Why Work
Why do People Work? Many people would say, “For the money”, but is that the only reason???
We cannot possibly do everything for ourselves, so we need other people to do things for us, and then pay them for their work. In order to do that, we must also do things for other people so that we can earn money. Therefore, you might say that “for the money” would be true. But what about personal satisfaction??? Would you do ANY job if it paid well enough? Or are there some jobs which you wouldn’t do, despite the salary.
The things which you value like income, location, and free time can play an important part in your career choice. Other values might include: friendship, enjoyment, loyalty, family, independence, leadership, achievement, self-realization, expertness, service, prestige, security and power.
Some jobs provide an opportunity for expressing what we believe and value, while other occupations may go against our values. A job which supports your value system will interest and motivate you far more than a job which goes against your values, despite the monetary rewards.
Many people choose careers that do not pay very well because they enjoy the work and get satisfaction from doing the job or perhaps because it allows them to be close to home and family.
Some people choose to work in an area they are good at or because they have discovered that they have the skills needed for that particular position. Still others may choose to work at a job which provides enough money to pay for extra curricular activities or luxuries, such as a boat or skidoo or yearly vacations to distant locations,.
Look at the following list of “rewards” that people might get from work and see what your priorities might be.
WORK:
* lets me use my special abilities, skills and knowledge
* makes me feel that I’m doing something useful
* keeps me busy and helps fill in time
* lets me be creative
* involves doing a variety of tasks
* allows me to meet a lot of people
* lets me experience new things and learn more
* lets me see something for my efforts
* allows me to be responsible
* gives me power/influence over others
* provides opportunities to make friends
* lets me help people
* provides money
* allows me to be with others
* provides physical activity for me
* allows me to contribute to the community
* lets me control my own time
* allows me to satisfy my other needs
* offers me chances for improvement and/or promotion
* allows me to be known and liked by many people
Take a look at your current job and see if it fits your value system. If not, consider what changes you might need to make.
If you are not working and you would like some help to choose the career that best suits your values or lifestyle, contact me. Let me help you with your career choices.
Fran Watson
Career Coach
Why do People Work? Many people would say, “For the money”, but is that the only reason???
We cannot possibly do everything for ourselves, so we need other people to do things for us, and then pay them for their work. In order to do that, we must also do things for other people so that we can earn money. Therefore, you might say that “for the money” would be true. But what about personal satisfaction??? Would you do ANY job if it paid well enough? Or are there some jobs which you wouldn’t do, despite the salary.
The things which you value like income, location, and free time can play an important part in your career choice. Other values might include: friendship, enjoyment, loyalty, family, independence, leadership, achievement, self-realization, expertness, service, prestige, security and power.
Some jobs provide an opportunity for expressing what we believe and value, while other occupations may go against our values. A job which supports your value system will interest and motivate you far more than a job which goes against your values, despite the monetary rewards.
Many people choose careers that do not pay very well because they enjoy the work and get satisfaction from doing the job or perhaps because it allows them to be close to home and family.
Some people choose to work in an area they are good at or because they have discovered that they have the skills needed for that particular position. Still others may choose to work at a job which provides enough money to pay for extra curricular activities or luxuries, such as a boat or skidoo or yearly vacations to distant locations,.
Look at the following list of “rewards” that people might get from work and see what your priorities might be.
WORK:
* lets me use my special abilities, skills and knowledge
* makes me feel that I’m doing something useful
* keeps me busy and helps fill in time
* lets me be creative
* involves doing a variety of tasks
* allows me to meet a lot of people
* lets me experience new things and learn more
* lets me see something for my efforts
* allows me to be responsible
* gives me power/influence over others
* provides opportunities to make friends
* lets me help people
* provides money
* allows me to be with others
* provides physical activity for me
* allows me to contribute to the community
* lets me control my own time
* allows me to satisfy my other needs
* offers me chances for improvement and/or promotion
* allows me to be known and liked by many people
Take a look at your current job and see if it fits your value system. If not, consider what changes you might need to make.
If you are not working and you would like some help to choose the career that best suits your values or lifestyle, contact me. Let me help you with your career choices.
Fran Watson
Career Coach
Monday, September 05, 2011
Resumes
A Resume Reference Guide
Are you in the process of finding a new job or changing careers? If you are, you may also be in the process of creating a resume for yourself. Although resumes can be complicated and nerve-wracking to develop, they are usually a lot easier to write than originally thought. With that in mind, there are still many problems or complications that arise. For many resume writers that problem has to do with references.
On your resume, there is a good chance that you will list references. These references can typically come in two different formats. These formats are personal references and professional references. You will find that many employers actually like to see a combination of them both. Also, on average, most hiring companies like to see at least three references on their job applications and resumes.
Now that you know what many companies look for, in terms of references on a resume, you may want to start listing your references right away. While this approach is one that you can take, you may want to proceed with caution. As previously stated, one of the many mistakes that resume writers make involves their references. Some of the most common mistakes, as well as ways to prevent those mistakes from happening, are outlined below for your convenience.
One of the biggest mistakes that a job seeker, possibly just like you, makes involves listing no references at all. If you are simply submitting your resume, you may be able to get away without having any references listed, but you may not want to take any chances. If you are currently still lining up your references, you may want to have the phrases “references available upon request,” under the heading of references on your resume. Should you fill out a job application and are asked to provide references, you will want to do so. Omitting information on a job application may cause your application to be overlooked.
Another mistake that many job seekers make, in terms of their resume references, is not asking to use a reference in the first place. In almost all cases, you will find that your references are checked. That is why it is important that you ask each individual that you would like to have listed on a resume or a job application before officially listing them as a reference. If you have already submitted your job application and resume, without asking first, you will want to let each individual know, as soon as possible, that you used them as a job reference and that they may be receiving a phone call. This is important, as you do not want your references to be caught off guard, as it may impact their responses.
As previously stated, most companies like to see a combination of professional and personal references on their job applications and on all submitted resumes. This is a mistake that many job seekers also make and one that you will want to not make. For that reason, you may want to consider listing four references on your job applications or resumes. This would allow you to have an even number of personal references and professional references.
The above mentioned mistakes are common mistakes that many job seekers make when writing a resume for themselves. By keeping these common mistakes in mind, you can ensure that you do not make similar ones. This should automatically improve your chances of landing the job of your dreams or at least a job interview.
Good luck in your job search
Fran Watson
Career Coach
P.S. Check out this Cover Letter guide
Are you in the process of finding a new job or changing careers? If you are, you may also be in the process of creating a resume for yourself. Although resumes can be complicated and nerve-wracking to develop, they are usually a lot easier to write than originally thought. With that in mind, there are still many problems or complications that arise. For many resume writers that problem has to do with references.
On your resume, there is a good chance that you will list references. These references can typically come in two different formats. These formats are personal references and professional references. You will find that many employers actually like to see a combination of them both. Also, on average, most hiring companies like to see at least three references on their job applications and resumes.
Now that you know what many companies look for, in terms of references on a resume, you may want to start listing your references right away. While this approach is one that you can take, you may want to proceed with caution. As previously stated, one of the many mistakes that resume writers make involves their references. Some of the most common mistakes, as well as ways to prevent those mistakes from happening, are outlined below for your convenience.
One of the biggest mistakes that a job seeker, possibly just like you, makes involves listing no references at all. If you are simply submitting your resume, you may be able to get away without having any references listed, but you may not want to take any chances. If you are currently still lining up your references, you may want to have the phrases “references available upon request,” under the heading of references on your resume. Should you fill out a job application and are asked to provide references, you will want to do so. Omitting information on a job application may cause your application to be overlooked.
Another mistake that many job seekers make, in terms of their resume references, is not asking to use a reference in the first place. In almost all cases, you will find that your references are checked. That is why it is important that you ask each individual that you would like to have listed on a resume or a job application before officially listing them as a reference. If you have already submitted your job application and resume, without asking first, you will want to let each individual know, as soon as possible, that you used them as a job reference and that they may be receiving a phone call. This is important, as you do not want your references to be caught off guard, as it may impact their responses.
As previously stated, most companies like to see a combination of professional and personal references on their job applications and on all submitted resumes. This is a mistake that many job seekers also make and one that you will want to not make. For that reason, you may want to consider listing four references on your job applications or resumes. This would allow you to have an even number of personal references and professional references.
The above mentioned mistakes are common mistakes that many job seekers make when writing a resume for themselves. By keeping these common mistakes in mind, you can ensure that you do not make similar ones. This should automatically improve your chances of landing the job of your dreams or at least a job interview.
Good luck in your job search
Fran Watson
Career Coach
P.S. Check out this Cover Letter guide
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
First Impressions
Now that your resume and cover letter have got you in the door, it is time to make a good first impression. Remember, the interviewer makes a decision within 2.8 minutes, so it is up to you to make sure that the decision is in your favour.
“The interviewer makes an immediate overall judgment about you within the first five seconds, and the next 25 seconds are spent checking the chemistry and verifying the initial impression”
–Ollie Stevenson, author of 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Job Search Problems
Your appearance is very important. This is the first thing the employer sees. Your appearance will reflect your attitude and give the employer an impression of what your work habits will be like – will you be neat or careless in doing your job? Will your appearance affect the customers that the business serves? How will co-workers react to you. In short, does your appearance indicate that you are conscientious about how you do your work?
Jewellery should be minimal and go with what you are wearing. Check your appearance in a mirror from as many angles as possible. Sit in a chair in front of a mirror to see how you look sitting down. Make sure there are no gaps showing. Body piercings are your choice, but they may impact the employer’s decision to hire you, particularly if you will be doing customer service.
The other important part of appearance is how do you smell? Many people are allergic to perfumes. Sometimes people try to cover up body odour or cigarette smoke by applying scented deodorants or colognes. It is hard to concentrate on interviewing someone if your nose is being assaulted. Some people may actually get headaches from the smells, and for someone who is a non-smoker, the smell of a freshly smoked cigarette is unpleasant.
So, ensure that you are freshly showered, hair clean and neat, teeth brushed (with or without mouth wash), nails clean, shoes polished, no perfume or cologne (or very little – basically, if you can smell it, it’s too strong), don’t smoke within 10 minutes of your interview and then use a breath mint before the interview.
Body language can play an important role in your interview. Much of what we say or think is reflected in our body language. That is one of the reasons why it is important to be able to defend everything on your resume. If you are unsure about any part of your resume, it will come across in your body language – in the way you hold yourself, your eye contact, or your voice.
Project the image that fits the job you’re going after
• Make eye contact, smile and trust your gut reactions
• If they sit, you sit; if they joke, smile
• Sit forward in your chair to show interest and enthusiasm
• Check out your posture and outfit in a full-length mirror before heading out to the
interview
Don’t slouch, play with objects, shift a lot, laugh nervously, cross your arms in front of your chest – these actions indicate nervousness
Good luck!
Fran Watson
P.S. Stop back for more job search tips
“The interviewer makes an immediate overall judgment about you within the first five seconds, and the next 25 seconds are spent checking the chemistry and verifying the initial impression”
–Ollie Stevenson, author of 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Job Search Problems
Your appearance is very important. This is the first thing the employer sees. Your appearance will reflect your attitude and give the employer an impression of what your work habits will be like – will you be neat or careless in doing your job? Will your appearance affect the customers that the business serves? How will co-workers react to you. In short, does your appearance indicate that you are conscientious about how you do your work?
Jewellery should be minimal and go with what you are wearing. Check your appearance in a mirror from as many angles as possible. Sit in a chair in front of a mirror to see how you look sitting down. Make sure there are no gaps showing. Body piercings are your choice, but they may impact the employer’s decision to hire you, particularly if you will be doing customer service.
The other important part of appearance is how do you smell? Many people are allergic to perfumes. Sometimes people try to cover up body odour or cigarette smoke by applying scented deodorants or colognes. It is hard to concentrate on interviewing someone if your nose is being assaulted. Some people may actually get headaches from the smells, and for someone who is a non-smoker, the smell of a freshly smoked cigarette is unpleasant.
So, ensure that you are freshly showered, hair clean and neat, teeth brushed (with or without mouth wash), nails clean, shoes polished, no perfume or cologne (or very little – basically, if you can smell it, it’s too strong), don’t smoke within 10 minutes of your interview and then use a breath mint before the interview.
Body language can play an important role in your interview. Much of what we say or think is reflected in our body language. That is one of the reasons why it is important to be able to defend everything on your resume. If you are unsure about any part of your resume, it will come across in your body language – in the way you hold yourself, your eye contact, or your voice.
Project the image that fits the job you’re going after
• Make eye contact, smile and trust your gut reactions
• If they sit, you sit; if they joke, smile
• Sit forward in your chair to show interest and enthusiasm
• Check out your posture and outfit in a full-length mirror before heading out to the
interview
Don’t slouch, play with objects, shift a lot, laugh nervously, cross your arms in front of your chest – these actions indicate nervousness
Good luck!
Fran Watson
P.S. Stop back for more job search tips
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Attract The Work You Want
Need a Job or do you want to change jobs?
Over 400,000 people a day start a new job and it is estimated 47% of the people employeed, are looking to change jobs in the near future.
Excuse Me, Your Job Is Waiting online course approaches job-hunting from Lynn Grabhorn's philosophy of the astonishing power of feelings read by more than one a million readers. Laura George, the author of the course, applies the powerful Law of Attraction to the life experiences of both losing and getting a job.
Don't make the mistake of thinking this course is about touchy-feely concepts. It is NOT!
This course is stuffed with great, practical ideas for landing the job you really want. Laura George, the author of the course, has extensive experience as a human resources manager and consultant, as well as just as much practice being on the other side of the HR desk as a job seeker.
Laura George shows you the job market through the employer's eyes and offers insider information on:
résumés
cover letters
internet job boards
on-line applications
interviews
salary negotiation strategies
and much more.
Best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2011!
Fran Watson
P.S. Get started now... Click here
Over 400,000 people a day start a new job and it is estimated 47% of the people employeed, are looking to change jobs in the near future.
Excuse Me, Your Job Is Waiting online course approaches job-hunting from Lynn Grabhorn's philosophy of the astonishing power of feelings read by more than one a million readers. Laura George, the author of the course, applies the powerful Law of Attraction to the life experiences of both losing and getting a job.
Don't make the mistake of thinking this course is about touchy-feely concepts. It is NOT!
This course is stuffed with great, practical ideas for landing the job you really want. Laura George, the author of the course, has extensive experience as a human resources manager and consultant, as well as just as much practice being on the other side of the HR desk as a job seeker.
Laura George shows you the job market through the employer's eyes and offers insider information on:
résumés
cover letters
internet job boards
on-line applications
interviews
salary negotiation strategies
and much more.
Best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2011!
Fran Watson
P.S. Get started now... Click here
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Give Yourself An Edge In THe Interview
Follow these steps to stand out in your next interview.
For an interview planning form, Click here
To your success
Fran
http://www.franwatson.ca/
P.S. Find out who's hiring:
Whos Hiring – Top employers week of 11-22-10 http://bit.ly/eP1Lmd #career #jobsearch
For an interview planning form, Click here
To your success
Fran
http://www.franwatson.ca/
P.S. Find out who's hiring:
Whos Hiring – Top employers week of 11-22-10 http://bit.ly/eP1Lmd #career #jobsearch
Searching for a New Job? Some Tips
If you are looking for a job, there are some great tips in this youtube video. Take a look.
To your success
Fran Watson
To your success
Fran Watson
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