Archive for the ‘Career Training’ Category
We’ve all had one — an interview that just went wrong for some reason. But sometimes the reason is right in front of us. Check out this list of common interview misfires from Monster.com, and what you can do to avoid them.
1. Too much perfume or cologne. A little might be OK, but too much is simply too much. Better yet, wear none. You never know if your interviewer is scent-sensitive.
2. One-word answers. Few things frustrate an interviewer like one-word responses. Explain your answer, give examples, and help them get to know you.
3. Talking too much. Just as you don’t want to say too little, be careful not to ramble on too much. Answer the question concisely, with good examples as appropriate.
4. Lack of focus. Make sure your answers address the interviewer’s question and don’t get off topic.
5. No eye contact. Always looking down or somewhere else makes you seem uncomfortable or unconfident. Try to look the interviewer in the eye without making it a staring contest.
6. Too much slang. You’re intelligent, but the only way your interviewer can tell is by the way you speak. So try to avoid slang and filler words such as “um” and “like.”
7. Dishonesty. Nothing will kill your chances like not being truthful. Make an effort to be as honest and forthcoming as you can, while convincing them you’re the right person for the job.
The Off-the-Wall Interview
Posted on: March 1, 2013
Before any interview, it pays to practice answers to common questions. But what if you’re caught off guard? Take a look at these unusual (but real, according to glassdoor.com) interview questions and think about how you might answer them.
- If you were to get rid of one state in the U.S., which would it be and why? (asked by Forrester)
- How many quarters would you need to reach the height of the Empire State building? (asked by JetBlue)
- A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here? (asked by Clark Construction Group)
- What song best describes your work ethic? (asked by Dell)
- If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us? (asked by Trader Joe’s)
- How do you make a tuna sandwich? (asked by Astron Consulting)
- Estimate how many windows are in New York. (asked by Bain & Company)
- What’s your favorite song? Perform it for us now. (asked by LivingSocial)
- Have you ever stolen a pen from work? (asked by Jiffy Software)
- Pick two celebrities to be your parents. (asked by Urban Outfitters)
- What kitchen utensil would you be? (asked by Bandwidth.com)
- On a scale from one to 10ten, rate me as an interviewer. (asked by Kraft Food)
- If you could be anyone else, who would it be? (asked by Salesforce.com)
- How would you direct someone else on how to cook an omelet? (asked by PETCO)
Remember, most interview questions are intended to teach them something about you and how you think. So keep that in mind and show them you can think on your feet!
For assistance, advice and more, contact Everest’s Career Services team.
Trends for Today’s Job Seekers
Posted on: February 26, 2013
- In: Career Training | everest | Internet | Job Search | Tips & Advice
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The Internet is a great resource for job seekers, with numerous job boards and other tools to make finding the right job easier. But it also means that new trends emerge as job hunters and employers both start using the Internet in different ways. Here are just a few of those trends according to the people at LinkedIn:
Trend: Using LinkedIn for your resume.
A growing number are skipping the traditional resume and referring employers to their LinkedIn profile. It’s convenient, can hold a lot of information, and many see it as trustworthy. But it’s still a good idea to have a copy of your resume that you can print out or email to someone.
Trend: Employers looking for specialized skills.
When jobs are scarce, employers look for people with the exact skills they need. So be sure to highlight your specialized skills to make sure they can find you.
Trend: Reaching out to more people.
The more connections you make, the better your chances are of finding the job you’re after. Reaching out to people in the industry or from your school on places such as LinkedIn and other sites can be a great way to make these connections. So consider sending a friendly note to say “hi” and get your name out there.
Talk to people and find out what they’re doing. By making good use of the tools available to you, you can give yourself a leg up!
10 Tips for More Energy at Work
Posted on: February 18, 2013
We’ve all felt the “afternoon blahs” — those times when your “get-up-and-go” got up and left. From getting enough sleep to reading a book, these 10 tips can help you find more energy throughout the day.
- Get enough sleep. First and foremost, make sure you can get a solid night’s sleep. If you’re tired, it makes the days drag on.
- Wake up with a workout. Even simple stretching can help, but getting your blood moving first thing in the morning can help energize you all day.
- Squeeze in a nap. Don’t sleep on the job, but if you can grab even a 10- or 20-minute siesta in your car or in an empty conference room, it can go a long way toward perking you up.
- Laugh. Try to make time in the day for a smile, whether it’s a funny video or a joke of the day. Laughter is a natural energizer.
- Take a walk. Use your break time to get out of the office for a few minutes. Walk around the parking lot or down the street. A little fresh air is a big help.
- Read a book at lunch. Escape into a good book or a short story while you eat. It’s a good way to refresh your mind.
- Drop the baggage. Resolve conflicts with a boss or coworker and try to let go of grudges. You’ll be surprised at what a difference it makes.
- Do a coworker a favor. Lend them a hand or just a kind word. Just this simple act can work wonders for your energy.
- Call a friend. Give a close friend a call during a break, even if it’s just to say “hi.” The interaction can help recharge your batteries.
- Like your job. Nothing saps your energy like doing something you hate. So figure out what you enjoy and find a way to make that your job.
7 Tips for a Better Resume
Posted on: February 12, 2013
Many people think that a resumes only job is to tell people where you’ve worked before. But it’s so much more than that. A good resume gets you noticed and makes an employer want to meet you. To help yours stand out in the pile, try to follow these tips:
- Don’t just send a Word document. Sometimes Word files look different on different computers. To make sure yours looks right, try to save it as a PDF file. Look for the “Save as PDF” option when printing.
- Save references for later. Personal references can be helpful, but instead of putting them on your resume, save them for later in the interview process.
- Include important keywords. Sometimes resumes go into a big computer database where managers can search for candidates. So make sure yours contains the words they’ll be looking for.
- Give it a unique look. No need to go crazy, but think about adding color or changing your layout a bit. It helps your resume stand out against the others.
- List your skills. Be sure to list your important skills at the bottom. Are you good with computers? Typing? Special training? Include it!
- List accomplishments, too. Don’t just mention past job duties, but describe what you did. Did you create a new way of working? Win an award? Meet a goal?
- Tell a story. Highlight your strengths and experiences that make you ideal for the job or career you want. And let them shine throughout your resume.
Need help building a strong cover letter and resume? Contact Everest Career Services for assistance, advice and more.
Find the Perfect Job
Posted on: February 6, 2013
Sometimes the desire for a steady paycheck is so strong that we’ll talk our way into jobs where we won’t be happy. And that’s not good for anybody. Here are some simple ways to make sure the job is right for you.
- 1. Be honest about who you are. Let them know what kind of person you really are, and what kinds of challenges you’re looking for. If this isn’t the right job, they might know of another one that is.
- 2. Ask about the company. Find out what it’s like to work there, what their plans are for the company, and what kinds of people succeed there.
- 3. Be open. While it may be tempting to hide undesirable things, like a long lapse in employment, it can work against you. But if you can be open and honest about even the negative things, and tell them what you’ve learned along the way, they’ll be more likely to trust you over somebody who tries to say they’re perfect.
Remember, even though you may really want a job, you should also want the right one. When you enjoy your work, you’ll be more successful.
Tips for Job Hunters
Posted on: January 30, 2013
Finding a job today takes much more than just looking through the want ads. But the good news is that you also have more tools to help you. Here are a few tips to help you find your next job.
- Make the time. Don’t make looking for a job your lowest priority. Instead, set aside time every day to work on your résuméresume, check listings, send emails or call potential employers.
- Complete an online profile. Sites like LinkedIn are popular with employers and can help you look like the real deal.
- Reach out to people. Tell everyone you know that you’re looking and what you’re looking for.
- Stay up on your industry. Read articles, attend events and get involved. Show prospective employers that you’re serious about your field.
- Search everywhere. Don’t limit your search to just one place. Check online job boards, company websites and even the newspaper.
- Be persistent (but not a pest). Follow up with potential employers and let them know you’re interested. But don’t be a pest about it. That can ruin your chances.
Stick with it and stay focused. The right job is out there waiting for you.
What You Do Online Matters
Posted on: January 25, 2013
When considering a job candidate, employers do everything they can to try to get a sense of who that person is. One way that’s becoming more popular is social media, and that’s where it pays to be careful.
It’s so easy to let our guard down on sites like Facebook and Twitter. After all, it’s just our friends, right? Not always. In fact, many employers will research job applicants on social media even before the job interview. And depending on what they find, it may hurt your chances of ever getting a job there.
So what can you do about it? If you’re looking for a job, do yourself a favor and take a look at your social media history. Consider deleting posts that might seem inappropriate or make you look less reliable than you are. Check your privacy settings to ensure your posts are only shared with those in your closest network. And if you can add a few posts that show your intelligence, that’s even better – just in case all that you think is private is not.
What you do online may not land you a job, but it can certainly keep you from getting it. So be careful out there.
Don’t Forget to Say Thank You!
Posted on: January 16, 2013
So you dressed nicely, your résumé resume was perfect, and you asked smart questions. Is there anything else to nailing a job interview? There’s one more thing: the thank you note. Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t forget this little detail.
- 1. It’s good manners. Even employers want to know that you can be courteous. After all, you’ll be working with people all day long.
- 2. It shows you can communicate. If you can write a nice, genuine thank you, that’s a good sign that you actually have those communication skills that others claim to have.
- 3. You can say things you forgot. Sometimes an interview moves quickly and we don’t get to say all that we want to. The thank you note is your chance. Just keep it short.
- 4. It reminds them who you are. Sometimes employers meet a lot of people. A memorable thank you note is a great way to help you stand out.
Pay attention to the details, and it could be difference between getting the job and just interviewing for it.
A career fair (also call job fair) is an event where you can talk to recruiters and hiring managers from many different companies at once. Some may be looking to hire right away, and some may not. But it’s a great opportunity to meet professionals and get your name in front of people in your field as part of your job search . Here’s a short list of tips to help you make a good impression.
- 1. Dress nicely. Every employer you talk to is like a mini interview. So dress like you’re going to an interview. It’ll help you look more professional.
- 2. Bring multiple copies of your résumé. You’ll be talking to a lot of people, so make sure you have a stack of copies of your résumé resume ready to hand out.
- 3. Prepare your “elevator pitch.” Your “elevator pitch” is how you sum up your value as an employee in one minute or less. Write it ahead of time and practice it until it flows naturally.
- 4. Arrive early. Plan time to park and get checked in, so you’re ready the minute the event starts.
- 5. Be assertive and enthusiastic. Look them in the eye when you shake hands, and remember to show a positive attitude. This is no place for complainers.
- 6. Keep cool. Don’t let the crowds get to you. Smile, be polite and focus on the benefits of being there.
- 7. Network. Don’t just keep to yourself. Talk with people. Introduce yourself. Visit all the employers’ tables. You might discover something new.
There are some companies that have job fairs scheduled throughout the year. National Career Fairs, for example, runs fairs at over 300 locations. Other organizations, such as LI Works, have an event once or twice a year. Still others, including Women for Hire, focus on a particular audience.
Remember, you might not land a job that day. The goal is to meet people and get your name out there. And it’s great practice for interviews. Good luck!
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