Look Professional

Before the interview even begins, your potential employer will have taken in your appearance and will have already developed an impression of you.  For this reason, it is important that you arrive to the interview well-dressed.  This means dressing one level above what your potential co-workers are wearing.  For example, if working individuals wear jeans and a t-shirt, you should go to your interview wearing dress pants and a button-up shirt.  Remember to also dress modestly and groom your hair.  It is also a good idea to avoid wearing any scented products like perfume or smoking before your interview, in case the interviewer has allergies.

Act Professional

Arriving late to your interview looks unprofessional and can put your interview off to a bad start.  Be sure to determine how long it will take for you to get to the interview location and arrive at least five minutes prior to your interview.  Arrive with a copy of your resume and list of references in case your interviewer asks for this.  Also be sure to bring a notepad and pen, and take notes while the interviewer is discussing the position with you. This shows that you are listening and are serious about the job.  Be sure to do your research about the company before the interview so that you are prepared.  Send a short thank-you note promptly after the interview.

Speak Up

An interview should be a conversation, and both parties should ask questions.  Ask any questions you have about the company or the job responsibilities.  Bring up your personal career goals and give examples of skills relevant to the position. Take your time and choose your words carefully. Of course, there are some times when you should keep your mouth closed.  Don’t badmouth or gossip about past co-workers or superiors.  This reflects poorly on you, and your potential employer may worry that you will speak similarly about them.  Try to speak positively instead of negatively. Also be careful when asking about sensitive information, such as salary information.  Unless the interviewer brings this topic up, discuss salary after you have been offered the position.

In this brief discussion, we are going to consider the things you need to do and the necessary steps required in order to get that opportunity presented to you in the first place.

This means you have to ask yourself one essential question: Is this temp work actually an opening to a full time position within this firm? Will they be interested in taking me on full-time?

Only you can know if the company is going to consider the creation of a full-time position, and this is something that you have to get clear before you begin communicating your interest.

If the answer to the question is yes, you can then proceed to make some action plans. Usually, the first thing you are going to have to do is to ask a manager or supervisor if you can “interview” for the work. This is a good way of clarifying if there is actually room in the company’s budget for another full time employee, and without putting the manager in an uncomfortable spot.

If they indicate that it would be acceptable to apply for the full time job, be sure that you have “networked” properly with the necessary people in the firm, and then ask them if you can use them as a reference during the process.

For example, you were a temp brought into the marketing office. You interacted with others doing similar tasks, but you found yourself constantly being partnered with an artist or employee with an authoritative position in the office. Be sure that you have already laid the groundwork that shows you are interested in working full time. Mention the fact that you are about to interview for the post, and then inquire if they would be comfortable serving as a reference.

Finally, you must be prepared to do the “legwork”. If you truly want the job, be sure that you approach the right people and then be even more prepared to follow up with an interview appointment, submitting the right documentation, and meeting all of the requirements for the process. Treat yourself as if you didn’t already have experience in the firm (because no one is a “shoe in” for any position), and this is likely to help you create a sense of thoroughness and sincerity.

There are ways of honing your skills and the primary method for becoming more competent in interviewing is through practice or mock interview sessions. A mock interview is, simply put, a practice run that mimics the real life interview process as closely as possible. By going through several such practice session, you will become more confident and capable of making a strong positive impression when it comes time for the real deal.

Wrangle a Mock Interviewer

While it’s entirely possible for you to run through potential interview scenarios in your own head – which you’re likely doing anyway while you stew over how intimidating the interview process may be – the most effective means of practicing for an interview is to actually have a friend or family member play the role of interviewer.

If you can wrangle someone into being the mock interviewer, you’ll have the opportunity to run through question and answer practice sessions. This provides you the chance to refine your answers, practice speaking clearly and delivering clear and comprehensive responses, and to master the non-verbal communication aspects of interviewing for fulltime jobs and partime jobs as well. The manner in which you conduct yourself during an interview is as important as the answers you deliver to an employer’s questions.

Stage Your Practice Sessions Effectively

Best methods for productive mock interviews require that you mimic the real work interview situation as closely as possible. This means you should dress the part for at least some of your practice sessions, in order to get more comfortable in your suit or other business attire. Wear the outfit you plan to wear to the interview so you can ensure its comfortable, fits properly and doesn’t cause you to fidget or feel self-conscious.

You should also sit at a table, with the mock interviewer across from you. Practice making appropriate eye contact while interviewing. Pay attention to how you sit in your chair – square your shoulders, don’t slump, and don’t move around too much in your seat. Keep your hands in your lap or on the table, only using conservative hand gestures in appropriate places in your conversation for providing emphasis to verbal responses.

Try to avoid falling out of character during the practice session. This means both you and the mock interviewer that you’re wrangled into helping must maintain the professional manner and demeanor throughout the entire session. Save any and all discussion of performance, behaviors or other details for after the mock interview is complete, whether you’re interviewing for sales jobs or any other variety of positions.

Ask the interviewer to take notes during the session on areas of potential improvement they see or hear. This will not only help you better your interviewing skills during future practice sessions , but will also let you get used to the way it feels to have someone taking notes while you’re speaking , which is something that will occur during a real interview for a social worker position or any other job.

If possible, you should consider video recording some, if not all, of your practice sessions. You may be a bit self-conscious with the process, but it can help you learn how to control your facial expressions, posture, hand gestures, and other forms of non-verbal communication which all play a role in interview performance and the perception of a candidate by a prospective employer.

Get All Your Facts Straight

Mock interviews give you the chance to practice discussing the details of your own resume, work history, demonstrated skills and competencies, as well as the opportunity to promote yourself in a positive manner. Take advantage of the sessions to ensure you have all your facts straight and in your head about your past positions in fulltime jobs or partime jobs and job duties and responsibilities, no matter if you’re interviewing for administrative assistant, sales jobs, engineer jobs, or even social worker jobs. While it’s fine to occasionally reference a copy of your resume during an interview, doing so too often can make it appear as though the information contained within that document is fabricated or exaggerated.

Do Your Research

In your search for jobs, you’ll also be looking into the background, work environment and reputation of prospective employers, or at least you should be! After all, you’re considering them to see if they’re a good fit for you as much as they will be doing so with you if you’re called in for an interview. When you find media jobs of interest to you, take into account the postings and the employers and compose some relevant mock interview questions from that information. Ask your interviewer to read questions from that script during your practice sessions.

If you’re still in the military, it may not be the best time to get out as the job market is really tough out there.  However, if you still have some time before you’re out, it would be smart  to do some initial ground work before being thrust into the civilian employment pool.  Part of that is making sure you are taking advantage of services available to you, such as the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) that is offered by the Department of Defense, Department of Labor and the Department of Veteran Affairs.  They’ll assist with your resume, get you prepped for interviews and help you get focused on the career that best suits you.

Another rich resource are those who have tread these waters before you.  In other words … networking.  After all, networking has historically been the best avenue for finding a job, and why would it be any different with the military transition?  One organization you can hit up is the Military Officers Association of America, or MOAA.org.  It is a terrific resource for networking as well as assisting in your post service job search.  This site, along with others such as HireAHero.org also highlight those companies who are military friendly in their hiring practices.  As a matter of fact, at Hire A Hero, you can set up a profile, search for jobs and view military friendly employers by state.

Finally, a terrific and efficient use of your time and energy is researching and attending job fairs.  You’ll be able to target specific industries and companies, research their business models, create a customized resume, and best of all, meet face to face with potential employers.  It’s a way to get yourself out there quickly and to cast your net as wide as possible by getting you and your resume in front of decision makers.  You can learn about job fairs through the sites mentioned above as well as job hunting sites such as JobsRadar.com, CareerBuilder.com and Monster.com.

Do you really want a career change?

Before making a big jump like this, you need to take a close look at what you’re really feeling about your current situation.  It could be that you actually like your job and career, but don’t like the company you are working for.  Or maybe you like the company and many aspects of the job, but you are seeking more of a challenge or more of an opportunity.  If any of this is the case it may be time to look at other opportunities with other organizations or within your own.

Play to Your Strengths

It will be much easier to change careers if you focus on your strengths and talents rather than pursuing something because it sounds cool.  You’ll want to tailor your resume so that those skills you developed in your previous career relate to the new career you are seeking.  If you do get the interview, it will be extremely important that you really know your stuff, can demonstrate how your experience will transfer, and have solutions on how you will go about filling the inevitable gaps in knowledge.

Join networking groups both online and off

Most cities’ chambers of commerce offer networking events and networking groups that you can attend, which is a great way to meet local business owners and get your name out there.  It is also vitally important to build your online social network, particularly with professional oriented sites like Linkedin.  With Linkedin, you can also join industry specific groups as well as subscribe to news feeds, job postings, and articles on the profession you are looking to jump into.

Get yourself out there.

Ultimately, you need to get out from behind the computer and put yourself out there in the real world, not only to help you get noticed, but to also develop your much needed skills.  Do volunteer work, pro-bono work, or offer to work on a trial basis to show that you are serious.  You’re going to need an edge in the competitive marketplace, and you’re competing with workers who have a whole lot more experience than you, so you’ll have to really work hard to show them how valuable you can be!

1.  Temporary jobs provide a paycheck. We all need money to pay the bills, buy groceries, and have a little fun along the way! A temporary job, while sometimes short term, is still a solid source of income to get you by until you find that full time gig. Plus, once the assignment is done you can usually qualify for unemployment benefits in between jobs.
2. You can build and fill out your resume while expanding your skills. Temporary jobs are a great way to puff up your resume with legitimate corporate experience. This is extremely valuable if you are just out of school or making a career change. It also shows that you value the opportunity to work and aren’t just sitting around waiting for something to happen.
3. It’s a great entry point into a large company. Many large corporations have a limited budget number for full time staff positions plus additional funds for temporary and seasonal employees. If it’s a company you are interested in, it’s a terrific way to learn about them, find out if you really enjoy working there, and show off your stuff to the powers that be!
4. The agency is working for you and will represent you in the best possible light. The recruiters already have the relationships in place with HR managers, and thus have access that you couldn’t dream of having. They also know about job listings that are not advertised, including full time positions. When your resume comes directly from them to the client, it automatically invokes a sense of respect.
5. Working as a temporary employee gives you more flexibility. Many folks out there don’t want or need a full time job, but need a somewhat steady income to supplement their family budget. Working as a temp allows you to work when you want and take time off when you want, without fear of losing your job. When you’re just starting, you may want to take on as many assignments as you can get to prove yourself, but once you’ve successfully completed several jobs, you can begin to be a bit more choosy.

Geographic Location – How far will you have to commute for work?

Work Schedule – will you be required to work a set schedule and shift? Will your hours vary? Is overtime required? Are weekends and/or Holidays required?

Benefits – Are benefits offered and is there a waiting period for those benefits? How much will they cost? What benefits are offered?

Work Environment – Will you have your own office or be required to share an office with another employee or more? Is this a professional setting or more of a relaxed atmosphere?

Dress Code – Are you comfortable with the company’s policy on dress and other policies?

Job Description – Are you truly confident in your abilities to perform the job? Are you a true fit for this company and position and are they a fit for you?

Again, your compensation is important; however, if you’re not happy with the other factors listed above, your chances of long-term, satisfying employment with the company are on the low end of the spectrum. So, after reviewing all of the factors important to you, you decide that you will accept the offer. There’s not much you need to do except tell the employer that you appreciate the offer and accept it. On the other hand, perhaps you are happy with the factors listed above except not with the offer of compensation? Can you negotiate? Well, it depends.

If you are being offered an entry-level position, you really don’t have much negotiating power. Those job seekers with experience are more likely to be successful in negotiating their salary/wage because they have education and/or experience to support them. Whether you’re a new college graduate or a job seeker with 10-15 years of experience, be sure that you take the time to think about all that is included in the offer of employment you receive.

Yes, there will always be a fair share of “entry level” positions being filled at career and job fairs, but there are also many ways of finding executive level or high paying career opportunities in such places. The important thing is to prepare ahead of time and to then make the most favorable impression possible.

The first tip we can offer is that you will want to do the research. Most career fairs have temporary websites that list the firms that have purchased tables or space, and this is a wonderful way to give yourself a sneak preview of the companies that may have an interest in your skills or experiences.

The next tip is to prepare. You may think that you won’t be asked to fill out an application during a career fair, but this is not an uncommon event at such times. In fact, you may notice that there are a few areas in which people can sit down and tackle a basic application for employment! Why not make the strongest impression and application possible by toting around a folder full of pre-printed resumes or relevant materials that you can attach to any applications you submit?

Preparing documents like this is a wise idea if you have a strong work history or experience relevant to the different firms that you know will be in attendance. If your resume is not so fantastic or impressive, you may want to book a visit with a career counselor or professional writer who can improve the resume and provide you with a document that is likely to attract positive attention.

When you get to the career fair, be sure that you have business cards to hand out and which give your email, phone, and perhaps a website or social networking URLs. Be sure you carry a pen with you and if you have had a valuable conversation with someone representing a company of interest to you, jot a note on the back of the business card before handing it over. For instance, if you discussed a specific office or project simply jot down something like “re: project name” before handing it over. This gives the representative a clear notation of the conversation and will really help them to follow through with you.

With so many jobseekers out there, how else  can you compete? How can you possibly land a job if there are others who are also fresh out of college or experienced unemployed professionals looking for a job? Below you’ll find some very useful and practical tips.

Create an impressive resume 

The first thing you have to do is create your resume. Remember that it is the first thing that employers require from applicants. It will give them an idea of what kind of person you are and what you can do for them. So be sure to highlight your important skills and the trainings you had undertaken. Your resume should also speak of your unique characteristics. It must be well written, organized, and include all vital information about you. If you can’t work on your own resume, you can seek the assistance of professional resume writers.

Maximize your job search

Now that you already have your resume, it’s time you start searching for jobs. The easiest and fastest way is by sending your application to probable employers. For instance, if you found out that a particular company is hiring, don’t hesitate to send them your application via mail or submit it personally yourself. On the other hand, you can also look for job vacancies in the daily paper. Go to the classified ads section and here you’ll find several job postings in your area. Further, you can also search the internet for job openings. Many employers advertize vacancies through the internet. You can also join some popular jobsites by creating an account, setting your profile, and sending your application to possible employers.

Wow them during the interview

If you’re invited for an interview then consider yourself lucky. Not all applicants can make it to this point. Now is the time to wow your future employers and make them hire you. In order to do this you have to stand out. Avoid overdressing by sticking to your formal attire and wear a little make up. Most importantly, you have to be there earlier than your scheduled appointment. You’ll blow your chance if you arrive late. When answering questions you must observe courtesy, honesty, and self confidence.