Systematic Job Hunt Tips " Play the Game"

SETTING OUT ON A JOB HUNT!

Do you know what kind of job you would like to do?Since most people spend about a third of their lives working, it is essential to one's happiness and success that one selects a career most suited to one's temperament, abilities and interests.It is also important to remember that these can change over the years, depending on such factors as the general state of the economy and of course your needs over time. So at each stage, be as honest with yourself as possible, keep an open mind and grasp new opportunities when they ariseChoosing a Career is a Process: As Ginzberg, an American psychologist and well acclaimed writer on career development states:

"... occupational choice is a lifelong process of decision-making, in which the individual constantly seeks to find the optimal fit between career goals and the realities of the world of work".

However, job-hunting becomes a lot easier if you have some idea of what you would really like to do! If you don't have an idea of the kind of job you may want to do, speak to a counsellor at the Student Counselling Centre. They may be able to suggest possible career options for you to consider.

If you still have a problem deciding you may request to have a career assessment, to further guide you towards making an informed career choice. Searching for a job involves more than just knowing the job that you want to do. It also requires some preparation, careful planning and persistence. Start your search for a career by considering what interests you most.

Then evaluate your abilities and preparedness to meet the demands (both mental and physical) of your chosen career. The Job Search Process Job Search is a process that involves a number of interrelated steps: INFORMATION GATHERING Effective job search should be preceded by gathering a wealth of information about the world of work. Note that there are many jobs that never get advertised. Therefore it is important to establish your own network / contact people to help you in your search. Here are some good sources of information to help you in your job search:

1) People currently employed in the industry
2) Internet - Company websites
3) Newspapers - the job advertisement sections
4) The yellow pages directory
5) Employment agencies
6) Job search / Career sites eg. Job Web
7) Community organizations, NGO's
8) Department of Labour
9) Career Information Centres

UND Student Counselling Centre careers library THE WINNING CV Your Curriculum Vitae (CV) is your most important MARKETING TOOL. It helps you sell your education, experience and qualifications to prospective employers. Therefore, it must be well presented, set out in a logical way and always typed.A good CV helps you get that interview and maintains a positive impression long after the selection process.TYPES OF CV's There are different types of CV's, including among others:

1. Chronological CV
   
2. Creative/ Skills CV
   
3. Targeted CV
4. Functional CV

The CV most suitable for new graduates is that which combines both the Chronological and Functional formats. Chronological CVThis is the most popular, straightforward and easy to prepare CV format. It presents personal, educational and other information in a logical, chronological sequence. Functional CV This format requires careful thought. It groups your skills into categories according to function, indicating to the prospective employer the skills you have developed through your degree, work experience and extramural activities. Your CV Checklist Use the following Items to ensure that your CV covers all the necessary areas of your life (career related):

Personal Information or Identifying Details including:
Full name and surname
Address, phone numbers and E-mail
Date and place of birth
Your career goals / objectives
Description of skills obtained, with examples
Details of work experience (vac jobs), with dates
Extra-curricular activities (clubs, societies, etc)
Details and dates of qualifications
Universities attended, with dates
Selected accomplishments
Special interests and aspirations
Seminars, workshops and conferences attended
Referees

Availability to start IMPORTANT NOTES· Use positive wording, pointing out actual accomplishments. Bear in mind that action words such as "created", "supervised" etc, will give your CV more impact. · A well-presented CV is worth any extra time you may spend on compiling it since many companies keep CV's on file and draw on them for future vacancies. · Never send copies of your CV to employers unless they are as neat and clean as originals.· Always have your CV typed and laser printed.· Notify your referees and get their permission to put their names on your CV. These must be people who know you well and can give informed opinions of your strengths and capabilities. (Employers DO contact referees for information about yourself) · Have someone check your CV for any spelling/ grammatical errors before you make a final copy. YOU ARE THE BEST AUTHOR OF YOUR OWN CURRICULUM VITAE! THE JOB INTERVIEWWhy The Interview?Usually, the interview is the last step in the job search / selection process.

Interviews are conversations with a purpose, designed to dig out the maximum amount of relevant information about the applicant and the job. You must make the most of this opportunity to find out important facts about the job and the company. The interview is your best chance to show a prospective employer that you are the right person for the job! The first impression that you make is very important as it indicates to the employer whether you are the right person for the job or not. Most interviews take about 20 - 45 minutes. Before The Interview:

Find Out:Find out what you can about the company. Find out about the type of business, services offered, reputation with staff, size of the organization etc. Also find out about the Interviewer (s) i.e. the name, title, and if possible, the personality. It is also important to find out about the job itself. You may ask about the duties involved, salary and general prospects. Speak to friends and, if possible, someone who works there. Finally find out about the actual place or location where the interview is going to take place. Prepare to Take Along:

Copy of your CV
Copies of other certificates
Samples of your work (portfolio), when necessary
Pen and paper

List of questions you would like to ask the employer Be punctual for your interview. Make sure that you dress appropriately for the position you are going to fill, ask others what would be suitable. Too casual dress may cause the interviewer to think you don't care. Never overdress!During The Interview:BE YOURSELF!
Smile with the interviewer and maintain eye contact.

Sit still. Don't lean on the Interviewer's desk. Don't smoke unless you are invited to.
Do use the interviewer's name, but not first name unless invited to do so.
Avoid using swear words and slang expressions.

Answer questions honestly and concisely. Don't ramble and don't attempt to take command of the interview. If you don't know the answer to a question, say so.

Don't criticize or be rude about past employers, gossip about them or give out confidential information. It is unethical, and shows you cannot be trusted.

If you don't agree with something, say so politely - and say why. You have a mind of your own, so don't be afraid. On the other hand, rudeness and aggression are not admired and may destroy your prospects.
Do not discuss your personal, domestic or financial problems in an interview.

Leave questions about salary and benefits until the end of the interview. At The End of the Interview:
Thank the interviewer for his/ her time and interest.

Soon after the interview, review your performance and make some notes. Your post-interview notes will be a valuable guide in preparation for future interviews.

Write a thank-you note to the employers (optional). SOME TYPICAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Why are you applying for this position?
What are your goals?
What do you expect to be doing in 10 years from now?
Do you think that your education prepared you well for this job?
What can you offer this company?
What kind of people do you like working with?
Do you like working on your own?
Tell us about yourself?
What does success mean to you?
How did you hear about this job?
What do you do in your spare time?
If you were hiring a graduate for this job, what qualities would you look for?
What do you expect to be earning in five years?
Which is more important to you, the money or the type of job?
What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and those reporting to him/her ?
What two or three things are most important to you in your job?
Are you willing to travel?
How do you work under pressure?
What university subjects did you like most/ least, and why?
What do you know about our company?
Do you think that your results are a good indication of your academic achievement?
Do you have plans for further studies?
What have you learned from participating in extracurricular activities?
How would you describe your ideal job?
What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal with it?
How do you feel about change?
What have you done by way of self-development over the past few years? QUESTIONS FOR EMPLOYERS These are some of the questions that you may like to ask employers:
What are the opportunities for personal growth?
What are your expectations for new members of staff?
How is an employee evaluated and promoted?
Are there maternity/ paternity benefits?
How did the position become eligible?
Describe the work environment.
How can you utilize my skills?
What is the overall structure of the department where the position is located?
When will I be expected to commence duty?

When can I expect to be told whether or not I have been successful in securing the position? Remember :Keep your list of questions as short as you possibly can. Try not to sound like you are interviewing the employer! WHAT EMPLOYERS WANT Usually interviewers assess prospective employees along the following lines:

Capability and suitability for the job.
Social skills.
Initiative and energy.
Motivation.
General interest in the job.
Stability and level of maturity.
Self reliance/ independence.

Leadership qualities. There are some other forms of interviews that some candidates may have to go through in addition to, or as an alternative to one-to-one interview. These include: GROUP INTERVIEWS This happens when a few short-listed candidates get invited together, as a group, for the final selection procedure. This may include psychological testing and assessment, group projects, group discussions and workshops.DO:
Be friendly but competitive
Co-operate with other group members
Help the group achieve its goals
Show enthusiasm
Have a pleasant sense of humour
Relax, and be yourself PANEL INTERVIEW: Here you are interviewed by a panel, usually consisting of a chairperson and some other senior members of staff. "Rules" of this interview are the same as those for a one-to-one interview. DO:
Always address your response to the person who has asked the question, but include others through eye contact.

SEQUENTIAL INTERVIEWS:This is a combination of one-to-one and panel interviews. You will be interviewed usually by a panel first, followed by an interview with each person individually. DO:
Establish rapport with each interviewer
Be consistent in your responses to questions
Maintain your enthusiasm
Be alert and at all cost, be honest OTHER VARIATIONS ARE:
Interviews by personnel consultants

Social interview

Telephone interview Do bear in mind that being invited to an interview does not guarantee you a job, The more interviews you attend, the greater the chance that you will get a job. Look at all the interviews that you attend as a process of learning in preparation for the career of your life! GOOD LUCK!

Jobs Fair: Be Prepared

Job fairs are a great way to shop for new job opportunities, network and make personal contacts with recruiters at various organizations.

Here are some techniques recommended by experts to ensure that your performance at the fair doesn't turn into a circus:

Do some scouting. If you've never been to a job fair, attend the next one that comes to your city for observational purposes. Pay attention to recruiters and fellow job seekers to pick up some pointers on how to dress, how to approach a company's booth appropriately and how to successfully work the room.

Do some research. Find out which companies will be represented and learn about them in advance through corporate Web sites or other tools. The more you know, the more you can converse with the company representative in the booth and the more memorable you will be. You will also appear much more professional than unprepared job seekers who make the mistake of starting off their conversations with company representatives by asking, "What does your company do?"

Deliver your key messages quickly. Interviewers are very busy, so don't waste their time. Work on a "sound bite" that says what your skills are, the type of work that interests you and the kind of company with which you want to associate.

Plan some questions. If you have additional time, be ready to ask intelligent questions. Ask how departments are organized and how your skills might be utilized within the framework of the company. Also show you know something about the company by asking questions about a recent product release, acquisition or other relevant news. And make sure to ask the interviewer what he or she likes best about the corporate culture to better assess if this company is right for you.

Get the interviewer's business card. If an interview goes well, you will want to follow up with a letter that reinforces the points you made and the facts you learned. If you made a good impression at the fair, the interviewer probably has made a note to that effect and will remember that you passed his or her on-site screen.

Take advantage of the obvious. Sometimes recruiters will post job openings at their booth and provide written information. Grab all of the information you can on site before you get in line for an interview so you won't waste precious time discussing the obvious.

Dress appropriately. You are going to a job interview, so dress the part. Break out the business attire and shine your shoes. It's better to error on the side of the conservative than to be too casual.

Show your pearly whites. Smile when you meet the interviewer. Give a firm handshake. (If you are prone to sweaty palms, bring a handkerchief to use as a towel.) Keep breath mints on hand and make eye contact.
Be organized. Bring plenty of resumes with you. Keep them in a nice folder so you don't get fingerprints all over them. Have a notebook for memos to yourself.

Avoid the shopping spree. Many companies give out freebies at their booths. It's OK to pick up an item or two, but don't leave the impression that you are shopping for your kids. The main impression you want to make is that you are very interested and very qualified for a job.

Keep lively. The lines may be daunting, but don't fail to maximize this opportunity. Talk to every company that fits your experience and ambitions. If you meet with 20 recruiters, at the end of the day you will know 20 people by name. That sure beats sending a blind resume to "Personnel Director."

Effective Job Search Tips : How to get to the Interview Room?

Landing an interview is becoming as rare these days as a night without a presidential debate.

Take Mike Mayer, a former marketing manager who lives in Cleveland. He's sent out hundreds of résumés but it's been six months since anyone has called him to set up an interview. "I'm looking for a sales or marketing job, and I have extensive international experience, but maybe that's working against me," he surmises.

And A.J., an accounts receivable associate for a property management company, is finding his efforts to leave his firm and embark on a new career in human resources have hit a job-search dead end. In the past three months of sending résumés out, he says, "I have not received a single call."

Welcome to the growing résumé abyss. More and more job seekers are finding they're lost in it, unable to even get a call back from a prospective employer acknowledging they exist despite their credentials or experience.
"It used to be that job seekers were able to take a shotgun approach and hit something," says Kurt Weyerhauser, a recruiting expert with search firm Kensington Stone. But in this economy, he adds, "you have to get beyond the résumé."

There's a host of reasons for the problem, aside from just not being right for the job: a souring economy that's gotten companies to cut back or suspend hiring; résumé overload by recruiters who are inundated by electronic résumés; and a growing desire on the part of hiring managers to hire someone they know, or at least hire someone who's recommended by someone they know.

"If you go back a year ago, people were talking about the war for talent; you don't hear that anymore," says Steve Gross, global leader for consulting firm Mercer. The company recently surveyed 126 U.S. employers and found that 33 percent of them were considering a hiring freeze or cutting back on staff because of the economy. That translates, he says, into a slowdown of the hiring process in general.

While you can't disregard the importance of a well-crafted résumé that's targeted to the individual jobs, unfortunately, it's probably not a sharp enough spear for today's job hunt.

Seriously, folks, you could be the perfect candidate for a job and never get beyond an electronic "thank you" reply for sending your résumé.

Dan Enthoven, founder of job search firm Trovix, conducted a study where he sent out fictitious résumés to companies that he knew were desperate to hire software engineers in Silicon Valley. The résumés included all the right credentials and background needed for each specific job posted on company sites, including degrees from none other than top engineering schools such as Stanford and MIT, just to make the candidates even more appealing.

Out of 35 of these perfect résumés sent, only seven received e-mails saying, "We'd like to talk to you," Enthoven says. "That was shocking."

If the perfect candidates out there have only a one in five chance to get called back, it's not good news for someone who may not be a perfect match or someone trying to break into a new career.

What's happened to the hiring world, Enthoven surmises, is recruiters just assume there is no one good to be found among the avalanche of résumés they receive with every job posting.

I know, this sounds unfair, but I suppose we're dealing with human nature here. No one really believes you can find a needle in the haystack, and who has time to search for a needle anyway?

So what we get is a so-called "trust" economy, Weyerhauser says.

"We give an advantage to those candidates who are being referred by people we already know and respect," he explains. "For instance, a candidate who is referred by a well-regarded current employee is much more likely to be invited to an interview than a candidate we know nothing about who blindly sent in a résumé."

The hard part is getting an employee to recommend you. One way to do this is throw a party.

I'm not kidding. Weyerhauser figures you probably know someone right now who knows someone at a company you might be right for.

Invite 30 people and have them invite some people, and before you know it you'll have a sea of connections. Ask your guests, do they know anybody? Provide them with some food and libations, of course, so it doesn't totally seem as if you're only trolling only for a job -- and have fun for goodness sake. Nothing's worse than a cranky job seeker. You need positive vibes to kick your networking into overdrive.

Now, just asking friends if they know someone at a particular company or industry may not always be enough. Check out your friends' LinkedIn or Facebook connections, for example, and see for yourself if there might be a networking fit. Typically, Weyerhauser notes, people don't realize how their connections might work for your job search. Take the initiative here.

Another strategy is to make yourself well-known in an industry by writing an article for trade publications or authoring a blog.
Weyerhauser offered a great example of a guy who wrote a well-read marketing blog.When he called a company he was interested in working for, the manager who answered the phone knew exactly who he was because he was an avid reader of his blog. He ended up getting a plum job at the firm, he adds.

Calling a company or stopping by to introduce yourself is always a great idea. Don't make yourself a pest, but try to connect with the hiring manager so your résumé doesn't get lost on the desk of someone in human resources.

At the very least, go to LinkedIn, or one of the other networking sites out there, and try to find managers or employees, or even former staffers, at a particular company you're interested in and send them an e-mail.
And let's not totally disregard résumés and cover letters.

Abhay Padgaonkar, a management consultant, says sending out 200 résumés at once is what he calls the "spray and pray" approach. So he advises job seekers focus, focus, focus their résumés.
"It's one thing to think that you are right for the job, it's entirely another to be able to understand the requirements of the job and have your résumé and qualifications demonstrate unequivocally that you are, in fact, right for the job," he adds.

Look at each job individually, he says, look at what's required and read between the lines.
For example, have you done negotiations before? If so, explain what you did and how successful you were in your résumé and in the cover letter.

And, Padgaonkar stresses that you have to sing your own praises. "Many times we are blind to our own accomplishments, so get someone to help you point those out," he says.

"Hiring managers spend less than a minute looking at a résumé. If you don't stand out, you end up in the circular file," he concludes.