Tag Archives: professional

Look! Interview Tips

Look_Interview_Tips_Feb2014
Have you ever wondered what goes through the hiring manager’s mind when you’re in an interview? Wouldn’t it be nice to know what they were thinking, what they want to hear from you, or what they want to see on your resume? We asked a few hiring managers to share their insight on interview musts and they shared these top four interview tips.

Have Professionalism
The employer you’re interviewing with has goals to grow and brand a company. It’s important to understand that how you present yourself in your personal life may not match the image of the organization, so remember to put your best foot forward. Dress appropriately for the job for which you are interviewing. If you’re not sure, it’s a good idea to ask the interviewer about the dress code. Additionally, there is so much more to professionalism than just dressing the part. Integrity and a good work ethic are also very important attributes to possess and can take you a long way in the hiring process. So make sure you can show these attributes to your interviewer and be ready to share good examples of those traits.

Have a Typo-Free Resume
Job seekers often trust their own eyes to proof and edit their resumes. If no one else reviews your resume, there could be typos that you missed. Find a friend who is great at spelling and grammar or someone that you respect professionally to review and critique your resume before your job hunt, and especially before an interview. If the interview process boils down to three people with the same qualifications and your resume is the only one with a typo, you’re making it easy for an interviewer to choose another candidate.

Have Interest in the Job and the Company
Jennifer Anderson, the hiring manager and vice president of Marketing and Communications at Express Employment Professionals, said, “Often I ask a job seeker to describe to me the ideal job and more times than not the answers come back with something completely unrelated to the job they are seeking. For example, someone may interview for a Marketing Coordinator’s position, but when they describe the ideal job, they want to be a stay at home mother and work from a home office.” So it’s important for the interviewee to understand not only the qualifications of the job they are applying for but also what it is they really want to do with their life and career.

Have a Commitment for More than One Year
Longevity is one of the top qualities employers look for in new hires. Most employers will spend the first six to nine months training you to do a job. Not only will they have invested their time and shared their knowledge, the company has been paying you a salary during your training period. Do your best to learn all you can during training and commit to making the most of your job for a couple of years. Anderson encourages people to let the interviewer know that you’re reliable, you’ll give it your best, and you plan on sticking with the company to help it grow.

After job searching for what seemed like forever, editing your resume, and applying at numerous businesses, it’s time to prepare for an interview. What are some interview tips you’d like to share with us? Let us know in the comments section below.

Infographic: Job Market Forecast for 2013

Despite the findings behind the recent Movin’ On Up poll predicting a less than positive outcome for the 2013 job market, there are measures job seekers can take to be ahead of the competition this year. Some ways to do so include becoming  social media and technology savvy, being passionate, and continuously improving.

Take a look at this infographic from the Career Advisory Board at DeVry University that presents what job seekers can expect and what will be expected of them in 2013.

Job Preparedness Indicator

Choosing the Right Attire for Your First Day

People in UniformIf you’re about to start your first day at a new job you’ve probably given a lot of thought to what you’re going to wear, but have you figured it out yet? Check with your employer to make sure you know what the company dress code is. Do you know what they mean by professional or casual dress? Do you wear something like what you wore to your interview, or should you dress more casual? Does the attire you have in mind fit into the dress code? Knowing exactly what to wear can be confusing, but it’s important to dress to impress from day one to reassure your employer that you’re the right person for the job. Here are some guidelines for five common dress codes to help you figure it out.

Professional
This is the most formal dress code, and it’s usually reserved for business environments. It includes suits, button-down shirts, ties, and dress shoes for men. For women, this attire includes blouses and pant suits or skirt suits with nylons and high-heeled dress shoes. Some professions require this type of dress on a daily basis, while others require it only on certain occasions, such as business meetings, presentations, or sales calls. Suit jackets are typically a must for the professional dress code, so don’t leave home on your first day without one.

Business Casual
The business casual environment is professional yet relaxed. Men wear dress slacks and button-down shirts but often leave their ties at home, and women wear skirts or dress slacks with blouses. Jackets are optional, but are an easy way to dress-up your attire, so it might be a good idea to keep one handy just in case. Wearing khakis and a polo shirt embroidered with the company logo is also usually appropriate for this dress code for both men and women. For men, casual loafers and dress shoes are acceptable, but sneakers and sandals need to be left at home. Women can wear high-heeled shoes or flats, but sneakers, flip-flops, and beach sandals are not appropriate.

Casual
For some offices, a casual dress code is only allowed on Fridays. For workplaces with an every day casual attire, khakis, jeans, polo shirts, casual shoes, and clean sneakers are generally appropriate. Make sure to leave jogging suits, worn-out attire, sandals, and revealing clothing at home. If your new workplace allows casual attire but you’re not sure how much to dress up or down for your first day, khakis and a polo shirt are a safe bet to start off with until you learn what’s acceptable.

Industrial
There is no set standard for an industrial dress code because jobs within the industry require different attire for safety and necessity. For example, construction sites may require steel-toed boots while other businesses simply require closed-toed shoes. Jewelry or baggy clothing may be prohibited for safety precautions. Shorts may even be acceptable for some positions, while others might require long pants. So, check with your employer to ask for specific details about the dress code to show your professionalism and safety awareness.

Uniform
If your new position requires a uniform or special attire, make sure you know the guidelines for how to wear it. Depending on the company and type of position, you might be required to iron your uniform or wear additional accessories such as a belt. You might also be limited to what you can wear in addition to your wardrobe, so ask about whether or not it’s OK to wear jewelry or hats. Check with your employer to see if you’ll be provided with a uniform or if you’re required to purchase all or part of it yourself, and whether you’ll need to pick it up prior to your start date or during your first day on the job.

With these guidelines you can choose the right dress code for your first day. Whatever type of dress code your new work environment requires, you can demonstrate your respect for the employer and your professionalism in the workplace by following these guidelines.

Quit with Class

quitting with classIf you’ve been looking for a job, it may not be because you don’t have one, but because you’re ready to move on to something new. If that is case, you’ve got a task to take care of once you find that new job, quitting your current one. Here are three things to consider before you head out the door.

1.    Think it through.
Before you give notice to your current employer, make sure this is a step you want to take. Confirm you have a true job offer and that you’ve been accepted into the new job. Make sure you understand the function of the job you’ve been offered, agreed to the pay and benefits, and have an understanding of when the job will start. Jumping in too quickly to give you’re “I’m outta here” speech could end badly if things fall through with the new job.
Also, before you make your big announcement take some time to retrieve any work files, contact information, or personal belongings just in case you’re requested to make a fast exit after you give notice. It’s common to work two weeks after you give notice, but some workplaces have a policy to walk people out once they quit. It’s best to prepare yourself for that before you make your announcement.

2.    Remain calm and professional.
While you may dream of walking in and telling your boss to shove it, this really isn’t going to benefit you in the long run. It’s okay to inform them of your reasons for leaving, be it the lack of opportunity for advancement or development, the pay, or the schedule, but going off on a rant won’t communicate your message effectively. If possible, offer to work for two more weeks to give the employer some time to start looking for your replacement.

3.    Leave a lasting positive impression.
Think of ways to make your job easy for the next person to walk into. Discuss with your manager the production schedule and work load you’re leaving and update them on the status of your projects. If you work with equipment, make sure to create a log of when the machine had its last routine maintenance, what supplies may need to be ordered, and any challenges that may occur. If you have files stored within a network, leave clear instructions on where those files are stored.  Take a look at your job description and provide notes or guides on how to find the materials to complete the tasks listed there. Taking time for these steps will cause your co-workers and manager to appreciate you long after you’re gone.

Quitting a job can be exhilarating and emotional. And while you may go out celebrating with your family about your new job opportunity, you don’t really have a lot to gain by going out in a negative way when you leave your employer. Remember, whether you loved your job or not, it’s been paying your bills and has given you some experience to get that new job you are in love with.

Do you have any stories to share on how you’ve left a job in a classy way?

Who’s Spying on You Online?

With online networking websites continuing to grow at rapid speeds, doesn’t it sometimes seem that you have more friends/connections online than you know in real life? There’s that coworker you met very briefly at the companywide meeting. Another random person you met at the baseball game who has a LinkedIn account and works in your industry. Your sister’s best friend, her boyfriend, and his cousin. That guy who used to sit alone in your American History class in high school. This list goes on and on. Your online network could grow to hundreds of thousands of people, but would this allow for effective networking and relationship building?

Building a large network of connections is a good thing, and yes, that’s the purpose of most social media tools. But, it’s important to remember to be conscious of what information you do and do not post on your profile when using social media sites. Some sites, such as Facebook, are more heavily focused on socializing and staying connected to your friends. But did you know that many employers are hopping on the social media bandwagon too?

You never know who will see what you post online. It always seems there is someone who knows someone who knows you.To help you with your social media, here are a few basic rules to follow.

Learn about privacy settings. The first rule for using any social media site is to know what the privacy settings are. You might want to set your profile so that it can only be viewed by your friends. This way, once you have approved someone to be a friend, only then can they have access to your information and pictures. If they’re not a friend, they can’t access any information from you. This gives you some control over who sees your profile and who doesn’t.

After-hour pictures. Yes, everyone has a personal life outside of work, and what you do in your free time is your choice. But, realize that if you post party pictures, a co-worker or someone who interviewed you for a job might be able to see those photos. Another thing to keep in mind is that your friends can post things on your profile. On some sites like Facebook, friends can tag photos of you, so just make sure to do check-ups on your site to see what others might have posted about you.  Remember that your networking profiles are a reflection of you, so use your best judgment when it comes to the featured content.

Spell check. Even if you are not a journalist or in a communication-related field, make sure you don’t have a lot of misspelled words on your profiles. Typos and misspellings could communicate a careless attitude or sloppiness – two things you don’t want to convey in the professional world.

Social media can be a great tool for staying connected, learning new industry tips, and showing that you are up-to-speed on current trends. In the digital age, personal and professional can overlap. So, use these tips to make sure you maintain a balanced online image. It’s always a good idea to put your best foot forward by always being professional, even in your personal life. To learn more, view our guide on social media for business leaders.

3 Tips for Interviewing with a Staffing Company

When you interview with a prospective employer, you’re taught to put your best foot forward and present your best side. But what about when you go to a staffing company for help finding a job? Are you supposed to treat it like a real interview?

Interviewing with a staffing company is just like interviewing with any other potential employer. You must be prepared, professional, and informative.

Be Prepared. Before you go to an interview at a staffing agency, make sure your résumé and references are in order. If you’re looking for a job in a particular industry, make sure your résumé reflects that. Also, confirm that your contact information for your references, including phone numbers, job titles, and companies, are correct so your interviewer can quickly check references with your previous employers. You will make it easier for the staffing consultant to find you a job if you’re prepared for the interview with up-to-date and accurate information. 

Be Professional. Even though you aren’t interviewing to work at the staffing company, you still want to act and dress appropriately. Staffing consultants make their recommendations to hiring companies based on your résumé, demeanor, and experience. So, make sure to wear your best interview attire and act professional.

Be Informative. The one slight difference between interviewing with a staffing agency and interviewing with a potential employer is the kind of information you tell the interviewer. During an interview at a staffing agency, it is OK to talk about the kinds of jobs you are and are not interested in and what types of employers you might like to work for. You can speak a little more freely in a staffing interview, but remember, you still need to be professional. Too much information about your personal business, past employers, or mistakes in the past can be a bad thing and could even decrease your chances of finding a satisfying career.

Interviewing at a staffing company can be a great way to find a job, but you have to treat it like any other job opportunity. Being prepared, professional, and informative is essential in getting the most out of your staffing company interview experience. 

Have a question? Share it in the comments section.