Getting a job interview could mean you’re one step closer to your dream job. There’s just one big hitch… you’re not getting any calls or e-mails. It’s baffling; you’re pretty sure you have all the qualifications for that open position with exceptional skills and experience to boot. So why isn’t the phone ringing? Why is there no new e-mail from the company? What could be wrong?

 

1. You’re underqualified/overqualified. You just have to be realistic. No matter how perfect you think you are for the position, it’s possible that you simply don’t fit the job. If you have a doctorate degree… Read More

Social networking sites are often advertised as a place where you can socialize with friends, family and acquaintances. Nobody ever thought they’d find purpose in background checks! But then more and more recruiters and employers are using these sites as a valuable tool when screening potential employees. So if you’re currently looking for a job, seeking a promotion or jumping into a different career, then you may want to be wary of what your online profiles contain. Some of the things you post may seem harmless or even funny to you but without context, it can project a different image of you to a very calculating recruiter.

 

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Don’t you just wish you knew what the HR Manager is thinking so you could put your best foot forward, avoid blunders and subsequently get hired? Well, you’re not alone. There are things that HR Managers won’t tell you, but they sure wish you knew before you entered the door.

 

1. Good grooming. Appearance is always important, so you have to look impressive. Good grooming isn’t just about being neat; it’s also dressing appropriately. If you need a job in the corporate world, you have to show that you can dress the part.

 

2. Do your homework. Don’t ever walk into an interview… Read More

Your cover letter is your first impression and your first chance to stand out from the crowd; so it needs to be well-crafted. It tells the employer what position you are applying for and gives you a shot to sell yourself and your credentials. The trick is to make it interesting to read, enough to capture the interest of your prospective employer. Here are five tips to help breathe life into your cover letter:

 

1. Names, don’t ever forget names. Job ads often include the name of the contact person or the hiring manager. Always use it to avoid creating a form letter (Dear Sir/Madam can put off certain people) and make sure you have… Read More

The vast number of online job boards out there can be confusing and sometimes you have to wonder which one of those job postings are even real. Scams are well hidden these days; so don’t just jump at the first job posting you come across. Avoid postings with vague job details. Learn to spot the good ones so your efforts won’t just be for nothing. Here are some tips to make those online job boards work for you.

 

• Set clear career goals. You should base your search on your education and training, skills and experience.

 

• Aside from submitting at popular job boards, look for job boards that are industry-specific.… Read More

Exposure is the key and this generally works especially for celebrities and politicians. Thus, it would seem logical to advertise your resume to any social means possible. Not always! Let me tell you why. Sending out your resume is like a contest where the more entries you send, the more chances of winning. But you’d be deluding yourself if you’d expect great results relying on only this. Among the tools in your job hunting arsenal, Social Networking emerges as one of the most powerful; however, you have to heed some warning signs using this approach.

 

Let’s break this down. With the rise of Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook,… Read More

Once you get the hang of it, it becomes easier to avoid the most common and apparent resume mistakes such as typos and the likes. However, there’s one resume mistake that’s so simple, you wouldn’t think you’d miss it. The funny thing is, even the savviest of job seekers tend to overlook it with all the verifying, double-checking and proofreading before submitting the application. Sadly, this often-neglected, small, simple thing can either shore up or knock down the first impression you’re trying to make on a probable employer.

This simple little thing is the filename you use for your resume before you send it. Read More

1."Can you tell me something about yourself?" When an interviewer asks you this, they don’t want to know about the kind of movies you watch, family issues or your favorite color. This is your prompt to give a general view of your background and experience relative to the position you are seeking. Focus on some accomplishments that you feel really proud of and how you think those have equipped you for the job you’re interviewing for.

2.“What would you say is your greatest weakness?” Take a moment to breathe before you answer this and don’t blurt out anything that could jeopardize your chance and… Read More