From the category archives:

job interview

Earn more by temping

by Gabrielle on March 5, 2010

Many of us think of a temp job as a last resort, yet University of Florida researchers found they’re often just the opposite. Their recent study shows that [more…]

Ace a telephone interview

by Gabrielle on February 27, 2010

If you’re hunting for a job, chances are you’re going to be asked to do a preliminary phone interview at some point. “More employers are using this method to help them whittle down their choice of candidates to invite to an in-person interview,” says Marci Alboher, career expert for the Yahoo.com blog Working the New Economy. But it’s not just your job skills they’re interested in learning about. “They also want to get a sense of your personality, communication skills and ability to focus on a task.” Luckily, showing them over the phone is easy, says Alboher. Start by… [more…]

How to make your cover letter stand out

by Gabrielle on February 21, 2010

“Your cover letter is the first thing most employers read and sparks their interest in knowing more about you,” says Louise Kursmark, co-author of 15-Minute Cover Letter: Write an Effective Cover Letter Right Now. Here are her four easy tips to writing a cover letter that gets you noticed: [more…]

Avoid the #1 job interview blunder

by Gabrielle on February 16, 2010

Think it’s flubbing a question or looking too nervous? Nope! Believe it or not, the majority of hiring managers surveyed by CareerBuilder.com said their biggest turn-off was job applicants who came to the interview dressed too casually. Other top pet peeves that bothered…
* 49%: Bad-mouthing a past employer.
* 48%: Not showing enough enthusiasm.
* 44%: Coming across like a know-it-all.
* 30%: Offering no specifics when answering questions.

[photo: Pink Sherbet Photography]

Impress job recruiters with a photo

by Gabrielle on February 9, 2010

About three out of four hiring managers head to social networking websites—such as LinkedIn and Facebook—to check out potential job candidates before deciding to call them in for an interview. To up your chances of getting that important call, post a photo on your web page that shows you smiling and relaxed. This kind of pose makes people perceive you as warm and friendly, according to a new study in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. And that’s key since friendliness is a trait most employers look for.

[photo: Benjamin Earwicker]

Make the best impression over the phone

by Gabrielle on February 2, 2010

On the phone with a potential client? Employer? Hot date? You already know that smiling is one of the quickest ways to make a good impression in person. Now researchers from the U.K.’s University of Portsmouth have discovered this simple-yet-powerful method works during phone calls, too. Even though the person you’re speaking with can’t see your pearly whites, their brain picks up on the subtle voice changes that occur when you grin, enabling them to know when you’re smiling.

[photo: Kym Parry]

 

Does your resume need freshening up?

by Gabrielle on January 24, 2010

If you haven’t updated it in at least six months, you sure do. Industry buzz words, technology and jargon change all the time—and including the current lingo makes you seem more plugged in and appealing to recruiters, according to Monster.com. Luckily, finding the words your resume needs is easy: Simply study postings of related job openings to see which terms are repeated most often and include those that best match your background.

[photo: dicktay2000]

What’s the top trait employers look for?

by Gabrielle on January 18, 2010

Which do you think is the top trait employers want in a job candidate:
A. Technical know-how
B. Years of experience
C. Certification or advanced degree
D. People skills [more…]

Never miss a phone call again

by Gabrielle on January 14, 2010

If you’re waiting for an important call on your home phone, say, about a job or the health of a pal, but can’t sit around waiting for it to ring, there’s good news: Most home phone plans include free call forwarding so you can get calls sent straight to your cell phone.  To enable it, press *72, then dial the number where you want calls sent. To disable, press *73. Contact your phone company for more details.

[photo: JoshSemans]

The 3 simple acts that can land you a job

by Gabrielle on January 13, 2010

In a recent study of 327 job seekers, University of Missouri researchers found that folks who did their homework about the company, sent a follow-up note and were upbeat were significantly more [more…]

Create an instant connection by mimicking

by Gabrielle on January 6, 2010

At some point, we all need to shmooze someone and get them to like us fast, whether it’s on a job interview, to garner votes while running for president of our local P.T.A. or during a dreaded first meeting with the future in-laws. Luckily, there’s an easy way to create an instant connection: mimic the other person, for instance, talk at the same speed, hold your hands the [more…]