Posts Comments

Fashion Tips for the Bear Economy Job Seeker

May 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When the economy is booming, businesses tend to hire people in droves. While employers like to get the best people on board, they aren’t as picky about their selections as during tough financial times.

During those bear market days, employers may still be hiring, but they will look a lot closer at prospective employees, choosing those that are the best fit for their organization.

To that end, job seekers must do what they can to impress from the moment they walk in the door. A résumé and portfolio will only get you as far as your actual experience can carry. Beyond that, your physical appearance and personality must fill in for what’s missing.

The first time you meet with your prospective employer, that first impression you make will go a long way toward further interviews and a possible offer. High-end fashion labels, like Rocawear clothing or Gucci, might make you think your sending the right message, but as long as your are clean cut and neat your resume will speak for itself. A major part of that initial meeting will involve how you look and how you dress.

There are three main schools of thought on interview attire. One suggests that you put your best foot forward, wearing the best suit and tie you can afford. A second would have you dress according to the company’s dress code. And, the third is a mix of the two.

Since you’re looking to make a great statement about yourself, it’s best to beat the company’s code. You want to look respectable without being sloppy or too dressed up. (Example: A three-piece suit wouldn’t work if you are interviewing for a factory job making widgets.)

Go for what looks good on you, and what looks good to others. Something modest and attractive will start your interview off on the right foot.

 

Filed Under: Job Tagged With: , ,

To Find a Job, First Work for Free

March 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you have a passion in life that you want to make into your career, one avenue to your dream job may be through volunteering. Some jobs are difficult to get into without very specific prior experience, and if you can afford to work unpaid for a period of time or have found yourself without a full-time occupation, then volunteering might provide you with an open door. Of course, your volunteer experience will depend on a number of factors: your family obligations, your current employment status, and the requirements of the agency for which you volunteer. Here are two more formal avenues to this kind of opportunity:

  • AmeriCorps: There are several branches of this federal program that will place volunteers in schools, non-profit organizations, faith communities, and public agencies. This is a full-time program that will provide a small stipend as well as health benefits and an educational credit towards existing or future higher education expenses. AmeriCorps, as well as the more specific Teach for America program, has a competitive application cycle. It is popular among recent college graduates. You can specify what kind of environment is most interesting to you, and the experience, which usually lasts 1-2 years, may in some cases lead to your promotion to a paid position within the organization where you volunteer, or may provide contacts for wider opportunities.
  • Unpaid internships: This is a route for people interested in joining a particular industry such as fashion or journalism. Some publications openly advertise positions for interns, while other internships are created from social connections within the organization of interest. It is important to be sure that your unpaid internship conforms with current labor laws and does not exploit your unpaid status.
Filed Under: Employment, Job Tagged With: , ,

Tackling the Job Offer

January 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

One of the most exciting things in life for anyone and even those who do not have a career is getting that phone call for a job hire or orientation.

While it’s just about defunct, companies can back out on their claim to hire you but rarely does that case have legs to move. On the other hand, you have to do everything in your power to keep the job offer on the table. Doing or saying the wrong thing can thwart your chances of landing the job.

Now, if you know deep down you want this job, here’s a few rules to remember to stay focused and sharp and not sound desperate:

If you get the job offer by telephone, try to avoid excessive shouting or celebrating but sound happy but keep it proper, calm and polite as well. Thank the employee who extended the job offer and ask for a day to consider starting. Don’t automatically accept the offer or position as you may be putting a wrinkle in any chance at salary negotiations and at the same time, sound a bit desperate. Try to focus on being cool, calm, polite and as professional as you can be at all times.

In case you get an offer for a job you do not want, here’s a couple things to remember as well to not cause conflict and still keep it professional:

Again, if you get the job offer by telephone, the immediate response is to say thank you for the offer. You want to follow that up with that you would like to take some time to think about it. The biggest thing to remember is to never tell the company immediately that you do not want the position. This may cause embarrassment or regret on your behalf for being too quick. This is also being rude to the company, so give it at least a day to politely decline their offer.

Filed Under: Career, Employment, Job, Jobs, Training Tagged With: , ,

Making a Good First Impression

January 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment
first impression is vital. Following these simple steps will help you blow your potential employers away and secure the job you have always wanted!

From the second you walk into the interview, the bosses at the company are making judgments about you – that is why it is important to dress correctly for any job interview. This may change slightly depending on the sector you are in and the job you are applying for, but in most cases, it is a good idea to wear a smart suit or dress. Even if you know the dress code of the place you are going is fairly casual, it is better to be overdressed than under dressed.

Bringing certain items with you can also help you make a good impression. Your employer will usually already have a copy of your resume with them, but bringing in one yourself will show that you are organized and a positive self-starter. You could even get your own personalized business cards made up – another great technique that will show them you are serious about the role and about your future career.

Although it can be easy to get nervous during an interview, be sure to make eye contact with your employers at all times. This will show that you have good communications skills and are able to relate to them on a personal level. Try and be casual and light in your interview – you can even make a joke or two if you feel the mood is right, but make sure you don’t come across as a comedian!

Filed Under: Employment, Job Tagged With: , , ,

Lose your temper, lose your job!

January 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Companies employ people from all walks of life. You will find people from different cultural backgrounds, with personalities as different as one snow flake from another. While professionalism clearly requires people not to get personal when at work, t is only human that you will get along with some of your colleagues and not that much with others. Some colleagues can actually make your life at work a living nightmare! However, you cannot let this affect your own professionalism as this can directly impact your performance. If you are regularly involved in conflicts at work, your boss won’t see ‘who started it’ but will most like consider you a trouble causer too.

Children get severely reprimanded when the throw temper tantrums so such behavior in adults is simply inexcusable. While it may be natural for you to feel anger at one of your colleagues, showing this emotion through your actions is not acceptable in an office environment. Teamwork and cooperation is vital to the efficient functioning of any department in an organization. Getting angry and holding grudges may lead to intentional delaying of work for colleagues which impacts not only an employee’s performance but the organization as a whole.

If you are having trouble with a certain colleague and feel that you are being targeted, it is better to go about resolving the issue in a professional and official manner. You should first try and discuss the problem with the colleague in question. If poor behavior persists, then you should bring the matter to the attention of the HR department that should take immediate steps to clear the situation. However, if no action is taken by the HR department as well, you should then approach the head of your department and as well as your colleague’s and explain the issue. At no point in time should you allow yourself to behave in an ungainly manner that could eventually influence the outcome of reporting the issue.

Filed Under: Job Tagged With:
« Older Posts