5 Tips to Staying Authentic in Your Job Search

5 Tips to Staying Authentic in Your Job Search The internet is rife with advice on how to answer common interview questions. However,  if  everyone follows the exact same advice and quotes the exact same answers all the time, employers will be  left with a bunch candidates who are not  authentically representing themselves. If youre a job seeker, constantly  conforming to what you think employers want you to say could be to  the  detriment of your individuality, and result in you winding up in a job that doesnt really reflect your personality or best interests. Consider this: most of us will spend more time at work than doing any  other  single activity in our lifetime. Needless to say, the better the match, the more time you will spend  enjoying yourself! So, how can you make sure youre being authentic throughout the  job hunting process, and bag a role that makes you sing in the mornings? 1. Get to know you According to the Daily Telegraph, ‘Tell me about yourself?’ is one of the top 10 most  commonly asked interview questions, so it is really important to be prepared for this  one.  Take time to consider what really motivates you. I’m not talking about external  things such as money or praise for a job well done. Consider your intrinsic  motivators; the  things you truly enjoy doing.  If you haven’t found pleasure in a work context before, look at what you enjoy doing  in your spare time. Is there a topic which particularly interests you or a sport you  enjoy playing? What types of activities have you enjoyed throughout  the course of your  studies? 2. Match your intrinsic motivators against work tasks Once you understand your intrinsic motivators, you can begin to match them to work  activities which will motivate you in the same way. This will prepare you to talk  passionately about your motivations  in an interview.  Think about what would totally thrill you and bore you to tears. Most importantly, be honest about it.  There is no point in  preparing yourself to wax lyrical about how much you enjoy administration tasks if  this simply isn’t true, particularly as you would potentially be talking yourself into a  role you won’t enjoy.  Whilst it might seem counter-intuitive to openly admit that something like teamwork is  not for you, there are lots of jobs which require someone to operate  on their  own initiative and not be phased by a lack of team to support them. More often than not there will be ways to put a positive spin on things! 3. Understand the job Job titles can vary wildly from one organisation to another, so it is really important  that you spend time reading the job description to properly understand what will be  expected of you on a day-to- day basis.  It is unlikely that you will find a job which only requires you to do tasks which thrill  you, try to be open minded to a certain extent. Only you can judge whether the  balance is right for you. 4. Find out about the company It is essential that you consider not just the job but also the company and industry  you are approaching for work.  Think about whether there are any companies or industries for which you wouldn’t  want to work. If  you have strong views about fracking, maybe Oil and Gas isn’t  for you! Conversely, if you can find company or industry links to your intrinsic motivators, you  can use this to your advantage during the recruitment process. This doesn’t have to  limit you to a particular industry or company. The better you understand yourself, the  easier it will be to find a variety of matches to your personal motivators. So, if you  love working with technology, you can match this interest to a company  where you get to use  modern technology, a company which  manufactures technological devices or a  project which will require you to implement new technology. 5. Prepare yourself for your authentic interview This final step is the one most commonly missed and it is all about finding the actual  words you will use to describe yourself. It might sound simple but if you talk about it  to yourself before you do it in an interview, you will start to find a narrative that  makes sense, rather than waffling around the subject when it really matters in the  interview!  Go through the various requirements in the job description and what you have learnt  about the company, before finding your personal narrative for each of the points raised.  That way, rather than preparing for specific questions, you will be ready to discuss  any aspect of the role or company and demonstrate that you have really thought  about how you will  contribute if you are successful. Oh, and don’t forget to make  a note of questions you have about the role and the company beforehand. It is important to have  a few prepared in case some have already been answered by the time you get to  asking! About the author:  Elaine Howell is an HR professional, specialising in resourcing, employee relations and change management.  Elaine is passionate about career coaching. Image: Shutterstock

Student Resume Writing Tips That Help You Land Your Dream Job With Very Little Effort

Student Resume Writing Tips That Help You Land Your Dream Job With Very Little EffortThe best student resume writing tips will help you land that job as quickly as possible. Using your own personal sense of creativity can make a resume stand out among the hundreds of others that are submitted for every position. Follow these tips and you can land that dream job with only a few weeks to spare!The most vital part of your resume is your contact information. This is where you have to make the most of your creativity! The cover letter and contact information are all related and require a strong bond between the two.Be sure to place your resume in front of as many people as possible. Your employer wants to get the information from you and let them see your resume is one of the first places that they look. Have an open and encouraging attitude when speaking to whoever will receive your resume, this will be a big help.Create a catchy cover letter to go along with your resume. Be sure to incl ude it in the body of your resume, do not leave it out. Your cover letter should be short and sweet. However, if you must write a long letter, follow a more professional format so you do not put off any potential employers who may want to meet you.Put everything on your resume that relates to your experience or skills, this includes any educational background that you may have had, past employment experience, and anything else that would make your resume interesting. Use it to your advantage and go over all of your accomplishments one by one.When you are submitting your resume online, be sure to keep your personal statement to yourself. While it is perfectly fine to mention your interests and hobbies, keep it out of the eyes of the employers. The same goes for your e-mail address, keep it confidential.Always ensure that you use your CV reader with your student resume. If you do not have one of these, you will have to resubmit all of your work as a CV or anything else that is a writt en document.These student resume writing tips will help you in making your work a bit easier and less stressful, but remember to not take this lightly. While a lot of the tips are general, the more you know about how to create a good resume the better off you will be!

How Moms Can Beat Stress While Studying Online

How Moms Can Beat Stress While Studying Online Unlike the way things were about forty years ago, moms are headed back to work after the children are old enough to be in school.  With the rise in popularity of online colleges, this process is even easier for moms.  When you used to have to wait until you had time to head back to school and attend a college campus, today you can just enroll in an online college and get your hands on many different degrees.  If you are planning on going back to work at some point, attending an online college might be the best option to get that ball rolling. Keep Things Simple and Stress-Free One of the worst things that you can do when attending online college classes is taking on more than you can handle.  Do not forget that you are also taking care of a child or two and the rest of the home while you are not working.  Take small bites until you can find yourself in a groove and then go from there.  This might include just a few entry level courses you can take in your own time and from there you can get a little deeper into the degree process. Find Friends That Can Help Do you need a couple of hours to study for that next exam?  Why not ask a friend to take your children for that time and really get down to business.  Of course, you husband is going to help, but when he is not around, hopefully, you can count on your close friends.  If they are going to support you going back to school, they are likely going to be there for you when you need them most. Earn a Degree with Job Potential Of course, the best option for a new degree is one that will come with a job practically attached to it when you graduate.  We all know that is not the case all of the time, but if you do some research, things like a bachelor of science in diagnostic medical sonography degree are one with open options just about anywhere you live.  The medical industry is always on the move and help is needed.  If you are not sure what online school offers this type of career option, research ADU Online for more information.  Earning that online medical sonography degree can be a short process if you have the time and you will be working in the medical field in no time. Do What You Can To Remember the Goal You are going to need motivation and if you can keep your mind and eyes on the prize at the end of the tunnel, the process will be easier for you.  There are going to be unexpected things that happen in your family and while you are studying, but it will be how you handle these crises that make or breaks you on your way to graduation. Take these tips and get back into the swing of things while attending an online college.  If you want to go back to work, earning your degree will be less stressful with these tips! Image Source

Paid Media Internship Opportunities University of Manchester Careers Blog

Paid Media Internship Opportunities University of Manchester Careers Blog For those of you looking for work experience and internships in media, youll know that paid opportunities can be difficult to find.   So, to roll out an old cliche, you wait ages for one and then three come along at once! Working Title ACTION! Programme If you want to get into a career in films, this 12 month paid internship is for you! Working Title are the production company behind Shaun of the Dead, Billy Elliott, Four Weddings and Funeral and this years film adaptation of Les Mis!  If you can  demonstrate the ambition and drive necessary to make the most of this unique opportunity,  show excellent verbal and written communication skills and possess a passion for the development and production of films, Working Title want to hear from you.     Closing date for applications is 18th February 2013. Channel 4 Continuity Intern You know those  TV voice-overs that tell you whats coming next as you flip between channels? Well now Channel 4 want to  add a brand new voice to their  channel portfolio. More than a voice in fact you’ll be writing as well as reading insightful, distinctive and on-brand continuity scripts for both live and pre-recorded delivery to a variety of audiences on and off air.   Continuity is a career in itself. If you’re looking for a step to TV stardom, this is not it. But it is a great move if you love living on the edge, and staying quietly confident when everything’s screaming urgent. You’ll need a voice that’s distinctive, appeals to all audiences, and never betrays the pressure that might be going on around you. And you must be able to talk, tweet and blog with equal fluency.   This 12 month, paid opportunity will be great experience. Closing date for applications is 31st January. Channel 4 Music Team Intern The Music Team within Box TV is responsible for the video output, music features, music programming and daily scheduling of all 7 music channels within the Box TV family using the 4Music, Kiss, Magic, Kerrang, Q, Smash Hits Box brands.   As a Junior Music Programmer you will provide administration and editorial support to the music team.   Duties will include maintaining key process documents and scheduling music for designated music channels but also have the chance to flex your creative muscle contributing fantastic, thought provoking and innovative ideas.   Applications for this role are only open for a very short time and the closing date is 6th January so get thinking about that application now! So, three great looking, paid media opportunities.   Consider it a little gift from Media Club.   Happy Christmas! All Media graduate schemes Internships media work experience

How To Help Veterans With Their Resumes

How To Help Veterans With Their ResumesVeteran career opportunities and job-hunting can be pursued with ease and can even be obtained by those without any prior experience as a candidate for higher education or work. However, the veterans who are seeking such a career, as well as any other veteran who want to apply for such work, will need some guidance as they search for a prospective agency to provide the assistance they need.One of the first steps in helping a government veterans find a job is to seek assistance from a knowledgeable individual. When working with veterans, it is important to ask them for any additional information they may have regarding the agencies they have worked with in the past. Working with veterans requires a different approach than working with other people, but you can gain valuable insight into which agencies are best to work with by asking the right questions.Another step in helping government veterans find employment is to look for a group that focuses on assisting public service veterans find work. These groups offer a variety of services, including a customized resume writing class and even job placement services. Veteran job hunters who attend the classes will benefit in more ways than one, including the ability to increase their skills in a number of different areas.Government veterans also need to become familiar with the qualifications required to secure the jobs they are searching for. The Federal Government requires many of its people to submit resumes based on their job duties, so it is essential to create a resume that clearly states what the job duties entail. Finding a veteran resume writing class that specializes in preparing Veterans for their first career or job can be the perfect first step in finding the right kind of job for veterans who are seeking employment.Once you have gained knowledge of what a job entails, the next step is to research how to write a resume for veterans that can effectively connect with th e potential employers. Government veterans' resume should be geared towards showing the potential employer what kind of work experience the applicant has already had. Not only will this benefit the veteran, but it will also assist the company in hiring the most qualified candidate for the position.Asking a Veteran to help you with your resume can be quite an intimidating task, but there are many agencies that can help veterans become part of your team. Depending on your qualifications, you may be able to find a great agency to work with. Making yourself available to any organization that can benefit your career can be the first step in working with veterans in a responsible manner.In addition to locating a resume writing class or agency that works with veterans who have not had much experience in this type of work, government veterans also need to gain knowledge on creating the resume that will show employers what they are looking for. You do not want to end up doing all of the legw ork yourself; it will be best to take the time to hire someone who will be able to get the resume completed for you. Since so many veterans are in need of employment, there are so many different agencies that can assist you in helping you get the job you want.Government veterans who seek employment within the federal government can find the job of their dreams through these organizations. If you are looking for a career change or the opportunity to use your expertise to help others, finding a group that works with veterans is something that should be considered. Your resume and cover letter will be greatly improved with the help of a resume writing class or agency that works with veterans who are in need of new positions.

10 Common Career Change Mistakes to Avoid

10 Common Career Change Mistakes to Avoid Photo Credit -VirginiaFrancoResumes.comYour interests and professional goals can change dramatically over the years, and the career that you chose as a young adult may no longer be desirable for you. If you are bored, stressed or otherwise unhappy with your current career choice, you may be thinking about changing careers.While many people successfully change careers once, twice or more in their adult years, this is nonetheless a monumental decision that could have far-reaching ramifications. It should be done with care and only after considerable analysis and research.Many people do successfully make a career switch, but there are also many who regret their decision and are stuck in a new field that they dislike even more than the original field they worked in. If you want to enjoy the best possible outcome from this process, avoid making these common mistakes whenpreparing to change careers.?1. Confusing Hating Your Job With Hating Your Careereval?Some people give up a career that they actually enjoy because of an unpleasant work environment or a difficult boss. In some cases, the position is dull, monotonous or stressful. However, you may not have the same experience working for a different company in a similar position.Carefully consider if you truly hate the actual work that you are doing or if things may be better in a different company or position within the same field. It may be easier to simply find a new position in your field than to switch gears entirely.In addition, by doing so, you will be able to use the training and experience you already have without having to start from scratch in a new field.?2. Choosing a Career That Does Not Really Suit YouIt is easy to be envious of successful friends and family members in different fields, but their career may not be well-suited for your skills or personality.Remember that their skills, training and even luck may be different than yours, and you cannot expect to mimic their level of success yourself.If yo u want to be truly happy and successful in a new career that you select, take inventory of your current interests, hobbies, skills and more. Then, list the things that you do not want to do professionally in a new job.With these lists, brainstorm career options that are best-suited for you, and avoid the impulse to follow the path of successful friends or family members.?3. Idealizing Your New CareerevalIt is easy to fall into the mental trap of thinking that your life will be more relaxing and your bank account balance higher if you switch careers. From the outside looking in, manycareers seem ideal. However, the reality is that all careers have their stresses and challenges.Before you make a hard switch, consider taking classes in your new field, or volunteer in some way on the weekend. You can take a part-time job in your field, or you may speak with others who are currently working in the field.Pay attention to the pros and cons to make a wise, informed career decision.?4. Makin g a Career Change Based Solely on EarningsIt is common toresearch potential earningsbefore making a career switch, but this should not be your sole guiding factor.evalFocus your attention on how interesting and satisfying you find the job. Look at the long-term growth potential for the career or industry over the next few decades.Choose a job with great potential and that will be enjoyable for you to work in. Remember that dissatisfaction with jobs is the top stressor for working adults.?5. Not Planning Ahead FinanciallyIt can take many months or even years to successfully switch careers. This is because you may need to gain a new degree or specialized training. You may also need to build up experience with a lower-paying job before you can earn a higher income level in a more demanding position in your new field.Understand how long the financial transition will take, and ensure that you have enough money available to get you through this period of time. Remember that you may also h ave to pay for training or classes while living on a reduced income.If necessary, scale back your spending and lifestyle to compensate for the income reduction.? 6. Neglecting EducationIf you are making a hard switch to a completely different field, you understandably need to gain new experiences and skills.From marketing specialist to accountant and mover, every job has itsown skill requirements. You may need to take professional training courses, earn certifications and more.Research the qualifications for the positions you want to apply for before you make a final career decision, and understand what it will take to gain the skills and education needed for the positions.?7. Making a Career Change Based Upon Outside PressureevalYour career dictates how you spend the bulk of your waking hours each week. It also dictates your earning potential and even where you may live. Many people face external pressure from family and friends to switch to a new line of work.While some may have s ound recommendations for you to consider, the ultimate decision should be made by you after careful consideration of all relevant factors.?8. Rushing Into a Career Change Without Doing the ResearchIt is imperative that you are realistic about what it will take to change careers. After you take the steps to get properly qualified to work in a new field, it may still take several months or even a year or longer to find an entry-level position in your field.Remember that your previous work experience may not be relevant in a new career, so you can expect to start at the bottom of the ladder in a new field.?9. Neglecting NetworkingWhen you enter a new field, you likely have very few or no professional contacts. This means that you need to make a concerted effort to develop industry relationships.evalYou can attend industry-specific events or take entry-level positions in the new field. You may also make use of social media to connect with top professionals in your new field.While you wa nt to make connections, do so in a professional way without being annoying to them. If possible, establish a mentorship so that you can launch your new career more easily and successfully.?10. Giving Up Too SoonYou may understandably feel out of place in your new field while you make the transition. This feeling can last for several months or longer. During this time, you may be inclined to go back to your old career for the sake of comfort and familiarity. However, resist this urge.When you stick with your new career choice, it will get easier and more comfortable over time. Changing careers may be one of the best professional moves you can make if you are truly unhappy in your current field.However, this process can be challenging and stressful. You may have to endure extensive training and periods of unemployment during the process.In addition, there will be mental and emotional adjustments as you transition to a new field, position and company.With this in mind, it is important to determine if a career change is right for you with care, and it is also important to develop a strategic plan to guide you through this process.

The Customer Is Not Always Right - follow-up - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

The Customer Is Not Always Right - follow-up - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog My article?on?why The Customer is Always Right is wrong?has generated an amazing amount of attention. Its been read by 100,000s of people and been mentioned all over the internet. Call Center Magazine?in the UK?liked it?so much that they turned it into a wall chart that is waaaaay more attractive than my original post.?Download it here. But most of all the article gets?a LOT of great comments. Here are some of my favorites. Chris wrote: I run a small company with about 20 employees. One day I heard commotion coming from the reception area. I hear a man yelling I am the customer, you work for me and the customer is always right!. I immediately went up and said, No sir, you cant get away with what you get away with at Walmart here. This young lady works for me and no matter what you think you were right about, you raised your voice and are no longer welcome. He needed our services and wrote a letter of apology for his cranky mood. You raise your voice and you are out. No exceptions. Thats it in a nutshell. Grant wrote: I read this post the other day and it was hiding in the back of my mind then this past Thursday I had a job interview. The interviewer asked me, ?What do you feel about the statement, ?The customer is always right??? I remembered this post and mentioned these points as well as embellished to make it more appropriate to the job description. After I answered that, the interviewer told me that I was the first person all day to answer that question correctly (she had already interviewed 6 people). Today I got a call offering me the position. I?d like to think that it had something to do with this blog post. Thanks :) SEE MOM! BROWSING THE INTERNETS IS A GOOD THING!!! Ive told Grant that I take full credit for him getting the job and given him an account number where he can deposit 10% of his first years salary :o) Marie wrote: We recently had a customer who bounced a check, and had the audacity to call my customer service manager with a tirade of yelling profanity (before she could explain what had happened). She was calm and waited for him to settle down and tried to explain He continued to use profanity, only to stop when my CS Manager politely told him that if he didn?t quit, she would hang up Later, he emailed a complaint to the corporate office stating how rude and unprofessional she had been The customer DOES NOT have the right to harass my employees. I just happened to be in the office that day and could hear him screaming at her over the phone. I think she handled it WONDERFULLY; I took her out to lunch! I don?t believe that a customer has the right to verbally assault my employees and I have trained them not to take that type of abuse from anyone. SueBob writes: I worked at a print shop where my manager would occasionally fire customers. In four years, I think it was 3 people. He told one person, ?I won?t have you abuse my employee.? I would have crawled through broken glass for him. It was one of the best employment experiences of my life. These comments show that there are many companies out there that realize that putting the employees first actually results in better customer service. The formula is simple: Happy employees = happy customers. But of course not everyone gets it. Yet. Anonymous writes: I work in a call center and showed this article to my boss. I?m told that senior managers view the ideas presented here as ?silly.? Is it any wonder employees think our company is out to get them? Customers are allowed to verbally abuse our employees and this is supposed to be a sign of great customer service. All the while, lower level managers are directed to keep turnover down. The company doesn?t understand that people are not satisfied in a job where the company supports abuse towards them. Get a clue. Sheeesh! Related posts Why every workplace should train employees to disagree with the boss. Is it time to quit your job? Take our test and find out. Our?top 10 most popular articles ever. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Aspiring vs Being, Shunning the Non-Believers

Aspiring vs Being, Shunning the Non-Believers I wanted to introduce you all to an old friend (we went to NYU together!) a new client, Andi Whaley. Andi is a black belt martial artist as well as a kickboxing running coach, I know her awesomeness firsthand shes my kickboxing coach! Andi is not only skilled as a teacher (it turns out that, although Ive been doing cardio kickboxing for years, I have little to no technique!), she is both inspirational motivational without coming across as a mean drill sergeant. Her enthusiasm is contagious its been such a privilege to work with her as her coach client! As a former pound-the-pavement-er (like me!) with dreams of Broadway footlights, Andi has recently decided to open shop for herself pursue this new dream of being a running kickboxing coach full-time. Her blog, Hit Runners, is just the start of the amazing business shes building. Read on to hear what shes experiencing by trading in an old passion for a new one! Molly Barker, founder of AWESOME AWESOME Girls On the Run asked in her blog  the other day  for people to respond with what hidden secrets, fears or behaviors you had as a child still rear their ugly heads as an adult.   This happened to come across my news feed on the very same Tough (Question) Tuesday that a certain life coach was on vacation, and I thought, wow, I am getting my Tough Question anyway!   No escape!   Interestingly, this topic is one that has been swimming around in my head a LOT lately as I journey through a plethora of emotions related to my career, my life purpose, the things I love and the things I am ready to let go of, so without even a moment of pondering, I responded with the following: Something that has been slapping me in the face recently is my sometimes inability to truly take ownership of who or what I AM.   As a young girl who was very headstrong about what I wanted to be when I grew up, I was met with a lot of people who, in retrospect, didnt buy it.   I remember being very confused by the very mixed messages I got:   You can be whatever you want, but dont say that you ARE an artist/actress/singer/dancer/writer/fill-in-the-blank, say that you aspire to be one.   The thing was, my young self wasnt concerned with success or money or  glory as much as creating and performing and how wonderful it made me feelyet I became exceedingly self-concious and self-doubtful about whether I really deserved and praise or recognition or even roles in shows because, after all, I was only aspiring.   Certainly there were people who were more experienced/talented/special. When I eventually did grow up and pursue a career in the arts, my interpretation of this missive was that I wouldnt actually BE an actress until I reached a certain level of financial success through acting, or at least a certain milestone like a Broadway show or a feature film.   I heard, and continue to hear, Fake it til you Make It as a mantra, and I just wonder, at what point do you make it?   The most wonderful moment for me as an actor came in a show that was in a 70 seat studio, ran for 2 weeks, paid $200 and I was Ensemble Member #4.   And yet is was magic, and made me feel fulfilled as an artist in ways I never conceived of.   I cant imagine any Broadway opening FEELING like that.   But does it mean I made it because I had that experience?   Its hard for me to believe that.   I continue to aspire. Now almost a decade and a half has passed since I moved to New York and pursued this dream and I have decided Im tired of Faking it until I Make it.    Maybe the damage is done for me as an actress, I will continue to pursue  as it passes my fancy, but Ive decided to start  fresh with a new career and NOT  fake it.   I am a coach.   I am a motivator.   No one can argue that with me  because I know it to be true.   I will continue to be educated and to expand my knowledge, but who I am is enough to BE, not to  ASPIRE. I think this can also apply to the folks I am trying to reach through HitRunners.   So very many people think that sports or fitness is ALL or NOTHING and that they cant call themselves a RUNNER or a MARTIAL ARTIST or an ATHLETE.   But there are an awful lot of stages between ALL or NOTHING.   As far as I am concerned, anyone who goes outside with the purpose of going a little farther or a little faster than the last time is an athlete.   If you are picking it up into a jog, you are a runner.  You may be a beginner!   But you ARE.   Taking ownership of what you are doing is an unbe-HA-LIEVABLE motivator! Listen, like I wrote to Molly, my whole life by my parents, my family, my teachers, my friends and my martial arts instructors I have been taught modesty.   Theres nothing wrong with being humble.   But if modesty and humility get in the way of our own self-worth, weve gone too far.    So take whatever it is you know you are in your heart and introduce it to your head. Shun the non-believers. NOTE: So Andi has evolved her biz since she wrote this post way back in 2009, and her blog Hit Runners has been put aside wanna get an update? Check out this post. Andi used to be a rejected, dejected, unfulfilled musical theatre actress afraid to walk away from what was no longer her dream â€" three years later she’s a running coach, a graduate student and working for folks who think that her theatre background is an asset. She’s been published on  LIVESTRONG.com  and met the love of her life while volunteering â€" because she can make time for that now.