Tips for Making a Great Impression

We all know how important first impressions are and you know you never get a second chance to make a good first one, so you need to jump in with both feet at work and make a good impression on both the boss and your co-workers. If you do this, you will be known as the go-to person and it could help secure your position at the company and lead to promotions and raises.

Here are our top 7 ways to make a great impression on the job.

1. Follow proper office etiquette and protocol. Using good manners – from not interrupting a co-worker to having good table manners at business luncheons to properly using company resources such as email – goes a long way in making a good impression. Keep a positive attitude, your co-workers and boss will notice and appreciate it.
2. Taking the blame. If you make a mistake, ‘fess up. Everyone makes mistakes, it’s inevitable but what can make you stand apart is the way you own up to that mistake. Don’t ignore it or blame it on others and if possible, come up with a way to fix the mistake.
3. The sky is not falling. If something unexpected happens, remain calm. Even if your stomach is filled with butterflies, maintain an outer calm, your boss and co-workers will appreciate how you handle yourself in a crisis.
4. Are you really sick? You’re not sure if it’s the flu or just a cough. Do you come to work and spread your germs or stay home and spare your co-workers an illness? A boss who is reasonable, would prefer you stay home and take care of yourself rather than spreading germs around the office. Call in sick when you need to but be judicious about using sick time.
5. Politics and religion don’t mix at the office. Avoid talking about inappropriate topics and also avoid the office gossip mill.
6. Calendar it. You need to be able to prioritize and complete projects in a timely manner. If you can complete a project ahead of time and of high quality, your boss will be impressed.
7. Image matters. Always make a good impression by dressing appropriately at the office. If your company has a dress code, follow it. Even if they don’t have a written dress code, emulate your boss or another individual within the company that you’d like to work with, or for. If you aspire to be a leader in your company, dress like one.

When you’re new on the job it’s a great time to volunteer for additional projects if they’re offered and even if you’re not a social butterfly, try not to avoid office after hour events and lunch meetings, it’s a great way to network and propel your career forward.

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7 Tips to Take Your Resume to the Top of the Pile

When you’re job hunting, one size does not fit all when it comes to your resume. You want to make certain you customize each resume and cover letter for each new job you apply for. It would certainly be easier to send out the same resume and a blanket “Please hire me” cover letter but you need to make yourself stand out from the crowd,  especially at a time when there are sometimes hundreds of candidates vying for the same position.

Here’s seven tips on how to revise your resume for each position you apply for:

1. Focus on key words: Mirror the language that is in the job advertisement. If they are using industry standard words, you want to include those in your resume. If they say “supervise” and your resume says “manage” you’d want to change your resume to echo the ad. If you know the name of the company to which you’re applying, see what kind of words they use on their Home or About Us page on the website.
2. Be objective and lose the Objective Statement: It’s a given that the employer knows you are, “seeking a job in the XYZ field” the objective statement takes up room on your resume and truly doesn’t say anything. Instead, create a personal summary statement that shows how you’d be better than the other candidates, show examples of where you have excelled in a past position. Show a potential employer how you can solve a problem, not what you need from them.
3. Never tell a lie: It’s easy to stretch the truth on your resume. Maybe you were pursuing a certification but then never earned it – don’t include it. If you claim to know about a particular software, but you really don’t, it will soon become apparent.
4. Spice it up: Check your resume and see if you can use any stronger verbs. Rather than say “responsibilities included writing press releases” you could say “wrote all company press releases.”
5. Get rid of repetition: Don’t waste the space on telling the employer something they can figure out on their own. If you were a copywriter for an air conditioning company, don’t write, “wrote all copy for a wide variety of air conditioners and air conditioning services.” Highlight achievements, recognition received or ways you improved the company’s SEO rankings because of your copywriting.
6. Don’t tell them a story: It’s tempting to tell a rich history of each job and of your life and make yourself sound so compelling the employer simply has to meet you but don’t. And also, only put in items that are position –relevant. If you’re looking for a job as a computer service technician and in your spare time you are a licensed dog groomer, you want to omit the dog grooming from your resume.
7. Looks count: Tack your resume up on a wall and step back and look at it objectively. How does it look? Is it top heavy with experience? Bottom heavy with education? Is it pleasing to the eye? Are the fonts readable?

Look at your resume as your sales tool – because it is. Your resume is the first thing an employer knows about you, make yourself stand out from the crowd and take the time to make each resume a little bit different.

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Tips to Mastering the Phone Interview

You’ve sent out several resumes and now a potential employer has responded requesting a phone interview. Great, right? Yes. With employers being deluged by resumes from job seekers, a telephone interview is becoming more popular as a way to weed out those individuals the employer will not bring in for an in-person interview.

The following advice will help you become a pro at the telephone interview and help you move up to the next important step – the face-to-face.

The main reason for the telephone interview is that the employer wants to narrow the pool of qualified candidates. If the call is simply a culling of the herd it will likely be a straightforward screening call where you will be asked to recite the information that’s on your resume. You may be given an opportunity to expand on your experience and achievements. Use the time wisely and offer facts that support your resume, not simply a recitation of the information that’s included.

Use quantifiable facts and figures to back up your experience. Sound professional but not too personal. Remember, your goal in this first call is to garner an in-person interview with someone who has the authority to hire you.

In a perfect world, your potential employer will pre-schedule a phone interview. If you are caught off guard, see if you can reschedule. Tell the caller that you have a time conflict right now and could you call back. You don’t want to undertake a phone interview when you’re in the grocery store or otherwise distracted.

When you call back for your interview, be as prepared for the call as you would if it was an in-person interview. Dress the part, it really will make you feel and sound more professional.

Before you pick up the phone have a few items ready:

• Your resume
• Your professional references
• The advertisement for the position so you can refer to it if you need to
• Your calendar
• Information you’ve researched about the company
• A short list of questions for the interviewer – this lets them know you are taking the interview seriously and have done your homework

Make yourself sound like a pro:

• Smile when you speak – it shows in your voice
• Speak into the phone directly – avoid using a headphone
• Don’t eat or drink during the interview
• Stand up when you’re speaking
• Make certain there won’t be background noise, a phone ringing, dog barking, etc.

Be memorable one you’ve hung up the phone

• Address the interviewer by name and confirm the company name and number
• Be a better listener than a talker
• Avoid answering with simple yes or no – elaborate when you can with pertinent information
• Ask for time if you need to think about what you’re going to say but let the caller know you’re thinking, not that you’re daydreaming and not paying attention
• When the call is wrapping up, make sure you reiterate your interest in the job and why you’d be a perfect fit for it. Remember the employer has a need they have to fill so let them know why you can fill that need with the skill sets you will bring to the position.

Some individuals find it helpful to record their selves when they’re in a phone interview. They listen to the recording after the interview is over to see where they could have better answered a question and to help rid themselves of speech peppered with “um” and “errs” and other speech delayers.

Take a phone interview as seriously as you would take an in-person interview – if you do you might make it to the next step in the process and ultimately be offered a job.

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Facts & Myths about Job Interviews

You’ve been on your share of interviews and have gone through career counseling so you know all there is to know about job interviewing, right? Perhaps not. There are some job interview misconceptions out there that, David Couper explores in his book, "Outsiders on the Inside." He lists many of the myths that abound and that could prevent you from landing your perfect job.

Here are three things you might want to forget you learned in the past so that you can make the most of your next job interview.

Misconception #1:  Believing the interviewer is prepared. It’s likely the interviewer, in addition to being on interview-overload, is stressed with the idea of having to find a candidate for the position and for having to find the “perfect” candidate. He has likely skimmed your resume but certainly hasn’t memorized it or really given much thought as to how you can best benefit his organization.

To make this work to your benefit, you need to be prepared by thinking of the job interview as a way to be a problem solver for the interviewer. You need to have researched the company so that you know how to best present yourself and your skills. Show the interviewer you’ve done your homework and offer examples to back up the experience on your resume.

Misconception #2: You go into the interview believing the interviewer will ask the appropriate questions. Many interviewers will toss out the standard, “Tell me about yourself,” and “What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses.” In some cases it’s in your best interest to interview the interviewer. Come prepared with concrete examples of how you helped move projects ahead, how you saved your former employer time or money. Offer reference letters rather than leaving it up to the potential employer to call your references.

Misconception #4: It’s not always the most qualified person who lands the job. Many times it’s the interviewee with the best “stage presence” who gets the job; the one who dresses the best, projects the best first impression and who makes a connection with the interviewer.

To set yourself apart, come to the interview prepared, personable, dressed to impress and make the interviewers job easier and you stand a better chance to land your dream job.

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5 Careers to Change Life in Cubicle City

When you were considering what career path you want to follow did you stop to think about whether you want to be out around people and moving around during the work day or do you imagine yourself working in a cube? If the thought of working in a cubicle surrounded by the hum of computer equipment and fluorescent lights makes you  cringe, you may want to consider one of these careers.

• Private investigator. Sure the career might not seem as glamorous as it appears on television shows, but you will likely not be sitting inside an office all day. There will definitely be some desk work but you will have the opportunity to be out and about tracking down clues. The US Department of Labor forecasts a 22% growth in this career field between now and 2018.
• Event planner. For this career you need to be a people person who is organized and responsible. You’ll be interacting with clients, vendors and potential customers each time you step foot out of the door. To score this kind of a job, employers typically look for individuals with degrees and experience in public relations, marketing or general business backgrounds.
• Chef or restaurant manager. If you have a passion for food and a high energy career, you might want to become a chef. It’s rare for a chef to start out at the top – they typically work their way up through the ranks. Enrolling in culinary school would be a natural step. If you have more of a head for business than flambé pots, you might want to look into becoming a restaurant manager – the job calls for the running of the day to day operations of the restaurant.
• Healthcare professional. A registered nurse or other health care workers will find themselves moving around all day – from patient to patient. If you have a caring nature and want to help others, this could be a career path to follow. There will be more than a half a million new nursing positions opening before 2018, according to the US Department of Labor.
• School teacher. Yes, there have been cutbacks in teaching positions through retirement and attrition but with the population continuing to expand, the need for quality teachers remains. Regardless of the topic you choose to teach and whether it’s elementary, high school or college level, your days are likely not going to be the same from one day to the next.

Whether you’re just starting out in your career or are looking to pursue a new career path that will ignite your passions, these are just a few with growth potential in the future.

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Tips for Career Change

Whether you’re looking for a career change because you feel stagnated in your current position or if you see the writing on the wall in the form of downsizing, it can take planning and stealth when pursuing a new career while employed. The first thing to do is research that “dream job.” If you want to be an accountant, what skills are needed? What training or education would you need? Is it feasible to pursue that training while still employed full time?

Remember, if you’re pursuing education in your drive toward a new job, you have to excel in your classes. For higher-profile jobs, an employer will look at those who attain the top grades. Could you feasibly attend classes, complete homework and score good grades while working?

Will you sign up for on campus classes or online – distance learning – classes. It can be easier to earn a degree in an online setting because you can take classes at your convenience.

Here are five tips to take to take the steps toward your new job:

1. Study the requirements needed for your new career choice
2. Where can you take the courses – online or on a campus. Is there a school that is more highly regarded than another in your new career of choice
3. If you need to put in face time in your  new class, can you work it around your employment schedule?
4. You will also have to maintain a good work/life balance while studying
5. Once you’ve attained your degree, you will have to make time to research positions and find time to interview

Never let your commitment to your current employer slide while in pursuit of a new career. You may not want to be fully honest with your employer in the fact that you are seeking a new career and attending college. You want to maintain good rapport with your current employer so you can request a reference once you leave.

While these are always good ideas to keep front of mind when at work, they are even more important when your loyalties may be divided between your current job and your future career:

1. Maintain your commitment to your current employer
2. Be punctual
3. Be part of the team and dress the part
4. Always offer to be part of a team and lend your expertise in areas where there is a project in need of completion
5. Make yourself indispensible – your boss will remember this when it comes time to request a reference.

These are just a few ideas to keep in mind when looking to change careers but to no burn any bridges in the pursuit of that goal.

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10 tips to turn your temp job permanent

Everyone is looking for that perfect full time job in his or her career field, but if that isn’t readily available, why not consider taking a temp job? Many times a temp job can lead to permanent employment because who knows – maybe the employer has been burned in the past and wants to “try out” candidates before taking the plunge. If you land a temp job that you enjoy, here are some ways to turn that temp job into a permanent gig.

1. Look at your temp job as a long job interview – by that we mean, always do your best work. Be punctual, cheerful, and conscientious. Always volunteer for extra duties.
2. Find a temp job in a career field in which you’d like to have a long term career. Consider the temp job as on the job training and since you’re already there, you could be a natural when the time comes to hire permanently.
3. Adapt to, and adopt, the company’s culture. Show that you’re taking the temp job seriously and try to become one of the gang. Follow company policies and procedures.
4. Be part of the team – always. Offer to work overtime if needed. When the boss is looking for a volunteer for a project, raise your hand. Make friends with the permanent workers.
5. Dress for success. Even though you’re a temp, don’t dress or act like one. Dress one notch above what the company culture mandates.
6. Keep a resume with you at all times. Make sure your resume is up to date and keep one with you because you never know when someone at the job might ask to see it.
7. Don’t downplay your contributions. Make sure your employer knows the additional tasks you’re taking on and if you’ve honed in on some specialized aspect of the job, talk it up. Let your employer and colleagues know if you have a special work talent – computer repair, copier un-jamming or excellent phone skills.
8. Immerse yourself in the company culture. Because your employer may not think to offer in-depth training, make an effort on your own to learn all you can about the company and the products and services it offers.
9. Shake a lot of hands. Look at your temp job as a way to network for eight hours a day. Make yourself visible to anyone and everyone. Wander the halls, say hello, eat lunch in the cafeteria or breakroom and shake hands with as many people as you can.

10.  Keep a positive attitude even though the permanent workers may ignore you. Chances are the temp job has been a revolving door so no one makes an effort to get to know the temp. Also, be enterprising and pick up tasks that no one else wants to do and if you can find ways to save the company money or increase clients or sales and if you do, let the boss know.

Look at a temporary position as a stepping stone to a permanent position and if it doesn’t work out at the current job, you can use your temp position – and ask the employer for a reference for the next position.

Don’t forget, too that you need to let the employer know you are interested in long-term employment. There are some individuals who only want to work temporary positions but let the employer know you are not one of them.

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5 Things to Keep to Yourself at Work

When you’re in college and talking to your friends and classmates, almost anything goes in conversation, right? Once you get into the workforce, you have to temper your conversations for the workplace.

A thoughtless response to a co-worker or supervisor could land you in hot water or worse – the unemployment line.  Many workers -- employees and managers alike – don’t always realize that what they say, and how they say it can contribute to an uncomfortable working environment. Once you’ve said the words, you just can’t take them back and you don’t want to be known as the person who behaves inappropriately.

Karen Friedman, author of “Shut Up and Say Something: Business Communication Strategies to Overcome Challenges and Influence Listeners,” writes that because we spend so much time at work, we tend to let our guard down because we become so comfortable with the people with whom we are spending so much time.

Just as there are topics that should be avoided at the dinner table, there are also those that need to be avoided at work. Politics and religion might not need to be completely avoided, but they are touchy subjects in the best of time. In a recent survey only one-third of managers and employees said they are comfortable discussion religious or political views with colleagues.

You also don’t want to tell your co-workers (or post to Facebook) your wild weekend escapades, either. It can damage your image at work and might even get you passed over for a promotion.

“Medical gross-outs” – those items that have to do with bodily functions, surgeries or recent illnesses should be left at home.

Additionally, you never want to announce to a boss or co-worker, “that’s not in my job description.” You always want to be seen as a team player, especially in an economic climate where employees can be pink-slipped in order to help the company’s bottom line. If you aren’t willing to go the extra mile or lend a helping hand, your employer will be hard-pressed to find a reason to offer you a promotion or additional responsibilities.

Coming to work with a bad attitude or moaning and groaning about the duties that are expected of you won’t get you far in your career, either. You will de-motivate your colleagues and place your commitment to the company in question. Even if you aren’t thrilled with what your job is, find some things that you enjoy about it and focus on the best parts.

You always want to remember to dress for success. The way you present yourself both before you get hired and also every day at work, sets the tone for whether your boss keeps you in mind when there are promotions. While you may not have to wear a suit every day, you always want to put your best foot forward and make a professional impression on your employer and your colleagues.

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5 Tips Human Resources will never Tell You

Chances are, you won’t have much interaction with the human resources department other than the day you’re hired and if you get fired or leave the company. The HR department, however, monitors employees behind the scenes most days of your employment – and before.

Here are five things they won’t tell you they’re doing before and after you come on board:

1. If you arrive too early, or too late for an interview it reflects badly on you. Arriving late is a given that it wouldn’t bode well for you and the interview. But hiring managers also see arriving too early as a red flag because some of them feel that you have no regard for their time if you show up too early. Ten minutes is the optimal time to arrive for your interview.  Remember, when you come to the interview, appearances count. Research shows that the decision to hire or not hire is made within the first 90 seconds of the hiring manager meeting you. When you come to the interview, make certain you’re properly dressed, neat fingernails, clean hair, fresh breath.
2. Many times before even calling you in for an interview, a prospective employer is performing a background check on you by going through social media to find you and see what image you project online. There are many technologies that companies employ to monitor prospective internet activities.
3. Remember, you won’t get hired to work from home if you aren’t a home-professional. A work from home position means you need to project an image of being a home professional from the beginning. If you’re doing a phone interview, make certain there are no babies crying or dogs barking in the background.
4. Just because you’ve snagged the position, your personal hygiene still matters. Smelling like cigarettes counts against you when you’re interviewing and after you’ve landed the job. Your weight can count against you. If you’re worried if your weight is going to work against you, you need to point out from the beginning your skills and why you’d be great for the job.
5. Just as the employer monitors your social media activities before they hire you, chances are, they will be documenting your internet usage once you’re hired. Don’t imagine there is any level of privacy when you’re using company technologies.

It’s always in your best interest to put your best foot forward both before you’re hired and while you’re on the job. In today’s shaky economy, every employee needs to be on his or her best behavior.

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7 ways to be a valued employee

With today’s shaky economy, it’s not only unemployed people who are stressed about work. Even those with job, are worried because they see upper management making staff reductions just to stay viable. If you want to hold onto your  position we have these top seven tips to help you be a valuable team member.

1. Project a positive attitude – As in every aspect of your life, a great attitude makes you a valuable part of the office environment. No employer – or your co-workers for that matter – want to work around someone with a negative personality or one who gossips. Regardless of whether your workplace is going through upheaval, make the most of it – focus on the things you like about your job, and remember, at least you’re employed. Also, avoid bad mouthing your employer, especially if you take your complaints to social media outlets like Facebook or Twitter; people have lost their jobs for doing just that.
2. Be a team player – Hone your skills when it comes to being a team player. You need to have both problem solving and communication skills. Learn how to listen and offer constructive criticism when asked. When there are cutbacks in your team, be willing to jump in and pick up some of the slack.
3. Turn in top notch work – Let your boss know you’re dedicated to your job and the tasks that are assigned. Go above and beyond the minimum job requirements. Believe us, employers know when you stay late and come in early. Keep track of the work you perform and the projects you complete so you can talk yourself up during employee evaluations.
4. Get an evaluation – If there are any doubts in your mind as to where you stand with your boss and your place in the company – ask for an evaluation. There is no shame in asking for an evaluation. Ask your boss for feedback, be willing to make changes if your performance isn’t up to par. Also be ready to show your boss the value you bring to the company by highlighting what you’ve done in the past year so you might be able to avoid the pink slip.
5. Stay current -- With the job market being what it is, there is no time to rest on past performance and skills. You should keep current by attending workshops, conferences and courses both as a way to keep your skills current and to network. This will make you an asset to your employer and also keep your name “out there” in the event you need to look for a job.
6. Always be a professional – Your behavior, both inside and outside, of the office reflects on your employer. Acting, and dressing, within the company standards can make a difference between getting a promotion or the axe. Dressing too casually (even on casual Friday), coming in late, leaving early, taking and receiving personal phone calls, missing deadlines and myriad other bad behaviors can draw negative attention to yourself.
7. Keep it quiet – It’s always wise to look for a job when you still have one; there are even employers out there who won’t even interview candidates if they’re not employed. You obviously want to keep your job search under wraps and you certainly don’t want to use any company resources to do your job hunting. 
   

Remember, no matter how long you’ve been with your employer and no matter how loyal you’ve  been or how stellar your performance, no one’s job is guaranteed. To keep the job that you have you need to remain relevant and remind your employer that you bring value to the company.

Tagged as: Business Attire, Career, Office Etiquette 1 Comment

Tips for Interviewing

Honesty is the best policy, right? Maybe. Maybe not when it comes to job interviews. In the book,  The 6 Reasons You'll Get the Job: What Employers Look For — Whether They Know It Or Not, you learn tips on what to share and what to keep to yourself when it comes to answering questions in a job interview.

If you’re looking for a job and your challenges are visible, such as a serious weight problem or a physical disability, you should adopt a direct approach with a potential employer. While it is against the law, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, for a potential employer to discriminate you should be upfront and address a potential employers concerns.

As an example, in the book the authors talk about an individual who’d lost an arm in an accident. He addressed that issue during the interview by explaining he had a specialized keyboard and he could type 85 words per minute. With this discussion, the interviewee put forth a positive attitude and addressed a potential concern from the employer without making the employer bring up the discussion. He diffused what could have been a potentially awkward situation for the interviewer.

“Older” job-seekers need to address concerns on how up-to-date they are on job skills, potential health issues and ability to adapt to new technologies. If you have taken courses in new technologies, if you participate in marathons or other healthy activities, let the potential employer know.

If you happen to have a criminal record, you need to be prepared to face that head on and talk about what happened and how you have changed since that time. Never lie on an application if it asks whether you have been convicted of a crime or if you have served time.

For individuals who have experienced a prolonged period of unemployment you should list yourself as a consultant on your resume and include both paid and unpaid experience. Because of the recent economic downturns and high unemployment rates, employers don’t typically shun an individual who has been unemployed, especially if that person can show they were doing something in the interim – volunteering, freelance work, sometimes even flipping burgers shows you were willing to do something with your time rather than simply collecting unemployment insurance benefits.

You certainly don’t want to use your interview as an impromptu therapy session but remember you don’t want to obtain a position under false pretenses and have it backfire when an employer discovers you were less than forthcoming from the beginning.

Hiring managers, especially today when they are deluged with sometimes hundreds of resumes for a single job opening, have to weigh the benefits and risks of all new employees. You need to show them you have a surplus of benefits before you explain – and mention how you overcome – any risks they may perceive.

As always, first impressions set the tone for the interview from the moment you walk in the door and offer up a handshake. So dress your best for your potential success!

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7 tips to bullet proof your resume

Prospective employers are receiving hundreds of resumes for every job opening, you need to make certainthat yours grabs the employer within the first 10 seconds because that’s typically all the time you get before they move onto the  next resume in the stack or the inbox. Here are our top seven tips to get your resume noticed:

1. In your resume, put in job titles and skill headings that relate to the job you are applying for. Don’t use vague headings such as: accounting/bookkeeping instead write something like management of receiveables and payables. Match the wording on your resume to the wording they have in the job listing.
2. Design matters when it comes to the layout of your resume – don’t use a template from a word processing program. Make your resume unique but don’t make it too flashy, stick with legible fonts and cream or white colored bond paper.
3. It’s ultimately content that counts. Again, mirror the wording of your resume to the job for which you are applying. Your skills and descriptions should be specific. Don’t write: Responsible for maintaining financial records for sales department. Instead write: Managed more than 500 accounts from receiveables to payables, worked alongside CFO to prepare quarterly financials. Don’t let the prospective employer wonder at what you did, spell your skills and responsibilities out for him.
4. Employ power words and action verbs. Know the lingo for your particular industry. Use numbers to describe achievements (managed 100 accounts, saved the company 10% operating expenses, etc.) Also, if you’re seeking a management position, use “management-centered” phrasing. Don’t say: Oversaw daily duties of accounting clerks. Instead write: Managed and directed workflow, supervised and trained accounting staff which consisted of 10 employees ranging from entry level clerks to mid-management level.
5. Analyze the job posting’s key words. If the want ad reads that it wants management skills, supervisory talents, a degree, experience, etc. Your resume needs to incorporate those terms. As an example: Supervised staff of 10; earned a BA degree in journalism from ABC College; Management level CFO in a Top 100 company, etc.
6. Sell the benefits of your skills and experience. Highlight skills that will let your employer know you will enhance his bottom line. As an example: Because of energy-savings programs I implemented, we cut the company’s electric costs by $10,000 annually; Typing speed of 80 words per minute with extreme accuracy.
7. Create a resume that matches the level of position you hope to attain – even if it is your first position in the field and if you truly are entry level you still want your resume to show that you have higher aspirations. Don’t write: Seeking entry level position in a fast-paced sales department. Instead write this: Seeking a sales position that will allow me to incorporate my sales skills to enhance the bottom line.

In addition to taking the time to create a new – yes, a new – resume for every position for which you apply, you need to write a cover letter that also speaks directly to the position you are applying for. Don’t send a cover letter that simply says: Dear Sir, please find my resume attached. Give the employer a reason to read beyond your cover letter and move on to your resume.

Once you’ve honed your resume and have scored the interview, make certain your attirematches the professional attitude you have put forth. You truly need to dress for success even before you’re offered the position.

Tagged as: Business Attire, Interview Tips, Resume Tips 1 Comment

Hot jobs for the next decade

Whether you’re in college or just starting to think about a career path, you’re probably wondering, not only what are the “hot” jobs but which are the stable ones. You should be looking for a career that you love, one that pays well and that offers stability as well. It doesn’t do you much good to pursue education in a career field that will be on the chopping block in the next recession.

Here are the top picks for careers that are anticipated to offer good salaries and still be in demand in the coming years.

1. Database administrator – Like healthcare, information technology appears to be a hot field with opportunity for jobs and advancement. With more companies going digital, the need to manage that information effectively is crucial to a company’s bottom line.
2. Cardiovascular technology – There is an ongoing need for hospital workers and with the aging population, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports this field is expected to grow by close to 25% by 2018. Most technologists earn a two year degree and some get on the job training.
3. Accountant – In this field, the BLS estimates the field will grow by 22% within the next decade.
4. Marketing manager – Companies from large to small need individuals who can analyze the market, work on company or product branding, position a product with the media and continue with its promotion.  Whether through social media, or print media, knowing how to spread the word is crucial to a company’s – and your -- success. Through 2018, the BLS estimates this field with grow by more than 10%.
5. Dental hygienist – This job requires a two year technical degree and promised the best opportunity – close to a 36% growth in the next decade. The reason for this boom is that dentists prefer to concentrate on more in-depth procedures and offer more work to the hygienists.
6. Occupational therapist – Along the same lines as the cardiovascular technologist career, this field is growing because of the aging population. Occupational therapists help individuals who have been sick or injured and need assistance regaining life skills.

As with all jobs, if you don’t truly enjoy it, it won’t matter what the salary range is, but knowing you’ve picked a career that you love that will likely still be around in a few decades is a reason to rejoice.

Tagged as: Career, Interview Tips, Salary 1 Comment

4 Tips for Salary Negotiation

You’ve graduated and are entering the workforce by sending out your resume and hoping for a call back for an interview. Once you’ve wowed them in the interview and are fortunate to be offered the position you applied for, do you know how to negotiate your salary? Do you even know what your salary range should be?

When you’re still in college, convenience and salary are probably your top priorities when it comes to choosing a job but following graduation, there are myriad other factors to take into consideration once you’re entering the work world. While you will need to flexibility when it comes to negotiating a compensation package, you still need to be realistic.

It’s true that certain jobs will pay higher than others but even within the same field – accounting for example, the salary ranges can be all over the map. If you want to increase your chances of negotiating a health compensation package, here are some things to consider.

1. What is the prevailing wage for someone with your background and experience. What is the size of the organization for which you’re applying? Are you applying at a not for profit or a for profit organization.
2. Know what benefits are important to you before you go into the interview. Check with the human resources department, if possible, and see what type of benefits are automatically offered.
3. Be professional. Don’t feel you have to give an answer on the spot to a salary and compensation package. Realize, though, that you can’t keep your potential employer waiting an inordinate amount of time.
4. Don’t discuss salary and benefits until after you are offered the position.

Remember, the cardinal rule of salary negotiation is to wait until you are offered the position and let the person in charge make the offer first. If you toss out a figure with which you’ll be happy and it’s lower than the hiring manager was willing to pay, you have lost money. If you’re not completely clear on what you’d like to make, hedge your bets by saying, “Well, I know that individuals with my background and education would be paid X amount.” This leaves the ball in his or her court.

Base salary, is just that – the starting pay. You can ask when you would be eligible for a performance review and what percentage of raise would be tied to that review. Don’t forget to figure in health insurance and company matches to a retirement account as part of the benefit package. Graduates often overlook 403(b) or 401(k) plans, particularly if they see the word "retirement" attached to them. However, these can not only provide a forced savings plan but also significantly increase the value of your compensation. Many companies will give you a one-for-one match up to a certain percentage of your salary.

Where do you live? A salary will not take you as far in North Carolina as it might, say in Los Angeles. Keep geography and living expenses in mind when negotiating.

You should be able to contact your school’s career center once you receive a job offer and discuss the salary you’ve been offered and ask their advice.

Filed under: Interview Suit, Interview Tips, Salary 1 Comment

Tips for Job Seekers: Email Address

You love football, cemeteries or even coffee. Does your email announce that in terms like footballmaniac, or graveyardsrule, or nocoffeenoworkee? What message does this send to a potential employer, professional contact or a college recruiter?

First impressions count as much in your email address as they do in face-to-face meetings. The individual who sees your email may subconsciously form an opinion about you before he or she even meets you. All the human resources person knows about you at this point is that you have an unprofessional email address and they may not read past that to see the stellar qualities you could bring to the position. Don’t short circuit your chances for employment with your email address.

Choose your name for your email address if it’s available. If your actual name isn’t available, try it in a different form by putting a period between your first and last names or by hyphenating it or by adding a middle initial. If you don’t want to use your name, or if it’s not available, go for something with a professional look and feel. Are you a woodworker, a graphic designer or a journalist? Are you seeking a position in that career field? If so, see if you can get an email address that reflects that.

If you own a business or have a website, check to see if your hosting company offers email addresses with your business name attached. There are other services in which you can buy an email address that incorporates your name such as john@johndoe.com.

Perhaps you are partial to your footballmaniac@football.com email, and have used it since you started emailing, why not consider a different email address for the purposes of job hunting or corresponding with college admission offices. You don’t have to give up your personal email account but you may need to choose another email address for your professional dealings.

It’s likely true that not all of your success hinges on your email address, but why take a chance on letting your first impression be one that doesn’t help you get your foot in the door.

First impressions count, even in email addresses and while we’re talking first impressions – if you receive a phone call from a potential employer, what ring tone does the caller hear? How do you answer the phone? What does your voice mail say to the caller?

Take these first steps to make a great impression and you just might make it the next step to the interview.

Filed under: Black Tie Exchange, Interview Suit, Resume Tips 2 Comments

What Not to Send Through Company Email

Email has become the primary mode of communication at work. Used wisely it can enhance your professionalism in the eyes of your coworkers and your employer. Used incorrectly, it can be disastrous. An inappropriate email can cost you a raise, promotion, or even your job!

Here are some of the worst email snafus you can make at work and how you, as a budding career professional, can avoid them.

Hitting send before you’re ready: You’re getting ready to write an email, you put the recipients address in the message and then mistakenly hit send. Off goes a half-written or blank message. Your professionalism and follow-through could be called into question. To avoid this, enter the recipient’s email address after you’ve completed the message.

• Waiting for an immediate answer. Even if you’re sending an email to a coworker in the cube next to you, it doesn’t mean they will receive it and respond immediately. The point of email is that the recipient can answer when it’s convenient for them. Be patient.
• Don’t be known as the “king of forwards.” Not everyone wants to see pictures of your puppy or kitten and they also don’t want to be the recipient of every silly joke email you receive. Use the forward button judiciously. Remember, your employers could have strict policies on use of company resources and this could cross the line.
• Saying you’re sending an attachment and then forgetting it. If you plan to send an attachment, then write the message and forget to attach it, you’re sending a literal message saying you don’t check your work before it goes out. Upload the attachment before you compose the email. If you do this, you don’t have to send a separate email with the attachment and an apology for having not sent it before.
• Don’t always use “reply all.” Does everyone really need to be copied in on all messages? If not, then spare them inbox overload by not including them in all messages.
• Review before replying. If you haven’t checked messages for a few hours, read through them all before replying. You could miss crucial information or see that something had been handled by a coworker before your return. Cut down on confusion and mistakes by reading everything before replying.
• Not cleaning up your messages. You never clean up the replies to and from and keep sending a message with your email signature every time. Even if your email program automatically attaches your signature to every email, take a minute to delete it to save the recipients space in his or her inbox.
• Being careless in replies. Be thoughtful with every message and compose each response as if the company president was going to be reading it – in fact, he or she could be seeing it. Take pride in every communication.
• Violating company policy on technology. Chances are your company has an email/technology policy in place. Read it and don’t violate it. They could have policies on how to use company resources and they will definitely frown on you job hunting during working hours.
• Failing to observe pleasantries. Just because you’re corresponding with the same people over and over, doesn’t mean you can’t start your message with a hello and end it with a thank you.
• Sending the wrong attachment. Double check your attachments. You don’t want to send the incorrect attachment in an email. What if you send an attachment to an individual who should not be privy to the information contained? You could risk losing your job with this email snafu.

Have you made any of these mistakes? If not, congratulations! If so, be careful as you want to always be considered a professional among your peers. Make yourself stand out in the crowd of the other cubicle dwellers in your office and your email etiquette could be what sets you apart from the crowd.

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Tips for Resume Revisions

It’s a nerve-wracking prospect when you sit down to write your resume and realize that this piece paper could mean the difference between getting your foot in the door or not even getting a second glance. It can be paralyzing trying to express yourself on paper to demonstrate your successes and abilities.

There are simple steps you can take that can make your resume stand out in the crowd of all the other Arizona job seekers vying for positions. Create a resume that will grab the attention of a potential employer. Have someone else give your resume a once-over once you’ve written.

Consider omitting the Job Objective section of the resume as the human resources individual will know that you’re seeking a job, “performing XYZ at Company ABC.” It’s more effective to create a powerful introductory statement that highlights your market knowledge, skills and abilities.

Here are our tips to make your resume stand out above the competition:

• Your resume should build your personal brand and showcase your unique combination of skills, achievements, education and training
• Target your resume toward each job you apply for
• Don’t list all your duties from previous jobs – just those relevant to the position for which you’re applying
• Focus on accomplishments that showcase measurable results
• Research the company’s website and focus on keywords that show up on the site. Include those in your resume if possible
• Include keywords in your resume that the employer included in the job listing
• Use active words to describe your personality: dispute resolution manager, contract analyst, business retention specialist, etc. Words like: effective team player, self-starter, etc. no longer carry the weight they did in the past. Employers want to see results-oriented phrasing
• Include your name, address, phone number and email. This may seem a simple tip, but many individuals omit the contact information
• Use a readable font and simple bullet-pointed layout
• Include education, certifications, special training and membership in groups or associations that are pertinent to the position for which you’re applying
• Chronological resumes are still the preferred format by human resource professionals
• Jobs that you held more than 20 years ago shouldn’t be listed in your job history section. Document your job history in terms of years rather than date ranges, ie. Ten years at XYZ Company rather than 1990-2000 at XYZ Company
• Include a separate, detailed cover letter with your resume. The cover letter should be job-specific and tailored to the position for which you’re applying.

Your resume is the sales tool that helps you get your foot in the door. It’s up to you, once you meet the interviewer, to put your best foot forward and make a great second impression by dressing your best.

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Top skills employers are seeking in job hunters

Is there a secret formula when it comes to winning over a human resource professionalor a job recruiter? What’s the unique combination of experience and skills that turn a job interview into a job offer?

For every job, there are specific skill sets that are sought but beyond that, there are non-job specific skills that employers’ value. Chances are you do possess the soft skills that employers are looking for, but even if you don’t you can pursue professional development to hone them. Once you understand what employers are looking for, you can work on these employability skills and up your chances of landing the job of your dreams.

Here’s what we’ve identified as the skills that employers are seeking:

• Research skills. How well do you assess a situation and seek solutions? Do you ask for input and gather information to come to a resolution? If so, highlight that on your resume.
• Verbal, written and listening skills. Can you listen effectively? How are your written skills? Have you kept up with business etiquette when it comes to email correspondence or have you fallen into the text message rut of incomprehensible abbreviations?
• Technical relevance. There’s not a job out there that doesn’t utilize some sort of computer or software knowledge. Do you need to take a class to update your skills? Look for a computer class to hone your skills and gain understanding of the latest software and hardware.
• Multi-tasking abilities. Can you manage priorities and are you flexible with making changes in your priorities if the need arises?
• Playing nicely with others. You don’t have to be friends with everyone that you work with because chances are, there will be personality clashes that need to be overcome. Can you inspire others? Do you work well in a team? Do you know enough not to share your personal business with co-workers.
• Ability to lead others. Even if you weren’t a born leader, you can learn leadership skills. Do you have the ability to take charge and keep a project moving forward toward completion? Do you have the ability to inspire others?
• Cultural awareness. In addition to getting along with your co-workers, you need to be aware of different cultures and be sensitive to other people and other cultures.

It goes without saying that in order to be taken seriously during a job interview, you need todress to impress. First impressions do count when it comes to landing a job.

Tagged as: Black Tie Exchange, Career, Interview Tips No Comments