Sure-Fire Job Interview Techniques

By River C.

In these trying and troubling economic times, heading off to that all important job interview can be one of the most stressful endeavors that any of us undertakes. Because, let's face it, without adequate employment, many of our other concerns become moot. It is because financial stability and security are so important that good job interview techniques and skills are so vital in today's job market. Whether you are currently looking for a job or not, it is important to have a firm understanding regarding some tips and tricks that can be used during any and every job interview now and in the future.

When considering job interview techniques, some of the most effective are those that set you apart from the droves of other applicants that are pining away for the same position. And the single most effective thing that any job applicant can do to set themselves apart from the pack is to compose and have on hand an iron-clad, professional and accurate resume. There are numerous ways to ensure that your resume stands out from the rest, but perhaps the single most effective is to simply enlist professional help.

There are a wide array of companies, both online and off, that are devoted to producing the highest quality resumes possible and can help you nail a good job. You simply provide them with your work history and various additional information and they are able to compose totally unique and very high quality documents sure to set you apart.

While having a distinguished resume is one of the single best job interview techniques out there, many people simply cannot afford to pay to have a customized document prepared. Fortunately, having a custom created resume is not as cost prohibitive as you may think. In fact there is easy to use software and even websites that are available for either a very low cost or even free. This software is one of the least expensive ways to take advantage of the proven job interviews techniques related to resumes.

These resume building sites, software programs, and other such tools are surprisingly easy to use, and designed to allow even the most computer illiterate job seeker to take advantage of some of the best resume related job interview techniques out there. In many cases, the programs work with either a simple document upload, cut and paste, or fill in the blank method, allowing users to easily and effectively customize their own resume, and ensuring a professional and eye catching result every time.

In addition to ensuring that your resume is well written and properly formatted there are a couple other tricks to keep in mind. First of all, using flashing paper, ink or fonts is going to make you come off as unprofessional. Secondly, it is always advisable to attach your resume as well as a cover letter specifying your professional intent to any and all form applications.

If you would really like to crack that next job interview, these Job interview tips [http://jobinterviewtipsnow.com] should provide you just the right pointers to bag that dream job. Click here now [http://jobinterviewtipsnow.com] to find great tips and pointers to excel in your interview.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/River_C./512070

Job Search Tips - Get Prepared For Your Job Interview

By Elton Lowe  

How would you describe your biggest weakness? If the answer is doing job interviews, now is the time to fix that situation. Knowing common interview questions is only a small part of being prepared for an interview. Here are some more key points to help you get the job.

Have copies of your resume and reference sheet ready. Sending your resume by email is great. But when it's time to meet an employer face to face, it's time to present a hard copy. Hand the resume to each person at the beginning of the interview. Save the reference sheet for the end of the interview.

Be ready to dress for success. Make sure you dress a little above the job you're going for. When in doubt, wear a suit or skirt suit, depending on your gender. This may seem like overkill for some positions, but you definitely don't want to take a chance on being under dressed.

Having an extra set of clothes for a follow up interview is a nice touch if you can afford it. If not, you should at least wear a different shirt and tie, or chance up the accessories.

A very important part of the interview is being on time. How do you prepare for that? The best way is to rehearse the drive. If you aren't familiar with the area and exactly how long it takes to get there, if at all possible you should make the drive a day or two before the interview. Note the time of day and traffic conditions. If you can drive there at the same time as your appointment, that's even better. Don't leave anything to chance. Be on time!

Got all that? Good! These are all very basic things to do when you get your job search in gear. Keep these tips in mind and you won't make simple mistakes that take you out of the running for the position. Being prepared for an interview may help you reduce the amount of time you spend looking for a job.

Do you send out bad cover letters and resumes over and over again? That action will get you nowhere. A bad resume will keep you in the unemployment line or in a bad job. You need a great resume and cover letter to get a job interview. Do you have a great resume? Do you need one? You can write a resume and cover letter that will make the phone ring. Watch my video Let's Talk About Resumes at [http://www.yourresumehelper.com/] and find out what I think when I read resumes from people looking for a job. Or visit http://www.fastresumetips.info to find out how to quickly create a winning resume.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Elton_Lowe/353246

I Need Sample Resumes - I Can't Get a Job Interview

By Stephen DeVane  

Many people find themselves out of work in the struggling economy. Sooner or later they say to themselves, "I need sample resumes. I can't get a job interview."

Truth is, a sample professional resume might be helpful. A careful search can find quality examples that are widely available on the web, but just plugging your information into a template won't get you the results you seek. More specific assistance is needed.

Here are some suggestions to help you get interviews.

First, put together all the information you can about your work experience. Include your duties, skills, accomplishments and achievements.

Here's a simple format to follow. Begin by listing every job you've held, leaving plenty of space between them. If you held different positions at the same company, make a separate listing for each.

Now under each position, list separately the duties, skills, accomplishments and achievements.

For example, if you were a manager, one of your duties might have been to supervise your team. The skill might be leadership or organization. An accomplishment might be the completion of a major project that helped a client. An achievement might be an honor or recognition you received from your company.

Second, rearrange your resume so you can call attention to those areas that highlight the positive aspects of your career. Notice those items on your list that show how you will help a potential employer.

Resumes are often how you are introduced to those making the hiring decisions. You want them to see your best side. Make sure it's not buried three fourths of the way down the page.

Third, adjust your resume so that your skills, accomplishments and achievements match the requirements of the position you seek. Be specific.

If a job description lists the need for organizational skills, mention prominently how you put in order a fragmented department you supervised. Describe how you did it and the positive results.

Details like that set your resume apart from the others in the stack. They can be key ingredients to landing a job.

These steps will make it less likely you'll ever have to say, "I need sample resumes. I can't get a job interview."

Research shows that it takes the average person more than 200 days to find a new job. Discover how you can be hired in a fraction of that time... without settling for a position you'll hate. http://writingeffectiveresumes.com

Stephen DeVane has more than two decades of writing experience. He is a veteran resume builder, having worked at more than 10 jobs and applied for many more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Stephen_DeVane/717461

The 60 Second Resume Job Interview Strategy!

By John Groth  

In a close basketball game 60 seconds can seem like an eternity. The same can be said for pulling out a victory in a football game in the last seconds. What about your 60 second resume strategy in winning the job interview in a very competitive job opening.

The answer is to break your resume into powerful 60 second answers. Answers to interview questions that you can bank on are going to be asked in many job interviews.

First, let's step back and examine what the employer is looking for to fill the job opening. The prospective employer will normally have three to six key skills or qualifications that they are looking for in filling the position. In each of these skill sets they will have challenges that the individual hired will be expected to resolve.

To be successful in your job interview you cannot expect the interviewer or hiring manager to connect the dots regarding your work experience and take the time to match them up with the job requirements. This assumption may work occasionally but by being proactive and focused you will substantially increase the likelihood of besting your competition.

The odds are you are being called in for the face-to-face job interview because your written resume and cover letter sold the prospective employer that your skills matched the job requirements better that the vast majority of applicants. You answered some basic questions in the telephone interview and were moved into the final group.

Now let's develop a winning strategy to be #1 in this very competitive group.

Your interview preparation will fall into two main areas, and you'll quickly see there will be a range of overlap as you prepare your winning answers to the interview questions. One area will be the answering of 'behavioral" questions the other "job related."

The foundation of most job interviews is the asking of a dozen or so basic questions: Tell me about yourself? What are your strengths? What is your greatest weakness? Tell me about your best boss? Best job? Why? Worst boss? Worst job? Why? Biggest challenge? Why? What was the outcome? Biggest disappointment? Why? What are you looking for in a job? Why? You get the idea, and you can come up with several dozen additional questions. Properly answering the interview questions will follow some basic ideas which we'll demonstrate by answering several questions.

You can then build your interview preparation and practice from these principals in your 60 second resume strategy.

Lets say, for example, the job opening is a "Customer Service Manager." Key requirements for the position are, "Leadership skills, develop innovative new and revised work methods, analyze and plan for improved customer service and strong written and oral communication skills."

The first question asked by the interviewer is "tell me about yourself?" Stop-now is not the time to ramble on about your life history. Think, what does the employer want? Leadership, innovation, plan for improved customer service and communication skills. Your 60 second resume answer should strongly reflect your abilities in each of the four key areas.

How's this for a suggested answer, "I grew up in Hartland, WI, was elected captain of the cross-country team for two years. In my sophomore year on the team I came up with a fund-raising program with the team running a long trail race. We donated over a $1000 a year to a local food bank. The program is still going strong even though I been out of high school over 15 years. In college, I developed a speaking and mentoring program for at risk high school students. I received an award from the local school district for helping keep over 30 students in school and graduating."

"In my last job as customer service manager, I developed an innovative training program along with new policies that reduced long-standing customer service problems by over 85%. I sold the new program to top management and in six months our improved customer service results were credited with bringing in over $300,000 in new business."

How about this answer for the question, "tell me about the worst boss you ever had?" Please, this is not the time to bad mouth someone, even though you had one boss that would make Attila the Hun look like a choir boy.

Here's your suggested 60 second answer, "I've never had what I would call a bad boss, I've learned something about leadership and management from all of them. I did, however, have one boss that would give me very little guidance on a project, but I quickly learned to ask questions and keep him briefed on progress of the project. I consistently earned above average performance ratings from him."

To beef up the answer you might add some results from a successful "customer service" project.

Each of your interview answers should attempt to hit on two or more of the key skills desired in the job. Write out good tough interview questions on one side of a card with your good answers on the opposite side. In your answers highlight two or more of the key skills desired in the job. And these skills should be drawn from what you've written in your resume.

Hone your-interviewing techniques by taping a mock interview. Have someone critique your performance. Look to eliminate bad habits. Be sure you act engaged in the interview. When you're happy with the results you'll be ready.

With your well prepared 60 second resume answers the interviewer will not have to guess and try to connect the dots. You will have clearly demonstrated you are the best candidate for the position.

John Groth has changed careers seven times during his working life. Learn more about job hunting and career planning at http://careersafter50.com. Discover how others over age 50, built winning career plans and found the right jobs by career planning after 50.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/John_Groth/124598

Is Your Resume Working? 10 Steps to a Resume That Gets Results

By Louise Fletcher

You know the feeling. You spend hours, or even days, creating a resume. You pore over every word of your cover letter and agonize over what to say in your email. Then you hit 'send' and wait. And wait. And wait. No one calls. No one writes. You don't know if anyone even saw your resume. When this happens, it's easy to get dejected and worry that employers are not interested in you. Don't! Remember, they haven't met you. They have only seen your resume and that may be the problem.

An overwhelming majority of job seekers make basic mistakes with their resumes - mistakes that ensure that they will not get the interviews they deserve. If you feel as though you're sending your resume into a black hole, try this '10 Step Program' to diagnose problems and get your resume working for you.

1. Is your résumé the right length?

You may have heard that your resume should fit on one page. This is nonsense. Recruiter or hiring managers don't care if your resume is one or two pages long. But they do care whether it is easy to read and gives key information upfront. Your resume can be one, two, or (occasionally) even three pages. The only rule is that the length should be appropriate for you. If in doubt follow the (very general) rule of thumb that less than 5 years experience probably only requires one page and more than that may need two.

2. Does your resume clearly position you as someone who can meet the needs of the employer?

Think of a resume as an advertisement for a product, only this time the product is you. Just like any other advertisement, positioning is everything. The person who receives your resume will scan it quickly - perhaps for no more than 20 seconds - to determine whether you can help her company. Your job is to say quickly, clearly and loudly that you can!

Don't just launch into a chronology of your career history. Instead, determine your own positioning by spelling out your message at the start of the resume and giving the reader your version of events upfront. For this reason, you should use the first 1/3 of your resume to create a compelling personal profile which highlights your key strengths in an attractive, easy-to-read format.

3. Does your résumé begin with an objective?

Don't start with an objective. Recruiters and hiring managers don't like them because they focus on the needs of the job seeker rather than the needs of the potential employer. Consider this objective statement:

"Seeking a software engineer position with a progressive employer where I can contribute to the development of new technologies and work with bright, committed people."

This may be very honest but it is irrelevant to the reader, who does not care what you want and only cares what you have to offer. Instead of an objective, try using a positioning statement that clearly and concisely explains what you have to offer.

"Senior Software Engineer with 10 years experience developing leading-edge technologies."

Now the reader can immediately see your value to the company. (For even greater impact, tailor this statement for each position so that the reader immediately sees a match between his/her needs and your skills.)

4. Does your resume contain specifics?

You must place your achievements in context by providing specifics. For example, don't say something vague like "contributed to product design." This tells the employer nothing about your actual contribution. Instead be specific about what you did:

"Conducted market analysis for (name of product) to determine design and mechanics. Led changes to original design spec. despite initial developer objections. Received critical acclaim and sold over 4 million units."

See how being specific makes a difference? This level of detail shows the reader the contributions you have made in the past (and therefore the contributions you can be expected to make in the future.)

5. Have you outlined achievements as well as responsibilities?

Don't provide a laundry list of responsibilities without showing what results you achieved. Most employers already know what the main responsibilities of your job were. They want to know what makes you different from all the other applicants. An effective resume summarizes job responsibilities in a few sentences and then provides details of quantifiable achievements.

Focus most of your resume on the results you accomplished, not the regular duties of your job.

6. Are there any typos?

Your resume has to be perfect. Proofread it over and over again. When you are sure it's perfect, have other people proof it! If even one word is misspelled the reader will assume that you didn't know how to spell the word (this is bad) or that you didn't care (this is even worse!) Nothing puts the reader off more quickly than misspellings or typos.

7. Is the resume easy to read?

At least 50% of the impact of your resume derives from design. A strong resume design will pull the eye through the document, making it easy to keep reading and will highlight your key strengths clearly. But if your resume is badly laid out, disorganized or hard to read, it will be discarded before the reader knows how qualified you are.

To see examples of how to lay out your resume, go to the library or bookstore and look in the career section. You will find collections of sample resumes. Take time to understand how the page has been laid out and then apply what you've learned to your resume.

8. Have you listed irrelevant information?

Don't list your hobbies unless they directly support your qualifications for the position. Don't detail your marital status or the number of children you have. Don't mention non-professional affiliations such as political or religious volunteer work unless it directly relates to the position you are applying for. Any personal information runs the risk of turning the reader off. However proud you are of personal achievements, you should not run the risk of alienating someone before you even have your foot in the door.

9. Are you too modest?

Don't be uncomfortable about blowing your own trumpet. Too many people play down their achievements. While you should never exaggerate on a resume, you should definitely take credit for the things you've accomplished. Some people feel uncomfortable boasting on paper preferring to explain in an interview. But if your resume doesn't spark interest, you may never get that opportunity, so don't be modest!

10. Have you created an internet-ready version of resume?

If you have to post your resume online, or apply to a job via an online system, you will need to convert your resume to a text-only format. If you don't do this, your resume will be almost impossible to read because most online systems cannot support the type of formatting used in a resume (bold, italics, bullet points, lines etc.)

Summary

When you send your resume out, it must speak articulately for you. You can't explain inconsistencies, clear up confusion or fill in things that are missing. Your resume has to make your sales pitch in a clear and compelling manner within 20 seconds. Invest the time to make it exceptional and you will see an immediate increase in the response rate.

Louise Fletcher is the President of Blue Sky Resumes (http://www.blueskyresumes.com). She is also the Co-founder and Managing Editor of Career Hub (http://careerhub.typepad.com), a leading source of free job search information for professionals and executives. Louise is a frequent contributor to job search publications such as Monster.com, The Ladders, Net-Temps, Job Bank USA and Employment Spot, and her work is featured in numerous resume books, including the JISTworks "Expert Resume" series. A recognized leader in cutting-edge job search techniques, Louise has helped 1,000s of professionals secure a better position through effective career marketing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Louise_Fletcher/28588

A Great Resume and Lack of Self Confidence = An Exercise in Futility

By Lenny Keitel

In today's highly competitive and fierce job market, there is a marked propensity for job seekers to solicit the services of a professional resume writer to ensure they have an 'edge' to capably differentiate themselves from a multitude of other candidates in their job search. The job seeker invariably arrives at this decision after realizing that the creation of a 'persuasive and engaging resume' can prove quite a formidable and daunting challenge.

Upon culmination and delivery of a re-crafted, compelling resume to the client, two distinct responses are generally triggered ranging from - 'ecstatic' to 'disbelief''. These contradictory behavioral reactions are not unusual.

Relevance of a 'Positive' Mindset

The 'ecstatic' client is invariably elated and highly enthusiastic; elevated to a euphoric state based upon the positive and dramatic transformation that has evolved since submitting their original resume. Their new resume has substantially reinforced their self-confidence, motivating them to optimistically and passionately market themselves for emerging interview opportunities and career challenges.

By contrast, an opposing comment expressed by the client mired in 'disbelief' invariably is - "Is this really me"? For a job seeker with a confidence or self-esteem issue, this is not an uncharacteristic comment. This startling and disarming reaction is typically induced by the vast disparity between 'mediocrity' and a new, inspiring resume which now reveals the candidate's stellar attributes and true potential. Unfortunately, the dramatic transformation from an archaic, mediocre resume, to a superbly crafted and motivating resume, has fueled a myriad of emotions which include - uncertainty, apprehension, and a sense of fear.

An Impressive Resume - 'Raises the Bar'

Whether if by oversight or simple humility, it's not uncommon for the job seeker to typically underestimate their actual abilities, career achievements, and expertise. After an extensive 'discovery phase', their new resume reflects a superior caliber of candidate; distinguished with an enlightened illumination - in startling contrast to their original resume. The revelations incorporated in a compelling new resume dictate that the job seeker has the leverage and potential to capably compete on a higher plane.

There is however, a direct correlation between the confidence level of the job seeker and how well they progress during a job interview. The 'bar has been raised', and consequently, so will expectations from corporate recruiters and interviewers. A new resume propels the job seeker out of the past and into the portals of a new decade, confronted with new technologies, economic challenges, and highly selective and discriminating corporate recruiters.

For the job seeker with a 'positive attitude', armed with their new resume, they are inclined to quickly rise to the corporate challenge and effectively exude an elevated level of self-confidence and versatility. They value being part of a new team and positively influence the corporate recruiter and other team members with their enthusiasm and passion for success.

For the job seeker lacking confidence and 'self-esteem', although armed with an impeccable, compelling resume, the thought of the job search and interview is often perceived as a source of intimidation and approached with trepidation. This 'transformative phase' represents a radical departure from their 'comfort zone'; being thrust into a highly dynamic and stressful job search environment. Unfortunately, the discerning recruiter is able to quickly ascertain the disparity between a captivating resume and a candidate incapable of 'selling' themselves and articulating their 'values' to a successful organization.

Addressing a Self-Confidence Issue

If lacking self-confidence is an issue, regardless of an impressive resume, it's difficult to transition into 'sales mode' and be successful when wrought with uncertainty, fear, and apprehension. The inability to take any action or make constructive decisions becomes overwhelming. Fortunately, for many job seekers, a longer adjustment period may be all that is needed to grasp reality and allow 'self-preservation' to help establish traction.

For other candidates, overcoming this hurdle typically requires more than an inspiring resume to restore their self-confidence and gain market traction. The good news, is that there are a multitude of career, self-image and out-placement resources (municipal and private), available to address issues relating to one's self-confidence level and job search management. Often times, a catalyst is all that is needed to motivate the job seeker to embrace change, take control of their life, and propel them 'over the raised bar'.

According to former head football coach Lou Holtz - 'Life is ten percent what happens to you, and ninety percent how you respond to it!'

Lenny Keitel is a 29 year veteran with Fujitsu as a Director of Professional Services and Information Technology (IT). Mr. Keitel has extensive expertise in - employee staffing, strategic resource planning, employee career development and motivation, client education, web integration services, and forging new business alliances. He is a frequent guest columnist specializing in creative resume writing and effective interviewing techniques. Mr. Keitel has also appeared as an expert guest on 'talk radio'. Hudson Valley Resumes is a premier nationwide Resume Writing Service with a penchant for crafting compelling, visually appealing resumes. Exploiting our in-depth corporate background, we are experts in composing impressive resumes that lands interviews by differentiating and positioning our clients a 'cut-above' other candidates. Our clients directly benefit from our unique insight into complex internal corporate tactics and dynamic factors potentially impacting staffing selections. We are a sensible choice for job seekers looking for a superior level of personalized service to reduce the time, cost, and frustration with their job search.
Lenny Keitel Hudson Valley Resumes http://www.hudsonvalleyresumes.com
info@hudsonvalleyresumes (email) (845) 782-6714 (phone/fax)

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lenny_Keitel/374561

Choosing the Right Resume Format to Maximize Your Job Search Results

By Ci Ci Fan 

With hundreds (if not thousands) of people competing with you for that dream job, how can you get ahead of the pack?

The resume is the primary tool used to land a job. It reflects upon your past and, more importantly, it can indicate your future. Your resume acts as a bait to lure the big fishes. If you can write a good resume, your chances of getting hired are greatly increased.

When writing a resume, you need to take into account the specific position you are applying for. This determines how you will write your resume. People who are trying to have a career change write their resumes differently than those pursuing a job in the same career path.

There are three main types of resume formats - chronological, functional and combination. Each has its own specific advantages and emphasizes.

1. Chronological Resume Format

Also known as the standard resume writing style, the chronological resume format lists your achievements according to chronology starting with the most recent. It also provides great details about each job in the form of your job title, dates of employment and accompanying duties and responsibilities. This is the most common and widely used type of resume format.

The chronological style of writing is for you if your job history is on the same career path or very much related to the position you are applying for. The potential downside is that entries located at the top of the page usually receive more attention than those listed further down. This is an issue if you want employers to focus on positions that you have held earlier on in your career.

Emphasis:

• Your career growth and history

Who should use it:

• Individuals with working histories directly related to the job they are applying to
• Job seekers who have a progressive career, with no chronological issues

2. Functional Resume Format

The second type of layout you can use is the functional format. Here, you list your accomplishments in skill clusters. Unlike the chronological format, it does not give specific details on your previous jobs, including any dates, job titles or job descriptions. The purely functional resume is not common and most employers are not familiar with them.

The focus of the function resume is on skills and responsibilities instead of chronology or timeframe. This highlights the relevant expertise you have and links them to the job you are applying to even if you have not previously held a similar job title. The downside is that they are not typically understood or preferred by employers.

Emphasis:

• Skills relevant to the job you are applying for

Who should use it:

• Recent graduates who have little or no job experience
• People who stopped working and are trying to get back to the work force
• Individuals who want a career change
• People with long career histories who want to avoid a lengthy resume
• Individuals with no definite career path or have had a very varied career

3. Combination Resume Format

The combination format incorporates elements of both the functional and chronological formats. The first page of the combination format details your skills and achievements. The second page gives a chronological listing of your job history. As such, your skills and achievements will be read first, followed by your career timeline.

This format combines the best of the two formats by focusing on relevant skills but also providing a chronological summary, which makes it more acceptable to employers than the purely functional resume. However, this format will not conceal things such as career gaps, your age, frequent job changes and the like.

Emphasis:

• Skills and achievements relevant to the job you are applying for

Who should use it:

• People who have a career history or have held jobs somewhat related to the position they are applying for
• Individuals who don't have major chronological issues

Ci Ci Fan is a writer for ResumeTarget.com. She researches and writes about job search strategies, resume-writing techniques, interview tips, and market trends.

ResumeTarget.com is a professional resume writing service that helps jobseekers reach their career objectives. Online since 2002, it is dedicated to providing a one-stop shop for jobseekers with a comprehensive selection of customized, user-friendly and industry-leading services including resume writing, distribution, and interviewing and networking coaching.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ci_Ci_Fan/648892