4 Ways Common Courtesy Drives a Successful Executive Job Search - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

4 Ways Common Courtesy Drives a Successful Executive Job Search

88 How to Ace Your Job Interview! - Jane Jackson Career

88 How to Ace Your Job Interview! - Jane Jackson Career According to an article in BusinessWire, Top executive recruiters say the most common interview mistake is verbosity.  There are candidates who simply talk too much, states  the Executive Recruiter Index (Part II) released by Korn/Ferry International (NYSE:KFY), the worlds leading provider of recruitment solutions.Among more than 300 professional recruiters surveyed, 43 percent believe the most common interview error is when candidates talk too much, followed by 33 percent who say candidates are unprepared and 24 percent who cite over inflated ego.The impactful candidate is one who has excellent listening skills and can thus engage in a meaningful way in an interview, said Mina Gouran, Managing Vice President in Korn/Ferry Internationals London office. With global companies more cautious in their hiring decisions, in todays market it is more important than ever that candidates seize each quality opportunity.The Korn/Ferry ERI survey also reveals that 41 percent of the recruiters sur veyed believe the behavior most fatal to a candidates chance to win a job is being unprepared. In addition, 32 percent of the recruiters cited an over inflated ego, followed by 17 percent who say talk too much and nine percent who denote bad hygiene/poor dresser.Listen to this podcast and find out how you can overcome these fatal flaws.If you need coaching support to ensure that you ace your next job interview, give me a call on +61 (2) 8076 4808 or book in for an exploratory conversation  For regular career updates follow me on Twitter @janecareercoach

What A Resume Is NOT

What A Resume Is NOT So often, when researching how to put together a resume, the posts and articles are a lot of a resume is this, and a resume should have this, but often, there is no information about what is dangerous or  unnecessary in a resume. That is what this post is forto help you understand what a resume is not  so you can create the best and most impressive resume. A resume is not: A letter: It is not a place to talk or chat about yourself and your accomplishments. You can do that a little bit in your cover letter, but mostly that type of communication will be for your interview. A soapbox: Blatantly bragging or putting false commentary into your resume in order to make your skills sound better than they are isnt advisable. While its good to sell yourself and your skills, sell them on skills youve actually done, not what youthink you can do. A comedy club: You dont need to add humor or personality to your resume. Employers are not looking for that type of thing in a resume. They want simple facts with enough information for them to decide if they want you to come in for an interview. Add some personality to your social media profiles. Talk about your interests and likes in that type of forum, but a resume is not the best place for them. A grocery list: While, yes, you will list your skills, work experiences, and accomplishments, there is more to it than that. You cant simply list every job without a few details like dates of employment, job title, employer, and some job duties. You dont need a lot of detail, but you need enough so your potential employers have an idea of what you have done. These are things to watch out for. Your resume may seem like it doesnt have your voice or personality, but that is OK. It doesnt need all that fluff. Save that for your cover letter and, more importantly, your interview.

Resume Writing For Chemical Platoon Sergeant

Resume Writing For Chemical Platoon SergeantIf you are planning to apply for a job in the army or are already a military career seeker, then your resume writing for chemical platoon sergeant is an integral part of preparing for the interview. Your resume and cover letter will become effective tools in assisting you with the army recruitment process if your writing and interviewing are on point.The most common mistake made by people trying to write their resume for chemical platoon sergeant is their grammar. If you do not know how to do a good job of correcting grammar mistakes, then it is imperative that you get some professional help. People tend to do things right, when they write for professional companies that do it properly and professionally and once you get hired you will see why.Professional writers will usually rewrite your writing in such a way as to make it extremely effective. It does not mean that professional writers will ensure that you do not make mistakes, it is the fact that you should not put yourself in a position to make a mistake. As a veteran, you are automatically qualified to have an edge over all others in this field.People who have no prior experience do not tend to be very competent when it comes to preparing their resume for another company. People who have no prior experience tend to make a lot of mistakes in their resume writing and this can include omitting important details and embellishing things. People who do not have any work experience or previous military experience do not have a very good chance at getting hired.There are two career paths in the military career. You can either choose to be a specialist or a non-specialist. Specialist careers are normally for people who have an undergraduate degree in their background and this gives them an advantage in the army.Non-specialist jobs are normally for people who are in the service and who have no college degree but do not have to be a scientist or a doctor. People who are spe cialists generally tend to come from rich families and have a lot of education and qualifications in their background. You may also come from a family where you did not have many advantages in your upbringing so you would naturally struggle to fit into the general population of any particular company.This is why your resume writing for a job in the army should contain enough details about your achievements to make you stand out from the crowd. There are certain errors in spelling and grammar that are easily noticeable so make sure that you understand and appreciate this issue. Good luck!

14 Ways to Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out and Help You Get Hired, According to HR Pros

14 Ways to Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out and Help You Get Hired, According to HR Pros For many job hunters, writing cover letters is the worst part of the application process. Cover letters are often tedious, difficult to write, and overwhelming because it’s hard to know what actually qualifies as a good one anymore. Plus, most prospective employees don’t know what specific employers are looking for in a cover letter. So how do you write a cover letter that’s neat and professional, yet personal enough to stand out from the crowd and convey why you are the best person for the role? Here to dispel your worries are two career experts who break things down from the greeting to the closing paragraph, so you can make your letter shine. The Greeting and Opener Your cover letter is being judged from the first character on the page, and how you handle seemingly innocuous lines such as the salutation can turn an employer off in a heartbeat. So how do you avoid mistakes here, and how can you follow the rules? Address your cover letter to an actual person (when possible). TopResume career expert Amanda Augustine suggests doing a little research to determine to whom you should address your cover letter. “In an ideal world, you should always address a cover letter to a real person,” she says. “It’s not hard to find out who the head of HR is. If you’re applying to a marketing role, there’s a head of marketing.” When possible, use a name. If you’re lucky enough to know someone who works at the company, it’s worth sending them a quick, polite email asking if they know who the best person to address your letter is. They might know who will actually be looking at the letter apart from HR (aka your potential direct manager), which will make a big difference. But if you can’t find the right name to use, Augustine says go for something a little broader like “Dear hiring manager.” Steer clear of super generic, overly formal, or too-flippant salutations. “Avoid ‘sir’ or ‘madam’â€"and never use ‘hiya,’” Augustine says. “One is so stuffy and the other is so casual you’re taking a leap of faith in assuming they’re comfortable with that level of familiarity when you don’t really know the person.” Amy Klimek, chief human resource officer for ZipRecruiter, adds that using a generic greeting doesn’t set your letter apart. “Job seekers who use these generic greetings miss out on an easy opportunity to convey their interest in the company,” she says. When in doubt, go for a more traditional format. Before the internet, an address and date were expected at the top of a letter because these documents typically went through the mail. These days, Augustine says fewer employers care about those details, considering most cover letters arrive via email or through an online application portal. But if you’re unsure about the company culture, Augustine suggests going for the more traditional formats. Draw the reader in with a good (and relevant) hook. Most resumes begin by expressing an interest in the job at handâ€"but the ones that go above and beyond use this first paragraph to draw the reader in. “If you’re a natural writer, you can provide an anecdote about one of your jobs or times during college that demonstrates the hard and soft skills required for these roles,” Augustine says. But remember, if you go this route, Klimek cautions that the anecdote should have specific relevance to the job at hand. “If a job seeker is applying to work in the entertainment industry, they can start the cover letter by telling the story of when, as a child, they cast their neighbors in a homemade ‘feature film,’” she says. “That’s far more impactful than the traditional and generic opener of ‘I’m writing you today to express interest in your open role.’” Still not sure how to go about it? Augustine suggests finding an expert to help. The same folks who offer resume editing services can also help you pen a great cover letter. The Middle (aka The Meat) Make a great case for yourself. The second paragraph, or middle section of your cover letter, is by far the most important, Augustine says. “It’s not an entire summary of your resume, but you want to pick out a couple of key requirements for the job and explain why you meet them,” she says. “Think: ‘These are your needs and these are my qualifications.’” Make it more human than your resume. Unlike your resume, a cover letter is a much more personal explanation of your job history, Augustine says. “Resumes don’t use pronouns like ‘I’ and ‘me,’” she says. “Cover letters are an opportunity to show your personality.” Elaborate on any confusing resume moments. You can also use the cover letter to explain any of the gaps or curious employment history outlined in your resume. If you took a year off to start a family or take care of ailing parents, or if you’re looking for a major career shift, this is your chance to explain why. “Your cover letter gives you an opportunity to explain any of those ‘red flags’ that are going to be on the resume,” Augustine says. Reframe your potential shortcomings as strengths. Of course, you’ll want to put a positive spin on those potential red flags, like a gap in time or lack of experience. “You’re not going to say, ‘I don’t have seven years of experience.’ You’re going to say, ‘My role in this company allows me to have more insight on X,’ or, ‘I focus on the same type of customer in my current work,’” Augustine says. Klimek agrees you shouldn’t linger on a perceived flaw or lack of job experience. “In today’s rapidly changing economy, professionals with ladder-like careers are few and far between,” Klimek says. “Instead of explaining why you lack certain qualifications, focus on how you plan to tap into your strengths to shorten the learning curve, and what unique blend of transferable skills you’d bring to the job.” Don’t write too much. Just remember to keep your writing tight and conciseâ€"think of it as your highlight reel. “A hiring manager or recruiter will only spend a handful of seconds reading a cover letter,” Klimek says. “Job seekers should aim to make the best impression with the fewest words.” Your letter shouldn’t go for more than a page, and shorter is better, Augustine says. “The point is to give them a few highlights to whet their appetite,” Augustine says. The Final Paragraph and Closing Reiterate your interest, then pass them the ball. As you wrap up your letter, it’s appropriate to again express your interest in the position, Augustine says. It’s also an opportunity to invite some kind of further communication. “If you think about your cover letter as marketing material, this third section brings it home with a call to action,” Augustine says. “You want to make sure you’re leaving the ball in their court, but giving yourself a follow-up action.” That could mean promising to check at a specific future date on the status of your application. Or, if you aren’t sure who will be keeping tabs on your application, this is where you’ll invite them to reach out to you with any questions as they make their decisions. Use a simple signature. Always thank them for their time and consideration before signing your name. As for the sign-off, a tried-and-true “sincerely,” followed by your name never fails. Common Cover Letter Mistakes Making literal mistakes. Misspellings and typos are considered fatal errors in the realm of cover letters. According to Klimek, if an employer spots one, they’re usually unlikely to finish reading. Always proofread your workâ€"it’s best to read it aloud to make sure it’s accurate and flows wellâ€" and run it past a friend or, at the very least, an online grammar bot. “Most recruiters find it difficult to overlook misspelled words and missing punctuation in a cover letter,” Klimek says. “The kindest possible reading of the situation is that the job seeker lacks attention to detail; however, it’s far more likely the recruiter will interpret these mistakes as an indication of how much, or little, the job seeker cares about the job.” Using one cover letter for several applications. Another obvious mistake is to use a general cover letter for a variety of positions. The spectrum ranges from accidentally sending a letter for company A to company B in your haste to get applications out, to simply sending the same generic letter to each and every place you apply. “[Recruiters] hate when a cover letter is generic and can be used for any company, but it’s the absolute worst when you’re applying for Coca-Cola, but you mention Pepsi because you didn’t do a find and replace,” Augustine says. If you want to stand out, you’ll want to make your letter look less like a form you filled out and more like a representation of yourself as an employee. Using funky fonts and formatting. And when it comes to design and fonts, Augustine suggests playing it safe. Go with a sans serif font such as Calibri in size 11 or 12. These fonts are easily read by online bots, which are being used more often than ever to scan resumes submitted by applicants before a human hiring manager ever sees them. And to that end, you should also try to incorporate some SEO friendly terms included in the job description if you know you’ll be applying through an online portal, Augustine says.

Happy Grad Shikha Gupta - Work It Daily

Happy Grad Shikha Gupta - Work It Daily Age: 23 Graduation Date: 2012 Major: Bachloers of Engineering (Computer Science) School: Sanghvi Institute Of Management And Science Current Position: Business Development Executive at DRC Systems, India   Q: What was your biggest fear about leaving college and entering the “real world”? When I was in my engineering, I saw all my colleagues doing the coding thing, which I really hated. [But] when it came to learning new technology or a method I really attracted me, I enjoyed doing that. I always wondered [if]computer engineering [was] only about being a programmer (which I was least interested in being). This fear was always in my mind that, once I get placed, [would] I have to spend whole my time being a programmer coding programs and playing with computer languages PHP, Java, C, C++? Q: What five words would you use to explain your job search as a recent grad? Business Development, International Relations, Business Networking, Strong Technical Understanding, Communication Skills. Q: What is it about your situation now that makes you a happy grad? Presently, I am working as a Business Development Executive with an IT company DRC Systems. Prior to this, I [worked] as a Software Engineer in the same company for approximately 8 months. I got recruited from college before my final semester of engineering for the position of software engineer. I was very happy to be placed, but deep down my heart, I was not content with the position as I never wanted to see myself working as a programmer because that was the area in which I was least interested. Well, I accepted the offer and came to Ahmadabad (all the way from Indore) for the same position I was recruited in. After working as a programmer for about 8 months, I realized that, whenever it came to communicating the requirements or [completed] tasks to the team leader, project manager, or clients, I felt I [understood] and produced like no other. Also, I felt that, when I talk [about] technology, I do it with grace. I searched the role played by a Business Executive in an IT industry and gave an interview in the same company. And, to my pleasure, I got selected. I was offered the position of a Business Executive to take care of the business coming from the Europe Region. Hurrah! I was extremely happy and very excited to hit the stones hard. And I make the best of every single minute I work. I also have tremendous plans for the future and how to grow each day. Q: What are the best things about your current role? As a Business Development Executive with DRC Systems, my current role includes developing Relations with International clients, as well as providing them with the best software service for open source technology. The best part of my current role is that I have to build relationships with people abroad (Netherlands, Europe Region). I have to understand every client of mine, [and their] method of working and communication, which really interests me. I understand how a healthy and long-term relationship is built and nurtured. I learn new words from the Dutch language. I have to work with all ages of people form a young 25-year-old Business person to 67-year-old business person. So, that's just an amazing thing. I have also learned that, if you have a strong relationship, you don't have to run after business - it follows you! I have stepped on the first stone towards the life [I have always dreamed of]. Q: What advice would you give recent grads today about leaving college, and finding a career and life they love? I would suggest [to] recent graduates that, [during] their college time, they should give themselves some time to figure out their own area of interest, and not just rushing to get degrees after degrees. Once you find what you love, you should put your heart and soul to achieve it by planning the steps towards it, then always putting the best foot forward. Q: What are some of the best things about being a recent grad? There are absolutely millions of career choices out there in the world, and you get to chose [something] you actually love from your heart. The world is all yours! All the best! Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

Panel Interview 101 Tips And Best Practices

Panel bewerbungsbewerbungsinterview 101 Tips And Best Practices While landing an in-rolle bewerbungsgesprch for your dream job feels amazing at first especiallyif you made it through the initial hurdle of speaking with a human resource manager or doing a phone interview it wont be long until your nerves abflug to get the best of you.Now, imagine that instead of being interviewed by just one person for a regular job interview, you find out that three, four or even five of your potential future colleagues are going to be firing questions at you. Your palms are going to be sweating before you even get inside the doorPanel Interview MeaningThe panel interview, which basically means that a job seeker or candidate for a given position is being asked questions by several interviewers at the same time, is gaining popularity among companies that want to speed up the hiring process and make interviews more efficient. A screening interviewing, usually the first step in the hiring process, pro bably wont be a panel interview it will fruchtwein likely be conducted on the phone by an HR specialist or one hiring manager.In some cases, you may face a peer panel interview, which involves a group of employees at a similar level to the position for which youre applying. A peer interview can help you better understand the company and help the interviewers gain insight into your background and skills.And it makes senseconducting this type of interview is a great way for a larger group of people at a company to get to know an interviewee in a limited period of time. But to the job seeker, a panel-style interview can be pretty intimidating and bring on feelings of pressure and anxiety, especially because many of us are only accustomed to the one-on-one interview format.Seven Tips for Rocking Your Panel InterviewWhile surviving a panel interview certainly comes with its own challenges and it might feel a bit like youre walking into a firing squad, a little bit of preparation can go a long way in helping you not only survive but thrive in this interview setting. Here are some tips to help you rock your next panel interview and land your dream job.1. Do your homework on everyone.While you definitely want to do research on the company itself as you would for any individual interview, youll also want to research the interviewers themselvesall of them. Well before the day that youre interviewing, find out who will be sitting on your panel and gather a little bit of information about each panel member.Check out the companys website to find your interviewers biographies or search for them on LinkedIn. Before the interview, try to memorize one key point about each panel member that you can bring up during the discussion or ask about it will set you apart from the other candidates.For example, perhaps one of your panelists worked on a big project that interests youask him or her the greatest lesson learned from that particular project. Another panelist made a major in dustry switch or career move before landing in their current role? Ask about how he/she successfully navigated that transition.And dont feel like you have to memorize each of your interviewers entire life storiesone or two key bits of information that you can ask a question about is enough to show you did your homework and are truly interested in your interviewers.2. Prepare more than you would for a regular interview.Because panel interviews can feel more stressful than an individual interview, it is important to feel as self-assured and prepared as possible when you walk into that room. Body language is key projecting a calm, poised demeanor is often as important as the actual answers you give to the interviewers questions. And the more preparation you can do ahead of time, the more confident you will feel and come across.Brainstorm possible interviewquestions you might be askedand practice your answers. It might be helpful to write your answers out and read them out loud in a mir ror. You can also try to search for reviews or experiences other interviewees have shared about the recruitment process with your company, on sites like Fairygodboss.Finally, if youre able, consider assembling a few friends together for a mock interview. Have them fire questions away at you and practice answering them exactly how you would during the real interview.3. Work the room.While its tempting to focus your attention on the interviewer asking you the question, be sure to work the room like this Start out by making eye contact with the interviewer who asked you the question, but look at the other panelists too as you talk and elaborate on your answer.You can also draw in others in the room with body language. Rather than turning your body toward the person asking you the question, keep your body in a neutral position at first and then turn it slightly toward each interviewer as you make eye contact.It is so important for the other panelists to feel included and that you are th ere having a conversation with all of them, rather than just the panelist who asked you a question. If possible, refer back to something one of the panelists said earlier as a way to bring them into the discussion even more. This will show your interviewers you are paying attention and engage them more in the interview.4. Use your interviewers personennames in conversation.When youre interviewing, using your interviewers names in conversation is a great way to get their attention, strengthen your connection, and set yourself apart from any other job candidate. People like hearing their name spoken because it makes them feel recognized and important.While you dont want to use their names in every sentence you say, try to use each panelists name 2-3 times throughout the interview, including at the end when you shake hands and say Thank you ______, to each panelist.If you cant get the names of your interviewers prior to the interview, write them down as soon as you get introduced. You can even draw a seating chart so you dont get the names mixed up and can address each panelist properly.5. Expect and be prepared to repeat yourself.People process information differently from each other, and frankly, there might be times when some of your panelists are paying less attention than they should. When that happens, youll often get the same version of a question you answered previously and have to repeat yourself.The key is to avoid getting flustered and definitely do not point out that you were asked the question (or a similar question) already. Stay calm and simply answer the question again.Some of the other panelists might notice the question is a repeat and joke around that their fellow panelist might have zoned out when you answered the first time. If that happens, smile and tell them you dont mind elaborating on what you said earlier.6. Ask specific questions.When you get to the end of the interview and one of the panelists asks if you have any questions, in addi tion to one or two general questions that you ask of the entire group, ask something specific of each panelist.You can even prepare behauptung questions ahead of time when you research the interviewers backgrounds, or you can make up the question on the spot based on something they said during the interview. Closing the interview this way will make each panelist feel valued and that your conversation was time well spent.7. Dont skimp on thank you notenzeichens.Rather than send one thank you note to the person who set up your interview or one e-mail with all the panelists copied, send individual thank you notes to each interviewer. Be sure to thank them for their time and mention something they said during the interview that you found especially interesting or helpful.If you can, throw in a compliment or show youre impressed by something the interviewer did or said. Heres an example of a note you might sendDear Name of interviewer,Thank you very much for taking the time to meet with me yesterday. I really enjoyed learning more about Company and what the role of Title you interviewed for entails.And thank you for being so candid about your recent career move and explaining how you navigated your transition from the political world to the corporate sector. I agree that being flexible and open is key to mastering any big transition, and it seems like you have been very successful so far.Please do not hesitate to reach out should you have any additional questions for me. Thank you again.Best wishes,Your nameWhile these days, e-mail thank you notes are increasingly expected and customary, if your companys culture seems especially conservative, you might consider sending a handwritten thank you note within 24 hours of the interview.How to Conduct a Panel InterviewIf youre in a position to conduct a panel interview, follow these steps Establish roles.Determine who will be asking which questions. Make it clear who the leader of the interview will beusually the hiring m anager or person who will be the candidates manager. The other participants should ask other questions about the candidates experience that are relevant to their own roles at the company. For example, when interviewing a prospective copywriter, a designer might ask questions related to overall ad concept and design. Choose a comfortable location.Make sure everyone feels at ease and can see one other. This can help panel members gauge each others reactions as well as the candidates. Discuss the interview approach and strategy.Determine and outline how youre going to conduct the interview. Make sure everyone has information on the candidate, such as her cover letter and resume, to help you guide their questions. Debrief.Establish a time to meet and go over the candidates responses and qualifications after the interview. Make sure everyone is able to offer input.Panel Interview Questions for ManagersAs a manager, your panel experience wont be too different from that of other candidates , although its possible that people who might report to you might sit in on the panel as well, which can add some pressure.Some questions you might expect as a manager candidate include Whats your management style? Describe a time youve had to deal with a difficult employee. How do you motivate your employees? Whats one mistake youve made as a manager and how did you handle it?Panel Interview Advantages and DisadvantagesThere are several pros and cons to participating in a panel interview as a prospective employee. One advantage is that youll get a better sense of the company culture since youll meet some of your future colleagues and hear many different perspectives.The panel interview might also make the interview process a little shorter since rather than facing several rounds of interviews, youre meeting with several interviewers at once. You may also find that multiple people making the decision, rather than one or a couple, can work to your advantage.Of course, there are also some drawbacks. It can be intimidating to face a large group of interviewers. You may also hear some repeat questions if one interviewer wasnt paying attention, which can be confusing and difficult to know how to answer. (If this happens, politely repeat your answer.) It can add some pressure to the experience to know you have to respond to several different peoples concerns and interests as well.Panel Interviews The TakeawayIts normal to feel a certain amount of pressure and nervousness during the interview process, especially with a panel interview. But dont forget that you landed the interview in the first place for a reasonbecause something about your background and qualifications stood out and impressed the hiring committee.Remember that before you walk through the door for an instant confidence booster. And with a little bit of preparation and by following the tips above, you can knock the panel interview out of the park and land the dream job you deserveLooking to ace all asp ects of your interview, not just the end? Check out our comprehensive interview guide. We cover everything from what towear,when to show up, to how to follow up (and everything in between)--Dr. Brittany L. Stalsburg is a researcher, strategist, and professional writer. She is the owner of BLS Research Consulting, a full-service opinion research and communications consulting firm based in East Haven, Connecticut. Brittany holds a PhD in political science from Rutgers University.