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Dealing With A Bad Job History
A bad job history can mean a number of things. You may be changing careers and your job history does not reflect the kind of experience or industry that you are hoping to move into. When changing fields, this type of "bad" job history is very common. Another common circumstance is that of the new job hunter. You may have no experience at all. Alternatively, you may only have experience with volunteer work, family employment, or work that involves school projects. Often, college graduates find themselves in this position, applying for jobs that require experience, but not being able to get the experience. Alternatively, you may just be unlucky and have a string of lay-offs in your past. If you work in an industry that is especially volatile or subject to economic fluctuations, lay-offs are beyond your control. Some people go for long periods without working, say to have a child or to recover from an accident. These long gaps in work experience might be considered bad job history.
Whatever your circumstance, rest assured that your work history is not the only thing that employers look at when hiring for a new position. Employers consider a number of factors when evaluating your profile for their company. Here are some things that employers look for:
Work history that reflects experience in the same industry or field
Work history that reflects the skills necessary to do the job, even those gained outside the chosen field
Examples of strong work ethic
Accomplishments, both career and academic
Personality that meshes with the office culture
Willingness to learn the company's ways of operation
Honesty and integrity
This list is by no means exhaustive, but it does show you that if you have what might be considered a bad work history, you can compensate for this by emphasizing other areas. For instance, if you do not have experience as a credit clerk, but are applying for that position, you should emphasize the skills you possess that are necessary for that job. These are called transferable skills, and they include accounting and customer service skills that would apply to the job of credit clerk, even if you acquired them in another position, such as receptionist or office manager.
In the interview process, it is important to downplay your job history and highlight the skills, experience, and work ethic that you know will get you the position. You can request an opportunity to prove your skills in a working interview or audition. You can also demonstrate your willingness to learn, proving that you would be a good asset. Often, a company will look for someone with little to no experience in a specific field in order to train them to that company's way of doing things. If you lack experience, you do not have to un-learn old habits in order to assume the new ones.
Remember that a bad job history is only as bad as you make it out to be. Do not refer to it as "bad" or "lacking" or "poor." Instead, answer the interviewer's questions with positive statements about what you do have to offer.
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Fighting The Overqualified Tag!
You've struggled for years to attain professional experience. You took your studies seriously, securing a master's degree in your chosen field. Now, you've been laid off, and you have commenced a new job search. But everywhere you go, the response seems to be the same you're overqualified. Employers don't want to hire you because they fear that you'll depart quickly, after you've been offered a position with a better job title. They also believe you'll be unhappy settling for a position that is beneath you. In such a job climate, what is an applicant to do?
Draw support from your references
Talk about the situation with your references. Let them know that you are eager to start working again, and you don't mind taking a lower position than the one you held previously. Your references carry a great deal of weight, and they may just be able to persuade an employer to hire you, even if you appear to be overqualified on paper.
De-emphasize job titles
You might consider crafting your resume in such a way that you de-emphasize job titles. Instead, focus on skills particularly on those skills that are required for the position that you're applying for. In this way, you may be able to convince a prospective employer that you are right for the job.
Salary must be irrelevant
It is critically important that you do not emphasize salary in your discussions with a prospective employer. You need to stress the fact that you have a great deal of flexibility when it comes to salary. That way, salary does not become a stumbling block in your negotiations.
Stress what you can do for the employer
You should let the interviewer know that there are definite financial advantages to hiring you. This is particularly true if you can note instances when you generated money for your business or contributed to cost-savings. In other words, you need to convince the employer that he or she cannot afford not to hire you.
Indicate your belief in teamwork
Stress the fact that you recognize that a workforce is a team that no one can go it alone. Demonstrate the fact that you want to be a vital member of the corporate team not a grand-stander. In this way, the employer might be able to better visualize your place within the organization.
Show your enthusiasm
One of the most important things you can do is the show your enthusiasm. There is nothing more appealing than an employee who truly enjoys his or her work. Your enthusiasm will promote a positive image, allowing you to be viewed in the best possible light. Also, your enthusiasm can be contagious it may inspire the employer to hire you, despite the fact that you might be overqualified.
Resist the temptation to conceal
If you have been viewed as overqualified, you may be tempted to simply leave your Master's degree off your resume or change your position titles. It is never a good idea to conceal important information from your prospective employer. If your employer finds out that you have been less than honest, you might lose his or her trust.
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Job Hunt Success And The Initial Transition
Often, a job-seeker's entire focus is on securing employment-preferably a job that offers more challenges, better compensation, and greater benefits than his or her last position. But what happens after that elusive job is found? How can you build upon your initial success?
Take time to celebrate
To begin with, don't be afraid to take time to celebrate your accomplishment. Finding a job is hard work, and you should be rewarded for it. If you take time out to celebrate, the memory of your accomplishment is likely to linger. That could be helpful on those days when you find your new job is more of a challenge than you expected. Celebrating your achievement can also help to boost your self-esteem, which will serve you well as you embark on a new professional venture.
Follow a one-day-at-a-time philosophy
You cannot hope to rebuild your department in a single day. Therefore, it is important for you to pace yourself. Don't expect major changes in the corporate culture to occur instantaneously. It may take some time perhaps months before you feel secure in your new position. Learn to savor the moment, and don't worry about your position three years down the road.
Maintain a positive attitude
Perhaps the most important ingredient for your continued success is a positive attitude. You cannot accomplish anything if you have an impending sense of doom. Realize that there will be a period of adjustment as you begin your new job. Yet, you must hold out every expectation that you will be able to achieve a great deal in your new position. By maintaining a positive attitude, chances are you will be more content at work, and little inconveniences and hardships will not demoralize you.
Take time to listen
After your career move, it is important that you spend a great deal of time listening. You'll learn more that way than if you devote your work days to lecturing your new colleagues. By listening carefully to your manager's instructions, you are more likely to please him or her with your work. In addition, by listening to your co-workers, you can learn much about your work environment especially about the unwritten rules that can make or break a new employee. There will be plenty of time for you to give inspirational talks, once you are comfortable in your new position.
Don't forget-you've moved!
At first, you might be tempted to approach tasks the way you've always done them before. However, you have to recognize the fact that you have moved into a different position, with a different corporate culture. While some of your previous experiences might be applicable to your new challenges, don't be afraid to try something new. You might be pleasantly surprised at the results.
Check in with a mentor
Checking in periodically with a mentor can help you to keep your priorities in line, to focus on areas of your work life that need improvement, and offer you hope for future success. Remember, your mentor is someone who has gone through a career transition before so he or she is in the perfect position to provide assistance.
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Locating An Appropriate Internship
With little experience behind you, a job search may be a daunting task. For this reason, many people fresh out of college seek internships as a way to gain knowledge and familiarity in a particular field. However, there is a wide range of internships available; so it is important to choose carefully in order to ensure a proper fit with your circumstances and a position.
One of the first questions you should ask yourself is whether you expect to be paid for your time or if you will be volunteering. There may be positions available that fit either category. Therefore, you should make this determination before you begin your search, as it may play a major role in your decision-making. As expected, there are probably more positions available for someone willing to volunteer their time, especially if you are cold-calling an office or company. They may be willing to create a place for you if they are not obligated to pay you for your time. On the other hand, your circumstances may require compensation. If this is the case, simply find a position that meets your needs.
Locating an internship is much like finding any other job. However, there is one benefit; with internships you can often utilize the school you are attending for help in placement.
You may also utilize want ads, employment agencies, and online employment sources to find internships. Using these sources, you should have a clear idea of what you are looking for. When you make contact with various companies, you will want to weed out inappropriate options immediately. This saves time so you can focus on real possibilities. There are several online sources that focus solely on internships. Research what may be available in your area or in a geographic location you may be willing to relocate to.
Networking is also a viable resource. Meet and talk to as many people in the industry you want to be in as humanly possible. Join professional organizations and take time to get to know other members. When a position comes available, if they know you are looking, you will be one of the first people to be made aware of it.
Another option is to seek out a company you want to work for. While they may not be looking, you can make them aware of your availability. As stated earlier, a position may be created under the right circumstances. If you meet with the right people and impress them, you may be able to get your foot in the door.
There are also internship directories published periodically by various sources. Check your school and your local library for access to these books. Many of these are a great source for specialized internships, such as for environmental positions, sports positions, and women's rights internships.
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Recruitment And Its Role Within Your Job Search
As you scour the want ads you may come across an ad that stops you in your tracks "Job Fair". Is it possible? After you have spent all of your time looking for a job, they are just going to call you in and give you one on the spot? While recruitment may play a viable part of your job search, there are a few things you should understand about this process.
First, there are actually two forms of recruitment that may be beneficial for you: individual companies recruiting for themselves or agencies that recruit for various sources. Individual companies may hold job fairs or recruitment meetings to hire candidates to new positions, usually on a large scale. However, recruitment agencies, or employment agencies, are typically used to fill a wide range of positions.
When it comes to individual companies recruiting positions, it is usually done on a large scale. For example, a large company may need 25 positions filled. This is an ideal scenario for a job fair or recruitment meeting. Small offices sometimes recruit also when they want to screen a large number of applicants in a short period of time. However, something you should watch for is recruitment meetings that are less than honest in the position being filled. Sometimes, less desirable independent contractor positions are billed as "great job opportunities", when in fact they are commission positions that are not actually employment.
You should also understand that a lot of people usually attend these events and you are not guaranteed a position. Just because they are filling 25 positions does not mean much if 400 people show up for interviews. Also, companies with high turnover rates and poor employment statistics usually find themselves in need of this type of recruitment to fill positions quickly. You have to wonder why there is such a high turnover rate.
On the other hand, recruitment or employment agencies are another option. These agencies are particularly useful as they typically service various companies and have a plethora of opportunities. However, you will also be competing against a lot of people for the same positions.
While recruitment meetings and agencies may be a useful part of your job search, they should only be a part of your search. You may not want to completely rely on recruitment to find a desirable position. You will do better not to limit yourself and to take advantage of all sources of employment.
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Relating Your Academic Background To Your Career
Education often provides an important stepping stone to professional success. It can offer you the specific training you need for your career. It can also help you to hone your rational thinking skills, making you better equipped to solve problems in the workplace. However, at times, you might find it difficult to relate your academic background to your career, especially during your job search. Here are some tips on how to make the connection effectively:
Showcase your academic credentials on your resume
You should be proud of your educational achievements. While it is true that experience may carry more weight with employers than education, education definitely runs a close second. A number of resume reviewers will be looking to see whether you have the academic credentials for the position you are seeking. So be sure to include not only a listing of the degrees and diplomas you've earned, but also your majors, minors, and any coursework which is directly relevant to the position you're applying for. In addition, if you earned a high grade point average, be sure to make note of it in your resume.
Placement of education on your resume
Although you do want to call attention to your educational credentials, it is best if you list your experience first. Remember, education provides the foundation that allows you to achieve your professional dreams. Therefore, the various positions you've held should be listed first, followed by a reference to the education you've received.
Include a reference to your education in your cover letter
A cover letter is a wonderful opportunity for you to show how your education relates to your career goals. You can state quite simply how your coursework helped you to prepare for your career. The educational section of your cover letter need not be long just a few lines can help to sum up how you have benefited professionally from your education.
Don't forget about non-traditional education
When referring to your education in your resume and your cover letter, don't forget about some non-traditional means of education. For instance, perhaps you took a course at work that you found to be particularly beneficial or maybe you took a non-credit course at a community college that you found helpful. Where you received the education is not as important as the kind of education you received.
Talk about your education during your job interview
You should not shy away from discussing your education during your job interview. Note to the interviewer how you applied the concepts you learned to your work on the job. You might also talk about a professor that truly inspired you. These personal stories can be quite memorable, and may cause you to stand out from the rest of the job candidates. Also, don't forget to mention the names of the educational institutions you've attended. An interviewer might be quite impressed with the schools you were accepted to or he or she might have attended the same schools, allowing a bond to develop between you.
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The Competitive Job Market
If you are out there beating the side walk everyday, you probably do not have to be told how competitive the job market is. The real question is how to land a job in spite of the number of other applicants and how to use competitiveness to your advantage.
Sometimes, competition can be a good thing. If an employer is being inundated with a million resumes, they may be more likely to narrow the screening process. If you are one of the more qualified for the position, this may very well mean less competition when it comes down to the interview process. Likewise, if there are a lot of underqualified applicants, it may make you look exceptionally well suited for the position.
Especially in a competitive market place, it is imperative to present yourself in the best light possible. This means having an impeccable resume, a polished appearance, and a professional presence. Unfortunately, there may not be a lot of room for error, so make the most of the opportunities you have. On the same note, however, do not appear desperate or too eager to impress. Being comfortable is often more positively perceived than trying to make a good impression.
An often underestimated form of negotiation is using competitiveness as leverage. While any given position may have tens, if not hundreds, of applicants, the simple fact is that any given candidate has probably applied at numerous companies. So, the company may seem to have the ultimate power, but you, as the applicant, are still holding a few of the cards. Primarily a factor if the employer is interested in hiring you, you can utilize various options as a means to obtain better pay, benefits, or working conditions.
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The Hottest Jobs For 2006
If you are considering a career change or preparing to enter the job market, it is a good idea to evaluate which positions hold the most promise in the coming year. Here are some of the most available jobs and those with the most expected growth.
Registered Nurse
This is a position which has an incredible amount of growth. Economists estimate an increase of over 600,000 job openings through 2012, bringing the total occupational number close to 3 million. This is a particularly lucrative field as it only requires an Associate's Degree and has a relatively high income potential.
Physician assistant
The medical field is one that has a lot of potential as several of the top positions are in this field. The realm of physician assistants is expected to jump an incredible 49% over the next decade, making it one of the professions to join in 2006!
Physical therapist assistant
Another in the medical industry, physical therapist assistants are expected to be in higher demand over the coming years. Growing 46% over the next seven years, this occupation is expected to climb to 73,000 positions nationwide.
Dental hygienist
Likewise, this field is expected to top 212,000 positions through 2012, with an increase of 43%! However, qualifying for the educational programs in some parts of the country is difficult in this field due to the number of individuals trying to enter the field. While growth is substantial, so is the competition for those positions.
Education
The education field is also one with substantial growth including preschool, elementary, and secondary teachers. Over the next few years, the number of preschool teachers is expected to reach 577,000; elementary school teacher numbers will be as high 1.6 million, and secondary educators will climb to almost 1.2 million. This position is in high demand due to the extensive education requirements and the relatively low beginning compensation in correlation with degree requirements. Does this mean you can walk in to any school and get a job? Not likely - the region of the country plays a major determining factor in the availability of these positions.
Computer related fields
Although this category can encompass many occupations, some of the most successful are expected to be computer software engineers, computer support specialists, computer systems analysts, and computer programmers. Computer software engineers may include applications or systems software and are both expected to increase by 46%. On the other hand, computer support specialists are expected to reach 660,000 positions, relatively close to computer systems analysts at 653,000 positions. Economists expect computer programmers to reach close to 600,000 as well.
Fitness
Interestingly enough, aerobics instructors and fitness trainers are one of the fastest growing fields also. A growth of 45% is expected in the coming years which will bring this occupation close to 265,000. This may be due to the increased awareness of the importance of physical health.
Other
Other fields that are expected to have significant growth are veterinary technologists and technicians, medical records and health information technicians, Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN), and emergency medical technicians and paramedics. As stated earlier, the medical field is one in constant need of employees. However, these positions are typically stressful and may not provide a standard schedule.
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The It Job Market And Competition
The information technology (IT) job market has been on an increase for several years. With the increased necessity of technical developments and widespread use, people with skills that correlate with this field have been in high demand. However, as time goes on and competition floods the market, instability of the IT market is becoming more apparent.
For the better part of the last decade, IT careers have been at the top of the list of fastest growing positions. This is still the case with economists touting growth of close to 50% in some IT fields in the upcoming years. However, although the number of positions available may be increasing, the number of applicants for those positions is also increasing exponentially. As with any market, competition and over-supply causes prices, in this case salaries, to drop. Therefore, IT jobs may be available, but they are paying less and require more flexibility than they once did.
Another factor to consider in the IT market is the fact that so many American jobs are going overseas. While this was previously restricted to light industrial positions, with time it is also expanding to include a plethora of other types of jobs. In the last years, more IT jobs are also being completed in other countries because foreign workers are often available for considerably less pay. Therefore, it is not only competition among native IT workers, but foreign opposition that is affecting the IT job market as well.
Yet another issue that has affected the IT job market was the effect of September 11 on the availability of jobs. While the market has had time to recover, it has not fully regained its footing after the dip in the economy. This may be due to a combination of competition and the outsourcing of IT jobs.
With all of these factors being taken into account, the instability of the IT market becomes clear. Although the market is increasing, which is great news for the economy in general, it may not translate into easier job placement for IT workers. In fact, the opposite is true; too much competition has made placement in this field arduous at best.
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What Hiring Managers See When They Look At You
When you're in the market for a job, you need to be able to put yourself in the position of a hiring manager. In other words, you must be able to evaluate your candidacy from an outsider's viewpoint. Chances are that, when hiring managers look at you, certain aspects of your personality or appearance jump out at them. The trick is to be able to figure out how recruiters view you and what you can do to improve their perceptions.
Your persona
Believe it or not, you have your own persona something that is unique to you. You may be a take-charge individual, or a contented follower. You may be outgoing, eager to reach out to other people. Or you may be shy not conversing with others unless they approach you first. Some of these traits are probably innate, while others have developed over a period of time.
There is nothing inherently wrong with being willing to be a follower or with being shy. However, to a certain extent, you must overcome these tendencies in order to be effective in interviews. For instance, if you consider yourself a follower, think of instances, which have demonstrated some leadership skills. If you are shy, try to move out of your comfort zone by initiating conversations with other people. These simple moves could greatly enhance your employability over the long term.
Your overall appearance
Hiring managers can be quite visually oriented, and they may not want to exercise their imaginations. Therefore, they may have a difficult time envisioning you in a suit if you come to an interview in jeans. They may also fail to visualize how you would look with your hair well kept, if you show up for an interview having just jumped out of bed.
Whether we like it or not, our first impressions carry a great deal of weight with potential employers. Therefore, it is important for you to do all you can to ensure that your appearance projects you to be a winner. Wear a professional outfit, and make sure that you are well groomed. You must recognize the fact that a hiring manager is, in essence, trying to fill a part. Therefore, it is important that you look the part.
The importance of confidence
Perhaps there is nothing more important in your job search than to show a sense of confidence. You must show that you believe in yourself-otherwise, it will be difficult to earn the respect of others. As a result, you must look hiring managers directly in the eye. You must demonstrate an air of authority when you speak. You must show, through your mannerisms and your words, that you are a capable individual, ready and willing to meet any challenge that a job might throw your way. At times, it might be difficult to project confidence, especially when you are in unfamiliar surroundings. As a result, you might want to focus your thoughts on times when you have accomplished a great deal. Such an exercise will remind you that you are a winner, and that you will help your future employer achieve a number of milestones.
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