InsideTech

How Body Language Can Make (or Break) a Job Interview

Robert Ordona, for Yahoo! HotJobs — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:12:00 -0700

Savvy job seekers know how important choosing the right words is when we communicate with
prospective employers --but what about nonverbal communication?

"You could be saying how great you are," says image consultant and "Hello Job! How to Psych Up, Suit Up, & Show Up" author Alison Craig, "but your body could be giving your true feelings away." Mark Bowden, the author of "Winning Body Language" agrees with Craig--and with the highly regarded Mehrabian communication study, which found that if what's coming out of your mouth doesn't match what your body is saying, your audience is more likely to believe your body.

Here's some expert advice on how to effectively let your body do the talking in a job interview:

Making a great entrance

Craig and Bowden agree that the
interview starts even before you get to the interview room: "You don't know who could be in the parking lot with you, looking at you from a window, or standing next to you in the elevator," says Craig. "Your body should tell anyone who might be watching that you're confident and calm. It's not the time to be frantically searching through your portfolio for printouts of your resume."

Next Page: Show your good side →

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Show your good side

Hiring managers often ask receptionists for their take on people who come to the office for interviews, so Bowden suggests letting them observe you without letting on that you know they're watching. "Sit with your profile to them," he says. "It makes them feel comfortable, and if they're comfortable, they're more likely to form a good impression."

Craig suggests trying to predict the direction your interviewer will come from, so you can sit facing that direction. It'll make the greeting more graceful.

First impressions

While waiting, don't hunch your shoulders or tuck your chin into your chest, which will make you seem closed off. Sit with your back straight and your chest open--signs that you're confident and assertive. "But don't take this to the extreme," cautions Bowen. "Elongating your legs or throwing your arm across the back of the chair can make you appear too comfortable, even arrogant."

Also, says Craig, don't have so much stuff on your lap that you're clumsily moving everything aside when you're called. You want to rise gracefully, without dropping things, so you can smoothly greet the person coming to get you.

Next Page: Shake it--don't break it →

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Shake it--don't break it

Job interviews mean handshakes--so what are the secrets to the perfect handshake? The overly aggressive shake (or "death grip," as Craig calls it) can be as off-putting as the limp handshake, so practice with a friend before the interview to find the right balance.

You're going to be shaking with your right hand, so prepare by arranging your belongings on your left side. Offer your hand with the palm slightly up so that your interviewer's hand covers yours. "It's a sign that you're giving them status," says Bowden. And never cover the other person's hand with the hand you're not shaking with--it can be interpreted as a sign of domination.

Important steps

The walk to the interview is the perfect time to use body language: "Always follow that person, whether the person is the hiring manager or an assistant, to show you understand the protocol. You're saying, 'I'm the job candidate, and you're the company representative--I follow your lead.'" Bowen adds that you should try to "mirror" that person's tempo and demeanor. "It shows you can easily fit into the environment."

Next Page: At the interview desk →

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At the interview desk

In the interview room, It's OK to place a slim portfolio on the table, especially if you'll be presenting its contents, but put your other belongings on the floor beside you. Holding a briefcase or handbag on your lap will make you seem as though you're trying to create a barrier around yourself, cautions Craig.

Avoid leaning forward, which makes you appear closed off, Bowden says. Instead, he advises sitting up straight and displaying your neck, chest, and stomach area--to signal that you're open.

When gesturing with your hands, Craig says, you should always keep them above the desk and below the collarbone: "Any higher and you're going to appear frantic."

Bowden advises that you keep your hands even lower, in what he calls the "truth plane"--an area that fans out 180 degrees from your navel. "Gesturing from here communicates that you're centered, controlled, and calm--and that you want to help."

It's fine to sit about a foot away from the table so that your gestures are visible, he says.

The art of departing

At the end of the interview, gather your belongings calmly, rise smoothly, smile, and nod your head. If shaking hands with everyone in the room isn't convenient, at least shake hands with the hiring manager and the person who brought you to the interview space.

You may be tempted to try to read your interviewers' body language for signals about how the interview went, but don't, cautions Bowden--because they're likely trained not to give away too much. He sums up, "Don't allow any thoughts into your mind that may [cause you to] leave the interview in a negative way."

This article was originally published on HotJobs.Yahoo.com.

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8 Ways to Make Your Resume More Marketable

Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:04:00 -0700

The economy is shaky -- and it may feel like your job is, too. Whether you're already job hunting or believe you may need to soon, there are steps you can take to make yourself more attractive to potential employers. Here are eight tips from the experts on increasing your marketability:

Use Your Name as Your Brand, Especially in Email

Don't confuse potential employers by using your maiden name on your resume and your married name in your email. And the nickname your friends find funny may not look professional.

"Manager jobs don't go to people with cute email addresses," says Marianne Adoradio, a recruiter and career counselor.

Meet an Employer's Need

Employers "want a round peg for the round hole," said Kathryn Ullrich, a career expert and executive recruiter.

You may want to stretch yourself by trying a job you've never done before, but there's not much in that for the employer. Any time you apply for a job, make sure you can tell a story about your career that shows why you would be the best person for the job. "It's really about what the employer is looking for," Ullrich says.

Maintain a Smart Online Profile

"All that stupid stuff you put on Facebook -- take it off," says Richard Phillips, owner of Advantage Career Solutions. At the same time, find industry blogs and forums and start contributing comments.
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Ask for Help

"Ask everyone for one thing they would suggest you do if they were in your shoes," Adoradio says. "It seems to reveal things that you wouldn't have thought to ask."

Become Active in a Professional Association

This means doing more than paying dues and showing up for meetings. Find a way to help. For example, perhaps you can organize expert speakers in your field to be on a panel. It will boost your resume, build your self-esteem and give you valuable connections. "You're building up relationships with people who are going to hire you," Ullrich says.

Take a Class or Get a Certificate

This is especially helpful if it teaches you a skill -- new technology that's being used in your field, for example -- that you don't already have.

Take on a New Project at Work

It should be "something that lets you add something new to your resume," Phillips says. "Think in terms of the resume that you're going to be writing. What do you want to have on there that isn't on there now?"

Be Flexible

You may not want to commute more than 10 miles, but being willing to bend a bit will open up more opportunities. It will also make you a more attractive candidate because it signals to employers that you're able to handle change.

This article originally appeared on Monster Career Advice.

The Layoff Survival Kit

John Rossheim | Monster Senior Contributing Writer — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:27:00 -0700

This article offers general information on legal and financial matters relating to employment. For specific information relating to your situation, please consult an attorney, financial planner or appropriate government agency.

Now that you've lost your job, you need to hurry up and find a new one, right? Wrong. You've got to buck up and tie up loose ends with your ex-employer in order to secure your finances and insure your health. Add these items to your to-do list for your first week out of work.

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Salary and Accrued Vacation Time

Hopefully, as you walked out the door with that box full of personal possessions, your boss slipped a check in your pocket that covered your salary through the last day, pay for unused vacation and so on. But what can you do if your former employer can't - or won't - pay you in full?

First, be sure you and your ex are on the same page regarding what you are owed. Contact the human resources director and synchronize your records. Then call your state labor board and make sure you understand what the law mandates. Some states require that the employer pays you in full on your last day of work, others give the employer some slack. Similarly, some states mandate payment for unused vested vacation time, others may not. Here are directories of the 50 state governments and their laws.

If your ex-employer initially refuses to comply with the law, "you can use state enforcement agencies to sue an employer," according to Paul Gregory, special employment council with the law firm Greenberg Peden in Houston. If instead you hire your own lawyer, those bills could easily exceed the amount of your claim, Gregory says.

What if government agencies are of no help? "Worst-case scenario, you'll have to chase your money in bankruptcy court," Gregory says. Just be aware that this is a long haul, and companies may often have few assets that can be liquidated to pay off creditors.

Your W-2

When your defunct employer disappears from the face of the earth, who creates your W-2 report of wage income? Maybe no one. If you haven't received the form by mid-February, contact the IRS to request a substitute W-2. You will be asked to produce your final paycheck of the tax year.

Next: Health Coverage >>

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Health Coverage

Don't fool yourself: You risk disaster if you allow health insurance to lapse between jobs –– even if it's only for a few weeks. The federal COBRA law, which gives you access to your ex-employer's group insurance plan after you leave the company, may be the best insurance bridge. Alas, there are major catches. You must pay the premiums, and the insurance will evaporate if your ex-employer goes out of business or drops its group health coverage.

So you may be forced to buy private insurance, which could offer inferior coverage. When you receive an offer for your next job, "bargain with the new employer to start your insurance" and waive the standard waiting period, advises Meena Patel, former human resources director and associate general council for Goinvest.com Inc. of Santa Monica, California; the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late 2000.

Unemployment Benefits

As an employee, you've earned the benefit of having your employer pay unemployment insurance premiums. This is no time for misplaced pride: When you file for unemployment payments, you're making an insurance claim, not asking for a handout.

"People should apply quickly," says Gregory. There may or may not be a waiting period in your state; call the unemployment office immediately to find out how and when to file a claim in your state. Also find out whether any severance payment you receive will disqualify you from collecting unemployment. If you do collect, the payments may only replace a small portion of your salary, but they're still worth the trouble of the paperwork.

Stock Options

If you're leaving a business that's in trouble, chances are your company stock and options aren't worth nearly what they were six months or a year ago. But that's no excuse for avoiding the task of managing of these complex financial instruments; there's just too much money at stake.

"Speaking to colleagues isn't always the best source of information," says Scott Price, principal of Scott B. Price & Co. of San Francisco, a tax advisor. For one thing, different people in the organization may find themselves in different situations with respect to option strike prices, tax liabilities and so on. Also, after you've left the company, additional rules come into play. For example, in most cases, former employees have just 90 days from their termination day to exercise their options, according to Price.

Although many people who have accumulated options at dotcoms "have the opportunity to make a lot of money," they can stumble, Price says. Take our advice and spend a few bucks on a financial advisor well-versed in the intricacies of employee stock options. Options may not make you worth your weight in gold, but they could turn out to be the silver lining in the cloud that's hanging over your career.

If your concerns haven't been addressed here, perusing the Web is a great resource.

This article was originally published on Monster.com.

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6 Ways to Save for an Unexpected Job Loss

Larry Buhl | Monster — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:45:00 -0700

Coinciding with the tightening job market is a gloomy statistic: Few American workers are saving for potential layoffs. According to an Adecco USA Workplace Insights survey, only one-quarter of workers claimed to be saving for unemployment, and 58 percent had no plans to put money aside for a job loss.

You've probably heard that you should have at least six months of living expenses on hand. But how can you save for a rainy day when it's already drizzling? If you're fully employed and you've been living paycheck-to-paycheck, you might not be looking for savings everywhere you can, according to Dayana Yochim, consumer finance expert at The Motley Fool. Yochim recommended six ways to begin starting that emergency fund today, no matter what your salary.

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Sweat the Big Stuff First

Before you start pinching pennies, look at the largest budget expenditures, such as car and vacations. "You can cut your car insurance significantly by raising the deductible," Yochim says. You can also downgrade your car. Even if you're upside-down on payments, trading in the new luxury car for a beater would put hundreds of dollars in your pocket per month, Yochim says. Likewise, if you must travel, look at ways to creatively downsize the trip: Do a house swap or stay at a bed and breakfast, for example.

Ditch the Plastic

"Cash hurts, and you're less likely to be conscientious if you're always using plastic," Yochim says. Likewise, if you're really strapped, use your credit card to make essential purchases only as a last resort. Yochim recommends making one withdrawal on Monday and spending no more than that all week.

Next: Cut Back on Your 401k -- Temporarily >>

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Cut Back on Your 401k -- Temporarily

Normally, you should sock away the maximum in your retirement plan, especially if your employer is matching it. But if you're falling short each month and making up the difference with a credit card, cut back on the contributions until your finances are back in shape. "You must pinkie-swear you will start contributing the maximum as soon as your financial rough patch is over," Yochim says.

Don't Spend Found Money

If you had a lucky streak at a casino or received an inheritance, save it, preferably in a high-yield savings account. Even if a layoff is not looming, think hard about automatically boosting your lifestyle if you received a raise or promotion.

Don't Give Uncle Sam a Free Loan

"Ideally you want to owe nothing and get nothing back on April 15," Yochim says. "If your tax [refund] was more than $2,000 last year, you're withholding too much, so you should adjust your withholdings to keep more of it now." Check out the withholding calculator on IRS.gov, and then ask HR for a W-4 form if you think you're paying the government too much, too early.

Don't Mingle the Emergency Fund with Everyday Cash

If you put your rainy day fund in a separate bank, you're not so likely to dip into it, according to Yochim. If you have direct deposit, your company may even be able to put part of your paycheck in a separate account.

Having enough money in an emergency fund can make the difference between discomfort and outright panic if you're laid off. However, some of these tips -- particularly the no-plastic rule -- can be effective ways to save even if you never see a pink slip, Yochim says.

"Everyone should have an emergency fund," she says. "And remember that a line of credit should never be considered an emergency fund."

This article was originally published on Monster.com.

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How Flexible Should You Be When Accepting a Job?

Margaret Steen | Monster — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:37:00 -0700

In tough times, job seekers are often advised to be flexible about issues from commute length to salary to job title. But while it's true that you have to be realistic, some compromises may end up hurting you more than they help.

"I don't believe that you just cave and take anything," said Mary Jeanne Vincent, a career coach in Monterey, California, and owner of WorkWise. "I have an underlying philosophy that you always sell value."

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Steve Levin, CEO of Leading Change Consulting & Coaching in Portola Valley, California, draws a distinction between what he calls "healthy resiliency and begrudging compromise." One is a reasonable response to a challenging market. The other is a self-defeating trade-off.

To tell the difference, experts suggest asking these six questions:

How Badly Do You Need Money?

If you're about to lose your home or are having trouble putting food on the table, you may need to take whatever job is offered.

Will the Job Make You Miserable?

Taking a job that's not right for you increases the risk that you'll be laid off again within a few months -- something that can make it even harder to find the next job. If you will feel resentful rather than excited about the job, you might be better off continuing your search.

Can You Explain Why You're Taking It?

If you take a job that's less than your previous one, you'll need to be able to explain this apparent step backward the next time you're looking. Saying you couldn't find anything else is not likely to impress an interviewer.

But if you have a good reason for taking a position -- to gain experience in a new industry, for example, or to learn a new skill -- a step down doesn't have to hurt you.

Next: What's Most Important to You? >>

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What's Most Important to You?

Perhaps you'd be willing to take less money as long as you got the title and authority you wanted. A longer commute may be more palatable if you can telecommute some of the time.

"You really need to do all this thinking -- what are the trade-offs you are willing to make in order to be employed?" said Libby Pannwitt, principal of the Work Life Design Group in San Carlos, California.

Will This Job Help in the Long Term As Well As the Short Term?

Consider what you'd like to be doing several years from now -- and whether this job could help you get there.

"I really believe that a lot of people panic and get anxious about short-term needs and forget all about their long-term goals," Levin said. If a job will give you an important new skill, for example, it may be worth making other trade-offs to take it.

"In a knowledge-based job market, learning is your quickest pathway, your best investment," Levin said.

What's the Alternative?

To know how flexible to be, you have to know the market. Long-term unemployment is hard on both careers and finances.

If you decide to wait for a better job, what will you be doing with your time while you're waiting? "If you aren't working for someone else, then work for yourself by treating your job search as a full-time endeavor," Levin said.

This article was originally published on Monster.com.

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Past Bankruptcy Can Haunt Your Job Hunt

Dona DeZube | Monster Finance Careers Expert — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:32:00 -0700

If you've declared bankruptcy in the past, be prepared to defend that decision to a potential employer. It's illegal for an employer not to hire or promote you because you filed bankruptcy, but it's sometimes OK to consider bad credit, which usually precedes bankruptcy.

Companies often check credit when a job involves finance, accounting, cash or valuable merchandise and when a position requires a security clearance. “The one broad, overarching law in this area is the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and it doesn't put much of a whammy on employers snooping around in people's credit,” warns attorney Barbara Kate Repa, author of Your Rights in the Workplace.

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Bad credit is more widespread than you'd suspect. Barry Nadell, a senior vice president of Kroll's Nashville-based Background Screening division and author of Sleuthing 101: Background Checks and the Law, says about 42.4 percent of the credit checks his firm runs come back with bankruptcies, liens, judgments or accounts that went to collection.

Kroll recommends a credit check only when a job candidate will be working in a position that can affect the company financially. That's sound advice in light of the fact that US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) officials have warned employers that unnecessary credit checks may disproportionately screen out African Americans and Hispanics.

First Warning

When a potential employer checks credit, you'll be asked to sign a permission slip first, says Jennifer Brown Shaw, a partner at employment law firm Shaw Valenza LLP. “The most important thing is for the applicant to tell the truth,” she says. “They're sure to be fired if they lie.”

If you're told only that the company will do a “background” check, ask what that check includes and how the information will be used. To see what's on your credit report, get a free copy.

If your credit is poor or you've filed bankruptcy, be ready to provide interviewers with a short, contrite explanation and to redirect the conversation to one of your strengths as well as to a reference who can back up your story. Shaw suggests something like this: “I'm not irresponsible. Here's the reason for my poor credit -- divorce, medical problems while uninsured, etc. I hope you'll see what's relevant is my ability to X, Y and Z. If you call my former employer, you'll hear that I was an excellent....”

Next: Knowing vs. Using >>

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Knowing vs. Using

The fact that a potential employer pulls credit and that yours is poor doesn't mean you won't get the job. “A lot of companies do a credit check when they're doing background checks, but it's there as a complement,” says Jason B. Morris, president of employeescreenIQ, a global background screening company. “You might use it as the straw that broke the camel's back, but never as the primary reason for a decision.”

Knowing They Used It

If you do suspect a company is using your bankruptcy as the reason not to hire you, call and ask if your credit was a problem and which area of your credit was the issue, so you'll know what to disclose next time.

If the answer is bankruptcy, you can file a complaint with the EEOC and call the US Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Response Center at 1-877-382-4357. You can also contact the local consumer protection agency or your state attorney general.

Regardless of what you do, don't expect much action. “There are lawyers who will take on these cases, but most won't take it on contingency,” Shaw says. If you're a low-income earner, you can seek help from legal aid.

At the very least, make one more attempt to change the interviewer's mind. After all, if you made it through to the credit screen, there must be something about you that appealed to the interviewer, Shaw concludes.

Read Up

Want to learn more about credit checks? The FTC has a fact sheet about employers' use of credit checks. The nonprofit Privacy Rights Clearinghouse offers three fact sheets (16, 16a and 16b) about credit checks and employment.

This article was originally published on Monster.com.

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10 Ways to Make Sure You Don't Get the Job

J.T. O’Donnell | CAREEREALISM — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:22:00 -0700

The following are 10 true stories.

These have all happened to me or my colleagues over the years as hiring managers.

I know the job search process can be hard to maneuver. Add to that the fact there’s a whole set of ‘new rules’ you need to follow to get employers to even want to hire you and a job seeker can feel pretty overwhelmed.

But that being said, some things are just common sense. For example, I wouldn’t suggest doing any of the following:

1 ) Under-Dressed:
Candidate came to the interview for a professional job in a suit and dress shoes – but with no shoelaces or socks. AND THEN, proceeded to sit with his leg across his knee, tapping his foot, drawing attention to his lack of proper attire.

2 ) Overly-Honest: When asked what the person’s greatest weakness was, she replied, “I hate getting up early and tend to be late to work a lot.”

3 ) Greedy:
When I asked if the candidate had any questions, he said, “Ya. How long will it take until I get a raise?”

4 ) Teamwork Challenged:
When I asked for references, the candidate said, “You can’t call anyone from my old company because I hate them all and they probably wouldn’t say nice things about me.”

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5 ) Ignorant of Your Professional Persona:
When I called to schedule an interview, the recorded message was playing ‘Funky Cold Medina’ and had people making noises in the background. (Do I need to explain more?)

6 ) Unmotivated:
When I e-mailed the candidate about scheduling an interview, she e-mailed back, “Now’s not a good time for me, can I call you in two weeks?”

7 ) Impatient:
After the interview, the candidate called and left me 5 voice mail messages and sent me an e-mail everyday saying he was just ‘checking in’ to see if I’d made a decision. He did this in spite of the fact I told him, “don’t call us, we’ll call you.”

8 ) Insincere:
After the interview, I contacted a person in our company who the candidate said would be a reference for her. The employee said, “I should tell you she doesn’t really want the job and is planning to quit if she gets accepted to grad school.”

9 ) Unprepared:
When I asked the candidate what he liked studying the most as a Finance major he said, “I liked the financial stuff.”

10 ) Desperate:
When I asked why she wanted the job, she said, “Because nobody else will hire me.”

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Resume Tips for a Career Change

Mary Sevinksy | CAREEREALISM.com — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:15:00 -0700

Looking for work can be difficult in the best of times…these are not the best of times. Advice about résumé writing abounds and experts offer astoundingly different opinions. How is a job seeker to know which advice to follow? The bottom line: no one way is the right way for everyone.

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For the job seeker, it is best to read as much as you can about how to write a résumé and how to job search. If you are looking for work you might want to check out my job search column. Sort through the information and think about it in terms of your particular situation. Some things to consider include your strengths and weaknesses as a job candidate. Think about your:

Work history

Skills

Education

Type of employment you are seeking

Competition

Age

Your résumé should emphasize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses. A job seeker should ALWAYS seek a second opinion (or a third or fourth). If possible, seek out the assistance of an expert – this is money well spent and a good résumé writer can be invaluable in helping you to stand out to employers who might not otherwise consider you.

Whether or not you seek the advice of a professional, some key areas to consider follow. It is important you give these résumé sections the deliberation they need to present your qualifications in the best possible light.

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Objective vs. Profile

There is a lot of debate about which is the correct approach. Some experts tout the Objective as the way to go to be considered seriously by an employer as it commits you to a specific path that is [hopefully] in line with what they are looking for. Others recommend a strong Profile or Summary Statement outlining the best of what you have to offer and, essentially spoon-feeding the employer every good thing about you.

However, neither is going to be right or wrong in every case. The trick is to examine YOUR qualifications and how to present them to an employer in a way that will make you seem a good candidate for the opening the employer has. A job seeker may use an objective to apply for one job and a profile in another instance. There is no black and white in résumé writing.

Next: Functional vs. Chronological →

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Functional vs. Chronological

The chronological résumé is the traditional format that most are accustomed to: Work History is detailed in order of date, usually most recent first, with duties outlined either in bullet or paragraph format beneath.

A functional résumé is more modern in approach and emphasizes skills over work history. The Skills or Qualifications sections are often split into several subsections. This can make it easier for employers to scan your qualifications to quickly see if you might have the skills they are looking for.

Reported estimates are employers take 30 or even as little as 10 seconds to screen résumés. For this reason, a functional résumé is most often the format to use to apply online or secure the first interview. A more detailed, chronological résumé can be presented in a first or second interview if appropriate.

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Skills

Subheadings with meaningful titles should be used to allow the employer to quickly scan a résumé to see that you may have what they are looking for. Use no more than three or four, otherwise the purpose may be defeated.

Group your skills from all of your jobs, past and present, under these subheadings. Use current voice – just because you are not working at a job currently doesn’t mean you don’t possess this skill! Likewise, include skills from unpaid positions as well as paid.

Work History

Again, include paid and unpaid positions – give yourself credit for everything you know and can do. If you don’t, no one else ill. If you don’t have a skill or experience required for a position you would like to pursue then volunteer or intern to acquire the missing attribute.

Be forward thinking about your résumé and your career. Most people don’t work for the same employer for 30 years and retire with a gold watch these days. Plan now for your next job change if you are working. If you are looking for any job in the storm now, be mindful to plan beyond that next job.

Next: Education & References →

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Education

Depending on your age and background, you may choose not to include an Education section or to omit years if you are a mature worker. Or you may choose to list certificates and other training pertinent to the job you are applying for. Employers may assume you have a college degree based on your background unless you list High School Diploma in this section, for example.

If you have studied a topic or area of interest through the internet, or books and articles read then find a way to include them in this section. Be creative in terms of your presentation and in getting credit for what you do know or can do.

References

Only give references when asked. This way you can give references:

* Who will be helpful to making you look good for the particular job you are applying for.

* A call to prepare them to look for an unknown number

* Some pointers on what kinds of attributes you have that they can emphasize.

There are, of course, so many other things to consider when writing a résumé, for example:

White space

Font

Balance and centering

But, thinking about the sections included above should get you started in the write direction. Just remember any résumé is a work in progress and should be examined and tweaked regularly in general and in considering specific jobs or employers in particular. In short, a résumé is always a work in progress. Good luck!

Mary is a Masters-prepared Career Counselor with over 18 years experience in resume writing, personal branding, career assessment and counseling. Specializing in non-traditional specialized careers and career-transitioning, she has the ability to synthesize and focus your unique skills and abilities to obtain interviews for the positions you want with the employers you want to notice you. Follow her on Twitter at @MarySevinsky.

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What Employers Want from Job References

HotJobs staff — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 08:30:00 -0700

A great resume and solid interview skills may place job seekers in the running for a position, but a new survey conducted by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service, finds that the results of a reference check can really be what makes—or breaks—a job search. Hiring managers interviewed for the survey said they remove about 21 percent of candidates from consideration after speaking to their professional contacts.

Managers also were asked, "When speaking to an applicant's job references, what is the most important information you hope to receive?" Their responses:

• Description of past job duties and experience: 36 percent

• A view into the applicant's strengths and weaknesses: 31 percent

• Confirmation of job title and dates of employment: 11 percent

• Description of workplace accomplishments: 8 percent

• A sense of the applicant's preferred work culture: 7 percent

• Other/don't know: 7 percent

"When hiring managers narrow the field to a few potential candidates, the reference check often becomes the deciding factor," says OfficeTeam executive director Robert Hosking. "To distinguish themselves from the competition, job seekers should assemble a solid list of contacts who can persuasively communicate their qualifications and professional attributes."

OfficeTeam offers five tips for creating a reference list that works in your favor:

1. Choose wisely. Select people who can discuss your abilities and experience that directly relate to the position, not just those with the most impressive job titles. Offer a mix of contacts who can address different aspects of your background; for example, a former peer may be able to describe your interpersonal skills, while a past direct report can talk about your management style.

2. Check in beforehand. Always call potential references first to get their permission and evaluate their eagerness to talk to hiring managers. Be sure to give all references a copy of your resume, the job description, and the name of the person who will likely call.

3. Be prepared. Provide clear contact information for your references, including their names, titles, daytime phone numbers, and email addresses. Also, offer a brief explanation of the nature of your relationship with each individual. Consider supplying more references than are requested, so you won't miss out on the job offer if the hiring manager can't get in touch with one of your contacts.

4. Think outside the box. It's common for employers to seek out additional references for new hires—either online or through their own networks. Since you never know whom a hiring manager might reach out to, you should not only remain on good terms with your past supervisors and colleagues (if possible), but also be selective about who's in your online network, on sites such as LinkedIn.

5. Give thanks. Express your gratitude to people who agree to serve as references, even if they aren't contacted by employers. Keep them updated on your job-search progress and offer to return the favor by providing a recommendation should they need one.

This article was originally published on Monster.com

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How to Handle Sticky Situations in Your Cover Letter

Kim Isaacs | Monster Resume Expert — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:24:00 -0700

Are you wondering how to deal with a sticky work history issue? Whether you were laid off from your last position, took time off to raise children or are looking to change careers, the cover letter is the perfect place to address potential red flags.

One caveat: Keep the explanation brief. Writing a cover letter is an exercise in selling yourself, so the tone should be upbeat and positive. Review these examples to get inspiration for explaining your sticky situation:

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Layoff

Last month, ABC Co. made the difficult decision to dissolve its operations, so I am available for immediate employment. I am eager to continue my ______ career and was very excited when I learned about your job opportunity -- it’s a perfect match to my qualifications and career goals.

Long-Term Unemployment

Although I was a top producer for ABC Co., my position was eliminated during a major corporate restructuring. I have been searching for a position in the industry, but the economy has made positions in ______ very difficult to find. In the interim, I have been networking at industry events and keeping my skills fresh, but I am eager to resume my career in the ______ field.

Medical Leave

(Note: Don’t disclose medical information that could jeopardize your chance of landing a job -- disclosure is your personal choice.)

After taking time off to undergo back surgery, I left ABC Co. (on excellent terms) to focus on my recovery. As I regained my strength, I went to school part-time and received certifications in ______ and ______. Now fully recovered, I have been given an “excellent” bill of health by my doctor, and am highly motivated to return to the full-time workforce.

Next: Time Off Caring for an Ill Family Member →

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Time Off Caring for an Ill Family Member

In the last couple of years, I served as primary caregiver to my father, who was diagnosed with a terminal illness. During this difficult period, I kept my work skills updated by independently studying ______ and actively participating in industry news groups. At this time, I am available to return to work, and am confident that I would be an asset to your team.

Time Off Raising Children

After stepping away from the workforce to start a family, I am eager to resume my professional career now that my children are school-aged. I have kept my skills and connections current through active volunteer work, including leadership roles in school and charitable organizations.

Relocation

I plan to relocate to ______ to be closer to family, and your opening presents an excellent opportunity. I am available immediately for a telephone interview and can arrange to meet in person on short notice.

Career Change

Although successful in my ______ career, I have realized that the aspects of my work that I find the most rewarding are all in ______-related functions. I am currently pursuing a full-time position in this area, and am confident in my ability to excel in this field.

Next: Entrepreneur-to-Corporate Position →

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Entrepreneur-to-Corporate Position

After building a successful small business (where I grew revenues from zero to six figures in two years), I recently closed the operation to pursue my passion for the ______ field. Your opening is an excellent opportunity, and I look forward to speaking with you about how I can help expand your operation.

Job-Hopping

Although I have changed jobs more than I would have liked in the past few years, I am searching for a position where I can make a long-term commitment. If you agree that my credentials are an excellent fit to your needs, please feel free to call or email me to arrange a meeting.

Temp Experience

Most recently, I have contracted with ABC Agency and have completed a number of interesting assignments (detailed on the attached resume). While this work is rewarding, the short-term nature of temping does not let me provide the kind of enduring, value-added contributions I find to be most fulfilling as I could as a full-time team member.

Demoted

Budget cuts required me to take a ______ position in order to remain employed, but I am confident in my ability to step back up to a management position and hit the ground running. I would welcome the chance for an interview to discuss your goals and outline ways I can help you achieve them.

This article was originally published on Monster.com

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3 Ways to Handle a Hostile Interviewer

Gladys Stone & Fred Whelan | Monster Contributing Writers — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:21:00 -0700

We’ve all been in interviews when it seems like all the interviewer wants to do is trip you up. It’s like everything you say is somehow misinterpreted to mean something completely different. How can you diffuse such an uncomfortable situation?

First, understand that the interviewer’s hostility is probably not about you. Most likely, the interviewer started his day off by arguing with his spouse, woke up sick or just had a disagreement with the boss or a client and, as a result, he’s agitated. Maybe he was never taught proper interview techniques. Or, he may just have a mean streak. In any case, it’s up to you to put the best spin on the interview. Here are three interview techniques you can use to take control:

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Address Miscommunications Immediately

After you give what you think is a solid answer to one of the interview questions, you’re met with raised eyebrows and a quizzical look. Is there a problem with your answer? Don’t panic. Instead, ask the interviewer right away, “Can I clarify part of my answer for you?” This gives the interviewer a chance to explain his issue, and it gives you the opportunity to rephrase your answer. It’s important to address any confusion immediately; otherwise the interview can get off track, never to be salvaged.

Turn the Tables on a Negative Reaction

Let’s say the interviewer asks how you handled a specific challenge at work. After you answer, the interviewer says, “I disagree with your approach. That’s not how we manage problems around here.” Take the edge off this exchange by making it clear you understand every company culture is different. Given what you know about his company, recast your answer, illustrating another way you may handle the situation. This gives you a second chance to respond to the interview question and dispel the interviewer’s antagonism. This also demonstrates your flexibility and quick thinking.

An Interview Is a Conversation, Not an Interrogation

If the person seems bent on grinding you down with endless follow-up interview questions, give your answers and then ask a follow-up question yourself. For instance, ask about how the company ramps up for new product development or where the interviewer thinks the company will be in five years. This tactic not only makes the interviewer talk, but it also provides the necessary give-and-take of the typical interview. Remember: Interviews are not one-sided interrogations, but more a business conversation between you and the potential employer and what you can offer each other.

Whatever transpires in the job interview, never meet hostility with hostility -- you can only lose in that exchange. The best way to approach a hostile interviewer is to have tactics at your fingertips that allow you to turn the situation around and dilute the impact of the aggressive interviewer.

This article was originally published on Monster.com.

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IT Resumes for a Digital Age

Margaret Steen | HotJobs — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:27:00 -0700

When you're applying for a job, you work hard to make sure your resume will command the attention of the first person who reads it. But it's increasingly likely that the first reader of your resume won't be a person at all.

Inundated with hundreds—or thousands—of resumes for some positions, many companies are using technology to streamline resume screening.

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"Any time you submit a resume, you should expect to have your resume scanned for keywords," says Chandlee Bryan, career coach and owner of Best Fit Forward.

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Companies use applicant-tracking systems to electronically sort through and store resumes. The systems search for keywords, sort the resumes, and give hiring mangers the most-promising candidates.

Although designing a resume that will impress both a computer and human readers may seem intimidating, there are some advantages.

"It used to be that when a recruiter said, 'We'll keep your resume on file,' it meant it was going in the garbage can," says Barbara Safani, owner of Career Solvers and the author of "Happy About My Resume." Now, they may actually mean it.

Experts offer these tips for making sure your resume stands out electronically and in person:

Choose the right keywords. Hiring managers and recruiters will use the applicant-tracking system to search for keywords related to the job they're looking to fill. To make your resume rise to the top of the list, you need the right keywords.

"Review the job posting for the position and try to mirror that language," Safani says. Find words and phrases that describe what the company is looking for and use them as much as possible.

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Use variations of keywords. Some systems check how often a particular word or variation on a word is used. For instance, if you're looking for a job in accounting, use both "accountant" and "accounting."

Use keywords smartly. Some resumes have a keyword section that simply lists keywords for the computer to pick up. Others include a keyword list in white text on white paper, so that it is read by the computer but not seen by a human reader. Safani and Bryan don't recommend these techniques, though, because although they might help your resume get picked out initially, they can hurt you when a human reader takes a look.

"You don't want to write something that doesn't read well just because you're trying to get the word 'accountant' in 10 different ways," Safani says.

Make your job title generic. If most companies would call you a business analyst but your title is "process improvement specialist," consider listing "business analyst" on your resume (and perhaps putting your actual title in parentheses after it). Do not, of course, give yourself a loftier title than you actually have.

Don't go overboard. It can be useful to have a list of key skills on your resume, both for search engines to scan and to give human readers an idea of your strengths. But Bryan recommends listing no more than nine: "I don't think it fools anyone if it's not very deep."

Use text only. If you're asked to paste your resume into a website text box, make sure you use a text-only version. If you copy and paste from a Word document, for example, some characters and formatting may not translate properly (em dashes, bullets, indentations, italic or bold type, and even quotation marks, for instance)—making your resume illegible (for machines and people). You may want to save a copy of your resume as a plain-text file and make any adjustments in that file before you paste the text (plain text is offered as an option when you save a file in almost all word processing programs).

Follow directions. Every system is different, so the most important thing is to follow the directions on the site that's accepting your resume, Bryan says.

This article was originally published on Monster.com

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You Just Got Fired. Now What?

Denene Brox | HotJobs — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 10:55:00 -0700

"The experience of being fired from a job is high on the list of stressful life events that can happen to anyone over the course of their employment," says Dr. Melodie Schaefer, executive director of The Chicago School, Southern California Counseling Centers.

So how do you manage the stress of being fired and get on the road to your next job? Here are some steps.

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Don't burn bridges

Although you're not leaving the company under the best circumstances, how you leave can affect your success down the line.

"It can be awkward for colleagues to say good-bye to a fired employee, so don't bother going from cubicle to cubicle to announce your departure," advises Jeffery Cohen, the author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Recession-Proof Careers." "Simply call your closest friends at work that evening to explain the news. They'll understand your desire to be discreet, given the circumstances."

After being fired, it's not uncommon to feel anger toward the company and certain employees.

"Never bad mouth a former employee or employer online, offline, or via social media," warns Cohen. "You never know when you'll need a reference. That small sense of satisfaction from dissing a former company will ultimately be outweighed if it costs you a future job."

Manage your emotions

While you may feel that your future is uncertain, it's important to realize that getting fired is not the end of your career.

But keeping your emotions in check can be hard, which is why Schaefer recommends good self-care--for instance, by exercising and journaling to relieve stress after being fired.

One aspect of getting fired that can weigh heavily on your mind is how to relay the bad news to your friends and family, for fear of their reactions and judgments. Schaefer says that remaining forward-thinking is vital when talking about your termination.

"Say, 'I'd rather not have to dwell on the past and would really appreciate your input in helping me think about my next steps, now that I have a chance to consider making a change,'" she advises.

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Pick your battles

While it's common to feel anger toward your former employer, taking legal action is viable only in certain cases.

Paul Lopez, an employment attorney with the firm Tripp Scott, says that he regularly receives calls from people seeking legal advice after being fired.

"A lot of people are fired simply because they didn't get along with their boss, and you can't sue a company because your boss was a jerk," says Lopez.

However, there are circumstances that warrant legal action--such civil-rights violations.

"No one can be fired because of their sex, race, age, disability, or national origin," says Lopez. "If there's a manager who has a prejudice against someone in those protected classes and fires them--that's actionable."

Dennis Nason, CEO of Nason & Nason, an executive recruitment firm, adds, "If you're thinking about suing your previous employer, unless you have a very strong case, it's not going to get you anywhere. My advice is to move on."

Start over

Once you've allowed some time to mend emotionally and have gotten over the anger of being fired, it's time to set sail on a new course.

"Make a bad time a good opportunity," says Nason. "Ask yourself if you were in the right position, or if you need to rethink your career."

Career coach Ann Mehl suggests finding a coach or a friend to help you outline your past achievements and re-brand yourself in the job market.

"Stress what you learned from the past experience and frame your answers so that you let interviewers know that you see this new opportunity as a means to achieving your ultimate career objectives," says Mehl.

When you go in for interviews, have a good grasp on the facts about why you were fired, advises Nason. When asked why you left your last job, your answer should be true, concise, and as positive as possible.

"Don't lead your resume, cover letter, or interviews with bad news," says Nason. "They'll get around to asking why you left your last job. Tell the truth in a brief 10 to 20 seconds."

The key in interviews to explaining why you got fired is to make it not about you, says Cohen. "Anything from 'the new boss wanted to bring in his own team' to 'the entire department was downsized' is better than admitting you lost your job due to your own performance."

Remember that getting fired is never as horrible as it seems at first, especially if you use the time to pursue a chapter in your career.

This article was originally published on Monster.com

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Body Language Tips for Your IT Job Interview

Robert Ordona | HotJobs — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 10:58:00 -0700

Savvy job seekers know how important choosing the right words is when we communicate with
prospective employers--but what about nonverbal communication?

Here's some expert advice on how to effectively let your body do the talking in a job interview:

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Making a great entrance

Craig and Bowden agree that the interview starts even before you get to the interview room: "You don't know who could be in the parking lot with you, looking at you from a window, or standing next to you in the elevator," says Craig. "Your body should tell anyone who might be watching that you're confident and calm. It's not the time to be frantically searching through your portfolio for printouts of your resume."

Craig suggests trying to predict the direction your interviewer will come from, so you can sit facing that direction. It'll make the greeting more graceful.

Next: Shake it--don't break it >>

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Avoid leaning forward, which makes you appear closed off, Bowden says. Instead, he advises sitting up straight and displaying your neck, chest, and stomach area--to signal that you're open.

When gesturing with your hands, Craig says, you should always keep them above the desk and below the collarbone: "Any higher and you're going to appear frantic."

It's fine to sit about a foot away from the table so that your gestures are visible, he says.

This article was originally published on Monster.com

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How to Rejuvenate Your IT Resume

Charles Purdy | Monster+Hot Jobs senior editor — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:44:00 -0700

In a competitive job market, we have to do everything we can to make our resumes more attractive to hiring managers. This can be difficult for older workers, who fear that even if there's no bias (subconscious or conscious) against job seekers on the mature side of 40, a resume may make them look "overqualified" for the positions they want.

Here are five ways to make your resume more youthful, so you can score the interview--and make an impression with your experience and enthusiasm, instead of your assumed birth date.

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1. Remove dates from your education. Hiring managers (as well as resume-reading software) may be looking for certain minimum requirements in the area of education. But they likely won't think about dates unless you mention them. If your life followed a typical pattern, the dates of your college degrees are an age indicator. (But education dates are a double-edged sword--if you got your degree or certification relatively recently, you may seem inexperienced; too long ago, "over the hill.")

2. Focus on recent relevant experience. Of course you're proud of all your accomplishments--but the people looking at your resume are interested only in the skills and achievements that relate directly to the position they're trying to fill. Many job seekers (not only those with long work histories) make the mistake of putting too much on their resumes.

For example, if you're a 45-year-old marketing professional applying for a management position, the fact that you were Congressional page in the early 1980s is interesting--but probably not relevant. (And the fact that you were, say, a data-entry clerk for eight months in the late 1980s is neither of those things.) Look at the earliest jobs on your resume--do they say relevant and unique things that will make you more attractive to this particular employer? If not, cut them.

3. Focus on new technologies. "Teletype," "DOS," Wite-Out correction fluid: your resume should have none of these things on it. Demonstrate that you're not an "old fogey" by removing all references to outmoded technology from your resume. If you're a graphic designer, for instance, you know that the design program Macromedia xRes is no longer being used--so why would you waste valuable resume space on touting your xRes skills?

List only software programs and technologies that are current in your industry.

4. Get online and get connected. Like it or not, many jobs now require a familiarity with social media. And almost all job seekers can benefit from the knowing how to navigate Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and industry-specific online communities. For many hiring managers and recruiters, if you're not online, you don't exist.

5. Give your resume a personal voice. Old-fashioned resumes contain a lot of lifeless writing, vague generalities, and "job-seeker jargon"--words and phrases that have lost all meaning through overuse: "detail-oriented," "team player," "responsible for," and so on.

Instead of saying that you're detail-oriented, give an example of how your attention to detail saved a past employer money. Instead of saying that you're a team player, tell the hiring manager about how your team worked together to increase profits. And never tell a hiring manager you were "responsible for" something--tell her what you achieved. Use numbers to quantify those achievements, and use strong verbs.

Finally, don't be afraid of "I" statements in your resume--enthusiastically telling your story as only you can will give your resume more vitality and help it stand out from the pack.

This article was originally published on Monster.com.

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When to Target a Lower Position in IT

Ian Christie | Monster Contributing Writer — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 09:00:00 -0700

Does it ever make sense to take a step down the career ladder? If you can get past that nagging, inborn sense that "going lower" can only be a sign of downward career mobility, the answer is yes. Taking a lesser position can help move your career forward if the job fits into a larger long-term plan.

Read on to find out when a lower position might make sense, and how you can make such a transition successfully.

Know Why

What could drive you to consider a lower position? Here are some common circumstances:

• Necessity: Economic conditions, your financial situation and lack of other alternatives may necessitate taking the best available option -- even if it's a step down. There's no shame in this, but be honest about how you got into this situation in the first place. I see too many people making this kind of career decision out of what was avoidable necessity. They were forced to take a lower-level job, because they didn't take charge of their careers. Do what you have to do, but learn from it.

• To Change Careers: This is a completely valid reason to take a lower position, but remember: Changing professions doesn't automatically mean you start at the bottom. Look for transferable skills or specialized knowledge that could allow you to slide into something above an entry-level role. Also, changing industries is not the same as changing professions. When you change industries but not functions, target a lateral position, not a lower one. For example, a finance manager in a software company can occupy the same role in a biotech company.

• To Broaden Your Horizons: A lower position in a different department can provide new experiences and enrich your career. But as with any career decision, think about the fit, your ability to be successful and how such a move figures into your larger career plan.

• To Find Another Way to Advance: Imagine climbing a mountain and reaching a point where the route is blocked or requires climbing skill beyond your ability to pass it. You can give up or make a tactical decision to go back down a bit to look for another route up. Taking the right lower position can be a smart tactical move if you believe you can be successful in the lower role and know there's a defined path on which you can continue your ascent.

Next: Sell Yourself >>

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Sell Yourself

Once you've determined why taking a step down makes sense, prepare to sell yourself hard. You'll be up against more junior candidates, so you'll need to overcome the hiring manager's perceptions that you are overqualified and will get bored and leave.

To convince him otherwise, express a positive, compelling reason you want the job. For example: "I want to build a career in customer service. This job would allow me to apply what I know already and also develop best-practice skills starting from the operating level, which would help serve your customers better."

Avoid sending negative messages. In all of your communications, demonstrate you:

• Possess the energy and enthusiasm to do the job and the flexibility, ability and willingness to learn quickly.

• Will bring more value to the role based on your work experience than an untested junior candidate.

• Will be content to do the job you are hired for and won't be making waves three months after you start about moving up.

• Understand promotions will be based on merit.

In situations like this, it's human nature to feel superior to your junior coworkers. But acting superior will only torpedo your plans. Be mindful of your own development in the role, and manage your own performance. If you remember that the lower position is just one step in a long-term career strategy, you will perform well and with purpose.

Ian Christie founded BoldCareer.com to help individuals build bold, fulfilling careers and help organizations attract, develop and retain talent. A career coach, consultant, three-time entrepreneur, former senior director at Monster and former retained executive search consultant, Ian is an expert in the fields of careers and recruitment. He believes that career management is a central theme to both personal and organizational effectiveness. BoldCareer.com offers career services to companies and individuals as well as free career resources.

This article was originally published on Monster.com.

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6 Ways Friends Can Help You Find an IT Job

Christina Macres | InsideTech — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:36:00 -0700

Mention being out of work to a friend and they’ll be the first to emphasize that you do have a full-time job — looking for a job, that is. And they’re right. Looking for a new job can be just as time consuming as working nine to five. But there is one major difference and that’s making the transition from working with coworkers and bosses to going it alone. This can leave even the most productive people unable to resist staying in their pajamas until noon or wasting the day surfing the web for viral videos and celebrity gossip.

Don’t let this happen to you!

The solution? Instead of going it alone, enlist a gaggle of friends to be your job seeker posse. And no, this doesn’t mean you now have a bunch of people in charge of finding you a new career while you play golf or take up a new hobby. Nor does it imply that they’ll be responsible for maintaining your intense TV-watching schedule. Instead, think of this group as the motivating force behind your job search. Pick friends you feel will help you get through the process and come out ahead, just by doing what friends do best — being there.

What do you need to do? Know how to manage your new team. Here are a few ways to integrate your pals into getting your next gig.

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Next: Truth >>

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Truth.

You know that friend who tells it like it is? We all have one. And while it might seem annoying sometimes, this friend is just what you need right now. From cover letter and interview outfit advice, to being that person who tells you to snap out of feeling sorry for yourself, the right person can give honest criticism that’s still friendly.

Teamwork.

In the past you may have relied on bosses, coworkers, and deadlines to stay efficient and motivated. Why not assemble a team to do the same thing in your non-working present? Everyone needs structure and this is where friends can really help. From listening to your unemployment woes to helping you construct a daily routine that includes researching, networking, and contacting potential employers, friends can be just what you need to keep motivated and on-task.

Emotional Support.

Bottom line: Good friends want their friends to succeed. They also want to be there and lend an ear when things aren’t ideal. And, like any idea, concept, or plan, most times it’s just plain helpful to sit down and work out the details with another human being — even if that person is just listening. A good brainstorming coffee date with a friend might be just what you need in order to make better sense of what you want out of your job search.

Friends of Friends.

Yes, even friends of friends can help you find the career you want. Research has shown that job seekers who employ friends as well as friends of friends to spread the word to potential employers (or keep their eyes peeled for job openings) were more apt to secure a position than those who did not. Moreover, those who got these same groups to go a step further and introduce them to beneficial networking contacts or folks in the industry found more suitable jobs, faster.

Social Networking.

When you’re looking for a job, quality and quantity of friendships go hand-in-hand. This being said, even though you may not deem everyone in your social networking communities to be an actual “friend,” in the sense that maybe you won’t be in their wedding, that doesn’t mean they’re not open to helping you in your job search. Use your status to post a quick blurb or write a private message to a friend you know who’s presently in the your field of interest. Hey, you’re already on InsideTech, that’s one giant step in the right direction!

Don’t Isolate and Fixate.

It’s easy to get so bogged down in your job search that you forget the world around you. Remember that, just like when you have a full-time job, it’s advantageous to strike a good work/life balance when you’re unemployed. Take time to network with people, but also know when to turn off your job seeker mode and just be a friend.

Good luck!

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How to End an IT Job Interview

Margaret Steen | HotJobs — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 11:00:00 -0700

In preparing for a job interview, you've probably practiced a firm (but not too firm) handshake, rehearsed answers to tough questions about your background, and polished up your lucky interview shoes. But many job hunters overlook a crucial part of the interview process: the very end.

As you finish an interview, you have one last chance to sell the interviewer on your skills—and get the information you need in order to follow up. Experts offer these tips for successfully closing an interview:

Don't leave empty-handed. To be sure you can follow up later, don't leave the interview without getting the names, titles, and contact information of everyone you met. This includes people you may dismiss as unimportant. "You don't know who has pull," says Laura DeCarlo, president of Career Directors International, a global professional association of resume writers and career coaches.

Know the next steps. You should also ask what the next steps are in the process: Will the most-promising candidates be called back for another interview? Is the company about to make a hiring decision? How soon does the hiring manager expect to move to this next step?

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"It's totally appropriate for a candidate to ask this," says Peggy McKee, founder of career-confidential.com.

Lay the groundwork for a follow-up. Once the interviewer explains how the process will unfold, DeCarlo explains, "you say, 'Thank you. Is it OK if I call you if I haven't heard from you?'" Although you don't need the interviewer's permission to follow up, having the interviewer say it's OK will likely make you less apprehensive if doing so becomes necessary.

Close the sale. After you thank the interviewer and briefly summarize why you think you're a good fit for the job, McKee suggests asking straight out, "Based on this interview, do you feel that I could be successful in this position? Will you move me forward in the interview process?"

A positive response doesn't mean you're guaranteed to get the job. But the interviewer will likely remember you as a stronger candidate. "When you answer yes, you cross a line mentally," McKee says.

What if the interviewer expresses reservations? "That's the big fear," McKee says. But even though it may be disappointing, it's better to know. "This is your only really strong opportunity to find out what her objections are, so you can overcome those objections."

For example, if the interviewer says you lack experience in a particular area, you may realize that didn't emphasize your relevant experience enough. You can now clarify, either on the spot or in a follow-up letter.

You may get a noncommittal answer—the interviewer may say simply that there are more candidates to interview, for example. If that happens, use this as an opportunity to ask for more information about how the hiring process will play out.

Remember the details. Your thank-you notes will be more effective if you can mention specifics about your interviews. The best way to do this, DeCarlo says, is to write down everything you remember—good and bad—as soon as you can after the interview.

This article was originally published on Monster.com

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Get Back to Work with the Best Deal

Lee Miller | Monster Contributing Writer — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 11:04:00 -0700

I once received a letter from a woman who had just gotten a job offer. She had been unemployed for three months and wanted to know if she should accept the offer or try to negotiate for more. She felt the offer was low - less than she had been making at her last job - but was afraid that if she asked for more money she might lose the job.

Whether to negotiate is a question that comes up frequently from people who are between jobs. Not only can you ask for more money, but if an offer is low, you should ask for more. The key to doing so successfully can be summed up in a single word: Confidence. If you know what you're worth and have the confidence needed to ask for it, you can often get the company to improve its offer. In fact, if you go into the interview process with confidence, it will not only result in your becoming a better negotiator, but it will also help you get the job.

What tends to hold most people back when they are unemployed is they start doubting themselves and their worth to potential employers. The longer you're unemployed, the more your confidence starts to waiver, hurting your ability to negotiate. However, there are some simple things you can do to help build your self-confidence:

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Know Yourself

Make a list of all your prior accomplishments, both professionally and personally. The skills and experience you bring to potential employers do not change just because you're unemployed.

Educate Yourself

Learn everything you can about the negotiating process. Read books, attend a seminar or take a class. The more you know about the process, the more comfortable you will be in asking for more money. Knowing the market value for the skills and experience you have will also help you negotiate with confidence. That requires doing your research before you start.

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Shop Around

Continue to pursue your job search actively even after you seriously begin talking to a company. One of the biggest mistakes people make is that once they think they are going to get an offer with a company they like, they stop talking to other potential employers. Having another offer will greatly enhance your ability to negotiate compensation, forcing a potential employer to give you the best possible offer. It will also increase your confidence, enabling you to negotiate more forcefully. Even if you don't actually have another offer, continuing to talk with lots of prospective employers will reassure you that if this offer is not good enough, another one will be forthcoming shortly.

It is useful to let a prospective employer know you are contacting other companies, as long as you make it clear that the employer you're talking to is your first choice. Employers like the fact that other companies are interested but want to hire someone who really wants to work for them. Your employment status becomes irrelevant.

Project Confidence

Finally, even during those moments when you are not feeling confident, project confidence. Dr. Patricia Farrell, clinical psychologist and professor at Walden University, calls one technique "self talk." Before you go into an interview, tell yourself out loud why you deserve to get what you are seeking. (Do this in the privacy of your own home, but do it.) If you believe it, so will your interviewer. Then wait until you have convinced a prospective employer that you are the best candidate for the job before discussing compensation. The best time to talk about money is when a company is about to make you an offer.

Be enthusiastic about the job, confident about the abilities you bring to it, knowledgeable about your market value and firm in seeking a fair compensation package. Doing these simple things will enable you to negotiate the best possible package -- even when you are unemployed.

This article was originally published on Monster.com.

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Do Your Research Before an IT Job Interview

Charles Purdy | Monster+Hot Jobs senior editor — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 11:10:00 -0700

You hear it all the time from career experts: "Research the company before you go into a job interview." But what does that mean, exactly? Here are some tips on using the Internet and tapping your network to gain information and insight that'll improve your answers--and help you ask the right questions.

The company's mission

Your prospective employer's Web site is a great place to see the company as it wants to be seen. Look for its mission statement--something that outlines the company's values (perhaps on an About Us page or a similar page). Then consider how the position you want relates to that mission. Also think about how your experience and background have prepared you to support company goals. Don't parrot a mission statement back word for word, but do let it inform your discussion.

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Recent company achievements

While you're at the company's site, look for a Press Room or Company News page that links to recent news releases. (Or simply do a Web search for news about the company.) Then think about the long-term implications of this news--not only for the company, but also for you when you get the job--and prepare some questions about the news if that makes sense. Your well-informed conversation may be a critical factor in your interview's success!

Your interviewers

Use the company site's search tool (if there is one) to search for the names of the people you'll be meeting. You may find bio pages or press releases that give you insight into their most visible activities at the company. Then look to LinkedIn or do a general Web search to get some more background information. You might find some common ground (for instance, a shared alma mater) you can bring up in conversation, or a recent professional achievement for which you can pay a compliment.

What to wear

The company's Web site can also help you determine how formally you should dress for the interview. Are there pictures of the executive team? If they're all wearing dark business suits, you should probably dress very formally. If the CEO is pictured wearing a T-shirt, business casual is probably fine (you'll rarely want to dress more casually than that).

The industry

Now broaden your search, and learn what general-interest and trade publications and blogs are saying about your employer and the industry as a whole. Search national publications for news on major corporations; use hometown newspapers to learn about small businesses or local industries. Depending on your field, you should be prepared to discuss your industry's financial prospects or other industry trends.

People on the inside

People who already work at the company are another great source of information--they can give you insight into business initiatives, corporate culture, and even personality dynamics. You can start on LinkedIn to see if you have any connections--but don't stop there. Look to professional organizations and alumni organizations you belong to, and ask friends and relations if they know anyone who might have information to share about your prospective employer.

Research yourself!

Now that you've found out everything you can about the company and the people who'll be interviewing you, search for yourself online--you can be sure the interviewers will be doing the same. (If you have a common name, use your name and your town or city, or your name and your industry, as the search term.) First, of course, make sure that everything a Web search reveals about you presents you in a good light. Then prepare to discuss the search's top hits--they might just come up.

This article was originally published on Monster.com

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