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Posts Tagged: career guide

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.

Soft Skills: Your Emotional Intelligence can affect your Career Success

Monday, November 07, 2011 | Category: General Information | No comments

In the words of EI expert Daniel Goleman, Emotional Intelligence is: “The capacity for recognizing our own feelings and those of others, for motivating ourselves, for managing emotions well in ourselves and in our relationships.” Goleman believes that there is an interaction between the four areas of emotional intelligence (self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, and relationship management) which can have a powerful influence on others around the emotionally intelligent leader.

 

Emotional Intelligence enables us to communicate effectively with peers, manage difficult situations and individuals, maintain smooth working relationships, establish rapport and understanding with other people, and get good performance from the team. In the end, Emotional Intelligence is about having a positive effect on the people and situations around us, so that everyone involved is more effective.

 

Goleman’s conceptual model describes EI as the ability to recognize oneself, which leads to the ability of Self Management, and at the same time Social Awareness; on the other hand Social Awareness together with Self Management lead to a good ability of Relationship Management.

 

1. Self-Awareness includes some major concepts such as Emotional Self-Awareness (recognizing how our emotions affect our performance), Accurate Self-Assessment (knowing one’s own inner resources, abilities and limits), and Self-Confidence (a strong sense of one’s self-worth and capabilities, a belief in one’s own capability to accomplish a task and select an effective approach to a task or problem).

 

2. Self-Awareness leads to Self-Management, which means Emotional Self-Control (keeping disruptive emotions and impulses in check), Transparency (maintaining integrity, acting congruently with one’s values), Adaptability (flexibility in handling change), Achievement Orientation (striving to improve or meeting a standard of excellence), Initiative (readiness to act on opportunities), Optimism (persistence in pursuing goals despite obstacles and setbacks).

 

3. Self-Awareness also leads to Social Awareness which results in Empathy (sensing others’ feelings and perspectives, and taking an active interest in their concerns), Organizational Awareness (reading a group’s emotional currents and power relationships), and Service Orientation (anticipating, recognizing, and meeting others’ needs).

 

4. Finally Social Awareness together with self management leads to Relationship Management which facilitates empowerment practices in many aspects, such as Developing Others (sensing others’ development needs and bolstering their abilities), Inspirational Leadership (inspiring and guiding individuals and groups), Change Catalyst (initiating or managing change), Influence (having impact on others) Conflict Management (the ability to handle difficult individuals, groups of people, or tense situations with diplomacy and tact), Teamwork and Collaboration (working with others towards a shared goal).

 

 

You can start by testing your EI Quotient, there are many tests available online; an example can be found in this link http://psychology.about.com/library/quiz/bl_eq_quiz.htm

 

 

 

Conceptual Model of Emotional Intelligence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why do I need an internship?

Monday, October 31, 2011 | Category: General Information | No comments

 

Your degree is important but there is one thing, which can be, if not to say more important, then at least as important as your degree. And that’s experience. By saying it, we’re probably not breaking any news to you. A strong academic background is always great but not enough to indicate whether you would be good for specific work environment. Employers look for candidates who possess transferable skills that are gained through work experiences. The question is – where should one get these experiences?

 

 

Internships are great in many ways. For example,

 

1) Internships will expose you to a learning environment where you can apply theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom. It will also give you an opportunity to take what you’ve learned in the working world back into the classroom through various projects, papers, etc.

 

2) Internships will allow you to test out a field. You wouldn’t want to buy a car without a test-drive, right? Why then would you spend many years of your live working in a field that you haven’t “test driven”?

 

3) One can get an internship while still studying. Internships can be part time, which will allow you to combine them with other activities in your life. It’s better to do fewer hours but stay with the company longer – this is how you really gain knowledge about the work environment in a particular organization as well as general functions in the field of your interest. Extended presence in one company also speaks in favour of your personality demonstrating that you don’t go running hither and thither but prefer to stay focused. It’s not an aim in itself to stay with just one company, especially if you don’t like it or feel like it’s time to move on. However, if you have a choice between having several smaller experiences and one fundamental internship that will give you a full understanding of the particular field, then our suggestion is – go for the latter.

 

4) Internships are perfect for building vital career-related skills such as interpersonal communication skills, written and organizational skills, as well as skills needed for a particular job position. An internship will help you explore and create experiences tailored to your specific needs and goals – make sure to shape the way it goes for you, be explicit about what things you want to learn and regularly ask for feedback and more complex tasks.

 

5) During your internship, you will make contacts with people who can later on help you find a real job or at least be able to answer your questions about potential career. The network you’re building will last forever if you use it wisely and don’t let it go. Internships you do will allow you to learn how to manage your networks efficiently. Stay curious about people you work with, establish good lasting relationships and enjoy new friendships wherever possible.

 

6) An internship will give you something to talk about during job interviews. This experience has already become a “must have” for obtaining a full-time position after graduation. With a good internship experience “in store” you will feel more comfortable talking to the interviewers and showcasing your skills. Make sure to communicate the value of your internship clearly to whoever you speak about it. Mention your improved experience, knowledge and skills and always provide letters of recommendation even when you’re not asked to bring them.

 

 

How to make your internship efficient?

 

1) Set clear internship goals

 

Internship is your personal invaluable experience that can take you very far if you approach it in a smart and responsible way. Try your best to get the most out of it, learn as much as your head can store and meet as many people as you could. Determine how this internship can help you develop career-related experiences, what valuable knowledge and skills you want to get from it and how you plan to evaluate your success.

 

2) Identify what will be your measurable contribution to the company

 

Take time to think about the way, in which you plan to assist the company with your existing knowledge and skills. It’s fine if you don’t know much yet but maybe you already are a great communicator and can boost company’s social media presence? Or you’re good with computers and can do word processing or master the spreadsheet software, powerpoint, html, publisher – anything, really? Contribute to the company’s work while you’re interning with it. If you care not only to take (experience, skills, money, etc.) but to give, you will end up having something tangible to be proud of (and talk about during the interviews).

 

3) Make your internship exciting

 

Don’t just hang in there – make it a special experience, excel! This rule could work for anything in life – if you’re doing it, do it good, do it better than good. This is your experience, your life, your choice – make it stand out. Inquire about your employer’s expectations. Consider how you will make your supervisor and coworkers members of your team and your network. Evaluate your work and your contribution at the end. Review what new skills you developed and determine what were the highlights of your internship.

Entry-level jobs: Where do I begin?

Monday, October 24, 2011 | Category: General Information | No comments

They say that the entry-level jobs are not the same as they used to be a decade ago. If that’s true, then what is the entry-level job today? Something about it hasn’t changed – the entry level position is the starting position for a person with little or no experience, usually at minimum wage or a scale lower than most experienced workers. А few years ago a college degree in place meant an entry-level job was secured for you. Times are very different now. Read on to find out what you can expect from this new reality we call the modern job market.

 

 

 

 

Your degree doesn’t guarantee a job anymore

 

As disappointing as it may sound, but the times are long gone when having just graduated people were offered jobs and all they had to do was transfer their belongings from the class desks straight to the office desks. Jobs have never ever been guaranteed but chances were high you’d end up with a decent entry-level position. Today, your bachelor’s degree in itself, although being taken seriously by the employers, doesn’t mean you’ll get a job. You should offer the company so much more than your university education.

 

Experience is not Optional

 

Today, employers aren’t as patient about the profitability of new hires as they once used to be. Nowadays, you have to have at least some experience and be able to quickly catch up with what you’re being taught. Where can you get work experience without having a job? There are numerous internships and unpaid co-op programs that run at different times of the year, which you may take advantage of. Volunteer experience also counts towards your “experience” time.

 

Staying competitive is crucial

 

In today’s very competitive environment you have to stay on top of latest trends and move really fast as there is an apparent surplus of overqualified candidates. Contemporary entry-level job market is looking for extremely focused individuals who planned far ahead, used the services of career counsellors and other experts, as well as took on internships while at school. Such graduates tend to stand out from the rest of a “sea of applicants”.

 

Technology skills matter

 

If you don’t have at least average computer skills, it will make it very difficult for you to get an entry-level job. Today, employers are seeking graduates who have technical skills along with the liberal arts education. Be careful not to overlook such attributes as being able to use Microsoft Office, basic Internet tools and basic graphic design programs.

 

Soft skills matter as well

 

Effectively communicating with other people and knowing how to solve complex problems are the examples of soft skills essential to landing and succeeding in most of today’s entry-level jobs. On top of that, regardless of your future job, your written and oral communication skills need to be not just acceptable but good, or even excellent. Try to develop in many ways – what the employers will look at is not only the skill set needed for a particular position but also – and maybe most importantly – your overall personality and potential.

 

Salary is important but there should be some other good things

 

If you were offered an entry-level job in a good and competitive working environment, don’t hesitate to accept less compensation at the start just to set your feet in the door and work your way up the career ladder. Take it as a temporary job and build your resume, and gain valuable experience and skills. Do not consider only salary for your entry-level position but seek roles with good job-growth potential, management responsibilities and opportunities to work on high-profile projects. Use your skills and you will be able to get promoted after some time. If you can get in to an entry level job and demonstrate the kind of dedication and effort which is all too rare these days, it will give you a huge advantage over the competition when the time comes to progress.

 

Being realistic is the key

 

Living in today’s complex environment, it is important to realize that the dream job is not very likely to come until you spend a few years, if not many years, into your career. You should take it as a fact and always strive for better. It is in many ways much healthier to climb your way to the job of your dreams than to stay unemployed because of the expectations, which are too high. You have a long and interesting career ahead of you – prepare to take this long journey and don’t forger that the entry point is only the beginning of it.

Looking for a job – where to start?

Tuesday, October 18, 2011 | Category: General Information | No comments

If you plan to engage in one of your first job searches, you might not know where to begin. To tell you honestly, even if it is far from your first job search, you may still feel confused about this process. Here are a few tips for you to gain momentum in your search.

 

What to do first?

 

First of all cool down. When you stay focused and organized, job search may become – if not to say an entertainment – but at least a pleasurable activity. Those still in school, make sure to take full advantage of the career services in your university. Get advice on CV writing and interview skills, attend skill-building workshops, have a couple of mock interviews and be ready to ask direct questions, including “How do I start looking for a job”? Take advantage of the free CV check available at Jobzippers and generally use any opportunity to talk with someone experienced about your career planning and your further steps.

 

Where to look?

 

Start with sitting down and thinking about what type of opportunities you’re looking for. Make a list of top 10 or 20 companies where you would like to work most. Then go ahead and target the companies of your interest. Keep a close eye on the positions through regularly looking at companies’ websites and reading industry magazines.

 

You need to be persistent, so don’t hesitate to call a company after you have applied to confirm they have received your application. You can also get an internship with the company of your interest first and by working hard gradually earn a permanent contract. Besides, it can provide you with excellent experience and improve you CV, which may open up a career for you later on.

 

If you are unsure about the companies of your interest or don’t have any particular ones in mind, you can look at newspapers, websites and agencies or just surf through different companies’ websites. If you are certain of the roles you’re looking for, you may apply directly on the companies’ websites. It can be difficult though to be aware of all the different roles that are open to you. Using job web sites with search engines can help you solve this problem by finding exactly what you require through specifying different industries, locations and sectors. They will save you much time and effort from having to look for jobs as you will be given a comprehensive list of jobs that may suit your needs.

 

Who to talk to?

 

– Your friends, ex-colleagues, and previous bosses

 

Most job opportunities nowadays tend to come through our networks and the networks of our networks. Try developing your networking skills early in your career and make sure to nurture your networks all the time, not just when you need them.

 

Write down all the people you know and contact them. Let them know you’re searching for a job, what you would be interested in hearing about, and how they can help. Keep it nice and short and don’t sound like you’re begging.

 

– Recruiters in your field

 

It is very important to start building relationships with recruiters early in your career. Find out which recruiting firms work in your field and make initial contacts. Even if the recruiter doesn’t have any job opportunity that suits you at the moment of your query, letting them know you’re in search of opportunities keeps you on their radar. Check in occasionally.

 

Use the power of the web

 

– Look for people with similar backgrounds on LinkedIn

 

This can give you an understanding of what backgrounds suit specific job types. Check for people with similar experiences you have to see what kind of job they are engaged in. When surfing through your target companies, look for what types of professionals they look for in new hires. This will help you to position yourself better. You can check out statistics on the employees at the company such as charts that show job functions, years of work experience, degree type, and universities attended by the company employee population. You can also see which companies those employees used to work for or leave to work for, which will help you discover other companies with similar interests.

 

– Check your profiles online

 

Update all of your social network profiles, including your Facebook profile. Your activities on Facebook will show people in your network that you actively participate online, which means you’ll be in the forefront of their minds. Make sure your profile information on both Facebook and LinkedIn is complete so prospective employers can easily find you.

 

What is the key?

 

There is such a variety of opportunities everywhere that the key is to stay organized. Keep track of your applications and recruiters’ response to them. You can use a simple Excel spreadsheet or a fancier tool like JibberJobber to organize and manage your search. A disorganized job search can make your experience really frustrating, and you won’t be able to assess your job searching style. Keep a log of each application, date, contact, progress and feedback. This will help you with the time management and you will never find yourself in an awkward situation where you get called for an interview and you’re not quite sure for which position you have applied.

 

Don’t stress!

 

If you haven’t been given a role, don’t panic! If you were refused way too many times, don’t panic! It can take time to get the job that you want, so keep trying. It is always good to ask for feedback to know why your application was turned down. We live in the very competitive times and everyone is struggling just as you are. Make sure not to give up, constantly improve your CV as well as your career skillset and you’ll get where you want to be.

Evaluating your strengths and weaknesses

Thursday, October 13, 2011 | Category: General Information | No comments

Raise your hands whoever has not in their whole life heard this question from the recruiter during the interview “What are your strengths and your weaknesses?” No matter if you try to get a job as a Head of Sales or a shop assistant, you’re likely to hear this question and – whoa! – will have to answer it somehow.

 

There are simple questions that require complex answers. The employers don’t want you to just come up with two qualities and say them out loud – they expect you to elaborate on your experience and prove to them that you will bring value to their company. You’re also expected to demonstrate that you’re aware of your weak points and ready to learn from your mistakes.

To be ready to impress the employers with ease, follow our suggestions below.

 

Strengths

 

1) Don’t confuse skills and strengths

 

Skills and strengths aren’t synonyms! Skills are abilities that can be acquired afterr a certain period of training. For instance, facility with web tools is a skill. Strengths are individual attributes that are developed over the course of many years, or maybe people are even born with them. Being able to effectively communicate with others, or staying calm under pressure could be examples of the strengths. If you don’t have necessary skills with the web tools, you can acquire them in a few months if you have a personal strength of being able to learn fast.

 

As a rule, interviewers appear usually more interested in candidates who have the strengths needed for a particular job rather than those candidates who possess various skills but lack strengths. Keep that in mind when you do self-evaluation and when you speak to the potential employers.

 

2) Know yourself

 

Before sharing with someone and impressing someone, sit down and think about what your key skills, experience and achievements are and what you want to do. Take a piece of paper and put down your thoughts –

 

• Who are you?
• What are you good at? What do you think your key skills and strengths are? Why do you think you are good at certain things (but not others). Don’t be shy and try to come up with as many as you can – you have far more skills than you think
• What do you know? What experience have you gathered so far in your life?
• Which of your skills are ‘transferable’ – what can be used in more than one kind of career?
• What motivates you?
o Facts and figures? Practical outdoor work? Putting together texts?
o High salary, high status, lots of challenges & opportunity to show your very best?
o Working alone or working in a team?
o The list is can go on forever – just keep exploring yourself

 

3) Match your skills and strengths with a particular job

 

Going through a job description, make a list of the personal strengths that you think will be necessary for this job. Is this a customer service position? Then the right candidate should be friendly, empathetic and patient. Or does this role require dealing with money? Then the interviewers will look for someone accurate, responsible and ethical. If it’s a sales job, they’ll be looking for a candidate who is pushy yet delicate, easily taught and able to convince. Look over the list of strengths you’ve come up with for this job, and identify those that you possess. For each personal strength, think of an example where you have demonstrated it in your work. After coming up with personal strengths and putting them into context, think about the skills that may be considered a plus for the job, and list those too.

 

Weaknesses

 

1) Remember: nobody’s perfect!

 

The essential rule here is: do not appear flawless. Do you know flawless people? (aren’t they boring?) We don’t! Plus, nothing is more suspicious and less impressive than a person who says he or she doesn’t have any weaknesses. Is the person hiding something truly terrible that will become apparent as soon as he or she gets hired? Or does the person have no skills to honestly answer challenging question? Or maybe he or she doesn’t have an idea what it’s like to really work at developing a skill, or overcoming a mistake?

 

2) Be honest!

 

Don’t pretend you possess qualities you actually don’t possess. Be open about your weaknesses.

 

There’s an old anecdote about a candidate who came to the interview and the first thing that he has been told was:
– In our company, we appreciate tidiness. Have you wiped off your shoes on the carpet that you’ve seen by the door?
– Of course!
– In our company, we also appreciate honesty. There was no carpet by the door…

 

 

So be honest! It’s better to confront your weaknesses than pretend you’re ideal and appear dishonest. Demonstrate that you’ve already learned some important lessons in your life and you know where you have to still work harder. This will make you sound more experienced, wise and human, to the employer. The recruiters search for candidates who have shown an ability to recover from mistakes and learn from them. What’s important is to also show how you’ve abstained from repeating the same mistakes. Don’t tell recruiters the stories where you kept making the same mistake over and over again.

 

Many things are easier said than done. How do you really tell a story of failure without losing your reliability, or making your interviewer wonder whether you’ll make the same mistake in their company? Read on!

 

3) Don’t get carried away

 

We’re pretty sure it might be a very interesting story about how it was a long hard way for you to finally quit dating your coworkers or have a bit too many cocktails before board meetings. We would, however, suggest that you keep these stories for your friends and not make the interviewers worry too much about what you’re about to do with their own company. Stay professional and keep it short.

 

4) Present graceful examples

 

Graceful handling of complex situations always impresses the employer. How did get back on your feet after failing a task? How did you have a weakness that you now overcome, day by up? What are the weaknesses that are correctable? Weaknesses that are not a destiny? Such examples of weaknesses can only add you points when the hiring manager evaluates your candidature.

 

Having said all this, we just want to warn you again: you won’t be able to escape the necessity of answering this question at some point of your life – “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” By taking time to prepare your answers in advance, you’ll have a much easier time articulately and adequately responding when employers ask you this inevitable question.

Career Fair – The Power of Here and Now

Wednesday, October 05, 2011 | Category: General Information | No comments

 

Every career fair (and you probably will go through quite a few of them as a university student) is an opportunity not to be missed. Make sure to attend many, regardless of your major – each career fair will take you closer to your dream job and provide you with excellent practice presenting yourself. Where else would you have hundreds of employers longing to hire talented people and willing to talk face-to-face with each interested candidate? In order to benefit from the contacts you make there, follow the rules of thumb we have put together for you.

 

 

How to prepare

 

Do your research
When meeting candidates at job fairs, employers like to see that they’ve done their research. It is usually possible to get a list of employers participating in a career fair ahead of time. Use this list to research the companies of your interest deeply, as well as briefly look through the corporate cultures of other participating companies. Already knowing something about the companies and the types of jobs they offer is one of the best ways to make the first good impression.

 

Bring necessary documents
1) CVs – The best advice here is to bring as many of them as you can. Bring more than you think you will ever give away. If some are left, you can always use these resumes later on. Develop multiple versions of your resume if you plan to approach a variety of companies with different types of positions offered.
2) Business cards – These are not very expensive to order and they make a great impression on recruiters. They are convenient to leave your contact details in case the employer decides to contact you. You might write a quick personal message on the back to help employers remember you.
3) Portfolio – A professional-looking binder will allow you to keep your different versions of CVs, business cards, pens, and notepaper organized in one convenient place.
4) Small bag – Employers tend to hand out free stuff to students such as pens, flash drives, coffee mugs, etc. so bring along a non-obtrusive bag for storage.

 

What to do when you’re there

 

Dress to impress
If you want to make a positive impression don’t go with the last minute outfits – those can be easily recognized by the employers. Think about what you will wear well in advance. Clean and press your clothes and polish your shoes – then you are ready to go. Even if the role that you are seeking doesn’t require a business attire, looking professional will demonstrate your respect to the employer and create a good lasting impression.

 

Be positive and confident
Apart from your appearance, and much more than your appearance, your confidence is what will make you stand out. Remember what you feel when you speak with confident and positive people who smile at you and look you in the eye – you probably remember them long after they disappear from your sight. Research shows that we tend to associate confident people with extra business skills such as good leadership potential, strategic thinking and self-organization. Use this knowledge to attract employers and make them want to hire you. Approach people with a smile, shake their hands firmly and introduce yourself confidently: “Hello, my name is John Smith, it is a pleasure to meet you”.

 

Communicate well
Talking to the employers at the career fairs can be compared to the mini-interviews. You are being rated within minutes on how you communicate and how you present yourself. Make sure to come prepared, be polite and not only talk but listen. Speak clearly and do not interrupt. Stay focused on the topics of the company, open jobs, and your potential fit. To gather information, ask open-ended questions like “What types of positions in addition to sales do you typically recruit for?”, “What type of background and experience do you find to be most successful in the management training program?”, etc. Once you’ve delivered your message, answered questions, and established your interest in the position it is time to thank the recruiter, get a business card and state that you will follow up.

 

Bring supporting documents
Apart from bringing numerous resumes to the career fair, you might also need some additional documents to support your qualifications. These additional documents may vary depending on your industry, but they normally include a cover letter, professional portfolio, transcripts (usually for new graduates), reference list and letters of recommendation. Regarding the cover letters, some people say that they are essential and some argue they aren’t necessary at all. If you do bring the cover letters, make sure to customize your letters. Try to find the names of HR managers, position openings and job requirements in advance. If this information is unavailable, write several generic cover letters to go along with each resume version.
One of the most useful supporting documents that you could bring with you to the career fair is a past performance evaluation – a written document from another company talking about your experience with them. This kind of document will show the recruited that you are ready to go an extra mile to impress, and you are proud of your past work. You are essentially saying to the recruiter, “This is the kind of performance you can expect if you hire me.”

 

Remember the main goal
Your job is to impress the recruiter enough so that they will want to take you to the next level in the process, the interview. It is unlikely that you will get hired after successfully attending the job fair. What is really achievable, thought, is being sent to the next step, which, most likely, is an interview for the next day on campus, or a phone interview later on. Do your best to achieve this goal.

 

How to follow up

 

Following up is essential if you are interested in getting hired with the employer. Always write a short follow up email thanking the person for taking his or her time to talk to you, saying that you enjoyed meeting them and restating some concrete points made during your meeting. It is surprising but too many people overlook this highly effective and easily completed task. If there were companies that did not have a job that was right for you but you have interest in other positions with them you may ask the recruiter for another contact in the organization.

 

You did a great job attending the job fair, making connections and following up. Keep that momentum going and stay focused on your job search rather than waiting to hear back from companies. It is better to continue to pursue leads until you have received and accepted a new job offer. We wish you the best of luck in your career path!

Jobzippers Career Guide: Senior Year Checklist

Monday, September 19, 2011 | Category: Employer Market Trends, General Information, Information concerning the Application Process | No comments

We are launching a new project called “Jobzippers Career Guide”. Starting today, every Monday we will post interesting and useful career-related articles for you to be able to prepare yourself for a successful career.

 

 

If you’re starting your senior year it would not be an exaggeration to assume that you’re entering one of the most important periods in your life. For you to navigate through this important and exciting time, we came up with a general checklist containing the list of tasks for you to accomplish during your senior year. Feel free to adjust this checklist to better suit your particular situation.

 

Continuing your education
If you decide you want to apply to graduate or professional school, take some time to think if this is right for you personally, financially and academically. Note that the typical admission circle for the grad school is usually six to nine months long and requires multiple steps, such as writing personal statement, taking specific exams and requesting letters of recommendation. Identify what universities and programs you’re most interested in and learn about the application process in these particular schools. You can discuss your options with your academic or career counsellor.

 

Taking a gap year
You may consider a gap year to travel the world, get international perspective and a fresh outlook, and enhance your marketable skills. Also, once you get a full-time job, chances are you will only have a certain time to travel and it will be difficult to go on the extended vacation. Another way to spend your gap year in a useful way is to get an intern or volunteer experiecne. This will help you try yourself in a field of your interest and develop hands on skills in a particular career, as well as significantly boost your CV.

 

Clarifying your career plans
If you choose to go straight into employment, you have a long path ahead of you. Make sure to act while you’re still at school – this will give you a great advantage in your future career and increase your chances of getting employed.

 

Attending workshops
Go to Resume writing, Job search and Interviewing sessions offered at your school to polish your career management skills. Surf the net for recent articles with useful tips on career planning.

 

Improving your CV and cover letter
Keep rethinking and rewriting your CV until you are 100% satisfied with it. Have several people critique it and listen carefully to their suggestions. Use free CV-checks offered by Jobzippers.
Draft a cover letter that can be adapted for a variety of employers and make sure to adjust it to every single job you’re applying to.

 

Building your social media presence
It is no news that employers nowadays tend to Google people and view their social media profiles. During your senior year, make sure that your social media presence shows your best side. Build your LinkedIn profile and consider acquiring a Web-folio. Professionalize your digital identity and, as they say, clean the “digital dirt”. Untag and delete information you don’t want your potential employers to see on the web.

 

Building your networks
It goes without saying that the most of the today’s jobs are found through networking. Meet and stay in touch with the professionals in your industry and other industries as well – you never know where the best opportunity can come from. Go to networking events, both on and off campus. Come up with your elevator speech and don’t be shy to introduce yourself to people and stay in touch with them.

 

Identifying employers you’re interested in
Follow job announcements of your top employers. Keep an eye on whether they are going to visit your campus to interview candidates for their openings. Develop an employer list with contact names and addresses for organizations of your interest. Research them using the Internet. Try to see if they need a volunteer to assist with a project – this will allow potential employers to see how you work and consider you as a potential employee. Can you shadow somebody in the firm? Are there any internships available? Use any chance to engage with the companies you like and you may end up being employed with them right after you’re done with the university.

 

Planning to move in advance
If you plan on relocating make sure to start looking for accommodation and roommates several months in advance. Use websites like Craigslist and your local web resources as well as social media websites to search for apartments or rooms to rent. Relocation can be cosy so do save some money throughout the year to be able to handle the costs.

 

Establishing long-time connections with friends and classmates
When you graduate and enter a “real world” you might get carried away with new routines and lose touch with your fellows from university. Record contact information for friends, classmates, professors and others who are important to you and make sure to stay connected with them as they have greatly influenced who you are now and shared beautiful moments with you that you will never forget. Even though senior year might be tough and loaded with responsibilities, try to find time to have fun and enjoy the college life with your friend and peers!

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