HireOrNoHire.com

The following are suggestions on how to use the internet go about turning your online job search into an offline face-to- face job interview:

1.       Add niche job boards to your mix of using larger general job boards.  There are niche job boards today that are very focused on the job seeker, their interests, and other factors they are now considering when contemplating applying for positions and accepting job offers.

2.       Create a personal website and blog about your experience and expertise in your career field. It would serve a similar purpose for you as your online resume in that it works for you while you sleep.   But it is more dynamic than a resume which can be rather static.

3.       Attend virtual job fairs.  Virtual job fairs are akin to a job fair you would attend in person.  However, you don’t have to get dressed, travel in traffic, find parking or take a day off from your current job if you have one.  Yet you can reap the benefits of getting in touch with various employers actively looking for the resume of job seekers for job openings within their organization.

Use the internet to get out there and drum up some more job interviews today so you can get a job tomorrow.

Remember, You’re a hire!

Nowadays, you can’t get hired if you don’t have a job interview. And you won’t get an interview if you are sabotaging your own job search efforts.  Analyze your current job search results.  If they are not what you want, perhaps one of the three statements below is the reason why:

1.       You don’t hustle-An opening is advertised as available.  The job, like opportunities, will not knock on your door and tell you to come and get it.   The job is waiting for you to go after it.  It will stay where it is.  It is up to you to go get it.  Just discovering the job opening is not enough.  You have to go to it, get close to it and tell it that you want it.

2.       You are too picky-Maybe the job you want is not currently available. OK.  Don’t wait for the job you want.  Take the job you can get and work while you wait.  The person with a job will get a better job quicker than the person who is unemployed.

3.       You don’t advertise your situation-If you are unemployed do not keep it a secret. Let people know you are out of a job and want one.  It shows you have enterprise and self-respect and you are looking for employment using every means at your disposal.

The best way to get a job is to go out and look for one with everything you have.

Remember, You’re a hire!

There is something you must be able to do if your job interview is to go reasonably well…Listen.

Many people going on job interviews understand the importance of talking during their job interview but do not understand the art of being an expert listener during the job interview.     There are many of us who enjoy listening to ourselves talk. We all do to a certain extent.  But an understanding about listening during your job interview can give you an advantage over your competition.

Listening during your job interview will keep you from talking too much. Think about your own personal conversations:  Nothing makes you ready to end a conversation with someone so much than when they talk about themselves longer than you want to listen to them.   Of course you are expected to talk about yourself to a large extent during your job interview.  But after the essentials are covered, talking incessantly will lose you ‘points’.

Your interviewer may begin to talk.  They may have the issue mentioned above about listening to themselves talk.  What should you do?  Be an interested and intelligent listener.

The best way to accomplish this is to:

1.       Concentrate intently on what your interviewer is saying.

2.       Do not let your mind wander.  If it gets away from you, go and get it! 

3.       Be natural and focus as much interest as you can on the subject or hobby the job interviewer is discussing. 

4.       Speak just enough to indicate you are interested and following the conversation, however one-sided. 

5.       Let your interviewer talk as long as they like.  Do not allow your impatience to show.  In fact, you should be glad if your interviewer is still talking. 

Everyone likes a good listener.  If the job interviewer is still talking, that is in your favor.

Remember, You’re a hire!

Sending You Love, Happiness and Success~RLP 

A Quick Tip:

School teachers and college professors should absolutely be considered in your job search.  Teachers at colleges and technical schools in particular often develop their courses to closely mirror the needs of the business community.  They are often in touch with companies through their own summer work and in association through research projects.

Get in contact with a former teacher and let them know about your job search.  After knowing you over the course of several years, they are likely to understand your possibilities better than anyone else.  And because a teacher may understand your abilities rather thoroughly, job opportunities they suggest will probably fit you better than those suggested by almost anyone else.

So look forward to seeing a teacher after class!  Remember to take advantage of this underutilized fertile source in your job search and follow up any leads with enthusiasm.

Remember, You’re a hire!

 Sending You Love, Happiness and Success~RLP

Energy and enthusiasm while going on job interviews are sure to work in your favor.  But after your 5th, 7th or 10th interview you can start to lose your enthusiasm.  Or if it is your first job interview you may be too nervous to exude enthusiasm.  However, think about your job interviews as an opportunity to learn something about people and communication skills, reception areas, the appearance of different office environments to the casual observer, the interactions between employees, etc.  There are so many interesting things to see and so many interesting experiences you can have on a job interview that, if you did get a job at the first place you interview, it could almost be regarded as a misfortune.
The knowledge you can gain from going from one job interview to another and being in contact with different prospective employers could be a distinct advantage to you when you do land the job you want. At any rate, the job interviewing experience holds the possibilities of real value and enjoyment.  With the right interpretation of your mission, your job interviews should be looked forward to, not with jitters and dread, but with enthusiasm and pleasure.  Finally, and most importantly, after a series of different job interviews, you just might get the job you desire.
Remember, You’re a hire!
 Sending You Love, Happiness and Success~RLP

Many of us have a former employer.  Even if you have spent the last several years in college or you have never had a ‘regular job’, you probably have a former employer.  Perhaps you had a summer job, an internship, a job through a temporary agency or someone called on you when they were short and needed a hand.  Maybe you accepted the jobs to get through school, pay some household bills or to save for a specific purpose.  If you left on reasonable terms, it could be advantageous, logically and practically to go back to that former employer and inquiry about returning as an employee.

There are several advantages to returning to a former employer.  Having a former employer as an option removes the fear of being jobless from your mind, a fear that crops up even in the mind of the most confident individual.  Even if you choose not to accept a position immediately with your former employer, it could be a real confidence booster to know at the beginning of your job search that there is a position where you can earn enough to keep a roof over your head and food on your table. You will not be afraid that failure will be result of your job search.  Since most perspective employers will request recommendations and references, the best ones will be an indication from a former employer they would love the opportunity to have you back.

 If nothing else going to a former employer is worth trying and it may even develop a lead or two for you about a position you would be perfect for.

 Remember, You’re a hire!

Sending You Love, Happiness and Success~RLP

I had the pleasure of being a guest on the Job You Deserve internet radio Show with Kristen Hallows yesterday evening.  Kristen is a career coach with a genuine dedication to helping people land their dream job. 

We discussed how the physical expression of your body language is just as important as the verbal expression of what you say during your face to face job interview. 

They are related:  you want what you say verbally to be in unity with what you are expressing physically.  There are 7 things you want your body language to say.  And the job interviewers observations and assessments begin immediately even before you are invited to have a seat.

1.       “I am organized…”  Begin with your walk to the interview room: walk with  energy and  agility but not rushed.  “A smooth gait expresses an organized individual who will conduct their daily duties without rush or friction”

2.       “I am interested…”   Lean forward a little with your head slightly tilted when the interviewer is speaking, particularly about the company, the job description and duties.  This can show the interviewer that you are ‘physically’ listening and interested in what is being said. This is also an opportunity to show you know the importance of your listening skills and using your 2 ears over your 1 mouth.

3.       “I am comfortable…”  Have a genuine smile. A fake, plastered on smile just won’t do.  Imagine how good you will feel your first day on the job or after receiving your first check.  That is the smile you want to convey during your face to face job interview.

4.       “I am trustworthy…”   Maintain good eye contact.  It is an opportunity to establish trust with the job interviewer. But, be careful to avoid intense eye contact.  Instead, aim to maintain eye contact about 75% of the time.

5.       “I am happy for this opportunity and I appreciate your time…”   Give a firm hand shake at the start of the interview and at the end of the interview, if your culture allows.  Regarding the degree of firmness: Think of your handshake as a piece of uncooked spaghetti, as opposed to a wet noodle.

6.       “I am alive and energetic…”   Use hand gestures to express yourself .  But don’t overdo it.   You don’t want to look like a spastic chicken. Do not gesture without a point or reason.  Instead, use gestures for emphasis.

7.         “I am confident, prepared and alert…”   Sit up straight with your shoulders back .  Do not sit with your arms folded across your chest.  Instead you want to exhibit  an ‘open’ posture.   Also, sit still, stay focused and do not fidget. 

 So consider your body language when you are preparing and practicing for your face to face job interview because what you show on the outside-eye contact, body position, gestures made and facial expressions reflect what is on the inside.  Thank you, Kristen,  for having me as your guest. I wish you and your show continued  success.

Remember, You’re a hire!

Sending You Love, Happiness and Success~RLP 

It’s an often dreaded job interview question you should not bring up first but should be prepared to answer when asked.

 “The Salary Offered is Acceptable”

When an employer clearly states what a position pays, you should cover that point specifically.  It is an important point for you and the employer and the quicker you can settle it the better.  If you can honestly say, “The salary offered is acceptable”, then say so at once.   Agreement on that issue will help you agree on others.  

If you are ‘Willing to start at the salary offered” put it in those words and say nothing more about it.  Don’t argue that you ought to have more unless you are prepared to insist you have more.  But you honestly believe you should have more salary than is being offered then it is up to you to prove it.  Your record may prove what you have done in the past but beyond that the employer must consider you on largely on faith.   Also keep in mind when an employer states the salary they expects to pay, they have a pretty good idea about the ability and experience they are looking for. 

“State Salary Expectations”

If you are pointedly asked to include or state your salary expectations, do so clearly.  If you do not answer at all it could cast you in a bad light because you have overlooked a vital point.  

The employer usually asks you to state salary because they want to get your estimate of your abilities.   If your resume and application indicates you are otherwise qualified, your interview is an opportunity to substantiate your salary expectations.

When you are stating the salary desired, it would be wise to state a salary a little less than you think you should get instead of a little more.  This doesn’t mean you should cut your salary in half-just trim it down a bit.  For example: $45,000 when you should get $50,000.  This shows a prospective employer you are willing to go to some expense to prove what you are really worth.  In fact, this is what you are expected to do when you are changing employers but not changing jobs as in a ‘lateral move’.

If, however, you are seeking a bigger job with more responsibilities, you have every right to ask for an increase in pay-either in cash or opportunity.   

“Salary Is Not Important”

One of the quickest ways to make a good impression with your job interviewer is to say starting salary is not your primary objective.  Of course salary is a real objective and your prospective employer knows that.  But they are likely to appreciate the spirit of a person who sees more in his job than the pay stub.

When you do say, “Salary is not important” make sure you mean it and can prove it.   Don’t just say it to impress the job interviewer because in the end they want something more than words. Your general attitude should indicate you are thinking more about the future than the present.

Remember, You’re a hire!

Sending You Love, Happiness and Success~RLP

Every job should pay you in 3 ways:

1.       Money-The actual cash you receive for the work you provide

2.       Opportunity-The chance to learn and grow

3.       Satisfaction-The enjoyment you find in doing what you like to do and doing it well

If your pay lacks in any one of these 3 areas, it must be made up to you in other areas.  Your career success and happiness demand you are satisfied with what you are paid for your services.

Avoid the Money Treadmill

The person who works for the money alone is the poorest paid worker in the market regardless of what salary he gets.  He’s on a treadmill running in place because he has nothing to look forward to except a series of pay stubs.  When you have responsibilities and / or a family to take care of, you are justified in taking the job that will pay you the most.   But give serious thought in settling in that job as a life job until you are convinced it is the best you can do.  If you don’t like your current job or job options but you depend on that salary, see if you can prepare yourself for a position that will pay well and be more to your liking. Money is a fine thing to have and many of us are in pursuit of getting more of it.  But the job that pays you in money alone must pay big money or it may not be worth considering.

Cash Out the Opportunity Fund

You should make each job pay you generously in opportunities. You should use each job as a stepping stone to something better—and keep doing it until getting ahead becomes a habit to you.  Initially, your opportunity consists of the chance to learn the business while working it.  Later on, opportunity allows you to turn you experience into cash by preparing you to land an even better job.

No Success Without Satisfaction

Job satisfaction is relative.  Your job happiness and, to a large extent, your career success, are determined by the amount of job satisfaction in your pay stub envelope.  If you are not content, no amount of money will bring you complete happiness.  And dissatisfaction will hamper your chances for success by preventing you from giving your full attention to your work.

Remember, You’re a hire!

Sending You Love, Happiness and Success~RLP

You have a brief amount of time during your face-to-face job interview to impress the job interviewer.  In addition to reviewing your resume, questions, answers and body language, the job interviewer is also trying to get a sense of your basic personal traits.   There are some personal  characteristics you can easily exhibit during your job interview by making them a part of your every day personal habits.  You may find you already have some of the habits.  But do not overlook any suggestions as trivial.  You’re not simply trying to ‘put on a job interview personal upkeep mask’ in order to get a job:  you’re trying to perfect a basic personal habits to ensure success in your pursuit of a better life.  Here are 7 Every Day Personal Habits to Ace Your Job Interview :

1.        Pay attention to your personal care.  Appear freshly showered, hair neat, nails clean, and teeth brushed.  Exemplify you are candidate who is careful about his or her personal care in a way that he or she is careful in their work. 

2.         Dress neatly.  Circumstances may not allow you to wear clothing as new or stylish as you ay like but you can always keep your clothing and shoes neat and presentable.     Again, careless attention to your clothing could give the impression of a candidate who will give careless attention to their work.

3.        Watch your step.  Your walk gives an indication of your personality.  You don’t want your walk to indicate you have a lazy or careless personality.  Walk with your head up, shoulders back and an easy stride.  Work to improve or correct this important personality indicator before your next face to face job interview

4.        Exhibit good manners.  It will not lessen your manhood or womanhood to show be courteous towards others, to avoid offending others with your words or acts.  Conduct yourself with respect yourself and for others because the higher you climb in your chosen career, the more important your social skills will become. 

5.        Pay attention to your speech.  Incorrect speech is due largely to carelessness but it bares your attention. Even if the future or current employer uses bad language or incorrect language, they will usually prefer someone who speaks more carefully than they do.   Profanity or incorrect language will hinder you from being considered for prime positions. 

6.        Exude self-confidence.  You applied for the position because you are thoroughly qualified for the job advertised.   Use the knowledge you are qualified to handle the job to boost your own self confidence.   

7.        Wear a smile.  A pleasant disposition and a ready smile is half the battle of getting people on your side and interested in helping you get what you are after– be it a job, a promotion or a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Remember, You’re a hire!

Sending You Love, Happiness and Success~RLP