Andrew’s recent post (“12 Things to Bring to an Interview”), which contained very useful suggestions, made me think about the opposite - how far interviewing protocol has strayed in the last few years from the “normal” format and dynamic.Of course there are also the wardrobe malfunctions and stupid responses. A colleague once had a candidate arrive in flip-flops and shorts. When asked about time management skills, she shared, “Wow, I’m not so good in that area – I sometimes play games for 6-10 hours a day!” Nice.Dress code aside, in case you aren’t sure, here are some items to NOT bring with you on an interview:1. Your mother – Even if she is an ace at the collective bargaining table, bringing Mom along in case you have to negotiate salary is not cool.2. Food – Even if you offer to share with the interviewer, don’t even bring a “light … [Read more...] about 10 Things You Shouldn’t Bring to an Interview
Nailing Your Job Interview: The Do’s and Don’ts
For any graduate entering or individual returning to the job market, it can be a scary situation. On one end, millions of people have lost their jobs during the most recent economic downturn. According to an article released by the Huffington Post, the unemployment rate is still at a staggering 9 percent and is expected to remain around this figure until 2016 or at least until growth is able to reach demand. As for recent graduates from top online colleges, shifting from an education environment to the workforce can be a touch transition. Regardless of your situation, it's really hard to get your foot in the door and if you're lucky enough to get an interview for the job you want then the last thing you want to do is blow it once you get there. Here's a list of some of the biggest dos and don'ts for your next job interview. DO'S Being prepared: Much of the approaches to being prepared are common sense things that you should already know like: arrive early but not too early. Have a … [Read more...] about Nailing Your Job Interview: The Do’s and Don’ts
How To Recruit Interns With the Help of Social Media
Social media is one of the top pastimes in the world; everyone has at least one social profile. There’s no surprise that college students make up a huge percentage of social networks, especially Facebook. With that being said, it only makes sense for business to recruit Interns using this powerful tool. Social media is not just about meeting new people and connecting with friends, it’s also a great tool for networking, finding jobs and finding new employees. If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to recruiting via social media, these tips will get you going in the right direction. Be Creative Of course you always want to be professional, but that doesn’t mean that your company should be lacking in the creativity area. College students are drawn to creativity, so you should find a unique way to make your brand stand out from the rest. Spruce up your logo with something professional, yet fun. You should then come up with creative ideas to show students just how cool your … [Read more...] about How To Recruit Interns With the Help of Social Media
You Quit Without a Solid Next Step: Ways to Stay Afloat
So you went all "Jerry Maguire", or maybe you politely put in your two-weeks notice. Either way you're without a job and it's because you said so – in as tough a job market as this you concluded getting rid of your only means of income was a good idea. The problem is, of course, getting another one has become increasingly harder to do. Unless you're starting your own business, which you very well might be trying to do, there is limited hope in successfully finding new employment right away. In the meantime you need to be aware of simple effective ways to make ends meet. Quitting your job disqualifies you from receiving any sort of unemployment benefits, so you better be prepared for when the well runs dry in a month or so. Luckily so long as you have a home computer and access to the Internet, there are a variety of ways you can earn enough scratch to get you through several months of job hunting. So if you quit without another job, consider these options... Telemarketing This … [Read more...] about You Quit Without a Solid Next Step: Ways to Stay Afloat
Fake Job Post of the Week
From: Brien DennisEmail: cogejo@live.comGood day,We're offering Part-time "work from home Job placements". We need Services of cooperate or individuals for placement as Representative. Applicants are needed in Canada, USA and Europe.The service includes; Attending to local clients and processing transactions locally within the region.If interested kindly reply with the under listed details to johnenu@live.com01 - Full names: (**last Name first):02 - Home Address(include Zip):03 - Phone:04 - Country:05 - Age:06 - Current Employment:Q. How would you rate your daily schedule? fairly busyA. Busy, fairly Busy, very busyRegardsManagement Consultant.Sinco Group Applicant beware! … [Read more...] about Fake Job Post of the Week
Your Decisions vs. Your Tiredness
You may have noticed that, when you’re tired, you’re less enthusiastic about making an important decision. Fatigue decreases concentration as well as excitement. Thus, being tired usually means that you’ll make hasty decisions just so that you feel that you’ve dealt with the issue at hand. But hasty decisions are rarely good ones, are they? While this all seems like common sense, these notions are now supported by actual academic research in the field of decision-making. Even though there have been bits of research on the influence of tiredness on exam performance, creativity, and learning abilities, the latest work deals with workplace decisions with potentially far-reaching consequences. A team of Israeli scientists decided to study a large set of parole rulings that took place in Israeli courts. Shai Danziger, Jonathan Levav, and Liora Avnim-Pesso observed judges at work as they decided on the fates of convicts who asked for parole reconsideration. These decisions are typically … [Read more...] about Your Decisions vs. Your Tiredness
How to Start Up a Startup on a Budget
As far as Internet startup companies go, there are basically two types. There are the flashy companies that have slick offices with the latest souped-up computers and award-winning architecture. You know the kind: Pac-Man arcade machines in the lobby, a sushi chef on the premises and daily ping pong tournaments in the game room. These are the startups with massive bank accounts courtesy of deep-pocketed investors and venture capitalists. And then you have your regular startups, the kind barely getting by on a shoestring budget. They’re the kind where the CEO shares an office with all seven employees. The kinds that cobbled together a break room out of an old dorm refrigerator, a hand-me-down microwave and some free couches from Craigslist. The kind that, well, I started. It’s certainly tough enough just getting a new startup off the ground. There’s basic HR duties to perform, employees to find, office space to rent, not to mention actually building your website and marketing it to … [Read more...] about How to Start Up a Startup on a Budget
Jobacle Radio Interview: Quitting Your Job
Last week I was invited to be a guest on At Issue with Ben Merens which is heard in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Iowa on Wisconsin Public Radio. The topic was 16 signs it's time to quit your job. The show featured an in-depth chat about how to know it's time to go and tips to set up a plan to leave a job. I had a blast fielding questions from listeners and hope to do it again in the future. I hope you'll take a listen or download here. … [Read more...] about Jobacle Radio Interview: Quitting Your Job
The Worst Interview Blunders
I’ve worked in recruitment. It’s a job where you have to learn to read people, to pick up hints that they maybe exaggerating a skills set, that they might lack commitment, or, that underneath the polished veneer of their interview performance, they may not actually be all that competent. Some people are considerably better at interviewing for jobs than they are at doing them. They make life for people like me a little bit tricky. Luckily, some people make it really easy. Here’s a round up of three of the most unbelievable interview horror stories that people have shared with me over the years. Purchase the Ultimate Guide To Job Interview Answers Would you mind leaving… I’ve heard a few stories similar to this one, but none quite so bad on a scale of sheer rudeness. Someone I know was holding a round of what’s known as ‘walk in interviews’ (where candidates aren’t screened before hand). Now you may automatically assume that this might mean your dealing with a slightly lower level … [Read more...] about The Worst Interview Blunders
Paid Sick Days Bill Gains Momentum
The U.S. government is finally coming around to a simple concept: no employee should have to choose between their health and their income. Senators around the nation have been voting favorably for legislation that mandates paid sick time off for ill employees. San Francisco and Washington, DC have already passed the laws and Connecticut appears to be next. The Constitution State will allow workers to earn up to 40 hours of paid sick time a year to recover from illness, access preventive care or to look after a sick family member. According to Family Values @ Work, a national consortium of state organizations working for paid sick days and paid family leave policies, studies show that workers are healthier and more productive when they have access to paid sick days. Six in seven employers surveyed in San Francisco say that paid sick days have had no negative effect on profitability and two-thirds of employers support the law. “Job retention policies that fight unemployment should … [Read more...] about Paid Sick Days Bill Gains Momentum