Start your follow-up work at the close of the interview by asking:

1) Will second interviews be a part of the process and if so, when?

2) When the employer expects to make a final decision.

During the interview, obtain the correct names and titles of all the people you speak with. Asking for business cards makes this job a lot easier. Within two business days, send a thank you note or email to each person involved in your interview. If you are writing notes to two or more people at the same company, tweak the wording of the notes slightly so it will appear you had each individual in mind as you composed the message. Also keep in mind, even if the job is not one you really want, you should still send a thank you note.

Be sure to alert your references about the possibility of a call from ’John Doe with Acme Finance’ regarding the ’secretarial’ position. This way they will not be caught off guard if the call comes through.

Depending on the time frame for the final decision mentioned in the interview, do a follow-up phone call to the employer within a week or ten days to see if a decision has been made. Use this opportunity to build additional rapport with the company and sell your strengths one more time.

Do be patient. Though you may be anxious to get to work and the employer may be anxious to get someone hired and move on with other things, the hiring process sometimes takes longer than either you or the employer might expect.

Even if the job goes to someone else, do not burn the bridge you just created through the interview. Consider asking the interviewer for referrals to other companies they know which may be hiring someone with your skills.

Do not stop looking. Just because you seem to be a perfect fit for one position, this is no reason to terminate your search. You may find another for which you are suited even more so than this one. So, until you hear the words, "You’re hired," do not cease to explore all your options.

Written by By Steve C Boulden

The duration of self-introduction would roughly about 1 minute to 2 minutes. Because most job seeker would prepare for self-introduction in advance, and should oral presentation in recitation, interviewer often browse your resume within these several minutes, observe the way of your expression, and look at what of your achievements are you most proud of. Even so, you should keep your eyes on the interviewer most of the time in the presentation, other than endorsement with your head bowed.

Self-introduces is the first stage of interview, there are several strategies should be considered. We summing up the strategies as " URBAN "(Unique, Relevant, Bonding, Arousing and Neat) which could be used on the self-introduction of an interview:

Unique

The purpose of self-presentation is to make you stand out from the other candidates in the first minutes. So the introduction must be unique!, think about which of your distinctive strong suit or experience should be unique. For example: If you have been living in poverty-stricken area about two months, to help people in the area, try to understand their perspectives, This kind of experience is necessary to be introduced in a self-interview.

Relevant

You should know: the interviewer merely wanted to know your personal experience and personal characteristics, and thus judge whether you satisfy the requirement of applying positions, So you should remove such irrelevance information in self-introduction, For example: maybe there are some important events in history happened on the day you were born, but this has no relationship with your future work, so you should not mention it at all in self-introduction.

Bonding

Interviewers are ordinary people like everyone else, they are also will tend to hire people who are similar to them or someone they liked. It is more difficulty to refuse a friend than a stranger, who would be willing to hire someone they are unwilling to work together in the future?, So you should doing investigation and collecting some information of the company before you attend interview, find out what of your characteristics will suit with the culture of the company, but you should not to fictional characters and incidents cater for the interviewer just for the sake of bonding. If they find out you don’t have the characteristics what your have calmed later, they will suspicion of your credibility and integrity.

Arousing

Although most of the self-introduction prepared in advance and would be recited out, the represent methods of recitation are also very crucial. Let us think about it, the interviewer listening to a dozen or even several dozens of self-introduction all day, most of recitation pretty monotonous and extreme boring, suddenly they heard a very emotional, very rich passionate self-introduction, It is naturally that the candidates should left a deeply impression to the interviewer. Therefore, you should not only prepare for the content of self-introduction, but also pay attention to your emotion and your tone of voice, the auditory effects should also play an important role in the interview.

Neat

Because of the self-introduction would finished within 1 or 2 minutes, time is very preciously, therefore the contents and represent methods should be concise. It is not necessary for you to involve in too many details, you should speak point-blank but not fussily. If a candidate making a self-introduction hum and haw, the interviewer could not expect he would give an outstanding representation in the rest of the interview.

It is necessary for you to record the tape of your self-introduction after writing and reciting it well, and besides, you’d better ask some friends to listen to it and offer some suggestions; you will prepare it in advance, while the interviewers know that you will be prepared, thus you should try your best to act it perfect.

Do not act as on-the-spot play deliberately during the interview, you will overdo if you haven’t done it well enough; while if you have done it well, the interviewers may think that you are not professional enough and you don’t pay too much attention to the company as you haven’t prepared your self-introduction. So please remember that the interviewers know that your self-introduction is prepared in advance.

Written by David E.Martin

Given that, here are the 8 most common interview questions:

1. Tell me about yourself.

Perhaps this the most famous and common interview question of all interview questions. "Tell me about yourself" is the gateway to just about anything you wish to say. When asked the question, the interviewer doesn’t want to know where you were born or what color your hair is. This question prompts you to show the interviewer why you are qualified for this job. Your answer may reveal some of your greatest achievements or how your past experience might relate to the job you are applying for.

2. Why would I hire you?

For this common interview question, you need to realize that the better answer you give, the easier it is for the employer — It’s up to you to give the employer a reason to hire you. This is a great time to tell the interviewer about any past work experience that is relevant to the job you are applying for. You might say, "When I was working at my previous job, I did (fill in with specific duty or responsibility). I feel that this experience will allow me to excel at this position I am applying for." This helps the interviewer picture you in the position, and is a great answer to this common interview question.

3. What are you strengths?

The first thing you should do is figure out 2-3 things about yourself that you really like about yourself and elaborate. This should put you in good shape to answer this commonly asked interview question. Always support your strength with a real-life example. For example, you may say you are dedicated. You should back this up with the time at your last job where you had an important project due and worked extra hours to make sure it got done, for instance. Now the interviewer has better insight into your work ethic and how you conduct yourself in pressure situations.

4. What are your weaknesses?

When answering this common interview question, you always want to give an answer that isn’t really a weakness. You may say, "I don’t speak a second language," or "when I start a project, I can’t focus on anything else until I get it done." This shows that you are dedicated and hard working. You never want to truly bash yourself when answering this common interview question. That isn’t the point. Making a positive seem negative is the trick.

5. What is the most important thing to you in a job?

If there is something really important for you to have in a job, be honest and say it. Remember, a job interview is a tool to reveal the best fit for the company. If something is really important to you that the company doesn’t offer, it is best to reveal it now. Out of all the common interview questions, this is the one where you really need to follow your instincts.

6. What are you career goals?

Employers ask this interview question because they want to see what positions you might grow into if you were hired. The company may be looking for a candidate they can groom into their next Senior VP. However, if you are only looking for a job to cover you for the next couple of years, it might not be the best match.

7. Do you have any questions for me?

Do your research ahead of time and if you truly have a question, ask it. When you ask legitimate, relevant questions, you show the interviewer you put in time to research beforehand. However, don’t ever ask questions just to ask questions or to look good. The interviewer will sense your lack of authenticity right away and that may hurt your chances. Make the time to think of an intelligent question about the job before hand. You may ask, "what is a typical day like for this position?" You can also ask, "What opportunity for advancement does this position have?"

8. Why did you leave your last job?

Whatever the reason was, tell the story of why is was mutually beneficial for you to leave the company. Never blurt out, "I got fired," and end it at that. It makes you look bad and can even make the interviewer feel uncomfortable. Prepare an honest story with a logical reason that doesn’t reveal too much personal information or company gossip. If you did get fired, you can use this as an opportunity to discuss what you lessons you learned and what you would now do differently.

Now you have top-notch answers to the 8 most common interview questions. Keep practicing your answers and nail your next interview!

Written by Robert Lawrence

A realistic assessment should be done to calculate your worth as an employee, which should be tested against the present market or industry standards. Several factors such as type of industry, kind of work, geographic location, supply and demand, or simply the growing need for a professional workforce in a specific industry play an important part in salary considerations.

After preparing yourself in these areas, it will be helpful to follow a three-point formula for the actual salary negotiations during the interview.

Never Be the First to Bring Up the Topic of Salary

Do not rush to bring up the matter of salary in your interview. First, let the employer decide whether you are suitable for the position. Eventually, the topic will come up in the interview - but avoid starting it if possible.

You will blow your credibility if you start the discussion by asking for a particular figure. This gives the impression that salary is your major consideration in applying for the job.

Just as in a card game, it is always best to hold your trump card until it’s time to play it. Announcing your anticipated salary early in an interview may very well eliminate your chances of getting the job, especially if the figure turns out to be too high. If you have set your limit low, it eliminates the opportunity of getting a higher figure if the employer is already thinking of one.

Therefore, it is best not to include salary expectations in your resume unless salary has been specified in the job-opening announcement.

Do Your Homework

Some research is needed before you go on the interview. Explore details such as average salary for that position in the job market, and evaluate your experience, expertise and educational qualifications. Other factors to take into account are the reputation of the company, the hierarchical status of the position offered, and the geographic location.

The perks that come with the salary, if any, should also be considered. Feedback from friends working in that company or colleagues working in the same industry is helpful in getting such details.

Don’t overlook websites that deal with employment and job opportunities.

Do Not Jump At the First Salary Offered

Don’t grab the first offer instantly. Take time, a couple of days perhaps, to consider the offer. Consider some hitches that might go unnoticed. Review the offer; consider all the possible aspects as well as your chances of getting ahead in the position before accepting it.

If you find it doesn’t meet your expectations, let the employer know the salary you anticipate and justify it by pointing out the requirements of the position and your experience and expertise for earning it.

This may not always result in getting you your asking salary; it’s entirely likely that you may need to negotiate and come down a bit. Even if that happens, you will come into the position with your own self-worth established.

Like marketing, successful closing is important in an interview. If you are marketing your worth in an interview, make sure to successfully close the deal and negotiate your salary.

This question reminds me of a job I had in which I was required to travel across the nation setting up city-wide seminars. I drove a semi-truck to cities throughout the nation loaded with all of the equipment and materials for conducting the seminars. I set up for the seminars and became the Seminar Assistant Coordinator for the week. Headquarters sent out a staff of five employees who did this. We covered 35 states and averaged 3-10,000 people at each seminar.

It did not take long to notice there were holes in the communication between the "field" staff and headquarters. I was constantly missing information and materials needed. Because I knew the field process and had developed relationships with the staff, it was not difficult for my boss to say "yes" when I approached him about a new position for myself that would give support to the field staff in conducting these seminars. I had identified the problems and knew how to change and correct them because I had lived through the process. Those in the field easily backed my suggested new position because they needed the support and wanted the process to run more smoothly. They knew I could get the job done. This new position came about because I saw a need and had a solution.

I created a new department (Seminar Support Services) and grew the support staff for this Department to 8 employees. So where is the opportunity for career development in your position or at your organization? It lies with you and your creative resources and your observations of what needs to be done. What are your creative resources? The most important is what you enjoy doing!

Here are four career development plan perceptions that will help identify how to jump start your career:

Career Development Plan Perception #1 - Be a resourceful employee.

Find ways to create opportunities but at the same time solve a problem or create value to the organization. As you develop more challenging work for yourself and succeed, your worth to the organization increases. This gives you "the right to be heard" when performance and salary increases are discussed.

Career Development Plan Perception #2 - Know how the organization feels about you and your work.

Always be open to communication and initiate it. If needed, meet with your boss on a monthly basis and talk about your development. For example, ask if you are still on target in your development plan or what things need more work to keep your development plan on track. Stay in charge of your career development. Always ask what you are learning from the position, organization, and experience. If you do not feel you are moving forward, then you are probably losing ground.

Career Development Plan Perception #3 - Do not get too comfortable.

Even when a position is easy and comfortable for you, if it is not a good fit for your success patterns, you are settling for less. Do not settle for less than you can do or accomplish. I have a friend who says that if she is not in an uncomfortable situation, then she is not growing or learning. So she constantly puts herself in uncomfortable situations such as attending a networking event alone. If you get complacent about your work, the organization will do that too. Find a culture that energizes and challenges you.

Career Development Plan Perception #4 - You have been in the position so long now that you do not care about it, or about how you look when you show up for work.

In fact, winning the lottery is your way out of this dead end job. BEGIN TO TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN YOUR CAREER AND LIFE! (Yes, I meant that to be in all caps!) If you are in this situation, start writing your exit plan and start exploring other ideas and opportunities.

Bottom line - do not settle for less in your career. Our work involves too much of our time and lives to settle for a complacent, boring or non-challenging position. Create a career development plan to move forward. Have more than one plan of action. If Plan A is to create your own position at the company, then go for it. If that plan goes belly up, try Plan B which might be to move into another area that can increase your experience for that next step up. Always have a plan and keep moving forward!

Written by David Hults

This article will prepare you for the difficult task of job hunting. Not only will it show you how to get a job but it will show you how to keep your job and get the most out of it. You will be able to use the most modern psychological measures in dealing with other people so that you are always ahead. Follow the instruction in this book and see yourself go to the top.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR JOB HUNTING

Know What You Want

You should be perfectly clear of what you want. Don’t give yourself vague objectives such as "any job that pays." Make your objectives and goals very definite and specific. Your first step to getting a successful job is knowing precisely what you want. Ask yourself this question and write down the answer on a sheet of paper.

Expect The Best But Prepare For Adversity

Always expect success, but prepare for the bad things in life. Adversity happens to the best of us. Our challenge is to conquer adversity. Adversity is a great teacher; learn its lessons well. Remember, if you haven’t been through bad times, you are far from success.

Be Positive

When you create a "win,win, win" attitude, you will start to win. When you start to think positively, everything around you will be positive. Whatever you expect to take place will take place. If you want things to be good, they will be good. You are the master of your destiny. Destiny DOES NOT rule you.

Be Confident

You must have confidence in yourself. If you are not confident in yourself, people will not be confident in you. People admire and respect confident people. You will even admire and respect yourself more. If you have doubts about yourself, other people will have doubts about you, also.

Action Is The Key

Do whatever you have to do to get where you want to. Commit yourself to action. Don’t put off your plans, start today. The only way you will achieve success is if you act now. You must act now with full force if you want to achieve your dreams. Plan to act out your ideas today.

Visualize Your New Job

Look ahead and visualize the job you want. Tell yourself how much you want the job and what you are willing to do for it. Your dreams will become your reality if you let them. Know what your dreams are. Visualize success in your mind so well that it is almost real.

Be Persistent

Be persistent to do better. Anything worth doing is worth doing again and again and again. Don’t let rejection stop you from reaching your goals. Keep trying and you will succeed. Nobody makes it the first time. Try over and over again and don’t stop until you get what you want. There is no going back.

It’s Going To Cost You

Nobody gets a free ride. If you want something, you must pay for it. It is going to be hard to get what you want, but it will be well worth it when you are successful. The best things in life are the hard things.

Other People Can help You

People will help you to get where you want to go. You will never make it alone easily. People can teach you and help you become a better person. Listen to other people–you will learn from them. If someone helps you, don’t forget to reward him.

Demand A Lot

When you demand a lot, you get a lot. Your expectations of others and yourself will become a reality if you expect them to be real. What you expect to happen, will happen. If you push yourself hard, you will start to see results. demand and you will receive.

WHERE TO LOOK FOR A JOB

Look through the help and want ads of newspapers and professional and trade journals. Find out where government jobs are listed and then try out for a state, local or federal job. Check with your state employment center–it may be able to get you a lead. Most schools have job placement centers, check with them. The secretaries of civic organizations and the Chamber of Commerce may have some leads for you You may be able to get a job by going to a job fair. If you are a minority or need special assistance, you may be able to get help finding a job from special interest groups. Check at your public library for further information.

Where You Can get Job Leads

Trade conventions and organizations that relate to your field may be able to get you job leads. Ask relatives and friends if they can furnish you with any leads in your field. Place a job ad in newspapers or professional journals.

YOUR RESUME

A resume is helpful for any type of professional job you are trying out for. A good and effective resume will lead you to personal interviews.

Preparing Your Resume

You must write down a collection of all the information about yourself on a sheet of paper. After all of this information is organized, transfer it to a resume. Only use the training and experience that are relevant to the job which you are applying. Write down all the information that relates to your goal on your data sheet. When you are mentioning jobs that are unrelated to the job you are applying for, be brief. Tell your prospective employer anything and everything that’s in your favor and will interest him. Arrange the information so it catches your prospective employer’s attention.

To determine what you should put in the beginning of your resume, think of what your potential employer will feel is important. You can organize your experience by job or by function. Your resume should be detailed enough to give an employer all the important facts on you, but it should not be too long or an employer may not read it. Employers are busy people and they want the facts in a few words as possible. When writing out your resume, don’t mention anything negative about yourself. If you have never had any work experience and the job calls for work experience,should you put "none" in that section of your resume? No. If you have never had nay previous work experience, don’t even include work experience.

Make Your Resume Impressive

Your resume must be typed on a good typewriter. Remember, when a prospective employer looks at a resume he subconsciously relates the quality of your resume with the quality of your work. It is the only thing he sees of you. The most impressive resumes are not five-color jobs on 20-cent paper. If your resume is too flashy, your prospective employer may not be too impressed. Don’t pass out carbon copies of your resume because they look cheap and they tell an employer that you gave the original to someone else. Research has shown that resumes printed on yellow paper with brown ink are the most effective. If you don’t want to print your resumes, just photocopy them on fancy yellow paper to give them that quality touch.

THE INTERVIEW

What You Should Bring To The Job Interview

Organize and prepare all the papers you will need with you at your job interview. Your main document is your resume. If you don’t have a resume, take instead your school records, Social Security card, work records, licenses, military records, dates of employment and names of your employers.

Your References

It is also important to create a list of references. Be prepared to give an employer the names and addresses of three people who are familiar with you and/or your work. You should ask your references for the use of their names in advance. If you think it appropriate, ask a professional friend or former employer to write you a letter of reference, and include it with your resume. If your work is the type of work you can show, take samples of what you have done in the past.

Know The Company And The Employer

Learn all you can about the company that is interviewing you. Go to the library or your Chamber of Commerce to find out all you can about it. Try to find out exactly what they do and what they have in store for you as far as jobs are concerned. Find out who you will be working for. The person you will be working for will be very influential in your life. Make sure you really want to work for this person. If your future boss doesn’t tell you about himself at the interview, don’t ask.

Know How Much You Should Earn

Know how much you should earn with your talents and skills. Make your estimate a little higher so the company benefits when they bid you down. Don’t go too high or you won’t get the job. Know approximately what the salary scale is for the job and be ready to negotiate the salary.

Know Yourself

It is important that you know yourself. Evaluate what you can offer this company, whether it is education, training or special skills. Always tell them what you can do, not what you can’t do. Know exactly what type of job you are applying for and what type of job you want.

Know Your Interviewer

Prepare yourself for the questions for the questions the interviewer is going to ask you. You should rehearse answers to the most commonly asked questions. Have some one ask you these questions to practice your answers:

Why do you want to work here? how long do you want to stay with this company? Why did you leave your last job? Tell me about yourself. Why aren’t you working now? How long do you think you would stay in this present job without a promotion? Why should we hire you? What is your greatest strength/weakness? What did you like/dislike about your last job? How much did you earn? How much do you want to earn? Why do you think you can do this job without experience?

Your Time

Make sure you are at least 10 minutes early for the scheduled appointment. Don’t come too early or too late. Give yourself enough time to spend with the interviewer–don’t arrange another appointment 15 minutes after the first appointment. Your time with the interviewer should be uninterrupted.

Your Appearance And Dress

Don’t wear too casual or too formal clothing to the interview. Dress conservatively without flashy colors. Be well groomed and shave for your interview. Women should make sure thy look very neat. Hair should not be in the face, it should be up or tied back. Makeup should be subtle. The way you look is very important to your interviewer. If your appearance is bad for the interview, that is the impression an employer will have of your job performance. Neat appearance is always a must.

What To Do At The Interview

When you shake an employer’s hand, shake it firm, solid grip. Don’t shake his hand passively. Be businesslike but pleasant and friendly. Smile throughout the whole interview. Make sure your smile does not look fake. Good eye contact is very important. If you can’t look into his eyes, look at the bridge of his nose. This will seem as if you are looking into his eyes. Sit straight up but toward the interviewer. This will make it seem as if you are very interested in what the interviewer has to say. Don’t smoke or have poor posture during the interview. If you are under stress, try to act calm.

What To Say At The Interview

Let the employer take charge of the interview. Answer his questions briefly but completely. Don’t ramble on about unimportant things and waste his time. Dogmatic statements should be avoided. Tell the employer exactly what you expect from your job and from him. Also tell him exactly what he can expect from you. Stress your qualifications in a positive, affirmative tone. When the employer tells you what type of person is wanted, use this information when telling the employer about your qualifications. It is very important to tell him what he wants to hear. When you tell people what they want to hear, they start to agree with you. Don’t over do it and exaggerate with lies. Use your resume or records to support any claim you make about yourself. If you don’t understand a question the interviewer asks you, repeat it back to him to see if you understand it. Try to see what the interviewer wants to find out about you. If you know what he wants to find out, make you answers fit his needs.

What Not To Say And Do At The Interview

Talk about previous jobs if they are in your favor. Don’t say anything bad or criticize previous employers or fellow workers. If you say anything bad about anyone, your future employer can expect trouble from you. Don’t say anything negative about yourself. Try not to discuss anything personal, financial or domestic unless you are specifically asked. If the interviewer questions you at a quick pace with confusing questions,he is doing this to put you under stress. Stay in control and answer calmly. Don’t be overly impatient when an employer asks you a question. Wait for him to finish the question and then answer it completely and in a relaxed manner. You don’t want an employer to think you are desperate for the job. Don’t take anyone with you to the interview–this makes you seem insecure.

At The End Of The Interview

If the employer does not offer you the job at the end of the interview, ask him when you will hear from him or when you can call to find out his decision. If you are asked to come back, write down the time and place you are to attend. After the interview thank the employer for spending his time with you. Ask him if he knows of any other company that may need a person with your qualifications. A good practice is to also thank the employer by mail with a "thank you" letter. Many applicants don’t do this, so this may give you an edge on the job.

If You Are Hired At The Interview

Make sure that you understand what your duties will be. A good understanding of what your employer expects from you and what you expect from your job will prevent conflicts in the future. Make sure that you are very clear on both of them. You should also find out what advancement opportunities are open for you. Tell the employer what salary you want, but only bring up money when the employer brings up your salary.

If, at the end of the interview, you are not offered the job, tell the interviewer that you really want the job. Follow up with a thank you letter to the interviewer. Tell the interviewer again in the note that you really want the job. If you forgot to mention something in the interview that you thought was important, don’t hesitate to mention it in the letter. If the company hasn’t contacted you in a week or two,call. If somebody else is hired for the job ask the interviewer if he has any other openings in his company or if he can give you any leads.

WHAT YOU NEED TO GET THAT RAISE

Make The First Move

Don’t wait for someone else to tell you what to do. Upper management admires an individual who takes initiative. Develop your individual talents. Educate yourself with new skills and knowledge. Show them that you are a real "go getter."

Make Quick Decisions

Teach yourself to make quick, intelligent decisions. Being indecisive will hurt you. Anyone can make good, quick decisions–it is just a matter of training yourself. Intuitive instincts must be developed.

Seek More Responsibility

Take on the tougher assignments. Actively seek more difficult work with added responsibility. Take on all the responsibility you can handle. Try to take the added responsibilities in addition to your assigned work, The greater your responsibilities, the more you are an asset to management.

Increase Your Interests

The more you know, the more valuable you are to the company you work for. Go to night classes or just read books that will give you that added education. Increase your interest in things that will help your company. Specializing in as many things as you can will help you move up in a company.

Take The Risk

Nothing comes easily. Moving up in a company is going to be hard but rewarding. If you expect to move up, you must take chances. It is the little risks in life that give us the most advancement. If you don’t stick your neck out, your chances of moving up are slim.

Know Your Company

Find out everything you can about the company you work for. Understand and know your company. Study and learn the jobs of your fellow workers. Understand what they do and why they do it. Always try to increase your knowledge.

Know Your Boss

Find out what type of qualities your boss and upper management are looking for in employees. Try to develop those qualities.

Be Good At Your Job

Management always admires people who are efficient at their jobs. Keep the highest possible level of production and quality every day. Be so good at your job that you can do it without close supervision. Don’t fool around on the job, regardless of what other employees do.

Know Your Goal

You Should know exactly what position you want. Be the person they want if you want that position. Make sure you can do all that is required.

Devote Yourself To Your Company

You should have a strong sense of loyalty and devotion toward your company. Show the company that you care about its well being. Don’t disagree with company policies. Even if you disagree with them, obey them. The best that you can do is to agree with the policies and tell management diplomatically how you feel about them.

Be Reliable

Being reliable is very important. A company wants to fell secure with your contribution to the company. Don’t be late or absent from work without a very good reason.

Make Sure Your Accomplishments Are Seen

There is nothing wrong with letting others know what you have accomplished, as long as long as you don’t brag. If the opportunity arises for recognition, take it. Make sure others know what you have done. A good suggestion is to jot down your accomplishments in a dairy. When you asks for raise, refer to your dairy. Keep all your recommendations and awards in a file.

Be A Problem-Solver

Look for problems in your company. Devise practical and intelligent solutions to these problems. Bring the problem to the attention of your boss only after you have solved it and have all the details of the solution.

After-Work Activities

If overtime work is needed, don’t ever decline or avoid it. Volunteer for committees, and then work hard for them so they meet their objectives.

Voice Your Opinion

When you speak up, make sure that your opinion is well thought out. Don’t whine to your boss. Talk things out with him. Tell him what you have to say and then listen to him. Speak to your boss loudly, clearly and specifically. Don’t voice a vague opinion–tell him in specific terms exactly what is bothering you.

Ask For A Raise

When you feel you are ready for a raise and you have fulfilled all the requirements I have pointed out, ask for one.

HOW TO GET A RAISE

Know Company Policies

Understand your company’s policy on salaries and raises. You may have to be with the company a specified length of time to get a raise. Find out how long and act at the right time. If you are getting the maximum salary for your position, you may ask for a promotion or a re-classification. Do everything you can after studying the company policy book.

Know The Decision-Maker

You have to convince the person who has the authority to give raises that you deserve one. If that person is above your boss, prepare to convince your boss and his superiors that you deserve a raise.

Do You Deserve A Raise?

You must find out if you deserve a raise. Only after you are sure you deserve one will others be sure you do. Rate yourself. Try to look at yourself through your boss’s and your fellow workers’ eyes. Do they think you deserve a raise?

How To Justify A Raise

Tell them about your accomplishments that helped the company. Show them how much you saved the company through your actions. Get to know what your skills are worth for another company in the same area. Present your company with that information. Present it to them in a very non-agressive manner. tell the company what you will be able to do for them in the future. Tell them how you will benefit the company with your new raise. tell them how your value has increased since you have been with the company. Don’t mention anything about your personal needs for the money.

Be Able To Handle Rejection

If you are rejected for a raise, be able to cope with it. Deal with the rejection before you ask your boss for a raise so you will know how to handle the situation. Remember, expect the best prepare for the worst.

Know What You Want

Before you speak to your boss know exactly how much more money you expect, both in terms of dollars and percentage. If you know your boss will negotiate with you, ask for more than you actually want. In this way you will get what you want or more.

When Should You Ask For A Raise?

Make an appointment with your boss. Don’t ask him for a raise as he is passing in the hallway. Don’t ask to see your boss on busy Mondays or Fridays.

Be Prepared For Criticism

You may be criticized for not performing "up to par" now. Don’t let this criticism upset you, let it help you. You can learn from this criticism by asking for more feedback from your boss. Ask your boss how you can improve yourself. Ask him for suggestions. Always be willing to negotiate with your boss. He may only give you a bonus instead of a raise. Take it and ask for a raise later.

Handling Your Boss’s feedback

Get an immediate answer from your boss if he has the power to give you the raise. If he can’t give the answer to you now, ask him when he can. If he tells you he can’t give you a raise ask him why. Ask him what he would require from you before you got a raise, his suggestions, what needs improvement, etc. Do what he tells you to do for a raise and, when you have satisfied his needs, ask him again. If you plan to quit if you don’t get a raise, don’t threaten your boss. You want your boss’s good reference later if and when you do quit.

HOW TO MASTER THE ART OF COMPROMISE

In many cases all you will be able to get by being persistent is a compromise. Compromises are good. They get you one step[ further that you were in the first place. If for some reason, such as self-respect, you can’t accept a compromise, then don’t. Give whatever you can offer. If you do this you may not get any type of settlement in your favor. Here are steps that will show you how to compromise so that you get the best of the bargain:

Tell The Person Exactly What You Want

Tell the person exactly what you want in terms he will understand: "I want more…"

Persist

You must get past the other’s person’s excuses and alibis. You must be persistent until you fell you have hit the other person’s bottom line. You may find that the other person is trying to manipulate you. Be persistent until that person has stopped all his manipulation.

If You Are Unsure

If you don’t know what they want, then don’t make a decision. You must think the situation over before you make a compromise. If you need more time, tell the other person that you need more time. Make sure that you can live with the compromise you have made before you make it.

HOW TO DEAL WITH USELESS CRITICISM

Some criticism you get is in poor taste. We must know how to deal with criticism such as: "You look terrible today" or, "You left this in my way, you idiot." Make sure this kind of criticism useless, follow these steps.

Agree With The Facts

Agree with the facts the other person presents. For example, in response to "You look terrible today," say, "I haven’t been feeling too well lately"; in response to "You left this in my way you idiot," say, "Yes, I did leave it in your way." Answer only what was actually said, not what was implied.

How To Answer

Stay calm and collected during the whole conservation. Don’t lose your temper. The only way a person will make you feel degraded is if you degrade yourself. You don’t want to waste your time which this type of person, so don’t defend yourself or attack him.

If You Made A Mistake

If you made a mistake, accept that fact. Don’t accept the quilt for the mistake. If you were in error, then apologize. If you apologize, don’t make a big thing out of it. Don’t tell them how dreadfully sorry you are, etc. Just give them a plain "I’m sorry."

HOW TO DEAL WITH IMPORTANT CRITICISM

When you get important criticism, you want to know how to get the best out of it. Useful criticism is one of the best ways to make yourself into a better person. Follow these steps to get the most out of useful criticism.

Ask For Feedback

Find out exactly what others object to about you. If someone tells you "You are bad," that’s not good enough. Find out exactly why that person thinks that way. Be very persisent–find out why the other person feels the way he does. Vague criticism is worthless to you.

Guess At Reason

If a person refuses to give you reasons for criticizing you, keep guessing at your faults until you get the right one. This may be the only way to find out what displeases the other person.

Don’t Be Defensive

If you act defensively, you may not be able to benefit from useful criticism. Don’t be sarcastic or intimidate the other person. You want to learn how to become a better person from the criticism.

Ask the person how you can change your objectionable behavior; be open to reasonable suggestions.

HOW TO GET YOUR CO-WORKERS AND YOUR SUPERIORS TO LIKE YOU

Good relations with your co-workers and your superiors will not only help you but will make work more enjoyable. Every employee wants to be liked by other employees. If you treat people the way they want to be treated, they will like you. Some of us don’t know if what we do is objectionable to others. I am going to give you a list of things that attract other people to you and things they find objectionable. When you move up in the company, you will need all the support you can get.

Praise People

Everybody enjoys being praised. People look for approval of themselves in others. But you should praise people only when they deserve it. If you praise people when they don’t deserve it, or if you praise too much, you lose your credibility. Don’t exaggerate your praise. Make the praise as warm and sincere as you can.

Don’t Put People Down

Putting down a person can be very damaging to you and the other person’s relationship wit you. People don’t want to feel degraded by being called stupid, crazy, weird, etc. Don’t put down anyone even if they are not present. If you do, the word will get back to them and you will look bad. Always talk positively about people. Even if you don’t like them, still speak highly of them–you will be amazed at what this does. If you must say something bad, don’t say anything at all.

Don’t Be Concerned With Your Interests Only

There is nothing wrong with caring and looking out for yourself. Just don’t make it noticeable to other people. You will be resented by other people if you seem selfish. Make sure others know you look out for them as well yourself.

Share The Credit

When others have helped you accomplish something, share the credit with them. Even if their contribution was not as great as yours, still share the credit with them. You will be surprised

Don’t Ask Others To Do For You What You Won’t Do For Them

If you are unwilling to go out of your way for people, don’t expect them to go out of their way for you. Set the first example–if you help them, they will help you.

Always Show Appreciation

Everyone wants approval and recognition for what they have done. If someone helps you in any way, tell him how much you appreciate his actions. If you don’t, he may not help you again. This is what you should tell people when you show your appreciation: "I really appreciate the way you…"; "Thank you very much for…"; "You are very good at…": "I really want to tell you how much I appreciated…"; "You were very nice to…" Don’t show too much approval and recognition or it will lose its credibility.

Don’t "Show Up" Others

When you "show up" others you do it at their expense. "Showing up" people in front of others takes away their self-respect. If you are better than others, they will know it–you don’t have to degrade them.

Treat Small Things With Importance

Some things that seem small to you mean a great deal to others. Don’t ignore small problems; help people solve them. Treating small problems with importance shows other people you care.

Care About People

Everybody is concerned about themselves and it is important for them to have someone to care for them. They are touched when you care about them. Helping people cope with life makes people feel that you care about them.

Don’t Criticize A Person In Front Of Others

If you criticise someone in front of others, he will always resent you. It is one of the most degrading things you can do. If you criticize someone, criticize him constructively and privately.

Give People Your Undivided Attention

All people want to fell important. To make a person feel important you must give him your undivided attention when communicating with him. Get rid of all interruptions. Make sure you have good eye contact and that you are not playing with objects.

Be Courteous, Tactful, Polite and Diplomatic

Everyone appreciates people who are courteous,tactful, polite and diplomatic. The best way to learn these qualities is from others. Study someone you would like to be like and learn how he conducts himself.

Be Confident

If you don’t have confidence in yourself, others will not have confidence in you, either. People admire and respect confident people. If you show others doubt, they will treat you with doubt. Be sure of yourself and play down your insecurities.

Conclusion

Getting a job can be very easy if you look for it the right way. Knowing exactly what you want and then going after it will always get you what you want. Be positive, determined and persistent so that you will benefit, be rewarded and prosper.

Written by Julia Tang

While there may be some compensation upon being let go from the firm you work for, this money won’t last forever. Or, if eligible for unemployment benefits, this also has a finite period of time attached to the check. Sooner or later, job hunting will be necessary.

But it’s not only individuals who have been turned out of jobs that this booklet can help. How happy are you in the business you’re in? Do you long to do something else with your career? If so, you’re not alone. You have plenty of company in wanting to change one’s goals and focus in life.

Perhaps you’ve just turned 40 and realize that you’re into the second half of a working career you’ve never really liked. Studies have shown that working in a job because you have to, not because you like it, can have some effect on an individual’s life span. Why take years off your life when you don’t have to?

The problem for most people in these situations is that they’re not sure where to start. They’ve either been tossed into this situation unexpectedly and are trying to make decisions on the run or they know that they at least have a paycheck, so they postpone thinking about trying to focus in on a job hunt for something they truly like to do.

Well, cheer up! This booklet will help you re-focus, identify the skills you have, narrow down the type of work you like to do and give you a number of outlets to gather information from in prospects of landing that job that will take you through contentedly into your retirement years. The best news is that this doesn’t have to be a long, drawn out process. You can label your transferable skills and acquire helpful data within a few days! It’s not a year or two effort we’re talking about.

The secret is knowing where to look, what to ask and how to narrow down the type of job you’d not only enjoy, but be pretty good at, too! So much of this is understanding what makes you tick! Who better to identify this than you? This booklet will give you some pointers in doing it, but it will be up to you to take the time to really analyze what it is you like and want to do. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will give you the power to change your life!

Identifying Your Skills

What are you good at?

Have you ever thought about it? In a truly critical, analytical way? Have you actually sat down and listed your skills and capabilities?

This may seem basic, but it’s not. Even if you’ve attempted to start a list, it is very likely you didn’t go far enough or deep enough and thus missed a few outlets for your skills that might very well unlock the key to your career future.

The following exercise can help you truly identify the skills you currently use (or maybe not use) and this will set the stage to see if they’re transferable to another industry.

There are three major categories of skill identification. You deal with people, things and information everyday. In each category, this requires a skill or combination of several skills. You might not even realize the extent of your ability in an area. You probably know what you’re not good at or what you don’t like doing, but pinpointing exact skills is not necessarily easy.

People. Let’s divide your skills at dealing with people into working with individuals and working with groups.

Individuals: In working with individuals singly, are you good at:

* communicating in direct conversation or on the phone? * communicating well by the written word? * helping, serving or receiving and carrying out instructions? * referring people, or helping put two people together? * advising, monitoring, coaching or counseling? * teaching, instructing, training or tutoring? * persuading, motivating or selling? * assessing, evaluating or interpreting others? * diagnosing, healing or treating?

Groups: In working with organizations, companies or associations, are you good at:

* making presentations? * communicating by written word like a newsletter? * public speaking? * leading or moderating a group discussion? * preparing seminars or other educational events? * training large groups? * consulting or giving advice? * leading or taking the lead? * coaching others in recreation or exercise? * performing, acting, singing, amusing or inspiring? * motivating, persuading or selling? * negotiating a settlement of some kind? * following through, getting things finished, producing? * managing or running a business? * supervising? * initiating or beginning a concept, idea or business?

Think carefully about each of these items. Answer fairly and honestly. There’s no reason to try and fool anyone. This is not a personality test! You’re simply attempting to frame your likes and dislikes about dealing with individuals, singly or in groups.

Compile your list of definite yes and no answers and write them down. Keep them handy for future reference.

Things. There are, essentially, six major categories of working with various things. These things are identified as objects (tools, instruments), equipment and machinery or vehicles, materials like cloth, wood and clay, your body, buildings or homes and raising or growing things.

Objects. Do you have specific skills in dealing with food, tools, instruments or the like in:

* handling? * washing? * preparing? * maintaining? * producing? * creating? * repairing? * cleaning? * knowledge? * cooking? * preserving? Equipment. Are you good at working with some type of machinery or vehicle in:

* driving? * controlling? * assembling? * repairing? * cleaning? * disassembling? * maintaining? * operating?

Materials. What is your skill level with items such as clay, jewelry, metal, wood, stone and cloth as far as:

* cutting? * painting? * crafting? * restoring? * weaving? * sewing? * carving? * molding? * shaping? * refinishing? * sculpting?

Your Body. Are you good at using:

* your hands? * motor coordination? * physical coordination? * your fingers? * your eyes? * your eyes and hands in coordination? * your strength? * your stamina?

Buildings. Do you have a particular affinity and capability for:

* constructing? * remodeling? * decorating? * designing?

Raising or Growing. Are you able to successfully:

* train animals? * treat animals? * garden? * landscape? * raise plants or animals or other vegetable or mineral?

This is the hands-on category. Do you have manual skills and, if so, what specifically can you do well? More importantly, do you enjoy it? Many people have turned hobbies they love into full-time, paying work. List the skills you have as associated with any of these categories. Also list the things you dislike doing, too. Finding that job you love is as much avoidance of things you hate as things you love to do.

Information. The final category in this part of the evaluation process is seeing how good you are and how much you enjoy working with ideas, concepts, information, specific data and technology. There are four categories to concern yourself with. Do you like creating, storing, managing or putting this information to good use?

Creating. Are you particularly good at:

* gathering information by observation? * gathering information through research? * searching for data? * imagining ideas or concepts? * inventing? * sensory feelings? * designing?

Storing. Once you’ve assembled the information are you good at:

* storing or filing records in file cabinets, microfiche, audio or video cassette? * bookkeeping? * computer storage? * retrieving the information once stored? * helping others retrieve the information? * keeping track of details? * memorizing? * filming or recording? Managing. You must do something with the data or information you’ve assembled and stored. Are you good at:

*analyzing your data? * organizing? * classifying? * planning? * accounting? * writing? * painting? * drawing? * problem solving? * evaluating your data? * programming? * prioritizing? * decision-making? * dramatizing? * comparing with other data? Using The Data. Once you’ve decided to use the information, are you good at:

* disseminating the information? * demonstrating? * putting it to some use? * showing it to individuals or groups? * publishing? * reporting?

At this point, you should total up your positives and negatives (what you don’t like or aren’t very good at) in this category. You now have three categories and you should combine the lists of advantages and disadvantages to see what your strong suit(s) are. You may find that you like observing people and taking this information and writing a script and then putting it on video or film. This comes from seriously analyzing each of these categories and finding a consistency in what you love and what you’re good at. Your next step would be to look at more specifics rather than generalities.

Specifics: It’s time to look at items you specifically like to work with. The following list should help you check yes or no to a number of things. Keep in mind that this is by no means a complete list and you should add your own thoughts to this of items you either like or dislike to make it more complete. Remember, this is your list, your career, your life, so make it as close to what fits you as possible. We’re merely giving you suggestions to help your frame of reference.

Office Products: Clothing: - desk - all types of clothes - computer - dyes - switchboard - shoes and boots - word processor - sewing machine - pen or pencils - umbrella, raincoat, poncho - printers - buttons or zippers - software - patterns - office machines - knitting

Household Goods: Material:

- furniture - paper - appliances - stone - dishes - aluminum - laundry - cement - blankets - pottery - wallpaper - plants - clocks - bricks - pots and pans - wood - burglar/fire alarms - bronze - chimneys - pewter - carpet - cloth - paint - steel - tools - brass - tents - papier-mGchT

Electronic: Financial

- television - calculator - camera - money - stereo - adding machine - videotape recorders - money market accounts - radios - cash register - radar equipment - ledgers - movie equipment - financial records - tape recorder - stocks - records,CDs,cassettes - futures

Recreation: Communication:

- musical instrument - telephone - games - short-wave radios - gambling - telegraph - board games - answering machines - sporting events - fax machines - kites - printers

Transportation: Medical:

- bicycles - x-ray machines - automobiles - lab testing - trains - medicine - airplanes - prosthetics - hot air balloons - dental equipment - boats - anesthetics - subways - vitamins - motorcycles - hearing aids - RV’s - eyeglasses Equipment: Miscellaneous:

- guns - books - gym apparatus - newspapers - fishing rods - videos - lawnmowers - magazines - garden tools - overhead transparencies - rakes - candles - traps - batteries - axes - lasers - pesticides - engravings - plows - lithographs - harvesters - paintings - threshers - silk-screens - shovel or pick - microscope - tractor - telescope - handtrucks - toys - sander - food - drill - wine or beer making

Your list should be fairly complete. If you’ve followed your true nature, you should begin to see a pattern; similarities indicating the type of work you were destined to do. If your interest is in film and cameras and filmmaking, that will be clear as you review your likes, dislikes, strengths and weaknesses from these lists. Now you need to refine and focus.

Cutting Down the Territory

Next. let’s look at specific knowledge you might possess. Run through the following list, add to it and list the knowledge you currently have. Second, go through the list again and identify the knowledge you would like to have. This will give you two current snapshots: what you know now and what you’d like to know in the future. The latter will define your future educational goals. It may be in areas you believe you’d enjoy if only you had a little more education.

No problem. It may be that a little more learning is needed to advance into what you truly want to do. There’s no reason you can’t take classes in those specific disciplines. There’s no reason you can’t work at an entry- level position in that industry and learn as you go. Often, a company may pay for your future education if it is in the skill areas of their field. So list the desires as well as your current expertise.

* psychology * chemistry * physics * cinema * foreign language * management * personnel recruiting * insurance benefits * geography * history * art * broadcasting * accounting * taxes * marketing * sales * computer programming * aerobics * graphic arts * religion * horticulture * government contracts * politics * teaching * interior design * architecture * vehicle repair * travel * systems analysis * astronomy * research * packaging and distribution * import/export * merchandising * machine operation * graphic arts * photography

List all of the fields you like in priority arranged by most knowledge of and likes. List the fields you are interested in and believe you’d like but need more training and education. Keep these lists handy and separate.

Now, it’s time to decide location. Are you tired of where you live? Would you like to live somewhere else? Is this the town you grew up in but have never seen any other place? Have you gone somewhere on vacation and thought about how great it would be to live there?

Part of cutting down the territory and focusing your job search efforts is to select the area you’d like to practice your skills and talent and apply them to a wage paying job. There’s not much progress made if you find work you like but you still dislike everything else about your living situation. Finding a good job also means finding it in the location you like best.

So, get out to the library and consult a couple of publications like Places Rated Almanac and identify your top five places to live. Narrow down an area and then specific towns. Then, find out the number for the local Chamber of Commerce and see how you can get more information about not only the place itself but the businesses located in the area that are in the field(s) you’ve narrowed down for yourself. These local chambers are glad to send out information and would be equally happy to see you move in and become a member of the community. There are lots of tremendous places to live in this country. Take advantage of it!

You say you’re interested in Arizona? Where? Phoenix? Tucson? Kingman? Bullhead City? Pick an area and start to accumulate information. If it’s possible to visit, by all means get out and see it.

Now you have areas and locations and lists of businesses in those areas. Now’s the time to narrow it down. Select the top two areas and hone in on finding work.

Update your resume. There are dozens of books out there on this subject. Craft it the way the experts suggest. Do it by skills if that tells more about you than where you’ve actually worked. Find out about local schooling programs in the areas of your choice in the event you need further education in the areas you want to do more with. Don’t move anywhere that doesn’t have jobs in the areas you like and are good at or intend to improve your skills.

Finally, begin to make contacts with personnel. Find out if there are local job hot-lines and other employment identification features. Certainly make contact with specific businesses that you’ve already identified as possibilities.

As you start to accumulate your information with which to narrow down the territory in terms of location, skills and interest, there are a number of resources you can tap, the majority of which are either free or have a nominal cost to obtain the information that can help you decide your future.

Written by Julia Tang

Often, job seekers have a few mistaken opinions about potential employers. They believe that employers are able to easily separate the qualified job applicants from the less qualified applicants. But this is likely not true. Sometimes there are from 30 to 300 resumes for the same job. So the interviewer first does a fast screening of all the resumes to eliminate as many as possible. The "good" resumes usually make it through the screening process. Many times the best job candidate is screened out due to a poor resume.

In today’s business world there is often many qualified applicants applying for the same job. What if, out of all of those who apply, one job seeker turns in a skillful resume? Who do you think stands the best chance of getting the job? It’s the one with the "best" resume, of course. This is so often true even through some of the other applicants may be better qualified for the job.

In order to get a good job you must communicate to the employer that you are ready, willing, and able to do the job. So if you are capable of producing a top notch job resume, you definitely increase your chances of getting a better job.

Virtually every potential employer will want to see a resume from you. The resume will determine who gets a job interview. Your resume is a mini-statement about yourself. After reading your resume the employer should have a better "feel" for you as a person and as a potential employer. It serves to get acquainted with the employer so that they can decide if they want to know more about you.

The resume is the first step, your introduction to an employer. First impressions really do count. If you make a poor first impression, you’ll never get to step two — the job interview.

To the purpose of your resume is to make a good first impression. In effect, your resume should tell the employer that you have good abilities and are truly interested in working. This report will help you make that good first impression. And it could very well help you to get the better job you’re looking for.

RESUME BASICS

All good resumes follow the same general basic guidelines. While there is some flexibility in these guidelines, you don’t want to stray too far from them. You want a resume that is bold, exciting, and enticing. But not too much so. You also want a resume that is somewhat conservative. In other words, it must be bold. Not flashy. You must show that you have confidence in your abilities, but not sound like a braggart. You must sound eager to do the job, but not desperate. So there is a fine line that you must walk in order to produce the best possible resume.

You want to use intelligent language. However, you don’t want to try and impress the employer with long, flowery, or uncommon words or phrases. Use everyday language whenever possible. Of course, if you are applying for a highly technical position, it’s acceptable to use some of the special terms used in that particular profession. But as a rule you should keep it simple and straight to the point.

The word resume comes from the French word "resumer" which means to summarize. So the exact purpose of a resume is to summarize your experience, knowledge, and accomplishments. Therefore, you must avoid being too wordy. Say exactly what you mean in the least number of words possible.

The length of your resume is important. Resumes should be from 1 to 3 pages long. Don’t be tempted to make your resume longer than 3 pages, even if you have a lot to tell. Remember, a resume is supposed to be a summary. A resume that is too long simply will bore the reader. There will be so much material that nothing will stand out and be remembered.

RESUME APPEARANCE

The overall appearance of your resume is also important. A sloppy looking resume will greatly lessen your chance of getting a job interview. The first thing that an employer, or personnel manager, evaluating your resume will notice is it’s appearance. There are several different things that can be easily done to increase the overall appearance of your resume.

The first of these appearance factors is the paper that your resume is printed on. There are many different kinds of paper other than regular typing paper. You could make an improvement by using a colored paper. I suggest a subdued color like brown, off- white, or gray.

Next, you could use a better grade of paper. Go to a local office supply store and examine the different types of writing paper. You’ll notice some big differences. Pick out a nice looking, more expensive grade of paper for your resume.

The next thing to consider is the quality of the material that is typed onto the resume. Never use a low quality typewriter to type your resume. If necessary, rent a good quality typewriter. Then make certain that it has a fresh ribbon in it. It’s very important that you make sure the writing on your resume looks good. This means clean, crisp, and sharp looking letters.

Another good way to produce a top looking resume is by having it typeset. If your resume was produced using a computer and saved on a disk, you can hire a commercial typesetter who can use this file. Or, you can locate another computer user who owns a laser printer. Laser printers can produce a good grade of typeset documents. The other alternative is to find a local word processing service that can typeset your resume for you.

You can use the typeset master copy of your resume to make more copies. But be certain that you use a top notch copying machine. Otherwise, you’ll still end up with poor looking resumes. Another alternative is to have the typesetter produce as many original copies as you need to ensure that they all look good.

A third aspect of your resume’s appearance is more subjective. It takes into account such things as the letter spacing, how each section is arranged, and it’s overall appearance. Some resumes simply look better because of the way they have been designed. At the end of this report, you’ll see an example of a properly prepared resume.

Never overcrowd the resume. Leave some "white space" so that important points can appear to pop out. Never submit a resume with handwritten corrections. You can highlight sections of a resume by using a different typeface or size or by using "bullets." If possible, use larger letters for the headings used in the separate sections of the resume.

Never try to be too fancy by using wild colors, cute graphics, and so forth. Don’t be overly creative. A simple, straightforward, factual resume will do nicely. Make it stand out, but stay conservative.

Another phase of your resume’s appearance is it’s accuracy. Make sure there are no misspelled words! Mistakes will create the wrong image.

Make sure that the punctuation is correct. And make sure that all of your columns line up. See that all of your facts are correct. Don’t say you attended 3 years of college, but only show two years worth of grades. Potential employers will note all inaccuracies and wonder why they appear in your resume.

OPTIONAL DATA

There is a variety of personal data that may be somewhat controversial if included in your resume. In the past it was acceptable to include all kinds of personal data, but times and laws have changed. Affirmative Action laws have made it illegal to discriminate based on such things as age, sex, marital status, race, religion, and so forth. Therefore, most experts recommend against placing this kind of personal data into your resume.

Your salary requirements should not be listed in the resume, if you can avoid it. The reason is that if you put too low of a salary, you might be paid less than the real value of the job. If you put down a figure that’s too high, you may not get considered for the job. If an employer likes you, it may be possible to negotiate a higher salary during the interview stage. Another thing that your resume doesn’t need is your photograph. Potential employers can decide if they are interested in you after reading your resume. They can see what you look like during the interview.

RESUME STYLES

There are several styles of resumes along with numerous variations. Your experience and the kind of job you are applying for will help to determine the style of resume you use. The two basic styles are: Chronological Resumes and Functional Skills Resumes. Some of the variations include the main themes of business, academic, general, student, standard, professional, or engineering.

A Chronological Resume lists work experience in reverse chronological order (the most recent experience first). It includes some descriptive text about each position, usually described in about one paragraph.

This type of resume offers several advantages: it is widely accepted, they are easy to read, and they show a clear pattern of your development. The disadvantages include: it does not highlight your major accomplishment(s), nor do they effectively show your other skills.

Functional Skills Resumes highlight your skills and accomplishments rather than providing a chronological record of your job history. Your accomplishments and skills are listed at the beginning. Your job history is listed at the end of the resume.

This type of resume allows you to call attention to your achievements. The major disadvantage is that employers may find it difficult to follow your work experience.

Many people discover that a combination of these two kinds of resumes is the best way to go. You may want to try several different types of combinations before settling upon a final design.

WRITING YOUR RESUME

Some specific topics that your resume should cover are:

(1) Job Objective — lets the employer know that you are interested in a specific type of work. This can be done in 2 or 3

sentences.

Example: work in an analytical chemistry laboratory that focuses on environmental samples. Oversee and coordinate the activities of other lab technicians.

(2) Summary of Qualifications — is a short paragraph that summarizes your experience and skills. Example: I have 8 years experience working on all p samples for metals C. Used CLIP and SW846 methods hases of analytical chemistry. Including work with a wide variety of instruments and computers. Was second-in-command of a lab with 8 technicians.

(3) Professional Skills — is the section where you give specific details about your qualifications. Example:

INSTRUMENTS OPERATED A. Atomic Absorption Spectrometer B. Microwave Digestion System C. Polarograph D. Laser Fluorimeter E. IBM Computers

ADMINISTRATION A. Supervised 8 technicians when the Department head was absent.

ANALYSIS A. Waste oils for metals B. Water and soil

(4) Work Experience — in this section you give a one paragraph summary for each of your previous jobs. This should include starting and ending date, reason for leaving, job title and duties, and any special accomplishments for each of the jobs.

(5) Education — gives a summary of all schools attended, degrees earned, and special seminars or training courses that you have attended.

(6) Honors and Awards — it’s a good idea to list any special awards you have received.

(7) Personal — information about your hobbies and activities should be included.

(8) Others — professional organizations that you belong to, computer or programming skills, articles or books published.

(9) References — you can state something like, "references available upon request," or list at least 3 on your resume.

It’s important to include all of the basic information on your resume. But, what is also important, is the way you say it. Don’t use dull, lifeless statements. Instead use action words. Here are some typical action words:

Accelerated, achieved, advised, approved, assisted, built, calculated, completed, conceived, controlled, coordinated, created, decreased, defined, designed, developed, directed, earned, edited, engineered, evaluated, found, generated, implemented, improved, invented, managed, operated, organized, planned, proved, revised, scheduled, tested, trained, verified, wrote.

These words give the correct impression that you have been responsible for do different kinds of jobs tasks. In other words, you weren’t just a follower. Of course, you should always be truthful. Don’t try to oversell yourself by claiming you did things that you didn’t do.

As you can see, a resume is really a very simple document. It is not that difficult to produce a good resume, if you follow the simple steps outlined in this report. By dividing it into sections it becomes a much easier job. These different sections also help you to stay organized. If you have worked on a special project or had a lofty responsibility on a previous job, you may want to include that in a section all by itself. Example: "I organized a training department for AMCO Scientific and was responsible for overseeing the production of training lessons."

Another good way to get familiar with proper resume writing techniques is to review a good resume. There’s an example included in this report. You can use it as a model. Then produce several different resumes for yourself until you find the best possible combinations for your specific skills. You may also want to have a friend to read your resume and point out any problems.

UNCOVERING JOBS

Many people do not have good job hunting skills. They are not experts at locating job openings for which they may be qualified. Here are some ideas to help you uncover those jobs.

NEWSPAPER ADS — usually draw the greatest number of applicants, so you’ll end up with a lot of competition. If you have no geographic restrictions, you may want to check out of state newspapers.

Find a way to make your resume stand out so that it isn’t lost among the many applicants. Here are a couple of ideas:

(1) Send a customized cover letter with your resume.

(2) Call before you send the resume in. If possible, talk to the person who will be doing the interview or who you’ll be working for. If this isn’t possible, talk to the personnel director about the job and let them know that your resume is coming. This will help them to remember your name and may help you get through the resume screening process.

PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES — these are agencies that try to match employees and employers. These agencies vary in the way they work. Some can be very helpful. Others are somewhat unscrupulous.

Your best chance is to go with an agency that specializes in your field. Beware of agencies that continually run the same ad because, often, they are just trying to build a list of candidates. I recommend that you only use agencies that don’t require you to pay a fee.

TRADE JOURNALS AND PERIODICALS — Are often the best places to look. This is one of the primary means of job advertisement for some types of professions. Example: The magazine Environmental Science continually carries ads for environmental professionals.

Other good places to look include: trade shows and professional conventions, personnel offices, college placement offices, friends you have who are in the same profession as you.

Another method is to simply go through the yellow pages and look for companies which may need a person with your skills. Then contact these companies by phone and follow-up by sending in your resume. Job seeking is a skill that requires persistence. You must not become discouraged. Keep making plenty of contacts. Sooner or later, you’ll find the job that’s right for you.

THE JOB INTERVIEW

Most people are nervous when they go to a job interview. However, by preparing beforehand you won’t have anything to worry about. Believe it or not, occasionally the person conducting the interview is nervous, too!

Most interviewers will make a decision within the first 5 to 10 minutes of the interview. There are a number of steps that you can take that will greatly improve your chances of getting the job.

The first (and perhaps the most obvious) thing to consider is your appearance. No matter what type of job you apply for, you should dress appropriately. A nice suit is your best bet. Dark blue or a gray pinstripe are the best colors. Don’t wear a loud tie. Make sure all of your clothes are wrinkle free and that your shoes are polished.

Women should wear a conservative suit dress. Avoid excessive jewelry, make-up, perfume and bright nail polish.

Interview do’s and don’ts:

(1) Arrive early. If you arrive late, you’ll be rushed and the interviewer may consider you unreliable.

(2) Walk briskly, with purpose, and stand up straight.

(3) Don’t smoke, chew gum, slouch, read a novel, or other similar activities while you are waiting in the lobby. If some of the company’s literature is available, read that instead.

(4) Give the interviewer a firm handshake, and don’t be afraid to look him or her in the eye.

(5) Be prepared. Carry an extra copy of your resume and academic record.

(6) Don’t talk too much … or too little.

(7) Above all, try to be natural and relaxed. Be yourself.

Questions that the interviewer may ask you include: what are your career goals? How many sick days have you taken in the past two years? What are your strong points? Do you have any hobbies? Why do you want this job? Tell me about yourself. What did you like most or like least about your last job? Do you have any questions? She or he may also ask you some specific questions that relate to equipment or procedures you’ll need to use on the job. This is a way of determining your overall knowledge and skills.

Before and during the interview …

(1) Be positive and enthusiastic.

(2) Try to focus upon your accomplishments and achievements in past jobs.

(3) Find out as much as possible about the job duties and requirements of the position you are applying for. This will help you to be able to ask further questions.

(4) Find out as much as possible about the company.

(5) If you are really interested in the job, let the interviewer know about it.

(6) Questions you need to ask include: when will the job start? To whom do I report? What would a typical day be like?

(7) Don’t be too concerned about salary and benefits at first. If you are selected, they will make you a salary offer. Toward the end of the interview you can ask about benefits.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

There are a number of things that you can do after the interview that will make you an even more attractive job candidate. Here are a few tips:

(1) Write a thank you letter. If you really want the job, say so in the letter. (2) If you have not heard anything within 8 to 10 days, you may want to call. Assure them that you are not trying to be pushy, but that you are just interested. If you aren’t hired, you can still send a thank you letter to the company and ask them to keep you in mind for any other similar job openings. Also, you may want to ask the interviewer for a specific reason as to why you weren’t hired. This information will help you as you search for other jobs.

CONCLUSION

Getting a good job that you want is not always easy. There are many qualified people after every top paying position that is available. But if you use the strategies described in this report, you’ll stand a much better chance of success. Be persistent and don’t sell yourself short. You could end up with a much better job in a very short period of time.

SAMPLE RESUME

Jerry Jobseeker
12345 Main St.
Anytown, U.S.A.
555-5555

SKILLS

Professional Skills: Experienced in operating a wide variety of
analytical instruments including, Flame and
Furnace AA, Microwave digestion, Laser
flourimeter, and more.

Familiar with the full range of EPA and CLIP
methods and protocols for inorganic analysis

Expert with IBM-PC computers and have over
ten years of computer experience.

BUSINESS
EXPERIENCE

1971 to 1977 Austin Powder Company, McAuthur, Ohio
Chemistry
Chemist:
Performed a wide range of chemical analysis
on raw materials, finished products and
competitor’s samples. Used classical wet
chemistry methods.

1977 to 1982 Mead Paper Company, Chillicothe, Ohio
Mead Research
Paper Technologist:
Worked to improve paper formulations, solve
problems, and improve quality using pilot
plant and mill studies. Performed a wide
range of paper tests, wrote reports, and
evaluated results.

1982 to Present Martin Marietta, Piketon, Ohio
Senior Chemist:
Performed a full range of analytical methods
for metals on all types of samples (soil,
water, air, waste samples). Responsible for
quality control and in charge of department
supervising 14 technicians when supervisor
was absent.

EDUCATION

Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
BS in Chemistry, 1971
Minor: History, Math
GPA: 2.4 Concentrated in inorganic chemistry

PROFESSIONAL
SOCIETIES

1975 to Present American Chemical Society

PERSONAL DATA I am very active with a number of hobbies
including: golf, gardening, baseball,
computers, and writing. I have authored a
number of books about computers and various
chemical related subjects.

REFERENCES Available upon request.

Written by Julia Tang

1. Get in a hot industry - easier said than done right? Well you know what the hot industries are , and if you don’t there are websites than can tell you. How do you get into that industry? We all have transferable skills. Map out your experience in what I call an "experience matrix". Want a surefire way to know if you’re in a slow industry? Figure out if your raise was lower than the national rate of inflation. If you’re an above average employee and your raise was that low, then you’re in a slow industry.

2. Work smarter and harder -when you work smarter at your job you become highly productive at doing what you have to do….but this frees up time…for pet projects that are risk free and may actually bring value. Doing things differently is what makes you stand out above your peers and bring more value to the company. Most companies actually do reward creativity and dedication.

3. Know your market value - keeping an eye on what your peers make can let you know if you’re underpaid for your job. The best way to do this is to ask your peers. True, most managers don’t like their employees comparing salary notes, but that’s self serving. It’s a manager’s job to keep payroll as low as possible. It’s your job to get paid as much as possible, and knowing how much people make around you can help you. At my first job out of college after I’d been there a year, I learned that newly hired undergrads were getting paid more than I was-and that’s with the promotion I had just received! I used that knowledge to go to my manager to request more money. And I got it-a 16% raise.

These methods not only work separately, but also in combination. Think about if you’re in a hot industry, you’re outperforming your peers, and you know you could get paid more, then all of those things can work for you to get extraordinary salary increases. I was a management consultant in the mid 90s heyday and had worked smarter and harder than my peers. I also knew that I joined my company making slightly less than the average person at my level. Therefore, I got an 18% raise since I was seen as a top performer. Those kinds of raises only occur in hot industries where profits are strong and companies have to reward top talent in order to keep them happy and not look to jump ship.

To get those high raises, follow these techniques, and combine them when possible. You’ll find your compensation will explode and you’ll attain all of your career goals.

Written by David S Williams

Do not treat your resume like any ordinary piece of paper. Be very careful when you draft the body of the resume. A presentable resume comes in a particular format - and the trends keep changing as business demands change.

Name

Write your name in the visible font size. You can keep your name in the center and write the address just below it in a smaller font size. Remember to maintain the correct spacing between words.

Objectives

At the beginning of your resume, always mention your objective. Tell the reader how you will be an asset to the company. For example, you can say, "I want be a continuous learner and help the company to grow!"

Do not try to bluff or over-exaggerate the objective. Keep it plain and simple, but impressive.

Qualifications

After you mention your objectives, give the details about your qualifications. You can give the details about the type of degrees you have earned and the names of the institutions from which you obtained them.

Make mention your grades only if they were outstanding.

Experience

Give details of your experience from each company. Always mention the experience of your current company first. Start writing it in the form of descending date order. You can mention the details of your job profile and the responsibilities you handle.

Don’t forget to highlight the responsibilities that are related to the job that you are applying for. You don’t want your resume to appear irrelevant.

Also mention the projects that you worked on and received accolades for.

Additional Qualifications

You should always mention any additional qualifications or skills. This will give the reader the impression that you are a continuous learner. If you were trained on a particular computer program or received training on handling elite customers, you should always mention it.

Technical knowledge

This section is very useful and important for people applying for technical positions. In this section, you can mention all the technical skills you have. Write down the names of various software programs that you are familiar with.

Don’t leave out the different programming languages you have worked with.

Computer knowledge

People who are not applying for technical positions can and should mention their computer proficiency in this section. List all the different computer programs you have worked with.

Certificates

In certain professions, possessing a certificate from a renowned institute is very important. In the beauty and fashion industry, for example, holding these certificates will help you land a job much more easily.

When you are writing your resume, it is important to highlight your accomplishments and not just your job duties. You don’t want it to look like you are a worker bee only capable of taking orders.

Improving your resume isn’t rocket science, but it does take methodical thought and organization. Follow the tips above and you will be well on your way to your dream job!

Written by Tony Jacowski