Cv for Interviews

Posts Tagged ‘Perfect Job’

When youre looking for the perfect job you need to know how to find the job and
how to secure it. To do that you need to first identify your perfect jobyou cant
begin to look for the perfect job unless you first know what you it means to you.
Once you have formed an idea in your head and put it on paper you can begin
looking for your perfect job. At least by that time you will know the type of position
and company that is of interest to you and can forward from there.

Once you have identified your perfect job, the next step is to find someone who is
hiring for the position and type of company you want. The best way to do that is
through some type of classified advertisement, preferably online where there is a
larger selection from which to choose. When you have more options, there is an
increased likelihood that you will find what you want rather than having to look for
more opportunities because you are not able to find the one that suits your needs.
There is single way to connect with your perfect job that is better than another.
It
depends on what you seek and what your qualifications are for the position you
seek. Some positions are more readily available than others and will have more
selections from which to choose while others will have more limited selections,
especially in smaller areas. You also increase you chances of connecting to your
perfect job if you are free to relocate to another state or city, especially if you live
in a small town where there are not very many opportunities for employment.
When you are ready to connect to your perfect job, make sure you choose the
method that is going to provide you with the most job leads. It will become a
simpler process as you become more familiar with where to find job leads based on
your job preferences. In addition, as you learn how to present yourself positively
you will land that perfect job and no longer have to take the time to conduct job
searches. Everything ties in together and complements each part of the process. It
is important to make sure you understand all of the steps in order to have
assurance you are doing everything that is necessary from job search to application
to interview.

It’s about who you know, NOT what you know! But, what if you don’t know anyone? Then what are you suppose to do? You suppose to go hunting and make contacts. When finding any job the first rule is to make looking for a job your JOB!

Finding a Job Is Your Job

If you are unemployed then you should put aside at least 6-8 hours of each business day for applying to jobs, making contacts, interviewing, and staying on top of your industry. This strategy will always award you a job in less time. Your goal should be to apply to a minimum of 3 jobs per day. You should manage a list of contacts of everyone you directly or indirectly make contact with.

If you already have a job, then you shouldn’t be looking for a job. But, if it is imperative that you find a new job, then it will be more difficult to find the adequate time to job hunt, therefore you should put aside the time for your job search as it becomes available.

Analyze Your Craft

You should know your craft. Know the skill you hold and the level at which you best perform. Rate yourself fairly, do not underrate your talent. Know your worth, but better know the least (salary) you are willing to accept.

It is important to know your skill set. Knowing this information will help you better asses the position which you are seeking. Getting a job isn’t only about the employer finding the perfect fit, it is also for you to find the perfect fit. Research the salary for your position, such as Salary.com, SalaryExpert.com, and PayScale.com. Once you are familiar with the salary you should stay at least £5,000 within that range (e.g. if the salary for the job is expected to be £45,000 then you should seek opportunity within the range of £40,000-£45,000 or £45,000-£50,000, depending on your level of skill for the position).

Prepare Your Resume

You should update your current resume or create a new resume. Your original resume should be generic, but keyword-rich. The generic version should NOT contain any formal greets to any particular party. Basically, you should be able to apply to any job with the generic version without any editing. It should be readily available for fast access and quick apply. The generic version will be used to post on job boards, for employers to view when searching the database. Editing your resume for formal greets should be done at the time of applying to a job.

You want your resume to be keyword-rich because when employersrecruiters search databases for resumes they usually use keywords to find employees. If your resume has the proper keyword density and strategy then your resume is more likely to be returned within the search results (e.g. if the job you are searching for is ‘customer service’ then your resume should focus on the keyword ‘customer service’).

Many argue that a one-page resume is the best resume, but in my experience a one-page resume doesn’t provide enough information for those with extensive backgrounds. In this case I suggest not exceeding 2 pages, unless the job you are applying for is information technology related or relies on extended details within the industry, then it is (sometimes) best to list or add every product, program, service, and technology which you have touched, worked with, or have knowledge of. Even still do not exceed 3 pages at this point, and that may be too much. Though, I must admit I have seen 5-page resumes which are highly detailed and keyword-rich that receive a very high response rate.

Never boast or brag on your resume. Be truthful and list your objective, skills, professional experience, education, and knowledge.

If you do not have the ability or time to create an award-winning resume then it may be worthwhile to invest in a professional resume writing service.

Build Your Contacts

The best way to make contacts is by calling the employer or recruiter directly. Usually this information is made available when applying for a job online. If you are at a job board site such as: Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com, or a niche-based job board such as: DataCenterLife.com then more than likely the contact information is found on the job post page. If you are applying through an employer site then more than likely the contact information can be found under the “Contact Us” page usually found on the sites’ navigational bar. Respect the wishes of employers and recruiters who state NOT to contact by phone.

You should create a contact for any job you apply for.

Manage Your Contact List

Every employer or recruiter you make contact with directly or indirectly should be added to your contact list. Your contact list should include the company name, contact name, email address, phone number, and position title. You should also have a field or method which denotes the last time you spoke with or contacted each contact. This is important so you do not make the mistake of contacting someone you spoke with days earlier as well this helps you manage your time between each contact. You should follow-up with your contacts at least once every week or every 7 business days.

Out of Work. Out of the Loop.

Just because you are unemployed doesn’t mean you need to fall behind in your industry. You should still stay familiar with your industry and spend your time wisely. Study your industry market and know the new technologies being used inside your job industry. Stay afloat, use your resources such as: the internet, newspapers, media, friends, and ex co-workers to know what is going on in your job industry. If you are out of work for months and have no idea of a new application that is being used by all professionals in your industry, then it will look bad in an interview when you have no clue what they are talking about and you are claiming to be a skilled professional in the industry. Keep your eye on the prize and know your stuff. Even if you are not an expert at it, at least have the basic knowledge.

Don’t Answer That Phone

You only have one chance at making a good impression, do not blow it! Do not answer the phone if you are too busy to talk, if you see a number that you do not recognize assume it is an employer or recruiter and you should not answer the call, if you are too busy. There is nothing worse than a crying baby in the background, a large bulldozer from a nearby construction site, the sound of a flushing toilet, a third-party conversation going on in the background, or being in a drop-call zone when an employer or recruiter calls. You should be focused, relaxed, calmed, and ready to answer all questions swiftly without any interruptions when the phone rings, otherwise allow your voice mail service to get the call and return the call later when the time is more convenient.

Give Yourself a Break

I also suggest taking off Friday, don’t do any job hunting or interviewing this day, enjoy yourself. Have yourself a 3-day weekend. The only reason you should schedule Friday for interviewing is if the employer or recruiter schedule it, never inconvenience your interviewer unless it is life-threatening or extremely important. Also, you should still answer your phone on Friday when you have the time, if you are too busy or unable to answer your phone then make sure you have a voice mail service set up.

Interviewing

Getting an interview is what you worked hard for. Having a successful interview is just as important as getting the job. This determines everything. Preparation for your interview should begin the minute you are scheduled for your interview. You should study the background of the company. You should be familiar with what the company does and their procedures. Most of this information is usually found on the company’s website (sometimes buried within the site so you may have to do some digging). You should prepare questions which you may have for the interviewer about the company andor position. You should familiarize or refresh yourself with the requirementsqualifications of the position. And most importantly you should have a good night sleep before the interview, at least 8-10 hours of rest.

You should have at least 2 business suitsattire for interviewing. If you have a second interview you should have the ability to switch to a different suit. Your suits should be only of the three colors: black, navy, or gray. Make sure you are well groomed for the interview.

You should arrive to the interview between 10-15 minutes early. You should never come to an interview empty handed. You should at least have a business folder with notepad paper, a writing pen, and a hardcopy of your resume.

When interviewing you should relax and be yourself. You should be focus, articulate well, and be keen. Make non-offensive eye contact with your interviewer. Ask questions about the company and the position. Ask the interviewer about their position and the length of time they been with the company. Ask the interviewer why the position is available and why did the last person leave the company? Ask the interviewer how soon do they hope to fill the available position? Ask the interviewer for a business card or way to contact them if you have any questions later.

Just remember to be yourself and remember that the interviewer is only human just like you. If you don’t get the job then try and try again, until you get a job. Many times an interview is a display of your personality and character. If you have truthfully and appropriately represented your skill set on your resume, then the interviewer already know you are capable of handling the job.

You’re Hired!

You have been looking for a job and after being interviewed, you have more than one position to choose from. How do you decide which job offer to accept? The money being offered by one company looks tempting but there are things you like about all of them. Do not get hung up on money unless it is your only focus in life. Before making a decision, try comparing the companies against the points below.

First, you must know what your goals are and the things that are important to you. Once you have done your research and comparisons, you will have the tools you need to make the perfect decision. The job that most closely relates to the things most important to you will probably be your best choice.

Environment – Either prior to or following the interview, ask for a tour of the work place. While on the tour, consider things like noise levels and the general mood of the employees. Are the employees friendly and polite? What is the condition of the environment; clean or dirty? Are the employees allowed to add personal touches to their work space? Review the answers to these questions to decide if you could be productive in that work place.

Benefits – Does the company offer health care, when, and what is the cost and coverage? Do they offer a retirement plan? If so, do they match employee contributions? This is important when comparing overall earnings. If the position includes commission, what are the rates, incentives, and earning potential?

The Boss – In many instances, the person interviewing you will not be your boss. It is important to know who your boss will be and request to meet them. When you meet the person who will be your boss, take note of their attitude and use your instincts. What kind of vibes do you get from them? Do they seem respectful of others? Do they make eye contact and have a firm hand shake? Do they act too busy to be bothered? If you accept the position with the company, these are great questions to know the answers to. This boss could be your boss for a long time.

Is this job what you want? Is this job enabling you to do what you enjoy? Will this position cause any family conflicts? Weigh the pros and cons. If this job is not what you dream of doing, then consider the above factors before settling for less. Is taking this position going to be worth the money you will earn when you consider what you would be losing?

Searching for work can become an overwhelming chore. With all the competition doing lots commonly has to be coupled with value to reach a goal. Look at Target Employment for valuable suggestions as well as Target employment application. Having sound tips avoids wasting time searching for what may work in having to look at what does not. Getting reliable direction may enhance one’s odds in distancing yourself from the competition.

The job market is forever shifting and the people who are able to adapt the fastest often will be the ones that have the primary selection in the greatest opportunities. Through the accessibility of information and the advancements in technology, searching for work is not what it was.

The rules have changed in a huge way and now people must not only have the ability to provide a complete package of abilities and knowledge for the profession but have got to also learn added skills to even secure an job interview for the job you want.

There are two parts to the perfect job: obtaining it and keeping it. Its easy enough
to get hired for the job of your dreams but being able to keep that job for the long
haul is another story. With such an up and down turn in the economy over the
years many companies are downsizing and even the best people are losing their
jobs. How is it that some people are terminated while others manage to keep their
jobs? Is there something special that separates those people from the others?
One reason some people keep their jobs while others around them are being
downsized is their dedication. For some people a job is just a job and those are
usually the first ones to be eliminated when there is the need to cut staff.
Companies have a tendency to keep those employees who are dedicated, loyal and
put forth a little extra effort to get the job done. These are the people are receive
recognition for their efforts and are the first ones to be considered for a promotion.
You must become one of those dedicated people if you want to not only obtain the
perfect job but also keep it throughout a struggling economy.

Although there is never a guarantee you will keep your job, the harder you work
and the more dedicated you are the better the chances are that you will still being
sitting at your desk when others have been terminated. In places where no union
enforces the rules, the newest person is not necessarily the first person to go but
rather the person who has the least amount of dedication and loyalty to the
company. This person comes in on time and leaves on time seldom working
overtime while the dedicated employee may even come in early or stay late without
recording the time, especially when work needs completed and there is no budget
for overtime.

You invested a lot of time and effort into obtaining your perfect jobnow you want
to use that same effort and dedication to keep your job and rise to higher levels.
Develop your own standards rather than following what others around you are
doing. Put worth the effort that you feel is right for you and dont pay attention to
what anyone else thinks you should do. The choices you make will determine
whether you are the person who stays or goes when your company needs to make
staffing cuts.

When you dont have all of the training and education you need to perform your
perfect job, you want to find out where you can go in order to get the training you
need. If you already have a degree but need some additional courses, you might
want to think about taking some online courses. Depending on the field in which
you are interested, you may have to combine online and local courses or training in
order to obtain everything you need. Medical fields, for example, still require clinical
time, so you will need to arrange that in your local area.
If you are not interested in online classes, you will need to check in your local area
to discover where you can obtain the training you need for the type of job you wish
to find. For some people the perfect job is not based as much on the type of work
as on other factors such as salary and benefits. If you are one of those people it will
be easier for you to obtain the training you need than for someone who is more
interested in the position itself. Of course, if you have been working in a factor and
concluding, you want something working in an office, you will have to obtain some
training in order to do that.

If you are just beginning your career finding out the where you need to go to learn
to perform your job of choice is easier than it is for someone who has been in the
workforce and is now looking to change careers. Although career changes are not
usually that difficult, the transition is more difficult for those who have been
working for many years doing the same job. It is not impossible by any means, and
there are resources for those who are making a career change later in life.
Sometimes career changes are necessary not because you no longer feel you have
the perfect job but because of changes within your company.
If you find your job is being downsized and you must begin a new career, most
companies offer outsource training. If this does not fit into your scope of the perfect
job, you can certainly ask for more information about obtaining the training you
need to move into a new field in order to obtain the job that is perfect for you.

During your process of identifying the perfect job, there are some things you may
want to keep in mind. Although you are going to identify what is important to you
its also important to be realistic in your expectations. Some of the areas in which
people tend to place the most focus and expect too much are listed below. Look at
the items on your list and see how it compares to the items on this list.

Salary
Salary is one of the biggest areas where people have a tendency to expect too
much. They tend to think they are worth more than they really are to a new
company, and that often causes them to lose the position. Be realistic when you
identify your salary requirements, keeping in mind that now many employers are
not hiring at all, so getting an interview gives you an edge over others.

Medical Insurance
Although this is an area of major concern, it is also one that many people tend to
overstate when identifying their perfect job. Very few employers today are paying
the full cost of medical insurance, so to include that as an item on your list of
criteria for the perfect job is ludicrous. What you need to do is rephrase it to state
medical insurance at a reasonable cost.

Vacation and Sick Time
Do not lump the two of these together because not all companies offer sick time. In
fact some companies actually lump the two together and call it by various terms or
they may include sick time as part of personal time or include both vacation and
sick time as one item. You also dont want to expect to take vacation right away or
have two weeks right away. Although some companies do allow two weeks
vacation after six months, many companies still only offer one week during the first
year.

Retirement Plan or 401K
Many companies today are getting away from the retirement plan and staying with
the 401K plan. This is reasonable to expect from your perfect job but do not
attempt to identify what you expect from the plan since it is regulated by the
government leaving the company itself very little leeway in what it can offer. The
only difference you may find among companies is the funds they offer and
percentage they contribute for each employee.

Although some might think becoming friendly with the interviewer is an easy way to
get hired for that perfect job, quite the opposite is true. You want to remain
professional and not attempt to sway the interviewers position by being friendly
instead of professional. You want to show your professional skills and training
rather than to identify with the interviewer by talking about personal things. The
discussion should focus on the job for which you are applying and why you are the
most qualified person. The interviewer is likely to be seeing a number of people, so
you do not want to take up his or her time talking about things that have nothing to
do with the job.

The purpose of the interview is to find out if you are a good fit for the job and the
company. In order for the interviewer to be able to do that you must remain
professional and make certain the conversation is business-related. In regards to
any personal questions the interviewer asks you want to answer only what he or
she asks. If the question is whether you are married, the answer should be yes or
no and not an autobiography of your married life. If the interviewer wanted to know
how long you have been married and what your husband or wife does for a living,
he would ask.

Make sure you do not provide any negative information on former employers. Even
if your last supervisor was a real nasty person, do not mention that. It is not even
necessary to mention that you left your last job because you were unhappyall you
need to say is you and the company were not a good fit. Many companies today are
not providing information on the reason an employee left for legal reasons, so in
most cases all they will know is your position and the dates you worked for the
company. Do not go into any more details than necessary about former employers
stay with how long you were with the company and the job functions you
performed. Certainly if you were the victim of downsizing you can state that but
again, keep it brief and to the point leaving out any details unless the interviewer
asks. Keep the interview professional and make sure your answers are right to the
point without any unnecessary and unrequested details provided.

With so many different job resources it can be difficult for someone to decide which
ones are best and offer the highest potential for success. Depending on your field of
expertise, you may wish to take the time to look at all of the potential resources
rather than attempting to limit yourself to one or two. Of course, if you are
interested in a highly specialized field, it will certainly be better if you utilize the
resources for that particular field in order to make certain you spend as little time
as possible in the job seeking process.

Although some people still tend to look at the local circuit when looking for the
perfect job, its important to remember that many employers have gone away from
newspaper advertising simply because it is too costly and because job applicants
today tend to utilize the Internet rather than local newspaper to conduct their job
searches. The want to find the highest number of results in the quickest time
possible and the Internet provides that. In addition, they are able to search the
listings and find enough information to know if a particular position meets their
needs.

Trade publications have become very popular sources of job advertisements and
many people of professional standing are now using this source of job information,
especially those who have the flexibility to move to another city or state. Those who
are looking for something in the town where they currently live may still use local
newspapers or filtered online searches. The job resources that are best for you
depend upon the type of position you are seeking and the area in which you want
to work. If you are open to relocating, you have more available job resources than
those who are adamant about staying in the same place where they currently live.
Quite often the college you attended has a placement service or at least a list of
potential job openings that will help you find the job that is perfect for your needs.
Never discount any source of potential job postings because you never know when
there is one that is just right for your needs and may even be the exact position
you have been seeking. Use any and all resources that are available and you will
increase your chances of finding that perfect job in less time than you had
expected.

The interview is the only place you will have an opportunity to sell yourself in order
to land your perfect job. If you fail the interview you will not have a second chance
to prove yourself. That means you have to know what to say and do in order to
make sure you get hired for the job you want. You can have the greatest skills in
the world but if you cannot convince the interviewer that you are the best person
for the job, you will not get the job.

You have to project confidence when you are talking to the interviewer. That means
you maintain eye contact and dont perform nervous gestures such as twiddling
your thumbs, squeezing your hands, playing with your hair or staring around the
room. Your job is to convince the interviewer you are the best person for the job,
and you cannot do that unless you stay focused on what he or she has to say. The
interviewer deserves your full and undivided attention and unless you are willing to
provide that, you greatly reduce your chances of getting the job you want.
Dress is very important at an interview. Unless you are going into a dirty area of
the company and are advised to dress casually, dress professionally or at the very
least in business casual attire the latter of which does not include jeans, shorts,
sweats or running suits. However, if you know the company is strictly professional
as is the case with many law firms and executive offices, dress professionally rather
than business casual. You receive evaluations on not only skills and knowledge but
also on the way, you present yourself.

Showing you know something about the company and what they do is always good
for some points with the interviewer. It shows you took time to do some
investigation before your interview thus showing the interviewer you have an
interest in working for his company. Even if you dont do anything but read the
annual report, you will have some idea of what the company represents thus giving
yourself an edge over someone who doesnt take the time to find out anything
about the company. It does not take very long to do a little research on a company
you are considering as an employer, and it will definitely not hurt your chances of
being hired.

A good way to find the perfect job is to prepare for it before you begin with your job
search. When you are still in high school and preparing for college you should begin
to determine what you consider to be the perfect job. That does not mean your first
job will necessarily be the perfect job, but you will know what you want and can
already identify your perception of the perfect job.

The key to getting the perfect job is knowing what you want and obtaining the
education and training necessary to perform that job. This is best identified in high
school so that you can take the college courses necessary to assure you can
graduate and pursue your career of choice. That does not mean you cant make a
career change later or take additional courses in order to acquire the education you
need, but it makes it easier if you can do it immediately out of high school.
Before you enroll in college try to figure out what you want in a career, what your
perfect job is so that you can obtain the training during your college career. That
doesnt mean you cant obtain the training later, but its easier to do it before you
graduate from college. Of course, its understandable that some people are not
certain even when they first graduate from college what they really want to do for a
living, but if you are able to identify it while you are still in college it will reduce the
amount of job searching you will need to do when you graduate.

For those who did not define their perfect job during college, its important to
discover what you need to do in order to find the perfect job and make it your
career for life. That means you have to identify your career and the requirements
for entering that field. Some companies may vary in their requirements but if you
follow the general guidelines for that field you will be in a position to at least
negotiate with potential employers. On the other side of the scope lack of
knowledge will get you nowhere including into your perfect job. Its essential to
know what you want and the skills you need in order to get there. Only then can
you hope to fulfill your dream of having your perfect job.