Job Seeker Guide

Application using an introduction

2008-02-27T17:46:00.002-08:00

Application using an introduction

June 15, 2000

Bruce Leung
Human Resources Director
Hanwork Co., Ltd
22/F, Norel Square
Central
Hong Kong

Dear Mr. Leung

I am writing in response to your advertisement in this week's Hong Kong Jobs.

I recently took a sabbatical and finished my Bachelors Degree in May at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. I am currently seeking full-time employment.

My employment background consists of twelve years at the Deaconess Hospital, where I provided a wide range of administrative, financial, and research support to the Chief Executive Officer. I have a strong aptitude for working with numbers and extensive experience with computer software applications.

I would be interested in speaking with you further regarding this position. I am confident that my background in administrative support, as well as my word processing, database, and spreadsheet skills, which will be an asset to Hanwork.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[signature]

Alan Tsang

Enc. resume

Unsolicited application letter to an Employment Agency

2008-02-27T17:46:00.001-08:00

Unsolicited application letter to an Employment Agency

June 15, 2000

Bruce Leung
Human Resources Director
Hong Kong Bank
22/F, Norel Square
Central
Hong Kong

Dear Mr. Leung

Having majored in mathematics at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, where I also worked as a Research Assistant, I am confident that I would make a successful addition to your Economics Research Department.

In addition to my strong background in mathematics, I offer significant business experience, having worked in data processing firm, a bookstore, and a restaurant. I am sure that my courses in statistics and computer programming would prove particularly useful in an entry-level position.

I am attracted to Hong Kong Bank by your recent rapid growth and the superior reputation of your Economic Research Department. After studying different commercial banks, I have concluded that Hong Kong Bank will be in a strong competitive position to benefit from upcoming changes in the industry, such as the phasing out of Regulation X.

I would like to interview with you at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

[signature]

Alan Tsang

Enc. resume

Unsolicited application letter to a Potential Employer

2008-02-27T17:42:00.000-08:00

Unsolicited application letter to a Potential Employer

June 15, 2000

Bruce Leung
Personnel Director
Premier Ltd
22/F, Norel Square
Central
Hong Kong

Dear Mr. Leung

I am writing to inquire about upcoming entry-level editorial openings with Premier Ltd.

I am presently a final year student in good standing at the University of Hong Kong, due to graduate in May. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Journalism and a minor in both Economics and English Literature. I am proficient in both Word Perfect and Microsoft Word for Windows, and am familiar with both IBM and Apple operating Systems. I am presently working as a Research Intern for the Economics Division of Tradewinds Publishing.

Enclosed you will find a copy of my resume. Letters of recommendation from employers and professors, as well as writing samples, will gladly be provided upon request. I will contact you next week about the possibility of arranging a meeting at your convenience.

I look forward to speaking with you.

Sincerely,

[signature]

Alan Tsang

Enc. resume

Application for post of System Administrator

2008-02-27T17:41:00.000-08:00

Application for post of System Administrator

June 15, 2000

Bruce Leung
Personnel Manager
Premier Ltd
22/F, Norel Square
Central
Hong Kong

Dear Mr. Leung

I am writing to inquire about opportunities for computer programmers in your organization.

I offer extensive knowledge of five computer languages and strong management, sales, and sales support experience. As a Computer Specialist, I was responsible for the management of a center handling the complete line of Honeywell computers and peripherals for home and commercial use. In addition to a B.S. degree in Business Administration, I will receive a certificate in Programming this August.

I feel confident that given the opportunity, I can make an immediate contribution to Premier. I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your requirements. I will call your office on Friday, June 23, to schedule an appointment.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[signature]

Alan Tsang

Enc. resume

Application for post of Private Secretary to Managing Director

2008-02-27T17:38:00.000-08:00

Application for post of Private Secretary to Managing Director

456 College Hall
Normal, IL 67890

February 15, 2000

Ms. Jane Zbecki
Partner-In-Charge
Big Public Accounting Co
25/F, Norel Square
Central
Hong Kong

Ms. Zbecki

I was referred to you by Mr. Dave Zhuang, a Partner with your New York office, who informed me that the Hong Kong office of Big Public Accounting is actively seeking to hire quality individuals for your Auditor Development Program.

I have more than two years of accounting experience, including interning as an Auditor last year with the New York City office of Arthur Andersen. I will be receiving my BBA this May from Illinois State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. I am confident that my combination of practical work experience and solid educational experience has prepared me for making an immediate contribution to Big Public Accounting. Having interned with a leading Big Five firm in the public accounting field, I understand the level of professionalism and communication required for long-term success in the field. My background and professional approach to business will provide your office with a highly productive Auditor upon completion of your Development Program.

I will be back to Hong Kong the week of March 16. Please call me at 28823456 to arrange a convenient time when we may meet to further discuss my background in relation to your needs. If I have not heard from you by March 23, I will contact your office to inquire as to a potential meeting date and time. I look forward to meeting you then.

Sincerely,
Tinna Chan

Application for post of Data Processing Trainee

2008-02-27T17:36:00.000-08:00

Application for post of Data Processing Trainee

Block E, 12/F, Hyper Mansion
423 King's Road
North Point
Hong Kong

13 May, 2000

Iris Chan
Personnel Manager
PM Garfield Ltd
1203 Admiralty Center
Admiralty
Hong Kong

Dear Miss Chan

PRIVATE SECRETARY TO MANAGING DIRECTOR

I was interested to see your advertisement in today's Hong Kong Jobs and would like to be considered for this post.

In my present post of Private Secretary to the General Manager at a manufacturing company, I have a wide range of responsibilities. These include attending and taking minutes of meetings and interviews, dealing with callers and corespondence in my employer's absence, and supervising junior staff, as well as the usual secretarial duties.

The kind of work in which your company is engaged particularly interests me, and I would welcome the opportunity it would afford to use my language abilities, which are not utilised in my present post.

A copy of my curriculum vitae is enclosed giving further details, together with copies of previous testimonials.

I hope to hear from you soon, and to be given the opportunity to present myself at an interview.

Yours sincerely

Magaret Chan (Miss)

Encs

Quality Control Manager Resume Template

2008-02-27T17:26:00.000-08:00

Quality Control Manager Resume Template

Seth Helman
1739 Gold Course Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30343
(715) 555 - 0929
__________________
Objective
Position as Quality Control Manager.

Summary

Proven history of successful management and production quality control. Expert at streamlining operations, increasing efficiency, and improving overall product quality.

Qualifications

• ASQC / CQE Certified
• Proven team building skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communications skills.
• Strong analytical ability.
• Comfortable working in a wide variety of environments.

Experience

Johnson Building Materials, Atlanta, GA
Quality Control Manager, 1996 - Present
Responsible for all levels of quality control/quality assurance
Monitored chemical and physical test procedures and results
Maintained X-ray calibration and certification
Certified cement and updated certificates as needed
Identified, developed and secured alternate raw materials
Worked closely with the production and shipping departments

SpiroTech Industries, Atlanta, GA
Production Manager, 1991 - 1996
Supervised the assembly of over 2000 products daily.
Managed 30 production line workers.
Coordinated machine maintenance.

Education

Emory University, Oxford, GA
B.A., Economics & Communications, 1990

Project Manager Resume Template

2008-02-27T17:24:00.000-08:00

Project Manager Resume Template

Kathy Ingram
319 Heath St.
Chicago, IL 60684
(419) 555 - 0237
__________________
Objective
A challenging and rewarding position as Project Manager.

Summary of Achievements

• Planned, directed, and managed designated projects.
• Ensured that objectives were accomplished in accordance with
outlined priorities.
• Analyzed results of operations to discover more efficient ways to
utilize resources.
• Coordinated the successful simultaneous development of
several projects.
• Delegated responsibilities and designed time schedules
• Negotiated contracts that ensured quality.
• Reviewed project status reports during each operational phase.
• Prepared weekly project status reports for management.

Experience

JTF Industries, Chicago, IL
Project Manager, 1998 to Present

Streamlined shipping opperations process, which was adopted by all JTF warehouses nationwide, resulting in an annual corporate savings of $3.3M. Directed and coordinated activities of projects through delegated members of project teams.

Vox Technologies, Chicago, IL
Project Manager, 1993 - 1998

Consolidated three divisions of a project management team, while still meeting high production goals, resulting in an annual savings of $1.1M. Designed model to more accurately predict project costs. Increased productivity of field work force by %38 percent, and reduced overall costs by %17 through increased efficiency.

Education

University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
B.S., Economics & Business, 1992

Production Manager Resume Template

2008-02-27T17:23:00.000-08:00

Production Manager Resume Template

Denise Weatherspoon
1632 Manaheim St.
Kansas City, MO 64012
(304) 555 - 7236
__________________
Objective
A challenging and rewarding position as a Production Manager.

Summary

Directed research, development, and implementation of design engineering business. Implemented streamlined manufacturing planning systems.

Experience

Delphi Systems, Kansas City, MO
Production Manager, 1997 - Present
Designed, implemented, and monitored management operations systems. Streamlined planning process by consolidating various similar groups, resulting in a savings of $2M.

Fairbanks Industries, New York, NY
Production Manager, 1989 - 1997
Reduced startup time and costs by %30 percent, while maintaining over %90 schedule accuracy.

Catskills Manufacturing, Inc., Syracuse, NY
Production Manager, 1987 - 1989
Developed and managed semi-automatic assembly line systems. Streamlined packaging process, resulting in an annual savings of $1.7M.

Education

Columbia University, New York, NY
M.B.A., 1990

Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
B.A., Economics, 1987

Product Marketing Manager Resume Template

2008-02-27T17:21:00.000-08:00

Product Marketing Manager Resume Template

Gene Olsen
413 S. Sixth St.
Baltimore, MD 21031
(614) 555 8347
__________________
Position
Product Marketing Manager.

Summary

Coordinated all aspects of product launch including product development, promotions, sales, pricing, and packaging.

Notable Achievements

• Coached management and engineering teams in developing
sales strategies
• Served as product representative to the press, at trade shows,
and at major media events
• Managed product website, frequently updating product information.
• Designed promotional materials to increase sales
• Developed cross marketing promotions.
• Simultaneously managed multiple projects under tight deadlines.

Experience

Delta Systems, Baltimore, MD
Product Marketing Manager, 1997 - Present

Hershaw Industrials, Baltimore, MD
Product Manager, 1992 - 1997

JLG Industries, Pittsburgh, PA
Assistant Product Manager, 1990 - 1992

Education

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
B.A., Business, 1989

Marketing Director Resume Template

2008-02-27T17:20:00.000-08:00

Marketing Director Resume Template

Tyler Hart
723 South Beston St.
Indianapolis, IN 46021
(521) 555 - 0237
__________________
Objective
A challenging position as a marketing and sales director with an opportunity for challenge and personal growth.

Accomplishments

Directed and coordinated the successful launch of several key product lines in the competitive high-tech industry where quick movement from conceptual stages to market is essential.

Employment

Marketing Sales Director, 1995 - Present Intel, Indianapolis, IN
Coordinated marketing and sales efforts as well as overseeing development of new products. Lead a team of ten associates in developing and marketing several new product lines. Designed a streamlined version of the antiquated customer feedback survey. Spearheaded successful product launches, resulting in added revenue of more than $5M in just twelve months.

Sales Manager, 1990 - 1995 Data Tech, Columbus, OH
Directed sales and marketing operations within the high-tech sector. Responsible for conducting thorough analysis of consumer survey data and devising successful marketing strategies based on survey results.

Education

B.A., Marketing, 1990 Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

References

Available upon request.

Management Consultant Resume Template

2008-02-27T17:19:00.000-08:00

Management Consultant Resume Template

Kim Ferris
3684 Mont Alto Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85218
(513) 555 - 3819
__________________
Objective
A challenging position as a management consultant in which I can fully utilize my experience in consulting, marketing and development.

Personal

A highly motivated, team-oriented management professional with more than eight years of experience in business consulting. Strong analytical skill . Able to quickly identify problems and successfully implement sollutions.

Experience

Hanson Management Services, Phoenix, AZ
Senior Management Consultant, 1997 - Present
Provided technical and business consultation services; including system and network design as well as configuration and installation of UNIX systems, warehouse automation, work flow analysis, and interconnectivities between PC, MAC and UNIX systems. Responsible for all facets of system related projects, business analysis, scope and specification reviews, system analysis and design, project management and scheduling, program testing, maintenance and training.

Vitex Medical Management Consulting, Tuscon, AZ
Associate Consultant, 1994 - 1997
Provided management consulting for market-leading health plans, integrated delivery systems, integrators, and providers throughout the U.S. Clients included Mamsi, Cumberland Health, Manor Care, and others. Provided project support in strategy and business planning, network design operations and organization, and health care finance.

Williams Corporation, Tuscon, AZ
Consultant, 1989 - 1992
Provided defense project management and commercial consulting including weapons manufacturing rate cost analyses, project schedules and budgets, work breakdown structures, and source selection plans, organizational studies, transportation operations improvement studies, and a policy classification and tracking system.

Education

University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
B.A., Business, 1988

University of Arizona, Tuscon, AZ
M.B.A., 1994

Investment Banker Resume Template

2008-02-27T17:18:00.000-08:00

Investment Banker Resume Template

Samarth Chaterverdi
721 Rockaway Dr.
New York, NY 10908
Home: (212) 555 -9237
Office: (212) 555 - 2331
__________________
Objective
Position in Finance or Banking.

Summary of Experience

Financial professional with nearly ten years of banking and investment industry experience with extensive knowledge of the financial services sector. Strong analytical ability, proven history of high sales.

Achievements

• Alpha Sigma Theta Honor Society
• Columbia University Dean's Scholar
• Board of Supervisors, Future Business Leader of America

Employment History

Dean Consultants, New York, NY
Investment Banker, January 1997 to Present
Performed a variety of analytical calculations, including a complete audit on each of six mutual funds. Audited other financial services clients including banks and assett management companies.

Goldman Sachs, New York, NY
Associate in Investment Banking, 1994 to 1997
Corporate finance, technology emphasis. Won $180 million IPO mandate for web-banking system operator.

Education

Columbia University, New York, NY
B.A., Finance and Economics, 1993
Graduated magna cum laude

Developer Resume Template

2008-02-27T17:17:00.000-08:00

Developer Resume Template

Miranda Atkins
709 West Orleans St.
Ashville, NC 28814
(914) 555-0919
matkins@earthlink.net
__________________
Objective
To obtain a job as a software developer for company specializing in consumer software.

Highlights

- Proficient in Visual Basic, ASP, Java Script, VB Script and various
Web Technologies.
- Experienced in Web Application Development & Site Designing,
- Microsoft Certified Professional (IIS 4.0).
- Enterprise Systems Management (ESM) training on Sun Solaris 7.0
- Certified in Hardware and Windows NT Networking (KarROX).
- Diploma in Advanced Computing (C-DAC) & Bachelor of
Engineering (Electronics and Power).

Operating Systems/Languages

- MS-DOS, Systems Operation
- .NET Framework
- Visual Basic 6.0
- C++, Programming
- Solaris 7.0.
- Windows 95/98/NT 4.0/2000/XP
- UNIX, Shell Script Programming

Experience

Web Tech, Ashville, NC
Software Engineer, 1998 - Present
Developing web based applications and sites. Followed ISO 9000: 2001 Standards for complete lifecycle of projects in all applications and sites.

Version One Software, Charlotte, NC
Production Consultant, 1995 - 1998
Responsible for Team co-ordination for the project and delivery of the project. Built web-based applications in ASP, which involved a Search application, User registration and session management and a product catalogue. Built C/S based Banking application in Visual Basic.

Education

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
B.S., Computer Science, 1994

Counselor Resume Template

2008-02-27T17:15:00.002-08:00

Counselor Resume Template

Kevin Wellman, PhD
5111 South 84th St.
San Francisco, CA 94137
Home: (413) 555-6217
Voice: (413) 555-2019
__________________
Objective
A challenging and rewarding position as a counselor working with youth populations.

Summary

• Pro-active treatment of depression and chemical personality disorders
• Success with violent youth offenders
• Comfortable with urban environment

Certifications

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Counselor #13853
Licensed Professional Counselor (CA), #9012

Employment History

1996 - Present Head Youth Counselor
Abraxas Youth Correctional Facility, Los Angeles, CA
Provided supervision for a group of 20 youth counselors, and worked
directly with a diverse population of 200 juvenile offenders. Designed
and implemented rehabilitational programs designed to help facilitate a
smooth transition for children who would return to their regular families
and schools upon completing their term at Abraxas. Estabilshed group
therapy methods and a theatre arts program, both still in existence at the
facility today.

1992 - 1996 Counselor
Mission Valley High School, San Diego, CA
Provided counseling for 2,000 students, ages 14 through 18. Familiarized
students with the college admissions process; helped students prepare
applications. Provided vocational counseling for students who were more
technically inclined and desired to enter trade school. Ensured mental and
emotional well-being of the student body.

Education

1992 Ph.D, Psychology University of San Diego, San Diego, CA Doctoral Dissertation: "Art as Medication"
1988 B.A., Sociology & Education Columbia University, New York, NY

Volunteer Experience

San Leandro YMCA, San Leandro, CA
Shook Nursing Home, San Francisco, CA

Contract Administrator Resume Template

2008-02-27T17:15:00.001-08:00

Contract Administrator Resume Template

Elizabeth Carbondale
21 West Atherton St.
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 555-7219
ecarbondale@earthlink.net
__________________
Objective
An upper management position involving management in contract administration.

Abilities

• Supervision of meeting coordination, communications, administrative,
and information management staff.
• Contract management.
• Conference planning / management.
• Publications / communications coordination (editorial, production,
and dissemination).
• Responsibility for maintaining quality customer / client service.

Employment History

Tectronics Corporation
Contract Adminstrator IV, 1996 - Present
Responsible for contract management and administration in accordance with company policies, legal requirements, and customer specifications. Reviewed and administered contracts and modifications; prepared contract review records and obtained necessary management approvals. Led negotiations of contracts and changes with customers. Assisted in preparation of presentations for program and customer reviews. Prepared and maintained contract documentation and provided information to property and procurement departments.

Bell Aerospace & Technology, Chicago, IL
Contract Administrator II, 1992 - 1996
Supported Director of Contracts in compilation, review and analysis of contract department statistics, reports and workload. Worked with Information Management using Costpoint and Business Objects or Excel to generate monthly reports on accounts receivable and similar key contract metrics, and to track progress for management review. Collected and analyzed sales and profit accrual information. Transmited exception reports to contract administrators, and authored monthly progress reports.

Education
B.A., Marketing, 1992
University of Illinois, Urbana, IL

Community Service Resume Template

2008-02-27T17:14:00.001-08:00

Community Service Resume Template

Kathy Baughman
511 South 6th St.
Tampa, FL 33672
(216) 555-2168
kb18@earthlink.net
__________________
Objective
A position in a progressive, community service oriented organization, which will utilize my knowledge and experience.

Employment History

1999 - Present Associate Director
Greater Tampa YMCA, Tampa, FL
Expanded program opportunities by 75% while the new YMCA building
was under construction by using schools, churches, and other public
facilities, interviewed and hired all program staff, managed association's
first staff evaluation procedure, restructured and improved the YMCA
sponsored 10K Henry Thorton Run, initiated the association's first
successful Youth Basketball Association. Additionally, worked in all
areas of public relations.

1992 - 1999 Activities Director
John Shook Home, Tampa, FL
Organized, coordinated, and scheduled activities for a geriatric population
of two-hundred patients, including individuals with a wide range of mental
and physical capabilities. Responsible for hiring Activity Leaders, coordinating
volunteers, and balancing the yearly activities budget.

Education
1992 B.A., Sociology & Literature
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Commercial Loan Officer Resume Template

2008-02-27T17:13:00.001-08:00

Commercial Loan Officer Resume Template

James Rawlings
129 Cayuga Heights Ave
Augusta, GA 30904
Home: (721) 555-6219
Voice Mail: (721) 555-9020
__________________
Objective
A challenging and rewarding position as a credit controller or loan officer that utilizes my commercial loan knowledge and expertise.

Experience

1998 - Present Commercial Loan Officer
Capital Finance, Augusta, GA
Responsible for new business development and cross-selling of all bank
products including cash management tools and investment products. Also
responsible for all phases of underwriting loans including real estate
analysis, cash flow models, profitability models and credit underwriting.
Monitored and maintained new and existing portfolio of commercial clients.
Reviewed and maintened portfolio, including approving draw requests,
covenant compliance and quarterly updates.

1991 - 1998 Commercial Loan Officer, Southern Region
Farmers & Merchants Trust, Atlanta, GA
Worked in four major loan offices, and assisted credit administrators and
regional market officer. On three seperate times placed in the top 10%
of 50,000 corporate employees during marketing contests.

Education

1991 B.S., Finance
Ohio University, Athens, OH
Concentration: International Business

Accounting Manager Resume Template

2008-02-27T17:12:00.001-08:00

Accounting Manager Resume Template

Joe Sennate
17 West State St.
Allentown, PA 18103
Home (717) 555-9204
__________________
Objective
A challenging and rewarding position as a public accountant.

Summary of Accomplishments

• Fundamental accounting knowledge.
• Efficient, detail-oriented, highly organized
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Proficient in Axapta, ONYX (CRM database), QuickBooks, ADP PC/Payroll for Windows, Microsoft Office, Excel, Access, Great Plains, FileMaker Pro, Adobe Photoshop, PageMaker, PowerPoint, Macintosh OS, PC, Windows 95/98/XP.

Experience

1999 - Present Accountant Manpower, Inc Allentown, PA

Responsible for monthly billing totaling $7M. Produced monthly aging, open invoices, sales and revenue recognition reports. Responsible for payroll processing for over 500 employees including timesheets, payroll reports, and set up for new employees on the ADP payroll system. Collaborated with the Accounting department to update the general ledgers, journal entries submissions and Axapta accounting program. Streamlined complicated pricing and billing process to improve efficiency by 23%. Maintained accurate and comprehensive contracts database for over 1000 clients.

1995 - 1999 Staff Accountant Hertzel Properties Philadelphia, PA

Provided bookkeeping/accounting for real estate management and real estate development. Managed up to 20 bank accounts, performed bank reconciliations, generated cash management reports, posted to the general journal and general ledger, A/P, A/R, created chart of accounts, generated P&L reports, Balance Sheets, and Excel spreadsheets and managed payroll. Cut checks, created bills, and produced open A/R reports.

1992 - 1995 Bookkeeper R.B. Fabrication Hazelton, PA

Updated and maintained accounts payable and receivable. Upgraded system from manual to Quick Books and Excel database. Prepared monthly financial statements and payroll.

Education

University of Richmond, Richmond, VA
B.A., Accounting, Minor, Psychology 1992

References

Available upon request.

Accountant Entry Level Resume Template

2008-02-27T17:11:00.000-08:00

Accountant Entry Level Resume Template

Matthew Rippin
168 Archibald St.
Cincinnati, OH 45244
(912) 555-8190
__________________
Objective
Accountant.

Summary of Qualifications

Accountant
Maintained accounts payable records.
Filed developing capital project procedures and audit controls.
Developed and maintained capital project files.
Reviewed capital projects purchases.
Assisted in development of computer programs for maintaining capital projects.

Accounting Clerk
Reconciled various expenditure reports to source documents.
Reviewed procurement documents and invoices for accuracy.
Prepared routine entries and posted financial transactions.
Reconciled entries and internal ledgers to financial system reports.
Assisted in preparation of financial statements.

Experience

1999 - Present Johansen & Sons Athens, OH
Accounting Clerk
Responsible for all basic accounting functions. Coordinated distribution of invoices and classified transactions.

1992 - 1997 Giant Food Stores Akron, OH
Assistant Accounting Clerk
Reported directly to the CEO. Handled all corporate financial transactions. Drafted quarterly and annual financial statements

Education

B.S. Accounting, Beloit College, Beloit WI

Graduated suma cum laude.

References

Available upon request.

Accountant Clerk Resume Template

2008-02-27T17:10:00.000-08:00

Accountant Clerk Resume Template

Jason Hess
1171 Dual Highway East
Hagerstown, MD 21741
(920) 555-4926
jahess@juno.com
______________
Objective
Bookkeeping position that will allow me to gain valuable accounting experience

Experience
Proficient with all aspects of accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger and customer service, and reconcilliations. Sound understanding of general accounting principles.

Capabilities

• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communications skills.
• Proficient in all aspects of general office maintainence, including typing, and shorthand.
• Ability to create quarterly profit reports.
• Proficient with Excel & ten-key.

Employment

1/99 - Present Accounting Intern
J. Saunders & Associates, Mesa, CA

Performing the full accounting cycle using
QuickBooks accounting software. Reconciled
invoice dollar amounts with accounts receivable.

Summer 1998 Shipments Coordinator
Ocean Cloud Products, Phoenix, AZ.

Prepared sales invoices and coordinated
outgoing shipments for a small food
manufacturing company.

Education

B. A. in Accounting
California State University Long Beach
May 1999

References

Available upon request.

Accountant Resume Template

2008-02-27T17:09:00.000-08:00

Accountant Resume Template

James McMinn
271 Green St
Ithaca, NY 14850
Home (817) 555-1301
Cell (817) 555-9261
__________________
Objective
Accounting position with a CPA firm.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong accounting knowledge and background.
• Detail oriented and efficient
• Strong analytical ability
• Proficient in Word, WordPerfect, Excel, Microsoft Office, Lotus, Class, and Peachtree Accounting,

EXPERIENCE

Accountant, 1999 to Present
Ocker & Associates, Indianapolis, Indiana
Assisted the Director of Accounting with accounts receivable. Prepared bi-weekly payroll journal entries, reconciled general ledger of accounts with Director of Accounts on a monthly basis, and annually assisted with year-end budget preparation.

Accounting Intern, 1994 - 1998
John Merill & Associates, Taylor, Indiana
Dealt with accounts payable procedures, direct billing, control accounting, etc. Analyzed employee sales, prepared W-2's.

EDUCATION

B.S., Accounting, 1994
Indiana University, Bloomington, IA

Undergraduate Accolades & Involvements
Graduated suma cum laude.
Dean's List
Vice-President, IU Economics Society

Academic Resume Template

2008-02-27T17:03:00.000-08:00

Academic Resume Template

David Warren
1823 Stackhouse Ln.
Akron, OH 44301
dw36@psu.edu
Home (817) 555-0021
Office (817) 555-9010
__________________
Objective
A tenure track position in a well estabilished sociology department, which will allow for adequate time and funding to be directed toward research.

Summary of Achievements

Rhodes Scholar
1988 - 1990: Awarded two years of post-graduate study at Oxford University. Pursued the M.Phil in Social Sciences.

Gene Landis Award for Outstanding Teaching
1995 & 1997: Selected by the student body of York College.

Experience

1999 - Present
Assistant Professor, Sociology - University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Taught such notable courses as "Intro to Sociology", "Sociology of Inequality", and "The McDonaldization of Society".

1995 - 1998
Lecturer, York College, York, PA

Education

Ph.D, Sociology, 1994
Penn State University, State College, PA
Specialization: Global inequality, sociology of marriage

M.Phil, Social Sciences, 1990
Oxford College, Oxford, UK

B.A. Sociology, Literature 1988
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Selected Publications

"Building More Prisons: Retribution or Rehabilitation?", American Journal of Sociology. Worthington Press, June 1995

"Big Mac Nation", published in The Globalization Reader. Bretton-Woods Press. August, 1997.

Interview Types - Part 12: The Follow-Up Interview

2008-02-27T17:02:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

Companies bring candidates back for second and sometimes third or fourth interviews for a number of reasons. Sometimes they just want to confirm that you are the amazing worker they first thought you to be. Sometimes they are having difficulty deciding between a short-list of candidates. Other times, the interviewer's supervisor or other decision makers in the company want to gain a sense of you before signing a hiring decision.

The second interview could go in a variety of directions, and you must prepare for each of them. When meeting with the same person again, you do not need to be as assertive in your communication of your skills. You can focus on cementing rapport, understanding where the company is going and how your skills mesh with the company vision and culture. Still, the interviewer should view you as the answer to their needs. You might find yourself negotiating a compensation package. Alternatively, you might find that you are starting from the beginning with a new person.

Some tips for managing second interviews:

Be confident. Accentuate what you have to offer and your interest in the position.
Probe tactfully to discover more information about the internal company dynamics and culture.
Walk through the front door with a plan for negotiating a salary.
Be prepared for anything: to relax with an employer or to address the company's qualms about you.

Interview Types - Part 11: The Mealtime Interview

2008-02-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

For many, interviewing over a meal sounds like a professional and digestive catastrophe in the making. If you have difficulty chewing gum while walking, this could be a challenge. With some preparation and psychological readjustment, you can enjoy the process. Meals often have a cementing social effect-breaking bread together tends to facilitate deals, marriages, friendships, and religious communion. Mealtime interviews rely on this logic, and expand it.

Particularly when your job requires interpersonal acuity, companies want to know what you are like in a social setting. Are you relaxed and charming or awkward and evasive? Companies want to observe not only how you handle a fork, but also how you treat your host, any other guests, and the serving staff.

Some basic social tips help ease the complexity of mixing food with business:

Take cues from your interviewer, remembering that you are the guest. Do not sit down until your host does. Order something slightly less extravagant than your interviewer. If he badly wants you to try a particular dish, oblige him. If he recommends an appetizer to you, he likely intends to order one himself. Do not begin eating until he does. If he orders coffee and dessert, do not leave him eating alone.
If your interviewer wants to talk business, do so. If she and the other guests discuss their upcoming travel plans or their families, do not launch into business.
Try to set aside dietary restrictions and preferences. Remember, the interviewer is your host. It is rude to be finicky unless you absolutely must. If you must, be as tactful as you can. Avoid phrases like: "I do not eat mammals," or "Shrimp makes my eyes swell and water."
Choose manageable food items, if possible. Avoid barbeque ribs and spaghetti.
Find a discrete way to check your teeth after eating. Excuse yourself from the table for a moment.
Practice eating and discussing something important simultaneously.
Thank your interviewer for the meal.

Interview Types - Part 10: The Tag-Team Interview

2008-02-27T16:59:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

Expecting to meet with Ms. Glenn, you might find yourself in a room with four other people: Ms. Glenn, two of her staff, and the Sales Director. Companies often want to gain the insights of various people when interviewing candidates. This method of interviewing is often attractive for companies that rely heavily on team cooperation. Not only does the company want to know whether your skills balance that of the company, but also whether you can get along with the other workers. In some companies, multiple people will interview you simultaneously. In other companies, you will proceed through a series of one-on-one interviews.

Some helpful tips for maximizing on this interview format:

Treat each person as an important individual. Gain each person's business card at the beginning of the meeting, if possible, and refer to each person by name. If there are several people in the room at once, you might wish to scribble down their names on a sheet of paper according to where each is sitting. Make eye contact with each person and speak directly to the person asking each question.
Use the opportunity to gain as much information about the company as you can. Just as each interviewer has a different function in the company, they each have a unique perspective. When asking questions, be sensitive not to place anyone in a position that invites him to compromise confidentiality or loyalty.
Bring at least double the anecdotes and sound-bites to the interview as you would for a traditional one-on-one interview. Be ready to illustrate your main message in a variety of ways to a variety of people.
Prepare psychologically to expend more energy and be more alert than you would in a one-on-one interview. Stay focused and adjustable.

Interview Types - Part 9: The Group Interview

2008-02-27T16:58:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

Interviewing simultaneously with other candidates can be disconcerting, but it provides the company with a sense of your leadership potential and style. The group interview helps the company get a glimpse of how you interact with peers-are you timid or bossy, are you attentive or do you seek attention, do others turn to you instinctively, or do you compete for authority? The interviewer also wants to view what your tools of persuasion are: do you use argumentation and careful reasoning to gain support or do you divide and conquer? The interviewer might call on you to discuss an issue with the other candidates, solve a problem collectively, or discuss your peculiar qualifications in front of the other candidates.

This environment might seem overwhelming or hard to control, but there are a few tips that will help you navigate the group interview successfully:

Observe to determine the dynamics the interviewer establishes and try to discern the rules of the game. If you are unsure of what is expected from you, ask for clarification from the interviewer.
Treat others with respect while exerting influence over others.
Avoid overt power conflicts, which will make you look uncooperative and immature.
Keep an eye on the interviewer throughout the process so that you do not miss important cues.

Interview Types - Part 8: The Audition Interview

2008-02-27T16:57:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

For some positions, such as computer programmers or trainers, companies want to see you in action before they make their decision. For this reason, they might take you through a simulation or brief exercise in order to evaluate your skills. An audition can be enormously useful to you as well, since it allows you to demonstrate your abilities in interactive ways that are likely familiar to you. The simulations and exercises should also give you a simplified sense of what the job would be like. If you sense that other candidates have an edge on you in terms of experience or other qualifications, requesting an audition can help level the playing field.

To maximize on auditions, remember to:

Clearly understand the instructions and expectations for the exercise. Communication is half the battle in real life, and you should demonstrate to the prospective employer that you make the effort to do things right the first time by minimizing confusion.
Treat the situation as if you are a professional with responsibility for the task laid before you. Take ownership of your work.
Brush up on your skills before an interview if you think they might be tested.

Interview Types - Part 7: The Behavioural Interview

2008-02-27T16:56:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

Many companies increasingly rely on behavior interviews since they use your previous behavior to indicate your future performance. In these interviews, employers use standardized methods to mine information relevant to your competency in a particular area or position. Depending upon the responsibilities of the job and the working environment, you might be asked to describe a time that required problem-solving skills, adaptability, leadership, conflict resolution, multi-tasking, initiative or stress management. You will be asked how you dealt with the situations.

Your responses require not only reflection, but also organization. To maximize your responses in the behavioral format:

Anticipate the transferable skills and personal qualities that are required for the job.
Review your resume. Any of the qualities and skills you have included in your resume are fair game for an interviewer to press.
Reflect on your own professional, volunteer, educational and personal experience to develop brief stories that highlight these skills and qualities in you. You should have a story for each of the competencies on your resume as well as those you anticipate the job requires.
Prepare stories by identifying the context, logically highlighting your actions in the situation, and identifying the results of your actions. Keep your responses concise and present them in less than two minutes.

Interview Types - Part 6: The Stress Interview

2008-02-27T16:54:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

Astounding as this is, the Greek hazing system has made its way into professional interviews. Either employers view the stress interview as a legitimate way of determining candidates' aptness for a position or someone has latent maniacal tendencies. You might be held in the waiting room for an hour before the interviewer greets you. You might face long silences or cold stares. The interviewer might openly challenge your believes or judgment. You might be called upon to perform an impossible task on the fly-like convincing the interviewer to exchange shoes with you. Insults and miscommunication are common. All this is designed to see whether you have the mettle to withstand the company culture, the clients or other potential stress.

Besides wearing a strong anti-perspirant, you will do well to:

Remember that this is a game. It is not personal. View it as the surreal interaction that it is.
Prepare and memorize your main message before walking through the door. If you are flustered, you will better maintain clarity of mind if you do not have to wing your responses.
Even if the interviewer is rude, remain calm and tactful.
Go into the interview relaxed and rested. If you go into it feeling stressed, you will have a more difficult time keeping a cool perspective.

Interview Types - Part 5: The Meandering Style

2008-02-27T16:53:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

This interview type, usually used by inexperienced interviewers, relies on you to lead the discussion. It might begin with a statement like "tell me about yourself," which you can use to your advantage. The interviewer might ask you another broad, open-ended question before falling into silence. This interview style allows you tactfully to guide the discussion in a way that best serves you.

The following strategies, which are helpful for any interview, are particularly important when interviewers use a non-directive approach:

Come to the interview prepared with highlights and anecdotes of your skills, qualities and experiences. Do not rely on the interviewer to spark your memory-jot down some notes that you can reference throughout the interview.
Remain alert to the interviewer. Even if you feel like you can take the driver's seat and go in any direction you wish, remain respectful of the interviewer's role. If he or she becomes more directive during the interview, adjust.
Ask well-placed questions. Although the open format allows you significantly to shape the interview, running with your own agenda and dominating the conversation means that you run the risk of missing important information about the company and its needs.

Interview Types - Part 4: The Directive Style

2008-02-27T16:52:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

In this style of interview, the interviewer has a clear agenda that he or she follows unflinchingly. Sometimes companies use this rigid format to ensure parity between interviews; when interviewers ask each candidate the same series of questions, they can more readily compare the results. Directive interviewers rely upon their own questions and methods to tease from you what they wish to know. You might feel like you are being steam-rolled, or you might find the conversation develops naturally. Their style does not necessarily mean that they have dominance issues, although you should keep an eye open for these if the interviewer would be your supervisor.

Either way, remember:

Flex with the interviewer, following his or her lead.
Do not relinquish complete control of the interview. If the interviewer does not ask you for information that you think is important to proving your superiority as a candidate, politely interject it.

Interview Types - Part 3: The Informational Interview

2008-02-27T16:50:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

On the opposite end of the stress spectrum from screening interviews is the informational interview. A meeting that you initiate, the informational interview is underutilized by job-seekers who might otherwise consider themselves savvy to the merits of networking. Job seekers ostensibly secure informational meetings in order to seek the advice of someone in their current or desired field as well as to gain further references to people who can lend insight.

Employers that like to stay apprised of available talent even when they do not have current job openings, are often open to informational interviews, especially if they like to share their knowledge, feel flattered by your interest, or esteem the mutual friend that connected you to them. During an informational interview, the jobseeker and employer exchange information and get to know one another better without reference to a specific job opening.

This takes off some of the performance pressure, but be intentional nonetheless:

Come prepared with thoughtful questions about the field and the company.
Gain references to other people and make sure that the interviewer would be comfortable if you contact other people and use his or her name.
Give the interviewer your card, contact information and resume.
Write a thank you note to the interviewer.

Interview Types - Part 2: The Screening Interview

2008-02-27T16:48:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

Companies use screening tools to ensure that candidates meet minimum qualification requirements. Computer programs are among the tools used to weed out unqualified candidates. (This is why you need a digital resume that is screening-friendly. See our resume center for help.) Sometimes human professionals are the gatekeepers. Screening interviewers often have honed skills to determine whether there is anything that might disqualify you for the position. Remember-they do not need to know whether you are the best fit for the position, only whether you are not a match. For this reason, screeners tend to dig for dirt. Screeners will hone in on gaps in your employment history or pieces of information that look inconsistent. They also will want to know from the outset whether you will be too expensive for the company.

Some tips for maintaining confidence during screening interviews:

Highlight your accomplishments and qualifications.
Get into the straightforward groove. Personality is not as important to the screener as verifying your qualifications. Answer questions directly and succinctly. Save your winning personality for the person making hiring decisions!
Be tactful about addressing income requirements. Give a range, and try to avoid giving specifics by replying, "I would be willing to consider your best offer."
If the interview is conducted by phone, it is helpful to have note cards with your vital information sitting next to the phone. That way, whether the interviewer catches you sleeping or vacuuming the floor, you will be able to switch gears quickly.

Types of Interviews

2008-02-27T16:46:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

All job interviews have the same objective, but employers reach that objective in a variety of ways. You might enter the room expecting to tell stories about your professional successes and instead find yourself selling the interviewer a bridge or editing code at a computer. One strategy for performing your best during an interview is to know the rules of the particular game you are playing when you walk through the door.

Screening
Informational
Directive
Meandering
Stress
Behavioral
Audition
Group
Tag-Team
Mealtime
Follow-up

What Not to Wear to an Interview

2008-02-26T20:30:00.000-08:00

(by CareerBuilder.com)
What is the worst outfit ever worn to a job interview? For a career services director at the University of Chicago, it was the applicant who sported a Madras tie as a belt and a patterned cotton hat. Other contenders, according to a CareerBuilder.com survey of hiring managers, include candidates with dirty fingernails, micro-miniskirts, t-shirts with offensive slogans and even bare feet!

No one needs 'Queer Eye's' Carson Kressley to tell them that wearing shoes to an interview is a good idea, but could you be guilty of one of these top 20 fashion faux pas?

1. Carrying a backpack or fannypack instead of a briefcase or portfolio: Some image consultants suggest women ditch their purse, too!

2. Sunglasses on top of your head or headphones around your neck: Be sure to remove all your "transit gear" and tuck it in your briefcase before entering the lobby.

3. Too-short skirts: Forget what some of those gals on 'The Apprentice' are wearing. Your skirt should cover your thighs when you are seated.

4. The wrong tie: Ties should be made of silk, no less than three and a quarter inches wide with a conservative pattern. Image consultants say the best colors are red or burgundy.

5. Overly bright or large-patterned clothing: With the possible exception of creative fields like advertising or computer programming, it's best to stick with navy, black or gray.

6. Heavy makeup on women (or any makeup on a man).

7. Earrings on men: In fact, men should avoid wearing any jewelry unless it is a wedding ring, class ring or metal watch.

8. More than one set of earrings on women.

9. Facial piercings, tongue jewelry or visible tattoos.

10. Ill-fitting clothes. Few people can wear things straight off the rack. Spending a little extra to have your garments tailored is a worthwhile investment.

11. Long fingernails, especially with bright or specialty polishes. Nails should look clean and be trimmed to a length that doesn't leave an observer wondering how you keep from stabbing yourself.

12. Unnatural hair colors or styles. Remember, Donald Trump was a billionaire well before he began wearing a comb-over. If you're balding, try a close-cropped cut like Bruce Willis or Matt Lauer.

13. Short-sleeved shirts, even worse when worn with a tie.

14. Fishnets, patterned hosiery or bare legs (no matter how tan you are). Women should stick with neutral color hosiery that complements their suit.

15. Men whose socks don't match their shoes, or whose socks are too short and leave a gap of flesh when they are seated.

16. Rumpled or stained clothing: If interviewing late in the day, try to change to a fresh suit beforehand.

17. Scuffed or inappropriate footwear, including sneakers, stilettos, open-toed shoes and sandals.

18. Strong aftershaves, perfumes or colognes: Many people are allergic to certain scents. For a subtle fragrance, use a good quality bath soap.

19. Belts and shoes that don't match: Shoes and belts should be made of leather or leather-like materials and the best colors for men are black or cordovan.

20. Telltale signs that your wearing a new suit. Remove all tags and extra buttons -- and remember to cut off the zigzag thread that keeps pockets and slits closed!

Don't be a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen. Plan and lay out what you're going to wear several days before the interview, so you'll have time to shop or get garments pressed and cleaned.

Save "innovative" or revealing garb for the club (or your couch) and strive for crisp, clean and professional. Remember, you want the interviewer to be listening to what you're saying, not critiquing what you're wearing.

12 Tips for Summer Interview Attire

2008-02-26T20:27:00.000-08:00

(by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor)
Selecting the perfect interview outfit can be difficult and complicated in today's business casual environment . . . especially in the summer with insanely high temperatures and stifling humidity. Surely the interviewer won't expect you to dress in a full business suit in the heat of summer, right? WRONG. Being appropriately dressed for a job interview - regardless of the weather - is essential! Here are some pointers that will lead you in the right direction before you head off to your summertime job interview.

Tip 1: Even if the company with which you are interviewing has a business casual dress code, do not assume this means you are welcome to dress in this manner. Remember you are not an employee and should not look like one during the interview process.

Tip 2: Regardless of the temperature outside, you must convey a professional appearance. Resist the urge to leave your suit jacket at home. You may want to keep it off while traveling to and from the interview, but be sure to wear it at all times during the interview.

Tip 3: Adhere to classic styles. Unless you are applying for a job in the entertainment or fashion industry, keep your clothing simple. "You need to be comfortable in what you are wearing so that the real you can come through during the interview," suggests Cyndi Sparacio, executive vice president of administration and human resources for West Coast Bancorp. "Also, remember to take off the tags of anything new you wear to an interview. One woman I interviewed got up from the seat she occupied throughout the interview when something got hung up on her chair. She was mortified to discover it was the sensor tag from the department store where she had purchased the new suit," laughs Sparacio.

Tip 4: Choose a dark or neutral color suit in a fabric that does not wrinkle. Beware of 100% linen. Women should combine their suits with soft colored blouses or sleeveless sweaters. Men should choose light colored dress shirts and conservative ties. Betsy Thompson, fashion spokesperson for Talbots suggests, "If you are just coming out of college and don't have a lot of money to spend on your wardrobe, I suggest that you buy the best possible quality for the budget you have by choosing items made of seasonless fabrics. When you buy quality clothing, you'll get years of wear out of them both for interviews and to wear on the job."

Tip 5: Choose accessories that accentuate your clothing. Accessories like scarves or jewelry for women are a great way to add personality to your outfit and may even set you apart from your fellow interviewees. Avoid items that clink and jingle. Keep in mind that your accessories should be tasteful and highlight your clothing - not overpower it. When choosing a watch to wear, make sure it is made of metal. Sports watches should be avoided.

Tip 6: Women should wear stockings and a medium heeled shoe that is clean and in good condition. Men should wear conservative shoes that are clean and polished. If you decide to ditch the hose, be sure your legs are clean shaven and minimally exposed with a knee length or longer skirt. "Depending on the climate where you are interviewing, women may want to call the company with which they are interviewing ahead of time and ask if they allow certain wardrobe components like open toe shoes," Thompson adds. "What may fly in Florida, may not in New York."

Tip 7: For women, understated, subtle makeup is best. This doesn't mean that you should go without, it means you should err on the side of conservative. Men should be clean-shaven. For those with facial hair, beards and/or mustaches should be impeccably trimmed and neat. The same is true for nose and ear hair.

Tip 8: Hair should look modern and stylish. Even on the hottest days when your hair may have a personality all its own, it's important to tame it as much as possible before the interview.

Tip 9: Make sure the accessories you carry, such as your briefcase and/or portfolio, are in excellent condition. "Be especially mindful of your outerwear. Suppose it's raining on the day of your job interview. Make sure you have appropriate rainwear. You may be wearing your outerwear when the interviewer greets you in the lobby. You want that crucial first impression to be positive," adds Thompson.

Tip 10: While you don't want to be mistaken as someone with poor personal hygiene given the temperature outside, don't overdue your fragrance either. Nothing is more uncomfortable than sitting in a closed office with someone who has too much perfume or aftershave on.

Tip 11: If there's someone whose appearance you admire, watch them more closely for the next few weeks. Jot down notes about how they combine colors, the accessories they use and their hairstyle. Take a trip to the shopping mall and try to emulate their clothing choices. Once you buy an interview suit, head to the department where accessories are sold and select those similar to the ones you've admired on your colleague.

Tip 12: Stay as cool and comfortable as possible on your way to the interview. Instead of taking the bus, hail a cab. Or, drive to the interview so that you can adjust the temperature accordingly. If you are prone to sweating, have a hanky handy and allow extra time in the lobby to cool down before the interview.

There's no more critical time to create a positive first impression than on a job interview. Make sure your attire says you are the right candidate for the job.

Turn the Table on Your Interviewer: Tips to Having a Successful Interview

2008-02-26T20:22:00.000-08:00

(by Niquenya D. Fulbright, Professional Life Coach)

The interview process is a very important phase of your career search. Due to the current layoff trend and projections of a recessed economy, both recent graduates and seasoned professionals are competing for the most menial of entry-level positions. Possessing sharp interview skills is necessary if you want to maintain an advantage in today's highly competitive job market.

Proper preparation is key. When accepting an invitation to interview, make sure you obtain as much information from the appointment setter as possible. Learn the name and title of the interviewer and/or the department head, the full title of the position being recruited for and the department in which the position will be held. If you did not retain a copy of the job announcement or if the advertisement was too vague, try to secure a complete job description as well. Visit the office prior to your interview, identify yourself as a potential candidate to the receptionist and let him/her know that you just wanted to make sure of the exact location of the company so he/she won't be alarmed by your impromptu arrival. You can also request company literature and a job description if you had not previously obtained one. Usually, the receptionist will be willing to oblige. You can then use the information you have gathered to learn more about the company and what your expected role will be. Browse through the company website and locate your interviewer's (or the department head's) bio if there is one available. Take special notice of the company's mission and think of a statement that would allow you to speak sincerely of how your own values align with the company's objectives.

Don't just leave it at company-specific research. Check out similar positions and other companies that operate in the same industry. Read the business section of local newspapers and trade magazines paying close attention to the status of public holdings. Look at current developments in the industry and the projected outlook of the field. Talk with people you know who hold comparable positions. Perform a salary comparison so you will know what type of compensation to expect and be in a better position for negotiation when the topic is broached. The information you obtain will prove valuable in letting the interviewer know you are truly interested in the position and will give you more ammunition during the inevitable small talk that occurs at the beginning and end of an interview.

Give yourself a mock interview. Think of answers to some of the most commonly asked interview questions such as "tell me about yourself?," "what are your strengths...weaknesses?" and "where do you see yourself in five years?" Make sure your responses are positive. Turn negative experiences and weaknesses into strengths. For example, "I am very focused which is both a strength and a weakness because it prevents me from moving on to another task until I have completed the one I am currently working on" or "I am a really good listener which often allows for people to take advantage of my time with unnecessary chatter." Jot down three to five facts from your research that can be developed into a great answer to the popular question, "why do you want to work for this company?" Also, create a list of questions to ask the interviewer. This is just as much an interview for the company as it is for you.

Knowledge is just half the battle. You must also look the part. The popular advice is to dress business professional. While this is not bad advice, it is not always practical to follow it. During your fact-gathering visit to the company, you should have also taken a good look at how the employees were dressed and keep in mind what is the industry standard. You don't want to show up for an interview in four-inch heeled pumps to discover that you have to walk across a slippery factory floor nor should you be in jeans and sneakers to sit down with the Chief Financial Officer of a major marketing firm. The rule of thumb is never wear less than a pair of slacks and loafers and always be well-groomed with minimal jewelry (you can pull out a few piercings for a day) and without excessive makeup. Times are changing fast but old traditions still hold true to form. Unless it is an acceptable practice to the company at which you seek to be hired, cover up tattoos and save another day to try out that new green and purple hair dye.

This really should go without saying but be on time. You should arrive approximately ten to fifteen minutes early for your interview. You don't want to be too early as this tends to just confuse your interviewer and you don't want to be late at all. Tardiness is not an attribute you want to give your potential employer as a first impression. Now this may come as a shock to you but your interviewer should not be late either. Remember, you are there to interview the company just as the company is interviewing you so your time must also be respected. An appropriate wait time for an interview is no more than thirty minutes. Most employers allow ten to fifteen minutes for your arrival and an additional fifteen minutes for any paperwork you might need to complete. Anything in excess of an half hour is an abuse of your time and grounds for you to reconsider your candidacy at the company.

During the interview, be energetic and upbeat. Be articulate and self-aware. Use good attentive body language and refrain from chewing gum, cracking knuckles, twiddling thumbs and any other annoying habits. Turn off cell phones or pagers. Wear an authentic smile and maintain good eye contact. Ask the interviewer if you may take notes and actually do so, marking off any of your prepared questions that get answered. Take your time so you don't rush responses. This will be especially helpful if you are asked a difficult or unpredicted question like "if you were a fruit, what type of fruit would you be and why?" Many interviewers like to throw these types of questions at you to see how you might handle stress or the unexpected. Taking your time will allow your senses to get over the initial shock so you can think of a creative response to the question. Ask the remaining questions from your prepared list. Stay away from salary and benefits talk. Most interviewers will bring it up themselves but if they don't, make sure it is not among your first questions. End the interview with a firm handshake and request a business card. Make sure you ask how soon it will be before you can expect a response.

Follow up the interview with a thank you card or letter. In the letter, you should tie in any information you may have left out during the interview that might enhance your qualifications and recap significant points of discussion to demonstrate that you were listening. It helps to throw in a personal tidbit using any small talk that may have been offered up by the interviewer. For instance, the interviewer may have mentioned that his wife is expecting. You could say something like, "Congratulations on joining the ranks of fatherhood." The interviewer will be flattered by the sentiment and more apt to remember your name.

Interviews can be difficult but with the proper preparation, you can set yourself ahead of the competition. Be as sincere, courteous and professional as possible. Remember, skills and qualifications are only a fraction of the screening process. Most companies hire based on who it was they liked the most rather than who was the most qualified.

Â© 2006 by Niquenya D. Fulbright, Professional Life Coach All Rights Reserved. Niquenya Fulbright is a professional life coach with over 10 years experience specializing in career, sex, love and relationship coaching. For more information visit www.niquenyafulbright.com.

How to Answer Job Interview Questions

2008-02-26T20:18:00.000-08:00

(by WorkBloom)

The ability to answer questions properly during job interviews is a skill that needs to be mastered. Answering questions in an interview setting is especially difficult because candidates are on the spot and are scrutinized. The fear of giving the wrong answer too often prevents interviewees from being themselves and answering to the best of their abilities.

The first step to improving your job interview skill is to undertake interviews as two way exchanges. Both sides are looking for a fit and, believe it or not, interviewers do care about choosing the right candidate. In that regard, they want to know about you as much as you want to know about them. If answering questions is difficult for you, look at the process from another angle like a conversation. Don't look at job interviews as interrogations. This will only have the effect of increasing your stress level. Keep in mind that there are no right answers, although there are clearly wrong ones. Therefore, don't look for that perfect answer. Try to answer questions the best you can and to make the best overall impression as possible. At the end of the day, all you can do is try your best and interviewers will decide if you are a good fit or not.

That being said, there are few basic things you need to know about how to answer questions properly. Answering questions is about form and substance. Form refers to the way a message is conveyed:

Do you speak loud enough?
Is your pronunciation clear enough?
Are you pleasant to speak with?
How is your facial expression when you answer questions?
Do you look confident when you answer questions?

The way you answer questions can be improved with practice. Put yourself in front of the mirror and look at how you look when you speak. Do a mock interview with a family member or a friend. Ask for their feedback on how you answer questions. What is their perception of you as you answer questions that are posed to you? What do they suggest that you should improve? The idea here is not to copy another person's style or way of speaking. It is to improve your own way to do so. Authenticity is important. For instance, if you are a naturally shy person, don't try to act like an extrovert. It won't work. Instead, try to work on your shyness without going to the other extreme.

A mistake that many job seekers make is to memorize their answers. That is a bad practice for three main reasons:

you will not look natural as you answer questions,
you will worry about remembering instead of focusing on making a good impression, and
you will not connect with your interlocutor.

Connecting with your interlocutor means being in tune with him or her. Look at interviewers' facial expressions or gestures as you speak. That way, you will be able to sense their hesitation. They might not follow you sometimes and you might need to clarify yourself. Being focused on yourself will not allow you to notice these things. That is why it was earlier suggested that you undertake interviews like conversations; to allow for a two-way exchange of ideas.

Also consider this: what if you are asked a question that you did not prepare an answer for? Memorizing answers is a bad idea because it shows a lack of confidence and will never cover all the possible questions that you may be asked. As part of the process of improving your interviewing skills, you need to let go of that insecurity. Prepare and practice in advance, not at the last minute. Know what to say as opposed to memorizing what to say. The ability to think on your feet on Interview Day is the most important.

Substance refers to what is conveyed. Substance has two components: structure and idea. Structure goes to the clarity of your thought process. A message is only effective to the extent that it is understood properly. Speakers that have the most impact are the ones that can convey their ideas clearly in a way that reaches their audience. Idea refers to the fundamentals of what you are trying to articulate. Do you put forward good arguments to back up your assertions? Do you cite good examples to show your skills?

A way to improve the substance of your answers is to limit yourself to two or three propositions. This will allow you to elaborate and put more focus on each. Sometimes less is better. Consider this situation: the interviewer asks you â€œwhat are your strengths? You can choose to enumerate your strengths at length or you can choose to focus on your three main and most relevant strengths. By focusing on less, you actually get the chance to elaborate on each of them. Emphasizing your strengths is key to differentiating yourself from other candidates.

This brings us to the next critical topic: relevancy. Whatever your answer is, it has to be relevant to the job you are applying to. Always keep that in the back of your mind, although when formulating your answers, try to be subtle about it. In order to give answers that are relevant, you need to do proper research and know your background inside out. You cannot start thinking what can I say that will be relevant as you sit across the table from the interviewer. This does not mean that you should not take time to reflect before answering questions. It simply means that answers should come more spontaneously to you through diligent preparation. That is why careful preparation is key to succeeding in interviews.

Coming back to the earlier example, if an interviewer asks you what are your strengths, what do you think he or she really wants to know? All your strengths? Definitely not. Interviewers can be clumsy sometimes and can formulate questions that are unclear. That being said, you have to use your judgment. In the above example, you should have realized that what the interviewer really wanted to know was what are your main strengths as they relate to this opening. If you approach the question as rephrased, it makes more sense. Based on that underlying understanding, you can then go forward to give a proper and relevant answer. A word of caution, however, on trying to read between the lines. Be careful about it and use your judgment.

Overall, try to keep your answers short and to the point. Talking too much can make you lose your thought process and look clumsy. Also, try to stay positive and avoid saying bad things about your previous employer or job. Be diplomatic about it.

To conclude, remember that self-confidence is key to making a good impression. Self-confidence comes with careful preparation and positive thinking.

How to Make a Good Impression During Job Interviews

2008-02-26T20:11:00.000-08:00

(by WorkBloom)

When going to an interview, it is important to have the right state of mind and to focus on what is important. The thing that is the most important when attending an interview is not how you answer questions. It is the impression that you leave behind. That being said, answering questions correctly will of course impact on that impression. The word correctly was put in quotes because there are no perfect answers to questions, although there are wrong answers.

Put things in perspective. By the time you are called for an interview, the employer will already have gone through your resume and cover letter. He or she knows the basics about you: your background, your work experience, your general interests, why you want to join the organization, etc. Whatever the employer knows up to that point, however, is only one-sided. The employer only knows what you have decided to reveal. Based on the information that you have provided, however, he or she decided that you were worthy of a meeting. This is the employer's way to show an open mind. Here's your chance he or she is saying. Show me what you've got or prove to me that you are as good as you pretend to be.

This is partly how the stress builds up. You are starting to feel the pressure to impress. Knowing that other candidates have also been called for an interview, you feel even more pressure. This is where you realize that the application process in an ensemble. Everything has to fit together. Your resume and your cover letter have to impress, yet truly reflect who you are so that when you show up on Interview Day, you can be yourself. (Tips on how to handle stress during job interviews can be found in another article on WorkBloom.)

The first thing about making a good impression is to be positive. If you are negative and over-worry, that will show. Condition your mind to be positive and optimistic about your future so that when you see the interviewer for the first time as he or she walks towards you, that smile that is on your face is sincere.

First impressions matter. Why? Because they create biases. If you make a bad impression upfront, you will have to combat that bias. It's like running uphill. On the other hand, if you make a good impression, you can ride on it. It's like running downhill. That being said, make sure to dress professionally, smile, give a firm handshake, and introduce yourself properly. How to dress properly for an interview is discussed in further detail in the Interview Attire section of WorkBloom.

As the interviewer walks you to the interview room, he or she might ask you a few questions about the weather or how you got there some small talk to put you at ease. Accept the â€œinvitationâ€ and relax.

As the interview formally starts, make sure to remember that interviewing is a communication process. This means that you have to be clear when you talk. Clarity entails that you speak clearly and answer clearly. Speaking clearly means that you have to speak loud enough and pronounce your words well enough so that you are well understood. Think of news anchors and how they speak. Answering clearly means that you have to satisfy whatever was on the mind of the interviewer when he or she asked you the question. In order to do that you have to practice your listening skills. Yes, listening is part of communicating. If you are not sure what was asked, ask the interviewer to repeat himself or, even better, rephrase the question in your own words and ask the interviewer to confirm that you grasped his or her question properly. The next thing to keep in mind is that questions are asked for a purpose. Try to find the purpose underlying the question. What does the interviewer want to know and how can you best answer his or her question?

Put yourself at ease as you answer questions and undertake it as if it was a conversation. To converse with someone is the best way to connect with that person. If you were not offered a glass of water and feel that your mouth is dry, don't be shy and ask for a glass of water. The interviewer will be happy to do so. Don't let those minor details bother you.

As the interview winds down, make sure that you have showed interest for the organization by asking a few relevant and intelligent questions. Don't let your guards down. The interview is not over until you have left the building.

As you leave, give each interviewer a firm handshake and thank them for meeting with you. You can also ask for their business cards if you do not yet have them. Having your interviewers business cards is important for following-up purposes. You want to spell their name correctly and you want to send to each interviewer separate e-mails. Remember, the last step in the interview process is not when you leave the interview room. It is when you follow-up the day after the interview. Following-up is not an option. It is mandatory.

To conclude, remember that you will be chosen not based on any specific answers that you give, but on the overall impression that you leave behind. Trusting yourself is the central and most important thing you need to remember. If you don't trust yourself, nobody will.

How to Manage Stress During Job Interviews

2008-02-26T20:08:00.000-08:00

(by WorkBloom)

Job searching is a difficult process because job seekers submit themselves to the judgment of others. They literally seek others' seal of approval and rely on them for crucial decisions that will affect their future.

The interview stage in the job hunt process is particularly stressful. This stage is especially difficult to handle because it requires human interaction. Most people writing their resumes and cover letters do so in the comfort of their own homes or hire professionals to do it for them. They do not have the pressure of facing others or living up to expectations on the spot. Should they be rejected, that will come in the form of a refusal letter, an e-mail, or a â€œno response.

In contrast to the above, interviewing forces job seekers to step outside of their comfort zone, attend events or meetings in person, and put themselves on the line. The fear of behaving foolishly or disappointing others is at the root of the stress that most people feel. That fear is compounded by the fact that many job seekers are at a point in their life where they have low self-confidence, whether because they are unemployed or because they are unhappy where they are.

In light of that, what steps can people take to manage their stress level? Following is a list of simple actions you can take in order to improve your chance of success by reducing your stress level during interviews.

Gather as much information as possible on the interview process in order to have a better understanding of what you will be facing. As you gather information, you will gain a sense of control. Stress is caused in part by uncertainty. The more you reduce the uncertainty, the less stress you will feel.

Prepare a list of interview questions you expect to be asked and decide how to answer them. Don't memorize answers as this will actually increase your stress level. On the day of the interview, you don't want to have to worry about remembering answers. On the contrary, you want to look as natural as possible. Remember, the way you convey your answers is as important as the substance of your answers.

Another issue you may want to consider is what if you are asked a question that you did not prepare for? Memorizing definitely cannot help you there. That being said, being alert and knowing what to say is more important than remembering what to say.

Choose what you are going to wear beforehand so you don't have to worry about that the day of the interview. Also, don't forget to check the weather and to dress accordingly.

Plan your interview day. Planning allows us to find the best path to achieve our objectives. Plan for the predictable and the unpredictable. Tell yourself that if everything went according to what we expect, we wouldnâ€™t need planning. We need to plan ahead because the future cannot be predicted.

Visualize your interview day, from the moment you wake up to the moment you conclude the interview. This is part of the planning stage and will make you feel like you are not doing what you're doing for the first time. By visualizing your day, you will acquire a kind of automatism so that you won't need to think of what to do next; you will just know.

Dress simple and carry as little accessories as possible. Only bring with you what you need, so you dont have to worry about carrying things along, looking clumsy, or losing things on your way.

Choose your mode of transportation wisely. Be especially careful about the weather and the traffic. If your interview is at 5:30 p.m. downtown, you might want to take public transit.

Arrive early so you can have a few minutes to yourself before the interview starts. You want to be in the right state of mind when you greet the interviewer or enter the interview room. Arriving late will prevent you from putting your thoughts together.

Schedule your interview wisely. If possible, schedule your interview in the morning so you can get it over and done with. You might be tired in the afternoon or something might happen during the day that might affect your state of mind.

Be positive. If you think negative, you will have a tendency to worry and this will increase your stress level.

Be yourself. Don't try to be someone else.

Immerse yourself in the â€œconversationâ€ as opposed to only â€œanswering questions. Focus is the answer to stress. As you focus on the conversation you are having, you will forget about your stress.

Put things in perspective. It's only a job interview, not a life or death kind of situation, so relax! If you don't get the job there, you will have another chance somewhere else.

To summarize, the key to managing stress during the interview is to make the day as uneventful as possible so you can put all your attention in making the best impression. Managing stress is about preparation, planning, and positive thinking.

How to Prepare for Job Interviews

2008-02-26T20:06:00.000-08:00

(by WorkBloom)

An interview is a competitive process. That's why job seekers need to prepare as much as possible for that day that could effectively change the course of their lives. The problem, however, is that too many people fail to do that. Instead of getting things running as they receive a phone call for an interview, too many job seekers get lazy or suddenly feel apprehensive. What better way to avoid that feeling of apprehension than to avoid thinking about Interview Day? As a result, they delay preparing for that crucial moment until the last minute.

Wishful thinking will not get you where you want to be. You need to work hard for it. The first stage in preparing for an interview is to research:

the organization,
the position,
the industry, and
the interviewers' background.

Research is important because you want to arrive at the interview knowledgeable. Knowledge is key because it will allow you to have interesting conversations and put things in the right context. The other reason why research is so important is because it will help you get into the right state of mind. You have no more excuses not to do proper research in this day and age. With the advent of the Internet, all this can be done from the comfort of your own home.

Once you have done your research, the next step is to review your credentials. Since you already did your research, you will be able to target key elements of your background or personality that you would like to emphasize during the interview meeting. Reviewing your credentials means that you should go through your resume and cover letter in detail. Regarding your resume, keep in mind that whatever is on there is most often very synthesized. You need to be able to elaborate on whatever is written on your resume, including citing relevant examples to back up your assertions.

Once you have finished reviewing your credentials and background, prepare a list of questions you expect to be asked during the interview. Please go to the Interview Question section of WorkBloom for a list of questions. Put yourself in the shoes of your interviewers and try to think of what they would want to know from candidates. If you applied from a job posting, look at it for clues in terms of the skills that the employer is looking for. This process will allow you to come up with questions specific to the position you are applying to.

Prepare answers for those questions. Possible answers to questions can be diverse. The process of coming up with good answers takes time. Don't do this at the last minute. Start with a draft and come back on it a day later, after you have some distance. As you formulate your answers, make sure you feel comfortable with them.

The next step after preparing answers is to practice answering questions. Practice by yourself first, speaking aloud. When you feel you have a good grasp, ask a friend or family member to do mock interviews with you. Ask for their feedback on the substance of your answers. Is what you are saying convincing? Do you look professional? Are you clear when you give your answers? As they give you their feedback, make sure to keep an open mind. It would also be a good idea at this stage to ask your practice partner to prepare a few questions of their own. You never know what you are going to be asked during an interview. Accordingly, the ability to think on your feet is critical.

As you go through the process of preparing to answer interview questions, start thinking of what you would like to wear for the interview. Please see WorkBloom's Interview Attire section for advice on how to dress for interviews.

Although this step is mentioned at this point in the article, it should be applied throughout your job search process. Think positive! Positive people attract 'good luck,' meaning that their outlook on life will make them see opportunities that others don't see. Positive thinking will also help you stay motivated as you go through the job hunting process. That being said, don't forget that the most important thing about interviews is to make a good impression and there is no better way to ease tension than with a smile.

Once you have gone through the above steps, the last thing that you need to do is to visualize your interview day, from the time you wake up to the time you leave the meeting room. Visualization can never be emphasized often enough.

The process does not stop here. What if you are not offered a job? Think ahead and prepare for your next interview by documenting what you did. After each interview, write down your impression of how you performed. Document how you can improve. This includes noting down the mistakes you made and avoiding repeating the same mistakes next time. Reflect on the answers that you gave during the interview and think of how the interviewer reacted. Was he or she satisfied, impressed, disappointed, or indifferent to your answer? Remember, what is important is not how good you think your answers are. It is what interviewers think of your answers that matters since they are the ones who get to make the decisions.

What you just read might seem a lot. Yet, these steps are necessary if you want to increase your chances of getting hired. Remember, by the time you are called for an interview, your candidacy has been selected from a pile of applications. The finish line is near, so don't give up.

Interview Tips to Impress Recruiters

2008-02-26T20:04:00.000-08:00

(by Checkmate Resume)

Interview Tip #1: Take Care of Your Personal Appearance

Be well groomed. Clean hair and fingernails are essential.
Dress appropriately. Your clothing should be appropriate for the position you are seeking.
Wear comfortable business attire.
Abstain from chewing gum or smoking.
Do not wear perfume, cologne, or other strong scents. Some interviewers may have a sensitive nose.

Interview Tip #2: Be Yourself

Relax and try to enjoy the interview. If you are not yourself, it will show.
If the interviewer feels that you are comfortable, this will ease the tension... for the both of you.
Try not to be too "scripted" and remember to adapt to the conversation.

Interview Tip #3: Be Prepared

Make sure you understand the process. Different employers may have different hiring practices.
Find out as much as you can about the position, the organization, and the industry.
Try to enquire about the name of the interviewer beforehand and research on his or her background.
Talk to colleagues and friends who are connected to the employer.

Interview Tip #4: Know Yourself

Know your strengths and weaknesses.
Understand what your strengths and skills are and how best to highlight them through examples.

Interview Tip #5: Know the Position

Know the qualifications and requirements of the job and be prepared to show why you are the best fit for the position.

Interview Tip #6: Research Your Employer

Identify your employerâ€™s practice areas, culture, size, corporate philosophy, opportunities for growth, etc.

Interview Tip #7: Know Your Resume and Cover Letter Inside Out

Review your career history thoroughly. Review dates, positions, responsibilities, and accomplishments.
Mentally review your past achievements and be prepared to describe your work experience in detail. Practice describing your experience in terms of your responsibilities and accomplishments at each job.
Be prepared to cite specific examples of accomplishments and how your contribution can help the company solve its problems.

Interview Tip #8: Understand Your Goals and Objectives

Before attending the interview, decide what you want to get out of the meeting, what you want the interviewer(s) to notice, etc.
Think of why you are interested in the position and articulate your reasons.
Do not be afraid to ask tough questions or raise any issues of concern.

Interview Tip #9: Be Punctual

Do whatever it takes to arrive a few minutes early. If necessary, drive to the company the night before and time yourself. Allow extra time for traffic, parking, and slow elevators.

Interview Tip #10: Be Friendly and Courteous

Be friendly and courteous to all the people you meet. Try to fit in.
Receptionists and others are sometimes asked for their opinions of you. Do not disregard them.
Be tentative to body language. Send the right message by standing straight, moving confidently, and sitting slightly forward in your chair.
The outcome of the interview will depend largely on the impression you make during the first five minutes. To succeed, you must project a professional, competent, and enthusiastic image.
Remember that 85% of the verbal content of the interview will probably be forgotten within an hour of your departure. What remains is the overall impression and a few notes.

Interview Tip #11: Be Adaptive

Listen and adapt. Be sensitive to the style of the interviewer. Pay attention to dress codes, office furniture, and general decor which will afford helpful clues to assist you in tailoring your presentation.

Interview Tip #12: Have Your Own Agenda and Know Where the Interview Should Be Heading

Having your own plan will give you confidence and help you move from one area of questioning to the next. Remember that most interviewers are as uncomfortable as you are. If you can put the interviewer at ease by helping things move smoothly, you'll improve your chances of being hired.
Have some degree of control over the interview by asking questions.

Interview Tip #13: Answer Questions Properly

Listen carefully and respond succinctly and articulately.
Use good grammar and articulate your thoughts clearly. If this is an area where you're weak, work on it. Practice on your family, practice in front of a mirror, record your voice, take classes - do whatever it takes to become a more effective communicator.
Don't worry about pausing before you answer. It shows you can think and are not spitting out pre-made statements.
Try to relate your answers to the interviewer and his or her company. Focus on achievements relevant to the position.
Early in the meeting, try to get the interviewer to describe the job and the duties to you so you can focus your responses.
Listen carefully and ask questions to probe deeper into what the interviewer wants to get at.
Never answer a question you don't understand with a knee-jerk response. Always seek clarification before answering. If you don't know an answer, itâ€™s much better to admit this than guess.
In answering and asking questions, you want to demonstrate that you are:
- Willing to work. Give examples of your productivity on past jobs.
- Committed to learning. Demonstrate this through examples of learning experiences (independent study, professional development, education, workshops, etc.). Your plan for future development also communicates your commitment to learning.
- Flexible. Talk about how well you work with others and how you can adjust and fit into a new environment without complaints or special requests.
- Willing to contribute. Emphasize what you can do for the company.

Interview Tip #14: Be Prepared to Share

You may be asked to share past experiences with the interviewer. For example, you may be asked to describe a situation in which you applied your knowledge to overcome obstacles or problems.
Ideally, you should briefly describe the situation you found yourself in, summarize the actions that you took, and state the outcome based on your actions.

Interview Tip #15: Be Prepared to Answer Unexpected Questions

That's designed to see how you cope with the unexpected.

Interview Tip #16: Avoid Making Negative Statements about Previous Jobs or Employers

Be diplomatic. No matter how bad your last job or boss was, there's probably something good you learned from the experience. Emphasize the positive... with a smile.

Interview Tip #17: Leave a Lasting Impression

Maintain your enthusiasm right through to the end. Donâ€™t let your guards down. Smile, shake hands firmly, and be sure to thank your interviewer for his or her time. Don't hesitate to say, â€œI hope we'll have the opportunity to work together in the future.â€

Interview Tip #18: Be Confident

Talk about your strengths and abilities with pride, but donâ€™t be cocky or conceited. Make eye contact. Let them you know you can do a good job.

Interview Tip #19: Visualize the Interview

Interview Tip #20: Practice

Simulate interviews with friends and family. Practice on questions you think might be asked. Practice will help you calm down during the interview.
Plan out the answers to expected questions. Write down answers if it can help make your presentation more concise. Try to keep your answers to the information your new employer will want to know.

Interview Tip #21: Create a List of Questions You Want to Ask Beforehand

Think of one or two questions that are really important to you and consider asking those same questions for all your interviews so you can have a basis for comparison.
Do not ask questions that are already answered on the firmâ€™s website. Employers are as interested in your questions as they are in your answers. They will react favorably if you ask relevant questions about the position, the company, and the industry.

Interview Tip #22: Ask Interviewers for Their Business Cards

Interview Tip #23: Always Let the Interviewer Initiate the Close of the Job Interview

Try to detect signs that the interview may be coming to an end so you can finish your interview strong.

Interview Tip #24: Evaluate Your Interview Once You Are Done

Evaluate yourself. Learn from any mistakes you made and make a conscious effort not to repeat them in the future.
Write down as many details as you can remember about the interview.
Note the date by which the interviewer stated he or she would call you back.
Note whether you were on time.
Analyze what you did well and what you could have done better. To be objective, take the employer's perspective.
Note whether you did adequate research.
Note the questions that made you feel uncomfortable.
Note your body posture, mannerisms, and non-verbal communication.
Note whether you stuck to the main facts.
Note whether you were able to cover all relevant information.
Note how you feel about the company and the position.
Note whether you could have done better, what you think you handled well, and what you did not do so well.
Note whether there were any surprises during the job interview process.

Spin Yourself

2008-02-26T20:02:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

We spin ourselves all the time-to find a date or a mate, to make a good impression on our elders, to join a club or society. Spinning merely involves presenting those aspects of ourselves that are likely to be appealing to others. It is not enough to come off this way or that way. You take control of the message you convey to the interviewer. The clearer the spin, the sharper is the appeal.

All you must do, then, is figure out how to use your self-knowledge and company knowledge to market yourself. Skip the tag line, but do formulate a coherent message about yourself. This is the message that you want to reemphasize throughout the interview as you answer a variety of questions. Using the information that you gathered from the exercises in Know Yourself, make a list of your transferable skills, your inherent qualities, and your personality traits that would be relevant to this job.

Brainstorm what you offer the position. Suzanne's list follows.

Experience-based Skills

HTML Coding
Vendor Relations
Client Relations
Product Development
Quality Assurance Practices
Web Writing

Transferable Skills
Project Management
Clear Communication
Writing
Organization
Team Leadership
Negotiation
Problem-solving

Personal Qualities
Dependable
Accessible
Focused
Flexible
Initiative
Creative
Fast Learner

Take a careful look at your list to determine which of the skills and qualities seem most relevant to the position you are seeking. For the consultant position that Suzanne is seeking, client relations and quality assurance practices seem most relevant from the experience-based skills category. Each of the skill from the transferable skills category is relevant, so she chooses to emphasize negotiation, problem-solving, project management, and writing. She anticipates that the personal qualities required for this position include creativity, dependability, initiative, and flexibility.

Generate concise anecdotes.

Once you have created a short-list of skills and qualities that you offer the company, compile a set of stories and facts that illustrate your unique abilities. When doing so, remember a few guidelines:

Your goal is to convince the interviewer that you are right for the job.
Be specific.
Highlight information readily understood as transferable.
Accentuate accomplishments.
Connect your past experience to the position you seek.
Reveal your values.
Remember your audience and their values.
Keep your presentation under two minutes.

Identify your basic message.

With her skill profile, knowledge of the employer and job, and these guidelines in mind, Suzanne might develop an overall interview message like the following.

"I will bring to this consultancy position a combination of skills and qualities that I am confident would make me a valuable contributor to the company. In my previous position as a Project Manager, I spearheaded the development of multi-media projects that exceeded the expectations of our clients. I could not succeed without my teams. Although my teams and I faced multiple obstacles, I used my problem-solving skills and judgment to overcome barriers in a way that satisfied the interests of our clients, my company, and my teams. I was able to gain the trust and confidence of the team members. My communication and negotiation skills enabled me to lead frazzled and sometimes antagonistic teams of people to work together in a focused and productive way. Since this pressure-cooker experience, I have gained licensure as a court mediator, and I have a master's degree in conflict resolution.

"In addition to my ability to mobilize teams by overcoming conflict and confusion, my company made use of my organizational skills and my self-initiative. I was able to work with a minimum of supervision, but consulted the company directors when I needed their input, guidance, or support. Since I was responsible for creating the concepts and content of the projects that I managed, my self-direction enabled me to balance multiple responsibilities while still carving out time to generate winning ideas and write content."

Identify the bottom line.

Knowing that she wants to communicate her basic message throughout the interview, Suzanne then clarifies the core of what she has to offer:

"I offer your company and this position effective negotiation and communication abilities, creative problem solving and project management skills, inner drive and initiative, and strong writing skills. My colleagues here would find me dependable and flexible."

Establishing Rapport

2008-02-26T20:00:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

With your qualifications and perhaps the help of a friend, you have secured your opportunity to sell yourself. Your ability to connect with the interviewer can cinch the job. Making a good impression on your interviewer requires more than dressing sharply, polishing your shoes and being polite. From the moment you come in sight of the interviewer, you begin the elusive process of connecting.

Studies show that people tend to remember events better when they are linked with an emotional impression. Whether the feelings associated with an event are positive or negative, emotional connections make the event salient, helping us remember things more clearly. Making a memorable impression on the interviewer depends on your ability to connect with the interviewer.

It helps if your personalities click and you both love to rock climb, or if you discover you both share the same alma mater and deeply admire Alan Greenspan. It helps if you have something in common. With some practice, you need not rely on external or circumstantial points of mutual reference in order to establish a good rapport with the interviewer. At a minimum, you can expect that the interviewer wants you to understand and appreciate what she is saying-her goals and concerns, position, expectations and needs.

You can generate good vibes and emotions when you actively listen to the interviewer. This does not mean that you need to ask her about her childhood or her greatest fears. Your interviewer does not need you as a confidant. She just needs to feel like you are an attentive and engaged interviewee. So, when you find yourself facing your interviewer across a table (after you have made certain no stray particles blemish your otherwise radiant smile), you can be certain she wants to be listened to and respected.

The active listening skills you can employ to connect with your interviewer are not unique, but are seldom used. (Think of the last time someone gave you his undivided, empathetic attention for an hour!) In some ways these skills are an art - but don't worry, you can develop the ability with some practice.

Use empathetic body language.

Both your words and your behavior will affect whether you establish a connection with the interviewer. When you meet the potential employer or human resources officer, you will want to show that you are confident, trusting, open, attentive, and eager, but restrained.

All of this can be communicated in a handshake. Make sure that your hand is about perpendicular to the floor. If you extend your hand with your palm facing down, you indicate that you need to be in control-something that can be off-putting in an interview scenario. If you extend your hand with your palm facing up, you can appear overly docile. Try extending your hand with your palm relatively flat, so that you offer to make full contact with the other person's hand. If you cup your hand, you indicate that you mistrust the other person.

Likewise, your posture throughout the interview indicates whether you are open and attentive, or somehow withdrawn from the interviewer. Leaning back shows boredom or sometimes insolence. It is better to sit up straight and lean forward just slightly, facing the interviewer directly. Crossing your arms in front of you may indicate that you are somehow defensive, whether from insecurity or mistrust. Try to keep your arms open, even if your legs are crossed.

Eye contact is crucial. Look the person in the eye when you are speaking and listening. To avoid giving the interviewer the impression that you are boring through him with your transfixed gaze, take breaks and look away to the right or left.

Mirror the interviewer.

People feel comfortable when you do the same things that they do, provided your imitations are not obvious. If the interviewer is smiling, smile. If the interviewer furrows her brow at a certain point, do the same. But if the interviewer smokes, don't light up. Mirroring works not only for behaviors, but also verbal statements. If you briefly say what you hear when someone else says it, you show that you are connected. Again, this engaged listening tool should be used with discretion. Too much can be awkward.

Example: The interviewer says: Our company has doubled in personnel and tripled in revenue over the last five years. The interviewee: Tripled in revenue. The interviewer: In order to meet the constraints of the current economy, we are refocusing our business practices. We have had to reduce the workforce in some departments without reducing our client load. While this means that we expect our employees to work more efficiently, we also intend to equip them for this efficiency by providing more thorough training and clearer direction. The interviewee: Employee efficiency is important.

Ask well-placed, clarifying questions.

If you do not fully understand something that the interviewer asks or says, it is best to clarify. Doing so signals to the interviewer that you are invested in what he or she is saying. These questions can be tricky, however. If you ask questions that seek clarification on issues that are tangential to the thrust of the interviewer's communication, they derail the person's train of thought and cause people to become defensive or withdrawn. The interviewer will be convinced that you are not paying attention if you seek information that has just been given to you. Before interrupting the interviewer to clarify a point, make sure that you are listening attentively. Follow the train of thought of the speaker. Then pose a question.

Example: I'm sorry, I don't think that I fully understand the reporting structure for this position. Would I have one or two supervisors?

Ask open-ended questions.

Open-ended questions allow the interviewer to respond as he or she desires and also demonstrate that you are open to what the interviewer says. The responses might challenge your assumptions, so they mitigate miscommunication. They also allow you subtly to steer the interview in a way that allows you to learn the things you wish about the company and job. The information you gather from these questions will assist you in evaluating the company.

Example: What are the greatest challenges that the person filling this position will likely encounter?

Know Yourself

2008-02-26T19:57:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

When the interviewer asks you where you see yourself in five years, what will you say? How about describing your ideal working environment? What are your strengths? And what are your weaknesses? How do you take criticism? How do you deal with conflict situations? What motivates you? What is your management style?

Yikes. If you are not prepared for these kinds of probing questions, they will undermine your interview. Pondering Socrates or Freud is not necessary preparation for your job interview. Still, taking time to do some soul searching is helpful when it comes to presenting yourself in an attractive way.

Each question posed by your interviewer requires that you sift through a repertoire of professional and personal experiences, gazing at your life in an instant and conjuring up an answer to the basic question: who are you? Doing that on the fly is bound to be confusing. You should know yourself before you shake the interviewer's hand and flash your first friendly smile. The prospect can daunt even for those of us who are in touch with our inner child.

To make substantial headway in self-reflection, spend some time on the following exercises. When considering your responses, think beyond your professional life and current circumstances. Include instances as far back as your youth.

Make a list of five accomplishments that you enjoyed.

Make a list of five things you have done that make you proud.

Describe three scenarios in which you felt highly motivated to accomplish something.

Describe three scenarios in which you lacked motivation.

Think of three scenarios in which you felt appreciated by other people. How did they communicate that appreciation for you?

Make a list of how your colleagues, staff, and supervisors describe you. Include the positive and negative feedback.

Make a list of how friends and family describe you.

Make a list of ten of your best personal qualities.

Think of two small and large decisions that you have made.

Describe how you went about making those decisions.

Describe two situations that seemed risky to you. What did you do?

Describe a conflict situation between you and someone else that was resolved to your satisfaction. How was it resolved?

Describe a conflict situation between you and someone else that was not resolved to your satisfaction. What happened?

Complete this sentence: When I am responsible for leading or supervising other people, I prefer to. . .

Complete this sentence: When I want to show appreciation for other people, I usually. . .

Complete this sentence: I work because. . .

Complete this sentence: From a job I want. . .

After you spend an evening or afternoon reflecting on your life, you might wish to have others explore your responses with you. Look for themes and trends in your responses, finding information that overlaps. Focus on what energizes you and what saps your spirit. Notice your preferences. Consider for example what we can discover about Suzanne's professional aspirations and tendencies from her responses.

Five accomplishments that I enjoyed include:

Launching an anti-drunk driving campaign in high school.

Training an intern in critical thinking.

Negotiating with diverse teams to get creative projects completed.

Finding the overlap between different company's interests so that they can establish mutually beneficial relationships.

Seeing my college students think in new ways.

Five things that make me proud include:

Going to France by myself to learn French.

Setting a high performance goal for myself and meeting it.

Having vision for what needs to be done in different situations.

Being in shape.

Listening to the concerns of my friends and honoring them.

Three times that I felt highly motivated to accomplish something include:

When I had tons of work to do to meet a product launch deadline and had to stay extremely organized and focused in order to complete the work.

When I came up with an idea for panel discussions at my church, which led to much improved communication and many new friendships.

When I worked on projects with colleagues and had to complete my work so that we could discuss things and move to the next stage.

Three scenarios in which I lacked motivation to accomplish something include:

When I worked all by myself after my boss died and my new supervisors were not accessible.

When I had to process details all day, day after day-entering data, completing forms, and other rote tasks that only challenged my patience but did not engage my mind.

When I felt like my employer was making decisions that sacrificed his employees.

I felt appreciated by people when:

I got a significant raise after having my value to the company reconsidered.

My supervisor and colleagues verbally praise my efforts and thank me for my way of working.

My supervisor expressed confidence in my abilities and did not micromanage me, but spent time helping me when I needed support or ran into problems.

By analyzing even these first five questions, we get a sense of what kind of job would fit Suzanne well. For example, we see that Suzanne enjoys influencing people; each of the accomplishments that she enjoyed includes affecting the way that other people think or act. She also feels gratified when she is able to bring people together for a common purpose they might have overlooked. The things that make Suzanne proud are a bit more diverse. Some include a sense of meeting difficult challenges-like learning French through immersion and raising the bar of performance or being in shape. Having vision means that she has something to offer that affects common purpose. Acting ethically toward people also seems important to her.

It already begins to make sense, then, that she would feel motivated to accomplish things when she initiates them, when she is accountable to other people, or when she needs to meet a specific goal. Deadlines appear to affect her in positive ways by helping her to focus when she might not otherwise. Contrarily, her energy and drive are sapped when she works in isolation without gaining feedback, when the tasks are rote and do not require creativity or initiative, and when she perceives that people are treated badly. She feels appreciated by her employer when her supervisor recognizes her vision, drive, and ability to focus and gives her the space she needs to excel while still staying connected with her. She feels appreciated when her company gives her a raise for good work, but also when others verbally praise her. And, even though she likes to work without tight supervision, she feels appreciated when her supervisor has time for her.

Intriguing as these discoveries might be for Suzanne, she cannot unload her personal psyche on the interviewer. She still has to formulate professional responses to specific questions. Knowledge about the company provides guidance for how to craft these materials. Self-knowledge provides the raw materials for devising compelling responses.

Know the Employer

2008-02-26T19:55:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

Just as you must know yourself before you begin an interview, so too must you know your prospective employer. Knowledge of the company helps you tailor your responses to questions and gives you confidence. It shows the interviewer that you care about the company and want to make a well-informed decision, and it gives you fodder for posing impressive questions to the interviewer. All of the information you gather will help you anticipate the company culture and gauge the expectations that they will have of you.

Understanding the Mission

At a minimum, you need to discover the company's purpose and trajectory. The employer will be convinced that you do not care about the job if you have to ask what they do. Look on the company website to discover how the company presents itself. Make sure you can articulate what the company mission statement is. If the company has a tag line, memorize that as well. If available, request a copy of its annual report. For newsworthy companies, check media sources like newspapers and business magazines to find out where the company is going and what its challenges are. Discover if they have any specific goals for the near future, like the production of new products or new partnerships. Talk with someone who works there or has worked there to find out whether the company fulfills its mission.

Study the Market

You also must familiarize yourself with the company's market. If they sell a product, who are their target customers? If they provide a service, to whom is it rendered? What is the nature of the products or services? These are the kinds of things you should be conversant in when you sit down for an interview. In addition, it is useful to know who are the company's competitors. Is it a business down the street, a conglomerate, a new or established company?

Company Structure

Find out what the structure and scope of the company is. Besides identifying whether the company is small, medium, large, or enormous, you need to know its configuration. Is it a division of a larger company or owned by a parent company? Does it own other companies? What are its strategic alliances? Is it a local, national, or international company? Also discover whether the company has divisions and what they are. It is also useful to know at what stage of growth the company is. Have they recently grown or laid off employees? At what rate? Using your internet, media, and personal sources, uncover as much as you can about the internal workings of the company.

Know the Customer

Moreover, it is useful to know how the company makes its money. Who are its clients or customers and how many of them are there? Is it a family-owned business or a start-up company funded by angels? Getting your hands on a share-holders report could be very illuminating as you determine what the company's earnings or losses are. Are their profits increasing or are they mired in debt? Is there another company funding them for a period of time at a loss? Compiling this information will enable you to assess the financial stability of the company.

Employee Relations

Finally, you will benefit from knowing how the company treats its employees. Interviewing current or former employees will give you the information you need to determine whether you are likely to receive the kind of treatment you desire or require. How much of the company earnings are shared by employees? What are the salary ranges for various positions? Gaining this kind of information will help you assess a compensation packet that you can feasibly negotiate. Do not forget to uncover the benefits package offered by the company when you consider the attractiveness of compensation. In addition to compensation, discover whether employees receive training or mentoring, how many hours a week the employees tend to work, and how long employees tend to stay at the company. Finally, you might check to see if any complaints have been filed against the company.

Interview Background

Since you need to connect with the person responsible for the interview, it is helpful to discover as much as you can about that person as well. Is this your prospective boss or someone screening applicants? If possible, discover what the person is interested in and where he or she previously worked or went to college. Gather information that will help you establish an easy rapport.

Your quest for information can seem elusive without the ability to conduct an audit of the company's financial statements or at least interview employees of the company. With a bit of networking, the latter might be more feasible than you would initially think. Several other resources will help you:

The company website
Company statements and brochures
Newspaper and magazine articles
Reviews of best and worst companies
Employees of the company
Public records
Information held at local job search agencies

Extensive List of Interview Questions

2008-02-26T19:47:00.000-08:00

(by Checkmate Resume)

The underlying purpose of all questions is to probe or explore your personality, attitude, or behaviour characteristics to gauge if you will be a good fit. Before going to interviews, always take the time to think of questions that you may be asked and compile a list of responses. Remember that most interviewers will be looking for three things when you answer questions:

your answer;
how well you can organize your thinking; and
how well you express yourself.

'Breaking the Ice' Interview Questions

Painting (or whatever you wrote in your resume) has always intrigued me. How did you become interested in it?
The campus looks very busy. How is your semester going?
I see you are involved in sports. How is your season going?
I have an extra hour and it's my first visit to the area. What should I see?

Work History Interview Questions

What were your responsibilities? Which was most / least rewarding?
What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met?
What were your starting and final levels of compensation?
What major challenges and problems did you face? What was your toughest job assignment?
How would you evaluate your present firm?
What were your biggest accomplishment / failure in this position?
What was it like working for your supervisor? What were his strengths and shortcomings?
What did you like the most and least about your previous job?
What mistakes have you made in your career? How did you fix them?
Would you describe a few situations in which your work was criticized?
Why are you leaving your job? Why are you looking for a new career? Why did your business fail?
Why were you fired? Why have you not obtained a job so far?
Why are you not earning more by now?
Have you helped increase sales? Profits? Reduce costs?
Where do you relate best - up one level, down one level, or with your peers?
What do your subordinates think of you?
How do you evaluate your subordinates?
Describe a situation in which you and a co-worker have disagreed. How did you work it out?
Have you ever taken charge as a leader in a work situation without being formally assigned to that role by your boss?
Have you ever gone beyond the call of duty in helping a client?
How many hours do you normally work?
How would you describe the pace at which you work?
What were you doing during the period of time not covered in your resume?
Have you kept up in your field with additional training?

Personal and Motivational Interview Questions

Tell me about yourself. How would you describe your own personality?
Can you describe yourself using one-word adjectives?
How do you handle rejection?
Who or what had the greatest influence on your life?
What are some of the greatest personal challenges you have faced during your lifetime?
What are some of your personal goals and have you achieved them?
What satisfies you, bothers you, or motivates you?
List three personal attributes that you would like to improve? Have you made any efforts to improve in these areas?
How would others describe your weaknesses?
What are your greatest achievements at this point in your life?
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
What are your strong points? What are your weak points?

Work-Related Interview Questions

Have you worked under deadline pressures? Provide examples.
How do you handle stress and pressure?
Can you discuss a time when you had to perform multiple tasks on very strict time lines? How did you ensure everything was completed on time?
Can you describe a typical work week?
What have you done that shows initiative and willingness to work?
What are the most important rewards you expect in your career?
What do you look for in a job?
What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make?
If you could start again, what would you do differently?
If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they say? How would your colleagues describe you? How would your boss describe you? How would you describe yourself?
Do you prefer to work independently or on a team? Give some examples of team work.
How do you build a team under you?
What type of work environment do you prefer?
Can you describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it?
How do you evaluate success?
Can you describe your ideal work environment? What kind of people do you enjoy working with?
How would you handle an upset customer / client?
What is the difference between a good position and an excellent one?
What is your philosophy of management?
How has your early career or background influenced your progression and current management style?
How has your management style changed in the last ten years?
Can you discuss some of your past leadership roles?
How do you rate yourself as a professional? As an executive?
Can you discuss the importance of your job as it relates to your family?
What was the most difficult ethical decision you have had to make? What was the result?
How do you show your anger or frustration?
What is the worst situation you have faced in your professional life? How did you deal with it? What happened?
Are you a leader? A good manager? Analytical? Give an example we can verify.
Have you fired people? When and why?
Will you be out to take your boss's job?
Can you tell me about someone who has influenced you personally or professionally?
Have you ever stolen anything from a company?
Can you tell me about the last time you broke the rules?
What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?
What was the worst career mistake you have ever made and what have you learned from it?

Position-Specific Interview Questions

What interests you about this job? What prompted you to apply with our company?
What do you know about this company?
Why do you want to work for this organization?
Why are you the best person for the job?
What can you do for us that someone else cannot do?
In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our firm?
How long would it take you to make a contribution to our firm?
What qualifications do you have that makes you think you will be successful in this business? Why should we hire you? Why should we hire you instead of any of the other well-qualified candidates?
Do you prefer large or small organizations? Why?
What interests you most about the position we have? The least?
What challenges are you looking for in a position?
Is there anything I haven't told you about the job or company that you would like to know?
What business, credit, or character references can you give us?
How long do you expect to work here? When will you know when it is time to leave?
Would you object to working for a woman?
Do you generally speak to people before they speak to you?
Do you not feel you might be better off with a different size firm than ours?
What do you think it takes to be successful in an organization such as ours?
In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our organization?
Have you ever been a member of a union? Worked with union members?
Are you willing to work overtime?
What type of work environment are you most comfortable with?
Why do you think you might like to live in the community in which our organization is located?
Can you list five things about yourself that would make you an asset to any organization that hired you?
In addition to your educational and professional experiences, what else would you like us to know about you in order to make an appropriate decision?
What kind of hours are you used to working or would like to work?

Interview Questions Related to Remuneration and Benefits

What kind of salary are you worth and why? What are your salary requirements?
What starting salary do you expect as an employee?
What company benefits are most important to you?
How do you feel about an income made up totally of commissions?
When comparing one company offer to another, what factors will be important to you besides starting salary?
How important is starting salary to you when considering our company's job offer?
Can you explain your salary history?

Relocation & Travelling Interview Questions

Are you willing to travel?
Are you willing to go where the organization sends you? Are you willing to relocate?
Do you mind traveling?
How do you feel about relocating during a career with our company?

Future Career Goals Interview Questions

What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you?
What are your goals for the next five years / ten years? How do you plan to achieve those goals?
What are your salary requirements - both short-term and long-term?
How much money do you hope to earn five years from now?
What new goals or objectives have you established recently? Why?
What do you know about opportunities in your field?
What are the most important rewards you expect from your career?
What would you be giving up in your present job to take our position?
What position have you held that has been most meaningful to you and why?
What improvements would you have made in you last job?
What kind of challenge are you looking for?
What do you think determines a person's progress in a good company?
How do you determine or evaluate success?
What personal characteristics are necessary for success in your field?

Interview Questions Related to Education

How does your education and experience relate to this position?
Why did you not do better in college?
Can you summarize your educational background for me?
Why did you major in _____________?
What courses did you like the most? The least? Why?
Do you feel you have done the best scholastic work for which you are capable?
Can you describe your most rewarding accomplishment since you've started college?
Can you describe your study habits?
How did you finance your education?
Do you feel you received a good general education?
Why did you drop out of school?
How do you spend college vacations?
What extra-curricular activities are you involved in? What have you gained from these experiences?
Do you have plans for furthering your education?
If you could start college over, what would you do differently?
Why did you choose to major in this field of study? Why did you choose your particular college or university?
What were your favorite college courses, those you liked most? Least? Why? Please tell me about accomplishments in your academic program that are relevant to your future career goals.
What is your grade point average (GPA)? How do you feel about this? Should grades be used as an indicator of future career potential when an organization is considering new college graduates?
What were your reactions to instructors or college faculty during your academic program? How would you relate your academic accomplishments to future career aspirations? How satisfied are you with your accomplishments in this academic program?
What was the most difficult aspect of obtaining a college degree? What are your academic strengths? What courses gave you the most difficulty?
If you could, what changes would you make in your school's academic program?

Interview Questions Related to Extracurricular Activities and College Experiences

How do you spend your spare time? What are your hobbies? What was the last book you read? Movie you saw? Sporting event you attended?
How do you spend your free time? What would you do if you had more of it?
What extracurricular activities have you been involved in?
Can you tell me about your accomplishments in extracurricular activities?
What have been your greatest challenges for improvement of a campus organization? What do you enjoy doing most?
Can you describe your most rewarding college experiences?
Can you give examples of the challenges you experienced during your leadership positions with campus activities?
If you could relive your college experiences, what would you do differently?
What changes would you make in your overall campus life?
During your campus activities, what positions did you hold?

Hypothetical Interview Questions

What could you see as the major objectives of this job?
If you were hired by our organization, how would you identity the major roles and responsibilities of your new position?
What is your purpose in life?
How would you resolve conflict in a group situation?
If you were given this assignment, how would you proceed?

Closing Interview Questions

What are your salary expectations?
When can you start work?
If we invite you to our facility in [city], would you be able to come?
Is there anything else I should know about you?
Do you have any other questions?

Standard Questions

2008-02-26T19:37:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

Standard interview questions might not seem difficult, but your answer to each should be polished and sharp. Craft responses and practice them before your interview so that they roll off your tongue when you face the interviewer. Effective responses answer questions honestly, positively, and briefly, highlighting important qualities and accomplishments that are relevant to the position at hand. Give examples to illustrate and corroborate your statements when possible. Your responses should work together, making connections between what you have previously done, the available position, and your goals.

Mark is preparing for an important interview. He is a recent graduate from law school who wishes to become a financial planner at a mid-sized firm that deals with families who have a minimum account of twenty-five million dollars. Before he went to law school, he was a financial analyst for three years and passed two levels of testing toward a CFA certification. He decided not to complete the CFA training.

His company promoted him twice during his time there, once into a management position that suited him only fairly well. He did not get the kind of training from his company that he felt he needed in order to manage people effectively. Still, he likes to help people make good decisions and he effectively led his team to create a clearer strategy for approaching new accounts. Mark seems to have a sixth sense for how to compound wealth. He knows how to spot trends and retreat from them just as they crest in profitability. He thinks he might one day become an estate planning attorney in a financial planning firm. Of course, he does not know what life will bring him. Mark does not want to constrict his options unnecessarily, and he certainly is not ready to settle down into a firm for the next ten years.

Consider how Mark might answer standard questions effectively and ineffectively.

Tell me about yourself.

Ineffective: I am a hard-worker who is good with numbers. After I worked as a financial analyst for a few years, I decided to go to law school. I just finished and now am looking for a new challenge.

Effective: I began developing skills relevant to financial planning when I worked as a financial analyst for three years. In that role, I succeeded in multiplying the wealth of my clients by carefully analyzing the market for trends. The return on the portfolios I managed was generally 2% more than most of the portfolios managed by my company. My initiative, planning, and analytic skills were rewarded by two promotions. As the manager of a team, I successfully led them to develop a more efficient and profitable strategy for dealing with new accounts. My subsequent training in the law, including tax law and estate law, gives me an informed view of what types of investments and charitable gifts would be most advantageous for your clients.

What did you most enjoy about your last job?

Ineffective: I liked lots of things-the people, the challenge, the rewards. Sometimes we had to work long hours, but it always seemed to pay off.

Effective: Of the many things that I enjoyed, I would say that the strategic aspects of my job most energized me. I liked setting concrete performance goals for myself and finding ways to meet them. I similarly enjoyed analyzing markets for trends and identifying when would be the most beneficial time to enter or withdraw from certain funds. When I was a manager, my team and I developed a new approach to accounts that became a standard for the company. Strategizing gave my work a sense of tangible direction and accomplishment.

How would your colleagues or supervisor describe you?

Ineffective: I guess they would say that I am a hard worker who is successful.

Effective: My supervisor and colleagues have described me as a dependable worker. My supervisor has appreciated that I prioritize tasks and manage my responsibilities so that she can rely on me. My bosses tell me I have a sixth sense for markets and I learn new information and procedures quickly. These skills account for my two promotions in three years. My boss was also impressed by how I was able to lead my team.

What can you offer us that other people cannot?

Ineffective: I have a unique combination of skills. I also really want the job.

Effective: I have a track-record of multiplying wealth through investments and developing strategies with teams. Since I have a JD, I also know what legal parameters and loopholes affect families and individuals planning their finances. My CFA training not only shows that I will succeed in the CFP courses, but also gives me a broader view of why financial plans work as they do. Since I am organized and self-motivated, I will add value to the company without requiring much tending and supervision.

What about this job attracts you? What is unattractive?

Ineffective: I like that it is in the field I am targeting. I don't like the commute that it will require.

Effective: As I evaluate my skills and goals, this job maximizes on both. I will be able to merge my knowledge of law and markets while strategizing for the sound financial future of clients. Since this is a small company, I imagine that there will be opportunity for increased responsibilities and challenges. I share the values of the company. I am not eager to do much data processing, but the position is very attractive.

How long do you see yourself with us?

Ineffective: I don't want to make any hasty commitments, and I like to keep my options open. Maybe I will be here for one year, maybe for five. It depends.

Effective: I see myself here as long as we both think that I am contributing to the vitality of the company while still being grown through challenges.

How would you describe an ideal working environment?

Ineffective: A laptop and cell phone on a beach sound ideal to me. Short of that, I would like an environment in which I am able to work as I please, without much supervision.

Effective: It is important to me that my company has clear objectives and strives for success. Similarly, I like having colleagues whom I admire for their skills and perspectives. When communication is clear between colleagues, our energy becomes synergy. In addition, I find that I flourish when given discretion after having gained the trust of my supervisor.

Illegal Questions

2008-02-26T19:32:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

Employment laws that prohibit discrimination in the workplace apply to interviews as well. As a result, questions that probe race, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, marital status, family situation, or disabilities are illegitimate in an interview. However, many interviewers are not familiar enough with the law to know when they have passed into potentially discriminatory territory. A few interviewers ask illegal questions reasoning that they are protected by your desire to obtain the job. In either case, dealing with illicit questions is delicate. Know what can be asked, what cannot, and what to do if the interviewer asks anyway.

Forbidden Questions about Race

Examples:

What is your skin color?
What is your race?
Is your spouse Caucasian/Hispanic/African American/Asian, etc?

Exceptions:

There are no fair questions about race in an interview or application, but an employer can allow you to voluntarily indicate your race on your application.

Forbidden Questions about National Origin

Examples:

You sound like you have an accent; where are you from?
Where were you born?
Are you an American citizen?

Exceptions:

Employers are required to hire only those employees who can legally work in the United States. For that reason, employers can ask whether you are eligible to work in the United States.

Suspect Questions about Age

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 protects workers over 40 in private companies of twenty employees or more and government organizations.

Examples:

When were you born?
When did you graduate from high school?
How old are you?

Exceptions:

The act does not prohibit interviewers from posing questions about age, but does prohibit discrimination on these grounds unless age directly affects the job. An employer can rightfully inquire whether the candidate meets the minimum federal age requirements for employment (usually 14-17 years old).

Forbidden Questions about Religion

Examples:

Do you go to church?
Are you religious?
What religion are you?
Do you take time off work for religious purposes?

Exceptions:

Organizations that have a specific religious orientation might ask questions relevant to religious practices and beliefs.

Forbidden Questions about Disabilities and Health

Examples:

Do you have any disabilities or medical conditions?
How serious is your disability?
Do you take any prescription drugs?
Have you ever been in rehab?
Have you ever been an alcoholic?
How many sick days did you take last year?
Do you have AIDS?
Have you been diagnosed with any mental illnesses?
Have you ever received worker's compensation or been on disability leave?

Exceptions:

Employers may ask whether you have any conditions that would keep you from performing the specific tasks of the job for which you are applying. They may also require that all candidates for a certain position pass through a medical examination that is relevant to the responsibilities of that job. Employers can subject candidates to illegal drug tests or ask you whether you take illegal drugs.

Forbidden Questions about Family Situation

Examples:

Do you have small children?
Are you planning to have children soon?
What is your marital status?
What is your maiden name?
Are you pregnant?

Exceptions:

Employers can inquire whether you have ever worked under a different name or whether you have personal responsibilities that could interfere with requirements of the job like travel or overtime hours.

Forbidden Questions about Sexual Orientation and Political Affiliation

Executive Order 13087 acts as a guideline against sexual discrimination or party discrimination in the federal government.

Examples:

Are you straight or gay?
How do you feel about working with gay or bisexual people?
Who did you vote for in the last election?
Do you belong to a party?

Exceptions:

This executive order does not bind all employers, but protections exist at least for federal civilian workers.

Now that you know what is permissible and what is discriminatory, consider how you might prepare for a situation in which the illegal arises. Your action depends on your goals and what makes you feel comfortable. Three basic paths lie open to you.

You could forfeit your rights and answer the question, hoping that it will deepen connections with the employer rather than incite bias. There might be times when you discover that your interviewer goes to a certain church or has family from a certain country that is similar to yours. You might not feel threatened to disclose information about yourself that could be subject to discrimination.

Alternatively, you could discreetly refuse to answer the question but persist in trying to secure the job. For example, you might avoid answering the question directly but address the concern that it implies. If asked whether you plan to have children, you might reply: "I take strides to balance my work and my personal life. I can assure you that I will be focused and committed to my responsibilities here, and my personal life will not interfere with my performance." If you elect not to answer the question but you wish to secure the position, take pains to set the interviewer at ease. If the interviewer feels embarrassed or chastised by your response, the interview could plummet rapidly.

You could also determine that you have no desire to work in a company that probes in potentially discriminatory ways. You might sense bias or negativity in the interviewer or feel like the environment is somehow hostile to you or other people. If you decide on the spot that you do not want the job, you can take overt action. You could go so far as to excuse yourself from the interview and even file a complaint or suit. If you decide to pursue formal recourse, you can contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Difficult Questions - Part 8: What is the riskiest thing you have ever done?

2008-02-26T19:31:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

Too much information: My wife and I conceived our first child in front of the police department.

Dangerous judgment: I play chicken with trains.

Effective: The greatest calculated risk that I have taken was to launch my own internet company. My idea was solid, but I knew the market was volatile. Even though the venture ended, my investment of time and money paid off in terms of the skills, perspectives, and contacts that I made through the process. I feel like I matured-rather than aged-ten years during that time.

Difficult Questions - Part 7: What do you think of your previous manager?

2008-02-26T19:30:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

Evasive: She did her job fine. She was a pretty nice person.

Disrespectful: She knew her stuff, but she did not give my colleagues or me any real guidance. It is like we were fending for ourselves. She rarely stood up for us either. I do not really think she should be a manager.

Effective: My previous manager had excellent technical skills and was very agreeable as a colleague. I would have liked more support from her at times, but her hands-off style meant that I had to become resourceful in problem solving and negotiating with colleagues.

Difficult Questions - Part 6: How do you deal with authority?

2008-02-26T19:28:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

Concerning: I think it is important to question authority from time to time.

Frightening: In my last job, there was a time when my boss made a financial decision that I knew would be abysmal. I went directly to his superior to explain the problem. His superior agreed that I was right, and my boss had to alter his plan.

Effective: Respect is very important to me. As an employee, I try to respect my boss not only by following her guidance, but also by seeking her guidance. When a trusting relationship is formed, I have often found that my bosses have appreciated concerns or options that I raised to them. They know that I support them, and I know that they respect me.

Difficult Questions - Part 5: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

2008-02-26T19:26:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

Dismissive: Living in a boat off the coast of Bermuda.

Exploitative: I hope to have gained enough skills here to start my own company.

Scattered: In ten years, I imagine that I will want a change of scene. One of my long-term interests has been ecological protection, and I can see myself working as a spokesman for a lobbyist organization. First, though, I need to make some money and I want to contribute to your company.

Effective: In ten years, I endeavor to have refined my strategic and client relations skills. I intend to be a leading expert in estate planning. After having proven myself as a senior manager, I hope to help shape the strategic direction of estate planning services. I could do this in any number of official roles. The important thing is that I will continue contributing my abilities in a challenging and rewarding environment.

Difficult Questions - Part 4: How do you deal with criticism?

2008-02-26T19:24:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

Disrespectful: When I remember the source, I usually realize that the other person is in no position to criticize me.

Unbelievable: Criticism does not bother me at all.

Effective: Criticism is vital to my continued growth, and I welcome constructive criticism that helps a team operate better together or produce better results. It is important to me to understand where my critic is coming from so that I know how to apply the feedback.

Difficult Questions - Part 3: Why did you leave your last job?

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Vague and negative: Law always interested me, and I was looking for a new challenge. I thought it would be a good time to go to law school. Besides, I had gotten frustrated with the lack of support I felt at work.

Dangerous: In the end, my manager and I could not get along. He was driving me crazy and I needed to leave.

Effective: As I succeeded in financial analysis, I became increasingly interested in broader issues of managing money. I wanted to understand how legal regulations and individuals' goals affect decisions about how to manage money. When I gained entrance to my top choice in law school, I seized the opportunity to infuse my financial training with legal knowledge.

Difficult Questions - Part 2: What are your weaknesses?

2008-02-26T19:02:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

Overemphasized: I am not a good manager.

Avoidant: I always get my work done on time. When other people drop the ball, sometimes I get frustrated with them.

Effective: I prioritize continual growth and improvement. An area on which I would like to focus is managing others who have different expectations from me. What needs to be done in order to complete responsibilities is intuitive for me, so I am learning how to give better direction to others who are not self-motivated.

Difficult Questions

2008-02-26T18:58:00.000-08:00

(by ResumeEdge.com)

You think the interview is going well. You knew the meeting location ahead of time, and you arrived ten minutes early. You are dressed sharp and your teeth are clean. You came prepared in every way-you have three copies of your resume, a few business cards, two pens and a note pad. You turned off your cell-phone. You managed to find out before the interview that your interviewer held the position for which you are now applying and that you were in choir at the same college. You know the company's mission statement and have a sense of their structure. Your interviewer nodded and smiled when you spoke about your previous accomplishments and your management style. You seem to have connected with the company culture.

Your reflection, research, and practice have served you so well that you wonder whether you should become a professional interviewee rather than a Financial Planner. Then the interviewer lifts her head from her notes and, pen in hand, asks: what are your weaknesses?

You have two options: you can squirm and stammer through a response you develop on the fly, or you can look your interviewer in the eye and provide a thoughtful response that still helps you present yourself strongly. When asked difficult questions, you feel instinctively that they are probing and that you are under great scrutiny. As you prepare responses before the interview, consider what information the questions seek: are there ways in which you would be a liability to the company? If the company invests in you, what kinds of things would it need to overcome? Are you the kind of person who can deal with things when they get rough, or are you pure gloss?

In answering sensitive questions, make sure that your answers are honest, but reassuring. Use tact and choose your words carefully so that you show respect for other people in your responses. You should usually use understatement in your reply to sensitive questions. When people hear something bad, they tend to focus on it in a way that is out of proportion to its significance in everyday life. If you say that you are not always organized, the interviewer could imagine your desk with papers strewn everywhere and deadlines missed. But in reality your conception of disorganization might look a lot like the interviewer's conception of organization. In addition, most of the interviewer's questions could be answered honestly in a variety of ways. You want to choose the version of the truth that is most appealing and sensitive--the version that helps support your main message.

Applying for a Job

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After you have found some jobs that interest you, the next step is to apply for them. You will almost always need to complete resumes or application forms and cover letters. Later, you will probably need to go on interviews to meet with employers face to face.

Resumes and application forms. Resumes and application forms give employers written evidence of your qualifications and skills. The goal of these documents is to prove—as clearly and directly as possible—how your qualifications match the job’s requirements. Do this by highlighting the experience, accomplishments, education, and skills that most closely fit the job you want.

Gathering information. Resumes and application forms both include the same information. As a first step, gather the following facts:

Contact information, including your name, mailing address, e-mail address (if you have one you check often), and telephone number.
Type of work or specific job you are seeking or a qualifications summary, which describes your best skills and experience in just a few lines.
Education, including school name and its city and State, months and years of attendance, highest grade completed or diploma or degree awarded, and major subject or subjects studied. Also consider listing courses and awards that might be relevant to the position. Include a grade point average if you think it would help in getting the job.
Experience, paid and volunteer. For each job, include the job title, name and location of employer, and dates of employment. Briefly describe your job duties and major accomplishments. In a resume, use phrases instead of sentences to describe your work; write, for example, "Supervised 10 children" instead of writing "I supervised 10 children."
Special skills. You might list computer skills, proficiency in foreign languages, achievements, or and membership in organizations in a separate section.
References. Be ready to provide references if requested. Good references could be former employers, coworkers, or teachers or anyone else who can describe your abilities and job-related traits. You will be asked to provide contact information for the people you choose.

Throughout the application or resume, focus on accomplishments that relate most closely to the job you want. You can even use the job announcement as a guide, using some of the same words and phrases to describe your work and education.

Look for concrete examples that show your skills. When describing your work experience, for instance, you might say that you increased sales by 10 percent, finished a task in half the usual time, or received three letters of appreciation from customers.

Choosing a format. After gathering the information you want to present, the next step is to put it in the proper format. In an application form, the format is set. Just fill in the blanks. But make sure you fill it out completely and follow all instructions. Do not omit any requested information. Consider making a copy of the form before filling it out, in case you make a mistake and have to start over. If possible, have someone else look over the form before submitting it.

In a resume, there are many ways of organizing the information you want to include, but the most important information should usually come first. Most applicants list their past jobs in reverse chronological order, describing their most recent employment first and working backward. But some applicants use a functional format, organizing their work experience under headings that describe their major skills. They then include a brief work history section that lists only job titles, employers, and dates of employment. Still other applicants choose a format that combines these two approaches in some way. Choose the style that best showcases your skills and experience.

Whatever format you choose, keep your resume short. Many experts recommend that new workers use a one-page resume. Avoid long blocks of text and italicized material. Consider using bullets to highlight duties or key accomplishments.

Before submitting your resume, make sure that it is easy to read. Are the headings clear and consistently formatted with bold or some other style of type? Is the type face large enough? Then, ask at least two people to proofread the resume for spelling and other errors and make sure you use your computer’s spell checker.

Keep in mind that many employers scan resumes into databases, which they then search for specific keywords or phrases. The keywords are usually nouns referring to experience, education, personal characteristics, or industry buzz words. Identify keywords by reading the job description and qualifications in the job ad; use these same words in your resume. For example, if the job description includes customer service tasks, use the words "customer service" on your resume. Scanners sometimes misread paper resumes, which could mean some of your keywords don’t get into the database. So, if you know that your resume will be scanned, and you have the option, e-mail an electronic version. If you must submit a paper resume, make it scannable by using a simple font and avoiding underlines, italics, and graphics. It is also a good idea to send a traditionally formatted resume along with your scannable resume, with a note on each marking its purpose.

Cover letters. When sending a resume, most people include a cover letter to introduce themselves to the prospective employer. Most cover letters are no more than three short paragraphs. Your cover letter should capture the employer’s attention, follow a business letter format, and usually should include the following information:

Name and address of the specific person to whom the letter is addressed.
Reason for your interest in the company or position.
Your main qualifications for the position.
Request for an interview.
Your home and work telephone numbers.

If you send a scannable resume, you should also include a scannable cover letter, which avoids graphics, fancy fonts, italics, and underlines.

As with your resume, it may be helpful to look for examples on the Internet or in books at your local library or bookstore, but be sure not to copy letters directly from other sources.

Job Search Methods

2008-02-26T17:50:00.000-08:00

Finding a job can take months of time and effort. But you can speed the process by using many methods to find job openings. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest that people who use many job search methods find jobs faster than people who use only one or two.

Personal contacts. Many jobs are never advertised. People get them by talking to friends, family, neighbors, acquaintances, teachers, former coworkers, and others who know of an opening. Be sure to tell people that you are looking for a job because the people you know may be some of the most effective resources for your search. To develop new contacts, join student, community, or professional organizations.

School career planning and placement offices. High school and college placement offices help their students and alumni find jobs. Some invite recruiters to use their facilities for interviews or career fairs. They also may have lists of open jobs. Most also offer career counseling, career testing, and job search advice. Some have career resource libraries; host workshops on job search strategy, resume writing, letter writing, and effective interviewing; critique drafts of resumes; conduct mock interviews; and sponsor job fairs.

Employers. Directly contacting employers is one of the most successful means of job hunting. Through library and Internet research, develop a list of potential employers in your desired career field. Then call these employers and check their Web sites for job openings. Web sites and business directories can tell you how to apply for a position or whom to contact. Even if no open positions are posted, do not hesitate to contact the employer: You never know when a job might become available. Consider asking for an informational interview with people working in the career you want to learn more. Ask them how they got started, what they like and dislike about the work, what type of qualifications are necessary for the job, and what type of personality succeeds in that position. In addition to giving you career information, they may be able to put you in contact with other people who might hire you, and they can keep you in mind if a position opens up.

Classified ads. The "Help Wanted" ads in newspapers and the Internet list numerous jobs, and many people find work by responding to these ads. But when using classified ads, keep the following in mind:

Follow all leads to find a job; do not rely solely on the classifieds.
Answer ads promptly, because openings may be filled quickly, even before the ad stops appearing in the paper.
Read the ads every day, particularly the Sunday edition, which usually includes the most listings.
Keep a record of all ads to which you have responded, including the specific skills, educational background, and personal qualifications required for the position.

Internet resources. The Internet includes many job hunting Web sites with job listings. Some job boards provide National listings of all kinds; others are local. Some relate to a specific type of work; others are general. To find good prospects, begin with an Internet search using keywords related to the job you want. Also look for the sites of related professional associations.

Also consider checking Internet forums, also called message boards. These are online discussion groups where anyone may post and read messages. Use forums specific to your profession or to career-related topics to post questions or messages and to read about the job searches or career experiences of other people.

In online job databases, remember that job listings may be posted by field or discipline, so begin your search using keywords. Many Web sites allow job seekers to post their resumes online for free.

Professional associations. Many professions have associations that offer employment information, including career planning, educational programs, job listings, and job placement. To use these services, associations usually require that you be a member; information can be obtained directly from an association through the Internet, by telephone, or by mail.

Labor unions. Labor unions provide various employment services to members and potential members, including apprenticeship programs that teach a specific trade or skill. Contact the appropriate labor union or State apprenticeship council for more information.

State employment service offices. The State employment service, sometimes called the Job Service, operates in coordination with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. Local offices, found nationwide, help job seekers to find jobs and help employers to find qualified workers at no cost to either. To find the office nearest you, look in the State government telephone listings under "Job Service" or "Employment."

Job matching and referral. At the State employment service office, an interviewer will determine if you are "job ready" or if you need help from counseling and testing services to assess your occupational aptitudes and interests and to help you choose and prepare for a career. After you are job ready, you may examine available job listings and select openings that interest you. A staff member can then describe the job openings in detail and arrange for interviews with prospective employers.

Services for special groups. By law, veterans are entitled to priority job placement at State employment service centers. If you are a veteran, a veterans’ employment representative can inform you of available assistance and help you to deal with problems.

State employment service offices also refer people to opportunities available under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998. Educational and career services and referrals are provided to employers and job seekers, including adults, dislocated workers, and youth. These programs help to prepare people to participate in the State's workforce, increase their employment and earnings potential, improve their educational and occupational skills, and reduce their dependency on welfare.

Federal Government. Information on obtaining a position with the Federal Government is available from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) through USAJOBS, the Federal Government’s official employment information system. This resource for locating and applying for job opportunities can be accessed through the Internet at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov or through an interactive voice response telephone system at (703) 724-1850 or TDD (978) 461-8404. These numbers are not toll free, and charges may result.

Community agencies. Many nonprofit organizations, including religious institutions and vocational rehabilitation agencies, offer counseling, career development, and job placement services, generally targeted to a particular group, such as women, youths, minorities, ex-offenders, or older workers.

Private employment agencies and career consultants. Private agencies can save you time and they will contact employers who otherwise might be difficult to locate. But these agencies may charge for their services. Most operate on a commission basis, charging a percentage of the first-year salary paid to a successful applicant. You or the hiring company will pay the fee. Find out the exact cost and who is responsible for paying associated fees before using the service. When determining if the service is worth the cost, consider any guarantees that the agency offers.

Internships. Many people find jobs with business and organizations with whom they have interned or volunteered. Look for internships and volunteer opportunities on job boards, career centers, and company and association Web sites, but also check community service organizations and volunteer opportunity databases. Some internships and long-term volunteer positions come with stipends and all provide experience and the chance to meet employers and other good networking contacts.

Where to Learn About Job Openings

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Personal contacts
School career planning and placement offices
Employers
Classified ads:

National and local newspapers
Professional journals
Trade magazines

Internet resources
Professional associations
Labor unions
State employment service offices
Federal Government
Community agencies
Private employment agencies and career consultants
Internships

Evaluating a Job Offer

2008-02-26T17:30:00.000-08:00

Once you receive a job offer, you must decide if you want the job. Fortunately, most organizations will give you a few days to accept or reject an offer.

There are many issues to consider when assessing a job offer. Will the organization be a good place to work? Will the job be interesting? Are there opportunities for advancement? Is the salary fair? Does the employer offer good benefits? Now is the time to ask the potential employer about these issues—and to do some checking on your own.

The organization. Background information on an organization can help you to decide whether it is a good place for you to work. Factors to consider include the organization’s business or activity, financial condition, age, size, and location.

You generally can get background information on an organization, particularly a large organization, on its Internet site or by telephoning its public relations office. A public company’s annual report to the stockholders tells about its corporate philosophy, history, products or services, goals, and financial status. Most government agencies can furnish reports that describe their programs and missions. Press releases, company newsletters or magazines, and recruitment brochures also can be useful. Ask the organization for any other items that might interest a prospective employee. If possible, speak to current or former employees of the organization.

Background information on the organization may be available at your public or school library. If you cannot get an annual report, check the library for reference directories that may provide basic facts about the company, such as earnings, products and services, and number of employees. Some directories widely available in libraries either in print or as online databases include:

Dun & Bradstreet’s Million Dollar Directory
Standard and Poor’s Register of Corporations
Mergent’s Industrial Review (formerly Moody’s Industrial Manual)
Thomas Register of American Manufacturers
Ward’s Business Directory

Stories about an organization in magazines and newspapers can tell a great deal about its successes, failures, and plans for the future. You can identify articles on a company by looking under its name in periodical or computerized indexes in libraries, or by using one of the Internet’s search engines. However, it probably will not be useful to look back more than 2 or 3 years.

The library also may have government publications that present projections of growth for the industry in which the organization is classified. Long-term projections of employment and output for detailed industries, covering the entire U.S. economy, are developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and revised every 2 years. (See the Career Guide to Industries, online at www.bls.gov/oco/cg.) Trade magazines also may include articles on the trends for specific industries.

Career centers at colleges and universities often have information on employers that is not available in libraries. Ask a career center representative how to find out about a particular organization.

During your research consider the following questions:

Does the organization’s business or activity match your own interests and beliefs?
It is easier to apply yourself to the work if you are enthusiastic about what the organization does.

How will the size of the organization affect you?
Large firms generally offer a greater variety of training programs and career paths, more managerial levels for advancement, and better employee benefits than do small firms. Large employers also may have more advanced technologies. However, many jobs in large firms tend to be highly specialized.

Jobs in small firms may offer broader authority and responsibility, a closer working relationship with top management, and a chance to clearly see your contribution to the success of the organization.

Should you work for a relatively new organization or one that is well established?
New businesses have a high failure rate, but for many people, the excitement of helping to create a company and the potential for sharing in its success more than offset the risk of job loss. However, it may be just as exciting and rewarding to work for a young firm that already has a foothold on success.

The job. Even if everything else about the job is attractive, you will be unhappy if you dislike the day-to-day work. Determining in advance whether you will like the work may be difficult. However, the more you find out about the job before accepting or rejecting the offer, the more likely you are to make the right choice. Consider the following questions:

Where is the job located?
If the job is in another section of the country, you need to consider the cost of living, the availability of housing and transportation, and the quality of educational and recreational facilities in that section of the country. Even if the job location is in your area, you should consider the time and expense of commuting.

Does the work match your interests and make good use of your skills?
The duties and responsibilities of the job should be explained in enough detail to answer this question.

How important is the job to the company or organization?
An explanation of where you fit in the organization and how you are supposed to contribute to its overall goals should give you an idea of the job’s importance.

What will the hours be?
Most jobs involve regular hours—for example, 40 hours a week, during the day, Monday through Friday. Other jobs require night, weekend, or holiday work. In addition, some jobs routinely require overtime to meet deadlines or sales or production goals, or to better serve customers. Consider the effect that the work hours will have on your personal life.

How long do most people who enter this job stay with the company?
High turnover can mean dissatisfaction with the nature of the work or something else about the job.

Opportunities offered by employers. A good job offers you opportunities to learn new skills, increase your earnings, and rise to positions of greater authority, responsibility, and prestige. A lack of opportunities can dampen interest in the work and result in frustration and boredom.

The company should have a training plan for you. What valuable new skills does the company plan to teach you?

The employer should give you some idea of promotion possibilities within the organization. What is the next step on the career ladder? If you have to wait for a job to become vacant before you can be promoted, how long does this usually take? When opportunities for advancement do arise, will you compete with applicants from outside the company? Can you apply for jobs for which you qualify elsewhere within the organization, or is mobility within the firm limited?

Salaries and benefits. When an employer makes a job offer, information about earnings and benefits are usually included. You will want to research to determine if the offer is fair. If you choose to negotiate for higher pay and better benefits, objective research will help you strengthen your case.

You may have to go to several sources for information. One of the best places to start is the information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data on earnings by detailed occupation from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey are available from:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE., Room 2135, Washington, DC 20212-0001. Telephone: (202) 691-6569.
Internet: http://www.bls.gov/oes.

Data from the Bureau’s National Compensation Survey are available from:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Compensation Levels and Trends, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE., Room 4175, Washington, DC 20212-0001. Telephone: (202) 691-6199.
Internet: http://www.bls.gov/ncs.

You should also look for additional information, specifically tailored to your job offer and circumstances. Try to find family, friends, or acquaintances who recently were hired in similar jobs. Ask your teachers and the staff in placement offices about starting pay for graduates with your qualifications. Help-wanted ads in newspapers sometimes give salary ranges for similar positions. Check the library or your school’s career center for salary surveys such as those conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers or various professional associations.

If you are considering the salary and benefits for a job in another geographic area, make allowances for differences in the cost of living, which may be significantly higher in a large metropolitan area than in a smaller city, town, or rural area.

You also should learn the organization’s policy regarding overtime. Depending on the job, you may or may not be exempt from laws requiring the employer to compensate you for overtime. Find out how many hours you will be expected to work each week and whether you receive overtime pay or compensatory time off for working more than the specified number of hours in a week.

Also take into account that the starting salary is just that—the start. Your salary should be reviewed on a regular basis; many organizations do it every year. How much can you expect to earn after 1, 2, or 3 or more years? An employer cannot be specific about the amount of pay if it includes commissions and bonuses.

Benefits also can add a lot to your base pay, but they vary widely. Find out exactly what the benefit package includes and how much of the cost you must bear.

Job Interview Tips

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An interview gives you the opportunity to showcase your qualifications to an employer, so it pays to be well prepared. The following information provides some helpful hints.

Preparation:

Learn about the organization.
Have a specific job or jobs in mind.
Review your qualifications for the job.
Be ready to briefly describe your experience, showing how it relates it the job.
Be ready to answer broad questions, such as "Why should I hire you?" "Why do you want this job?" "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
Practice an interview with a friend or relative.

Personal appearance:

Be well groomed.
Dress appropriately.
Do not chew gum or smoke.

The interview:

Be early.
Learn the name of your interviewer and greet him or her with a firm handshake.
Use good manners with everyone you meet.
Relax and answer each question concisely.
Use proper English—avoid slang.
Be cooperative and enthusiastic.
Use body language to show interest—use eye contact and don’t slouch.
Ask questions about the position and the organization, but avoid questions whose answers can easily be found on the company Web site.
Also avoid asking questions about salary and benefits unless a job offer is made.
Thank the interviewer when you leave and shake hands.
Send a short thank you note.

Information to bring to an interview:

Social Security card.
Government-issued identification (driver’s license).
Resume or application. Although not all employers require a resume, you should be able to furnish the interviewer information about your education, training, and previous employment.
References. Employers typically require three references. Get permission before using anyone as a reference. Make sure that they will give you a good reference. Try to avoid using relatives as references.
Transcripts. Employers may require an official copy of transcripts to verify grades, coursework, dates of attendance, and highest grade completed or degree awarded.