Careers, Jobs & Employment articles

It's Not What They Ask - The Hidden Agenda of InterviewsWhat do you think you're going to an interview for? To list your qualifications and discuss what's on your resume? That's just the tip of the iceberg, and you're the Titanic if you don't go in with at least an idea of what is behind their questions.Sure, there are the standard questions, because the basic information has to be conveyed some way, and besides reading your resume, they like to... Read More

Using a general résumé.DON'T DO IT! You cannot successfully use the same résumé to apply to several different jobs.Your résumé should be custom written for each job you are targeting. When you send out something generic, it shows apathy and lack of motivation. This is NOT the impression you want to send to your potential employers.Irrelevant content.For example, if you are applying for an accounting position, don't list your lifeguard position you held back in 1989.Spouses, children, hobbies, and your... Read More

1. Start with an attractive layout. Use bold and italics to highlight key points.I do not recommend downloadable templates because they are very generic and dull. Get creative but not crazy. You can use a little touch of color if you are modest.2. Justify the text instead of using left align.Most people are accustomed to reading justified text. This will make your résumé easy to follow.3. Choose a common font. Times New Roman, Arial, and Verdana are some of the... Read More

Figure out what you want to do.You can't write an effective résumé if you have no job target. What I mean by this is you need to tailor your résumé to the specific job you want to apply to. Gone are the days of sending out 400 copies of the same résumé.Make a list of the jobs you have held that have relevance to the new job target.If none exists, what skills did you acquire from those jobs that apply... Read More

What is a Career Portfolio?The original portfolio used by artists looking for work was simply a collection of works demonstrative of the artists style and ability. Because their works varied in size and shape, portfolios came in all sizes and shapes. Fashion designers would lug a box of their clothing and accessory designs from interview to interview hoping for the big break. Potential employers or commission agents could view the art or garments and decide if applicants were likely to... Read More

How can you find writing jobs? Do you have proven skills that can propel you in the right direction? If so, then why are you looking for fresh vacancies? The best tool to those who have employment histories is to look to the companies that you have already worked for. There, they can help provide you with more work, or point you in the right direction.There are many careers in which you need a good education to do well. This... Read More

You're a scientist, you're very well educated, you're intelligent, and so writing your own résumé should be easy, correct? I mean, how hard could it be? Especially if you have written your own thesis or dissertation in the past, you may feel that you can save the $300 bucks (or however much it costs, even if it is a tax deduction!) and simply do it yourself. The answer to this may surprise you?Sometimes you can write your own résumé, and... Read More

This year we are experiencing the most dynamic and rapidly changing economy in all of history except for next year, and the year after, and the rest of our working lives. The days of being able to get a college education, then get a good job for life, which will give you financial security and retirement are gone forever.There will be more changes in your current field in the next year than there has ever been before. The only thing... Read More

When you're looking to get hired or get promoted, what do you think is your most important asset? Your experience? Knowledge? Skill? Talent?While all of those are advantages that will help you achieve your goals, there's one thing that's more important than all of them combined.Your attitude!Let me illustrate my point.I attended a board meeting recently. It should've been spelled "bored." Just about everyone's eyes were glazed over or nearly closed with fatigue as one dull presentation after another was... Read More

Many interview guides advise candidates to answer the common "What's your greatest weakness?" question with a positive trait disguised as a weakness. For example, "I tend to expect others to work as hard as I do," or "I'm a perfectionist."That would be a mistake.Why? Because interviewers have heard these canned answers over and over again.If you use one of them, it will likely backfire on you. Because the hiring manager will think: You're not being honest about your true weaknesses... Read More

Sometimes a hiring process will include having lunch with the hiring manager. Despite anything said to the contrary (like "It'll just be an informal lunch so we can get to know each other."), this is a formal part of your interview!This can be a very tricky situation.Impressions made in a restaurant are just as important as those in an office or meeting room.If you don't want an "eating mishap" to ruin your chances at a new job (or a promotion... Read More

These days, job interviews often consist of a panel of three-to-six interviewers.A "team approach" to finding the best candidate can be beneficial for the employer. Each member brings a different set of skills, experience and judgment to the team, and can point out pros (and cons) about a candidate that the other interviewers might miss.Panel interviews can also be beneficial for the job seekers.In a one-on-one interview you only have one shot at making the best impression. With a team... Read More

Telephone interviews are becoming more popular these days. Whether that's good or bad depends on how you handle them!Sometimes telephone interviews are used as a pre-screening technique for all candidates. Other times they are reserved for candidates who live far away.Regardless of the reason, you must take them as seriously as an in-person interview.In other words, you must be prepared if you're going to ace the test. Here are six steps that will help you do just that:#1. Take the... Read More

I recently went to a retirement party with my husband for one of his co-workers. I worked at this same place six years ago (that's where I met my husband, but that's another story), so I knew most of the people at the party.One person I didn't know (I'll call her Jill but that's not her real name) was talking about how bored she is in her current job. She's been with the agency for about three months and is... Read More

A study conducted by the Journal of Consumer Research in 1995 showed that sales people who used their prospects' names generated a 239% increase in sales. In today's fast-paced world, that personal touch is even more important.The simple act of using a name can have a dramatic impact on your own ultimate success in landing a new job!During your next interview, focus on remembering the names of the interviewers. Find a reason to say their name at least three times... Read More

When answering the "How do you handle stressful situations?" question during an interview, the best strategy is to give some examples of stressful situations you've dealt successfully with in the past.Everyone faces some form of stress on the job now and then. They probably won't believe you if you say, "I've never been in a stressful situation."So take some time before the interview to think back over your career and come up with some stressful situations you can talk about.... Read More

You've got the itch to change jobs. This might be a good time to make the move.The Wall Street Journal has just reported, "Job-seekers from rank-and-file workers to senior executives are preparing their resumes for what may be the strongest fall hiring season in years.""Before you jump to a new job, be certain you have good, sound reasons for wanting to make a change," advises Ramon Greenwood, senior career counselor at Common SenseAtWork.com. "You may believe you can accelerate your... Read More

For those who are looking for a career as a proofreader, it is important to have the right qualifications. It is important to remember that this is a proper job. It is not just an easy way to make some money from home. For those who are serious, it will require a lot of diligent work to get into the field. And, when they do, it will take time to build your freelance business to the stage where it is... Read More

Outsourcing has moved upward in the most-improved columns of efficiency and respectability through eLance.com. This website offers time-saving access to high-quality expertise that enables you to offload projects for quick completion, while maximizing your budget and letting you focus on those items not easily delegated. If the project you have in mind falls into one of the twelve categories currently supported by eLance, you are literally in business: 1) Software & Technology, 2) Writing & Translation, 3) Sales & Marketing,... Read More

For those who are fluent in another language, foreign language (ie non-English) proof reading can be a great source of income. It is a difficult area for those who are not fluent to get into though. That is because, in order to be a proofreader, you must be able to do several things. It is not just spelling errors that the proofreader needs to fix. There are many other things that they need to do. It is important, then, that... Read More