How To Handle Lunch (or Dinner) Interviews

Sure, it doesn’t happen all that often but when an invitation to an interview over food or drinks comes up, you need to be prepared. It’s easy to make a positive impression, just follow these simple guidelines:

Submitting an Online Job Application? How to Help the Bots Read Your Résumé

It can be frustrating to send out multiple résumés every day and hear nothing back. Yet recruiters find it overwhelming to sift through the approximately 1,000 applications that come in for a single job post.

 

To help manage this large flow of résumé, recruiters use something called an applicant tracking system (ATS). These systems help recruiters do their job more efficiently by electronically filing all the résumés received.

 

If you’re applying to jobs, it’s likely your résumé is sitting in multiple tracking systems. To beat these systems and make sure your résumé gets noticed, follow these tips:

 

5 Things You Should Know About Job Recruiters

Many job seekers are confused about how hiring works, and, specifically, about how to work with recruiters. It is important to understand their role and how the process works in order to be successful.

3 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Negotiating Pay

Many people find that one of the most difficult parts of any job search is talking about money. When the conversation turns to compensation, many job applicants get nervous or uncomfortable and are reluctant to talk about the kind of salary and benefits they expect for a position. These mistakes can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of your career. Here are the three most common ones -- and tips on how to avoid them.

 

Cover Letters That Sell

John and Linda applied for the same job. They were equally qualified, and each submitted an excellent resume that emphasized accomplishments, training, positive work ethic and dedication.

John included a general cover letter that outlined his career history and aspirations. To save time, he used the same letter to apply for every job opening he looked at. Linda put more effort into her letter.

 

She found out the hiring manager's name and addressed him directly. She researched the company and learned about its mission, past performance, goals and corporate culture. She also studied the job description and clearly spelled out how she was an excellent match for that particular opening. Linda backed up her claims by highlighting examples of her past success.

 

Although the candidates were equally qualified, Linda's extra effort landed her a job interview. John never got called.

 

Résumé Black Hole Pain: Why You Don’t Hear Back After You Submit Your Résumé

A job search is NOT a “numbers game.” Today’s job search is much more like an “audition” for a new job. That’s a very important difference from the approach that most job seekers have today.

Keep in mind that employers view everything you do in the job application and interview process as examples of the kind of employee you would be.

Are you focused on bringing your “A Game” to your job search? Re-think your approach if you are using the numbers game theory.

Keys To Job Search Success: Overcome These 3 Assumptions Employers Make About You

When an employer or recruiter posts a job these days, they are usually buried under an avalanche of applications and résumés, an average of 250 for each job, according to a recent industry survey. And, to make matters worse, usually only 10% (or less) of those responses are from people who are actually qualified for the job.

Unfortunately, this flood of unqualified applicants tends to make the people on the employer’s side of the job search process somewhat jaded and suspicious of all job seekers. While understandable, this attitude is another obstacle for job seekers to overcome.

Answering Common Interview Questions Part 2.

 1. What have you learned from your mistakes?

Be sure to give examples that turn a negative (a mistake) into a positive. Examples of good responses include:

• I think one of the most important things I've learned is persistence. Not to give up too soon, because the solution is probably right in front of me.

• I have learned to give every person a second chance, because first impressions can often be misleading.

• I used to think that there was  one best solution to a problem, but I've learned that that kind of thinking limits the possibility of great success.

Answering Common Interview Questions Part 1.

1. "Please give me an example of a time when you had a problem with a supervisor/co-worker and how you approached the problem".

Most employees have a problem with a supervisor or co-worker at some point  in their career. How they handle that problem says a lot about their people skills. If you can explain to the interviewer that you were able to overcome a people problem at work, this will definitely help your chances of getting the job.

6 Interview Questions That Will Make Any Employer Want To Hire You

Common advice among job seekers is that when you attend an interview, you need to interview the employer right back. After all, you’re the one who will potentially fill the position. You need to know if it’s going to be a good fit, right?

While salary ranges, benefits and schedule flexibility are important details you deserve answers to, hiring managers don’t appreciate questions like those until at least your second interview (or maybe even after they make you an offer).

During your first interview, the “impress me” dance is still in full swing. When a potential employer asks if you have any questions, she doesn’t want inquiries about parking validation; she wants to see if you’re prepared, educated and inquisitive.

What You Should Do If You're Stumped During an Interview

When you don’t know how to answer a question during an interview, the silence can seem excruciating. You might even wish the floor would open up and swallow you whole. Not to worry, though — keep these tips in mind the next time you’re strapped for an answer.

How To Write Your Human-Voiced Résumé

You already know how to write a résumé. You put your contact info at the top and then list your jobs in reverse chronological order, with your education at the end. Done! What’s the big deal?

The big deal is that if you write your résumé the way countless books and articles have instructed you to, you’re going to sound like a Star Wars Battle Drone or a zombie.

How To Answer The Five Toughest Interview Questions With Confidence

The interview process can be a nerve-wracking experience. For some, it’s tough to be the center of attention answering rapid fire questions for 30 minutes. Others lack the confidence and organization to make sure they hit all the points they want to emphasize.

But, undoubtedly, the most stressful part of interviews is the standard questions that seem to have no good answer, the ones that have plagued every job seeker before, and often during, the actual interview. No need to worry though: there’s a way to answer those questions in a manner that’ll satisfy the interviewer and portray you in a positive light. 

Preparing For An Online Job Interview

Ever had an online video interview as part of a job search? Chances are that if you haven't, you will soon. Every day, more recruiters are using this tool to save time and money. But because pitching their credentials by computer is new for many job seekers, mistakes are common. Here are some smart tips in order to present yourself onscreen as a capable candidate:

Watch Out For These Red Flags During The Job Interview

Interviews aren't just for impressing the interviewer- the interviewee should be impressed too. When entering the interview process, it's important to be an observant job candidate. Although you are being interviewed, make sure you keep an eye out for red flags. Sometimes, the interview can be the first sign the job isn't for you.

Wondering if you need to pay closer attention during your next interview? Here are six red flags job seekers should notice:

How To Dress For An Interview- Male and Female

MEN'S WEAR

Source: www.pinterest.com

What Your Interviewer Is Really Asking

Source: Pinterest

What To Do During Your Interview

The day of your interview has finally arrived. Follow these tips to leave a good impression on your interviewer and to prepare you for your job interview:

Phone Interview Tips That Will Help You Land Your Dream Job

Congratulations! You’ve been selected for a phone screen. Now what? Too often, candidates end up in phone screen purgatory: getting close to the job of their dreams, but never advancing to the next stage.

The good news is there are some basic steps you can take to make a good impression:

The Perfect Resume Starts With Avoiding These 7 Tired Cliches

You may think your résumé is already tip top, but put yourself in the shoes of a recruiter. They look at hundreds of résumés every day. To them, most look exactly like all the other nondescript résumés in their pile. If you’re using the same tired phrases as everyone else, you’re not as exciting — or as hireable — as you thought you were.

How To Write The Perfect Thank You Letter After Your Job Interview

Think about your last job interview. Did you send a follow-up note afterward? The thank you letter is an overlooked part of the interview process, likely because it comes after what people think is the most important part of the job search: the application and the interview. But underestimating the value of a well-written thank you letter could jeopardize all the hard work you put into the résumé, application and interview. Don’t make the mistake of sabotaging your interview by not following up with a polite thank you note. Follow these tips to get it right.

Questions To Ask Your Interviewer

During the interview, you will likely be asked if you have any questions. Interviewers expect you to have questions about the company, the group you would be working in and the job that you are interviewing for. At the end of each interview, ask if it is okay to follow up with them later if you have further questions. This is an excellent time to ask for a business card, which will allow you to send each interviewer a thank you letter after the interviews are over.

Here are some sample questions to ask during an interview.

Acing That Interview!

Practicing is one of the best ways to prepare for a job interview. There are a number of ways to prepare for an interview at home without the help of a professional career counselor or coach or a fee-based service. 

You can practice interviews all by yourself or recruit friends and family to assist you.

Five Basic Tips For The Graduate Job Hunt

  

So you’ve graduated – now what? If you’re like many graduates this year, you’ll be looking for your first job in your chosen industry. So just how do you find that first graduate job you’ve been yearning for?

Refreshing Your Résumé In Six Steps

Many people are facing the prospect of finding a new job. And some are even contemplating a complete career change. If it has been years since you last updated your résumé, you may be wondering where to start. Follow these six steps to turn your dusty retro résumé into a high powered personal marketing tool for winning interviews in today's competitive job market.

Potential Interview Questions

While there are many different possible interview questions as there are interviewers, it always helps to be ready for anything. Will you face them all? We pray no interviewer would be that cruel. Will you face a few? Probably. Will you be well served by being ready even if you're not asked these exact questions? Absolutely.

What To Do Before Your Interview

Interviews can be painstaking and quite stressful if you are not adequately prepared and ready for them. The following tips and preparation methods should help minimize that stress and ensure that you have a seamless interview! 

 1. Location, Location, Location! 

There is a difference between knowing where your interview will be held and knowing how to get there! Before your interview date, try to find out exactly where the interview is taking place. 

5 Good Ways To "Tell Me About Yourself"

You know it's coming. "Can You tell me about yourself?" Blecch. What a boring, vague, open-ended question. Who likes answering that?

I know. I'm with you. But unfortunately, hiring managers and executive recruiters ask the question. Now, before I share a list of five memorable answers, consider the two essential elements behind the answers. 

The medium is the message. The interviewer cares less about your answer to this question and more about the confidence, enthusiasm and passion with which you answer it

The speed of the response is the response. The biggest mistake you could make is pausing, stalling or fumbling at the onset of your answer, thus demonstrating a lack of self-awareness and self esteem.

Common Non-Verbal Mistakes Made At A Job Interview

Source: www.pinterest.com

This infographic sums it up nicely.

What To Do After Your Interview

1. Follow Up

Always send a thank you letter or note to the interviewer immediately after your interview thanking your interviewers for taking the time out to meet you. Twenty-four (24) hours is the expected time within which your letter should be sent. The sooner the better! Keep your letter no longer than 3 paragraphs long (1-2 lines per paragraph) and be as brief as possible. Highlight any assets you may have that were not discussed in the interview and indicate once again how you may be the “best fit” for the position offered. 

Do not call the employer back immediately. If the employer said they would have a decision in a week, it is acceptable to call them in a week  to again thank them for the interview and reiterate your interest.

Recruitment Agencies in Trinidad

A recruitment agency can help you with your job search, whether you are seeking temporary or permanent employment. Here are a few that will be able to support you in your job search. However, keep in mind that you should continue to send out your résumés to prospective companies.

RecruitmentXperts Ltd

Source: www.recruitmentxperts.com

Location: #62 Maraval Road, Newtown, Port-of-Spain

Contact: 868.622.9779/ 868.628.9139/ 868.628.5126 Fax: 868.622.0180

Website:  http://www.recruitmentxperts.com/

Tips For Preparing Cover Letters

A cover letter is an important part of your application submittal. It gives employers an opportunity to evaluate your ability to communicate. They'll be reading to see:

• Do you know the proper form for a business letter?
• Can you string together coherent sentences?
• Are you able to express yourself well on paper?

Here are some things to consider when putting your cover letter together:

7 Mistakes First Time Job Seekers Make (And How To Avoid Them)

The day you graduate from university may be one of the happiest days of your life. The sense of accomplishment, the acknowledgement of a job well done. The future looks so bright, until you begin to search  for a new job and are met with rejection after rejection. Then you begin to wonder if all of your years of hard work pursuing a degree were worth it, if you cannot find a job.

Some first time job seekers may be making mistakes that they are not even aware of. If you have found yourself committing any of the below offenses, stop, and change course immediately.

In The Interview Room

Of course, almost everyone knows you shouldn't light up a cigarette at a job interview, or text your closest friend or challenge the interviewer to arm wrestle (all things people have actually done at job interviews). You'd never dream of doing any of this, right?

But you may be guilty of other less horrible but just as damaging behaviors. So, consider whether you're guilty of any of these less than horrendous but still irksome mannerisms, and take steps to eradicate them:

GUM CHEWING

Not a high crime, but a really easy way to look unprofessional. Throw your gum away before even entering the building, or find another way to get fresh breath.

Putting Your Best Foot Forward During The Interview

“When you arrive to the meeting room, if there are other interviewers waiting be sure to greet them with equal enthusiasm. During the interview, ensure you don’t focus on any one individual. Make an effort to engage everyone in the group when you are asking or answering questions”

If you are counting down the days till your next job interview, these helpful hints will assist you  getting  in the right mood so you can leave a lasting impression on your interviews. Here are top tips for putting your best foot forward during an interview...

Preparing For Your Next Job Search

The steps you take in the search for your new job are crucial. The following tips will help you lay the groundwork so that  you will be better positioned to take on the job search process from the starting blocks.

1. Update your résumé

An up to date résumé is an essential element of any job search. It should highlight your most recent skills, areas of responsibility and accomplishments. Keep in mind that you will have to customise it to each position that you apply for.

Interview Blunders

Wish you had an interview do over. Well, with these five tips, you can gain some confidence for the next time around.

1. Cut out the generalities. 

Interviewers don't want to hear "I am a problem-solver" and 'I'm a real team player". These are quickly forgotten and ignored. What is most remembered is the examples and stories that you give to prove a point. This forms the basis of their evaluation.

2. Don't say "I don't have any weaknesses".

 

Everyone has weaknesses. What interviewers are trying to assess is your character, honesty and self-awareness. The point is to state your weakness and describe what you learned from it, which will paint an overall picture of your willingness to improve.