Think Youre A Job Search Expert - 10 Common Myths Debunked

Think Youre A Job Search Expert - 10 Common Myths DebunkedThink Youre A Job Search Expert - 10 Common Myths DebunkedNavigating the perplexing world of job searching, with the one-sided perspective of being a job seeker, can lead people to many common assumptions about getting hired. Lets debunk these common myths and provide a reality check job search style. Getting the job is only about skill. Being qualified for the job you want with the appropriate skills is definitely an important factor. After all, if you are applying for a position as a software engineer and dont know how to program, you wont be able to contribute much. However, during your job bewerbungsinterview, the hiring manager is also looking for whether you will be a good fit on the team. After you submit your resume and youve established your qualifications, it is also important that you prepare to ace the interviewand show that you have the ability to interact with people and communicate well with your prospective co -workers. Although skills are important, hiring decisions are notlage made on skill alone. Hand delivering your resume in a corporate platzdeckchenting demonstrates that youre really interested in the job.Dropping off your resume in person for a corporate job in the U.S. has transitioned over the past several decades from being somewhat okay to being downright unacceptable. Although acceptable for some industries, such as food service or retail, it is not standard in a corporate setting. After working at a few companies where I sat at near the frontdoor, I can vouch that dropping off your resume will get you noticedbut not in the right way. The resumes that are submitted in-person either make it as far as the waste paper basket or are handed over to the recruiter or hiring manager with a chuckle. In a world where everything is digital, visiting a company in-person to drop off your resume can even be seen as disrespectful if the company has indicated that it prefers online submission s. There is a reason behind the process and procedure. Doing anything you can to stand out, including delivering your resume in-person or via carrier pigeon are not your best bet for getting the job. Do note though that if you are selected for an interview, bringing a paper copy of your resume is still a great idea and shows forethought. You dont need a cover letter (No one reads cover letters). The cover letter is the underappreciated gem in the world of job applications. Many job seekers believe that they dont need a cover letter because no one reads it anyway. It is certainly true that some recruiters may not read cover letters, but there are definitely those who do. Writing a cover letter may inspire a grumble and groan, but the opportunity to include one is actually to your benefit. A cover letter is an extra tool to sell yourself, and can help explain aspects of your skills or experience that arent covered by your resume. Your objective is to be selected for an interview and a cover letter can especially help if you have had varied previous roles or experience that doesnt exactly line up with the position. Some companies still even require cover letters. A cover letter is not a hindrance in the job search process, but something you can use to your advantage as a job seeker. Changing careers is nearly impossible.Today there are many courses you can take and ways to use online tools to learn new skills and update your knowledge. Furthermore, core job skills are transferrable from one career to another. In almost all roles, communication, leadership, and planning are all valued. Before you actually make the leap to a new career, ensure you are really interested in this new career path. Take any opportunity you can to shadow someone in your prospective new field, or try it out with a part-time job or a volunteer opportunity. When you start your job search, take the time to research any nuances with job hunting in your new industry. Do interviews usually requ ire a written component or a demonstration of computer skills? This is something youll want to be aware of beforehand. Job searching is really, really hard.While we wish the perfect job would just kiste in our laps, this is not usually the way it works. However, there are steps to make the job search process more manageable, and maybe even, enjoyable and exciting. Compiling your professional information and skills in a way that best presents yourself, researching what may seem like thousands of companies and roles, and waiting to hear from companies can be nerve racking and seem daunting, but there are tools to make it easier. You can use Simply Hired to find roles that fit your location, industry, and position criteria. You can also explore companies to see what catches your eye in the Company Directory. Set manageable goals to make the process go smoothly by breaking up your job hunt into parts and setting daily goals. A positive attitude about the process can really help propel y our search forward. A new job means a new chapter in your life and opportunities to come thats something to look forward to. I should never quit my current job without having one already lined up.While it is almost always better to have another job set up before leaving your current company, especially as it can be to your advantage during salary negotiations, there are times when quitting your job without having another already is okay. Job searching does lack predictability, but if you are truly unhappy at your current position and can be financially stable for a bit without income, you can leave your role without having one lined up. However, start refining your resume now and make a plan about your next steps as soon as you can.Ill never get the job of my dreams. If you want something, you have to make it happen. The more you research, the better the aussicht youll find the company and role where youd be a great fit. Research the company and make sure you tailor your resume for that role and company. Also, dont be afraid to apply. Youll never know if you dont try. Having a fluid definition of dream can also help. Dont think of your dream job as a specific position at a specific company. Consider the common factors that make you happy and look for those (e.g. a collaborative work environment vs. lots of autonomy).In a job interview, the employer has the power and you are at their whim.Consider a job interview to be a two-way street. The employer is trying to see if you are good fit for the company and role, just as you are looking for a position to use your skills in a work environment that suits your personality. Treat your interviews as a chance to ask questions to see if you like your prospective employer. Investigate whether the work would be interesting and something youd really want to spend 8+ hours a day doing. Find out if the company has a mission you believe in. Dont be afraid to ask questions. It will help you learn about the company and also sh ow you are interested in the position. All online job sites are the same.Different sites attract different employers and have different benefits. In the digital era, online job sites are now better able to differentiate themselves in their search capabilities, features, job seeker audience, and employer users. For example, on Simply Hired, you can refine your search by location, the date a job is posted, the company and more. You can also see similar companies you might like and nearby cities with jobs that pique your interest. When I apply, my resume goes off into the interwebs never to be seen again. With the digital application process, its difficult to know what goes on inside a company once you hit the apply button. While you may feel disconnected from the hiring process after youve applied, there are people on the other side recruiters and hiring managers who continually review applications. While they may only spend a few seconds on each resume, a person does look at your ap plications and it is always worth applying if your skillset is a fit. If you dont hit the apply button, an opportunity could pass you by. Dont miss the chance to apply for a job that youll love for years to come.

Inspiration 9 People Who Thrived after Unemployment

Inspiration 9 People Who Thrived after UnemploymentInspiration 9 People Who Thrived after UnemploymentIt goes without saying that being unemployed is difficult. Scrimping and saving to pay bills is only one challenge facing the jobless. The social implications of unemployment also can be hard. According to a 2009 study by Karsten I. Paul and Klaus Moser from the University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, unemployed workers are twice as likely to experience psychological problems such as depression, poor self-esteem and anxiety compared to employed individuals.If you find yourself in this boat, its important to keep in mind that the experience of being unemployed is not unusual. Some of the worlds most successful people were once unemployed. Here are 9 people who survived and thrived after unemployment1.Larry KingYou know him as the non-confrontational and longtime host of the Larry King Live talk show on CNN, which featured King interviewing politicians and celebrities. King began his career in radio in the 1950s. In the 1970s he welches the host of his own radio show in Miami called Miami Undercover and also wrote for a Miami newspaper. As the result of a money scandal, King welches fired from both his column and radio show. He struggled with debt and filed for bankruptcy. He later went on to departure the call-in interview program Larry King Live in 1985, and the rest is history.2.Susan BoyleSusan Boyle is the stuff of rags-to-riches legends. After graduating high school Boyle took part in government training programs and briefly worked as a trainee cook before quitting that job to care for herbei ailing mother. In 2009 the unemployed 48-year-old Boyle stepped awkwardly on the stage on Britains Got Talent and into the hearts of millions when she sang I Dreamed a Dream from the musical Les Miserables. Despite all of the struggles of unemployment, Boyle never gave up on her dream to become a professional singer, and today her net worth is estimated above $20 million.3.L arry DavidBefore teaming with Jerry Seinfeld to create the pop culture phenomenon Seinfeld, Larry David consistently was unemployed. David worked odd jobs until he would quit or got fired while he concentrated on stand-up comedy. While performing in the New York comedy circuit, David met Jerry Seinfeld, who approached him about working for a new show on NBC. Yada, yada, yada hes been working steady ever since.4.Harland SandersDont know who Harland Sanders is? You probably know him as Colonel Sanders, the friendly face behind the fast-food fried chicken restaurant KFC. Colonel Sanders hopped from job to job. He was a fireman, insurance salesman and ran filling stations before creating his first roadside restaurant in Corbin, Ky., and opening his franchise in 1952. He eventually sold his company to a group of investors for $2 million in 1964.5.Jack DorseyBefore Jack Dorsey became the suave Silicon Valley royal responsible for co-founding Twitter and founding Square, he was a 29-year- old New York University dropout living in a tiny San Francisco apartment. Dorsey did freelance code writing for local San Francisco companies before becoming unemployed. He was even turned down for a job at the shoe store Camper. A chance sighting of Blogger cofounder Evan Williams at a coffee shop led Dorsey to reach out, and a tech partnership for the ages began soon after.6.Jack MonroeSingle mother and food blogger Jack Monroe gained a following for her blog A Girl Called Jack, which chronicled her struggles to feed herself and her son while unemployed and on welfare. After leaving her job at a fire brigade switchboard because her shifts left her unable to take care of her son, Monroe had to turn to food banks and selling her furniture and her sons toys to eat and make ends meet. Today, in addition to maintaining her popular blog, Monroe has a column with The Guardian and a publishing deal with Penguin Group.7.Harrison FordIn 1964 a young Harrison Ford moved to Los Angeles to pur sue his dreams. After a string of unsatisfactory film roles that left Ford disillusioned and unhappy, Ford went through a time of unemployment during which he taught himself carpentry. As a carpenter Ford became a stagehand for the jupe band The Doors and eventually was hired to build cabinets at the home of director George Lucas, who later hired Ford to become Han Solo.8. Walt DisneyBefore he created Mickey Mouse and princesses who danced along Main Street in Disneyland, Disney was just a man who loved cartoons. Disney grew up in Kansas City, Mo., and began his career there. His cartoons became so popular in the Kansas City area that he acquired his own studio called Laugh-O-Gram Studio. However, Disneys early attempts at owning a studio failed because of his lack of ability managing money, and the studio went bankrupt. After Laugh-O-Gram, Disney moved and set up a studio in Hollywood, Calif.9. J.K. RowlingProbably the most famous modern-day rags to riches story is that of Joanne J .K. Rowling, the author of the wildly successful Harry Potter series. Before her books sold more than 400 million copies, became the best-selling book series in history, and before she was knighted in France, Rowling was a researcher and bilingual secretary for Amnesty International. After being fired, Rowling divorced her first husband and was left in relative poverty, living on state benefits while penning Harry Potter from coffee shops. In 2008 it was estimated that her personal fortune amounted to above $700 million.Unemployment can feel stressful and lonely at times, but know that youre not alone. Some of the greatest talents and minds have struggled through being jobless and came out better for it, and you can too.

How to use the right tone in emails

How to use the right tone in emailsHow to use the right tone in emailsWhen leaders send emails, everyone is watching.Your messages are more than facts and figures about the business. Each word carries tone and significance, and employees scrutinize every sentence in search of meaning.He used bold on the words right now. Is he mad at me?She wrote an entire paragraph in italics. Uh oh. I guess I screwed up big time.Did he leave CAPS LOCK on by accident or is he really annoyed?Even if you dont apply liberal doses of bold, italics and caps lock, theres another way your emails can give off the wrong vibe.Your lines are too pithy.Like this one.This one too.Terse sentences suggest to the reader, I dont enjoy writing emails to you. And that notion can freak out subordinates.What did I do wrong?Oh noIM GOING TO GET FIRED.Bold, italics and caps lock swirling in their brains.Before you send an email to your team - or, frankly, to others in your business network - ask yourselfDo I have a lot o f short sentences that end in periods?Does it feel like my responses are hurried and void of any detail?If I were working under me, would this email throw me off?If any of the answers are yes, then here are some simple fixes.Instead of one-word answers, think how you can add a bit of a longer answer. I dont mean write 300 words, but imagine if you were face to face with the email recipient. Would you only use the word Fine. in your response? What would you actually say?Before you dive right into a request, command or critique, could you add a bit of conversation? No, dont dance around a sensitive subject. But if the topic is benign enough, make the email feel like a conversation and not a robotic, emotionless exchange.Print out the email and look at it on paper. Read it aloud. Does your inflection seem off? If so, edit the message so you come across friendlier.Again, when youre in charge, every word matters so watch your tone.Believe me, your employees will.This article first appear ed on Dannyhrubin.com

9 Proven Ways to Improve Your Career

9 Proven Ways to Improve Your Career 9 Proven Ways to Improve Your Career Amanda shares her most popular career tips for the successful professional.

Air Traffic Controller Interview Questions

Air Traffic Controller Interview Questions Air Traffic Controller Interview Questions Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of air traffic. They work in control towers, control facilities, and route centers, ensuring safe and orderly air traffic. Being an air traffic controller is a unique occupation that can be both rewarding and stressful.  You are responsible for airplanes both landing at your airport and traveling through your airspace. Your potential employer will be looking for a candidate who can show their knowledge in the field as well as their ability to keep their composure and focus, even when under stress.   Read below for information on the types of interview questions you might be asked during an interview for an air traffic controller position. Below is also information on how to prepare for the interview and a list of specific interview questions. Types of Air Traffic Controller Interview Questions Some questions you will be asked during your interview will be common interview questions you might be asked at any job, including questions about your work history, your strengths and weaknesses, and your skills. Other questions will be personal questions about your qualities as they relate to the job. For example, you might be asked how you handle pressure, why you want to be an air traffic controller and more. You will also likely be asked a number of behavioral interview questions. These are questions about how you’ve handled certain work situations in the past. For example, you might be asked how you have dealt with a stressful situation at work. The idea behind these questions is that how you behaved in the past gives the interviewer insight into how you might behave on the job. Other questions will probably be situational interview questions. These are similar to behavioral interview questions, as they are questions about work experiences. However, situational interview questions are about how you would handle future situations rather than past situations. For example, an interviewer might ask how you would handle an air traffic emergency. Tips for Preparing One important way to prepare for interviews is to think about examples of times you demonstrated the skills necessary for the job. Look back at the job listing, and highlight any key skills and abilities. Then, think of specific examples of times you demonstrated each of these. It will make it easier to think of these examples during the interview. You can use when you are answering behavioral and situational questions. For example, one skill required for every air traffic controller position is the ability to handle stress. During the interview, be prepared to share examples of demanding situations you have been in, and explain how you handled them.   When answering a question using a specific example, use the STAR interview technique. Describe the situation you were in, explain the task you had to accomplish, and detail the action you took to accomplish that task (or solve that problem). Then, describe the results of your actions. You can also demonstrate your ability to handle stress through your behavior during the interview. A job interview is an ideal time to see how someone handles stress. Do your best to demonstrate your ability to stay calm and not freeze up during the interview. The more you prepare for the interview, the calmer you will be. Another way to prepare is to practice answering interview questions you will likely be asked. Read through the list of common air traffic controller interview questions below, and practice answering each. It will help you answer with more confidence during the actual interview. Air Traffic Controller Interview Questions Questions About the Work Schedule Do you enjoy shift work?How do you create a work-life balance with shift work?Are there certain hours of the day during which you would prefer not to work? Personal Questions How do you deal with stress in your daily life?Are you able to stay focused on a task for a long period of time?Do you consider yourself an organized person?Do you handle pressure well?Do you consider yourself a punctual person?What kind of supervisor do you prefer to work with?Do you prefer to work alone or with colleagues? Why?What is the most rewarding part of being an air traffic controller? Why?Why do you want to be an  air traffic controller? Behavioral Interview Questions Tell me about the most stressful situation you have had at work. What did you do in the situation? Is there anything you would have done differently?Tell me about a time you used foresight to solve a potential problem.Describe a time in the tower when you saw a potential conflict or issue. How did you help to prevent the issue from becoming an actual problem?Have you had to deal with an emergency situation in the tower before? How did you handle the situation?Describe a time when you had a conflict with a coworker. How did you handle the conflict? Describe a time you worked with your coworkers to solve a problem. Situational Interview Questions Imagine you are helping a pilot land, but the people next to you in the room are dealing with a separate emergency. How would you handle this distracting environment?How would you handle a stressful, even tragic day? How would you prevent this from negatively impacting your life?If you were to witness a major injury or accident in your daily life, what would be your first action? General Job Interview Questions In addition to job-specific interview questions, you will also be asked more general questions about your employment history, education, strengths, weaknesses, achievements, goals, and plans. Heres a list of the most common interview questions and examples of answers.

How to Find a Job This January

How to Find a Job This January How to Find a Job This January It’s January 1, and if you haven’t already, now is the time to get into serious job-hunting mode. With everybody going back to work, let’s go over 3 simple steps you can take now in order to execute your job search with 100% precision. Don’t Just Dive In The job boards can make you think they’re just a sea of opportunities. However, instead of diving into this unruly ocean â€" in which you most assuredly will get lost fast â€" wade into the water slowly, with a plan. The plan centers on identifying companies you want to work for â€" not necessarily just individual listings. I know that “research” can seem like a time-consuming concept, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, we can even dial back the term “research” and instead just call it “preferences.” What do you prefer? This is not objective; it’s subjective. Therefore, initially, go with your gut instinct. Brainstorm. What companies are within a commutable distance from your home? What industries are growing fast where you live? What types of companies have you worked for in the past that you liked? Then, take that list and get social… Make Sense of Your Social Media The primary online portal to use for job search is LinkedIn, but only if you make your LinkedIn usage something that makes sense. When you log on every day, who and what is in your news feed? If it’s random, it’s wrong, so let’s change it. Think of LinkedIn the same way you think of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You don’t log on and see everyone on the globe. You see the people you chose. Apply that same concept to LinkedIn. On this social media platform, the people you choose to see need to be recruiters, human resources specialists, and functional decision makers at the companies you put on your list. Invite those people to connect. Customize your invitation to express a logical reason why you’re reaching out to that person specifically. If, after a few days, the person has not accepted your invitation, go back to their profile and click on “follow.” If you’re either connected or following, the person’s in your news feed. That means you have the opportunity to see what they’re posting, and if they’re posting about either jobs or organizational growth, jump into the conversation they’re having and make yourself known. Split Your Resume Into 2 Two resumes are ideal, but not for the reasons that you may have always thought. Instead of having a resume for one objective, then a second resume for a second objective, concentrate on your primary goal and split your resume into two. One resume is your traditional presentation. The other is a 1-page resume with some unique information at the end. The way you get it onto 1 page is to delete much of the text regarding your duties and accomplishments â€" no one’s reading all of that on this version. Give people your expertise, chronology, education, and certifications. At the end, present your list of companies you’re interested in. Make a statement about the job titles of the people you need to connect with. Then, use that resume for networking. With this tool, the person on the receiving end gets a glimpse of what you do and where you’ve worked, plus â€" much more importantly â€" they know where you’re looking to go and who you may need to speak to about your next role. With this method, your networking takes on a distinct purpose. You’re prompting the other person’s memory. When they see you’re ideally interested in connecting with the Director of Operations or VP of Operations at Companies A, B, C, and D, they can quickly go through their mental Rolodex to see if they know any of the folks you need to know. Landing a job in a matter of weeks is about skipping the nonsense of applying for hundreds of roles hither and yon all over the internet. You don’t have to resort to networking like everybody else, trying to reach out to a bunch of random stranger for reasons that appear unclear to them. In our free job search training, “How Land Your Dream Job in 8 Weeks or Less! I show you the exact steps successful jobseekers made, plus exactly what they said to the relevant people, in order to get hired. This was despite being overqualified, it being holiday time, or them not having degrees. You can do the same thing. Join us in the free job search training to see how.

How to Organize Your Job Search

How to Organize Your Job Search How to Organize Your Job Search When on the hunt for a job , it’s not uncommon to be applying for multiple opportunities at once. This is especially true for those of us just starting out in our careers . But multiple applications mean different resume versions , various cover letters and many, many different deadlines to keep track of. With so many moving parts at once, it’s easy to become disorganized. But a disorderly job search process can lead to embarrassing mistakes such as lost phone numbers, confused deadlines, and missed interviews . To help you avoid these downfalls, we’ve put together a few tips to help you keep your job search organized. It’s easy to want to just jump right in and begin filling out job applications . But before you do, it’s best to take a step back and take a look at the bigger picture. Your career journey should start with a look at the direction in which you’re headed. Though it may seem trivial to set aside time to organize your thoughts to clearly think through the career path you’d like to pursue, this is one of the most important steps to take. How are you supposed to start going anywhere if you don’t know where you  want to go? Reflect on what you’d like to do and why you feel that’s the right path for you. You might  feel a little lost and be unsure about where you’re going, but at this stage in your life, that’s ok. Start by thinking about your long-term goals as those don’t need to be overly specific. Where do you want to be 10 years from now? Then work backward from there down to five years, one year, and six months from now. Be sure to think through your personal goals in addition to your career and finances. Take your family, education, and anything else you value into consideration. After you’ve spent some time finding your direction and clearly thinking through your goals, it’s time to start building out a schedule . After all, in order to achieve the goals you now have in mind, you’ll need to set aside time to go after them. The first step in this stage is to identify time you can set aside that’s dedicated to job searching. Find blocks of time within your schedule between classes, work, and any other responsibilities. Job searching is a time-consuming process and requires regular attention. So aim to set aside at least two hours every day to fully focus on it.   Next, start building a schedule to complete certain tasks you know you need to get done. For instance, devote one hour to cleaning up your professional online profiles like LinkedIn. Devote another hour or two to preparing your resume . You should be able to fill up at least the first few days of your schedule, if not your first week, with tasks to complete. Perhaps even more important than actually setting up this schedule is sticking to it. Let’s be honest here  - activities like resume building and email sending are less than thrilling tasks. It can be easy to let these fall by the wayside and choose something a little more exciting to occupy your time. However, this will only put you behind and lead you down a path of disorganized job searching. Make sure you leave the time you set aside for job hunting devoid of any other activities. Looking for a job is more often than not a high-pressure situation , so you might be tempted  to begin aimlessly applying for any open position you find. But even though applying for more jobs can make it feel like you’re increasing your chances, this is actually just a waste of your time - not to mention an easy way to become disorganized. Remember that time you dedicated at the beginning of this process to think through your short-term and long-term goals? Here’s where that comes in handy. Start off by narrowing your search to only the jobs that align with those goals. Look out for the opportunities that will help you get to where you want to be. Next, narrow your search down to only the openings that match the level of skill you have. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that your qualifications need to match up with those listed on the job description exactly. In fact, this will likely never be the case. Job descriptions should be more of a directional tool for whether or not you’re a potential fit for a role, so look for those where you match around 80  percent of the qualifications listed. Here’s where things can get especially messy. Applying for multiple positions at once leaves you with a lot of different things to manage. It’s very important to make sure you’re keeping track of all of the different details as you go along.   One of the best ways to do this is to create a spreadsheet. This is an easy and effective way to help you keep track. Don’t worry about making anything too fancy. Just be sure to include basic information such as: Not a fan of Excel? No problem. We created an easy job application tracker that can help. Download it here! JibberJobber is an online job search organization tool that helps you keep track of what you’re working on. If you prefer working off of your phone or tablet, then there are tons of great apps available.   Keep in mind, though, that setting up a system for tracking alone is not enough. You need to be diligent in updating your system each time you take a new action or receive an update from a potential employer. There are so many different things to keep track of when job searching, that you can easily become overwhelmed and confused. But by following these few simple tips, you’ll be ready for a more organized and effective job hunt.