Career & Employment Advice
Speaking to groups about options for flexible employment is one of my favorite work-related activities. Besides enjoying the interaction with the crowd, I always get to learn something new by hearing about people’s “real-world” experiences in the workplace. I often ask the women in the group to share their thoughts on the benefits of having [...]
In the course of your job search, invariably the question of money will come up. Your response can make – or cost you – thousands of dollars. These salary negotiation tips can help you land the job – and get paid what you are worth. “What kind of salary do you expect to receive?” The [...]
No two job interviews are conducted in the same manner, therefore the candidate’s task of preparing for the all-important interview is often very difficult. Getting ready for an upcoming job interview – prepping your portfolio and wardrobe, researching the company in advance, knowing what you expect to earn and the ways you can contribute to [...]
“What do you do when your subordinate suddenly does not ask questions, avoids speaking to you would rather seek answers from your colleague? When I asked, she said that I’m nit-picky, my standards are too high and I ask too many questions. She prefers very minimal supervision and abhors protocol.” You have a subordinate not [...]
No two job interviews are alike. That’s why so many candidates have a difficult time preparing – it’s just too hard to gauge how an individual interview session will be conducted. So, is it possible for a candidate prepare for a job interview although there are so many diverse interviewing styles? 1. Prepare your Wardrobe [...]
Successful interviewing requires understanding the interviewer’s goals and objectives. Most interviewers basically want to find the best available person who can fit into the organization’s culture and help it achieve its immediate and long-term goals and business mission. It is, therefore, imperative that you firmly gain insight into the goals of the organization, as well [...]
Job conflicts have a way of arising, in some fashion or another. People are emotional creatures, and sometimes respond to others and behave in ways that can be bothersome and create conflicts. Whatever the case, when the conflict affects your job performance or makes it uncomfortable to work, it’s time to assess your options. You [...]
You want to make your best impression on the interview. You may have the right experience and skills, but you will seriously limit your chances of getting an offer if you do any of the following: Lie We all want to embellish the truth. Interviewers expect some exaggeration. You need to be careful, however, in [...]
Believe it or not, interview jitters are normal and potentially helpful reaction. Nervousness can make you sharp, eager and assertive. In contrast, your nervousness can make you listless, confused and ineffective. The following pre-interview guide will help you control your nerves and execute a powerful and persuasive interview. Setting Up Your Interview As you receive [...]
It is important that you ask good questions of the interviewer. If you know you will be interviewing with different people in the organization, ask appropriate questions, considering each individual’s level and job function. Here are some questions to consider: Job Description How would you define the scope of the position in terms of responsibilities [...]
The needs of family life have always filtered into working life. Now, as we move into new careers and more families have dual incomes, employers are finding that family-friendly policies are necessary to keep quality employees and they’re designing working schedules to accomodate them. Parents have specific needs that some corporations meet by providing onsite [...]
Thinking of a career in Human Resources? Check out Patty Van Zandt, an Independent Human Resource (HR) Specialist. Patty, who has a BA in Speech Communications and a Minor in English, describes the discovery of her profession as “falling into my career.” After an eventful undertaking in the music and arts industry, she found her [...]
If your company is experiencing a high-growth stage, or a temporary or crisis-hiring situation and you plan to run an advertisement with your phone number for immediate contact, you need to train your HR department how to adequately handle the onslaught of inquiries the ad will generate. If the representative answering your calls is not [...]
Raise your hand if you set up shop chomping at the bit to show off your growth and success by hiring your very first employee? Anyone? For me, hiring employee number one smashed the achievement barricade I established for my bricks-and-mortar business – and announced to the world that my venture had not only “made [...]
Work experience and prior job performance are key areas employers look at in evaluating the potential fit of job candidates. The reason for this is clear: the past is the best predictor of the future. In other words, what you have done in the past provides the best indication of what you can do in [...]
Could a job in high tech be your key to career growth? The high tech sector continues to lead all others in job creation and demand. But, you don’t have to be a “techie” to excel in today’s high tech market. In fact, as technology companies grow, their needs are changing. Their markets are expanding, operating [...]
When it comes to searching for a job while working full time, one has to remember there are no set rules. You have to make your own judgment calls. Though most companies have a code of conduct, which says that one cannot use the company’s infrastructure for personal use, there isn’t any law that stops [...]
In negotiating salaries, there are several important factors to consider. Firstly, you are entering into a relationship you and the employer will live with. Both parties want to be happy and feel the agreement is fair. Your challenge is to increase your perceived value to the organization. You do that by expressing confidence. You don’t [...]
Having done your homework, and properly prepared for the interview, you are in a position to manage the interview. Managing the interview does not mean directing, dominating or controlling the flow of the interview, but managing the content and context of your responses in order to develop the proper perspective of who you are, and [...]
Weaknesses are basically personal character traits-strengths-that are carried out inappropriately or to extreme levels. The key is, understanding and communicating how you have compensated for those perceived weaknesses, managed to turn them to your advantage, and realized positive results. This can be stated in three or four concise sentences. The way to do this is: [...]
There are many decisions to be made when you are in the midst of a job search. You will need to consider which factors are most important to you such as salary, benefits, job duties, and career development. There are also other seemingly superficial factors that one must consider. In other words, do I cut [...]
When a written account of spoken words made during official proceedings is needed, a court reporter takes down all of the statements. Typical job duties include: Typing a deposition for an attorney Recording court proceedings during a trial Notarizing a document Closed captioning a TV program for the deaf About 33 percent of court reporters [...]
If you make a claim to your insurance company for damage to your property or related to your health care policy, it will be processed by an adjuster or an examiner. His job is to investigate claims, negotiate settlements and authorize payments. Typical job duties include: Estimating repair costs for a damaged automobile Authorizing payment [...]
All organizations need effective clerical and administrative support in order to operate efficiently. Typical job duties include: Providing annual employee evaluations to staff members Explaining company operations policies to new employees Writing a report detailing progress on a project Helping staff members resolve a conflict A large number of supervisors and managers are found in [...]
Many organizations rely on administrative assistants to perform and coordinate their office duties. Typical job responsibilities include: Scheduling appointments, meetings Answering telephones Maintaining files Booking reservations Some administrative assistants do highly specialized work in law, medicine, science or engineering offices. Executive secretaries or administrative assistants usually perform fewer clerical tasks and often train and supervise [...]
Whether you want to open a bank or credit union account, have a question about a particular product, or want to return merchandise you have purchased at a store, the person who takes all the necessary information from you is a customer service representative. Typical job duties include: Answering questions on the telephone Handling complaints [...]
Businesses that deal with merchandise often have specialized departments that track the movement of those goods in and out of the company. This is where shipping and receiving clerks work. They keep records of all stock – when it was sent from suppliers and when it arrived. They are also responsible for all outgoing shipments. [...]
Stock clerks handle, move, organize and put merchandise on shelves or other displays. They are responsible for ensuring that products received from distributors are available to customers. Typical job duties include: Transporting merchandise from the stockroom to the sales floor Arranging merchandise neatly on shelves or racks Returning unsold merchandise to the stockroom Using hand-held [...]
This is the first person someone sees or talks to when he or she contacts an organization. Receptionists serve as representatives of the company and have to establish an excellent first impression. Typical job duties include: Answering telephone calls Greeting and welcoming visitors Scheduling appointments Opening the day’s mail Responsibilities vary according to the organization. [...]
This unique flexible option is when two people share or divide the responsibilities of one full-time position. The two employees need to have a comparable background and similar job experience. Between the two of them, they agree on how best to divide the work obligations and coordinate office time. For example, both employees could be [...]
Telecommuting essentially means that an employee is connected to the office via electronic equipment – Internet, computer, fax machine, video conferencing, etc. The employee can work either from home or an outside office some or all of the time. There are several considerations to take into account when contemplating offering this option. Is the position [...]
Long before ‘flex time’ became a staple of the workplace, the movie ’9 to 5′ showcased the benefits of flexible work options. Now employers in almost all industries are offering this benefit to retain and lure valuable employees. Find out the best option for your company. Flexible work schedules are not a new concept. The [...]
Are you faced with making a career change? Are you unsure of how to start your job search? Do you feel like you will be starting over when you finally land that first job in the new career? You are not alone. Many people are switching careers these days. Making a career change does not [...]
The objective of your resume is to get you an interview for the opportunity you seek. In this day and age getting an interview isn’t a very easy thing to do. First, you have lots of competition. Then Hiring Managers are pressed for time even before they begin the recruiting process. They have businesses to [...]
The idea for this article comes from a recent question from a job seeker who asked, “Why is it easier to cold call strangers to find a job than it is to network with people I already have met? I have no fear when I cold call, yet I feel very nervous and uncomfortable when [...]
Sometimes I have clients tell me that although they are pursuing a job that is a continuation of their current career path, they secretly have always thought about landing a “dream” job that seems totally off-the-wall. You know, the kind of job or position that we all seem to start thinking about when we start [...]
Do you have a current career plan? If you do have a career plan, does it exist as a concise, written document that contains clearly delineated steps you will take this year and in subsequent years to help you achieve your career goals? If you are like most people, your answer to at least one of [...]
