Career Advice by Career Experts J.T. O’Donnell & Dale Dauten : CAREEREALISM

‘JT & Dale Talk Jobs’ is the largest nationally syndicated career advice column in the country and can be found at JTandDale.com.

Dear J.T. & Dale: I just heard about a great job that might be opening up in my company. Should I wait until it is officially posted to talk to the manager who’ll be doing the hiring? — Dustin

Dale: Pause just long enough to prepare to do it right, and then jump in. Even if they go ahead and interview a lot of people, there is a psychological advantage to being the first or last person to interview for a job — psychologists call it “primacy” and “recency,” the tendency to remember the first and last in a chain. (For example, if you’ve had a lot of bosses, you easily recall the first and the last, right?)

J.T.: As for pausing to prepare, before you meet with the manager, make sure you can answer three questions:

1. Why do you think the job is a great move for the company?

2. How can you save and/or make the company money in the job?

3. How will you hit the job running?

Dale: Notice the theme of J.T.’s questions — it’s not about YOU, but about how you can help the company/manager.

J.T.: That’s how you give the manager reasons to (A) press ahead and create the position and (B) put you at the top of the list to fill it.

Jeanine “J.T.” Tanner O’Donnell is a professional development specialist and the founder of the consulting firm, jtodonnell.com, and of the blog, CAREEREALISM.com. Dale Dauten resolves employment and other business disputes as a mediator with AgreementHouse.com.

Please visit them at jtanddale.com, where you can send questions via e-mail, or write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10019.

© 2010 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

The photo for this article is provided by Shutterstock.

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Career Advice by Career Experts J.T. O’Donnell & Dale Dauten : CAREEREALISM

‘JT & Dale Talk Jobs’ is the largest nationally syndicated career advice column in the country and can be found at JTandDale.com.

Dear J.T. & Dale: I was working in HR before I was displaced due to the economic downturn almost two years ago. I have been doing temporary work or living on unemployment. My situation has become nearly desperate, although during this interim I have gotten out of debt, and my fiancee and I bought a house. Recently, however, my fiancee has become completely frustrated with my lack of direction, and thinks I should go back to school or just take a crappy job simply to be doing something. What can I do to build a network? I’m even willing to do volunteer work. I’m in a horrible rut, and I feel alone. — Chris

Dale: To be married or engaged to someone who’s out of work, and to remain upbeat and supportive for an extended time, takes a saint. The truth is, most of us aren’t saints. It’s almost inevitable that doubts and suspicions will creep in. I explore this subject in the free e-book/audio called “It’s A Wonderful Job,” available at www.dauten.com.

J.T.: Do read that book. And do build your network. However, networking is about quality AND quantity. You need to establish and then deepen relationships with people who could have an impact on your ability to get hired. To make this happen, start by identifying just 10 companies you particularly admire and would like to be part of. Then, use social networking to find contacts at the companies and work on creating allies in those companies

Dale: Meanwhile, put yourself in a position to get some good luck in your life. That’s where volunteering comes in. Start with your local HR organizations. For example, if you volunteered to be part of the Program Committee, you’ll have a wonderful chance to contact and meet influential HR people. But don’t stop there: Volunteer at a homeless shelter or other charity. This will make you feel better about yourself, give you something to discuss with your fiancee besides the job search, and you might just tap into the right kind of karma. (By the way, speaking of having something else to talk about with your fiancee, you might propose to her that you two do NOT talk about your job search. Instead, ask her to trust you to do everything possible, then give her updates once a month, ones that will impress her with how much effort you are putting out.)

J.T.: We know, Chris, how hard it is to motivate yourself when you’ve been out of work for an extended period. It helps if you keep reminding yourself that every contact you make is getting you one step closer to your future employer.

Dale: Meet people, learn from them, give back, and you’ll continue to make yourself more valuable, knowing that sometime soon, someone will be grateful to have you.

Jeanine “J.T.” Tanner O’Donnell is a professional development specialist and the founder of the consulting firm, jtodonnell.com, and of the blog, CAREEREALISM.com. Dale Dauten resolves employment and other business disputes as a mediator with AgreementHouse.com.

Please visit them at jtanddale.com, where you can send questions via e-mail, or write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10019.

© 2010 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

The photo for this article is provided by Shutterstock.

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This iPad is on Fire | PadGadget

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reCareered: See How Easily You can Master Non-Verbal Interviewing: Best of reCareered

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Movin' On Up: 5 Interview Questions You Need to Be Ready For

From the straight forward to the ridiculous, some interview questions can be difficult to answer. And, apart from federal, state, and province prohibited questions – like inquiries regarding your race, religion, nationality, marital status, or age – the sky’s the limit for employers on job related questions to ask during an interview. To keep you on your toes and to learn more about your ability to be creative and thoughtful under pressure, some employers have even been known to ask hypothetical questions about what type of superhero or animal you would be. So, it can be hard to anticipate the types of questions you’ll be asked. But, preparing in advance by staging your own Q&A could help keep you from being caught off guard in your next interview.

While you can’t anticipate every question, there are a few questions you should expect to hear during an interview. They may be asked in different ways, but these common questions are a staple in every company’s interview process, so be sure you’re prepared to answer them.

Can you please share a little bit about yourself? Often the go-to opener for interviewers asking you to describe yourself, this question gives employers an opportunity to break the ice, ease into the interview, and get you talking. When asked, just give a brief summary of relevant facts about your education, work experience, and your reason for applying. Be sure to demonstrate an attitude of enthusiasm and confidence when you’re telling about yourself. Be engaging, positive, outgoing, and let your personality shine through.

What are your strengths? In your spare time, you may be an excellent baker or candlestick maker, but when asked, make sure you discuss strengths that would complement and benefit the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re interviewing for an administrative position, expound on your organizational skills or your can-do attitude – and be sure to give specific examples of times you demonstrated those strengths at work or during a difficult situation. Potential employers need to know what you can do for their company and strategically sharing your strengths is a great way to communicate your abilities.

What are your weaknesses? Sharing your weaknesses is a little more intimidating than sharing your strengths, but you can still show employees your good qualities by being honest about your weaknesses and letting them know how you’re working to improve them. Make sure you pick only one or two weaknesses to discuss. Keep them brief and relate them back to your job. Avoid character flaws like anger issues or an inability to work with others, and remember to explain how you’re actively remedying your weaknesses.

Where do you see yourself in five years? For some, questions about future goals and plans can be difficult to answer. But, by putting some thought into your answer, you can show your drive, ambition, goals, and interests. Just make sure your answer also shows you’d be willing to grow with the company you’re interviewing with.

Do you have any questions? At the end of an interview, most employers will ask if you have any questions for them. So, be sure you do your homework and have some questions of your own prepared. Having thoughtful questions to ask your potential employer demonstrates your interest and enthusiasm for the position. And, it will help you close the interview with confidence. Not sure what questions to ask in your interview? Check out these seven great questions to get you started.

You can’t plan for every question you’ll be asked in an interview. But, you can practice answering common interview questions most employers ask to better prepare for your next job interview.

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Resume Help & Career Advice by Career Expert Jessica Holbrook Hernandez : CAREEREALISM

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By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Jessica Holbrook Hernandez

If you brand it will they come? While it may sound like one big field of dreams, a carefully crafted and customized personal brand will not only convey your value and define your vision it will also offer a unique perspective to prospective employers and hiring managers. It’s all about marketing yourself in the way that is going to get you noticed and essentially get you the job. You might be tempted to brush off personal branding as a passing trend but in reality the only thing passing by will be your dream job – that is unless you make a commitment to developing your very own personal brand.

For the amount of time you spend writing and rewriting your resume it can be very disheartening to know the time spent by hiring managers reading your resume is minimal. Sorry to say, but true. That is why you need to grab their attention immediately and compel them to keep reading. The top half to third of the first page of your resume should be BAM, POW, WOW! Knock them out with your intro and they’ll get back up for more.

Take a look at the following examples. The first one is a non-branded objective statement seen way too often by hiring managers and recruiters. The second is a personal branding statement that clearly translates the candidate’s unique value.

BORING OLD OBJECTIVE:

Creative marketing professional seeks a position within an organization that will allow me to utilize my skills with the potential for growth.

ATTENTION-GRABBING BRANDING STATEMENT:

Forward-thinking marketing professional offering a unique combination of creativity and analytical skill with the ability to assess both vantage points simultaneously for an effective balance of visual nuance and sound business decisions which are easily transferable into a variety of positions.

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Which one do you think is going to hold the reader’s attention? I hope you can clearly see the advantages the second one has to offer. If you are still holding onto the old school resume format it’s time to let go and embrace the new trends in resume writing. It might not be your style; you might think it’s too over the top but you have to realize that this is a marketing tool and you need to sell yourself.

If you find yourself struggling to find your personal brand or you just don’t know what hiring managers are looking for submit your resume via e-mail to info@greatresumesfast.com for a free analysis.

Did you enjoy this article? Read more articles by this expert here.

CAREEREALISM Expert, Jessica Holbrook Hernandez, CEO of Great Resumes Fast is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, and presenter. She has written hundreds of articles that are featured on some of the best career advice Web sites today. In addition, her writing has been included in Launch Pad, a career search strategy guide featuring exclusive information by the top career experts in the industry. Follow her on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The photo for this article is provided by Shutterstock.

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Summertime - and the Job Search Ain't Easy - Career Chaos

Even during "normal times" summer job searches can bump into barriers from company vacation schedules and slower hiring processes. However, our economy is not in a "normal" time these days. This is all the more reason to "turn up the heat" in your job search.

How can you add sizzle to your job search? Take advantage of the warm season to ramp up your networking efforts at all outdoor social events. (I worked with one coaching client who got a job lead from another soccer mom at their kids' game.) Make sure everyone you know has been informed of your job search. Being out of work is not a shameful matter anymore. Ask for help and ask for introductions. Statistics have proved over and over again that more jobs are gotten through networking than by using the Internet job boards.

That being said, revisit old job postings and your old applications. Was a job filled more than six months ago? Then now is the best time to reconnect to inquire as to how the new hire is working out. You might get lucky and catch a company needing to re-post a position but hasn't yet done so. Push gently for another interview and be ready to plead your case for why you're still the best candidate.

Silly as this may sound - I shouldn't even have to say it - don't put your job search on hold until September. Some job seekers do and later regret it. Jobs ARE being filled now. You just have to find them. Redouble your efforts and use all available avenues. Get creative in your outreach. Leave no possibility untapped.

And most importantly, you don't have to do your job search alone. Get help from a professional career coach and you'll see that your job search is doable and your goals are attainable!

My sister, who'd been laid off since March 2009, defied the odds and  accepted a perfect job offer to start June 21. She had applied for a position posted on a major job board, went through three interviews, and proved herself to be the ideal candidate in her field. She got her asking salary (she was reasonable in her request) plus a great benefits package and the promise of a very good job with a stable, growing company.

My son, who'd been furloughed from his conductor position with a railroad in January 2009, was called back to work full time a month ago. He even got based in his preferred location - here! No more moving, at least for now.

If you're in job search mode, it may appear that there's "nothing out there." But there are definite signs that the economy is recovering. Companies are beginning to hire in many fields. Persevere and stay motivated - your next job is just around the corner!

Wishing you career success in 2010!

Meg

SPECIAL NOTE: I am honored to be a member of the Career Collective, a group of careers experts who will each month share their advice and tips to enhance the management of your career. Please link to their blog posts below. Your comments are invited and much appreciated. Follow our hash-tag on Twitter - #careercollective - as well as follow everyone's individual tweets on this month's topic: "Heating Up Your Job Search."

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