30 Aug
You’re Hired! Proper Preparation and Follow-Up Increases Your Marketability When Looking for a Job
Whether you are a person who is back on the job market for the first time in years or someone who has just graduated from college and is new to the job market, you must do your part to stand out and outshine the competition.
If you are one of the thousands of job seekers who is finding it difficult to get your foot into the corporate door, there are some tactics you may want to consider in order to increase your chances of getting a call-back interview and getting hired.
Knowledge is power. The more you know about the company, the more you’ll impress the interviewer. Visit the company’s website, particularly the media room, and learn everything you can about the company. In the interview, bring up any good news you have read, particularly awards that the company has won.
Avoid the five deadly words. Never say to an interviewer, “Tell me about your company.” This is a dead giveaway that you didn’t do your homework and that you are not genuinely interested in the company.
Be unique. Consider those contestants who participate on shows like “American Idol” and “Dancing with the Stars.” It’s clear that they need more than just talent and good looks to win to competition. They must possess something extra that makes them memorable. Job applicants are no exception. Dress to impress and don’t be afraid to wear a dash of color. A drab blue or black suit can be spiced up with a colorful tie or scarf. Your smile and exuberant personality, combined with your talent and eagerness to learn new challenges will help you stand out.
Loose lips sink ships. Don’t speak poorly about your past employer. Instead of talking about what you didn’t like, talk about what you did like and learn while working for your former employer.
Know the deadline. At the conclusion of the interview, ask the interviewer how soon you can expect to hear back from her with a decision. If you don’t hear anything by that date, follow-up with a phone call or email.
Get a card. Be sure to get the interviewer’s business card before you leave so you have the correct email and telephone number for follow-up.
Ask and you shall receive. Don’t be afraid to ask for the job. As the interview comes to a close, state why you want the job and why you think you are the best candidate.
Follow-up within 24 hours with a thank-you email. Yes, I said thank-you email. Most companies are “going green” and are becoming paperless. Therefore it’s easier for employers to forward and file a thank- you note versus a handwritten note.
Be short and sweet. When emailing an employer, make sure your message is clear, concise and free of spelling and grammatical errors. Customize your email by including the interviewer’s name in the greeting. An email addressed to “Sir or Madam” is sure to be deleted.
Three strikes and you’re out. You’ll be perceived as a pest if you hound an employer several times a week to see if he has made his decision. Follow-up every couple of weeks, but no more than three times, before moving on to the next opportunity.
Mind Your Twitter Manners
Tweet. Twitter is taking over and millions of people just like me are updating others on their daily activities or following people to gather new information. Celebrities, coaches, organizations and professionals are all joining to get their messages across. In fact, Twitter attracted 44.5 million unique visitors in June according to Techcrunch.com. However, with this trend comes some dos and don’ts in order to ensure that everyone is using Twitter appropriately and effectively. Below are five tips that are tweet-worthy:
1. Don’t spam. If people are following you, they are going to want real content that matches their interests or teaches them something new. If you are sending out numerous tweets that are trying to sell your products, you will quickly lose your following. People have enough spam through e-mail and don’t want this to be another source of excess clutter.
2. Think about the venue. It is inappropriate to tweet during business meetings or while at events such as a funeral, wedding or court proceeding. Also, if you just got out of a movie that was newly released, tweeting about the ending won’t be appreciated!
3. Watch the acronyms and abbreviations. Even though you are limited to 140 characters per tweet, people may not understand your shorthand and it may not come across as professional. If you can’t say it in 140 characters, try rewording it before making your message too confusing for your followers.
4. Give credit for retweets. If you read a great tweet or loved the information that someone shared, pass it along but give credit where it is due. Like in any situation, people don’t like watching others take credit for their hard work and creativity.
5. It is a courtesy to follow people who are following you. The exception to this is when you feel that people are spamming or deliberately just sending out advertisements instead of worthwhile information.
What to say and not to say to someone who lost their job
Chances are you know someone who lost their job within the last twelve months. Even though things are looking a little more upbeat these days, times are still tough and companies are still cutting back. When people lose their job, they have to face the reality of being unemployed and need to re-group. However, there are still ways of being supportive, encouraging and optimistic about the future. Since losing a job is a touchy subject, here are some things you should say or do when someone you know becomes unemployed:
1. Remind the person that this happens to talented and successful people too.
2. Point out their successes and strengths.
3. Offer to introduce the person to people you know who might be able to help them in their job search.
4. Take time to listen. Just being there and being present is enough to help.
5. Check-in periodically and stay positive.
6. Offer to go over the person’s resume once it is updated.
7. Be generous. Offer to treat the person to lunch or dinner.
8. Ask them for help or advice. It will make the person feel talented.
9. Be concrete. Offer tangibles. Email job tips, websites, pertinent articles.
10. Invite the person to a networking function.
Things to avoid saying to someone after they lose their job:
1. Things might come back around by next year.
2. What rotten luck.
3. I hear this recession is going to last two more years.
4. What are you going to do about health insurance, your huge mortgage?
5. Boy, I’m glad I left when I did.
6. Just think, you’ll have more time for golf, tennis, fishing, etc.
7. Just be glad this happened now instead of during the holidays.
8. Just be glad you don’t have a wife and kids to support.
9. You should have changed departments when you had a chance.
10. What bad timing! The unemployment rates just hit an all-time high.
11. Now you’ll be competing with all the boomers and recent college grads.
12. You may have to give up the new car you just bought.
13. They really missed out on you.
14. Everything happens for a reason.
15. Well, at least you tried your hardest.
16. It’s happening to everyone. It’s not the end of the world.
17. You have lots of experience so you’ll be fine.
18. Why didn’t you… or You should have…
19. Just be glad that you still get your unemployment checks.
No Junk for Granny
By Beth Campbell, Guest Blogger and Antique, Collectables and Personal Property Appraiser
Granny doesn’t really love pigs, swans, the letter Q, beer mats, or potholders. She only made a fuss once to be polite, and then found herself swamped with crap (yes, I said CRAP). Whew! All those pigs, swans, letters Q, beer mats and potholders end up in the garage sale or donated to the local women’s shelter or Sally Ann and then end up in the landfill. Please find Granny something that is clutterless that she will enjoy. Gift certificates, an afternoon of tea with family and friends, homemade jam, or hand-made photo albums from children. Okay these might be clutter, but they’re from the heart!