The most effective way to get a new job is of course NETWORKING. Think about your recent experience with your current or former employer, what other businesses are affiliated with it? What companies or clients did you serve? What services did your company purchase? What companies did you work with in ALL areas of the business? Make a list of the companies and your contacts. These companies may be able to employ you -- becau...
We’ve all been interviewed for jobs. And we’ve all spend most of those interviews thinking about what NOT to do. Don’t bite your nails. Don’t fidget. Don’t chew gum. If we did any of the "don’ts," we knew we’d disqualify ourselves instantly. But some job applicants go light years beyond this. In a recent survey, personnel executives of 100 companies nationwide were asked to tell stories of unusual behavior by applicants. He...
In kindergarten, or maybe earlier, we were taught "THE RULES." "THE RULES" included things like: share your toys; when you ask for something, say please; when receiving something, say thank you; treat others as you would like to be treated...." Sometimes, as we get older, we forget some of those basic rules. Sometimes our bosses forget those rules, sometimes our fellow workers forget those rules, and sometimes our family me...
Treasure HuntAsk five people you trust to tell you what they think your greatest professional strengths are, and then ask them what they think your natural gifts are.Do your professional strengths match your natural talents? Find a way to integrate them both into what you do for a living.Develop a “Me File”If you’re employed, start tracking your achievements, kudos from your superiors, projects you’ve worked on, ideas you’v...
In a recent, and very informal, survey of area recruiters and members of my professional organizations, the term "cherry picking" constantly came up when discussing placement and job search topics.What is "cherry picking?" Cherry picking, from our consensus, is an employer being very specific with their candidate requirements. For example, if an employer is looking for a controller, they may specify that a candidate must ha...
It's bad enough figuring out what to wear to work every morning, but what to wear to an interview is nearly impossible. The fashion magazines don't really address "real world" attire, especially for interviews. And Popular Mechanics or other trade magazines don't talk about it at all.While what you wear doesn't play a major factor in the interviewer's decision to hire you, it can color an interview -- especially if you come...
An informational interview is NOT a job interview. You are not necessarily meeting with potential employers. Your goal on an informational interview is just that, to obtain information.For career changers, an informational interview is an essential part of the decision-making and job-search process. Without knowing what you want to become or what the prospective career choice you have made entails, you cannot begin your sea...
Question:I’m happy where I work, but know I’m not getting paid what I’m worth. I checked an industry salary standards book and I’m earning significantly less than others are in my same position and geographic market. How can I get paid more without having to quit?Answer:This one can be tough. First, you’ll need to do some research on your own company. Find out how they’ve been doing financially over the past five years. Thi...