What Do Employers Want?

In today’s competitive life, employers are looking for people who can contribute to the growth of the company and boost its productivity.

Therefore, for people who are seeking employment and that dream job, it is important to know the most sought after job skills on the list of most employers.

1. The ability to research

Job seekers should possess the ability to research not because they wanted to land a job in a research company but in order to do simple searches on the data needed by a particular activity.

2. Logical thinking

Most employers need people who are able to produce effective solutions and to make sensible solutions regarding a proposal or a probable activity.

3. Technologically literate

With the advent of information technology, most job openings require people who are computer literate or know how to operate different machines and office equipments.

Most employers do not necessarily need people who are technological graduates. The simple fact that job seekers know the basic principles of technology is already enough.

4. Communication skills

People who are able to land a good job are mostly those who are adept in speaking and writing. Employers hire people who are able to express their thoughts efficiently through verbal and written communication.

5. Organizational skills

Organization is extremely important in maintaining a harmonious working relationship in the company. Hence, most employers look for people who know how to maintain order.

6. Interpersonal skills

Because the working environment involves working with people of various personalities, it is necessary to acquire the skills necessary to communicate with people from different walks of life.

7. Professional Growth

Employers hire people who are able to create a plan that will generate personal career growth. This means that the person is willing to improve him or herself professionally by learning new things he or she still does not know.

These are just some of the most wanted job skills by most employers. Hence, it is important for the job seekers to take note of these assets in order to be successful in every endeavor they make.

To your job search success

Fran Watson

Co-worker Problems?

How to Handle Difficult Coworkers


Do you love your job, but just not your coworkers? If this is how you can describe your feelings about your job, you may want to continue reading on. Unfortunately, when placed in a similar position, one that involves difficult or unruly coworkers, many individuals assume that their only option is to resign from their current position. Of course, it is more than possible for you to do so, but did you know that you do have other options?

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you have complications, problems, or a conflict with a coworker of yours, there are a number of different steps that you can take. These steps, which are outlined below, can help you retain your job and your income, which you may rely on to support your family. If you have been looking for an easy way to deal with one or more difficult coworkers at your workplace, you will want to continue reading on.

Before examining ways in which you can handle or deal with difficult coworkers, it is important to remember that circumstances should be taken into consideration. A small conflict may be one that you can handle on your own; however, more serious problems may call for more serious actions. With that in mind, one of the first things that you should do, when looking to deal with a difficult coworker, is speak with them privately.

When speaking with a coworker with whom you have a problem, you will want to be careful. When this conversation takes place, should it ever, you will want to be as pleasant and as friendly as possible. Many individuals do not realize that even a slight attitude can make a problem with a coworker much worse. If you are frustrated with a coworker who can never seem to get a project completed on time, you may want to offer to help them create a schedule. If you have a problem with a perfume or cologne that a coworker may be wearing, you may first want to explain any health complications that you may be having due to the scent.

As previously stated, it is important to remember that there extenuating circumstances that should be taken into consideration. For instance, if you feel that a coworker of yours is harassing you, in a sexual way or not, you may want to refrain from speaking to them. In certain situations like these, those who are unstable feed off contact from you and others in your situation. To protect yourself from any harm, you may want to consider contacting your supervisor right away.

Speaking of contacting your supervisor, if you have discussed your problems with a coworker personally and you have not seen any positive changes, you may want to consider bringing your supervisor in on the issue. When doing this, you will want to use your best judgment. If you regularly find yourself performing the duties and tasks for your coworker or if they mishandled important company documents, you should approach your supervisor without any question. Smaller issues you may want to refrain from bringing your supervisor in on, as you may actually end up creating a bad impression of yourself.

The above mentioned steps are just a few of the many steps that you can take if you are having conflict or problems with one of your coworkers. As a reminder, you are advised to use your best judgment when handling situations such as these.



If you would like assistance with your career, please contact me here: franlwatson @gmail.com (no space)

Success At Work

How To Be Successful At Work In 5 Simple Steps

By Michael Lee

It's important for everyone to know how to be successful at work. Whether you're a government employee, a self-made entrepreneur or a simple clerk at a department store - it's crucial that you know how to make the most of your skills and potential.

Read on to learn how to be successful at work.

Step 1: Be a team player.

Cooperation is key. You can't go anywhere without knowing how to work well with other people. We may all have different beliefs and ideas, but that doesn't mean we can't be part of a team.

In fact, knowing how to deal with different group dynamics is one of the most sought after characteristics in employees these days. You may be one of the best in your field; but if you can't work with other people, then you may be more trouble than you're worth.

Step 2: Learn to stand on your own.

Knowing how to work on your own is equally important. There will be times when you'll be assigned to do a certain task by yourself.

If you fail at this, then how can your boss rely on you to do a good job in the future? If you want to learn how to be successful at work, you should be able to hold your own in the company.

Step 3: Don't miss deadlines.

Deadlines are there for a reason. Students who submit their projects ahead of the deadline are usually those who are eager to get a good grade. In the workforce, not missing deadlines is still very important. It shows how organized you are and alleviates the company's fear of having an inefficient employee.

Step 4: Always have your game face on.

You should always be ready for a challenge. You should always be prepared to give it your all. If you want to know how to be successful at work, this is how you do it.

Keep in mind that your boss will always be watching your performance. One slip-up and it goes into your boss' record if not the official one.

Step 5: Be assertive.

Keeping quiet won't get you promoted. If there's an opportunity for you to share your ideas, then go ahead and take advantage of the situation. This shows everyone that you're actively participating in the growth of the company and that's very good news indeed.

Just make sure that your suggestions are actually worth considering and not just a bunch of nonsense. Otherwise, you might find yourself terminated prematurely.

These are my 5 steps on how to be successful at work. I'm sure you can come up with your own unique steps as well. As long as you have the drive to give it your all, everything else will follow.

All the best in your job search

Fran Watson

How Do You Manage Your Time?

Truth: The more organized you are, the more time you save!

How much time have you wasted looking for items?

How many things have been lost?

How many times hve you bought something you already have because you couldn't find the item? How many times have you become frustrated with the clutter that surrounds you?

The fact is, the more time you save, the less chaotic your day!

Why not declare a day to clear clutter in your home and purchse wicker baskets or fun containers for simple easy storage.

Having difficulty parting with old or unused items around the house? Use this rule of thumb. If you have not used it for more than a year, toss it. Getting ride of old things makes it possible for new and better things to enter your living space.

The Key to a Better Life

Time management is basically about being focused. The Pareto Principle also known as the '80:20 Rule' states that 80% of efforts that are not time managed or unfocused generates only 20% of the desired output. However, 80% of the desired output can be generated using only 20% of a well time managed effort. Although the ratio '80:20' is only arbitrary, it is used to put emphasis on how much is lost or how much can be gained with time management.

Some people view time management as a list of rules that involves scheduling of appointments, goal settings, thorough planning, creating things to do lists and prioritizing. These are the core basics of time management that should be understood to develop an efficient personal time management skill. These basic skills can be fine tuned further to include the finer points of each skill that can give you that extra reserve to make the results you desire.

But there is more skills involved in time management than the core basics. Skills such as decision making, inherent abilities such as emotional intelligence and critical thinking are also essential to your personal growth.

Personal time management involves everything you do. No matter how big and no matter how small, everything counts. Each new knowledge you acquire, each new advice you consider, each new skill you develop should be taken into consideration.

Having a balanced life-style should be the key result in having personal time management. This is the main aspect that many practitioners of personal time management fail to grasp.

Time management is about getting results, not about being busy.

The six areas that personal time management seeks to improve in anyone's life are physical, intellectual, social, career, emotional and spiritual.

The physical aspect involves having a healthy body, less stress and fatigue.

The intellectual aspect involves learning and other mental growth activities.

The social aspect involves developing personal or intimate relations and being an active contributor to society.

The career aspect involves school and work.

The emotional aspect involves appropriate feelings and desires and manifesting them

The spiritual aspect involves a personal quest for meaning.

Thoroughly planning and having a set of things to do list for each of the key areas may not be very practical, but determining which area in your life is not being giving enough attention is part of time management. Each area creates the whole you, if you are ignoring one area then you are ignoring an important part of yourself.

Personal time management should not be so daunting a task. It is a very sensible and reasonable approach in solving problems big or small.

A great way of learning time management and improving your personal life is to follow several basic activities.

One of them is to review your goals whether it be immediate or long-term goals often.

A way to do this is to keep a list that is always accessible to you.

Always determine which task is necessary or not necessary in achieving your goals and which activities are helping you maintain a balanced life style.

Each and everyone of us has a peek time and a time when we slow down, these are our natural cycles. We should be able to tell when to do the difficult tasks when we are the sharpest.

Learning to say "No". You actually see this advice often. Heed it even if it involves saying the word to family or friends.

Pat yourself at the back or just reward yourself in any manner for an effective time management result.

Try and get the cooperation from people around you who are actually benefiting from your efforts of time management.

Don't procrastinate. Attend to necessary things immediately.

Have a positive attitude and set yourself up for success. But be realistic in your approach in achieving your goals.

Have a record or journal of all your activities. This will help you get things in their proper perspective.

These are the few steps you initially take in becoming a well rounded individual.

As the say personal time management is the art and science of building a better life.

From the moment you integrate into your life time management skills, you have opened several options that can provide a broad spectrum of solutions to your personal growth. It also creates more doors for opportunities to knock on.

Time Management Quotes:

Time is the hardest thing to sacrifice, but the easiest thing to waste.

The trouble with being poor is that it takes up all your time.

Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness. - Eckhart Tolle

Do one more thing at the end of the day and at the end of the year you will have done 365 more things.

I'm Back

Life has a way of tripping you up sometimes and your best laid plans can get sidetracked.

I have been extremely busy in a number of areas over the past few months, but life seems to be settling down again and I will be back posting some Job Search Tips.

One of the first will be on Time Management (something I've been learning a lot about over the past few months). I look forward to sharing some tips with you.

Hope to see you here again soon.

Fran

Are You An Older Worker?

Are you what is considered an "Older Worker"? Are you having difficulty finding a job?

Do you find yourself looking at the young people and comparing yourself to them in terms of ability and education, and finding yourself on the losing end? Well, it is time to stop and recognize the abilities you have that are far superior to what they have. It is time to point out to employers the advantages that you bring.

Not sure what those advantages are? Well, first of all - maturity. You are not likely to explode with anger or frustration if something goes wrong. Which leads to the second advantage - experience. You know from past experience how to fix things, how to do things correctly the first time. The third advantage is knowledge - you know how things really work. You've "been there, done that, and got the t-shirt" as they say. You know from experience what works and what doesn't, and not from reading a book.

MATURE WORKERS HAVE:

 The ability to problem solve
 A seasoned point of view
 Good judgment
 A wealth of skills and transferable skills
 Experienced change
 Raised their families
 Life long learning experiences
 Perspective, the ability to see the big
 picture
 A work history and a work ethic
 The ability to train and mentor others
 Been exposed to a wide knowledge base
 Leadership skills
 An understanding of what is expected
 A sense of humour (easy going)
 The ability to navigate work politics
 More references and networking contacts

MATURE WORKERS ARE:
 A resource
 Mature
 Well rounded
 Patient, wise and dedicated
 Consistent and practical
 Understanding of other age groups
 Aware of their strengths and weaknesses
 Loyal, dedicated and focused
 Secure and self-directed
 Open to suggestions
 Street wise in the working world
 Survivors
 Self-sufficient and self-confident
 Resilient, versatile and flexible
 Willing to learn new things
 Empathetic
 Realistic

It is time to see yourself as the valuable resource you are.

To your job search success

Fran Watson
Mature, Motivated and Marvellous (grin)

www.franwatson.ca/bio.html

Reasons to Customize Your Resume

Phil Rosenberg at ReCareered holds weekly free workshops and shares tips on resume building such as:

"Some of the reasons why individual resume customization rewards your job search:

1. Employers search resumes differently than we search Google: When you and I search Google, we search 1 or 2 criteria (3 – 4 if it’s a really detailed search) and we don’t mind that we get millions of possible matches. Most employers only want 50 matches, so recruiters/HR reps search for 7 – 10 criteria.

2. Stuck in the database: Even the most qualified candidates get stuck in the database if they don’t match employer search criteria.

3. ATS’ match exact words: ATS’ aren’t built to match different words with the same meaning.

4. ATS’ don’t keyword search cover letters: Executives from the top 10 ATS companies revealed that their clients install ATS’ to only keyword search one document – the resume. If you use a cover letter to show how your experience makes you the perfect candidate … you’re demonstrating it on the wrong document."


Read more here and sign up for his ezine tips and/or one of his free workshops

To your job search success

Fran
p.s. Need help with your job search? Click here

What IS Your Objective?

How to write an objective for resume

When you are crafting your resume, you need to know how to write an objective for the resume. An objective is basically what you are hoping to achieve in the job or career field that you want to get into. It says why you got into this field, why you are so passionate about it, and what you can do for the company or the career area. It isn't "I want to work for your company so that I can develop my skills." What that says is that once I do this, I'm going to move on.

Some people feel like there is no need to include an objective on your resume. However, it can be helpful in showing your passion for your career field and can let a potential employer know why you are passionate about the job in the first place. Either way, knowing how to write an objective for your resume is a very important part of the job seeking process.

The first part you should know about in learning how to write an objective for a resume is that you must use words that are always positive but not too flowery. Speak from your heart and avoid using any euphemisms of any kind and be sure that your objective sounds very professional. "I would like to use the skills I have developed in ... to make a difference."

On the other hand, if you are switching careers, your objective statement should say why you wanted to get into another field and what makes you so excited to do so. You should state what you are hoping to accomplish in this new career and why you know you can accomplish it! "I am seeking a change in career and am looking to start at an entry level position."

When writing your objective statement, you should be brief. This is a sentence or two about why you want a job in this career field. It should show a potential employer why he or she should hire you even if you do not have a lot of experience in the field you are applying for.

Knowing how to write an objective for a resume is an important part of “putting your best foot forward” so that the person who is reading your resume wants to read the rest of it. It is kind of like when you begin a new novel. The first line is so important – it has to hook the reader and make them want to read on. The same applies to your objective statement on your resume. You should make your potential employer want to read more about you based on your objective statement.

Good luck in your job search

Fran

P.S. Need a little help? Click here

Job Search Survival Kit

Today, I am giving you a

DAILY SURVIVAL KIT

to help you each day............


Toothpick ... to remind you to pick the good qualities in everyone, including yourself.

Rubber band ... to remind you to be flexible. Things might not always go the way you want, but it can be worked out.

Band-Aid ... to remind you to heal hurt feelings, either yours or someone else's.

Eraser ... to remind you everyone makes mistakes. That's okay, we learn by our errors.

Candy Kiss ... to remind you everyone needs a hug or a compliment everyday.

Mint ... to remind you that you are worth a mint to your family & Me.

Bubble Gum ... to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything.

Pencil ... to remind you to list your blessings every day.

Tea Bag ... to remind you to take time to relax daily and go over that list of God's blessings.

This is what makes life worth living every minute, every day


Wishing you love, gratitude, friends to cherish, caring, sharing, laughter, music, and warm feelings in your heart in the
2012 year.

Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca

Are You Unemployed?

Job Search Tips


If you’re not sure what to do, here’s a list that might help.

1. Know thyself.

Identify what really interest and excites you. Understand that these traits define you and use it to explore career choices and opportunities.

2. Take a career assessment test.

There are a lot of career assessment tests available online. Find the time to take one. The test gives you a lot of insights about your core competencies and work preferences.

3. Ask others.

It’s actually quite difficult to see yourself as others do. It would be to your advantage to ask friends and family on your traits and skills. Your co-workers are also a good source of information. Knowing how they perceive you, what they like and don’t like about you and what skills or traits need to be changed can be helpful in determining your professional profile.

4. What moves you?

Would you be more interested in status or a six figure salary? Do you want to make a difference in your community and the world or just on your company’s net worth?

5. Take charge.

In the ‘80s, when you worked for a large company, you usually could conclude that you would be working there for your entire career. In those days, the corporation drove your career path, advancing as it saw fit.

At the turn of the century, times have changed. In the span of your career, you would probably work for at least five companies. In most cases, you will probably work for more than five. Know which career track you desire, and make sure that track brings you to where you wish to go.

6. Determine the company fit.

With the current emphasis on streamlined and productivity-focused companies, the cultural and company fit are just as important as the professional goals. Consider the values and principles of the company and compare them with your own. It is important that you feel comfortable and fit in with company.

7. Free your mind.

The career path you choose is about change and more change. It includes expansion and new opportunities. All of these changes require a desire to journey and discover.

8. Balance is the key.

A huge amount of time is devoted to your career when you are in your 20s and 30s. When you reach your 40s, your personal life might take precedence and maybe more important to you. Find a corporation that will provide you with a balance in your work and your life.

9. Don’t hang around.

If you’re not satisfied with the way your career is going, go do something. Always be in control of your career path to have a satisfying career.

Good luck in your job search

Fran Watson

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 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.

to your job search success

Fran
P.S. Are you videotaping your interview practice? It's a good idea to see how you look to an employer. Click here to learn more

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

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

Transferable Skills

Identifying your skills and getting that job

When applying for a job, it is important that you identify your strengths and weaknesses and get prepared to address them. By knowing your advantages, the chances of getting the job that you want will become easier. But you should not get too confident since this is one of the common mistakes that plague job applicants. Appearing too confident or as somewhat of a "know-it-all" will only get you labeled by your interviewer as unfit for the job.

Identifying your skills

First thing's first. You should identify your skills. You should be able to articulate your abilities and expertise. Many people have a hard time telling their skills and abilities as this may seem to be bragging, or "blowing your own horn". But you should not be shy or afraid to discuss your skills. In fact, it is important that you are able to convey to your potential employer exactly what your talents are. You need to be able to sell your abilities to an employer. That is how you will get the job that you want.

It is important that you don't appear arrogant or condescending but you should also avoid selling yourself short. If the interviewer asks you about your strengths or what separates you from the other applicants, you should be able to readily give a good answer. But before you even get to the interview part, your resume should highlight your skills and talents for your prospective employer to see.

Type of skills

There are two main types of skills, hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are tangible in the sense that these are things that you do such as: knowing how to operate different kinds of machinery, knowledge of a specialized computer program, ability to type quickly, skills on using many types of tools, credentials regarding special crafts, etc. Soft skills are skills that are rather abstract in nature like personal qualities. This may include: communication or interpersonal skills, being a good team player, having the ability to work on your own, being enthusiastic or organized and decisive.

The steps to follow

1. Begin by making a list of your previous jobs and experience acquired

Make a list of all the companies that you worked for and the things that you learned from these jobs. There will be a lot of things to list and you should be careful enough not to forget even the smallest things or activities that you were part of or organized. Often we forget skills because they are so muh a part of us that we do them without thinking. Take some time to itemize all the things you do in a day or a week. It is also a good idea to list the volunteer activities that you participated in.

2. Include a list of your hobbies

Although it might sound trivial at first, it is also very helpful to list some of your hobbies. There are a lot of abilities that your prospective employer may get from your hobby list and it will also give them an idea of your personality.

For example, if you were part of the school's debating team, then your employer may deduce that you have good analytical skills. If you were a champion chess player, then your employer will have the impression that you are good at making critical decisions. Think of your daily routine and the things that you do and often take for granted. Are you an organized person who always keeps your things in proper order? Are you an extrovert that can easily make friends in a matter of minutes? These may seem ordinary to normal things to you, but your future boss might think otherwise.

3. Deciding what career you want

After listing all your skills and all the things that you do well, you may now decide what field or career you want to take a crack at. Select the skills contained from your list and partner it with the employment you are seeking. Always take time to consider if your skills are relevant to the job that you are aspiring for. Don't worry if you have to cut out some of the skills from your list. It is important to focus on skills that the prospective employer will probably value.

4. Stand by what you write

You should be realistic about your skills and the level of expertise that you have with it. For example, if you indicate that you are a very organized person, then you should be able to show this to the interviewer by being able to organize your thoughts and effectively use the time that was given for your interview.

If you have someone prepare your resume for you, it is important that you be comfortable with what it says. Don't be pressured into putting skills on your resume that you are not confident about. The employer will be able to "read" your unease from your body language. Make sure that you have a "story" or example for each item of strength you list in your highlights.

It is important to know your skills every time you are job hunting. Always put your best foot forward and good luck!

Fran Watson

P.S. If you would like some help with your resume or job search, contact me

Job Applications

Should You Apply for Non-Advertised Jobs?

Are you in search of a new job? If you are and if you are like most job seekers, there is a good chance that you would turn to the internet, namely job posting websites, or to your local newspaper, namely the employment section. While these are the best ways to go about finding information on available jobs, there are many job seekers who choose to submit resumes or job applications to those who are not hiring. Before you start taking this approach, you will want to examine the pros and cons of doing so.

Before examining the pros and cons of submitting a job application or your resume to a company that is not hiring, you may be curious as to how you can go about doing so. Many job seekers use two different options. In today’s society, many businesses have online websites. These online websites may give the mailing address for the company in question. There are many job seekers who will submit their resumes to that address in hopes of seeing success. Others will simply mail in or drop off their resumes or job applications to local companies that they know the address to.

As for the pros and cons of applying for non-advertised jobs, you will find that there are a number of pros or plus sides to doing so. One of the pros or plus sides to submitting your resume or a job application to a company that does not advertise or state that they have any current job openings is the jumpstart that you can give yourself. Many companies will choose to take out job advertisements when they have open positions, but others will just go through their current pile of resumes and job applications. If you play your cards right, one of those resumes or job applications may be yours.

Another one of the many pros to applying for non-advertised jobs is the impression that you may create of yourself. Many employers view the submission of job applications and resume as showing initiative. This is the type of impression that you want to create for yourself. You want a prospective employer to be pleased with your wants and your need to have a job, namely with their company.

Although there are a number of pros and plus sides to applying to non-advertised jobs, there are also a number of cons or downsides to doing so as well. One of those downsides is the impression that you can make. As previously stated, some employers may view the submitting of a resume or a job application as showing initiative, but you may be surprised how others feel about the same action. You may end up creating a bad name for yourself without meaning to do so. It is possible that some companies would view your submission of an unsolicited resume or job application as spam.

Another one of the cons or downsides to applying for non-advertised jobs is the response time. As previously stated, many companies choose to go through their pile of job applications and resumes. One of these job applications and resumes can be yours, but you never know when you may end up getting a call for a job interview. You could receive a phone call in a few weeks, a few months, or even a year later. This may not help you if you are looking to find a new job now. With that in mind, you may have nothing to lose by submitting your resume or job application anyways. You may be surprised with a quick response time.

As outlined above, there are a number of pros and cons to submitting your job application or resume for a non-advertised position or company. Since the decision is yours to make, you will want to proceed with caution, as your intentions can swing both ways. That is why you should take the above mentioned factors into consideration when making your decision.

To your job search success

Fran Watson

P.S. If you would like some help with your job search and resume development Click here

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

Need A Resume?

How to write a resume

So you want to know how to write a resume? Maybe you are a recent graduate and are just beginning your job search with diploma in hand. Perhaps you already have a job and want to switch careers or companies some time down the road. Even if you already have a job, it is always a good idea to have a current resume in case you decide you want to change jobs or find yourself downsized. Learning how to write a resume can be one of the most important skills you can acquire in the business world.

Start by gathering together all the information you will need to construct the resume. This is the first step in knowing how to write a resume. When you have all of the information close at hand, the writing process will be much easier. You will need to know the names of the last three places you have worked at along with their address and telephone numbers. Take a moment and jot down the dates you worked there, your job title, and your job duties.

You also need to have your education information. It depends on where you are in life as to what you include here. You will put your most recent education and training, but do not include elementary education. You’ll need the dates and any diplomas received as well as areas of study and any awards received. Include the name of the school as well as the address.

The sections of your resume should include: Highlights of skills, job experience, education, skills, awards and achievements, and volunteer or community involvement. If you are a member of an organization or club, include it in this section. Unless you are specifically requested to provide references, do not include them. However, if the ad for the job you are applying for asks you to include references then state “References are attached” and include a separate reference sheet.

When learning how to write a resume, it is important that you be very professional and use positive words. Your resume is what a prospective employer will see first, so you want to make a good first impression! You have approximately 45 seconds to achieve this.

For more information check out this page.


To your job search success.

Fran Watson

P.S. If you would like help with your resume, please contact me for information.

Cover Letters

How do you write a cover letter for employment

The job market can be very competitive which leads many people to ask themselves, “How do you write a cover letter for employment?” It is true that writing a compelling cover letter can often be a daunting task. A cover letter introduces not only your resume, but you as well. You want that cover letter to be interesting and make the person reading it not only WANT to read your resume but HAVE to read your resume.

There are some very specific things that should be in your resume. Start out by referring to the job that you are applying for and note where you found the position opening. Remember that if you found it in a newspaper, underline the name of the newspaper. Sometimes these little details really count! Employers like to know if their advertising dollars are paying off and what is giving them the best "bang for their buck". Then go on in your cover letter to say how excited you are to know that there is a job like this available and how interested in it you are.

Your resume should be concise, but your cover letter can be a little more in-depth. I have applied for countless jobs and experimented around with various formats for cover letters, during my career as an Employment Counsellor. That does not necessarily make me an expert but it surely has taught me a few things about what I shouldn’t do!

First and foremost, be brief in your cover letter. Introduce yourself, tell the employer why you want the job, let them know about your special skills that would make you perfect for the job, and then express your eagerness for a personal interview. You should ALWAYS include a telephone number at the end of the cover letter so that the employer knows how to reach you. They may not always pay attention to the top part of your resume, but they most likely will see your contact number in your cover letter.

So, how do you write a cover letter for employment? Just speak from the heart and let the person reading the cover letter know that you are truly interested in the job and that you have the qualifications to do the job. Be sure and let them know, too, that what you do not know, you are eager to learn.

Your cover letter should be professional, but it should also reflect your personality. That is what will get you the interview. Once you are face to face with the person doing the hiring, it will be all up to you. After all, it is your personality – as well as your abilities – that make you perfect for this job. When you are face to face, you can express that in ways that can never be shown on a simple piece of paper!

If you have your resume and cover letter prepared professionally or by an agency, make sure that you are happy with the results. You are the one who is going to have to defend whatever is on your resume. If you feel that it isn't "really you", then that is what is going to come across in an interview. You need to be comfortable with what is down on paper.

To your job search success

Fran Watson

P.S. For more information on cover letters, click here

P.P.S. If you would like coaching for your job search, please contact me.

Unemployed?

Coping With Unemployment

The downturn in the economy has caused increased unemployment in our area and the lengthy delay in receiving benefits can make basic living tough. However there are a number of things you can do in order to survive financially.

Step 1: Apply for Employment Insurance as soon as you receive your Record of Employment, or at the end of 3 weeks if you have not yet received it, even if you are sure you will have a job soon. It could take 6-8 weeks before you receive a cheque for EI.

Step 2: Examine your budget or if you haven’t had one before, prepare one now. Cut back as much as possible on all non-essential items.

Step 3: Don’t use your credit cards as a source of funds on a regular basis, or you will be in worse financial shape. Use them only for emergencies.

Step 4: Consider talking to the bank about the possibility of deferring payments for a limited time if necessary.

Step 5: If you have a high debt load you may want to talk to your creditors about reduced payments for a time or consult a credit counselling agency for advice on how to handle your debts.

Step 6: Make sure that your resume is up to date, and that you have a copy on hand at all times.

Step 7: Network! Let everyone know that you are currently looking for work, and the type of work you are looking for.

Remember, losing a job is comparable to losing a loved one and it may take some time to get over the loss. It’s okay to be angry or sad or frustrated. Don’t try to keep it all in. Talk to someone about how you are feeling.


To your job search success!!

Fran
P.S. Check out my site for some free job search tips

Job Search Mistakes

7 Biggest Mistakes Employment Seekers Make
By Dr Alicia Karwat, KeySteps Pty. Ltd. February 2011

Ron McGowan, the author of the book “How to Find WORK in the 21st Century”, has just sent us an email with his account of the seven biggest mistakes employment seekers make.

This is Ron’s way of advertising the book to career coaches, however as he is making a good point in all seven of them I want to share them with you. Review and reflect on your approach to the job search.

1. Ignorance about the impact of Social Media Networks
Recruiters and hiring managers are saying that up to 45 percent of the applicants they review are being rejected because of what they found out about them online. The warning that all social media experts give is: “If it’s online – it isn’t private.”

2. Ineffective use of Social Media Networks.
Getting hired today is moving in the direction of being found by employers rather than the traditional approach of applying for work. Employment seekers must learn how to use social media networks effectively.

3. Focusing on advertised positions.
At least 80 percent of the employment opportunities are never advertised and employment seekers must learn how to sniff these out.

4. Too much emphasis on jobs.
If the only option you give an employer is to offer you a job, you’re making it hard for them to hire you. This is especially true for small businesses, where most of the action is. Being willing to accept part-time, temporary and contract work – without reservations is essential.

5. Ignorance about marketing.
We’re a society that knows how to apply for a job. The challenge for employment seekers today is to become proficient at finding work. Anyone lacking this skill will be unemployed for a long time.

6. Too much focus on resumes.
Employment seekers must learn how to create a variety of tools that are marketing oriented and focused on the needs of the employer.

7. Living in the past.
We keep waiting for the Great Recession to be over and lots of jobs to come back. It’s not going to happen. For a growing number of workers the era of the traditional job and all the stability that came with it is over. In trend-setting California, only about 30 percent of the workforce have traditional jobs. That’s where we’re all headed. Accept it, adjust to it, and move on.


The articles appearing on this blog may be copied in full or in part and used in other sources provided the user acknowledges the author of the material, the name of their organisation and that the material was sourced from the CareerEQ blog site.


I hope this article saved you from making some of these mistakes.

Fran Watson
Career Coach