The pitfalls of job advertising

Accurate targeting of prospective employers is a far more effective way to conduct your job search

When you initially look at a job advertisement, do not be fooled into thinking that it is not for you or that you do not conform to the specifications contained within the advert. Most adverts are written to rule candidates out rather than in, as they target specific levels of experience and knowledge. Very often there is a sublime message within the advert based on financial recompense for this position without actually stating the figures attributable to the job.

It is a far easier for a recruiter to rule a candidate out based on specific criteria such as experience, qualification, and knowledge base rather than the more subjective criteria such as personal attributes or characteristics, strengths or personality. This is ironic considering that personality plays such a big part in the interview process itself. However at the initial screening, these factors that are considered. 

Do not rely on job adverts, recruitment agencies or head-hunters as your primary link to the job market. Get out and network. Take the initiative and make the calls to firms and organizations that have captured your attention and for whom you feel you would like to work.

Remember that accurate targeting of prospective employers is a far more effective way to conduct your job search and is not nearly as demoralizing as receiving rejection letters because you failed to meet as little as one of the criteria set out.

STRESS FREE EXAMINATION PREPARATION

Stress is a huge part of the college experience and it’s something every student has to deal with. This may come as a shock, but stress does not have to take over your life, no matter how many final examinations you have. You can still do well on your tests without wanting to die for an entire week following the given tips.

Avoid Stressful People

Stress actually is contagious. During exam week, resist the urge to have a study session with your super-tense friend, especially if she’s complaining about all the work she has to do and breaking pencils all over the place. Her stress will only add to your stress.

Eat Healthy and Exercise

This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s a wonder how many people forget it. Skip the sugar, which will make you crash, and go for snacks like granola bars, healthy cereal or fruits and veggies to keep your blood sugar stable. If you’re studying for a long period of time, eat some protein too. Also, try to get some form of exercise. Even a 10 minute walk will wave you calmer and more focused.

JUST SAY ‘NO’

You need to say no to those people who want to take up your time. There will probably be a friend who needs to talk to you for hours or a party the night before your final, and if you say ‘Yes’, you’ll probably be tempted to blow off studying. Resist the urge. Say no to the distractions.

Discover your true color with Dewey Color System

Let you favorite hues guide your career

In today’s challenging economy, you have more career opportunities than you might think. Dreams come true with niche-specific educational training or on-the-job experience. Looking for the perfect niche? Consider the scientifically valid Dewey Color System test that measures career satisfaction at record-breaking accuracy.

In order to take the test, you first have to choose the color you like most from green, Purple and orange. Remember your choices and see what your selected combination says about your career prospects. 

Yellow-Green: you have the ability to understand other’s viewpoints and diplomatically express your thoughts. You know how to make products, systems, and services best fit the environment. You make more money by seeking careers where you can assemble support structures or make living situations more comfortable. Consider niches as in landscape architecture or real estate sales, or consider a career as a counselor, designer or social worker.

Yellow-Purple: You prefer fast-growing companies with non-repetitive jobs and non-stop new tasks. Your ability to communicate with finesse breaks down barriers and opens profitable doors. You can make more money by developing and communicating strategies for project-orientated settings that involve constant change. Consider niches as a public relations representative, corporate communications manager, youth counselor or radio or TV announcer.

Yellow-Orange: You know about the newest available resources, pertinent facts, or innovative ways to solve workday pressures. Your open-minded yet analytical approach creates must-do activities and programs. You can make more money by inventing new ways to market your business, better utilizing resources and talents. Consider niches as a statistician, geologist, researcher, librarian or product developer.

Blue-Green: You are at your best when you can anchor others with supportive suggestions. Your personable listening skills make you a success with colleagues, customers or clients. You can make more money by seeking environments that give you the opportunity to manage people, information or workplace environments. Consider niches as a writer, actor, accountant, psychologist or departmental manager.

Blue-Purple: Use your big-picture thinking to develop new markets, new ideas and new businesses. You can see what is missing and know how to get things done. You can make more money by working in environments where you can organize, develop and bring situations, people or markets together. Consider niches in advertising and sales or as a public relations representative, trail lawyer or researcher scientist.

Blue-Orange: You are a natural both at developing new products or procedures and delegating tasks. You prefer a busy environment and pressure stimulates you. You can make more money in careers where you can gauge productivity, analyze efficiency, and oversee or implement change. Consider niches as an operations manager, civil engineer, builder or product salesperson.

Red-Green: You know how to best use resources to make money. Your practical guidance keeps others focused. You can make more money in positions where you decide how to best utilize resources or spend money. Consider niches as a securities manager, auditor, banker, teacher, property manager, nurse or surgeon.

Red-Purple: When others speak, you sort out the facts from the emotions and establish a step-by-step action plan. You know how to calm those around you and offer quick solutions. You can make more money by selecting work environments where you are in control of necessary resources and can offer win-win suggestions. Consider niches as a human resources manager, event planner, editor or executive assistant.

Red-Orange: You use facts compiled from past mistakes and successes to deliver strong opinions that are hard to refuse. You make more money in areas where you can sail your own ship by constantly examining what needs to be done and express your opinion. Consider niches as a budget analyst, computer support specialist, production manager, manufacturing manager or business owner.

Answer organizational skills interview questions with Ease

They are one of the most important assets that help an individual be a good employee

Organizational skills are not only essential at the workplace, but are a part of our everyday life. Organizational skills interview questions that are frequently asked need to be addresses beforehand. The whole idea of conducting an interview is to gauge the potential of applicants. Often, there are situations when many applicants apply for the same position. It is the job of the human resource department to choose the most talented and deserving candidates. Employers want to know how employees would organize workflow in the organization. To know this, they candidate’s behavioral based questions which help them gauge their organizational skills at the workplace. Below are some of the commonly asked organizational skills questions.

Tell us something about yourself

This is one question that is a part of every interview process. Some candidates think of this as an ice-breaker question. While some think that it sets the tone for the rest of the interview. This gives you the opportunity to introduce yourself, your interests and past experiences. It is generally advisable to keep your answer as concise and informative as possible. The ideal answer to this question should highlight your strengths with illustrations. Telling the interviewer that you are a “team player” and “self-starter” without backing it up with illustrations makes it sound like a ‘dead-cliché’.

Why are you looking forward to work with this organization?

This should be answered with utmost caution as most human resource managers are capable of looking through candidates to know the real motive behind the employee joining the organization. Most candidates answer this question by saying, “It’s great to work with a reputed company like yours”, or “My friends are your employees and they recommended this company.” These answers may be honest, but it not what the interviewers want to hear. You should rather describe the benefits that you can derive from the company and the skills and expertise you will bring to the organization. Also, avoid portraying your previous company negatively as it hampers your prospects. The interviewer might think that you are yet to move over the bitterness and are someone who blames others for every situation.

How do you prioritize your work?

Interviewers want to gauge how efficient you are in giving priority to an important task as compared to a task that can be carried forward. Interviewers may also give you a hypothetical situation to determine whether you can think clearly and quickly.

What steps do you take while planning a project?

You should be able to tell the interviewer about the plan of action that you follow whenever you are in charge of planning a project. Although you do not need to get into the details, you can simply take the interviewer through an overview of how you plan to do things.

How do you react to situations when you have to make last minute changes?

This is essentially a test of your flexibility as a planner and the interviewer wants to get an insight into the way you accommodate changes. You need to explain how you will make changes to the current project to include suggestions by other individuals.

If the project that you are handling does not bring in desired results, how do you handle that situation?

Interviewers want to know how good you are at handling situations which have started in a wring way or not going as expected. You need to present an analysis of how you will take corrective actions to solve the problems and ensure the project is completed successfully.

Organizational skills apply to every area of our life and are extremely essential at the workplace. They are one of the most important assets that help an individual be a good employee. In an organization, there are various projects that need to be completed, but there is always a priority level that is assigned to these projects so that the most important projects are completed first. It is essential that you develop good organizational skills and present yourself in the right way in an interview.

A must-have for employment seekers: Power Etiquette

The wisdom in this volume applies equally to job-hunting etiquette and how to behave when you are on the job

Power Etiquette by Dana May Casperson falls into the category of ‘books you did not have any idea you needed, but once you read it, you know it is an important addition to your business and career bookshelf’. If you have any doubts, just read the business etiquette quiz that kicks off Casperson’s book. Sample question—‘After an interview, how long should I wait before I call and ask if I am hired?

The wisdom in this volume applies equally to job-hunting etiquette and how to behave when you are on the job. Casperson’s subtitle, ‘What You Don’t know can kill your Career’ may be a bit of an overstatement, but unmannerly behavior can certainly wound your career.

Appropriately, the first chapter deals with making that all-important first impression, covering everything from personal grooming to shaking hands. One especially valuable piece of advice is to keep an emergency kit – with such essentials as a sewing kit, breath mints, and a lint brush – handy for those times when something goes wrong with your attire or grooming.

Casperson’s chapter on clothing addresses not just, business attire but building a simple yet versatile business wardrobe for men and women, complete wardrobe should look like. She also provides some helpful insight on the dilemma of how to dress for ‘casual day’. Disappointingly, however, she offers no specifics for job-interview attire, and her later chapter on interviewing glosses over this topic as well.

Some chapters focus on topics that, while useful, are better and more comprehensively covered in other books. Chapters on business writing and preparing for the job are cases in point. Other chapters, such as those on e-mail ‘netiquette’ and speaking are timely and right on target. The chapter on speaking covers everything from telephone etiquette and voice-mail to video conferencing and cell phone use.

The chapter that probably most qualifies this book as a ‘must-have’ contains Casperson’s low-down on meal manners. Especially helpful are line drawings, such as those that show the functions of all those mysterious pieces of silverware and glassware found in formal dining situations. A guide to tipping is also invaluable. Rounding out this essential volume are chapters on office finesse, business travel, and after-hours activities. She also provides bibliography with guides to proper behavior all over the globe.

An etiquette guide might not be the first book you think about adding to your career library, but once you have gone through Power Etiquette, you will wonder how you survived all these years without people thinking you were a complete slob. And if you are just starting your career, Casperson’s book gives you the opportunity to be genteel and elegant from the get-go.