Career Strategy for the New Age
Career Strategy and Interview Strategy
Students who graduate from today's universities, business schools and MBA programs have worked long and hard to develop themselves as the ideal candidates for progressive careers in business and technology. University curriculum in this market requires not only courses in strategic financial management and integrated business and marketing communications, but also seminars in career and personal development such as resume building, interview skills, and the construction of an individual career strategy. Business technology in the 21st century demands that job applicants prepare for the webcam interview as a component of their career training.
Mapping a career among the vast highways of technology, competition and outsourcing is not easy. Unlike the career paths chosen by the small percentage of college graduates during the 1940s and 50s, applicants now must ‘fit’ themselves into the fast lanes of a company’s culture and technological purpose. Progressive job seekers know that real career success depends on a comprehensive individual plan that details specific professional goals and proven techniques for achieving them. Moreover, successful candidates must be able to convey their skills and their ‘fit’ into available business positions during the initial meeting with potential employers. This is where part two of the individual career plan begins….
A few years ago, potential hires were called ‘in’ to a human resources office for a face-to-face interview. Suits were cleaned, shirts were ironed, and shoes were shined. As business went global, the face-to-face became less prevalent so employers could cut their investments of time and overhead. The telephone interview became the most common method for conducting initial interviews; the limitations, however, of th e telephone interview were obvious and offered interviewers very little information beyond what had been submitted via resume and cover letter. Thanks to technological advances and inexpensive digital and web technology, the webcam interview has been adopted as the initial interview format of choice. In truth, the webcam interview is the least problematic method for both the interviewer and the applicant. Although the human resources representative can’t shake an applicant’s hand, he or she can observe the candidate’s demeanor, body language, energy and reactions to skill and experience questions. Serious job candidates need to be prepared to excel in this new and growing practice.
Experts in the field of human resources offer job seekers advice on preparing for and succeeding in a webcam interview: A webcam interview is not informal; a job candidate must look professional even if he or she will only be seen from the waist up. Having a copy of a resume and occasionally glancing at it is not taboo; reading from notes, however, is amateurish. Looking frequently at the webcam while speaking gives the interviewer the feeling of ‘eye contact’ and establishes a more personal interview. Experts suggest that job candidates try to relax, smile, and be natural.
Of course, all job applicants should go into an interview with knowledge of the available position and its requirements, information about the company and its policies, locations, benefits, etc. Applicants should also bring a list of questions about the available position and the company to the initial interview.
Graduates and job seekers have labored to become the ideal candidates for today jobs. Career and personal development has become an important component in that labor, and business demands that successful applicants be prepared for the future of human resources: webcam technology.
Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.
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