How to Win the Job Search Competition

How to Win the Job Search CompetitionHow to Win the Job Search CompetitionWhen you talk about hiring an employee, sometimes it seems that a job applicant prevails because of a favorable convergence of the sun, moon, and stars. Or, maybe hiring an employee is just like a crap shoot. Or, hiring an employee is like throwing a bunch of darts and hoping that one of them sticks in the target. But the fundamental question remains. What makes one applicant the winner in the job search competition? Employees who were hired did a lot of things right. Better, they did alfruchtwein nothing wrong. When comparing candidates, an employer has to differentiate between well-qualified applicants. Applicants who appear to have the qualities, skills, education, experience, and knowledge the employer seeks are invited to interview. One is selected. How do you get to be the one? Your Personal Presentation Must Make You Stand Out An effective, targeted, customized resume and cover letter got you in the door. Perhaps a telephone screen allowed you to highlight experience and interest that matched the employers needs. Youre on track, and an interview is scheduled. From this moment forward, the potential employer is assessing your fit for the job, the culture, and the needs and strengths of the team. At this point, the employer is giving you every opportunity to blow your chance. Your physical appearance matters. Its the first thing the employer sees. Your clothing, hair, makeup, jewelry, and accouterments make an immediate impression. Make the best possible first impression. Your presentation of yourself as a candidate must be flawless. Unpolished shoes do sink job searches. Your Interaction During Interviews Either Nails Your Job- or Fails Your preparation for the interview needs to include formulating specific, professional answers to potential questions. You want to sound knowledgeable, competent, and experienced. You need to be prepared to cite examples of what you have acco mplished, contributed, and believe is important. This is not something most people do well off the cuff. Prepare responses.Pay particular attention to the physical parts of you that will be in evidence throughout an interview across a desk or conference table. Dirty fingernails matter as does that faint stain on your shirt. They send loud messages about your attention to detail and personal care habits. Relaxed communication is critical. Talk about workplace issues and goals that are important to you. Ask questions to assess whether the culture is a good fit for you. You dont want to join every organization you encounter in a job search. Trust me sometimes its better to keep looking. Your Past Will Come Back to Haunt You Before making an offer, smart employers send out a wide networking inquiry to find people who have known you in your past jobs, professional associations, and community involvement activities. Smart employers also do extensivebackground checking. What people say about you matters.You may find it difficult to believe that how you live your life andcomportyourself in the workplace matters. But, yourvaluesand their manifestation in your work life do matter. Living withintegrity,playing well with coworkers, leaving friends - not enemies - in your prior jobs will support you in your job search.And, when the employer who has the job you really want casts his net to solicit feedback, ensure what people say about you will win you your dream job. Prepare your references and former supervisorsto quickly and professionally return the call of your prospective employer. Smart employers call them and ask many questions. References who are unreachable can torpedo your job offer.Employers customarily google their candidates names and do online searches to do abackgroundcheck on the candidate. If you have odd world wide web references to your work, your life, or your background, beware.If you blog or write awebsite, your comments will impact hiring decisio ns. You may never know why you were not hired for the job. The interested employer will ask about their concern, however. Behave as if Every Interaction Matters- Because They Do From the initial phone screen or the phone call during which an employer sets up an interview, every interaction matters. The receptionist has a vote. She or he makes statements like, I really liked that candidate. He was so nice. Did you see how late he was and he never even apologized? I didnt like him at all.Additionally, if you are a favored candidate for hiring, the HR staff or the hiring manager will stay closely in touch to give you feedback. They will let you know how the hiring process isprogressingbecause they think you may be the one. When these calls start coming, you still have competition from other job searchers, but you are definitely on the shortlist. These interactions and the relationship building are critical to the employer hiring an employee. When the eventual offer comes, you alre ady have a relationship with the new employer. Building the relationship matters. These tips for winning the job search competition are based on recent hiring. May they help you win your job search competition.

Benefits of Gap Year Work Programs

Benefits of Gap Year Work ProgramsBenefits of Gap Year Work ProgramsTraditionally, a gemeinsame agrarpolitik year referred to prospective college students who wanted to take some time off prior to beginning their post-high school education. More recently, college students looking for a break during the college years, as well as college graduates, have found the gap year experience to be an attractive alternative. For college graduates, even though entrance into the workforce is delayed, a gap year can provide resume-boosting experience for when youre ready to line up a permanent position. Gap programs need not last a complete year- a semester may be long enough- although pre-college students typically postpone college for a year. Some high school students elect to start college in the spring after graduation and complete a six-month experience in the interim. Gap Year ProsCan increase a students college readiness and maturityAn opportunity to travel around the globe before taking on adult financial and work responsibilitiesAllows students time to explore career optionsHelps students improve focus on academics upon their returnGap Year ConsSome program costs can range from $5,000 to $20,000May need to defer admission to target schoolsMay need to work on college admissions process during gap year Benefits of Gap Year Programs Gap year programs offer a multitude of potential benefits. High school grads may need this time to gain maturity and increase their readiness for the rigors of college. Many young people use the opportunity to explore different parts of the country or world while they are unencumbered by the responsibilities of adult life. Gap year programs can also help participants explore different career options, clarify values, and develop skills which will help them to be successful in college, or the work world after college. By quenching these desires to get away, the gap year can help individuals to focus their energies on academics or career up on their return. High school students who plan to participate in a gap year experience will need to investigate the options for deferring admission at target schools or be ready to engage in the admissions process during their gap year. Even if high school students dont formally apply to college during their senior year, they will benefit from meeting with counselors, securing recommendations, drafting essays, researching college matches, and visiting some schools. Types of Gap Year Programs A wide range of gap programs exists, including those with a focus on national/international service, art, cultural/linguistic immersion, outdoor education, the environment, health, hunger, homelessness, organic farming, and the sea. Not only will you gain experience, but youll also help other people, and it will look good on your resume. AdmissionsQuestandMiddlebury Collegeprovide lists of gap programs to explore. Web-based services like Gapyear.com and theCenter for Interim Programsprovide consulting services and lots of content with advice for those considering gap experiences. The Cost of Gap Year Programs Gap year programs can be quite expensive, with fees and expenses commonly ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. Some programs provide fundraising packets so prospective participants can seek support from family, friends, and community organizations. Gap Year Fairs Many gap year programs participate in fairs held from January through March each year throughout the country. You can access a list of participating programs and a schedule of the fairs (in season) by visiting theUSA Gap Year Fairssite. There are also a few opportunities for organized gap year programs that cost nothing, such as the following. AmeriCorps Opportunities AmeriCorps does not charge any fees and offers thousands of opportunities for young people to engage in short-term experiences. Participants receive a modest stipend to cover living expenses and healthcare benefits. Housing is sometimes p rovided. A major benefit of the program is the opportunity to earn an award to help fund subsequent education.The Segal AmeriCorps Education Awardprovides participants with up to $5,500 upon successful completion of an AmeriCorps program. In addition, there is currently a group of 112 colleges that will match the Segal Award with funding of their own. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 created a Public tafelgeschirr Loan Forgiveness program, and an Income-Based Repayment plan (IBR) for the repayment of federal loans. The Income-Based Repayment plan helps to make repaying education loans more affordable for low-income borrowers, such as an AmeriCorps member living on a stipend. AmeriCorps service is also recognized as equivalent to a public service job for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Prospective participants cansearch the AmeriCorps sitefor programs in fields like community development, children/youth, disaster relief, education, elderc are, environment, health, hunger, homelessness, housing, homeland security, neighborhood revitalization, public safety, and technology. In addition, they can designate preferred geographic locations, as well as skills and languages, which they would like to utilize. Peace Corps College graduates looking for a productive gap experience overseas should also consider the Peace Corps if they are able to spend 27 months in service. ThePeace Corps provides travel to and from placements, healthcare, and medical benefits, living expenses, and a relocation allowance of $8,000 upon completion of the 27-month assignment. Student loans can be deferred during Peace Corps service as well.

4 things I wish Id known before going freelance

4 things I wish Id known before going freelance4 things I wish Id known before going freelanceThe term freelance has a lot of connotations. Its synonymous with joga pants, mid-week brunch dates and coffices (a.k.a. cafe offices). At best, its flexible working that enables you to be your own boss andbuild a business on your own terms. At worst, its juggling deadlines, chasing unpaid invoices and questioning if you can go another day without washing your hair.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreMy experience sits somewhere in the middle. Four months ago Itook the plunge into freelancingwriting, turning my back on a stable, full-time role at a digital agency to chase my dreams in editorial and publishing. It was a decision spurred by the realization that I wasnt living up to my potential or following my passions. I felt out-of-place, overworked and on-track to climb a ladder in an indu stry Id never wanted to be a part of.So, has freelance life solved my career crisis? What lessons have I learned along the way, and would I have tackled things differently if I could do it all again? Read on to find out what I wish Id known before jumping into freelancing.1. Time Will Slip Away. Fast.Its amazing what you can achieve with 9 extra hours up your sleeve. You can hit snooze, stop by your favorite cafe for brekkie, and still make your favorite yoga class. But, without office hours to hold you accountable, itseasy to let the day slip away.My first few weeks of freelancing taught me the value ofsetting a clear schedule for each day. By blocking out my calendar at the beginning of the week, I quickly realized I didnt have infinite amounts of free time to play with.With deadlines looming and multiple projects on the go, its crucial to allocate and block out deep-work time to ensure you can submit deliverables on-time.The good news? Without an office to commute to, you can use this time to fit in leisure activities youd usually miss out on. Use this extra hour or two to hit the gym, head out for a run or join a fitness class youve always wanted to try.2. Youll Need To Create Your Own RoutineThis one might sound obvious, but hear me out. When youre a part of the 9-5 grind, theres a sense of familiarity to each day. Youll catch the saatkorn train each morning, stop by your usual coffee shop on the way to your desk and order your go-to salad when it comes time for lunch.So, whats the value of all this? Our brains are hardwired to seek out and follow a routine. To save mental energy, we develop habits that help reduce the number of decisions we need to make each day. Plus, routine helps build a sense of connection with those around us. Whether its working alongside the same faces or visiting our favorite barista, these regular encounters help us feel that we belong in the world.Although working solo does have a lot of perks, it can be an isolating experience for many. Beat the freelancing blues bycrafting a daily routine that allows for moments of connection. Whether its taking your dog to the same park every morning or working from a nearby cafe a couple of times each week, engaging in friendly conversation will boost your mood and foster a sense of belonging in your local community.3. Everywhere Will Become A WorkspaceYes, even your bed will become fair game. Freed from the shackles of the cubicle, its pretty damn liberating to work remotely. With a MacBook and WiFi, working from anywhere is truly possible.But in my experience, establishing boundaries is essential. Sending a few emails from the couch can seem like a good idea, but itblurs the lines between work and leisure. Create a space in your home that will become a dedicated work-only zone. It could be a desk in your spare room or study nook in your living area. Still struggling to stay focused? Try visiting your local library to help minimize distractions and the chances of bin ge-watching Netflix.4. Youll Need To Reach Out To Your NetworkGoing out on your own as a freelancer is daunting. As your own boss, finding new clients and opportunities is an essential part of the role. So, how do you make it happen?Sharing your services with your professional network is a great place to start. Make sure to keep your LinkedIn profile updated and consider posting an update to let your connections know youre looking to take on new projects. If you have a solid database of past clients and colleagues, sending a group email explaining what you do can also be a great way to reconnect with your network.This article first appeared on A Girl in Progress.