Human Resource

Basic Interview Tips for Freshers

2012-10-22T04:45:00.002-07:00

-->

1. Try to appear your best at the Interview. Your appearance should convey that you have taken the interview seriously. Do not try to turn up in the interview in a manner that does not suit you. Some basics in grooming will help.

a. Well Groomed Hair

b. Well Pressed Shirt

c. Polished Shoes

2. Know about the company. You should learn as much as you can about the company. A good place to start is the company's website. If you have been referred through a friend also have a frank discussion with him or her. Also, do a google search on the company to understand what others are saying about the company.

3. Answer clearly and directly. Spell out your ideas as clearly as you can. Also try to substantiate your ideas with examples. Don't be overly wordy and try to keep your answers to the point. Do not try to deviate too much from the question.

4. Do not be argumentative. Present your viewpoint and be professional. If you do not agree with something the Interviewer has said do not spurn it as invalid. Learn to understand their point of view even if it clashed with your own. This does not mean that you need to accept their point of view.

5. Be prepared with questions for the Interviewer. Most interviewers will give you a chance to ask questions. Use this opportunity to show your knowledge and interest in the company. Also this is a good opportunity to clear any doubts that you have.

6. Address the Interviewer politely. It is always polite to refer to the Interviewer as SIR or Maam. You can also address them their Surname (Mr. XXX or Mrs. XXX). Do not use terms such as Honey, Girl, Dude, Yaar etc.

7. Be Confident. Be confident, you have prepared well and this should show in your confidence level in the interview.

-->

QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK :

Interviewers usually round off by giving you an opportunity to ask questions. Treat it like a welcome opportunity.

You could ask questions like.

a) Tell me about your company.

b) Now that I have outlined my career goals, do you think you can offer me the opportunities I need?

c) What kind of training and learning can I expect in your company?

d) Describe the work culture and the management style of your company?

e) What is the long-term vision of your company?

As a fresher, current position and status can impact the way you are interviewed. Fresh Out of College

The basis on which you will be judged is your academic background, family background, and interests.

If looking for your first job, ensure that your previous experience, even if it is part-time, is noticed.

Mention projects or responsibilities you may have undertaken. This will indicate your area of aptitude.

You should be willing to put in regular hours, in line with the company's policies. The interviewer needs to know whether you can be punctual and put in full-time work.

In case you have applied for the post of management trainee, you should display an ability to adapt, and indicate all-round interests. Moreover, you should have good interpersonal skills.

You should be enthusiastic to learn, and show commitment towards the organization, as the company will be spending a lot on your training.

GO and Get that JOB! Good Luck!

Top 5 Skills Qualities Employers Want in Your Resume

2012-09-22T06:41:00.000-07:00

Whether you’re looking to find a new position all together or “upgrade” to a different position with your current employer, the results of the National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook 2010 survey may surprise you… and your resume.

The Job Outlook 2010 survey of employer organizations holding NACE memberships was conducted from mid-August through October 2009.

Test Your Resume Against the Top 5

The Job Outlook 2010 study’s Top 5 Candidate Skills/Qualities summarize the skills employers report as essential for candidates to possess. Does your resume demonstrate these characteristics that employers report are essential to on-the-job-success?

First, review your resume. Think it sells all you offer? Presents a compelling “hire me” story?

Now run it through the Top 5 list below as a filter. Is your resume too focused on technical skills and industry-specific knowledge without spending enough time on these skills employers are looking for? Have you linked these Top 5 skills to tangible results that demonstrate the value you bring to an organization?

To say that you possess “excellent [fill in the blank] skills” is not enough. To set yourself apart from the hundreds of other candidates applying for the same position, you must demonstrate your unique strengths in these Top 5 areas through real examples with successful, measurable outcomes.

When your resume answers “what’s in it for me if I hire you?” in these five areas, your resume is more likely to land at the top of the pile of candidates to call for in-person interviews.

Top 5 Candidate Skills/Qualities

The Top 5 along with a few action phrase starters as examples of how to prove your skills in these essential areas:

1. Communication Skills

Facilitated group discussions…
Detailed accurate information…
Delivered engaging presentations…
Summarized plans concisely…

2. Analytical Skills

Strategically considered options…
Interpreted data to back up…
Surveyed target audiences…
Validated through trend research plans to…

3. Teamwork Skills

Collaborated with colleagues to…
Fostered a culture of… in the team by…
Participated as member of…
Built trust within team to accomplish…

4. Technical Skills

Engineered new unit…
Installed hardware…
Programmed customized IT solution…
Integrated systems…

5. Strong Work Ethic

Businesslike
Dependable
Flexible/adaptable
Productive

Match Them to Your Strengths

Yes, ideally you will prove your worth to a new employer by including these Top 5 throughout your resume with strong examples of measurable results.

CAUTION: Be aware that you are always selling YOUR strengths, talents and abilities vs. simply saying what you think they want to hear. If you’re an introvert with excellent written communication skills tout that not your “powerful public speaking presence.” That’s not you. If using your analytical skills means you gather information by interview and talking with members of the right audience, don’t spend time talking about your preference to be closed away for hours at a time hunkered over spreadsheets.

Well, you could do the opposite (any Seinfeld fans out there?) of what is true to you, and yes you may even get that job. But I guarantee misery will set in right about that 90-day “probationary period” deadline.

Bottom line: Include these Top 5 while making sure they are authentic to your personal brand.

How to Answer the Salary Question in a Job Interview

2012-09-22T06:33:00.000-07:00

The job interview is progressing just great. You’ve established a good rapport with your interviewers and you feel really positive about the opportunity. But then that 800-pound gorilla of a question is tossed at you: “What kind of salary are you looking for?” You want to be cooperative, but you’re torn. Do you answer the question and move forward? Or do you play the “you-tell-me-first” game?

Sometimes, a well thought out “non-answer” will earn the employer’s respect; other times it will simply annoy. The experts can lean either way, so you need to understand the different schools of thought, then decide how to answer.

Before the salary question comes up, you need to find out the appropriate salary range for someone with your experience in the kind of position you’re seeking within your market. There are a handful of web sites that can provide this information. You should research salaries as well as information about the company as part of your pre-interview preparation.

The idea behind trying to postpone an answer to the salary question is that if you state a salary too early in the hiring process, you lose two big opportunities. The first is to get them to love you before they know the price. Until they want you, you have no negotiating leverage. The other opportunity is to demonstrate your ability to handle an uncomfortable situation (i.e., being asked this tough question) confidently and respectfully, without caving – a prized skill in most jobs.

If you feel it’s in your best interests to avoid the question, your reply should respectfully and professionally communicate three general principles:

* Your interest in the opportunity;

* Your expectation to be paid in line with market conditions and your experience level; and

* Your willingness to discuss salary history once you and the company decide you’re the right person for the position.

To Answer or Not to Answer?

If you’re applying for a sales-oriented job, where negotiation skills are critical to success, then by all means, demonstrate your negotiating finesse and your ability to diplomatically sidestep the question. If you’re applying for an administrative assistant’s position in a huge company with a rigid salary structure, there’s not much point in negotiating.

When you should answer depends on when in the hiring process the question comes up. Some companies demand salary history with your application. Others will ask the salary question in an initial phone screen. The trouble is, at these early stages, they’re most likely trying to screen you out, not in. Even at these early stages of the selection process you have a choice whether or not to provide a compensation number.

Whether you want to answer the question directly or indirectly, immediately or later, here are four principles to help you craft a professional answer to this inevitable question.

What to Say, When You Say It

Use the following examples as a guide. Modify them to suit your style and personality, and practice until you can say any one of them with a smile.

1. “I was paid well in my last (or current) position. The number was in line with market conditions and the results I delivered. I’m very interested in this opportunity, and I’ll be happy to discuss my compensation history when we determine that I’m the right person for the job.”

2. “I realize you need to be sure my expectations are consistent with the salary range for this position. To ensure that we’re aligned, please tell me your range for this position.”

3. “I’m reluctant to focus on just one factor at this stage, when other factors affect what makes an opportunity a great fit. What’s more important to me are the position, the company, the people I’d be working with, and growth potential. So far, I’m impressed with what I have learned about this opportunity and I remain very interested in learning more!”

4. “The actual figure will depend heavily on a number of important variables, but my experience and research tell me that fair compensation for this position falls in the range of __________.” [Note: Name a wide salary range toward the higher end of your expectations. For example, "$45,000 to $65,000 per year" or "$14 to $19 per hour."]

Remember, your negotiating leverage goes way up once they’re convinced they can’t live without you. But some employers will insist on a number up front, so be ready to give one. If you don’t give one, chances are the employer won’t toss your resume in the wastebasket, says Michael Neece, chief strategy officer at PongoResume. “Your resume has already proven that they want to talk to you. I’ve never known of a situation in which a prospective employee was eliminated from consideration after an interview because he or she refused to answer the question.”

Time Management on the Job and Be More Productive

2012-09-22T06:26:00.002-07:00

Time management is a skill you can improve. To improve your time management skills, you need to know what to focus on, and how to focus.

Here are ten ways you can use to improve your time management skills over time:

Work on the high ROI stuff. Apply Pareto’s Principle (The “80/20 Rule”). Work on the 20% of activities that produce the 80% of your results. For example, rather than just do a lot of tasks just because they are easy to do, ask yourself, “What do I want to accomplish?” Chances are you can find smarter or better plays, with more leverage or more impact. Trade-up, and do less to accomplish more.

Team up. Pair up with other people and improve your own effectiveness. Ask yourself, “Who can I team up with to get results? How can I build more effective teams? Who should be paired up on the team for best results?” By pairing up, you create a team of capabilities and you can amplify your results. This can also help you get over your own personal bottlenecks, by finding complimentary skills. Worst case, you can make common chores, more fun.

Create clarity. Ask yourself, “Who, what, when, where, why, how?” Having clarity of mind makes it easy to focus on what’s important. It also makes it easy to know where you are in the process. The bottom line is, clarity saves you time.

Clear your mind. Carry a small pad for tasks, notes and ideas. When you declutter your mind, you make it easier to act on your ideas, and you have more of your attention available to focus where it counts.

Don’t dwell on the past. Catch the next train. Keep your trains leaving the station. When you miss one, don’t hold your train back. Instead, catch the next one.

Learn how to scan. Find and focus on what’s important faster. By scanning before drilling, you can figure out where to invest more of your time. You can also avoid spending too much time following dead end trails.

Make minor decisions quickly. Don’t spend $20 on a $5 problem. Decisions take energy. If you over-invest in small decisions, then you waste your time and energy.

Periodically evaluate how you’re using your time. Remember that time changes what’s important. Your current schedule may be a slave to your past priorities, or may conflict with your current goals.

Give yourself less time for things. Remember Parkinson’s Law – Work expands to fill the time available to completion. To waste less time, give yourself less time.

Use The Rule of Three. Use The Rule of Three to avoid getting overwhelmed. Limit yourself to three things and think in threes. For example, identify three wins to focus on for the day, or three wins to focus on for the week. Use these three wins to improve your focus and create compelling results.

You can apply these tips on a regular basis. One simple way is to keep asking yourself, are you working on the right things, at the right time, with the right energy, the right way. It’s an easy way to find opportunities to improve your time management skills while you apply the ideas above. Remember that, a little daily improvement, will quickly add up over time.

Top 20 Common Interview Questions and Answers

2012-09-21T05:21:00.002-07:00

First and foremost congratulations if you have an interview! That in itself is commendable, so now you just want to make sure you come across in the best possible light. I have been asked numerous times what to do in preparation for interviews. Whilst there is no way of predicting exactly what you will be asked, here are 20 common questions that tend to come up. This is by no means an exhaustive list. The purpose is to illustrate the importance of preparation and refreshing your memory regarding specific projects and situations.

1- Tell me about yourself. This is probably the most asked question in an interview. It breaks the ice and gets you to talk about something you should be fairly comfortable with. Have something prepared that doesn’t sound rehearsed. It’s not about you telling your life story and quite frankly the interviewer just isn’t interested. Unless asked to do so, stick to your education, career and current situation. Work through it chronologically from the furthest back to the present.

2- Why are you looking for another job (or why did you leave your previous job)? On the surface this appears to be a simple question, yet it is easy to slip. I would suggest not mentioning money at this stage as you may come across as totally mercenary. If you are currently in employment you can say it’s about developing your career and yourself as an individual. If you are in the unfortunate position of having been downsized stay positive and keep it brief. If you were fired you should have a solid explanation. Whatever your circumstances do not go into the drama and detail and stay positive.

3- What do you know about this organisation? Do your homework prior to the interview. Doing the background work will help you stand out. Find out who the main players are, have they been in the news recently? You’re not expected to know every date and individual yet you need to have a solid understanding of the company as a whole.

4- Why do you want this job? This questions typically follows on from the previous one. Here is where your research will come in handy. You may want to say that you want to work for a company that is x, y, z, (market leader, innovator, provides a vital service, whatever it may be). Put some thought into this beforehand, be specific and link the company’s values and mission statement to your own goals and career plans.

5- Who are our main competitors? This shows you really understand the industry and the main players. Think about a few and say how you think they compare; similarities, differences. This is a good opportunity to highlight what you think are the company’s key strengths.

6- What would your previous co-workers say about you? This is not the arena for full disclosure. You want to stay positive and add a few specific statements or paraphrase. Something like “Joe Blogs always mentioned how reliable and hard working I was” is enough.

7- How do you handle stressful situations and working under pressure? There are several ways of addressing this one. You may be the sort of person that works well under pressure; you may even thrive under pressure. Whatever the case may be just make sure you don’t say you panic. You want to give specific examples of stressful situations and how well you dealt with them. You may also want to list a few tools you use to help you, such as to do lists etc. It is alright to say that if you feel you are way over your head you will ask for assistance. It is equally acceptable to say that you work best under pressure if this is indeed the case and relevant to the particular role.

8- Are you applying for other jobs? If you are serious about changing jobs then it is likely that you are applying to other positions. It is also a way of showing that you are in demand. Be honest but don’t go into too much detail, you don’t want to spend a great deal of time on this. If asked about names of who you have spoken to it is absolutely legitimate to say you prefer not to disclose that information at this stage.

9- What are you like working in a team? Your answer is of course that you are an excellent team player; there really is no other valid answer here as you will not function in an organisation as a loner. You may want to mention what type of role you tend to adopt in a team, especially if you want to emphasis key skills such as leadership. Be prepared to give specific examples in a very matter of fact sort of way.

10- What sort of person do you not like to work with? This is not an easy one as you have no idea whom you would be working with. Even if you can immediately think of a long list of people you don’t like to work with, you could take some time to think and say that it’s a difficult question as you have always gotten on fine with your colleagues.

11- What is your greatest strength? This is your time to shine. Just remember the interviewer is looking for work related strengths. Mention a number of them such as being a good motivator, problem solver, performing well under pressure, loyal, positive attitude, eager to learn, taking the initiative, attention to detail. Whichever you go for, be prepared to give examples that illustrate this particular skill.

12- What is your biggest weakness? A challenging one, as if you so you have no weaknesses you are obviously lying! Be realistic and mention a small work related flaw. Many people will suggest answering this using a positive trait disguised as a flaw such as “I’m a perfectionist” or “I expect others to be as committed as I am”. I would advocate a certain degree of honesty and list a true weakness. Emphasize what you’ve done to overcome it and improve. This question is all about how you perceive and evaluate yourself.

13- What has been your biggest professional disappointment/achievement so far? If asked about disappointments mention something that was beyond your control. Stay positive by showing how you accepted the situation and have no lingering negative feelings. If asked about your greatest achievement chose an example that was important to you as well as the company. Specify what you did, how you did it and what the results were. Ideally pick an example that can relate to the positions you are applying for.

14- What kind of decisions do you find most difficult to take? There is no right or wrong here. The logic behind this type of question is that your past behaviour is likely to predict what you will do in the future. What the interviewer is looking for is to understand what you find difficult.

15- Tell me about a suggestion that you have made that has been successfully implemented. Here the emphasis is on the implemented. You may have had many brilliant ideas, but what the interview is looking for is something that has actually materialised. Be prepared to briefly describe how it went from an idea to implementation stage.

16- Have you ever had to bend the rules in order to achieve a goal? Beware of this type of question! Under no circumstances is it necessary to break company policy to achieve something. Resist the temptation to answer and give examples, as what the interviewer is looking for is to determine how ethical you are and if you will remain true to company policy.

17- Are you willing to travel or relocate if necessary? This is something you need to have very clear in your mind prior to the meeting, if you think there is any chance this may come up. There is no point in saying yes just to get the job if the real answer is actually no. Just be honest as this can save you problems arising in the future.

18- Why should we hire you? This is an important question that you will need to answer carefully. It is your chance to stand out and draw attention to your skills, especially those that haven’t already been addressed. Saying “because I need a job” or “I’m really good” just won’t cut it. Don’t speculate about other candidates and their possible strengths or flaws. Make sure you focus on you. Explain why you make a good employee, why you are a good fit for the job and the company and what you can offer. Keep it succinct and highlight your achievements.

19- Regarding salary, what are your expectations? Always a tricky one and a dangerous game to play in an interview. It is a common mistake to discuss salary before you have sold yourself and like in any negotiation knowledge is power. Do your homework and make sure you have an idea of what this job is offering. You can try asking them what the salary range. If you want to avoid the question altogether you could say that at the moment you are looking to advance in your career and money isn’t your main motivator. If you do have a specific figure in mind and you are confident you can get it, then it may be worth going for it.

20- Do you have any questions for us? This one tends to come up every time. Have some questions prepared. This will show you have done some research and are eager to know and learn as much as possible. You probably don’t want to ask more than 3 or 4 questions. Try and use questions that focus on you becoming an asset to the company. A generic one might be “how soon can I start if I were to get the job”. Another idea is to ask what you would be working on and how quickly they expect you to be able to be productive. Remember to ask about next steps and when you can expect to hear back.

Bear in mind that the interview starts from the minute you walk into the building until you leave and are out of sight. Don’t think that just because you have left the meeting room, you are “off the hook”. You need to maintain an image of confidence, enthusiasm, competence, reliability and professionalism throughout.

One final question from me to you:

“What is the most bizarre question that you have been asked in an interview”? Thanks in advance for sharing. Good luck!

Top 7 Tips to Get a Job Promotion

2012-09-21T05:13:00.002-07:00

Do you dream of a job promotion, yet somehow it never comes? Perhaps it’s because you’re dreaming too much and not taking initiative. If you want to get promoted, you’ve got to take action. Here are 7 action steps to help turn your dream promotion into a reality.

1. Be on time all the time

It may seem like a no-brainer, but how can you expect a promotion at work if you’re consistently late? Employees who squeak in even a couple minutes late are sending signals to the boss that work is where they’d rather not be. Show your boss you’re eager to begin your day by showing up at least 10 to 15 minutes early, with time to spare to make your coffee and get settled before working.

2. Work extra hours

This, of course, is a tricky one. While you don’t want your job to dominate your life, you do want your boss to see you as someone who will give a little extra to the organization, and that includes offering to stay late if needed.

3. Dress for success

Image is everything. If you want to be seen as a professional, then you have to start dressing like one. While this may seem shallow, your appearance is a visual cue to the boss of what type of employee you are. Will you be one who slaps something on in the morning for your dead-end position, or are you one who dresses like you already are a professional?

4. Learn something new

Go the extra mile by learning new skills. Find out about the technical knowledge required in the position you’re aiming for and then learn about it, either by enrolling yourself in training programs provided by your employer, or enrolling in classes in your community or online. Nowadays it’s important to have some knowledge about computing, and you should learn it even if the company doesn’t provide it or tell you to do so.

If your company has offices in other countries, you may consider learning a new language, specifically one that is used in one of your major offices. This means that you can function wherever you may be assigned. Just in case your company needs a new manager in Tokyo or Paris, they’ll know who to promote.

5. Ask for more responsibilities

Asking for more responsibilities signals to the higher-ups that you may be ready to move up the company ladder. You’re no longer the average Joe or Jane who’s just putting in time, but rather someone who has initiative and cares about the success of the company.

6. Learn public speaking

This may not be necessary for some positions, but often when you move up in a company, you may be called upon to give a presentation, or address a group of people. Be ready for it by acquiring some public speaking skills. This will not only help in giving presentations to groups of people, but will also help with small group interactions, where you might be called upon to present an idea to your boss and other leaders of the company. You can take public speaking courses at the community college level, or join a Toastmasters group, where you will receive much needed practice giving speeches.

7. Make yourself known to the Human Resources Department

No one knows the staffing needs of the company better than the Human Resources Department. Get to know members of that department so you can stay informed of future job openings. Make it a point to let them know who you are, and that you’re interested in moving up. That way, when a position does become available, you will be among the first people they consider. Of course, this also can be a bit tricky. The last thing you want is to be phony and pushy. Try to make your presence known without becoming that annoying person they all try to avoid.

These are just some of the ways to go the extra mile to move up at work. Yes, it all takes effort. But, hopefully, the rewards will be great.

Tips for Job Seekers: Before Applying

2012-09-21T05:04:00.002-07:00

-->

Finding a job in this job market is hard for everyone and you need to be prepared. Many job applicants are in a hurry to apply, but they may lose opportunities by not being prepared. I know you want a job now, but if you don’t present the best possible product, potential employers may write you off before you can get an interview. Jobs are gained or lost in the interview, so if you don’t get a call back, you won’t be getting hired. Now, follow these tips and make the best impression before you apply.

1. Have a simple and professional email address.

Use your first and last name. Example Name: Kim Min Jung,
Get an international email server. We suggest Gmail.

2. Check your social networking sites.

Make sure you don’t have inappropriate pictures (drunk, passed out, sexual behavior) on your Facebook, Cyworld or other accounts.
Look at your status updates and remove anything inappropriate (nothing sexual, drug or alcohol related).
If you don’t want to “clean up” your profile pages, set them to “private.”

3. Start a blog and post articles in your field.

Signup for a free site. We recommend WordPress.com or Tumblr.com, both are free and easy to use.
Use your full name in the blog title. You want it to be searchable from Google, Bing, Daum, etc. Example Name: Kim Min Jung, Blog Name “http://www.MinJungKim.wordpress.com”
Use your blog to show interest in your field. For example, if you are applying to work with Samsung Mobile, post articles about the iPhone, Galaxy SIII, world phone sales, new technology, etc.
Add a few articles a month and write short comments about the article (related to your field or skills).
NO personal posts unless they relate to your school, training, volunteering or work experience.

4. Get some experience.

If you have a job now, write down your duties which use the skills required for the job you want.
If you don’t have a job, volunteer. Make sure to connect the volunteer work with skills required for the job you want.
Join professional organizations. This will cost money for membership dues, but you can list it on your resume and will be helpful for making industry connections.

These four tips will help you look more professional and have a better product (you) for companies to choose. Before you get to the actual interview, you need to practice your reading, writing and speaking to have the best possible image. Everyone knows the job market is tough today, but there are ways to separate yourself from the masses of applicants. Following these tips is a must for any job seeker. If you are not a native English speaker, then you should be practicing extra hard to improve your English Fluency. The next step is preparing for your application. Your application and resume are like thumbnails of you as a person. In the next article we will discuss some tips for the application and creating a winning resume.