Guerrilla Job Search Tips - How to Find Jobs & Get Hired Faster in a Recession

In any economy, you can find a job faster by doing three simple things:

1) Know the position you want, with absolute clarity, right down to the job title.

2) Know where you want to work, right down to the names of 10-20 ideal employers.

3) Use unconventional "guerrilla" tactics to get noticed -- and get hired.

Here are the stories of two people who did all the above -- and found great jobs -- right in the middle of the current recession.

1) Anyone for Coffee?

Janet FritzHuspen from St. Paul, Minnesota, landed a job after mailing coffee cups to area employers.

That's right -- coffee cups.

Here's what she did ...

FritzHuspen found jobs advertised online, then sent a box with a travel coffee mug, her resume and a cover letter inside. Her letter said, "I would like to meet you over coffee to discuss how I can benefit the ABC Corporation as your director."

"I sent the box via FedEx Ground, so I could track and know when they signed for it. I waited about 20 minutes after it arrived. Then, I called and said, ‘Hi. You just got my package!' and I went from there," she says.

FritzHuspen sent three coffee cups in two weeks. "I called and spoke with somebody at all three employers, and had a conversation with one hiring manager that resulted in an interview."

About two weeks later, FritzHuspen got the job!

Here are three ways to make this tactic work for you:

1. Find names and phone numbers of hiring managers on Google or Linkedin.com. Can't get a name? Call and ask the receptionist -- that's what Janet did. Then, she dropped the receptionist's name into the first sentence of her cover letter, by saying, "I spoke with Sally Smith today about …" This instantly established a rapport with the reader. Smart!

2. Save money on shipping by using FedEx Ground or UPS. Speed is less important than real-time delivery confirmation -- you want to call recipients right after they open your box. This makes an incredible first impression!

3. You can buy travel coffee mugs for under $5 at any department store. So, for about $15, including shipping, you can get on the radar of almost any hiring manager you want to meet. What would that worth be to you?

2) Smart Calling

Gilbert Fonseca from Pharr, Texas, got hired for an insurance sales position very quickly after doing something simple and direct: He called an employer that was expanding, introduced himself, and asked for an interview.

That sounds like cold calling, right? Wrong.

Fonseca did several smart things first, before calling his future boss.

Through research, Fonseca learned his target employer was expanding. And, thanks to his prior job, he knew all about one of their key competitors. A call to company headquarters produced the name and number of the local hiring manager.

"I called the hiring manager and introduced myself. He wasn't too eager to talk, but I did what any job seeker should do -- I sold myself," says Fonseca.

Here's what he said: "Good afternoon Mr. X, my name is Gilbert Fonseca, I live in Pharr, and I heard that you're coming to our area. I wanted to introduce myself and explain how I know about you -- I worked for one of your competitors in the past."

At this point, the hiring manager pushed back and tried to get rid of him. But Fonseca pressed on.

"I know how your products work and I have a big book of business I could bring with me," said Fonseca. This got the manager's attention -- who wouldn't want to hire someone who brings his own customers?

"That's pretty much where the conversation ended," said Fonseca, who got the names of other hiring managers and was told to call them.

No interviews resulted, so Fonseca pursued other leads. But two weeks later he got a call. "The hiring manager said that things had changed and I was asked to come in. I interviewed on Tuesday and had the job on Wednesday," he says.

Here are three things to keep in mind as you "smart call" for interviews:

1. Tell employers -- specifically -- what you've done before and can do again. Example: "I've saved more than $90,000 a year the last three years and can do the same for you." Do your homework and assign a dollar value to any time you've saved or money you've earned.

Alternately, drop the name of a competitor they hate, a client they'd love to have, or something valuable you can bring -- that's what Fonseca did. How can you help? Be specific!

2. Follow a script. It can ease your nerves to read from a piece of paper. Just be sure to practice until the words flow smoothly.

3. The worst that can happen when you call employers is … they say no. Nobody dies or goes to jail. But you may land a job interview. All you have to do is ask.

Chances are, you've never thought of sending coffee cups or "smart calling" employers. But these Guerrilla Job Search tactics work, as the stories above demonstrate.

Why not give them a try today?

By: K Donlin

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David E. Perry and Kevin Donlin are job-search experts with more than 35 years of combined experience in helping executives just like you get hired faster. To learn more and to download your Free Guerrilla Job Search Tips, visit - www.GM4JH.com

2009 Job Search - State of Affairs

With the current state of affairs in this country's job market, it really is hard to believe that anyone is getting a job, not so much because of the unemployment rate, but because the process has become so arduous and ridiculous.

With all of our progress in technology, we seem to have further alienated prospective employers from prospective job seekers. Job seekers are shunned from calling employers, even their HR departments, which are partly in place to assist with the hiring process. Forget trying to speak with an actual hiring manager. He or she is like some mystery figure that only comes out after candidates have been prescreened, screened, and rescreened (kind of like a ritual cleansing). Sometimes candidates are even kept in the dark about to which company they are actually applying, only to be revealed at the last possible second (and then companies wonder, "why doesn't the candidate seem to know much about us?"). And don't get me started about online job posting sites that are nothing but black holes in which resume after resume just keeps going in. I mean, what are companies doing with all those resumes?

So in 2009 we are left with more and more reliance on the middle man to bridge that gap. Cue the recruiters, headhunters, employment agencies, etc.

Is that a bad thing? Sometimes, yes, because here again we have just another layer between the hiring company and the candidates.

The concept of recruiting seems simple enough on the surface. Company needs a strong candidate to fill a vacancy. Strong candidate needs a job. Recruiter plays matchmaker and brings the two parties together. Everybody's happy, especially the recruiter who only gets paid when he or she sets up successful matches.

There is no question that it can be a very helpful service when everything goes right.

But all too often, everything does not go right. First you have candidates who seem to think that recruiters know about the bulk of available jobs out there and, more importantly, assist in placing candidates in any job they want. Second, you have recruiters who are only looking for the best possible fit for the positions they have been assigned to recruit for, which often is not the candidate who is contacting them. Instead, it may be the candidate who is currently employed and not really looking. Third, you have the companies who don't always play by the rules. Put that all together, and you can end up with a mess.

Many candidates don't realize that recruiters and other employment agents don't work for them. In other words, a recruiter is not out there looking for a job for you. The recruiter is out there looking for the best candidates for the positions he or she is trying to fill. And sometimes recruiters overlook good quality candidates simply because some aspect of the candidate's background does not fit perfectly the idealized candidate of the job description.

So what is a job seeker to do? First and foremost, get informed! Know what job search tactics work the best and what don't. Understand how recruiters and headhunters operate and do some research to find ones that specialize in your area. Second, stop spending so much time on the Internet and network more. Statistics continue to show that both employers and job seekers find networking to be the best possible way of connecting. Third, align with other job seekers, who can often be the best eyes and ears out there. Look for group job hunting opportunities, both online and in your geographic area.

So who am I anyway? Why do I think my advice is so valuable?

My name is Stephen Van Vreede. My company is called No Stone Unturned, and I have been in the career consulting business since 2002 with 8 years of hiring experience prior to that.

The short story is that I have an MBA in Marketing from Villanova University and a dual B.S. degree in Finance & Logistics from the University of Maryland. I am a certified professional résumé writer (CPRW) and a member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC). As I mentioned, I paid my dues in the corporate world eventually running a large-scale call center for a major truck rental company, and I have spent the past 6 years with No Stone Unturned, assisting job seekers in achieving their goals.

I know that my products will work for you because they are based on common-sense principles leveraged with good, solid expertise and knowledge of the job search process. After working with countless job seekers, I have become more and more convinced that most of them do not properly prepare for a job search and rely way too much on online sites and trendy articles to tell them what to do. Thus, they waste a lot of time, money, and energy.

If you still aren't sure whether our services are right for you, feel free to give me a call toll-free at 1-866-755-9800 or better yet, sign up to receive my free Job Search Advice eGuide today.

In February 2009, I am launching a new group job hunting networking site: Noddle Place. Check it out at http://www.noddleplace.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephen_Van_Vreede

Job Interview Follow Up - Five Simple Steps to Success

Job interview follow up is a great opportunity to show your enthusiasm and suitability. Most candidates neglect to follow up on their job interviews. Set yourself apart from the competition by following these five easy steps to follow up professionally on your interview.

Immediately after the Job Interview

Get the correct details of the interviewer. You need their full title, full name and contact information. Either get a business card or ask the receptionist when you leave the interview. Failing this, phone Human Resources for this information. Make notes about the interview straight after you are finished. Focus on all the important details of the interview. Note any problem areas that you need to consider. You will use all this information when writing your thank you letter and when following up later with the company.

If you have gone to the interview through a recruiter you should call the recruiter immediately after the interview to give feedback. Find out what the next step is.

Send a Thank You Letter

The reality is that very few candidates bother to send an interview thank you letter. Set yourself apart by sending a professionally written thank you letter within 24 hours of the interview. Use the correct contact details and check the spelling of the interviewer's name. Find out the best way to reach the recipient - email, by hand or by post.

If you had a panel interview write individual letters to each person who interviewed you, keeping the essentials the same but briefly personalizing each one.

Use good quality paper and envelopes. Use plain paper as colored stationary usually looks unprofessional. If you have letterhead stationary use it.

Contact your References

Let your references know that they will probably be contacted soon by the company. Provide them with details about the job and company so they have an opportunity to think about what they can tell the company to provide evidence of your suitability. Use your post interview notes to check if there are any areas you want to brief them on.

Make the follow up call

At the close of the job interview you probably found out what happens next in the interview process. If you know approximately the time frame for the hiring decision you will have a better idea of how soon to follow up. If they told you they expect to make the decision within the next week you will need to follow up more quickly, probably after a couple of days. If it is a longer time frame or they were not specific it is generally advisable to wait about a week before contacting them.

Whatever the time frame do not wait for the interviewer to contact you. You need to make contact to know what is happening and to keep yourself in contention for the job. Use this follow up call or email to thank them again for the opportunity to interview and to restate your enthusiasm for the job. Ask for more information on the status of the hiring decision.

Continue with your Job Search

Even if you are convinced this is the position for you it is never a good idea to rely on one opportunity, there are no guarantees that you will  get the job. Exploring other job opportunities will help you when making the final decision about taking the job if you are offered it. You will be in a better position to evaluate the job offer in terms of the current job market.

You never know when a better job opportunity may come up if you carry on searching while waiting for the hiring decision!An alternative job prospect puts you in a position of strength when asking for interview feedback and when negotiating a job offer.

The successful candidate does not sit back once the interview is over. Proactive job interview follow up shows both your commitment and your professionalism to the company and helps to set you up for success.

For free sample interview thank you letters and emails.

Julia Penny is a recruitment and career management specialist with over 20 years experience across a wide range of industries. Her free website Best Job Interview provides comprehensive and expert resources to help you get the job you want.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julia_Penny

Why Companies Need Motivation During Tough Economic Times

Companies need motivation, especially during these tougher economic times. Senior management must find ways to motivate employees in order to have their people perform at high levels. This is also true for associations and their members.

Motivation is required for any company employee at any level but is even more crucial for those in roles that have more direct consequences on revenues. An obvious example would be the company sales force. Another is customer service staff since they have direct interaction with customers. Dealing with complaining customers day in and day out can be a very demotivating. Production teams can also fall into this category because overall quality is impacted by the efforts of assembly people.

During booming economic periods, many companies made sure that there were incentive programs to help motivate employees. They were very aware that if some employees were not happy, they could easily jump ship to other companies. This was particularly true for valuable positions of high demand in the market. I've seen this type of jumping many times with top pharmaceutical sales representatives during my career and quite often, these high performers would end up with a direct competitor. Competitors love to snap up high performers much like professional sports teams do.

Some senior management might think that because we are in tougher times, the risk of losing valuable employees to competitors would be much lower. There might be a perception that most people would be happy just to have a job during times of recession and layoffs. There might be a lower emphasis to motivate employees since there probably won't be much jumping around to other companies.

However, this may not be true. The security of a job is not the only motivating factor among many employees, particularly younger ones. Even though it's true that people may stay with a company without much motivation from senior management, it doesn't mean that they will be motivated to perform their jobs at high levels. Quality will suffer as a result. This is why companies still need motivation during both good and bad times.

Of course, it is great to have inspiring company leaders and managers to motivate their staff. But messages from the same internal people over and over again can grow stale. This is why external motivational speakers can be such a plus during company meetings. External speakers can motivate company audiences in different ways and angles that employees have not been exposed to. It becomes a fresh source of motivation for the company. External motivational speakers can use examples that are not directly connected to a company's business but still make them relevant for the audience.

Having been on both sides as a motivational speaker and as an audience member, I can say that the best way for a company to motivate its staff is to bring in an external motivational speaker to address its people and then have senior management regularly reinforce those key messages made by the speaker. This will help employees keep motivated since in order to be successful, companies need to make sure that their people are motivated on a regular basis over time. Motivation is like vitamins, as we all need regular doses in order to keep performing at high levels.

Clint Cora is a motivational speaker, author and martial arts karate world champion. His book, "The Life Champion In You", is about how to overcome challenges and achieve life success. It is one man's journey from personal tragedy to becoming a karate world champion. More information about his speaking programs, books, videos, articles on motivation and success can be found at http://www.clintcora.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clint_Cora

Job Search Basics - The Five Actions a Job Seeker Must Take In Order To Find His/Her Dream Job

There is a big payoff to a successful job search and that is finding the job of your dreams. Imagine being asked to work at a job that seems totally suited to your skills and talents. Better still you find that the work environment of the company is one in which you know you will thrive.

So how do you find that dream job? Starting out on the search probably feels like an uphill climb. There is so much information out there on job searches that it can be overwhelming.

Having coached hundreds of people in the midst of a job search there are 5 things that will insure a successful job search. Do all 5 every time you apply for a job that matches your ideal job criteria and you are bound to find the perfect match.

The first step is that you must tailor the resume to the job requirements. Every job seeker has accomplishments from their current and previous job but not all accomplishments are applicable to the job they are applying for. Carefully choose the accomplishments that bolster the case that you are perfect for this new position.

Your resume paints a picture of you and should give a very clear message about your strengths,values and skills. Get clear on your message. There are many times during the job search to reinforce your message.

The second thing you must do during the search is to make yourself memorable to the hiring manager by continually emphasizing your message. This means the cover letter reinforces that you have the right skills for the job as does the thank you note(s), any telephone follow up, the interview and all interactions.

Once you have your resume for that particular job complete, review the strengths and skills that you have highlighted along with your accomplishments. The third important piece of the job search is to think of 4 or 5 stories that you could tell the interviewer to highlight your skills. Emphasize a time when that skill or strength was critical to your success. You will use those stories to help you to answer the interviewer’s questions. Practice telling them so you can tell them clearly.

The fourth strategy is to be sure to ask questions about the job and the company. Asking questions highlights your interest in the job and the company. This is the time for you to insure that this is really your dream job! Review your company research and your own criteria for the perfect job. Then write down your questions. Most interviewers ask the interviewee if he/she has any questions. Be sure to get your questions answered whether or not the interviewer asks for your questions!

Finally after the interview, be sure to send a thank you note. Hand written notes are more personal and in this day of email and instant messages they stand out as being different. If your writing is hard to read then a typed thank you note mailed through the postal service will stand out too.

During times of plentiful jobs it is often easy to move from company to company without an intense search. If jobs are scarce however you may have to do a more active job search than you are used to. By implementing all 5 of these strategies you’ll be in a better position to reap the benefits of finding that dream job you are looking for.

Take Action

1. Update your resume with your most recent job and show 4 or 5 accomplishments of which you are proud. Be sure the accomplishments statements are examples of your key skills and strengths.

2. Write 4 or 5 stories to bolster your accomplishments that highlight your strengths and skills.

3. Write a description of your dream job so that you know it when you “see” it.

By: Alvah Parker

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Alvah Parker is a Practice Advisor (The Attorneys’ Coach) and a Career Changers’ Coach as well as publisher of Parker’s Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine. Subscribe now to these free monthly publications at her website www.asparker.com/samples.html and receive a free Values Assessment as a gift.

Career Change

Career Change is becoming an increasing popular subject given the economic times. With changes in industry, uncertainty about the future, and the global shift towards cheaper resources, people are looking to better their position by approaching industries they see as less volatile. The idea is not unique however needs to be given the proper planning and attention it deserves as the impact will ripple for years, well after the economic factors change to the positive.

I have seen and navigated job changes for people in the past. With this comes increasing difficulty well passed what most had expected in their original plan. Career change is something I see as being one of the more dramatic shifts in people's lives. However when done in mass as I have heard recently, there is a more concerning trend. Passion and short/mid term economic changes are causing professionals to make rash changes beyond what we call normal. Career change can be small, or dramatic, however when made in light of non-logical information - no matter how small the change, it can be very wrong.

With all that being said, let us address the process of change. Follow the steps:

Evaluate your passion, what do you love to do. If you are not doing something you love, well - you should have changed a long time ago.

If you are doing something you enjoy, however not making enough money - lets look at how to make a better decision.

1. Understand your industry, do trend analysis over last 10 yrs to determine patterns

2. Look at your specific company, how are they comparing to the competition. If not well, look at moving to another company

3. If the industry is failing, look at your role in other industries. If positive, do the same job in another vertical

4. If your role is the issue, take a look at your skills and figure out what you are good at - look for transfer

5. When you find careers that can use your skills, make sure they would be something you enjoy

6. Evaluate the verticals and look at 10 yr analysis to look at trends, see patterns

7. Avoid similar patterns as current company, as that could be indicator

8. Find companies in those industries that have solid track records

9. Network in the companies you are looking at

10. Be HAPPY

Although the process is clean and short, we need to understand the reasoning behind. For most people, they need to realize changing their career is not the answer. Just because things go wrong does not mean the end of the world. No matter the industry, the market, the company - there will be ups and downs. Be prepared for them and handle them well. Stay the course if possible. Make educated and logical decisions avoiding emotional decision making whenever possible.

Jason Monastra is a 10 year veteran in the recruiting industry and current partner with United Global Technologies, http://www.ugtechnologies.com, a leading recruiting and consulting firm serving the IT and engineering vertical based out of Charlotte NC.

Jason Monastra maintains a major career advice and job search blog at http://www.lambentpath.com, making it easy to access key informational points to better help navigate your search for your next position.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Monastra

Getting a Job Interview When You're Contacting the Wrong Person

This is an excerpt from a book I wrote on getting job interviews. In this scenario, you discover that you have not been speaking with the right person. The book also includes many other scenarios. Try printing out this article and reading it aloud. The phrasing may sound strange at first, but it is effective. It's effective because it's integrity based and because, it's concise, it follows natural speech patterns and because it places a premium on the value of the time of the person to whom you are speaking.

Assumption: Your Contact Was Never the Right Person

Contact

I'm not sure why you're talking to me. I don't have anything to do with technical writing. Maybe they put you in touch with me because I coordinate the advertising for one of our magazines.

You

(Rephrasing to verify comprehension) I'm not sure, either. If you handle advertising, not editorial, I probably should be speaking with someone else. (Brief pause.) Who would you suggest speaking with?

In this technique you agree with your contact, expand your agreement by giving an example and then ask for information. The response you receive will usually be dependent on two factors: whether your contact is under time pressure and how much your contact knows about his or her company. In an average situation, where your contact is not pressured to meet any deadlines, and has been with the company long enough to suggest other people, the conversation will probably proceed like this:

Contact

You might try Richard Harrison. He's our V.P. of Research. If it's not his area, he'll probably be able to direct you.

You

Would you know his number?

Contact

He's at extension 5327.

You

Does he spell his last name H-a-r-r-i-s-o-n?

Contact

I don't know. Let me look it up on the phone list. (Brief pause.) No, it is H-a-r-r-i-s-E-n. He's listed as E. Richard Harrisen. His first name's Edward, but people call him by his middle name, Richard. Would you like me to transfer you?

You

Yes, please. (Rapidly and thoughtfully) Before you transfer me . . . is there anything special I could say or do to make the best impression?

I know that asking the above question seems gutsy, but keep in mind that most people understand that getting a job is important. They are generally willing to help you, as long as they are not in jeopardy. Sometimes, you will receive several minutes of prompting. Usually, you will get a brief response like:

Contact

I'm sorry, I don't know him that well. But, I understand he's a real cat person. He breeds and sells Siamese kittens.

We have reached a point in the conversation, where there is not much else to be gained. If you take a few moments to review the dialogue that has transpired to this point, you'll note that your contact does not know your name. I never suggested that you mention your name. The goal of your conversation was to build rapport and to exchange relevant information. Exchanging names takes time. Sometimes, focusing on names can be disruptive. If you are forced to spell your name, or if your contact misunderstands or mispronounces it, you run the risk of ruining the flow of a conversation.

Alan Jordan is the author of hundreds of articles, six business books and several children's books. He is the creator of a web site with a series of products to foster creativity in children and adults, http://www.LetsBeCreative.org

One way to get a job is to exercise creativity. His book, Ready, Set, Go has many creative tips for getting a job interview. Click here to preview the the book Ready, Set, Go!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_H._Jordan

Some Common Job Interview Weaknesses and How to Address Them

If you have been to a job interview lately, you may not have performed as well as you were hoping. There are several common job interview weaknesses that may have affected you, such as not understanding the company you are meeting with, responding poorly to the interview questions, and lacking proper job interview etiquette.. When you have finished reading this article, you will be able to walk into your next interview with much more confidence having beaten those job interview weaknesses that were holding you back!

Not Understanding the Company You Are Interviewing With

It is a major job interview weakness to ignore the proper research before meeting with a prospective employer. Before you go in for your interview, you should make sure you have conducted a thorough search online for any news releases, financial reports, or any other company presentations that will give you more insight into their business. You want to make sure you fully understand the company's history, as well as their products and services. Most importantly, know what your job's role will be in the company and how you will be able to add value effectively.

Answering the Questions Poorly

Giving bad responses to the interview questions is another major job interview weakness. Many people will give their answers "on the fly" and their response will miss the point of the question. To avoid this, make sure you are well versed in the common interview questions and have crafted a good response ahead of time. You want your answers to emphasize how your unique skills and experience will be an asset to this job rather than just giving a basic informational response that answers the question but doesn't sell your background.

Proper Interview Etiquette

In my career as a staffing manager I saw a LOT of people showing up improperly dressed or behaving in a casual way. This is one of the biggest job interview weaknesses you can have, but luckily it's easy to fix! Make sure that you show up to every interview at least ten minutes early. Showing up late, even with a good excuse will often squash your chances of getting the job because it leaves a subconscious impression with the interviewer that you are not competent enough to meet your basic commitments. Also, you want to make sure you are dressed in a conservative business suit with shined shoes.

As you can see, there are a variety of major job interview weaknesses that could have affected your recent performance, but these are all very easy to fix! Make sure that before you go to your next interview you have prepared some high quality research of your target company, rehearsed some good interview sample questions, and are following the proper etiquette. I know if you can improve on these weaknesses you will have a much better chance of landing that next job.

To help you prepare further, I have created a free job search power course, at JobSearchPower.com. In this course you will learn the right way to find job leads, prepare an excellent resume and cover letter, and make your job search as efficient as possible! Also please check out my page on job interview weaknesses.

Good Luck and Happy Job Searching!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Shaft

Be Prepared For Your Next Job Interview

Before applying and interviewing for your dream job, make sure you have gone over the following interview tips:

Job Interview Tip #1: Update your Resume

Submitting an outdated resume will almost always eliminate you as a possible candidate. Below is a list of the top things to look out for when updating your resume.

1. Work Experience: If your last job was listed in 2005, most employers would assume you have been out of work for the past three years.

2. References: If an employer attempts to call an individual on your reference list and that individual's number is not accurate, or that individual is unaware they are listed as a reference, you will leave a poor impression with employers.

3. Education: It is okay if you are in school, just specify when you expect to graduate. Further, if you have taken a break from school, clearly state that as well.

Job Interview Tip #2: Research the Company

You want to know more about the company than any other candidate, which requires a little extra effort on your part. Visit the company website and search engines to find:

a. Recent and past business dealings

b. Products and services

c. Company successes and failures

d. Changes in management and/or ownership

e. Their mission and vision

f. Their short term and long term goals

g. Who their customers are

h. Who their major competitors are

Job Interview Tip #3: Prepare for Job Interview Questions

The more you practice the more comfortable you will feel. Not only should you look into popular interview questions, but you should practice them in front of a mirror as well. Pay close attention to facial expressions and body language as they speak much louder than words.

Job Interview Tip #4: Dress Properly

Make sure you dress for success. Within the first ten seconds of meeting an employer, you will have already made an impression with an employer. How do you want them to view you? I suggest a nice pair of pants, a dress shirt and a tie, and if appropriate, a suit jacket.

Job Interview Tip #5: Arrive Early

Be sure to arrive 10-15 minutes early. Not only does it make a good impression but it gives you the ability to analyze the office. Pay close attention to:

a. Organization: Does the office, or waiting room, seem clean and organized or messy and stressful?

b. Employee Expressions: Do the employees seem happy, stressed, angry, upset?

c. Promptness: How long does it take before you are noticed?

d. Friendliness: How does the individual who notices you greet you? Do they offer you a place to site? Something to drink? When an employee walks by do they acknowledge you?

e. Professionalism: When you are greeted, does the greeter shake your hand? Approach you or yell for you to have a seat? Is the greeter chewing gum?

f. Effort: How is the office, or waiting room, organized and decorated?

Job Interview Tip #6: Bring a Notepad

During an interview, information is equally exchanged. The employer will have questions for you and you will have questions for the employer. Because you don't want to interrupt the employer, having a notepad will enable you to write down important information and questions you may have.

Tanya Willette, http://www.inovahire.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tanya_Willette

The Mid-Life Career Change

Starting a new career is something that most people would prefer not to think about. Even if they are unhappy in their jobs and dissatisfied with their career direction, the thought of starting over can be intimidating to many people. This tendency increases with age because the more time you have invested in a career, the less likely you are to be willing to move away from it.

Based on current economic conditions however we may no longer have a choice. With unemployment at a 14 year high and with over 1 million Americans losing their jobs in 2008 alone, the economic meltdown is impacting entire industries, not just individual companies. The experts believe that this trend will continue into the foreseeable future and that it will completely reconfigure the global employment picture.

Despite the old adage of being unable to teach old dogs new tricks, learning a new career need not be as difficult as it sounds. Even if you have been working for a long time and are years removed from school, moving into a new career can be a pretty straightforward process. The key is to find a work and employment environment that meets your needs and that will allow you to achieve your goals.

It might also be a blessing in disguise because if you are currently unhappy with your job and your career, being forced to start a new one might in fact be a life-changing event that you need to take you to new levels of success and happiness. Many people stay in a career because they feel they have no options, even though they are unhappy and unfulfilled. For many, losing a job is the catalyst required to reinvent oneself and to go on to much bigger and better things.

The Internet has presented many disgruntled corporate ladder climbers with an opportunity to begin a whole new career and to forge a whole new lifestyle. A home-based network marketing business that uses the Internet to access customers around the world offers the flexibility to work where ever you like, and earn an income far above average. Many new Internet entrepreneurs are surprised-and quite pleased-when they realized that they are earning far more than they were in their previous job.

The Internet is open for business 24/7, 365 days a year. If you are worried about your job, your new career might be no further away than your computer monitor. Go online and look for an opportunity that will meet your income requirements and fulfill you professionally. You just might find your dream career.

Pam White is a business coach and mentor based out of Sharon, CT, that assists serious entrepreneurs in building a profitable online business with multiple incomes streams. Pam and her team have assisted hundreds of people, from doctors and lawyers to high-school drop-outs and single parents in generating profits that exceed $250K or more in their first year. For more information and to contact Pam, visit:

http://www.PamWhiteCCPRO.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pam_White

Job Interview Success With Visualization and Subliminal Messages

So, you have a job interview coming up? Wondering what to do to impress your prospective employers? Well, being yourself would be the best strategy!

The problem is that our true personalities often get overshadowed by our anxiety and nervousness. People tend to panic or become nervous when they meet their interviewers either because they start scrutinizing and analyzing every action of theirs from the interviewers eyes or they forget their own qualities and start trying to hard to impress the interviewer.

However, what they fail to realize is that when you are not being yourself, you tend to get uncomfortable and that shows! Therefore success in a job interview depends upon the confidence with you approach it. If you are self-assured your personality will shine through and you will have a good chance of making an impression in your interview. The following are two simple self-help techniques which can help you succeed in your job interview:

Visualization

You may have heard of sports persons visualizing (themselves) excelling at their game the night before an important event or match. This helps them prepare their minds and bodies for peak performance. When you visualize something intensely your body and mind start behaving as if they are already facing situation being visualized, therefore when you visualize succeeding at something, your demeanor becomes that of a winner.

So, if you visualize yourself speaking confidently and expressing your opinions freely, your body language and mental state will change accordingly. Practice this visualization everyday before your interview and practice it again just before going in to meet your prospective employers.

Subliminal messages

People who become extremely nervous and tense during interviews may suffer from low-self confidence in general. This lack of self confidence may be the result of long held negative beliefs about oneself. Such beliefs tend to get firmly entrenched in our subconscious and start directing our behavior.

Therefore what we assume to be a natural trait (getting anxious in social situations or interviews) is actually a result of the beliefs stored in our subconscious. Subliminal messages can re-program your mind to get rid of interview anxiety and negative beliefs about yourself. The can make you more confident and allow your natural personality shine through in the interview.

The difference between success and failure is one's state of mind, when you approach an interview in the right frame of mind; you are likely to bag the job you desire.

Dan Bainbridge is the Director of Real Subliminal:

Use our free subliminal messages to help yourself calm down and relax! Or try our subliminal job interview success CD to really give yourself the edge!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Bainbridge

Veteran Job Search: How Veterans Can Find Jobs They Really Want During Good or Recession Times

As unemployment rates go up across the country, veterans transitioning into a civilian workforce are facing a tougher time finding work after leaving the military. A recent survey by CareerBuilder.com showed that 1 in 5 veterans looking for a job said it took more than six months to secure one after leaving active duty.

At times veterans feel that they are dealing with a whole new set of rules and skills that they are not accustomed to. Among one of the most frustrating obstacles is an employer's inability to understand how military skills can fulfill qualifications for civilian positions. Many veterans are finding that job posting boards are not much help. They spend the time submitting their resumes on these sites and never hear back from anyone. This coupled with the inexperience in interviewing for civilian jobs or having viable job finding skills is directly affecting the ability of these veterans to find work. Then when they do find work it is often at a rate of pay that is far below their skill level. And, they find many unwanted surprised along the way.

If you are a veteran looking for a job you will improve the quality of the job you are getting, and avoid unexpected surprises by doing a little more research.

How Veterans Can Find the Job They Want

One thing to consider is who the employer is? There is nothing worse than finding a job and then discovering that the employer is going out of business. This is especially important if you are considering moving to a new area for that job. Then there is the surprise of finding a job that is just awful. The only reason that the job is available is that nobody wants to work there.

Here are a few simple things that you can do in order to give yourself the best possible chance of matching with a good employer:

1. Pull up the website for the companies you wish to work for

You can learn a lot about a company by what is on their website. Often companies will put news articles about the company on the site. These articles can tell you what is important to the company and a little bit about their culture. You can also learn about the history of the company and their values. This information is good to incorporate into your interview as it shows that you did your research.

On some sites the bios of key employees are located and you can learn a lot about who makes up this company and where they came from. All this will give you a good gut feeling about who they are.

2. Use search engines

One of the best ways to perform a search for companies is to use Dogpile.com. This site will compile information from all the other search engines. So instead of looking through each search engine this one will take out the duplicates and give you the most relevant information.

Another good source is the Better Business Bureau in the city where the company is located. When you call ask them for a reference and see what type of reputation the company has established with them. The service is free to the public and they will tell you if there have been any complaints and what they were about.

3. Search the local newspaper

Another easy thing to do is go on-line to the local newspaper and search past articles using the company's name. Also, complete a search by using the name of the company's president. When you find an article read it to see what they are known for. In some cases you might discover that the company has a charity that they regularly sponsor. You might even find that the company was involved in some type of problem. Basically, you are looking for both good news and bad to help you make a good decision and avoid the surprises.

4. Talk to Employees.

The best sources for information on the companies you want to work for are current and past employees. Who better to tell you the good, the bad, and the ugly of the company? But what if you don't know anyone at the company?

Then talk to the receptionist. These folks usually know more about what is going on about everything and are willing to share if you treat them nicely. One way to score points with a receptionist is to talk to them when they hit the slow point in their day. In most cases this will be between 10:45am and 11:30am in the morning. By that time most of the morning urgent calls have already come in.

When you talk to them tell them that you are considering getting a job there working and would appreciate knowing more about the company. Let them know that you value their comments and will keep it confidential.

Many times the information you get from this source will be more valuable and complete than anything else you do.

Follow this advice and you won't get stuck with a job that no one wants just because you are a veteran. You can find your dream job and get hired fast even during a recession if you just follow the advice above.

By: Kelly Roberstein

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Kelly Roberstein is a veterans affairs writer who specializes in helping veterans transition from the military to the civilian workforce. If you are a veteran, who wants to get a job you really want without settling, then Kelly suggests checking out www.veteranstransitionalservices.com for more free articles, discussion forums and tip of the week.

Money or Happiness: Midcareer Changers Find Both

It's an age-old dilemma. You have a job that pays well but is less than satisfying. You've considering jumping ship, but you have bills to pay. Here's the lowdown on when you should change careers, when you shouldn't, and how to do it without turning your entire world upside down.

Evan Carmichael, master of small business motivation and strategies, warns about "The Cage"--a stable, well-paying job that lacks many of the characteristics that translates into a happy professional. If you're suffering from a lack of fulfillment, feel as though you're not being challenged, or that you're sorely undervalued, you just might be a candidate for a job change. But breaking out of the cage requires a delicate combination of audacity and strategy. Simply jumping ship could end in disaster. Recognizing the need for change and then knowing when and how to do it are keys to a successful transition.

When You Feel Like Your Spinning Your Wheels
Familiarity breeds comfort, particularly in the workplace. In fact, you may even be staying with a job you hate just because your subconscious appreciates reliability--a steady, even competitive, paycheck, fixed hours, a short commute, a likeable boss, or team of colleagues. However, something in the back of your minds tells you the grass may be greener. It may or may not be, but you may never know unless you find out for yourself.

Aside from career permanence, excessive stress might also be nudging you towards the door. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, stress may play a more critical role in your desire to change careers than you may realize.

•    40 percent of workers reported their job was very or extremely stressful
•    25 percent of workers view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives
•    Three-fourths of employees believe they experience more on-the-job stress than a generation ago
•    29 percent of workers felt "quite a bit" or "extremely" stressed at work
•    26 percent of workers said they were "often or very often burned out or stressed by their work"
•    Job stress has a direct correlation to health complaints

When to Change Careers--and When Not To
It can be tough to know if you should listen to the voice in your head telling you that you deserve better. If you've spent the better part of your life specializing in a particular career or industry, pulling the trigger is even more difficult. CNN Money reveals some telltale signs that it's time to move on.

•    The Grunt Work. If you find yourself being forced to take on assignments that no one else in the department wants, that could be a red flag
•    Clipped Wings. Despite the fact that you have specialized skills and talents, you're excluded from new projects or taking on additional responsibilities
•    Continuous Exclusion. You're consistently railroaded from important meetings or decision-making sessions. Your opinion means little to new strategies
•    Good Old Fashioned Hate. If getting up in the morning and going to the office summons your gag reflex, a change may be immanent

On the flip side, there are definitely situations where changing jobs or careers can be a step backwards. Understanding where your feelings come from is traditionally vital. The Brazen Careerist contends that, in some instances, working through your problems can be a better solution than just jumping ship. Desires such as ridding yourself of an oppressive boss, looking for more prestige, wanting to meet new people or attaining happiness often can't be satisfied through a job change.

If You're Going to Change Jobs, Do It Right
Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D. of QuinCareers offers these common career change mistakes that most people make--and you should avoid.

•    Changing Careers without Education. Going back to school and absorbing new information is essential to success in your new role
•    Deciding Based on Outside Forces. If you're changing careers based on other's opinions, outside pressures or the money factor, this could sabotage your ultimate goal
•    Excluding Self-examination. It might not be the job--it might be you. A fresh perspective on your current position might possibly change your mind

As a final thought

, America's Job Exchange encourages you to volunteer in an industry that interests you and return to school for additional training if you're serious about making that move.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

about the author

Kelli Smith is the senior editor for www.Edu411.org. Edu411.org is a directory of career education schools, colleges and universities, and technical institutes.

How to Launch Your Career in Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is generated a great deal of interest. In today's fast paced life, depression, stress, and emotional imbalances are common among the masses. A hypnotherapy professional has the qualifications and skills to heal this human problem by interfering in their thoughts, memories, and feelings. If you are among those who feel satisfied helping others deal with their problems, hypnotherapy is the right career choice for you.

As a hypnotherapist you are have to be well versed with various psychological behaviors and need to learn skills to deal with them. You ought to have in depth knowledge regarding the human psychology. A good understanding of dealing with depressions, insomnia, jealousy, panic, anxiety stress and lack of confidence is a must. You need to have good intuition and must be able to judge a person's problem at a glance. If you posses all these qualities and are sure about making a career in hypnotherapy, its time you attend training sessions.

Although one can self-train, it is always beneficial to earn a diploma or certificate in hypnotherapy. This helps you gain an in-depth knowledge regarding hypnosis and human tendencies. This certificate or diploma proves very useful when you hunt for a job. To launch your career in hypnotherapy, you need to first enroll in a well known and reliable school. Your career in hypnotherapy begins with proper and correct education, skills, and knowledge of human psychology.

Once you get professional help you are prepared to step in the industry. It is always good to have a mentor who can provide you with timely guidance and support. Whenever you choose a mentor, make sure he has sound knowledge of hypnotherapy and the relevant experience to guide you. A mentor can prove very helpful and beneficial when you have to step in a new field. A mentor will surely help you launch your career in hypnotherapy.

If you are part of a well known school, there are chances that they provide placements. This will help you get the first break in the hypnotherapy industry. It is good to opt for a school that offers job placements. However, that does not mean that you compromise on the quality of education because at the end it matters a lot. You can also walk up to various medical practitioners like psychiatrists, counselors, and doctors who deal with various aspects of human behavior daily.

There also many job portals on which you can upload your resume and help yourself receive the best offers in the industry. Initially, you may not make much money, however, as you keep growing in the industry you automatically stand to profit. To begin with there may not be many people who would like to hire you, but you can always do your internship under a well known and reputed practitioner and gain some industry experience before you move out to become a big name in hypnotherapy.

If you choose to become part of a reputed school, take proper training sessions and network with the right people. This will make your venture into hypnotherapy a prosperous one.

Life Coaching and Hypnosis Training Programs with Bennett Stellar University. A list of Google's Alternative Health Coaches. More information can be found here: http://www.imagineit.org/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arthur_Smart

How You Can Get Your Resume Noticed - Today!

The job recruiter gets many, many resumes for every job opening (recent studies have shown for every one job opening 100 to 1000 resumes are sent). The competition is fierce.

That's the bad news - the good news is that, with a little extra effort, you can create a resume that makes you stand out as the best candidate for a job you are seeking. The first thing you want to do is avoid all the common resume pitfalls. Check the spelling. One word that is misspelled will KILL your chances right away.

Make sure your resume is not too general and that it is targeted to the particular job you are applying for. If you want to really stand out above everyone else - you MUST do these additional steps.

1. Make sure your resume is accomplishments-driven instead of duties-driven.

How have you helped your employers?

• Make money
• Save money
• Save time
• Make work easier
• Solve a specific problem
• Be more competitive
• Build relationships
• Expand the business
• Attract new customers
• Retain existing customers

These are the issues you must be able to get across in an effective and creative way.

2. Get rid of your Objective statement.

Here is another mistake that is commonly made. Every employer already knows that you want the job, that's why you sent your resume, right?

Sounds simple but almost everyone does this.

3. Have an outstanding resume design!

One of the most important factors in getting your resume noticed is a great design. Don't let your resume go unnoticed because you use a generic template.

You must be able to show your personality with your resume.

At Right Foot Resume we take this concept one step further and create a "Personal Identity" for our clients.

I have showed you how you can get your resume noticed. It takes a little extra effort but it's a MUST if you want to stand out from the crowd.

Scott is the Owner/President of Right Foot Resume, a premier resume writing/design service. He has been helping people land their dream jobs by creating winning resume's utilizing custom writing and design.

Visit - http://www.rightfootresume.com and see how we can help you achieve your career goals!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Sorweid

Win a Job Search - Just Read the Advert at Least Four Times

Do I look like Superman? No, but why is it that I, and many other CV/resume writers get called superman - or wonder woman for our female more than equals - when none of us wear our red underwear outside our clothing?

Could it be, that all we did was win someone a Job Search who previously didn't know why they haven't been able to for the last three + months?

You see, we recruiters and CV/resume writers don't see it as super-human not to be able during a Job Search to read, and with the materials given - your skills, qualifications and experiences which results in what an HR professional calls competencies - write an answer to the question posed by the job advert.

However, many people do. And further, they are hampered by the fact that looking in the mirror is probably the most difficult thing anyone can do. That's why you either need a friend, a third party, or a CV/resume writer to help you get that perspective.

Often when I first engage a candidate - either as a recruiter or a CV writer - I get a story:

• I left my old job for (insert a reason)
• I applied for new jobs, which on a majority I made it to interview
• After three months, I widened my search
• I don't get to interviews any more
• Oh and PS: the savings are running out

Well, here's the background to most of those stories:

• I left my old job for (insert a reason) - yeah I know, great reason!
• I applied for new jobs, which on a majority I made it to interview - you wrote a CV/resume which was poorly constructed, but applied for jobs you were functionally qualified for. Hence, you got interviews. You probably were too ambitious, and got rejected because of that
• After three months, I widened my search - you got too many rejections, hence your ego got realistic at the time your self confidence took a dive
• I don't get to interviews any more - because you still can't write a great CV, but now apply for jobs you don't have the competencies to do. Hence you sound depressed in your Cover Letters, and are not qualified to do any of the jobs
• Oh and PS: the savings are running out - surprise! The average person has around enough savings on which to survive less than tow months. You cut out the Chablis, but cutting out water is proving more difficult - plus job hunting is not cheap

So what do we get them to do? For those who are in a three months plus stage of job hunting, it has gotten a bit routine - job hunting should be fun! Quite often they need to be perked up a bit, so we suggest they take their partner out for a meal, buy themselves some new clothes, or have a meeting with a coach. The test of the brief is - whatever floats your boat, just do it!

Once we have picked their spirits up a bit, we get them to write down all the experiences they have had - the job, the community work, and even stuff with the family. Good candidates keep diaries or write up monthly summaries of all the things they have done - like a professional engineer would, or a doctor in training. People who get rejected a lot don't know what they have to offer an employer.

Now we write that down for them. That forms the experiences sections, the skills section, the qualifications section (yes, people forget they have degrees!), the interests section, etc.

There are only three pieces now to complete, to have a complete CV/resume suitable to apply for a job against an advert:

• Their contact details - on which security is now the biggest issue
• Their personal statement
• The Cover Letter

It is now that the greatest error of the out of work candidate is revealed: the ability to read. So, I am going for free to give you a trick which should cost you a maximum of £1 or $1 to implement, to fix this problem for ever.

Go and buy yourself a highlighter pen!

Now, when you:

• 1) Read an advert of interest, cut it out of the newspaper or print it out
• 2) With your pen highlight the skills, experiences and qualifications to do that job - the competencies
• 3) Write each of these competencies down on a separate sheet of paper
• 4) Once you have written your personal statement and Cover Letter, take out your highlighter pen again, and highlight in a draft copy of your Cover Letter and CV/Resume every single one of those competencies

That's the minimum four times you have to read the advert! Now if you can't find the competencies the employer requires, will you get rejected? Yes - but why?

Behind every job advert is around 100hrs of effort by a professional HR team, and £3,000/$4,500 of cost per post. The company decided that they needed new staff, built a business case, had it signed off, wrote and agreed a job description, and reduced that into a job advert. They then paid a recruiter or went to a newspaper classified desk or job board to post it. If it was your money or your time, and the person answering the question couldn't prove beyond reasonable doubt that they had the whole set of skills: would you employ them? So as no is your answer, what do you think there's will be?

Often the long term job seeker has a further opportunity. When they first started searching, they spent about two hours on each application. They read the advert, researched the company, and applied only for jobs on which they had the skills - but probably for positions that were a little bit better than their old job. Now as they have widened their search and got more desperate, the volume of potential jobs has got bigger and they spend less time on each - often less than 30minutes. As a result, they don't check if they have the skills for that job, and so hence they are rejected. Feedback for employers like over qualified now come back from employers, but if you were an employer who just needed enthusiastic people, and you had a depressed candidate with a degree who hadn't answered your job advert question, what would you say?

Getting a job is about:

• In selecting the jobs you apply for - picking the jobs which your competencies show you can fit the functional requirements of
• In your CV/resume and Cover Letter in response - communicating that your competencies match+ the jobs functional requirements, and showing that you could fit the team
• In interview - communicating and showing in real example you can apply your competencies in the actual job, and showing you would fit into the team

You too could be a super hero, if you only you could read whilst looking in the mirror.

Good Luck!

Ian R McAllister is the founder of Ajiri, a UK group focused recruitment and employment in skills-short professional sectors, presently covering IT, telecoms and project management. Ajiri also provides professional candidate information and services via a series of online resources, including The Professional CV from CV4.biz and How To Write A Cover Letter

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_R_McAllister

Hardest Job Interview Questions

Well, here they are! We don't like to hear them, we don't like to think about them, but of course, we have to answer them! Just to add a little twist, they are not just the hardest interview questions, they are also the most common!

1. Tell me about yourself.

2. What is your biggest pet peeve?

3. What can you tell me about our company?

4. Why do you want to work for us?

5. What can you do for us that someone else can't?

6. Why do you want this position?

7. How are you qualified to fill this position?

8. Why should we hire you?

9. What do you look for in a job?

10. Do you want a job or a career?

11. What do you think your responsibilities should be?

12. How long will it take you to make a meaningful contribution to this company?

13. How long do you intend to stay with this company?

14. How long do you intend to stay at this position?

15. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

16. What is your biggest failure?

17. What do you think of your previous employer?

18. Why did you leave your previous position?

19. What do you think you are worth?

20. Are you successful?

21. What types of individuals do you have difficulty working with?

22. Are you a team player?

23. Do you prefer to work alone or be a part of a team?

24. How did you prepare for this interview?

25. Do you feel you are over or under-qualified?

26. How has your education prepared you for your career?

27. If you had to live your life over again, what would you change?

28. Describe yourself in five words.

Tanya Willette, http://www.inovahire.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tanya_Willette

Career Change Over 40

With more people facing redundancy because of the recession and new jobs few and far between, is it possible to start a make a career change if you are over 40?

As populations in the developed world are growing older and many countries are experiencing a crisis in the pension system, we are facing the prospect of having to work past the usual retirement age. Yet, at the same time, older people are not always welcomed back into the work force. Many also have difficulty finding a new job if they have an unbroken track record and are simply looking for a change in career after the age of 40.

There are a number of steps you can take to maximize your chances of getting a job, despite negative views regarding age on the part of some employers.

When writing your CV or résumé, be sure to target it for the job in question. You can do this by highlighting all the skills and experience which are needed for the job and then proving that you have got them.

It is not necessary to put personal information on your CV - in many countries it is illegal to ask about age and this will also become law in the UK in October of this year. You should either leave out your date of birth completely or put it at the end. Do not mention your marital status or the number of children you have or their ages. This is not relevant to the job!

The fact that you are older means that you have valuable experience in many areas and you need to make good use of this in your application. Don't worry if you are returning to work after bringing up children - soft skills, such as communication, time management and the ability to meet deadlines are crucial in the workplace today and all of those will be skills you have developed as a parent. So take a good look at all the skills you have acquired both at work and in other areas of life and make a list. You'll be surprised to see how many you have and how many of them are transferable.

If you find your particular career favours youth, consider the possibility of self-employment. Could you use your existing skills as a freelance? If you aren't up to date with computer packages, get your kids to teach you or find out about local classes, which are sometimes free. If there have been changes in your particular industry, look into refresher courses.

Many people make the mistake of assuming that they will get job satisfaction in one place, but this is the exception rather than the rule. So make a list of all the skills you'd like to use (or learn) at work and a list of the tasks which give you job satisfaction. Then consider the possibility of becoming a portfolio worker, that is, someone who has more than one occupation. You might, for example, work as a freelance in your existing career for two or three days a week and set up a small business doing something completely different during the rest of the week. Or you might write about, teach or run workshops in one of the skills you have developed. This doesn't have to be work-related - it could be a hobby you've been interested in for years, it could be an aspect of parenting or coping with a health issue. Look at everything you've done in your life so far and you'll find that there are several areas in which you are an expert.

If you are prepared to look beyond the conventional 9-5 job, you will find that there are many opportunities open to you, regardless of your age. In fact this is a really great strategy for anyone who wants to develop a recession proof career.

Get 2009 off to a good start - learn how to recession proof your career

For more tips on how to find a new job and make yourself recession proof go to: http://www.coolercareers.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Waller_Jamison

Life and Leisure also a Career Opportunities Now in Singapore

With the fast paced development of Singapore’s various industries, it is now an emerging tower of power in the Asian region for Technology, Jobs, Life and leisure Amenities.

From the creation of jobs also equates the need for recreation and relaxation. Singapore has now all of that. As more guests are pouring in to the country from both local and international, one can now define a growth in world-class hotels, resorts, spas, clubs, sports venues, hangouts and other various establishments that promote life and leisure activities for tired, busy bodies are now everywhere!

Catering to the upper, middle class- young and old brackets, an evening in Singapore is surely alive. As it is now an entertainment hub in Asia, the country is now open for International arts and performance, concerts and performance tours, world-class sporting events and as a prime destination for tourists.

With people and population yearning for fun (after work) already a growing influence for the country, has opened the venues for careers in the entertainment industries both daylight and night job. Working in this establishment is not only rewarding and pleasurable. Aside from free entertainment and foods, you will meet more people who are known and famous both local and international.

Picking the right choices? There are also Admin jobs in Singapore that’s available with the right packages and fair rates at par if not exceed worldwide standards.

Singapore is one great venue for service professionals; Search now for a job online that fit’s to your liking. With a host of websites to choose from, you’re sure to find one that’s challenging and truly rewarding.

By: Arnold Santos

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Arnold Santos is the content writer of Singapore Jobs, Online Marketing Service in Singapore and IT Mock Examination.

Prepare For A Successful Job Interview

FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT, so when going for a job interview, you want to create the BEST impression you possibly could.

That is why you need to be concerned about how you look and what you say. It would be the first thing that impresses the interviewer. Depending on the job description, you can dress either business-like or more casual. Just no ultra hipsters with drawers sticking out, or revealing or gaudy clothes. Stick to something neat and modest. For the girls, even your make-up should be minimal. The employer/interviewer will draw conclusions about your personality and abilities from the way you dress, whether you like it or not.

When you first meet the interviewer, smile and shake hands firmly. Don't slouch when you sit down; rather maintain eye contact and speak clearly. You will exude confidence.

Arrive earlier rather than on time or late... 15 minutes before the interview is a good idea. You can concentrate on breathing to calm you down. Make sure you walk in alone; so your friend or mom can stay at home or in the car. It shows you are mature and independent;

Another good thing is to research the company you have applied to work for. This will not only help you to decide whether this is the type of company you would like to work for, but you can show your prospective employer that you are interested in his company and in getting this job.

Now for the actual interview ... what you say about the company, your previous job experience, your previous employer and your qualifications for this job ... can make a huge difference. So think before you speak, be natural, answer questions honestly. Dont's include: No profanities and No slang.

If this is your first job, your CV can include duties, chores & jobs you handled while still in school or college. It may have been baby-sitting, volunteer work for a charity organization or just regular chores at home. It is to establish your responsible attitude.

Keep a positive attitude during the interview, even if the interviewer seems a bit sceptical. Stay calm and thank him for his time before you leave. In the end, after comparing you to others, he must be able to remember your GOOD ATTITUDE.

All the best to you.

Will is writing about a wide range of topics, covering the job market, travel, health and much more. Special Requirements For Reprint: You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the complete resource box is included.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Will_Meyer

Interviewing - Questions to Ask and Avoid During Your Job Interview

Many job seekers dread getting to the point of the interview when they are asked, "So, what questions do you have for me?" It can be difficult to come up with interviewing questions to ask on the fly because many will have already been answered when you were researching the company before the interview or during the interview itself.

So how do you ask intelligent questions when you don't really have any in mind? And, more importantly, which questions should you avoid asking? Here are a few tactics to keep in mind when interviewing:

Questions to Ask or Avoid

1. Do NOT ask anything that you should have already found out on your own, such as information available on the company's website or marketing materials

2. Ask your questions from the perspective of a consultant - focus on the company's needs, problems, challenges, and goals

3. Do NOT ask anything about salary, perks, benefits, vacation, or sick leave. You will have time to figure those things out once there is an offer on the table

4. Ask questions that will give you a clear picture of what the job will be like day-to-day

5. Ask probing questions about the organization so you can assess the stability and strength and ensure that the company's direction matches your own career goals

The questions to ask should fit into three basic categories: The position, the organization, and the steps for following up. Note, if you ask good consultative questions early regarding the challenges and problems facing the organization or your future boss' department, you can craft the majority of the interview around how you will help them meet those challenges! This is a surefire way to get yourself hired.

In my career as a staffing professional I have helped a lot of people prepare effective interviewing questions to ask. For more tips on conducting an effective job search, please be sure to check out the free course at JobSearchPower.com.

Here you will find advanced tips on gathering leads, writing a great resume and cover letter, and managing the cumbersome process of applying for 10 or more jobs every week. You will learn the right tools and techniques to get the edge over your competition and have a job you love in no time.

Good luck and happy job hunting!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Shaft