Author Archives: Roger Weston

The Interview – Do’s and Don’ts

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by Scott Sestak, Staffing Excellence, Inc. While getting a foot in the door with a good resume is the first step, interviews are tough and stressful though there are many things you can do to prepare. You can make yourself look better than your competition by being prepared and get that employment opportunity!Interview “Do’s”:

  • Do prepare for each interview well in advance. Check out the company’s website, know what they do and how big they are. Review the job posting and relate your experience to every line.
  • Put together some good leading questions about the company, inviting the interviewer to talk. Get the interviewer to talk about themselves and their job.
  • Dress up! Unless otherwise told, dress in a nice suit/nice professional outfit. Dress conservatively, longer skirts and conservative tops are a must. Wear comfortable clothes.
  • Come up with some good short stories to tell about things you have done well/accomplished in your career. Practice these until they are second nature.
  • Practice with your friends, role play, get comfortable talking about your experience.
  • Choose your words very carefully and think through your answers. Also, be on your best behavior.
  • Practice practice practice. Never turn down an interview even if you know you won’t take the job. It is great practice and may even lead to new contacts/ideas.
  • Read a few books on body language and interviewing tips to become a professional interviewer.

Some people shoot themselves in the foot in an interview and some interviewers just can’t get over it. Below are just a few things NOT to say/do in your interview. And yes, candidate’s of mine have said/done these things over the years.Interview Don’ts:

  • Do not say “I have other offers but, yours pays a lot more and that’s why I’m interested.”
  • Do not say “I have demonstrated experience. Here, look at all of this…” Then proceed to hand over stacks of paper including old references, marketing plans, reports, misc papers etc. Do not offer any documents unless asked.
  • Never bring a gun into an interview. Yes, someone came into my office one day and it fell out of their briefcase. Not good!
  • Never walk around your interviewer’s desk and show them something on their own computer.
  • When asked: Why did you leave your job? Do not say: “My old boss was a jerk and the company was going bankrupt.” Come up with some better answers.
  • Turn your cell phone off. Never ever answer your cell phone during an interview and talk to the person calling!
  • Do not chew gum. Do not touch anything on the interviewers desk or try to peek at anything.
  • Do not preen your clothes, hair or fidget with a pen etc. Keep still and keep your hands/arms in an open confident position. Never cross your arms, stare or lean back like you’re in a lazyboy.

Be confident and smart with your answers. Think first and you will be just fine.Till next time. Good luck! Scott

When Job Hunting, What You Put on your FaceBook or MySpace Page May Come Back to Haunt You

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When you are having fun and posting stories or photos on FaceBook or MySpace, you are usually only thinking of the present moment and the friends who will read your entries. However, when you start job hunting, you may regret what you put on your MySpace or FaceBook page.Although the internet has become a friendly media for many, you are still putting details out to the public that everyone can read. Unfortunately, someday “everyone” may be a potential employer who will search for additional details about you online. Imagine how embarrassed you would be if you applied for a lofty position with a conservative firm and your prospective employer discovered compromising details about you by doing a simple search of MySpace or FaceBook. Besides the embarrassment, you may also be left out when it comes getting the position you want.Your MySpace or FaceBook page should not contain any information that would come back to haunt you if viewed by a potential employer. There are many ways an employers determines your character and whether you would be a viable team player for their company. Having a racy or questionable presence online will make an employer think twice and could cost you the employment you want. After all, will your new boss really appreciate your “pimping” skills or how hot you are at the clubs? The boss will probably wonder about your level of commitment to the job.When you make entries on your MySpace or FaceBook page, remember you are putting this information out to millions of people. Make sure what you write really reflects the person you are in your resume and would not humiliate you or jeopardize your chances in a competitive job market.

The Follow-Up Letter: An Important Tool in Your Career Search Arsenal

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You did everything you needed to do to make a great impression at your job interview. From an impressive resume to a suitable suit to impeccable manners, you feel that the job interviewer viewed you in a positive light. Is there anything else you can do to ensure top consideration for your dream job?Sending a follow-up letter after your employment interview is an important tool in your career search arsenal. By sending a follow-up letter, you are reminding the job interviewer of your existence. After all, the interviewer may be reviewing dozens or hundreds of resumes and people. Your follow-up letter may be the simple reminder the interviewer needs to keep your name and face in the forefront of their thoughts. Also, sending a follow-up letter after your interview gives you an opportunity to thank the interviewer for their time. This shows your ability to appreciate the time constraints of your prospective employers as well as your sense of savvy with regard to proper business protocol and communication. Sending a well-written, polite follow-up letter only takes a few minutes and can mean the difference between landing the job you want or being forgotten after you leave the job interview.

Part 5: The Components of a Federal Job Vacancy Announcement – HOW TO APPLY

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The final component of a Federal job vacancy announcement is the section that outlines how to apply for the position. Once you decide you are interested in and qualified for a particular Federal job, this section provides the specifics required to apply and try to get an interview.The how to apply section lets you know if you can send applications via email or facsimile as well as the deadline for applying. For people who are unable to electronically submit their Federal resume or the hearing impaired, information is supplied about how to contact personnel for additional assistance. This section will also let your know what supporting documents are required to apply for the position such as a formal application and resume as well as responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities listed in the vacancy announcement. For those submitting with a veterans preference, additional documentation for submission may be outlined. The how to apply section also lets you know the addresses and numbers where you should send your application paperwork and who to contact if you are disabled and require reasonable accommodations to apply for the job.When you are ready to try to get that dream job with the Federal government, the how to apply component of the employment vacancy announcement gives you all the instructions you need to get the interview you want. Carefully following the directions will ensure you have an opportunity to be considered for a coveted Federal position.

Part 4: The Components of a Federal Job Vacancy Announcement

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BENEFITS and OTHER INFO

Now that you have reviewed the overview, duties and qualifications for a Federal position you are ready to consider the fourth component of the Federal job vacancy announcement – Benefits and Other Info.The Benefits and Other Info section clearly defines the benefits you would be entitled to if you secured the Federal position you are considering. Health insurance benefits are specified as well as any costs that would be shared with a prospective Federal employer and the coverage you would receive. This section also provides information about life insurance, long term-care insurance and any other type of insurance you may qualify for as an employee. This section also gives you the facts about retirement benefits and the type of savings and investment programs you are entitled to participate in for retirement planning. Other possible benefits outlined in the Benefits and Other Info section of the Federal job vacancy announcement include transportation expenses, annual vacation time, sick leave, holidays, possible advancement opportunities and pertinent facts about relocation for the position.To ensure the Federal position you want also provides the benefits you need, it is important to review the Benefits and Other Info section of the job vacancy announcement. Most Federal jobs offer outstanding salaries with a comprehensive benefits package that is truly impressive.

Part 3: The Components of a Federal Job Vacancy Announcement

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QUALIFICATIONS and EVALUATIONS

The third component of a standard Federal job vacancy announcement is the Qualifications and Evaluations section, which will help you customize your Federal resume. This section is particularly important to review so you can make a determination as to whether or not you possess the necessary elements to apply for a specific Federal employment.The duties and accomplishments expected to fulfill the requirements of the job posted will be clearly outlined for potential applicants in the Qualifications and Evaluations section of the announcement. Education and experience required for consideration is listed along with requirements for describing and evidencing your own qualifications for the position posted. If graduate education is expected or there are special requirements for the position, it is specified in this section. Most importantly, this component of the announcement contains the job-rated questions necessary to prepare a Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Statement in support of your application if you decide to apply for the job. Basis for rating applicants is also defined in this section including veterans preference.A careful review of the Qualifications and Evaluations section of a Federal job vacancy announcement is the key to determining if the position is right for you and how to apply if it is your dream government job.

Part 2 The Components of a Federal Job Vacancy Announcement

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DUTIES

When you search for jobs at the USAJobs website, it is essential to understand the components of a Federal job vacancy announcement as if you don’t have the right qualifications, you won’t make the cut even if you have a great Federal resume. The first page you reach will be the Job Overview, which provides enough information about the position to determine if you want additional details. If you decide from the Job Overview that you want more facts about the Federal position posted, the next section to review is the Job Duties.The Duties section of a Federal job vacancy announcement clearly details all the responsibilities required to fulfill the position. While the Job Overview offers a summary of what needs to be done if you get the job, the Duties section outlines all the duties involved when you secure a particular Federal position. You should carefully review the extent of the duties so you can ensure you are a viable candidate for the Federal position you consider. If you have not performed some of the duties or they sound unfamiliar to you, you may not be the best candidate for that particular job. On the other hand, if the duties sound like tasks you are familiar with and feel confident about performing, you may wish to consider this Federal job further.If a review of the Job Overview and the detailed Duties section of the Federal job vacancy announcement sound appealing, you are ready to move on to the next section of the online posting to get additional information about your potential dream job.

Part 1: The Components of a Federal Job Vacancy Announcement

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JOB OVERVIEWTo understand how to look for a coveted position with the Federal government, it is important to know the components of a Federal job vacancy announcement otherwise sending your Federal government resume will be useless.When you visit USAJobs to search for viable Federal employment opportunities, the first page that will be shown for each position is the Job Overview. The overview will include pertinent details about the job so you can easily determine if this is a potential position you might be interested in. The Federal job overview will include facts such as:

  • official job title;
  • salary range for the position;
  • the open period of time you can apply for the job;
  • series and grade;
  • potential for promotions;
  • locations where you can find job vacancies;
  • basic factors for consideration for the job posted; and
  • a summary of the job that includes the basic duties required to fulfill the requirements of the position.

Carefully reviewing the Job Overview will tell give you enough information to determine if the position is an option that interests you, if you are qualified to apply for the job and how long you will be able to apply for the position. If you determine the Federal job posted is a good option you are ready to move on to the next component of the Federal job vacancy announcement.

8 Hours to International Business Success

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Nine out of ten executives New Year’s resolutions call for increased business success. How to make a positive first impression with multicultural clients? How to strike up a conversation with Asian business partners? Should the tines of the fork face up or down? In just one Saturday, over a 5-course meal and instructive role-play activities, the answers can now be found in Central London bi-monthly.”International Business etiquette courses were introduced in Europe by Minding Manners in 2004 and the growth in the seminars popularity in the UK has quadrupled” says Tamiko Zablith, Director of Minding Manners. The Polished Professional hands-on workshop is the only business etiquette programme designed for busy businessmen and women looking to master the new codes of etiquette and decorum for advancement in today’s international arena. “While many business professionals understand the rudimentary rules of domestic social graces, the very polish that sets them apart in their country is often the downfall of their business relationships when working in a multicultural environment. Knowing that businesswomen in France are expected to remain seated, whereas in Germany or the US this is unheard of, will make a very big difference in the level of respect one gives and receives. Likewise, as most business is conducted over a meal, for increased credibility, table manners must shine brighter than the silver: placing hands on the lap à la Anglaise will garner very negative marks when off domestic shores. The truly Polished Professional knows precisely what to do, when to do it and how, depending on where he or she is and with whom he or she is communicating”, concludes Zablith.Because the “how” is equally as important as the “why”, this innovative programme uncovers the mindset behind the codes, as well as offers hands-on practical exercises to learn by doing. And because what is proper in one country may be fiercely taboo in another, participants will master the art of projecting cultural awareness at home and abroad; from the UK to the US, across Europe to Asia, the Middle East, Africa or anywhere in between, all in just one 8-hour course.The 1-day interactive workshop covers international business & social etiquette, dining, entertaining, mingling & networking, body language & gestures, intercultural communication, personal presence and professional style. It includes a 5-course tutorial luncheon, refreshments, afternoon tea, materials and a workbook. The setting is central London at The Gore Hotel; Kensington, bi-monthly at the rate of £285 per person.Tamiko Zablith, Europe’s leading internationally certified Etiquette & Protocol Consultant and the Managing Director of Minding Manners Ltd. leads the programme personally. Minding Manners is Europe’s premier full-service etiquette and protocol consultancy specialising in Business Etiquette, International Protocol and International Social Etiquette. Registered at Suite 322, 34 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0RH, UK.

Making a Resolution to Find a New Job in 2008?

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Many Americans take time to reflect on their lives while spending time with friends and family during the holiday season and it is traditionally popular to make resolutions for the coming New Year. A common resolution involves either career advancement or finding employment. For those who haven’t looked for a new job in while, the many resources available today can seem a bit overwhelming- but it doesn’t have to be. The online employment community at Jobing.com has developed this resume writing help guide those who will seek a new job in 2008. Probe. The first step is to take stock of your current employment situation and identify specific goals for yourself; do you want to look for a new job or go for a promotion at your current employer? What is it about your current situation that you want to change and why? Before engaging your time and energy, it is a good idea to identify a specific career goal for yourself.Prioritize. After you’ve identified a specific career goal (or goals), it is important to decide what factors are the most important to you in your job search by thinking about common questions such as: are you simply looking to make more money or is salary negotiable? Are you ready to make the next move up the ladder in your career or is a lateral move more realistic? Are you willing to relocate- if not how far away are you willing to commute? Are you going to stay within your current industry or is it time for you to try something new? Identifying those things most important to you upfront will help guide your job search and keep you focused on those positions that seem to fit your priorities best.Project. For many job seekers, projecting into the future is helpful in identifying steps needed in order to get where you want to be- envision the ideal position you’d like to be in. What do you want to be doing in 5 years? What is that dream job you’d like to have and what qualifications will you need to land it? Whether it is experience, education, or a promotion, there are a variety of factors that can influence your ability to land the ideal job in the future; identifying these factors will help make that dream job a reality.Plan. You have your goals and priorities identified and now it’s time to outline your action plan. Is your resume updated? Do you have current references? What job search resources can you use to search for a new position? How much time can you devote to your search every week?Persistence. Whatever resources you use or advice you receive, remember there is no “magic bullet,” no one single answer to finding the job you love. Your job search is a process that requires your passion, diligence and the flexibility to continue to improve your approach. Follow up interviews with thank you notes and network as much as possible to help you identify good opportunities.For more information and job seeking advice, visit at www.jobing.com.EDITOR’S NOTE: Local experts are available for interviews (including New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day), to share these tips and general job searching advice for people who are making resolutions to find a new job in 2008. Contact Joe Cockrell to schedule at (602) 516-5537.About Jobing.com:A three-time Inc. 500™ fastest-growing company, Jobing.com is a leading media provider of locally-focused recruiting, online job search and talent management solutions designed to connect local employers and job seekers. Jobing.com’s portfolio of products include, among others: the largest locally-focused job search web site; Career Expo job fairs; JobingVideo; JobingCareerCenter and Go Jobing magazine. Jobing.com is a privately held, employee-owned company, funded by investors Great Hill Partners and JMI Equity. The company currently serves communities in the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Wisconsin. For more information visit www.Jobing.com.