How Much Time Should You Dedicate To Your Job Search ?

A job search without appropriate prep-work and clearly defined goals is much like a road trip without a map. You will be lacking a knowledge base from which to start your journey, and you will have little understanding of the route to your employment goals. Job hunters who don’t carry out some basic prep-work will [...]

Post Interview Follow-Up Phone Call

Once you have sent a follow-up e-mail to your interviewer, you should know that hiring or interviewing authorities, following initial interviews, tend to move on to other things and don’t think about the interviewing and hiring process as much as you would think – unless, of course, the need to fill a position is extremely [...]

How To Keep From Getting Burnt Out On Your Job Search

Obviously, your ultimate objective is to find the job you want. It is very probable that this will take considerable time and effort, but you reward will be the sensational job that you land. As with any long-term goal, it is necessary to set milestones along the in order to keep yourself motivated. It helps [...]

Work history Information To Include In A Resume

Job Titles The reason for including a former job title on your resume is not to reflect exactly what you were called by a previous employer, but instead to provide a generic identification that will be recognized by as many employers as possible. So if your current title is Junior Accountant, Level Four, recognize that [...]

How To Prepare For A Job Interview

Being given a job offer depends on the mistakes you avoid as much as the things that you do well. As your interview draws near, settle down with your resume and the exercises you used to create it. Focus on your past successes and the professional behaviors that made them possible. Interview nerves are normal [...]

Computers have helped streamline nearly everything, including job-search activities. They have also simplified the recruitment work for many human resource departments. Understanding how your resume is stored and retrieved will significantly improve your chances for success in your job search. While it’s true that electronic resume distribution makes your life easier, it has created a [...]

Sample Resume With Target Job Title

This is a sample of a well-focused and powerful resume for a young professional’s first job change. —————————————————————————— ELENA MOORE ——————————————————————————- 1811 Claire Lane Northglenn, CO 80234 (303) 438-1218 elena_moore@gmail.com Talented young professional with skills and training in: NEUROBIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY RESEARCH Highly-accomplished, quick learner with an impressive hands-on knowledge base encompassing the complete spectrum [...]

Information That Should Be Included In A Resume Part 2 –The Specifics

After you make sure to include all of the basic information in your resume, like your first and last name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address, it is time to begin listing your specific information. Target Job Title A target job title , listed immediately following your contact information, helps your resume to perform in [...]

Check yourself to make sure you haven't wrecked yourself.

Google yourself to see what comes up -- and what potential employers will see if they do the same. If you don't like what you find, it's time to do damage control.

4. Go directly to the source.
Instead of just applying for the posted job opening, one of the best strategies to finding a job is to first figure out where you want to work, target that company or industry and then contact the hiring manager. Also, many employers' career pages invite visitors to fill out candidate profiles, describing their background, jobs of interest, salary requirements and other preferences.

Run queries.
You run searches on everything else, from your high school sweetheart to low-fat recipes, so why not jobs? Enter a query that describes the exact kind of job you're seeking and you may find more resources you wouldn't find otherwise (but be prepared to do some sorting).

. If you build it, they can come.
Instead of simply posting your résumé on a Web site, take it one step further and design an easily-navigable Web site or online portfolio where recruiters can view your body of work, read about your goals and obtain contact information.

careerbuilder.com

employmentgenius.com

by admin

Interviews Tips

While nothing guarantees a successful interview, the information provided can help candidates better prepare themselves for success in the interview process with a startup company.

Research
Go online and find out as much information as you can about the company and anyone you will be interviewing with. Companies are blown away when you can mention press releases, know their revenue numbers, quote statistics, know backgrounds of executives, etc. For startup companies, you should know who the venture capital investor is, know which partners sit on their board, and know how much money they have raised so far. Many times this information is not available, but some savvy online searching can turn up valuable information about a company.

Most companies like to hire people who are experts in their industry, and startups are no exception. They have to answer to their investors when things don't go well, and executives don't want to tell their venture capital investors that they had a poor product launch after hiring a product manager with no experience in their industry. Know the company, know their industry, know their competitors, and use their product if it is available.

Rehearse
Most successful athletes and performers visualize their craft prior to playing or performing. Try to visualize your interview and how you will present yourself and answer questions prior to interviewing. If you get nervous during interviews, you might even consider having someone you know do a mock interview before you go. The more you practice, the more comfortable you are, and the less nervous you will be when the interview arrives.

Cover strengths, weaknesses, etc.
Think about questions related to where you are in 2 to 5 years, your most difficult work situation, your most stressful job, your favorite job, what kind of person you'd like to work for, etc... Sit down and come up with answers to all of the stereotypical questions that get asked in interviews. You don't want to get caught making something up off the cuff, only to think later "DOH! I shouldn't have said that!" If they ask where you see yourself in the next X number of years, let them know that you are more focused on the current position at this time, but you would obviously want to be considered for appropriate promotions as you master this position and show high performance. And take a few minutes to write down the questions and answers so that you don't have to re-invent the wheel with each interview.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions
Many companies use an interview technique known as behavioral interviewing. This method of interviewing asks candidates to give specific examples of situations they have encountered. For example, "tell me about a time you didn't meet a deadline and how you handled it." Take time to go through the questions below and write out examples to keep for future interviews. It can be difficult to come up with good examples to behavioral interview questions on the spot, and you will be far better served if you can determine good examples in advance.

Work-related examples of:

• How you handled not meeting a deadline
• How you dealt with conflict with a co-worker or boss
• What you did when someone else's actions caused your project to fail
• When you have shown initiative
• What you did when a customer was upset with you
• A time when a co-worker blamed you for something that was not your fault

Appearance
Remember to ask ahead of time what the expectation is on your attire. It is always preferable to over-dress for an interview unless you know the company has a strict casual environment. Make sure you are well groomed. If you are a coffee drinker, smoker, or have lunch/breakfast prior to an interview, be aware of your breath. Use a mint or brush your teeth prior to your interview. Do NOT chew gum during an interview. Do not wear perfume/cologne or wear little enough that someone cannot smell it unless they are closer than one foot from you. Think about how you appear when you are confident and on top of the world. Head high, standing straight and tall, a slight smile, relaxed.

Arrival
Arrive for your interview at least 5 minutes early but no more than 10 minutes early. Everyone has their watch set differently, and giving a 5 minute cushion is a good idea. Some interviewers are also very time-sensitive and notice if you're even one minute late. However, arriving more than 10 minutes early will often pressure the first interviewer if they are not ready for you yet. Plan to arrive 15 to 20 minutes early in the parking lot and enter the building about 5 minutes early. If you are running late or think you might be late, call ahead of your arrival to let them know.

Introduction
When introducing yourself to each interviewer, give your first and last name, make eye contact, and let the interviewer be the person to initiate a handshake. When shaking hands, match the pressure of their handshake. Do not be limp or unusual with the way you shake hands. Wait a moment and smile at the interviewer after meeting them.

Presentation
Your body language tells a lot about you in an interview. Sit up straight. Lean slightly forward in your chair. Keep eye contact with your interviewer as much as possible (especially be aware of this when you are the one speaking as many people make eye contact when listening but not when speaking). Stay alert. When you go through a long interview process, you can sometimes start to show weariness, and startups often have a high energy culture. Make sure you project energy and do not appear tired. Try to mirror your interviewer's demeanor and style. Be yourself, but let them set the tone of the interview and match their energy level and body language. Never swear or use casual words like "yeah" and "uh-huh". Even if your interviewer swears and speaks casually.

Take Notes
Bring a notepad or portfolio and a pen to take notes during each interview. This is a very effective way to show your interest in the opportunity and your attention to detail.

Biggest challenges? Where can I contribute?
Ask each interviewer what the biggest challenges of the position are at the beginning of the interview. Write down what they tell you and focus on how you can overcome those challenges with your skills and background during each interview. This question basically gets the interviewer to tell you what their hot buttons are, and each person will have different hot buttons for the same position. Also, focus on how you can help them, not on what the company has to offer you. Where can you contribute to their company, team or project?

Forbidden topics - money, benefits, office tour, overtime
Never bring up money on your first interview. If they ask what you're making, be honest but tell them that you feel it's probably premature to talk money at this point and, besides, you're interested in evaluating the entire opportunity rather than the salary alone. Let them know that you're confident that you both can work out a fair offer if you are both interested in moving forward. Don't ask about benefits info or to take an office tour. Those things will come at a later time. And never ever ever bring up overtime. Even in a positive way. The interviewer will almost always remember that overtime was discussed during the interview, and they will perceive it negatively, regardless of how you positioned it. If you want to express that you work hard and long hours, let them know that you do whatever it takes to get the job done and that you are quite familiar with startup culture and expectations.

Want, not Need
Companies don't like to hire people who seem desperate. Interview with a confident style that shows you want the job, but don't give the impression that you need the job. Even if you desperately need the job. If you have been out of work for awhile and have been getting a lot rejections, inevitably an interviewer will ask you what your interviewing experience has been the past few months. Let them know you are having a very positive experience evaluating companies and opportunities. Tell them you are being selective in your interviewing process to find the right opportunity for yourself.

Close
Any concerns about ability to do job? Next step? These are the two MOST important questions in each interview you have. You should ask them of each individual interviewer.

• Do you have any concerns about my ability to do this job? - This is your last chance to make sure you didn't leave out anything in your background or incorrectly communicate anything during the interview. Once you leave the interview, it's almost impossible to change someone's incorrect impression. Be direct and try to get a sincere response from the individual.
• I'm very excited about this opportunity. What's our next step? - This might very well be the deciding factor in getting an offer. Even if you have reservations, express to each interviewer that you are definitely interested in the position and want to know what you need to do next to keep the process moving. And make sure that you actually SAY it in words at the end of the interview. Don't assume that they should have noticed your enthusiasm and interest level from the rest of your comments during the interviewing process. Trust me. They didn't. On numerous occasions I have seen a less qualified candidate get the job over a more qualified candidate based almost entirely on their perceived interest level in the position.

Follow up
Always follow up with a company after you interview within 24 hours. In this electronic age, it is appropriate to send an email to each person who interviewed you if you have their email address. If you do not have everyone's email address, you can ask for their email addresses from someone whose email you do have. If you really want to impress someone, send a written thank you card. It is rare that people send written thank you cards today, and it will make you stand out as someone who took the extra time to do it. Thank the interviewer for his or her time, re-iterate your interest in the opportunity, and mention one area from your notes that answers the interviewers hot button area (you did ask them what the biggest challenges of this position are during the interview, right?).

www.interhealthjobs.com

Working on a Global Job Hunt

Okay, you have ultimately decided that searching for and getting the right job has become so important for you that you wouldn't mind translocation. So, what's the harm in making a global job search? Chances are, you might receive more value, experience, and respect from a good job overseas than somewhere within the country. And the best part of the deal is that you would be increasing the foreign exchange reserve of your country by taking a job overseas.

A change of surroundings and situation, interacting with foreign cultures, boosting your expertise, better earnings, and foreign exchange can do wonders for your system. And in case you think that international jobs are only for some mysterious wizards with uncanny abilities, think again, for a global job search would immediately show that there are many place in the world where the average Joe of USA is an outstanding expert. It’s time to put your excellent U.S. education with its hefty loan premiums to good use. Go for a global job search and cool your heels somewhere else until the economy recovers back home.

However, searching globally for a job has its own mindset and strategies, and here are a few tips to help you along for finding the right job:

• Target countries and economies where you can communicate easily and wouldn’t need an interpreter. Former British colonies where the average educated worker is well versed in English, or countries whose language is known to you, or you can adapt easily, are your first targets.
• Use internet searches as well as employment agencies in these countries. Call up some ace employment agencies to learn about your chances in your target occupational field.
• Rebuild and polish your resume for different cultures and countries. Many countries have a work culture that expects excessive formality and it is good to stick to their ethos.
• Understand that small means big and employers in places that are too small to attract anybody else may be willing to pay more for your services than others will.
• Before applying for a job in a foreign country, it is good to know about the cultures and laws of that country. There are places, which are known as international trade centers, but where drinking or kissing in public might land you in jail.
• Learn about food habits of possible locations of employment. It is safe to assume that for the first few weeks of staying in a foreign country, you would be eating out and would not have homemade food. There are cities on this earth, where I personally have experienced rejection because no one was ready to rent out an apartment to a ''meat eater.'' But in other cities within that same country, nobody ever raised an eyebrow over your food habits or other personal matters. So, researching the particular location of potential employment is helpful.

So, get ready to grab a job overseas, and we hope by the next time you read one of our articles, you might well be an English teacher in China or accent trainer in an Indian BPO. International opportunities are definitely better than being jobless, and sometimes, they are even better than the job you have at home.

.jobsjournal.com

By Surajit Sen Sharma

Working on a Global Job Hunt

Job-Seeker Tips for Making Good First Impressions

Life is all about making good first impressions with the people we meet. This article provides tips for making good first impressions in business and networking situations; with business cards, cover letters, and resumes; in job interviews; and when you are starting a new job.

In Business and Networking Situations
When meeting people for the first time, whether for career networking or client meetings, it's essential that you look the part. In other words, you must dress for the specific occasion. Conduct a little research or contact the organization responsible for the event to uncover the proper attire. In a pinch, it's always better to be overdressed than underdressed. And it's not just what you are wearing -- but how you're wearing it, so make sure your clothing is clean and well-pressed.

Grooming is also an important part of first impressions. Hair should be neat -- and certainly not the wind-tunnel look. For men, facial hair should be either non-existent or well-maintained. For women, less make-up is always better than too much. A light perfume or cologne is acceptable, but be careful of overwhelming the people in the room. Finally, a minimal amount of tasteful jewelry is best.

A small, but relatively unknown fact about name tags -- they should be worn on the person's right shoulder area so that when someone approaches to greet and shake his/her hand, the person's eyes follow the arm right up to the name tag, making it much easier to greet the person -- rather than looking all the way over to the other side of the person -- or worse, toward the cleavage for a woman.

Next up for first impressions are the handshake and greeting. Handshakes should be simple -- extend right hand and grasp gently but firmly. No bone-crushers and no four-handed, one-hand over the other shakes. And no sweaty, clammy, or wimpy handshakes. If your nerves cause you to get wet palms, carry a handkerchief in your pocket and wipe your hand before you do the meet and greet. The greeting should be short and simple, making certain you listen for the other person's name. For example, I might greet someone in a business setting as, "Hi. I'm Dr. Randall Hansen, founder of Quintessential Careers." Be certain to speak clearly and enunciate.

To nail the good impression you're trying to make, the last tip when you're in this setting is not to make the conversation all about you. You want to engage the other person in conversation, making certain to use his/her name for emphasis. You can, of course, talk about yourself, but don't make the whole conversation about you -- and keep stories short. Look for common ground with the person you're talking to, and share stories about that common interest. And, of course, avoid talking about controversial subjects, such as religion, politics, and sex. If you're naturally funny, use humor, but nothing off-color, and show your serious side also.

Learn more about the power of networking, how to develop and grow your network, and much more in the section of Quintessential Careers.

With Business Cards, Cover Letters, and Resumes
For first impressions, the most important element here is the design and format. Except in very creative professions, colors -- of the paper and the text -- should be conservative. The same holds true with the typeface -- use normal, readable fonts.

Business or networking cards should be simple and tastefully designed, and include key contact information. For some professions, such as sales, you can use a picture, but make certain it is a good photo.

Keep cover letters to no more than five short paragraphs, though four is better. The letterhead should match your resume, as should the paper and font(s). The way to make the strongest first impression is to address the letter to the recipient by name. The worst thing you can do is misspell the person's name. The second best way to make a good impression is to have a dynamic and powerful first paragraph that explains why you are writing. (Many job-seekers waste the first paragraph by writing a dull first paragraph.)

Your resume format should be original and inviting to the reader. Don't cram every single detail into a resume with no margins and tiny type. Use white space and go to additional pages -- or cut material. I have a true "rule of thumb." If my thumbs cover parts of your resume when I am holding it, then the margins are too narrow and I immediately have a negative impression of the resume. You should also know what is trendy in resumes and include those things in yours. For example, an accomplishments summary that highlights your 3 to 4 best attributes -- specific to the job at hand.

Gain more insights into cover letters and resumes in these sections of Quintessential Careers:

In Job Interviews
Because the job interview is usually your first face-to-face with the employers, first impressions are especially crucial. Arrive about 15 minutes early so you have time to find the exact office, perhaps with a stop at a restroom to conduct a final grooming check -- as well as possibly complete some paperwork before the interview starts. Always be polite to the support staff, as the impression you make with them will often be factored into the hiring decision. Of course, dressing for success and proper grooming are essential. Never arrive with any kind of food in your mouth or on your teeth, and try not to smoke right before the interview. Turn off your cell phone on the way to the interview. In the interview, smiling and making strong eye contact are important elements to establishing a good impression. Answering interview questions with ease (showcasing your interview preparation) and asking questions of the interviewer are vital to making a good impression. A great way to cement a strong first impression is writing a thank-you note after the interview.

Find vast amounts of information, tools, and resources on all aspects of interviewing by going to this section of Quintessential Careers:

When Starting a New Job
The first impressions you make with your co-workers and supervisor will go a long way to building a solid reputation for yourself. In those first days and weeks, you'll want to arrive a bit early, take no more than your allotted breaks during the day, leave no earlier than when the majority of the others in your area leave, and avoid calling in sick or taking personal days. In terms of actual work, you'll want to show your team spirit by supporting the team, perhaps even offering to take on a bit more than usual if the team needs it. Listen more than talk in those early days, and certainly do not showboat until you have firmly established your reputation as a solid worker and team player. And it should go without saying, but stay clear of all office politics and gossip. Finally, remember to keep your personal communications -- email, IM, and phone -- to a minimal while at work.

Final Thoughts
You might think that making a good first impression is really about using common sense -- and you would be correct. At the same time, we constantly hear horror stories from recruiters and employers about the unfortunate things job-seekers do -- resulting in extremely poor first (and often last) impressions. Use your common sense -- and follow the tips in this article -- and you will go far in making a good first impression.

And if you have not done so already, consider taking the

Questions about some of the terminology used in this article? Get more information (definitions and links) on key college, career, and job-search terms by going to our

Dr. Randall S. Hansen is founder of, one of the oldest and most comprehensive career development sites on the Web, as well CEO of. He is also founder of and. He is publisher of including the Quintessential Careers electronic newsletter, Dr. Hansen is also a published author, with several books, chapters in books, and hundreds of articles. He's often quoted in the media and conducts empowering workshops around the country. Finally, Dr. Hansen is also an educator, having taught at the college level for more than 15 years. Visit his or reach him by email at

.quintcareers.com

by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

Top 10 Tips To Become A Global Tech Talent

How do you make yourself preferable for global job opportunities? Here are ten best things to do to become the right candidate for jobs overseas.

Do you want to explore the job opportunities overseas and get a chance to work globally? By making sure that you do the ten things listed here correctly and consistently, you increase your chance of getting international jobs to 100%. You don’t have to limit your job search only to your country as the demand for IT skills vary depending on the location.

1. Become a subject matter expert in a specific technology

Rather than being a jack of all trades, it is better to be a master of one. For example, when it comes to Information technology, there are hundreds of skills to choose from. It is helpful to learn the additional skills but always make sure that you go deeper into one specific skill and become an expert in that field.

These days, job opportunities target subject matter experts in specific skills. So, this is the first rule: Choose one specific skill and become the master!

2. Get experience in full life cycle of the project

There are various stages in the life cycle of the project and your work responsibilities might be different for each stages of the project. You need to get strong work experience in your chosen skill for the full life cycle of the project.

A software development project has the following stages: Design, development, Testing and Implementation . As a software programmer, you should have worked in all these stages. You should have been through all the situations and gathered a strong work experience.

3. Publish Papers, Blog and Write Articles

To be an ideal candidate for international jobs, it is important to publish papers and participate in discussions online. Write articles about your chosen skill, participate in discussion forums and answer questions related to your skills.

You can also set up your personal blog and post regularly. All these will enrich your online presence, let you know what the world is talking about and stay up to date regarding the latest trends.

4. Research market demand and upgrade to the latest skills.

If you are looking for abroad, you can’t afford to miss the technology news. You need to check what is hot in the job market and how the demand for each skill is growing. This applies to jobs in all fields and.

For IT skills, there are lots of websites where you can find market reports. releases the US market report for the IT skills every quarter.

Apart from doing the market research, you will need to upgrade to the latest skills. As a graphic designer, you shouldn’t be working on Adobe Photoshop CS3 when there are newer versions of Photoshop with attractive and useful new features.If you are a .Net developer using Frame work 2.0 you may want to get version 3.5 experience. Remember that all new projects require the very latest skills. Remember, as an IT consultant you will have to constantly update your knowledge and stay up to date all the time.

5. Make your resume online and constantly explore the opportunities

Do you know that 50% of the jobs are not advertised? There might be thousands of hidden job opportunities that you might never find just by searching on the job boards.

Often the companies may not disclose that they are hiring. They search for resumes online and try to find candidates. If you don’t want to miss those opportunities, then you need to make your resume available online. For IT job oppurtunities, you may want to post your resume at

6. Format your resume to international standards

If you are looking for International jobs, you need to make sure that the format of your resume is according to the international standards and make sure that it fits the requirements for the country that you are targeting.

For example, if you are targeting jobs in United States, you need to write your resume in American English, list your work experience in reverse chronological order and include a cover letter. Don’t attach your photo or print it out in the resume.

Always attach your resume as a word document, since it is the standard file format for resumes in all countries.

7. Build relationship with right recruiters

80% of the job opportunities in are filled using recruiting agencies. Recruiters are the bridge between you and the job you want. You need to build relationship with the recruiters who are recruiting for your skills.

8. Be part of the professional network including social media

The power of networking is great than you imagine. Participating professional networking events, seminars and tech conferences are great ways to network with people and recruiters

If you are wondering where you can find the recruiters and start networking in social media, then you are probably missing the extraordinary power of social media.

Millions of recruiters in Linkedin are actively discussing things and searching for candidates everyday. Thousands of Tweeters tweet their job openings and there is a smooth stream of job openings constantly flowing in Twitter.

9. Build exceptional verbal and written communication skills

If you have excellent communication skills, you have a very solid chance to get any job that you can dream of. Communication plays a very important role in your career and being able to effectively communicate with people by writing and speaking will put you at the top of the pile of job seekers.

Keep improving your communication skills and never stop it. At no point a person can say that he or she has improved his/her communication skills to the maximum possible extent. This is because there is really no end to improving the communication skills of a person.

10. Get a phrasebook for the country you want to go.

This final tip is very important and essential and not in anyway inferior to the other points just because it is number 10. You will have to learn more about the country that you want to go and its language. You need to know the lifestyle and culture of that country very well.

Those were my top ten tips to get a chance to work globally. You are welcome to add your own tips that might be helpful to job seekers by commenting in this article.

Following articles I wrote may be helpful for you as well:

http://factoidz.com/

Tips on Completing Your Global Job Application

Tips for Help

Examine Your Employment History
To complete the job application, you'll need to provide details like your employment history, education history and other details about your past jobs. Jobseekers need to list the accurate dates and employment information, as required by the employer. The information you provide in the application is used to know whether you are best fit for the job. Any kind of discrepancies would affect your chances of being hired for the job.

Have a Look at Sample Job Applications
A lot of literature is available for help, both online and offline. Before you start completing the job application process, you need to review a couple of samples to find out how you will be required to fill out the application form. It is a good idea to practice filling out a few of them so that you are sure what kind of information you are required to provide while completing the application.

Request for an Application
If you are planning to apply for a specific job position, you can ask the employer for the application form. You can take the same home and complete it at ease. At home, you will be able to neatly provide the entire career and job details that is required by the employer. Accuracy is most essential while completing the application form.

While Applying in Person
It is also important to appropriately dress while you meet the employer or the hiring manager to submit your job application. Since you are submitting the same in person, itisessential that you look professional to the employer. Who knows you might also land a chance for attending an on-the-spot interview with the hiring manager or the employer.

Keep a Job Application Checklist
One of the most important tips for completing a job application is to have a checklist of all the details you will require to provide to the employer.

Online Applications
Many employers have their job applications available online. With such companies, applications can be completed online. If you have selected your potential employers, you can also visit their websites and complete the application process online. In fact, many of the large companies offer an online application that you fill out easily and instantly to apply for jobs.

Abide by the Instructions
Every employer will have their own application criteria for you to fulfill. If you want to successfully complete the process, you need to go through all the details and read between the lines. Many jobseekers make the mistake of not following the instructions appropriately, thus losing their chances of landing interviews of getting hired.

Review the Application before Submitting
Whether it is a paper application or an online job application, jobseekers need to review all the provided details before submitting the same. Employers will consider only those applications that are filled out completely, abiding by the specified rules. Incomplete application forms will be instantly rejected by most of the companies.