Interview Tips For Your Next Employment Position
July 28, 2009 by Patricia Wilson
Filed under Job Interviews
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Interview Tips: Confidence
Everyone knows that confidence is the key to successful interviews, but that is can easily leave you when you need it. This is because job interviews are notoriously self-effacing. When you walk into a room full of people who are wondering whether or not you can do a job, you start to second guess your abilities, and that shows in your body language and your facial expressions.
The keys to appearing confident when you really don’t feel confident are posture and eye contact. Stand up straight; walk confidently as if you were walking into a room full of your friends. Remember that these people are only looking for the right candidate and are not trying to be harsh; they are just doing their jobs. Now, shake hands with everyone and make eye contact when you do so. When you are asked a question, look the person in the eye when you answer. Finally, smile; friendliness goes a long way in any job.
Interview Tips: “Do you have any questions?”
At the end of most interviews, the interviewer will often ask the interviewee if he or she has any questions to ask about the position or about the company. Many people become afraid to ask a question, fearing that they will either not like the answer or that the interviewer will not like the question.
The thing to remember is that most interviewers like it when interviewees ask questions. This shows them that the interviewee was listening and is genuinely interested in the position. Feel free to ask the hard questions about health insurance benefits like when they begin for a new-hire; ask about the salary; ask about vacation time and sick leave. All of these things should be considered as part of the job package you are being offered. Also, ask about the company and its history. This will prove to the interviewer that you are interested in the company and not just the job.
Sex or Gender Discrimination -Inside and Outside the Office
July 22, 2009 by Patricia Wilson
Filed under Employment Discrimination
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It is unfortunate that there are so many preconceived notions about gender roles. But these beliefs are established and the only thing that can be done is to prevent them from permeating the workplace.
Some of the gender roles that are common are the belief that women should not work outside the home when they have children.
A good example of this type of gender role-based workplace discrimination involves both of these gender role stereotypes. There was a time when many employers were men; as men, they harbored incorrect thoughts that women with young children should not work outside the home; therefore, these employers would not hire women with children who were under school-age.
Of course, there are still people who believe this, and some of them are women; but these beliefs need to be kept outside the office.
Disparate Treatment Racial Discrimation In Workplace
June 18, 2009 by Patricia Wilson
Filed under Employment Discrimination
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There are two basic types of racial discrimination that are common in the workplace; the more common one, disparate treatment, is direct and purposefully harmful to the person. Essentially, disparate treatment means that the person being discriminated against is treated in a way that is deemed unfair or is directly discriminated against by the actions of the employer.
For example, when an Iranian man who is an American citizen is treated poorly by his co-workers or his company because of his race and ancestry, this is considered disparate treatment.
The discrimination is directly and purposefully aimed at the man because he is of a certain race. It would also be considered disparate treatment if the same man was passed over for a job position for which he was entirely qualified simply because he was Iranian or had Arabic ancestry.
For more information on discrimination visit: ‘Employment Discrmination Guide‘
Your Job Interview Before and After
June 6, 2009 by Patricia Wilson
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With so many people seeking employment, how can you make it to an interview? Well, the resume matters, it is the best reflection of how qualified you are for a certain position. In order for you to make it for that job position, you need to equip your self with the weapons to excel over the other applicants. That is, to impress the employer in your job interview. So what must you do?
Before the interview:
- Know the company you are applying for. How could you do this? Research about the facts and figures of that company. With the information you find, you would be ready for whatever questions the interviewer would ask you. You could even associate your answers to facts you have known about the company.
- Expect the questions to be asked and be prepared to answer them. On the other hand, be prepared to ask questions.
- Make sure that you are prepared with how you look. The way you dress will leave impressions to the interviewer. Do not wear too many accessories, you just have to wear something decent, ironed, and your shoes clean. Take note of your teeth too. Clean them so you can smile without distracting the interviewer with an unpleasant display of your last meal.
On the interview:
- Punctuality matters most. There is a need for you to arrive early for the interview. This will be the first impression you make. If you arrive late, this gives your prospective employer a negative impression of you.
- Act as a professional to everyone you get along with or meet. With this approach, you would be able to introduce yourself as someone professional, ready to take the challenges in the arena of others.
- Answer questions with eye contact to your interviewer. Be attentive when he/she asks questions.
After the interview:
- Say thank you to the interviewer. This shows them respect – you have respected their time with you.
- Relax and wait for the results.
Sexual Orientation Discrimination and California Law
May 31, 2009 by Patricia Wilson
Filed under Employment Discrimination
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The only state in the United States that has anti-discrimination law for sexual orientation discrimination is California. California has many statutes that protect workers from any discrimination in the workplace regardless of their sexual orientation. One of the more complicated of these issues is in regards to perceived sexual orientation.
Employers who think that one of their employees, or a potential job candidate, is homosexual or of what the employer considers a “questionable” sexual orientation, and fires the person (or does not hire the person) for this, the employer is discriminating against that person due to their perceived sexual orientation.
It does not matter whether or not the person is actually homosexual; California law states that even assumed sexual orientation discrimination is grounds for a lawsuit. The fact that the employer has proven their bias is good enough for a court case.
Changing Jobs and Providing Your Resume For A New Career
May 26, 2009 by Patricia Wilson
Filed under Resumes
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Changing jobs has to be one of the more difficult decisions you can make. Staying in the work environment you are used to can sometimes be easier than having to change careers and having to write a resume to prove your professional qualifications and credibility. The decision for change becomes that much more difficult if the new job you want means changing your career. While you will face a challenge in trying to get the job that meets your new career objectives, writing your resume should not be one of them.
On the Internet alone, there are numerous resources for career changers. From helping you decide which career you are best suited for to providing helpful advice on how to succeed in your new job, you will find an overwhelming amount of resources to help you in your new journey. While most of the information you find will be helpful, be careful about the sources you utilize in order to put together the most persuasive resume for your new career choice.
There are really two basic elements to successfully writing a resume for a career changer: research and transferable skills. Most people put a lot of thought into changing careers. They consider their families, their living and financial situations, their competitive advantage in the new field, etc. After you convince yourself that changing careers is the right thing to do, you will have to convince your potential employers to give you the job you are seeking. To do so, you have to do your research. Demonstrate to your employer that you have an extensive knowledge of the industry, even if you don’t have the accompanying experience.
Before you begin your new career, make sure that you understand what professional paths are available for you, and determine what your ultimate goal is. This will help you form the career objective for your resume. Additionally, make sure to do your research on the company you are interested in, as well as their competition (if you are interested in non-profit organizations, make sure to brush up on other organizations with similar missions); if invited for an interview, you will want to appear very knowledgeable not only about their company, but about the industry as a whole. You will have to convince your potential employer that you the best person for the job, better than the candidates with experience – to do that, you have to showcase not only your enthusiasm for the opportunity, but your eagerness to learn and your knowledge about the field.
Transferable skills, those skills that can be utilized in numerous fields, are also a key to a successful career change. Consider your qualifications to date. What experience have you acquired that can be transferred across industries? Transferable skills include verbal and written communication, people management, customer relations, organization and project management, development of new processes, generation of new ideas or concepts, etc. Such skills can be adapted to all organizations, and you should utilize them to showcase your qualifications for the job you are seeking.
For example, if you would like to ditch the 9-to-5 desk job for a hectic, unpredictable life of a high school teacher, let your potential employer know that your previous experience in leading by motivation makes you a perfect candidate for the job (even if that marketing project you managed has nothing to do with teaching English composition). Making a list of all your professional experiences and the qualifications needed for the job you are seeking will help you in determining which skills are transferable to your new career. Once you define your transferable skills, use a functional resume to assure most (if not all) of the qualifications needed for the new job are met in your resume.
In addition to your resume, use your cover letter or email to let your potential employer know why you are changing careers, and that your new interest is not a passing one. Make sure that your resume reflects your new found interest in a genuine and professional manner, and you are sure to have a successful career change.
Check Your Education If Starting A New Career
May 15, 2009 by Patricia Wilson
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It is very important for those who are thinking about going back to work after an absence, or for those thinking of starting a new career, to look into their educational history.
It is a big boost to be able to add a two year degree or a bachelor’s degree to a resume that formerly had no secondary education listed.
The problem for many people who want to further their education is that they do not have the time to go back to school. They have families and full-time jobs that prevent them from attending classes during the week. Some options for these people can be Saturday and weekend classes or online classes.
Many degrees are currently available through online universities or through brick and mortar universities that have online programs. Saturday and weekend college are generally all day events, but many companies pay for their employees to take these classes.
Today employees look at your educational history and qualifications as more and more people are looking for employment. The better you are equipped the better your chances of securing that position.
Using Employment Websites For Job Searching
April 14, 2009 by Patricia Wilson
Filed under Job Search Online
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Employment websites are becoming increasingly popular. Websites such as monster.com and hotjobs.yahoo.com bring employers and job seekers together. Monster and HotJobs are just two examples of the many job search engines available to online job seekers. By using these websites, job seekers can put themselves in connection with virtually thousands of potential employers. However, just because these websites supply the user with access to potential employers there is no guarantee the job seeker will find a job through one of these websites. There are some tips that can give the job seeker a better chance at being selected for interview and even getting hired for a job. This article will provide some of these tips to help the reader stand out from the crowd of other prospective employees who are using the same website.
Employment websites put job seekers in connection with thousands of potential employers. However, they also put potential employers in connection with thousands of job seekers so those who are really serious about wanting to find a job have to know how to stand out from the crowd before they even meet the potential employer. The best way to do this is with a resume that is really polished. Job seekers should invest as much time as necessary to really fine tune their resume to not only showcase their previous work experience but also define their qualifications and skills. The resume should also be crafted to define the type of job the user is seeking. This is important because job seekers who do not do this will not stand out from the other qualified applicants.
It is also important to create a unique cover letter for each job application. Doing this makes it obvious that the job seeker is really interested in the position and not just sending a cookie cutter cover letter to every potential employer listed on the website. In the cover letter the user should clearly state why he is the right candidate for that particular job. This can be accomplished by carefully reviewing the required skills listed in the job advertisement and highlighting how the applicant has demonstrated these skills in past work experiences. The user should also mention the exact position the applicant is applying for and the name of the company to make the letter more personal and specific.
Users who rely on employment websites to find potential employers should also realize the competition, especially in this economy, is going to be stiff for every available job. For this reason it is critical to pay close attention to the details of the job advertisement. Care should be taken to note the qualifications and applicants should only apply if they are a suitable match for the employer. This will save the employer and the job seeker a great deal of time because the employer will not have to wade through resumes from under qualified candidates and the job seeker will not waste time crafting a cover letter for a job he is not qualified to perform. Perhaps in a stronger economy employers may be willing to take a chance on an under qualified candidate but this is not likely with the current unemployment rate.
Finally, when using unemployment websites to find potential employers, the job seeker should be thoroughly familiar with how the website works before they begin applying for positions. This is important because potential employers can make a number of mistakes which negatively impact their chances of getting the job if they do not follow instructions carefully. For example a company may list their name, website and contact information but may prefer applicants to apply through the employment website. Applicants who bypass the application link on the employment website and send their resume directly to the potential employer are likely to have their application discarded before it even reaches the hiring manager. Likewise some employees may ask candidates to include specific information with the application and those who do not include this information may be immediately disqualified from consideration. For these reasons job seekers should understand how the employment websites work and should follow all instructions included in the job advertisement.
How To Turn A Job Loss Into A Job Improvement
March 15, 2009 by Patricia Wilson
Filed under Job Search
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Losing your job or becoming unemployed deals a gut-wrenching blow. Your first thoughts will probably be, “What am I going to do now? How will I be able to survive?” Then while you’re focused on those concerns, you may detect a change in mood. Not the sadness you might have expected. Worse. For some who find themselves unexpectedly out of the work force, despair overwhelms them. Is it any wonder? How are you supposed to deal with the mortgage or rent that’s due? The food and utility bills?
First, if you find those feelings of despair are overwhelming you, be sure to go and see your doctor right away. Don’t put it off, telling yourself it’s not important. Consult with medical professionals as soon as possible. Looking after yourself and your emotional health is the ONLY issue that should matter in the big picture. You have to have your health if you want to get back on track.
Once you make sure your physical and emotional health are sound, you’ll be ready to look ahead. Hopefully there’s a severance package from your former employer or unemployment insurance to tide you over until you secure another job. For the fortunate, they’re able to find a suitable job quite quickly. Not everyone is that lucky!
And some of your friends may say “There’s a better opportunity just waiting for you!” This may well turn out to be true but right now, hearing those cliches only causes you to feel unkindly toward the speaker. Yes, there are many who lose one job and then find something even better. Hopefully, it WILL happen for you. But at the present you just want work!
Steps to take after job loss
1. Network. Talk to everybody you make contact with. Forget being bashful. Talk. Explain your situation. Have cards made up that list your contact numbers. Give them out to everyone you talk with. You’ll never know when the most unlikely person will know someone who knows someone…
2. Have resume updated. If you feel your resume isn’t good enough, search for local employment agencies. Take advantage of all services they offer. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much help you’ll be given, when you appreciate the opportunities that are offered to you.
3. Join job-finding clubs. Social contact with others going through the same thing is crucial. You might get valuable knowledge from their social network that you wouldn’t have found out about any other way.
4. Look into upgrading. Learning new skills or refreshing present abilities never hurt anyone! There are many good quality courses available through the internet. The internet is a life-saver for the unemployed. You’ll learn about ideas you hadn’t heard of before. You can post your resume online. You can look for employers wanting to hire someone just like you!
5. Consider a new trend called “Homeshoring”. Companies are hiring employees, IT specialists, customer service reps, virtual agents, etc. who prefer to work at home. Real companies, with names you’d recognize, are turning away from outsourcing in foreign countries and are now offering Americans legitimate work from home employee positions.
Losing your livelihood can be really hard to take. To overcome one of life’s whammies, you must become active in your search for new employment. It truly is a job in itself. With this positive attitude and looking after your health, what seemed like devastation, could actually become a new beginning!
Making Your CV or Resume Count
You will need a current copy of your CV when applying for a Asda job vacancies. A resume is a one to two page document summarizing your career objectives, professional experiences and achievements, and educational background.The heading should contain your name, address and contact information with the body broken into the following sections: career objective, profile/summary, professional experience, achievements, scholastics, and references. You should have a brief, one or two sentence, career objective that gives your prospective employers a look at your goals for your career.Your resume or CV does not need to contain personal information which is not directly related to the job vacancy, so details such as ethnicity, religious beliefs, marital status or sexuality need not be included.When detailing your assets to the job, only a brief summary is needed. A few well-written sentences are meant to gain the employer’s attention and encourage them to read your CV further and invite you to interview.
Your employment details should be listed in chronological order, starting with the job you current hold or last held. Working through each job, one by one, include the company you worked for, the job title and a summary of what the job entailed.
You will then need to look at your skills, qualifications and professional achievements. Detail your school, college or university achievements, including what you studied and what you achieved. Any professional qualifications should also be listed, these may be training courses or specific qualifications related to your profession or the job you are applying for.References should be listed if requested, achievements, volunteer positions, publications and interests should also be listed.
Your first step to getting that interview and hopefully that job is your CV. It is your first and possibly only chance of selling yourself and convincing potential employers that you are a worthy candidate for the job. Any errors in your CV could make you stand out for all the wrong reasons. Read through your CV several times and, if possible, get someone else to read through it for you. They may see things that your eyes haven’t.
It is very important to know that you need to keep colour, font, and formatting of your curriculum vitae consistent so it will looks professional not only in person but online as well. Restrict it to one or two pages – any additional pages give an impression that you either don’t know how to concisely summarize your education and experience, or that you are listing unnecessary information for the sake of taking up space.
If this is the first time you have written a CV or resume, there are lots of resources to help you along both in books or online. If you still don’t know where to start the why not try a professional CV writing service, you will pay a fee for this service but it will be worth it in the long term when you have your ideal job.


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