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Posts Tagged: career guide

Assessment centers — Individual Tasks

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Category: General Information | No comments

Assessment Center is a standardized evaluation of behavior based on multiple evaluation tecnhiquies including various types of job-related simulations, and sometimes interviews and psychological tests. Job simulations are used to evaluate candidates on behaviors relevant to the most critical aspects (or competencies) of the job. By observing how a participant handles the problems and challenges of the target job, assessors get a valid picture of how that person would perform in the target position. Since this practice is common and widely used by the recruiters, chances are you would encounter this evaluation at some point in your life.
We divided the article into two sections — today we will review the typical individual tasks that are most oftenly used in the assessment centers, and in the next article we will explain how to best handle the group tasks.

What does the procedure look like?

A traditional assessment center involves six participants and lasts from one to three days. The participants go through different simulations while are observed by assessors (usually three line managers). Assessors observe different participants in each simulation and take notes on special observation forms. After participants complete their individual and group tasks, assessors spend one or more days sharing their observations and agreeing on evaluations. The final report written by the assessors, details participants’ strengths and development needs, and evaluates their overall potential for success in the target position.

Individual tasks

Individual exercies in the assessment center tests the way you perform different types of tasks. They also test your communication and presenting skills, as well as an ability to prioritize (through so-called «inbox tasks»). Below you will find the types of individual tasks and the ways to handle them best.

The self-presentation

Are you a great self-presentor or an awkward self-promoter? Self-presentation is one of the standard elements in the assessment center.
You are usually given 1 to 5 minutes to prepare (sometimes you’re not given any preparatory time at all), and about 3 to 10 minutes to speak. Initially, the company representatives will introduce themselves and present the company to you. You have to carefully listen to what they say. Such information will be very useful as you will learn about the company philosophy, staff members and important names that you should remember. Do not be afraid to ask questions in the end. This will demonstrate your interest in the company, and your ability to listen — ask about what hasn’t been said yet or what wasn’t clear to you.
Following the company’s presentation, you will be the one to present. This can be a partner presentation, group presentation or a self-presentation. As in many things in life, the first impression is crucial. Don’t be glued to the standard, choose a creative introduction instead, which will make you stand out compared to your competitors. For example, talk about your hobby that highlight qualities relevant to the job. Creativity will catch everyone’s attention, giving you a huge advantage. Use the tools available to you, e.g. flip chart for a few phrases or titles, or the projector for a PowerPoint presentation. Give your self-presentation some visual support with the help of small drawings, sketches or diagrams. Remember — there’s no limit to imagination. Remember that your motivation for the job is also very important. Summarize in a few sentences why you’re the right person for the job.
The best tip about self-presentation is to practice in advance. As you usually don’t get too much time to prepare during the assessment, think about the structure and the «red thread» of your speech and make sure to follow it during your presentation.

The case study

What is being tested with the case study task are your technical skills and how you make decisions in difficult situations. A particular challenge is the time pressure. With proper preparation, though, no situation is hopeless.
The task usually takes 20-30 minutes. Your goal would be to professionally solve a complex problem in a given period of time. Make sure to carefully read and then follow all the instructions provided to you. If you are given several smaller tasks, create a short timeline listing how much time you will spend on each task, and then follow the schedule. For each task, deliver a few good solutions, and then move on to the next problem. Focus on just one thing at a time. Don’t forget to put all your solutions to the paper immediately, otherwise you might forget them.

The inbox exercise

The goal of this task is to see how you prioritize tasks and work under time pressure. It also tests if you are able to concentrate and think analytically. The task typically lasts about an hour. You will be given about 15-20 documents to be processed within this period of time. Each document contains its certain conditions that need to be taken into account, as well as a fixed deadline. These conditions may overlap, so you are forced to set priorities. You have to decide which tasks are immediate, which of them could be delegated and which can be disregarded. Under certain circumstances, your work is disturbed by additional factors such as telephone calls. You would be asked to write down the decisions you’re making and explain the way you set priorities.

Start this exercise with quickly going through the whole list to get an initial impression. What we mean by quickly is actually super quickly. Your goal is to separate important tasks from the unimportant ones. The second step will be to sort the important tasks according to their urgency. Important and urgent work should be done immediately, and by you, with no delegation. Important tasks that are not so urgent can be moved to another date. The urgent tasks that are not very important can be delegated. All unimportant and not urgent tasks should be moved to a later date.

The essay

You will be given about an hour to write an essay on a given topic. This is done to evaluate your writing abilities and communication skills. The essay topics may be very different but in general, they can be divided into three groups of subjects: your reasons for applying, career-related topics and general topics, such as economy, society and politics. The essays should be handwritten so practice your handwriting, especially if you have forgotten how to hold a pen, which sometimes happens to our generation. Make sure to write in large enough font so the assessors can at least read read your essay. Insert paragraphs and page numbers to make it look neat. Create a cover page and maybe even a table of contents for your article, because it can better orient the reader. Avoid complex sentences and do not use too many technical terms. Remember that you can score points not only with the content but also with the readability of your article!

The assessment center test

The Assessment Center Test evaluates your intelligence and personal qualities. It might take a form of a tricky questionnaire, IQ-test, math problem, or a psychological test. You may be asked questions like “What sort of work did your parents do?”, or “What professional and personal goals do you have?”. Sometimes you have to finish a sentence that begins with “I’m afraid of …” or “It annoys me when …”. It is often argued that the results of intelligence tests should be treated with caution as their validity is in question but still, they do not come out of fashion and if you undergo the assessment, you have very high chances of being asked to take some sort of test.
Before you start with the test, again try to understand what kind of test this is. When you understand the task, proceed with caution, and stay calm, and focused.

Our general recommendation for any assessment processes that you will go through in your life is to carefully prepare at home – learn about the company in details, and then you will be able to use this information during the simulation tasks. Learn about the key people that will be there (if you can find it out in advance) – and address the issues that they work with, when you have a chance. Learn about the general procedures of assessment centers from various sources, and you will feel even more confident because you know what to expect. We hope we were able to provide you with the general information about the main procedures. Next time we will review the group tasks that the recruiters usually give to their future employees in the assessment centers.

Application process – what to expect?

Tuesday, February 14, 2012 | Category: General Information | 1 comment

Application process is a complex activity that requires a lot of time and a great attention to the detail. Even when you have a CV and a sample of cover letter ready, adjusting them to every single position, sending out your application, filing it and following up take a solid effort. Don’t be discouraged by the massiveness of work you will have to do – it will all pay back when you get a job. It will also give you some invaluable skills for the future – being able to file applications will help you throughout your career – whether you will do it to switch jobs, or to apply for grants, contests and scholarships. Remember to be consistent and soon you will tame an uneasy application process.

Understanding the rules of the game

Before sending out an application, carefully read what is being asked to fill out. You may be asked to complete a job application even if you have already submitted a resume and a cover letter. That way, the employer has a record of your personal and employment history, verified and signed by the applicant. It’s important for your job applications to be complete, correct (no errors) and accurate. There are online applications as well as applications that you fill out in person upon arrival to the company. In both applications, you will be likely to provide the following information (so be ready to have it at hand)

Personal Information:

• Name
• Address
• Phone Number
• Eligibility to work in the country

Education:

• Schools/Colleges Attended
• Major
• Degree/Diploma
• Graduation Dates(s)

Previous Employment:

• Names, addresses, phone numbers of previous employers
• Supervisor’s name
• Dates of employment
• Salary
• Reason for Leaving

Position Applied For Information:

• Title of the job you are applying for
• Hours/days available to work (if applying for part time job)
• When you can start work

References

• List of three references – names, job title or relationship, addresses, phone numbers

CV & Cover Letter

See our tips on writing them here and here.

Adhering to the right format

• If you have to fill in an application in writing, write slowly, clearly and neatly, using black or blue ink.
• Check for spelling and grammatical errors. Make sure to proofread your job application form before sending it in.
• When completing employment information, list your most recent job first.
• List your most recent education first. Include vocational schools and training programs as well as college and high school.
• Tailor your answers to the job you are seeking. Just as with your CV and cover letter, you want to focus your education and experience to the job at hand. Give details of skills and accomplishments, and avoid framing your experiences in terms of mere duties and responsibilities. Show why you are more qualified than other applicants for the position. Include experience from all sources, including previous jobs, school, clubs and organizations, and volunteer work.
• References don’t necessarily have to be professional. If you have volunteered you can use members of the organizations that you have helped or if you are a student use your teachers. In all cases, ask for permission prior to using the person for a reference.
• Don’t leave anything blank. One of the reasons employers ask you to complete an application is because they want the same information from all job applicants. However, if there are questions that do not apply to you, simply respond with “not applicable,” or “n/a.” Do not write “see CV” when completing the application (but you can certainly attach your resume to the application).
• Don’t provide any negative information. As with job search correspondence, never offer negative information. Your goal with the application is to get an interview. Providing negative information (such as being fired from a job) just gives the employer a reason not to interview you.
• Don’t forget to sign you application.

Keeping track of your applications

It is essential to keep track of all the applications you are sending around. First of all, it will help you avoid applying somewhere twice (yes, that could happen!). Second of all, it will allow you to understand how many places you have applied to, and systematize your follow up procedures. You can keep track of the official job posting by hanging on to a paper copy, scanning a paper copy to digitize it, saving a webpage as a pdf, or using a program such as Evernote to capture the information. Word processing documents and spreadsheets are also helpful for keeping track of deadlines and to-do items.

Following up after a certain time

It is often advised that you need to follow up shortly after sending an application. Some companies acknowledge the receipt of the applications and send you a reference number. Some don’t. Selection process usually takes between two and eight weeks. We advise you to wait at least two or three weeks before you call the recruiter. If the selection period takes a longer time, chances are that your application has not been successful. Don’t get discouraged – keep trying.

One final word. Be prepared for all kinds of job applications, from simple one-page applications to multi-page applications; and some will be clean and crisp copies while others will appear to be photocopied a few too many times. Some recruiters make their applications tailored to their particular needs, have questionnaires and appear extremely long. Regardless, take your time and do the best you can, always keeping in the back of your mind the goal of the application — getting you an interview.

How to write cover letters

Monday, February 06, 2012 | Category: General Information | No comments

Сover letters are the integral part of the application process. Cover letter is a short introductory note that you present to the employer to explain why you got interested in the position and why you feel you are a good fit for it. Cover letters serve two important functions – first, they introduce you, and second, they sell you. Putting your best foot forward means sending a thoughtful and distinct letter to instantly catch employer’s attention. In doing so you can consider the following nine tips we have put together for you.

1. Keep it short

The ideal size of a cover letter is no more than one page long. A concise letter tells the employer that you are focused and have strong communication skills. Aim for three to four brief paragraphs. Write the reason of your interest in the first one, a brief summary of your experience in the second one (or second and third one), and then note that your CV is attached, you are looking forward to hearing from the person and would be ready to answer any questions that might arise. Don’t forget to include your contact details at the end of the letter, and mention that you will check in later to see how things are progressing.

2. Explicitly state the role you are applying for

It is common that the company is recruiting for several posts simultaneously. Do not make the hiring manager play the guessing game – clearly state the job title in the first paragraph of the letter, preferably in the first sentence. When you include the job title in the subject line of your e-mails, keep in mind that if the recruiter prints a letter out before reading it, such information may be lost.

3. Explain why you’re interested

You should make it clear to the recruiter why you want this job. Pose this question to yourself and answer it honestly. The recruiter should feel that this is not at random that you’re applying for this position, along with dozens of others. Explain how the position fits into your overall career plans and what you find exciting about the particular industry. A genuine show of enthusiasm and knowledge will set you apart from those sending generic form letters. ALWAYS write a unique cover letter for each job you’re applying for. Have a general template but make AT LEAST one paragraph (the reason of your interest) different for each case.

4. State how you plan to contribute.

After reviewing the job description, point by point, try to match the description of your skills and experiences with how they could fit the company’s needs. However, don’t simply restate your resume. Try to rather explain the ways you will add value to the company, based on what your resume communicates.

5. Never say you might be under-qualified

Even if you think the position is out of your reach, your job is to convince the recruiter you are qualified. If the recruiter thinks you’re unqualified, a confessional letter is not going to get you an interview. Keep the letter positive by focusing on your transferable skills and unusual accomplishments.

6. Keep the tone and content professional.

Recruiters are also humans and they appreciate good humour in a relevant situation. Cover letter is not such situation. Stay extremely professional and follow the rules of general appropriateness. If you want to impress the employer with your extraordinary personality, leave it until the interview. To get to that stage, though, you should obey the ethics of business correspondence.

7. Say what you’re going to do next

Always follow up after sending a resume. If the job post contains a phone number, indicate you will call within a specified time to check on the progress. If not, consider calling anyway, unless the post specifically requests “no calls.” You may also consider a follow-up e-mail if you sent your resume electronically.

8. Proofread several times

Many recruiters will dismiss even the most qualified candidates if there’re typos in their cover letters or CVs. Using a spell checker is not enough. Reread your letter two or three times, then give it to someone else to proofread it again. Even if your letter is free of typos, poor grammar also makes a bad impression.

Knowing how to write good cover letters come from the experience. After you compose several of them, you will feel more at ease. Use any chance to better your cover letter writing techniques and soon you will enjoy the results of learning these skills.

The 7 worst things to put on your CV

Tuesday, January 31, 2012 | Category: General Information | No comments

When you send in your CV, this is very often the first time you present yourself to the employer (unless you had a previous agreement with the person who is expecting your CV). It is easy to make a mistake, and – given the competition – lose the hiring game right away. One mistake – we would even say, one imperfection – can totally ruin the whole process for you because the employer can feel your CV is not worth reading on. They are so spoilt these days!

In order to present yourself in the best possible light, make avoid the most common mistakes that are likely to send your application straight into a trash bin. What constitutes such mistakes? At Jobzippers, we talked to some career experts and came up with 7 points that will guarantee that your resume never makes it past round one.

1. Lies

This should really go without saying, but we decided to emphasize it one more time – don’t make things up. Also, don’t fudge the facts in the timeline of your work history. Almost all details you put in your resume can be checked, so when you use false information to cover a blemish or exaggerate success, chances are this will become known. Along with the embarrassment you will have a sour feeling of not getting the job you might have got otherwise. Make sure to always represent yourself as accurately as possible.

2. Too much information

Believe it or not, but employers are humans. They can be busy, tired, not focused, and quite frankly, they probably will not read your resume word-for-word. If you put too much information in your resume, it characterizes you as someone who is unable to choose the essence, overwhelms everyone with unsuitable details and is too attached to information. Too many words and pages are a burden to the reader, and these days, readers of CVs don’t want to be burdened.

3. Unnecessary details about your life

Some personal details should be included in your CV, such as your full name and contact information, including email, phone number and address. We recommend that all the personal details beyond that are kept to a minimum. Personal data, like your age, race, political affiliation, or anything about your family members, may suggest a bias, unless what you want to do next is directly tied to one of those categories, because it shows aligned interest (for example, when you’re looking to work for an organization closely tied to a cause, you can reveal your race or political interests).

4. Overly verbose statements

Never confuse selling yourself with overselling yourself. In fact, there’s a fine line between the two. Too many resumes nowadays are said to overstate the importance of job responsibilities.
Be precise and not overly verbose – you may sound inexperienced or too self-centred. Avoid phrases like “‘Spearheaded high-profile projects through supervision of others, leading by example”. Keep your flair for the dramatic to a minimum, so that CV readers can get a picture of what your real responsibilities were with your past or current company.

5. Stories about being fired from the job

Remember that your CV should put you in a positive light. Mentioning that you were fired for poor performance, stealing from the company, or any other fault of your own will apparently have the exact opposite effect. Leave out information about a situation that positions you negatively, such as “I mishandled funds” – anything that suggests you used poor judgment in your current or former job.
Following this advice does not violate the rule number 1 (lies). If you’re asked to explain why you left a job, you will have to be straightforward, but until then, make sure you’re showing your best side.

6. Salary expectations

Putting your salary expectations in your CV is generally considered a mauvais ton. Unless a hiring manager asks for it, keep it out of your application. Save this discussion for a later stage of the interviewing process, ideally once the interviewer brings it up.

7. Archaisms like “References Available Upon Request” and Your Objective

The age-old “references available upon request” has become archaic. This is a “by default” type of thing that is really not worth mentioning. If a hiring manager wants your references, he or she would ask for them.
Also get rid of your objective statement. It’s not really necessary to explain your career goals. Get straight to the point. If you are sending in your CV to this particular employer, than it means that your career plans are already in line with what this company has to offer.

Next time we will have a look at how to compose a cover letter. Use this week to work on your CV more and make sure to get rid of all the unnecessary information there that may appear contrary to what the hiring managers might want to see.

Top 7 things to have in your CV

Monday, January 16, 2012 | Category: General Information | No comments

Every day employers receive dozens of CVs from many highly-qualified applicants. How do you make your CV stand out? Should it be concise or detailed? Should it be classically structured, or should it catch attention by its originality? Should it be modest or boastful?
Read on to see the points in your CV that are an absolute must and could not be disregarded. We at Jobzippers spoke to several hiring managers to get their insights on what makes CVs successful.

1. Name and contact details
Begin with the basics – state your name (no pseudonyms please) and your contact details – address, phone number, where you are most likely to be reached and your email (it has to be professional and not include any nicknames and/or other inappropriate words). Make sure that the information is up-to-date and is presented clearly.
2. Employment histories listed first
Recruiting specialists suggest that you state your employment history first, in the reversed order (from the latest ones backwards), including internships and volunteer experiences. Only after that should you move on to your educational details. Work experience is highly valuable nowadays so the employers want to have an immediate idea of what your previous experiences were.
3. Appealing career summary
Make sure that you list all the necessary details of your work positions so they reflect your various skills and are not overly repetitive. This is your chance to bring forward relevant skills, strengths, attitude, knowledge and experience to the recruiter.
Your employment list should include the name of the company, your designation, your job responsibilities and achievements. It is always better to present this information in bulleted format rather than a clumsy paragraph.
4. Major accomplishments
Do not think of CV-writing as boastful. Use it as a chance to demonstrate how you could create value for the company. Mention some figures when you talk about your achievements. For example:
Worked as Business Development Assistant for ABC Company from August 2005 to February 2010.
Job responsibilities:
- Assisting in setting up 4 franchisees across 3 countries
– Maximising the business from existing customers to the tune of $ 500,000, as a part of the Business Development team
Achievements may be different for different industries. If you’re a software engineer, you may have a lot of smaller projects and clients. Maybe you were hired as a student fundraiser for a couple of short-term assignments. Mention everything that you find relevant but don’t go overboard and repeat yourself. Subtlety is still key.

5. Out-of-work achievements, interests and hobbies
Do not forget to mention your out-of-work achievements, interests and hobbies as they reflect your personality and skills. Present the relevant achievements in the order of priority i.e. the most important achievement first. Similarly, present your interests as well. Write about the achievements that display a facet of your personality. For instance, if you have been the president of your college, do mention it. It shows your leadership skills.
6. Good presentation
Make sure your design is simple, attractive, and readable. As with any resume, you should use a clean font such as Times New Roman or Arial. Be consistent in your use of boldface, underline, or italics to help lead the reader through the document and avoid contrived graphical elements.

7. Consistency
The point that is often disregarded is the consistency throughout your resume. Use the same tense throughout the CV (if you use past tense, keep using it till the end, if you use the -ing form listing your responsibilities, stick with this until you put the very last dot (- copywriting, – planning the budget, – engaging with local communities, etc.) Changing the tense in every second line leaves the reader confused and annoyed.

Hope these basic CV-writing tips will help you boost your CVs and make them reflect your personality better. Next time we will present the 7 worst things to have in your CV.
Jobzippers offers free CV checks for students registered with us. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of this service – get in touch with us and attach your CV – we will make sure it’s consistent and ready to be sent out to the companies of your interest.

Career: What has to be done during your last semester so you don’t regret not doing it later

Tuesday, January 03, 2012 | Category: General Information | No comments

Very soon many of you will enter your final semester of college. Make sure to use this time wisely as you have probably heard that landing a job in this economy is a real challenge. In order to carefully prepare yourself, take the necessary steps today and don’t wait until you graduate. What you do today might be essential for your whole future career.

According to a survey by Braun Research in April 2011, companies will hire 9.5% more graduates from the class of 2012 than they did from the 2011 graduating class. However, employers are still looking for the best of the best in their hiring practice. The same study found that 71% of 500 recent four-year college graduates would have done something differently in their last semester to prepare for the job market. What were those things? We have analyzed the most common regrets of the recent graduates to help you avoid these mistakes in your own career development.

“Wish I had started the job search earlier”

Putting off your job hunt is not a smart move at all. Unfortunately, senior year students don’t start thinking about their careers until they have to. These causes big gaps between graduating and landing a first job – sometimes months, and sometimes years. While everyone starts going crazy about the job search in the late summer and fall, use your last semester to give yourself some more time – now that you really have it. Plan on exploring and applying for several jobs per week. You won’t feel overwhelmed by your new duty but it will highly increase your chances of getting hired.

“Wish I had networked much more than I did”

According to the Braun Research survey, 29 % of respondents claimed they should have spent more time building a solid professional network. Even though it might seem not a top priority during the job hunt, in fact it is. Different resources suggest that about 70% of jobs are found through networking. Students who spend all their time screening job boards should also dedicate some time to establishing connections with professionals in the field of their interest, who are respected and involved in the workforce: company representatives, industry experts and alumni, and anybody who could potentially help with the job search. For the most part, people love to help students and young professionals. As long as you are thankful and gracious, and not trying to hard-sell yourself right off the bat, potential connections are likely to be receptive.

“Wish I had taken on a job, an internship, or a volunteer position in addition to my courses”

There can be no substitute for experience. Many employers nowadays require having some professional experience under your belt before entering the workforce. Relevant internship experience is appreciated everywhere and if the employers have to choose between two people with more or less equal assets, they would of course pick the more experienced one.
You might look for internships that provide college credit or are paid. Otherwise, gain work experience in a customer service, and use this experience to build skills and connections, wherever possible. If you wait on tables, talk with people at each and every table. In fact, there are numerous CEOs who started networking while they were bartenders. Working online could also be an option, while you’re still in school. There are positions like social media officer, copyeditor or a web designer (if you have skills) that you could do from home. Many of these types of jobs have flexible hours, an added benefit for busy students.

“Wish I had been more involved in career-relevant extracurricular activities”

Chances are, in your university, there are some (or many) on-campus groups, clubs, events and activities to give you experiences that can translate to the working world. Skills gained in school will stay with your throughout your whole professional life. You can gain relevant experience by planning events on campus or working as a freshman orientation assistant, for example. Companies want to hire people who understand how to manage projects, work in teams, and possess great communication skills. Experts say that you should frame the extracurricular experience you’ve had in a professional way. Try thinking of your biggest accomplishments as a member or leader of an extracurricular group, and using them to brainstorm resume bullet points.

“Wish I had monitored my online appearance better”

We recommend that you start doing this early – the best time for such activities is now. Clean up and privacy-protect your Facebook account. Monitor what you put there and think if it’ll be considered appropriate if the potential employer sees it. Consider tweeting interesting news (instead of which class you’re skipping), be careful where you “check-in” on your smartphone, and set up a solid LinkedIn profile. Add a signature line to your e-mail account and set up a decent voicemail message. These little steps can help you appear more professional and increase your chances of getting employed.

“Wish I had attended the career center more often”

As a college student, you clearly have an advantage other job seekers don’t – an on-campus career service staffed with people who assist students looking for jobs. The reality is that most career centres aren’t taken advantage of to their full extent. As you try hard to use any possible ways of becoming competitive, be the one who does take advantage of these services. Get to know the counsellors there, so that they know what you’re looking for and are able tell you about new opportunities. It’s also a good place to practice your elevator pitch, draft introductory e-mails or cover letters, perfect your resume, and test your interview skills.

“Wish I had kept better track of my achievements”

Never underestimate yourself. Even the smallest achievements can demonstrate your ability to add value, which is always appreciated by the employers. Start creating tangible results with your name on them and keep track of these achievements. Tracking how many donations you collected from calling alumni or that you created a new filing system for the admissions office are achievements that translate to everyday work activities. Don’t forget to highlight your academic awards, such as making the dean’s list or honour society. You might also want to track your results in a public setting – for example, your LinkedIn profile.

“Wish I have focused more on developing relevant skills”

Having an awareness of industry-specific skills as well as broad, transferable ones is a way to really stand out. As the companies aren’t investing as much in training these days, the employers are looking for someone who can hit the ground running.
Develop your understanding of chain-of-command issues, working with older, more experienced colleagues and working with people in parallel roles in other departments, or with vendors and customers. Use experiences offered in the university, or go for an internship.
Seek to build an excellent customer service knowledge – not only to use as a professional, but also to use as a job seeker. That includes making yourself available, being fully prepared for interviews, and knowing how to solve the problems that might appear.

As a university student, use all the advantages available to you to equip yourself with anything that might be of use when you leave the school. Create a plan for the semester, in terms of career development, and follow it in the next few month. By doing this, you will put yourself well ahead of the competition. Never waste a single chance to getting closer to your dream career.

Skills: Public speaking and presentations

Wednesday, December 21, 2011 | Category: General Information | No comments

In the list of people’s phobias, anxiety about public speaking made it to the top of the most common fears. Not the heights, darkness, spiders or snakes. Public speaking! Everyone knows this painful feeling when you walk up the stage and see a crowd looking at you and expecting you to give them a consistent and interesting speech. Your month gets dry and your knees may start shaking. Your heart races like crazy and your hands get sweaty. The best part of this experience is that it is completely normal to have these feelings and these bodily reactions, especially when you just start your career. Getting rid of this fear does take some time but it is essential to work on your presentation skills – they are an important asset to have as a professional person. No matter what position you take in the company, it is likely that you will publicly present at some occasions. Check out the list of advice we put together for you, to overcome the fear and become a good public speaker.

Research the topic deeply and think through your speech

Before going on stage, or presenting in the company, it is essential that you learn much about your topic and have a clue what you will be talking about. You should know in advance how long your speech will be and prepare accordingly. Improvisation is great but we still o recommend that you think through your speech in advance, to avoid unnecessary anxieties.

Get your attention off yourself
Even thought it is kind of tempting to stay focused on how uncomfortable you feel, do your best to concentrate on anything, really anything, but yourself. Try to distract yourself – observe the environment, look at the people, notice how they’re dressed, who wears glasses – trick your mind so it finally stops to self-analyze too much. This will make you feel more confident.

Use humour

The use of jokes and anecdotes will make everyone – including yourself – feel more at ease and have a good laugh out of the situation, even if you feel really awkward. However, make sure to use appropriate humour, and don’t risk your reputation by using indecent jokes with the public you don’t know very well. Feeling the public comes with experience – start with a milder and more innocent jokes that will always cheer up the audience and are unlikely to offend anyone.

Organize your ideas and complement them with quotations, statistics, facts and visuals

Take extra time during your preparations to organize your speech and build links between its different parts and different ideas. A well-organized presentation can be absorbed with minimal mental strain, so you will make it easier both for your public and for yourself (you will constantly be observing an interest in their eyes). Use interesting statistics, facts and quotations to supplement your speech where relevant. Also, complement your words with visual aids.

Start strong, close strong, and tell a story in between

It might be tricky to deliver a speech that keeps an audience thrilled at all times as people’s attention span is quite short. The key to solving this is to divide the speech into three parts and impress with each particular part. Make your initial message, and your closing words impressively strong because the audience tends to remember the opening and closing of speeches, if those were good. Guide them through an interesting storyline in between. Everyone loves a story. This makes information more memorable, too.

Vary vocal pace, tone, and volume

Remember that a monotone voice might sound a bit like fingernails on the chalkboard, to many people. Make it fun and easy for your audience by changing the way you sound throughout the talk.

Connect and interact with the audience

Eye contact is only the first step in building the connection. Use the 3-second method – look straight into the eyes of a person in the audience for 3 seconds at a time. Have direct eye contact with a number of people in the audience, and every now and then glance at the whole audience while speaking. Use your eye contact to make everyone in your audience feel involved.
Aim to have the audience conclude “This speaker is just like me!”, the sooner, the better. Ask questions, and listen carefully to the answers. Solicit volunteers. Make your presentation a dialogue. Seek and utilize feedback, too. You might also want to use the Q&A to solidify the impression that you are an expert, not only a speaker.

Respect the audience by not going over time

It is an essential sign of respect to the audience, and the host of the event, when you obey the set time constraints. Prepare in advance so you know that you will speak exactly for 2, 15, 45, etc. minutes.

Positively react to the issues that may arise

Don’t panic if some things go wrong but be ready for different issues and think in advance how you would react to them. Save your presentation in difference formats, on two USB sticks. If the audience is not big, give them printed copies of your notes and slides, in case all the rest refuses to work. Have back up plans for about anything.

The key thing is to remember during your presentation is that speaking is a game, in a way. Play it by its rules and try to enjoy the process the best you can. Test yourself, challenge yourself, and work on one of the most important skills to have in your professional life. It all comes with experience, so just go for it!

Skills: How to be a great networker

Monday, December 05, 2011 | Category: General Information | No comments

Networking is not about meeting people at conferences and then putting their contact details into your database with or without intention to ever follow up again. A real networking is about taking time to find out about others and working out if there is a common ground that you can use together, to meet business or personal goals. It is no surprise that right connections can open many doors as well as grow your business and exposure. If you don’t work hard enough to build meaningful relationships, you might end up attending numerous useless networking events in hopes that one day you will be placed at same table with the clients, who will open their wallets and suggest to buy everything you can offer. How does one become proficient in connecting with other people and benefiting from these connections, both personally and professionally? Follow the rules we’re suggesting below and grow relationships that can nurture you as a person and as an entrepreneur.

1. Follow up!

Savvy networkers follow up everyone they meet – otherwise what’s the point of it all? If you tell someone you are going to call, do it. There may be times when you are too busy with other things – in that case it will be decent to honestly say “It was great meeting you. I would like to find out more about your business – why don’t we catch up at the next month’s networking event?”.

2. Don’t underestimate any connections.

The great networker is never prejudiced against those at the conference or a meeting based on a topic of a meeting. The worst thing in networking is to think that you don’t have anything in common with the people in the room, or they are of no use to your current agenda. Everyone has a story to tell. You never know what’s going to come from each meeting. You will be surprised how people who seemingly don’t have anything in common with you can create a real value for what you’re doing at the moment, give you an amazing feedback and/or put you in touch with other people of the same interest with you.

3. Don’t only GET but GIVE

Focusing not only on getting what you want but rather on helping people get what they want can bring many interesting contacts your way. Connect people who have a lot in common or can help each other. Good networkers know no scarcity and are willing to share their contacts, their knowledge and their support. Having a reputation of someone who can always help, will put you in touch with the right people of the similar mind-sets.

4. Focus on QUALITY, not QUANTITY

It is better to spend more time on one really interesting person and talk profoundly with him or her, than run from one person to another always excusing yourself and flying away without catching anything besides person’s name and occupation.

5. Be interesting

Try to make people spend good time with you. Make them comfortable. Share a story or two. Be yourself. Dare to speak your mind. Read a lot and share your opinions candidly. People are attracted to people who are unique, so don’t try to “fit in”. Try to make this time together memorable to everyone you meet.

6. Be confident

This is of course a quality to be developed and it might take you some time before you really feel at ease at networking events. Try your hardest to build confidence until you are satisfied with the result – confidence makes people and their businesses memorable.

7. Use social media

When you had a good conversation with the person and want to continue relationship with them, feel free to use social media available to us these days. There are so many ways to connect… LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google – just to name a few. Understanding the etiquette of each of these is very important as it changes with each one. Be prepared to spend a certain amount of time a day on communicating with your contacts on social media.

8. Love people

This is the most important part of being a networker. If you don’t like people, forget networking as it will show. Networkers support and promote/sell others without even realising that they are doing it. It’s their way of giving back for all that they receive.

What are the soft skills?

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 | Category: General Information | No comments

We live in a challenging time where many things that were enough to find a good job some time ago are no longer suffice. In order to be competitive today, we need to have the so-called “soft-skills” along with the functional core competencies of particular professions. Soft skills are the cluster of individual qualities, social habits and attitudes that make someone a good employee and compatible to work with. Soft skills are considered an important indicator of job performance – employers look for people who are agile, adaptable and creative at solving problems and building relationships.

We have looked into some of the most common soft skills employers look for and try to assess in their candidates. This is what we came up with:

1. Positive Attitude
If you are optimistic and upbeat, you are likely to bring this spirit to the rest of the team. You will generate good energy and good will, and create a positive working environment. Such people brighten the office and make it easy for the others to work with them.

2. Being a team player

Hiring someone who works well in groups and teams is another important factor when building inductive and healthy work environment. If you get along with your colleagues, can cooperate with the other staff members and take a leadership role when appropriate, this will be appreciated by each and everyone in your team.

3. Strong Work Ethic

Motivated and dedicated people get the job done and feel good about it. This is what brings them to work every morning, and makes them satisfied at the end of the day. If you strive to do your best at work, you will be irreplaceable in your role.

4. Good Communication Skills

Are you both verbally articulate and a good listener? Can you make a good impression on people and effectively manage relationships with them? Are you able to negotiate and compromise? Are you empathetical and compassionate? Even if you work as a technical person, good communication skills will always make you stand out.

5. Problem-Solving Skills

Everyone gets stressed once in a while. Situations can become complex. Schedules might change. Deadlines are pressing here and there. Are you able to creatively solve problems that will inevitably arise? Will you stay call and help others through the storm? Will you admit mistakes and make sure similar things don’t happen again? Problem-solving skills are important soft skills to develop. They will help you face challenges not only in your profession, but also in every aspect of your life.

6. Time Management Abilities

Ability to prioritize tasks and work on a number of different projects is the essential ability you should try to develop early in your career. Work performance is often dependant on one’s ability to use his or her time wisely.

7. Self-Confidence

Do you truly believe you can do the job? Can you project a sense of calm and inspire confidence in others? Will you have the courage to ask questions that need to be asked and to freely contribute your ideas? Self-confidence allows you to accomplish things and face challenges.

8. Flexibility

Being able to adapt to new situations and challenges is another soft skill employers are looking for in the potential candidates. Will you embrace change and be open to new ideas? Are you coachable and open to learning and growing as a person and as a professional? Showing enough flexibility in your work could help you open new doors and consider creative solutions you’ve never thought of. Develop this soft skills through active listening and learning to adapt to changing circumstances.

It’s certainly great to have particular work skills and experiences in place. At the same time, do not disregard the power of the soft skills that are built and developed throughout your whole life to take you to higher and higher in your professional aspirations.

Job search: Training programs for young professionals

Monday, November 14, 2011 | Category: General Information | No comments

There are many companies out there that offer training programs for the potential young employees. These training programs aim to introduce a company to a trainee and demonstrate what a trainee could expect from certain positions. What are these training programs and how do they differ across sectors? Should you consider such path, or do you need to go with the direct-entry jobs? What questions should you ask before accepting temporary training contract? Read on to explore what it’s all about…

What are your options in choosing your training program?

There is no fixed definition of what training program is. Both the length and the content of such programs vary significantly from company to company, and from sector to sector. In most cases, training programs target mainly university graduates. The aim that companies pursue here is to turn trainees into versatile junior employees. For this to come true, training programs usually last from 12 to 24 months, with two to three months at various departments and sometimes also foreign offices. By working in multiple locations/departments, trainees learn about the company’s structure and get to think and act across departments. In addition to the general training programs, there are specific technical programs, in which a trainee goes through various levels of their major department, where they plan on being permanently hired. Oftentimes, however, employers do not know exactly in which role in the organization the trainee will end up. After the training program is over, a trainee might be considered for several positions and departments.

What salary can you expect?

Trainee salaries differ significantly, depending on the industry and the region. Salaries range from less than 10,000 € to more than 50,000 € gross per year. Two essential factors here are the industry and the size of the company.

What do various programs offer?

Besides giving you hands-on experience with the company, training programs often offer special soft-skills seminars to build the qualities essential for leadership roles. Another typical element of trainee programs are networking events. These serve to ensure that managers from various departments know the trainees personally, which will help to collaborate across the organization in the future. Although many graduates initially sign the contract only for the duration of the program, the companies are highly interested in hiring the trainees permanently, due to the high investment in training (training itself, travel costs, soft-skills seminars, networking events, etc.), provided that the trainee meets all expectations.

How difficult is to get in?

Companies set high standards for applicants, and this is particularly true for corporations active on international arena. Oftentimes, a minimum that training programs require are a good university degree, some experience abroad, relevant soft skills and relevant practical experiences. For the medium-sized companies, graduates with less than “A” in all disciplines also get real chances to be accepted into a training program. Until recent years, training programs were mainly available for the graduates of economics and finance. Meanwhile, however, companies are also increasingly offering trainings for engineers, computer science graduates, lawyers and students of social disciplines.

What should you ask yourself before going for training programs?

Before you decide on go to a training program, you should gather a lot of information about it to avoid potential unpleasant revelations.

We suggest that you make sure the following points are clear to you:

- How long is this training program?
- How will your work be structured? Will you get to work in different departments?
- If yes, how long will you stay in each department?
- Will you travel abroad?
- Will you have a mentor or another person responsible to take care of you during the program?
- Will there be any professional and personal development trainings and seminars?
- What specific tasks will you be responsible for?
- Will you have your own projects?
- Will you receive a temporary contract for the duration of the training program, or a permanent contract?
- If it is a temporary contract, what are the prospects for a subsequent employment?
- How likely are you to get a job after this training program?

These are the questions you could investigate online, and/or ask the former or current trainees in the company, as well as the person in charge of the training program.
If you find that the position suits your aspirations for the future career and offers a smooth transition into employment, don’t hesitate and go for it. As the practice shows, many graduates have found their permanent jobs through training programs.

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