5 Strategies To Prepare You Better For Your Job Interview
Author: Nalin Wickramasuriya
There are a host of practical steps that you can take to enable yourself to prepare better for your interviews. By preparing properly for your interview, you will control your nerves and allow yourself to sell yourself better at your interview. Below are a list of not-so-obvious quick wins:
1. Prepare to Arrive on Time
Arriving late for your interview is career suicide, yet it is surprising how many candidates fail at this early hurdle. You can easily place yourself in the top 90%, by actioning a few simple tasks.
Create a folder into which you will place all the documents that you have been asked to present on the day (identification, qualifications, etc.) That way you won't be looking for them all over the house on the morning of the interview.
Download a map of your route and of the interview setting and place the printout in your folder.
Mentally - or even practically - rehearse the route you will take from your front door to the interview room and try to anticipate any possible problems and work out what your secondary plan will be. So if the train is cancelled, what will you do? If the traffic on that route is heavy, what will you do?
Even if you don't need to use these plans, taking this time will help to alleviate many of the interview anxieties that may be at play in your mind as you realize that there is always another way.
2. Anticipate Questions Through Your Research
Analyze the company that your are applying for and their competitors. Ensure that you have a handle on the products and services offered by both your company and their competitors.
The interview panel will primarily be trying to find out about three aspects of your candidacy. They want to know about your level of competence, drive and team play. So, their questions will be designed to help them work out how competent, driven and team orientated you are.
So, whilst you are reading about the company, keep in mind how you might use this information in an answer to a question that they may throw at you. With the internet, you can now find out a huge amount about a topic in a relatively short space of time. Download the company reports. Find out about the people there, the markets they serve and the products and services they offer. Try to figure out what problems the company is facing and work out how you could help solve them.
Then, get prepared to turn the conversation to these areas in your interview, so that you can highlight what an asset you could be to their company.
3. Dress to Fit in
You should dress as smart as you can afford. I would always recommend a suit as it is always better to overdress than underdress at an interview.
For men - wear a dark blue suit, with a blue or white shirt and a patterned tie. Ensure that the suit fits properly - this is the most important aspect of the suit. Wear a belt, black socks and polish your smart, black shoes. Clip your nails and organize a haircut for a week before the interview.
For women - ideally wear a suit. You should aim to be conservative with the style of your attire and a useful rule is to only show the skin over your face, neck, hands and lower calves. Ensure that your suit fits properly. The color should be dark, but chosen to suit your skin tone and hair color. Wear smart, medium heeled shoes. Apply your make up with subtlety. Wear a minimum of jewelery and don't use a perfume that is overbearing.
4. Body Language
Remember that 90% of your communication, will be conducted non verbally. You should control this is much as possible.
The two aspects of body language, which correlate most strongly with a positive outcome at interview are eye contact and smile rate.
Ensure that you maintain eye contact. When candidates are nervous, they tend to look away. Display your confidence and honesty through your ability to maintain eye contact with the interviewer. If there is an interview panel, reserve the majority of your eye contact for the panel member who asked you the question, but glance at the other panel members from time to time. If there is only one interviewer, then try to look at their eyes for 80-90% of the time. Don't stare at them incessantly, or they may feel uncomfortable! If you find it difficult to look at somebody's eyes, then look at their nose or ears. If you are more than 1 meter away - they won't be able to tell.
Smiling conveys a likable and trustworthy personality - both of which are aspects of your candidacy that you want to put across. Candidates often forget to smile when they are nervous, so if you can focus on this action, you will elevate your chances of success greatly. Remember to smile with your teeth exposed.
When shaking the hand of the interviewer, remember to achieve four outcomes - a firm hand grip, eye contact, smile and say your name confidently - clearly and at a natural pitch (not too squeaky).
Sit upright on the chair and lean forward slightly to convey energy and interest. Sit with your back against the back of the chair to give you stability - candidates sitting at the edge of the chair have been known to fall off (ouch!) or physically rock back when they are given a difficult question.
Nod your head from time to time to convey interest and your ability to listen well. Keep peripheral movements to a minimum - resist the temptation to "talk with your hands". Keep these movement to a minimum. Don't fidget. Plan to keep your hands on the desk or on your lap, if this helps you to stop playing with your hair or swinging your arms about.
5. Attend to Your Voice
Candidates often don't think about their voice in an interview, so here again is another opportunity for you to move ahead of your competition in a relatively easy way.
Your goal is to talk CLEARLY. Nervous candidates typically talk too fast and too quietly. Aim to talk loud enough for them to hear you at the back of the room. Talk slowly enough so that an elderly aunt could follow you. We typically talk at about 220 words per minute.
Radio newsreaders are trained to talk at about 150 words per minute - so aim to talk at about 2/3 of your normal speaking speed. Use pauses to emphasize important points.
Are You Underpaid?
Are You Underpaid?
by Kim Lankford
Are you making as much money as you should be?
If you've been pondering this question, you're not alone. A 2006 survey by staffing services company Randstad USA and Harris Interactive found that 39 percent of employees surveyed believe their salary is lower than market rates, up from 28 percent surveyed in 2005. Meanwhile, 50 percent of employers think the salaries they offer are on par with the marketplace, up from 42 percent in 2005.
So how do you figure out if you're really underpaid? Here are six steps to help you determine whether you're getting what you're worth.
Use the Tools
Several resources let you see how your pay stacks up. For example, our Salary Wizard can give you a general idea of where you stand. The Personal Salary Report provides information based on company size (larger employers tend to pay more), experience, advanced degrees, location, specific industry and other factors.
In addition, most trade associations conduct salary surveys, which tend to go into greater detail for your specific occupation.
Keep One Foot in the Job Market
"The best way to know your value is to be on the market" -- even if you aren't looking for another job, says Lee E. Miller, author of Get More Money on Your Next Job. You'll get an idea of which skills are valued, what other employers are offering and where your company stands as well as make valuable contacts. And if the offer's good, you might want to change jobs after all -- or use the offer to negotiate a raise where you are.
Get Friendly with Recruiters
Recruiters are some of the best sources of information about the job market, especially if they specialize in your industry. Since they're working with employers, they know exactly what price range companies can offer as well as the skills they're looking for.
But you generally need to build a relationship with the recruiter first, which means helping them out even if you aren't looking for a new job yourself. "If you give them the name of someone who might be interested, then recruiters will call you, because you've become a good source of information for them, and they'll be more likely to share more information with you," Miller says.
Talk with Your Predecessor
It may be awkward, but try to talk with the person you're replacing. Even if he isn't willing to reveal his salary, you may still get some good insight into how fairly he thought he was being paid, especially if he just completed a job search and switched to another employer.
"You always ask to talk with your predecessor, whether or not they are still with the company," says Emory Mulling, chairman of outplacement and executive coaching firm The Mulling Corp. "If the company doesn't want to give out the name of the predecessor, that's a message."
Recall Your Hiring Circumstances
Did you accept the first offer? That could be a red flag. "Rarely will recruiters make their best offer as their first offer," Miller says. "They expect job candidates to negotiate." And remember: You can negotiate salary, benefits, a signing bonus, equity or a flexible schedule.
Network through your professional association, and talk with people who work or worked with the company to find out which strategy likely will be most successful -- some companies are known for higher-than-average pay, while others may not have extra cash but will negotiate on flexibility.
Miller also recommends asking about training, which tends to be important long-term. "That increases your value in the future," he says.
Is Pay Really the Issue?
Finally, step back and examine why you feel you're underpaid. Sometimes the issue goes beyond money. "One of the reasons some people feel like they're underpaid is if there's too much personal cost to what you're doing," says Karen Wright, president of Parachute Executive Coaching. "If you're doing the completely wrong thing, no matter how much you're being paid, it's never truly going to be enough."
Wright recommends thinking about what will make you happier. It may be more money, but it may also be a shorter commute, flexible hours, a less-stressful company or a different boss. It helps to know you're being paid fairly, but you'll be a lot less worried and resentful if you actually like your job.
by Kim Lankford
Are you making as much money as you should be?
If you've been pondering this question, you're not alone. A 2006 survey by staffing services company Randstad USA and Harris Interactive found that 39 percent of employees surveyed believe their salary is lower than market rates, up from 28 percent surveyed in 2005. Meanwhile, 50 percent of employers think the salaries they offer are on par with the marketplace, up from 42 percent in 2005.
So how do you figure out if you're really underpaid? Here are six steps to help you determine whether you're getting what you're worth.
Use the Tools
Several resources let you see how your pay stacks up. For example, our Salary Wizard can give you a general idea of where you stand. The Personal Salary Report provides information based on company size (larger employers tend to pay more), experience, advanced degrees, location, specific industry and other factors.
In addition, most trade associations conduct salary surveys, which tend to go into greater detail for your specific occupation.
Keep One Foot in the Job Market
"The best way to know your value is to be on the market" -- even if you aren't looking for another job, says Lee E. Miller, author of Get More Money on Your Next Job. You'll get an idea of which skills are valued, what other employers are offering and where your company stands as well as make valuable contacts. And if the offer's good, you might want to change jobs after all -- or use the offer to negotiate a raise where you are.
Get Friendly with Recruiters
Recruiters are some of the best sources of information about the job market, especially if they specialize in your industry. Since they're working with employers, they know exactly what price range companies can offer as well as the skills they're looking for.
But you generally need to build a relationship with the recruiter first, which means helping them out even if you aren't looking for a new job yourself. "If you give them the name of someone who might be interested, then recruiters will call you, because you've become a good source of information for them, and they'll be more likely to share more information with you," Miller says.
Talk with Your Predecessor
It may be awkward, but try to talk with the person you're replacing. Even if he isn't willing to reveal his salary, you may still get some good insight into how fairly he thought he was being paid, especially if he just completed a job search and switched to another employer.
"You always ask to talk with your predecessor, whether or not they are still with the company," says Emory Mulling, chairman of outplacement and executive coaching firm The Mulling Corp. "If the company doesn't want to give out the name of the predecessor, that's a message."
Recall Your Hiring Circumstances
Did you accept the first offer? That could be a red flag. "Rarely will recruiters make their best offer as their first offer," Miller says. "They expect job candidates to negotiate." And remember: You can negotiate salary, benefits, a signing bonus, equity or a flexible schedule.
Network through your professional association, and talk with people who work or worked with the company to find out which strategy likely will be most successful -- some companies are known for higher-than-average pay, while others may not have extra cash but will negotiate on flexibility.
Miller also recommends asking about training, which tends to be important long-term. "That increases your value in the future," he says.
Is Pay Really the Issue?
Finally, step back and examine why you feel you're underpaid. Sometimes the issue goes beyond money. "One of the reasons some people feel like they're underpaid is if there's too much personal cost to what you're doing," says Karen Wright, president of Parachute Executive Coaching. "If you're doing the completely wrong thing, no matter how much you're being paid, it's never truly going to be enough."
Wright recommends thinking about what will make you happier. It may be more money, but it may also be a shorter commute, flexible hours, a less-stressful company or a different boss. It helps to know you're being paid fairly, but you'll be a lot less worried and resentful if you actually like your job.
For Job Security: Make yourself Too Valuable to be Downsized
For Job Security: Make yourself Too Valuable to be Downsized
Author: Frances Christ
Becoming a highly efficient and productive computer user doesn’t require advanced skills and hours of training. Just learning and applying the following tips can boost your productivity immensely.
Learn to use keyboard shortcuts.
The fewer times you take your hand off the keyboard to use the mouse, the quicker and smoother your work will go. Try these shortcuts, and copy and post your favorite ones near your computer:
Ctrl+end – go to the end of the document or spreadsheet
Ctrl+home – go to the beginning of the document or spreadsheet
Ctrl+N start a new blank document or spreadsheet
Ctrl+S save
Ctrl+P print
Ctrl+W close a document or spreadsheet
Put the commands you use most often onto the toolbar.
Right click anywhere on the toolbar, click on “Customize” in the Quick Menu, and click on the “Commands” tab at the top of the Customize window. In the left pane (under “Categories:”) scroll until you see the name of the Menu under which the command appears and click on it. In the right pane (under “Commands:”) click and drag the appropriate command and drop it in the toolbar. Click on Close.
(To remove a button, Press and hold the Alt key while you click and drag the button anywhere on the screen. To reset the toolbar to the original buttons, right click anywhere on the toolbar, click on “Customize” in the Quick Menu, click on the Toolbars Tab at the top of the Customize window and click Reset.)
Make shortcuts for standard blocks of text
You can create shortcuts for standard sentences or paragraphs, formatted blocks of text, long proper names, etc. Type and format the text, and select it, then click on Tools in the Menu Bar and click on AutoCorrect Options. Click on the AutoCorrect tab, and under Replace: type in a shortcut to stand for the block of text (I recommend that you begin all shortcuts with a forward slash). Click the Add and Close.
Now, type the shortcut and press Enter – and your block of text will appear. Keep a list of the shortcuts you create posted next to your computer.
Some uses for this feature:
Your signature block
The standard opening of an email or a letter
The standard closing of an email or a letter
Any boiler-plate text
Names of companies, clients, schools, etc, you often have to type.
With a little planning, you can knock out typical letters or emails simply by typing in a few keyboard shortcuts!
Record Macros
Record any series of often-used steps as a macro which is set to run by typing a keyboard shortcut. For example, if you often have to set up your document or spreadsheet for printing by going to the Page Setup window and selecting orientation, adding headers or footers, etc., you can write a macro to do all of these steps.
Click on Tools in the Menu Bar, click on Macro, click on Record New Macro. In the Record Macro window, type in a name for the macro, and click on the Keyboard button. In the Press new shortcut key box, type in a shortcut (for example, hold down the Ctrl key and press a key, such as the period). Click on OK.
You are now recording: follow the steps exactly as you want them to be performed. When you have finished all the steps, click Tools in the Menu Bar, click Macros, click Stop Recording.
To run the macro, press the keyboard shortcut. (again – keep a list of your shortcuts posted by your computer!)
Create Templates
Create templates – or forms with fill-in-the-blanks – for any documents or spreadsheets you use often. For example, you can create a template for a fax cover sheet, leaving out the information that will be different each time you use the cover sheet. Or create a spreadsheet with all of the formulas and formatting in place, leaving out the numbers that may be different each time you use the spreadsheet.
To create a template, type and format the document or spreadsheet exactly as you would like it to look, leaving any changeable information blank. Click on File in the Menu Bar, click on Save As. In the Save As window type a name into the File name box, and in the Save as type box, click on the drop down list and select “Document Template” (Word) or “Template” (Excel).
To use a template, click on File in the Menu Bar, click on New, and double-click on your template.
These techniques will greatly increase the amount of work you can accomplish in a given amount of time. What company would want to lose their most productive worker?
Author: Frances Christ
Becoming a highly efficient and productive computer user doesn’t require advanced skills and hours of training. Just learning and applying the following tips can boost your productivity immensely.
Learn to use keyboard shortcuts.
The fewer times you take your hand off the keyboard to use the mouse, the quicker and smoother your work will go. Try these shortcuts, and copy and post your favorite ones near your computer:
Ctrl+end – go to the end of the document or spreadsheet
Ctrl+home – go to the beginning of the document or spreadsheet
Ctrl+N start a new blank document or spreadsheet
Ctrl+S save
Ctrl+P print
Ctrl+W close a document or spreadsheet
Put the commands you use most often onto the toolbar.
Right click anywhere on the toolbar, click on “Customize” in the Quick Menu, and click on the “Commands” tab at the top of the Customize window. In the left pane (under “Categories:”) scroll until you see the name of the Menu under which the command appears and click on it. In the right pane (under “Commands:”) click and drag the appropriate command and drop it in the toolbar. Click on Close.
(To remove a button, Press and hold the Alt key while you click and drag the button anywhere on the screen. To reset the toolbar to the original buttons, right click anywhere on the toolbar, click on “Customize” in the Quick Menu, click on the Toolbars Tab at the top of the Customize window and click Reset.)
Make shortcuts for standard blocks of text
You can create shortcuts for standard sentences or paragraphs, formatted blocks of text, long proper names, etc. Type and format the text, and select it, then click on Tools in the Menu Bar and click on AutoCorrect Options. Click on the AutoCorrect tab, and under Replace: type in a shortcut to stand for the block of text (I recommend that you begin all shortcuts with a forward slash). Click the Add and Close.
Now, type the shortcut and press Enter – and your block of text will appear. Keep a list of the shortcuts you create posted next to your computer.
Some uses for this feature:
Your signature block
The standard opening of an email or a letter
The standard closing of an email or a letter
Any boiler-plate text
Names of companies, clients, schools, etc, you often have to type.
With a little planning, you can knock out typical letters or emails simply by typing in a few keyboard shortcuts!
Record Macros
Record any series of often-used steps as a macro which is set to run by typing a keyboard shortcut. For example, if you often have to set up your document or spreadsheet for printing by going to the Page Setup window and selecting orientation, adding headers or footers, etc., you can write a macro to do all of these steps.
Click on Tools in the Menu Bar, click on Macro, click on Record New Macro. In the Record Macro window, type in a name for the macro, and click on the Keyboard button. In the Press new shortcut key box, type in a shortcut (for example, hold down the Ctrl key and press a key, such as the period). Click on OK.
You are now recording: follow the steps exactly as you want them to be performed. When you have finished all the steps, click Tools in the Menu Bar, click Macros, click Stop Recording.
To run the macro, press the keyboard shortcut. (again – keep a list of your shortcuts posted by your computer!)
Create Templates
Create templates – or forms with fill-in-the-blanks – for any documents or spreadsheets you use often. For example, you can create a template for a fax cover sheet, leaving out the information that will be different each time you use the cover sheet. Or create a spreadsheet with all of the formulas and formatting in place, leaving out the numbers that may be different each time you use the spreadsheet.
To create a template, type and format the document or spreadsheet exactly as you would like it to look, leaving any changeable information blank. Click on File in the Menu Bar, click on Save As. In the Save As window type a name into the File name box, and in the Save as type box, click on the drop down list and select “Document Template” (Word) or “Template” (Excel).
To use a template, click on File in the Menu Bar, click on New, and double-click on your template.
These techniques will greatly increase the amount of work you can accomplish in a given amount of time. What company would want to lose their most productive worker?
Apply New Thinking Habits in Choosing a Career
Apply New Thinking Habits in Choosing a Career
Author: Donald Mitchell
Choosing a career is one of the key ways that you select which irresistible forces you will be subject to, and what resources you will have available as you do. Like analyzing the circumstances to choose which irresistible forces can provide the most benefit to your organization, you should use similar analytical thinking in choosing a profession.
You can thrive if you have work that has great personal meaning for you, helps you learn and grow as a person, provides you with a sense of accomplishment and competency, and makes you feel appreciated and valuable. Most people pursue their life's work in terms that are too limited to be fully rewarding for them. What they miss is that the fit is a highly personal one, like custom-made clothing that fits only you.
Consider that many people pick a profession from choices that were highly visible when they were quite young, without knowing what else is around. As you can imagine, a lot of great jobs have no visibility at all to children.
You need to actually try different types of work before you can know how well they fit you. That approach is the best way to learn. Screening tools, such as tests that match your personality to different types of work, can help you come up with ideas that you might have considered on your own. Try some of them on for size.
Some people may not be able to find paid work that gives their lives the fullest meaning they would like. Don't give up. You may be able to do volunteer work to provide that meaning. Volunteering is on the rise, and the meaningfulness of the work is the primary benefit that many volunteers report.
In addition, volunteering can make you a better person to work with all the time. You'll develop a better understanding of how to help make work meaningful for others, as well as how to help others find the right work for themselves. Becoming good at understanding this perspective will help not only you, but it will also help you counsel others you care about who face these same issues.
You can also get experience by volunteering that you wouldn't get for years in regular employment. As a brand new volunteer, you can ask for a chance to supervise other volunteers and chances are your request will be honored.
If you want to meet senior executives in industry to find out what their work is like, you can volunteer to work with such executives on non-profit projects for which they are volunteers, too.
Author: Donald Mitchell
Choosing a career is one of the key ways that you select which irresistible forces you will be subject to, and what resources you will have available as you do. Like analyzing the circumstances to choose which irresistible forces can provide the most benefit to your organization, you should use similar analytical thinking in choosing a profession.
You can thrive if you have work that has great personal meaning for you, helps you learn and grow as a person, provides you with a sense of accomplishment and competency, and makes you feel appreciated and valuable. Most people pursue their life's work in terms that are too limited to be fully rewarding for them. What they miss is that the fit is a highly personal one, like custom-made clothing that fits only you.
Consider that many people pick a profession from choices that were highly visible when they were quite young, without knowing what else is around. As you can imagine, a lot of great jobs have no visibility at all to children.
You need to actually try different types of work before you can know how well they fit you. That approach is the best way to learn. Screening tools, such as tests that match your personality to different types of work, can help you come up with ideas that you might have considered on your own. Try some of them on for size.
Some people may not be able to find paid work that gives their lives the fullest meaning they would like. Don't give up. You may be able to do volunteer work to provide that meaning. Volunteering is on the rise, and the meaningfulness of the work is the primary benefit that many volunteers report.
In addition, volunteering can make you a better person to work with all the time. You'll develop a better understanding of how to help make work meaningful for others, as well as how to help others find the right work for themselves. Becoming good at understanding this perspective will help not only you, but it will also help you counsel others you care about who face these same issues.
You can also get experience by volunteering that you wouldn't get for years in regular employment. As a brand new volunteer, you can ask for a chance to supervise other volunteers and chances are your request will be honored.
If you want to meet senior executives in industry to find out what their work is like, you can volunteer to work with such executives on non-profit projects for which they are volunteers, too.
Types of Jobs Available in the Movie Industry
Types of Jobs Available in the Movie Industry
Author: Malcolm Blake
Most people seem to think there are concerned in the making of motion pictures just four classes of people actors, scenario writers, directors and cameramen. It all seems very simple. The scenario writer sits down in the morning and works out a scene; he wakes up the director, who packs some actors and a cameraman in an automobile, together with a picnic lunch, and goes out to make the picture on some lovely hillside. Then, having finished the photoplay, they take it around to your local theater and exhibit it at twenty-five cents a seat.
As a matter of fact, the movies, now the fifth national industry in the United States, has as many phases, and as many complexities as any other industry in the world.
Broadly speaking, the movies are made up of alliances between producing companies and distributing companies. For example, the Constance Talmadge Corporation produces the photoplays in which Miss Talmadge is starred, and this Company is allied with the First National Exhibitors Circuit which takes the completed film and sells it to theater managers in every part of the world. The Constance Talmadge Corporation's duty is to make a photoplay and deliver it to the First National Exhibitors Circuit; the latter company
duplicates the film in hundreds of "prints," advertises it, rents it to exhibitors, and sees to the delivery of the film. In the same way, Nazimova makes comedies and releases them through the Metro Corporation, her distributor.
The great distributing companies employ the salesmen, advertising experts, business men, and, so forth. All the technical work concerned with the making of the picture, however, is in the hands of the producing company, and, since we are engaged in such work ourselves, it is about these posts that we must talk.
If we are to take the studio jobs in their natural order, the first to begin work on a picture is, of course, the author. Each studio employs a scenario editor who is on the lookout for good magazine stories or plays or original scripts. He himself is not so much a writer as an analyst, who knows what kind of stories his public wants; generally he is an old newspaperman or an ex-magazine editor. Having bought the story, he turns it over to a scenarioist the "continuity writer." This type of specialist is much in demand, since no story can survive a badly constructed scenario.
The scenario writer puts the story into picture form exactly as a dramatist may put a novel into play form for the stage. It is the scenarioist or continuity writer who really gives to the story its screen value hence the very large prices paid for this work when it is well done. Next in line is the director, who takes the scenario and sets out to make the picture.
There is a shortage of directors at present, and for that reason, salaries are particularly high in this line, but of course, direction is a profession which takes many years of study.
In beginning work on his picture, the director first consults the studio manager, who is really the head of the employment office. The studio manager consults with him as to the expenses of the scenery and the length of time to be spent in making the picture and then summons the technical staff.
The technical staff of a studio is a rather large assembly. There is the art director, who plans the scenery, the technical man who directs the building, the casting director, who selects the actors, the electrician, who assists in working out the lighting effects, the laboratory superintendent, who must supervise the developing of the film, the cutters, who assemble the completed film, and last, but not least, the cameraman. Of course there are hundreds of minor posts assistant director, assistant cameraman, property man, research experts, location seekers, and so forth.
The casting director immediately sends out a call for the "types" demanded in the scenario. If possible, he notifies the actors and actresses personally, but more often he is forced to get in touch with them through the numerous agencies which act as brokers in "types/ The Actors' Equity Association is now doing excellent work in supplying actors for pictures at the lowest possible cost to the actor in the way of commissions.
Presently a large number of actors and actresses appear at the studio and the casting director selects from them the individuals best suited to the coming production. Beginners are warned against grafting agents who on any pretense whatever charge more than the legal 5% commission. They are also warned against signing "exclusion" contracts with any agent, as this frequently compels the actor to pay double commissions.
Meanwhile the art director has built his scenery, and the picture goes "into production." At the end of some six weeks or two months, the directors turn the completed film over to the assembling and cutting department. As a rule both the director and the scenario writer work with the assembler and cutter, and if they are wise, they insist on doing the cutting themselves, for the success of the picture depends largely upon this important operation of assembly.
At the same time, another specialist designs and works out the illustrations on the borders of the written inserts. Finally the assembled picture is shown to the studio staff, and if they are satisfied, the negative is forwarded to the distributing company. The studio's work on that picture is ended.
From this brief survey, you can see that the avenues for breaking into the movies are almost unlimited. You can be an actor, director, cameraman, scene builder, cutter, titler, scenario writer, or anything else if you will begin at the bottom and learn the game. All of these positions are highly paid and all require a high knowledge of motion picture technique.
The important thing is to start to get into the studio, in any capacity. Then choose the type of work in which you desire to rise, and learn it. Everybody will help you and encourage you if you start this way, instead of trying the more common but less successful method of starting at the top and working down.
Author: Malcolm Blake
Most people seem to think there are concerned in the making of motion pictures just four classes of people actors, scenario writers, directors and cameramen. It all seems very simple. The scenario writer sits down in the morning and works out a scene; he wakes up the director, who packs some actors and a cameraman in an automobile, together with a picnic lunch, and goes out to make the picture on some lovely hillside. Then, having finished the photoplay, they take it around to your local theater and exhibit it at twenty-five cents a seat.
As a matter of fact, the movies, now the fifth national industry in the United States, has as many phases, and as many complexities as any other industry in the world.
Broadly speaking, the movies are made up of alliances between producing companies and distributing companies. For example, the Constance Talmadge Corporation produces the photoplays in which Miss Talmadge is starred, and this Company is allied with the First National Exhibitors Circuit which takes the completed film and sells it to theater managers in every part of the world. The Constance Talmadge Corporation's duty is to make a photoplay and deliver it to the First National Exhibitors Circuit; the latter company
duplicates the film in hundreds of "prints," advertises it, rents it to exhibitors, and sees to the delivery of the film. In the same way, Nazimova makes comedies and releases them through the Metro Corporation, her distributor.
The great distributing companies employ the salesmen, advertising experts, business men, and, so forth. All the technical work concerned with the making of the picture, however, is in the hands of the producing company, and, since we are engaged in such work ourselves, it is about these posts that we must talk.
If we are to take the studio jobs in their natural order, the first to begin work on a picture is, of course, the author. Each studio employs a scenario editor who is on the lookout for good magazine stories or plays or original scripts. He himself is not so much a writer as an analyst, who knows what kind of stories his public wants; generally he is an old newspaperman or an ex-magazine editor. Having bought the story, he turns it over to a scenarioist the "continuity writer." This type of specialist is much in demand, since no story can survive a badly constructed scenario.
The scenario writer puts the story into picture form exactly as a dramatist may put a novel into play form for the stage. It is the scenarioist or continuity writer who really gives to the story its screen value hence the very large prices paid for this work when it is well done. Next in line is the director, who takes the scenario and sets out to make the picture.
There is a shortage of directors at present, and for that reason, salaries are particularly high in this line, but of course, direction is a profession which takes many years of study.
In beginning work on his picture, the director first consults the studio manager, who is really the head of the employment office. The studio manager consults with him as to the expenses of the scenery and the length of time to be spent in making the picture and then summons the technical staff.
The technical staff of a studio is a rather large assembly. There is the art director, who plans the scenery, the technical man who directs the building, the casting director, who selects the actors, the electrician, who assists in working out the lighting effects, the laboratory superintendent, who must supervise the developing of the film, the cutters, who assemble the completed film, and last, but not least, the cameraman. Of course there are hundreds of minor posts assistant director, assistant cameraman, property man, research experts, location seekers, and so forth.
The casting director immediately sends out a call for the "types" demanded in the scenario. If possible, he notifies the actors and actresses personally, but more often he is forced to get in touch with them through the numerous agencies which act as brokers in "types/ The Actors' Equity Association is now doing excellent work in supplying actors for pictures at the lowest possible cost to the actor in the way of commissions.
Presently a large number of actors and actresses appear at the studio and the casting director selects from them the individuals best suited to the coming production. Beginners are warned against grafting agents who on any pretense whatever charge more than the legal 5% commission. They are also warned against signing "exclusion" contracts with any agent, as this frequently compels the actor to pay double commissions.
Meanwhile the art director has built his scenery, and the picture goes "into production." At the end of some six weeks or two months, the directors turn the completed film over to the assembling and cutting department. As a rule both the director and the scenario writer work with the assembler and cutter, and if they are wise, they insist on doing the cutting themselves, for the success of the picture depends largely upon this important operation of assembly.
At the same time, another specialist designs and works out the illustrations on the borders of the written inserts. Finally the assembled picture is shown to the studio staff, and if they are satisfied, the negative is forwarded to the distributing company. The studio's work on that picture is ended.
From this brief survey, you can see that the avenues for breaking into the movies are almost unlimited. You can be an actor, director, cameraman, scene builder, cutter, titler, scenario writer, or anything else if you will begin at the bottom and learn the game. All of these positions are highly paid and all require a high knowledge of motion picture technique.
The important thing is to start to get into the studio, in any capacity. Then choose the type of work in which you desire to rise, and learn it. Everybody will help you and encourage you if you start this way, instead of trying the more common but less successful method of starting at the top and working down.
Breaking Into Acting in the Movies
Breaking Into Acting in the Movies
Author: Malcolm Blake
In New York resides a dramatic critic, now on the staff of a great newspaper, who has his own ideas about movie acting. The idea in question is that there is no such thing as movie acting and the gentleman carries it out by refusing to allow the word "acting" to be printed in any of the notices and reviews in his newspaper. When he wishes to convey the thought that such and such a star acted in such and such a picture he says, "Miss So-and-So posed before the camera in the motion Picture."
Now this critic is a good critic, as critics go, but he would be improved physically and mentally by a set of those monkey glands which the medicos are so successfully grafting upon various ossified Personalities. Anyone who thinks that there is no such thing as motion picture acting is probably still wondering whether the Germans will win the war. Motion picture acting is a highly developed art, with a technique quite as involved as that of the legitimate stage.
The fundamental principle to remember in undertaking screen acting is that the camera demands far greater realism on the part of the actor than the eyes of an audience. An actor in the spoken drama nearly always overplays or underplays his part. If he recited the same lines in the same tone with the same gestures in real life, he would appear to be just a little bit spiffy, as they say in English drinking circles. On the stage it is necessary to overdraw the character in order to convey a realistic impression to the audience; exact naturalism on the stage would appear as unreal as an unrouged face under a spotlight.
The camera, however, demands absolute realism. Actors must act as naturally and as leisurely as they would in their own homes. Their expressions must be no more pronounced than they would be in real life. Above all, they must be absolutely unconscious of the existence of the camera. Any deviation from this course leads to the most mortifying results on the screen.
The face, enlarged many times life size, becomes clearly that of an actor, rather than a real character. The assumed expression of hate or fear which would seem so natural on the stage is merely grotesque in the film. Unless the actor is really thinking the things he is trying to portray on the screen, the audience becomes instantly aware that something is wrong.
In the same way the camera picks up and accentuates every motion on the part of the actor. An unnecessary gesture is not noticed on the stage. On the screen, enlarged many times, it is instantly noted.
The two most important rules to follow, then, in motion picture acting are: act as you would under the same circumstances in real life, and eliminate all movement and gesture which does not bear on the scene. It is better not to move at all than to make a false move.
Beginners must adjust their walk to the camera. There is no rule for this, however, as every individual's way of standing and walking is different. Only through repeated tests can the beginner discover and correct the defects which are sure to appear in his physical pose the first time he acts before a camera. Often in making a picture, the director will instruct his cast to "speed up" or "slow down" their scene. Sometimes, also, he will alter the tempo of the scene by slowing down or speeding up the rate at which the camera is being cranked. Beginners must follow such instructions to the letter, for the timing of a scene is a vitally important part of picture production and a duty which is entirely in the hands of the director.
The best way to learn the principles of motion picture acting is to watch the making of as many scenes as possible before attempting to act one. Most of the stars of today learned their art by watching the efforts of others before the camera. Only by constant observation in the studio and, more important, in real life, where the actions and reactions of real people can be noted, can an actor hope to become proficient.
Author: Malcolm Blake
In New York resides a dramatic critic, now on the staff of a great newspaper, who has his own ideas about movie acting. The idea in question is that there is no such thing as movie acting and the gentleman carries it out by refusing to allow the word "acting" to be printed in any of the notices and reviews in his newspaper. When he wishes to convey the thought that such and such a star acted in such and such a picture he says, "Miss So-and-So posed before the camera in the motion Picture."
Now this critic is a good critic, as critics go, but he would be improved physically and mentally by a set of those monkey glands which the medicos are so successfully grafting upon various ossified Personalities. Anyone who thinks that there is no such thing as motion picture acting is probably still wondering whether the Germans will win the war. Motion picture acting is a highly developed art, with a technique quite as involved as that of the legitimate stage.
The fundamental principle to remember in undertaking screen acting is that the camera demands far greater realism on the part of the actor than the eyes of an audience. An actor in the spoken drama nearly always overplays or underplays his part. If he recited the same lines in the same tone with the same gestures in real life, he would appear to be just a little bit spiffy, as they say in English drinking circles. On the stage it is necessary to overdraw the character in order to convey a realistic impression to the audience; exact naturalism on the stage would appear as unreal as an unrouged face under a spotlight.
The camera, however, demands absolute realism. Actors must act as naturally and as leisurely as they would in their own homes. Their expressions must be no more pronounced than they would be in real life. Above all, they must be absolutely unconscious of the existence of the camera. Any deviation from this course leads to the most mortifying results on the screen.
The face, enlarged many times life size, becomes clearly that of an actor, rather than a real character. The assumed expression of hate or fear which would seem so natural on the stage is merely grotesque in the film. Unless the actor is really thinking the things he is trying to portray on the screen, the audience becomes instantly aware that something is wrong.
In the same way the camera picks up and accentuates every motion on the part of the actor. An unnecessary gesture is not noticed on the stage. On the screen, enlarged many times, it is instantly noted.
The two most important rules to follow, then, in motion picture acting are: act as you would under the same circumstances in real life, and eliminate all movement and gesture which does not bear on the scene. It is better not to move at all than to make a false move.
Beginners must adjust their walk to the camera. There is no rule for this, however, as every individual's way of standing and walking is different. Only through repeated tests can the beginner discover and correct the defects which are sure to appear in his physical pose the first time he acts before a camera. Often in making a picture, the director will instruct his cast to "speed up" or "slow down" their scene. Sometimes, also, he will alter the tempo of the scene by slowing down or speeding up the rate at which the camera is being cranked. Beginners must follow such instructions to the letter, for the timing of a scene is a vitally important part of picture production and a duty which is entirely in the hands of the director.
The best way to learn the principles of motion picture acting is to watch the making of as many scenes as possible before attempting to act one. Most of the stars of today learned their art by watching the efforts of others before the camera. Only by constant observation in the studio and, more important, in real life, where the actions and reactions of real people can be noted, can an actor hope to become proficient.
Should I Work From Home, and are Online Jobs Right for Me?
Should I Work From Home, and are Online Jobs Right for Me?
Author: Adam Hefner
Should I work from home? Should I find an online job? What a question! Thousands of individuals ask this question every day; just do a Yahoo or Google search to see what a large market exists to satisfy this curiosity. What is an online job? How will it help me?
Every day, thousands of curious and even, perhaps, desperate adults look for work and money-making opportunities on the internet. A simple Yahoo or Google search turns up such solutions as “File Rebate Forms HERE!” and “Take Part in our New Focus Groups TODAY!” Are the opportunities real? They certainly are, but not all opportunities are created equal; much searching is required to find the best answer.
The best avenue of approach to online jobs is to look for tasks which require some skill or talent you already have, such as using your foreign language to translate and interpret for a call center or providing your lay advice to court attorneys after the successful (or unsuccessful!) resolution of a case. Regardless of the job, perhaps the greatest benefit is that these jobs can frequently be performed at any hour of the day; hoot owls need not rise early, and spring chickens need not stay out late!
The most obvious downside to online jobs is that the labor demand or the available supply of tasks can sometimes suddenly dry up, or vanish, or even take a long time to materialize. Some workers find themselves waiting weeks for an appropriate job to appear, and yet others work studiously at a task only to suddenly find that the job has already been accomplished... by another worker.
The jobs can be unpredictable, unreliable, and underpaid, but the rewards are typically steady and the schedule is normally never in conflict with the worker's own personal life. This frees up plenty of time for workers to focus on family, hobbies, or the community, but will the worker find sufficient time to complete enough work to pay the bills and satisfy his or her personal needs?
Online work can be slow, but it can also be a terrific source of extra income. It may not replace your day job, but it may certainly replace the empty space in your wallet. When an adult chooses to work from home, he or she must carefully weight the pros and cons of each position or task offered against the time needed for completion and the compensation offered to find the best solution to the puzzle of question of, “whether or not online jobs are right for me.”
Author: Adam Hefner
Should I work from home? Should I find an online job? What a question! Thousands of individuals ask this question every day; just do a Yahoo or Google search to see what a large market exists to satisfy this curiosity. What is an online job? How will it help me?
Every day, thousands of curious and even, perhaps, desperate adults look for work and money-making opportunities on the internet. A simple Yahoo or Google search turns up such solutions as “File Rebate Forms HERE!” and “Take Part in our New Focus Groups TODAY!” Are the opportunities real? They certainly are, but not all opportunities are created equal; much searching is required to find the best answer.
The best avenue of approach to online jobs is to look for tasks which require some skill or talent you already have, such as using your foreign language to translate and interpret for a call center or providing your lay advice to court attorneys after the successful (or unsuccessful!) resolution of a case. Regardless of the job, perhaps the greatest benefit is that these jobs can frequently be performed at any hour of the day; hoot owls need not rise early, and spring chickens need not stay out late!
The most obvious downside to online jobs is that the labor demand or the available supply of tasks can sometimes suddenly dry up, or vanish, or even take a long time to materialize. Some workers find themselves waiting weeks for an appropriate job to appear, and yet others work studiously at a task only to suddenly find that the job has already been accomplished... by another worker.
The jobs can be unpredictable, unreliable, and underpaid, but the rewards are typically steady and the schedule is normally never in conflict with the worker's own personal life. This frees up plenty of time for workers to focus on family, hobbies, or the community, but will the worker find sufficient time to complete enough work to pay the bills and satisfy his or her personal needs?
Online work can be slow, but it can also be a terrific source of extra income. It may not replace your day job, but it may certainly replace the empty space in your wallet. When an adult chooses to work from home, he or she must carefully weight the pros and cons of each position or task offered against the time needed for completion and the compensation offered to find the best solution to the puzzle of question of, “whether or not online jobs are right for me.”
5 Options To Consider Before Taking Your First Job
5 Options To Consider Before Taking Your First Job
Author: Tony Jacowski
As soon as you begin to go on interviews, you will become conscious of the fact that a majority of employers are on the hunt for experience in addition to education. Conversely, if you do not have the basic education, employers will pay you less.
Take a Break
The urge to begin working as soon as you have completed your education is undeniable. Nevertheless, you may want to take a little break to assess a handful of alternatives. Treat yourself before you begin this new phase in your life, which will be, undoubtedly, filled with confrontations.
You could take a short vacation or spend some time pursuing a hobby that you abandoned because of the tedious courses that you had to take. Not only will you go into the working world refreshed, but a short sabbatical will provide you with the sufficient time to evaluate your career choices.
Continue To Be In School
You could pursue higher education - this will help you become a more well-rounded competent person, and also a more valuable job candidate. Of course, this implies that you delay getting a job, particularly in your field, but if you acquire additional education, for instance a Masters Degree, it will ensure that you get a good starting salary.
The formula is: More Educated Candidate = Bigger paychecks.
Start Working Right Away
If you feel that further study is not your cup of tea, then it would be a great idea to begin working right away. You will probably not earn a very high salary, but you would gain some much-needed practical experience. In time, you'll be able to climb the corporate ladder and increase your earning potential gradually.
Develop Into an Entrepreneur
This is a risky way to take on one's professional career. However, it is very worthwhile professionally and probably financially as well. You need to have an endless amount of self-discipline and persistence to follow this patch, and generally a large start-up fund may be required to get your business off the ground. You should also be prepared to face a lot of barriers - financial and professional. However, if you are determined to succeed, have researched the market and done your homework, then you have every chance to succeed at being your own boss.
Determining what to do right after school isn't easy. By considering the options above, you'll ensure that you start your career off on the right track.
Author: Tony Jacowski
As soon as you begin to go on interviews, you will become conscious of the fact that a majority of employers are on the hunt for experience in addition to education. Conversely, if you do not have the basic education, employers will pay you less.
Take a Break
The urge to begin working as soon as you have completed your education is undeniable. Nevertheless, you may want to take a little break to assess a handful of alternatives. Treat yourself before you begin this new phase in your life, which will be, undoubtedly, filled with confrontations.
You could take a short vacation or spend some time pursuing a hobby that you abandoned because of the tedious courses that you had to take. Not only will you go into the working world refreshed, but a short sabbatical will provide you with the sufficient time to evaluate your career choices.
Continue To Be In School
You could pursue higher education - this will help you become a more well-rounded competent person, and also a more valuable job candidate. Of course, this implies that you delay getting a job, particularly in your field, but if you acquire additional education, for instance a Masters Degree, it will ensure that you get a good starting salary.
The formula is: More Educated Candidate = Bigger paychecks.
Start Working Right Away
If you feel that further study is not your cup of tea, then it would be a great idea to begin working right away. You will probably not earn a very high salary, but you would gain some much-needed practical experience. In time, you'll be able to climb the corporate ladder and increase your earning potential gradually.
Develop Into an Entrepreneur
This is a risky way to take on one's professional career. However, it is very worthwhile professionally and probably financially as well. You need to have an endless amount of self-discipline and persistence to follow this patch, and generally a large start-up fund may be required to get your business off the ground. You should also be prepared to face a lot of barriers - financial and professional. However, if you are determined to succeed, have researched the market and done your homework, then you have every chance to succeed at being your own boss.
Determining what to do right after school isn't easy. By considering the options above, you'll ensure that you start your career off on the right track.
7 Office Behaviors To Avoid For Career Advancement
7 Office Behaviors To Avoid For Career Advancement
Author: Tony Jacowski
When you step into your office, you are supposed to leave everything else behind and put on a professional face. Here are 7 things that you need to avoid at the work place. These will not only help you make a good impression, but will also help you advance your career.
1. Extended Breaks - One of the most annoying things for other employees or for managers and supervisors is employees taking extended breaks. So what if you have a smoking habit and you need to take a break to indulge in it? What about those who do not smoke? They are going to have a problem if you take long breaks to smoke.
Another irritation and one to be avoided is taking extended lunch breaks. More often than not, people use their lunch hour to do personal work; but if you cannot finish a task within this hour, do it on your own time. Never extend your breaks. It does not make the right impression.
2. Tardiness - Being late to work on a given day may be excused. But what is not tolerated is coming in late everyday and leaving early. This is unfair to those people who come on time and leave on time. Do not misuse work hours, unless you have a genuine reason and one that can be excused.
3. Loud Behavior - There are people around you who are trying to work. They do not need disturbances like loud talking or completely irrelevant discussions. Respect other people and their work. You are not only disturbing them by talking loudly, but you are not showing them respect.
4. Being Untidy - You need to keep your workstation clean and also the other areas such as the cafeteria and conference rooms. You wouldn't like it if someone left used tissue or scraps of food on the table in the cafeteria you usually sit at, would you? Extend the same courtesy to other people and clean up after yourself.
5. Leave Personal Issues Behind - Everyone has family and commitments, but when you come to work, you need to leave those behind. There are going to be times when an emergency arises, but those can be dealt with. If you have children or friends who need to contact you at work, try to keep this to a minimum.
Your coworkers are not going to appreciate the fact that you keep taking personal calls at work - and it is going to look like you are not paying enough attention to your job.
6. Remember That Your Words Have Consequences - You have definitely heard the saying "think before you speak". You will have to bear the consequences of the things you say. So think before you speak at all times.
7. Do Not Be Emotional - Do not express anger too vividly. This is true for younger employees who may have an ego issue. Do not let your emotions control your career moves.
Paying attention to these points will go a long way in shaping your career, and often make the difference between professional success and failure.
Author: Tony Jacowski
When you step into your office, you are supposed to leave everything else behind and put on a professional face. Here are 7 things that you need to avoid at the work place. These will not only help you make a good impression, but will also help you advance your career.
1. Extended Breaks - One of the most annoying things for other employees or for managers and supervisors is employees taking extended breaks. So what if you have a smoking habit and you need to take a break to indulge in it? What about those who do not smoke? They are going to have a problem if you take long breaks to smoke.
Another irritation and one to be avoided is taking extended lunch breaks. More often than not, people use their lunch hour to do personal work; but if you cannot finish a task within this hour, do it on your own time. Never extend your breaks. It does not make the right impression.
2. Tardiness - Being late to work on a given day may be excused. But what is not tolerated is coming in late everyday and leaving early. This is unfair to those people who come on time and leave on time. Do not misuse work hours, unless you have a genuine reason and one that can be excused.
3. Loud Behavior - There are people around you who are trying to work. They do not need disturbances like loud talking or completely irrelevant discussions. Respect other people and their work. You are not only disturbing them by talking loudly, but you are not showing them respect.
4. Being Untidy - You need to keep your workstation clean and also the other areas such as the cafeteria and conference rooms. You wouldn't like it if someone left used tissue or scraps of food on the table in the cafeteria you usually sit at, would you? Extend the same courtesy to other people and clean up after yourself.
5. Leave Personal Issues Behind - Everyone has family and commitments, but when you come to work, you need to leave those behind. There are going to be times when an emergency arises, but those can be dealt with. If you have children or friends who need to contact you at work, try to keep this to a minimum.
Your coworkers are not going to appreciate the fact that you keep taking personal calls at work - and it is going to look like you are not paying enough attention to your job.
6. Remember That Your Words Have Consequences - You have definitely heard the saying "think before you speak". You will have to bear the consequences of the things you say. So think before you speak at all times.
7. Do Not Be Emotional - Do not express anger too vividly. This is true for younger employees who may have an ego issue. Do not let your emotions control your career moves.
Paying attention to these points will go a long way in shaping your career, and often make the difference between professional success and failure.
Getting Maximum Attention For Your Online Resume
Getting Maximum Attention For Your Online Resume
Author: Tony Jacowski
How can your resume be noticed among the thousands that are posted online? Recruiters generally face a tough time sorting out the right one to select for an interview.
Basically, it all depends on focus. When you are posting your resume, try to step into the recruiter's shoes and tailor your resume to each specific job posting. Only then will your resume get the attention that it truly deserves!
First Impressions
The first impression is always considered to be the last impression, especially online. Therefore, you should always make your first impression a lasting one. Recruiters usually spend a whopping 30 seconds reading a resume; that's why your resume's first impression is critical.
Recruiters go through resumes like newspapers - they first scan the headlines, and if they find it interesting then they go ahead and read it in depth. So make your resume and headline easy to read and understand. Always showcase your assets by crafting a focused resume.
You can revamp your resume by hiring a professional resume writer. This is a great way to overcome the challenges of getting your resume noticed. You can select one from online sources or rewrite your resume yourself. There are also numerous books and websites that are dedicated to resume writing.
When it comes to writing your resume, you probably need all the help you can get.
Focus
When drafting your resume, don't forget to showcase your strong points, as employers and recruiters don't have enough time to scroll through entire paragraphs to identify your skills.
-Use a resume title to draw online attention and in many cases, simple titles attract the recruiters to view your resume.
-Always list your skills with keywords. Most resume templates prompt you for keywords, while some don't; so try listing your keywords in the summary. Don't compromise on length - but don't make your list as long as possible.
-Don't ever forget to specify your accomplishments.
Simplicity
Avoid using fancy formatting, as simplicity always wins. When it comes to lists, always use bulleted points to make them stand out. Don't forget to proofread your resume before you post it; a resume with mistakes should never hit the printer. If you know that you have a tendency to miss errors in spelling and punctuation, then ask someone else to proofread it before you post it online.
Spread Out
Don't send your resume in a hurry; remember that the bigger the site, the less chance that you will be found. Also, most specialized jobs are found on smaller sites. Always focus on your specialties and make sure they get more exposure.
Remember - when it comes to posting your online resume, you have the freedom to choose any site. But before posting your resume, identify the ones that have the most potential and visibility.
Author: Tony Jacowski
How can your resume be noticed among the thousands that are posted online? Recruiters generally face a tough time sorting out the right one to select for an interview.
Basically, it all depends on focus. When you are posting your resume, try to step into the recruiter's shoes and tailor your resume to each specific job posting. Only then will your resume get the attention that it truly deserves!
First Impressions
The first impression is always considered to be the last impression, especially online. Therefore, you should always make your first impression a lasting one. Recruiters usually spend a whopping 30 seconds reading a resume; that's why your resume's first impression is critical.
Recruiters go through resumes like newspapers - they first scan the headlines, and if they find it interesting then they go ahead and read it in depth. So make your resume and headline easy to read and understand. Always showcase your assets by crafting a focused resume.
You can revamp your resume by hiring a professional resume writer. This is a great way to overcome the challenges of getting your resume noticed. You can select one from online sources or rewrite your resume yourself. There are also numerous books and websites that are dedicated to resume writing.
When it comes to writing your resume, you probably need all the help you can get.
Focus
When drafting your resume, don't forget to showcase your strong points, as employers and recruiters don't have enough time to scroll through entire paragraphs to identify your skills.
-Use a resume title to draw online attention and in many cases, simple titles attract the recruiters to view your resume.
-Always list your skills with keywords. Most resume templates prompt you for keywords, while some don't; so try listing your keywords in the summary. Don't compromise on length - but don't make your list as long as possible.
-Don't ever forget to specify your accomplishments.
Simplicity
Avoid using fancy formatting, as simplicity always wins. When it comes to lists, always use bulleted points to make them stand out. Don't forget to proofread your resume before you post it; a resume with mistakes should never hit the printer. If you know that you have a tendency to miss errors in spelling and punctuation, then ask someone else to proofread it before you post it online.
Spread Out
Don't send your resume in a hurry; remember that the bigger the site, the less chance that you will be found. Also, most specialized jobs are found on smaller sites. Always focus on your specialties and make sure they get more exposure.
Remember - when it comes to posting your online resume, you have the freedom to choose any site. But before posting your resume, identify the ones that have the most potential and visibility.
Advice on How to Ask for a Raise
Advice on How to Ask for a Raise
Author: Jeffry Evans
Yes, you have been working for a while at your current job. Yes, you have been working hard. Yes, you have made some definite positive changes for the company. Now it is time for you to make some more money. But the question is, why won't the boss give it to me? The answer is simple, they are already getting great work out of you, why should they pay you more? Also, if they pay you more, then that means they will make less in profit. I know when you read this that you are thinking your employer either doesn't think this way, or if they do that it is very evil, but at the end of the day, it's just business.
All businesses are in it for the money. They all want to sell as much of their product or service as possible, while spending as little as possible in materials, labor, intellectual property, etc. So, how to ask for a raise? Well let me give you a few pointers to motivate your employer to upping your dollars:
1. Understand that the company is in business to make money, not to pay you.
This is critical to having the right approach when you walk into the boss' office.
2. Schedule a time with your boss to discuss your compensation.
I know this seems like a 'duh' thing, but really, how long have you wanted a raise, but not done anything to push the matter? You can't receive anything, if you don't ask for it. Being proactive will get you a lot further, a lot faster.
3. Make sure to stay very professional, and keep a low tone of voice when speaking to your boss.
Facts are a lot more important than opinions. If you can show your boss evidence of being underpaid, and not be offensive when presenting your case, you are much more likely to obtain the raise you are wanting.
4. Instead of protesting how hard you've worked, how you are always on time, and very reliable while at work, focus on the benefits the company receives by employing you.
Explain to the boss how you have helped to increase sales, or how you have worked to lower the company's costs in particular areas. If you are in customer service, explain how you have worked to appease your customers, and note any repeat business the company has received from those customers. If you are in administration or a technical area, explain how much time you were able to save other employees by the systems you have put into place. If you have saved those employees a lot of time, they are able to do more, and the company will not have to hire additional people, i.e. you are saving the company money.
5. Do some market research on average salaries for comparable jobs in your area.
Monster's Salary Wizard is a good place to start. If you find that you are being paid considerably lower than your peers, this is good ammunition to bring to your boss' attention.
6. Finally, the best way to get a raise from your current employer is to get another job.
In my own experience this is the best way to apply enough pressure to get the raise you deserve. If you go out there and find another job that pays more, then go to your boss and tell them you have another offer on the table that you are considering, they will be much more likely to negotiate with you. Fear of loss is one of the best sales tactics. And make no mistake, when you ask for a raise, you are a salesman, you are selling yourself to your boss. The great thing is, if your current boss says no to the raise, then you can take the other job.
Don't be deceived by tenure, or other baloney things that employers may put out there. You don't have to wait for an annual review to get a raise. But make sure that if you are asking for a raise, that you have some very solid evidence of why you deserve a raise. Asking for a raise is a delicate issue, however, with a calm and knowledgeable approach backed with industry and local facts, you will put yourself in the best position for getting that raise.
Author: Jeffry Evans
Yes, you have been working for a while at your current job. Yes, you have been working hard. Yes, you have made some definite positive changes for the company. Now it is time for you to make some more money. But the question is, why won't the boss give it to me? The answer is simple, they are already getting great work out of you, why should they pay you more? Also, if they pay you more, then that means they will make less in profit. I know when you read this that you are thinking your employer either doesn't think this way, or if they do that it is very evil, but at the end of the day, it's just business.
All businesses are in it for the money. They all want to sell as much of their product or service as possible, while spending as little as possible in materials, labor, intellectual property, etc. So, how to ask for a raise? Well let me give you a few pointers to motivate your employer to upping your dollars:
1. Understand that the company is in business to make money, not to pay you.
This is critical to having the right approach when you walk into the boss' office.
2. Schedule a time with your boss to discuss your compensation.
I know this seems like a 'duh' thing, but really, how long have you wanted a raise, but not done anything to push the matter? You can't receive anything, if you don't ask for it. Being proactive will get you a lot further, a lot faster.
3. Make sure to stay very professional, and keep a low tone of voice when speaking to your boss.
Facts are a lot more important than opinions. If you can show your boss evidence of being underpaid, and not be offensive when presenting your case, you are much more likely to obtain the raise you are wanting.
4. Instead of protesting how hard you've worked, how you are always on time, and very reliable while at work, focus on the benefits the company receives by employing you.
Explain to the boss how you have helped to increase sales, or how you have worked to lower the company's costs in particular areas. If you are in customer service, explain how you have worked to appease your customers, and note any repeat business the company has received from those customers. If you are in administration or a technical area, explain how much time you were able to save other employees by the systems you have put into place. If you have saved those employees a lot of time, they are able to do more, and the company will not have to hire additional people, i.e. you are saving the company money.
5. Do some market research on average salaries for comparable jobs in your area.
Monster's Salary Wizard is a good place to start. If you find that you are being paid considerably lower than your peers, this is good ammunition to bring to your boss' attention.
6. Finally, the best way to get a raise from your current employer is to get another job.
In my own experience this is the best way to apply enough pressure to get the raise you deserve. If you go out there and find another job that pays more, then go to your boss and tell them you have another offer on the table that you are considering, they will be much more likely to negotiate with you. Fear of loss is one of the best sales tactics. And make no mistake, when you ask for a raise, you are a salesman, you are selling yourself to your boss. The great thing is, if your current boss says no to the raise, then you can take the other job.
Don't be deceived by tenure, or other baloney things that employers may put out there. You don't have to wait for an annual review to get a raise. But make sure that if you are asking for a raise, that you have some very solid evidence of why you deserve a raise. Asking for a raise is a delicate issue, however, with a calm and knowledgeable approach backed with industry and local facts, you will put yourself in the best position for getting that raise.
Benefits of Hiring Resume Writing Services
Benefits of Hiring Resume Writing Services
Author: Adam Boulton Accepted Format by MNC's. Submit Your Resume Free. Now!
Resume writing services assist in making a resume stand out from the crowd and help get interviews quickly. Resume writing services have contacts with the clients throughout the process and have a personalized approach to develop the resume. The charges for resume writing differ from company to company and depend upon the type of resume.
Resume writing services are of two types viz proof reading and copyediting resume and professional resume preparation. In the first type there should be an own resume and sent it as an e-mail attachment. Services would then check for the grammar, punctuation and spelling and add comments where there is a need for rectification and return them.
Services merely check and correct the existing errors but do not rewrite any resume
Professional resume writing services prepare resumes based on the information provided like date of employment, specific positions of the employment and responsibilities. Accurate and specific details given help in drafting a complete and credible resume.
Professional resume writing services are inevitable because if there are spelling and grammatical errors they may automatically disqualify a resume form consideration. Since employers receive scores of resumes everyday it is imperative that one resume stands out to be noticed and resume-writing services do just that.
The job of a resume writing service can be made easier if the resume is short, identifying the skills clearly, being honest, not being modest, giving importance to content and always along with a covering letter.
Since the resume represents the person in his absence, it is the first contact with the prospective employer and therefore it should stand ahead above the rest. A resume written by professionals will highly increase the response rate and shorten the job search time .In fact the candidate who presents very well gets the job rather than who is better qualified. Professional writing services quickly screen out scores of resumes and see to it that the resume survives the initial ten-second scrutiny.
The resume writing services have an in-depth knowledge of what the employers exactly need and therefore skillfully convey the nuances and information that are needed to reach the objective of gaining an interview. Resume writing services determine what should be eliminated or included, identify the key words important to the resume being selected and minimize the factors that make the resume an average one and thus write a powerful resume that is appealing to the employer.
Landing the job is 70 percent skills and 30 percent presentation. To achieve this goal, it is important to choose the best resume writing service.
A service, which has a strong history record, that publish information regarding ownership, location and history without concealing them can be taken to be a reliable good resume writing service. Also companies that have partnerships or good affiliations with large organizations are good resume writing services.
visit: http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/benefits-of-hiring-resume-writing-services-397848.html
Author: Adam Boulton Accepted Format by MNC's. Submit Your Resume Free. Now!
Resume writing services assist in making a resume stand out from the crowd and help get interviews quickly. Resume writing services have contacts with the clients throughout the process and have a personalized approach to develop the resume. The charges for resume writing differ from company to company and depend upon the type of resume.
Resume writing services are of two types viz proof reading and copyediting resume and professional resume preparation. In the first type there should be an own resume and sent it as an e-mail attachment. Services would then check for the grammar, punctuation and spelling and add comments where there is a need for rectification and return them.
Services merely check and correct the existing errors but do not rewrite any resume
Professional resume writing services prepare resumes based on the information provided like date of employment, specific positions of the employment and responsibilities. Accurate and specific details given help in drafting a complete and credible resume.
Professional resume writing services are inevitable because if there are spelling and grammatical errors they may automatically disqualify a resume form consideration. Since employers receive scores of resumes everyday it is imperative that one resume stands out to be noticed and resume-writing services do just that.
The job of a resume writing service can be made easier if the resume is short, identifying the skills clearly, being honest, not being modest, giving importance to content and always along with a covering letter.
Since the resume represents the person in his absence, it is the first contact with the prospective employer and therefore it should stand ahead above the rest. A resume written by professionals will highly increase the response rate and shorten the job search time .In fact the candidate who presents very well gets the job rather than who is better qualified. Professional writing services quickly screen out scores of resumes and see to it that the resume survives the initial ten-second scrutiny.
The resume writing services have an in-depth knowledge of what the employers exactly need and therefore skillfully convey the nuances and information that are needed to reach the objective of gaining an interview. Resume writing services determine what should be eliminated or included, identify the key words important to the resume being selected and minimize the factors that make the resume an average one and thus write a powerful resume that is appealing to the employer.
Landing the job is 70 percent skills and 30 percent presentation. To achieve this goal, it is important to choose the best resume writing service.
A service, which has a strong history record, that publish information regarding ownership, location and history without concealing them can be taken to be a reliable good resume writing service. Also companies that have partnerships or good affiliations with large organizations are good resume writing services.
visit: http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/benefits-of-hiring-resume-writing-services-397848.html
Tips for Preparing the Best Curriculum Vitae
Tips for Preparing the Best Curriculum Vitae
Author: Adam Boulton
Curriculum vitae abbreviated a CV in Latin means "course of life" which is a comprehensive listing of professional history including every term of the employment, publication, academic credentials and contribution or significant achievement.
Different countries hold different yardstick for the definition of curriculum vitae. In the western countries, using a photograph is strongly discouraged because it may be taken that the employer would discriminate on the basis of a person's appearance, age, sex, race and attractiveness and so on except for theatre and modeling jobs.
A British CV has personal details on top, like name in bold letters, address, contact numbers and an e-mail address. Modern curriculum vitaes are more flexible. Curriculum vitae should be a personal profile written either in the first or third person, which is purely factual with a bulleted list of the jobseeker’s key skills and work experience in a reverse chronological order. In US and Canada a curriculum vitae is a comprehensive listing of every stage of the professional history of the applicant and in some professions, it may even include samples of the person's work running into many pages.
The curriculum vitae should account for the writer's full academic and career history describing the achievements and it is better to be typed or word-processed. The worst thing is to lie on the work experience or education, will be considered as a fraud and a serious criminal offence.
Internet recruiting has been on the increase and so electronic version of the curriculum vitae is preferable which has the added advantage of cost savings over the traditional methods.
Although resume and curriculum vitae can be used interchangeably there are certain basic differences between a resume and curriculum vitae.
A resume usually has a free form organizational style to find an employment in the private sector whereas a CV has a more standardized synopsis looking for positions in academic or educational institutions. A resume is suited for a specific group of target people and is more descriptive whereas a curriculum vitae presents information about oneself in a compact and clear and precise way. A resume may start with a specific personal goal followed by a list of achievements whereas curriculum vitae includes complete list of data. A resume may or may not submit the complete history of the person but curriculum vitae usually ensures that there are no omissions.
Even though there is no universally accepted format for writing a curriculum vita, it should basically possess a good presentation, be a source of interesting relevant information and a script that talks about oneself because a curriculum vita is written not for the applicant but for the reader’s information. Irrelevant and negative information should be left out. The appearance of curriculum vitae makes a lot of difference. So the layout of a curriculum vitae should be neat, must be written on a good quality paper, be concise and should be free from spelling or typographical errors.
In a nutshell, a curriculum vita must meet the needs of the person to whom it is intended for and the applicant must be comfortable with its content and style.
Author: Adam Boulton
Curriculum vitae abbreviated a CV in Latin means "course of life" which is a comprehensive listing of professional history including every term of the employment, publication, academic credentials and contribution or significant achievement.
Different countries hold different yardstick for the definition of curriculum vitae. In the western countries, using a photograph is strongly discouraged because it may be taken that the employer would discriminate on the basis of a person's appearance, age, sex, race and attractiveness and so on except for theatre and modeling jobs.
A British CV has personal details on top, like name in bold letters, address, contact numbers and an e-mail address. Modern curriculum vitaes are more flexible. Curriculum vitae should be a personal profile written either in the first or third person, which is purely factual with a bulleted list of the jobseeker’s key skills and work experience in a reverse chronological order. In US and Canada a curriculum vitae is a comprehensive listing of every stage of the professional history of the applicant and in some professions, it may even include samples of the person's work running into many pages.
The curriculum vitae should account for the writer's full academic and career history describing the achievements and it is better to be typed or word-processed. The worst thing is to lie on the work experience or education, will be considered as a fraud and a serious criminal offence.
Internet recruiting has been on the increase and so electronic version of the curriculum vitae is preferable which has the added advantage of cost savings over the traditional methods.
Although resume and curriculum vitae can be used interchangeably there are certain basic differences between a resume and curriculum vitae.
A resume usually has a free form organizational style to find an employment in the private sector whereas a CV has a more standardized synopsis looking for positions in academic or educational institutions. A resume is suited for a specific group of target people and is more descriptive whereas a curriculum vitae presents information about oneself in a compact and clear and precise way. A resume may start with a specific personal goal followed by a list of achievements whereas curriculum vitae includes complete list of data. A resume may or may not submit the complete history of the person but curriculum vitae usually ensures that there are no omissions.
Even though there is no universally accepted format for writing a curriculum vita, it should basically possess a good presentation, be a source of interesting relevant information and a script that talks about oneself because a curriculum vita is written not for the applicant but for the reader’s information. Irrelevant and negative information should be left out. The appearance of curriculum vitae makes a lot of difference. So the layout of a curriculum vitae should be neat, must be written on a good quality paper, be concise and should be free from spelling or typographical errors.
In a nutshell, a curriculum vita must meet the needs of the person to whom it is intended for and the applicant must be comfortable with its content and style.
Discover the Work You Were Born to Do
Discover the Work You Were Born to Do
by James Gonyea
Monster Contributing Writer
So you've been hearing that voice again, the one that says you're not doing what you were born to do. That may be true, but how do you figure out what you should be doing?
To begin answering this question, examine whether your current career path matches your core interests, beliefs, values, needs and skills. Professional career counselors usually undertake this strategy when attempting to help clients identify appropriate career directions.
Here's what I ask clients to help them find their core. Ask yourself these questions, and record your answers:
1. What subjects do you most enjoy reading about?
2. What television or radio programs do you most enjoy?
3. What are your favorite types of movies?
4. What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
5. What type of volunteer activities do you prefer?
6. What subjects do you enjoy discussing with friends?
7. What subjects come to mind when you daydream?
8. What have been your favorite jobs?
9. What were your favorite school subjects?
10. What are your pet peeves?
11. If you doodle, what do you often draw?
12. If you ran the world, what changes would you make?
13. If you won a million bucks, what would you do with it?
14. Who are your favorite kinds of people?
15. How would you like to be remembered after your death?
16. What are your favorite toys?
17. How would you describe your political beliefs?
18. Who do you most admire in life and why?
19. What tasks have brought you the most success?
20. What tasks do you think you could do well that you haven't yet done?
Examine your answers. Do you see a certain behavior or belief in more than one aspect of your life? What information do you see repeated that seems to reveal a behavior pattern? What are your long-lasting interests?
Using this information, paint a self-portrait by completing the following statements:
I am mainly interested in…
I believe most in…
I most value…
For a good life, I feel I need…
I can do the following well…
Now ask yourself if your current job helps you achieve these five statements. If it does, you're probably in the right career. Chances are, however, that the nagging voice means your current career is not satisfying your core features. If this is the case, then it's time to find a better fit.
by James Gonyea
Monster Contributing Writer
So you've been hearing that voice again, the one that says you're not doing what you were born to do. That may be true, but how do you figure out what you should be doing?
To begin answering this question, examine whether your current career path matches your core interests, beliefs, values, needs and skills. Professional career counselors usually undertake this strategy when attempting to help clients identify appropriate career directions.
Here's what I ask clients to help them find their core. Ask yourself these questions, and record your answers:
1. What subjects do you most enjoy reading about?
2. What television or radio programs do you most enjoy?
3. What are your favorite types of movies?
4. What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
5. What type of volunteer activities do you prefer?
6. What subjects do you enjoy discussing with friends?
7. What subjects come to mind when you daydream?
8. What have been your favorite jobs?
9. What were your favorite school subjects?
10. What are your pet peeves?
11. If you doodle, what do you often draw?
12. If you ran the world, what changes would you make?
13. If you won a million bucks, what would you do with it?
14. Who are your favorite kinds of people?
15. How would you like to be remembered after your death?
16. What are your favorite toys?
17. How would you describe your political beliefs?
18. Who do you most admire in life and why?
19. What tasks have brought you the most success?
20. What tasks do you think you could do well that you haven't yet done?
Examine your answers. Do you see a certain behavior or belief in more than one aspect of your life? What information do you see repeated that seems to reveal a behavior pattern? What are your long-lasting interests?
Using this information, paint a self-portrait by completing the following statements:
I am mainly interested in…
I believe most in…
I most value…
For a good life, I feel I need…
I can do the following well…
Now ask yourself if your current job helps you achieve these five statements. If it does, you're probably in the right career. Chances are, however, that the nagging voice means your current career is not satisfying your core features. If this is the case, then it's time to find a better fit.
Get the Interview
Get the Interview
Be Proactive Before and After You Send Your Resume
by Kim Isaacs
Monster Resume Expert
You find a promising job listing online. Excited, you send a well-crafted cover letter and resume and wait for a response. Six weeks later, you're still waiting, your enthusiasm has waned, and you've concluded your resume has fallen into a black hole.
A proactive approach to your job search can improve your chances of landing interviews. These six tips will help maximize your success.
Make Contact Before Sending Your Resume
Unless you're responding to an ad that requests "no phone calls," try to contact the hiring manager before you send your resume. Even if you don't know the name of the person handling the search, you can do a bit of investigation to locate the correct person, if you know the employer.
Once you get the person on the phone, be brief. The purpose of your call is to express enthusiasm about the opportunity, and that you can positively contribute to the team. Be prepared with a short pitch about your qualifications and the ways you could benefit the employer. Keep the focus on the employer, not you.
If you don't get to speak with the hiring manager, find out who the recruiter is in charge of hiring for the position as well as the correct spelling of his name.
End Your Cover Letter with a Promise of Action
Conclude your letter with something like, "I will follow up with you in a few days to discuss the possibility of an interview. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me at ______." If you say you will follow up, make sure you do.
Follow Up Quickly on All Resumes You Send
Follow up within three to five business days. You can follow up by phone, or by email if replying to a blind ad or the ad specifies no calls.
When following up by phone, try saying something like, "Hi, my name is ______ and I submitted my resume for your ______ opening. I'm extremely interested in this opportunity, and I just wanted to touch base with you on how I can benefit your operation..."
If you are following up by email, your message should be brief. Here's an example:
Dear Name (or "Hiring Manager" if name is unknown):
I recently applied for your ______ opening, and I just wanted to follow up to make sure my resume was received. My strong background in ______, ______ and ______ appears to be an excellent match to the qualifications you are seeking, and I am very interested in your opportunity. I realize you may not yet be at the interview stage, but I am more than happy to answer any preliminary questions you may have, and I can be reached at ______. Thank you for your time and kind consideration.
Sincerely,
_______
Be Purposeful in Your Subsequent Follow-Up Contacts
If several weeks pass after your initial follow-up without word from the employer, initiate another call or email. Your purpose for following up could be to find out if a timeline has been established for interviews or to leave an alternate contact number if you will be traveling. As always, be polite, professional and respectful.
Keep a Contact Log
Your follow-up attempts will be much easier if you keep a contact log of all positions to which you apply. Your log should include a copy of the ad for the position (don't rely on a job posting URL, as jobs can be removed from the Web), the file name of the resume and cover letter you sent, contact dates, names of hiring managers and a summary of information you gleaned during your contact with them.
Don't Be a Pest
Repeated follow-ups are tricky. Unless you are confident that you can walk the fine line between being persistent and becoming a pest, exercise restraint after your third or fourth follow-up contact. Don't give up hope if your follow-up efforts don't yield immediate results. Depending on the employer, industry, specific job and number of responses, the time between the application closing date and the day interview invitations are issued can be as long as several months.
Be Proactive Before and After You Send Your Resume
by Kim Isaacs
Monster Resume Expert
You find a promising job listing online. Excited, you send a well-crafted cover letter and resume and wait for a response. Six weeks later, you're still waiting, your enthusiasm has waned, and you've concluded your resume has fallen into a black hole.
A proactive approach to your job search can improve your chances of landing interviews. These six tips will help maximize your success.
Make Contact Before Sending Your Resume
Unless you're responding to an ad that requests "no phone calls," try to contact the hiring manager before you send your resume. Even if you don't know the name of the person handling the search, you can do a bit of investigation to locate the correct person, if you know the employer.
Once you get the person on the phone, be brief. The purpose of your call is to express enthusiasm about the opportunity, and that you can positively contribute to the team. Be prepared with a short pitch about your qualifications and the ways you could benefit the employer. Keep the focus on the employer, not you.
If you don't get to speak with the hiring manager, find out who the recruiter is in charge of hiring for the position as well as the correct spelling of his name.
End Your Cover Letter with a Promise of Action
Conclude your letter with something like, "I will follow up with you in a few days to discuss the possibility of an interview. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me at ______." If you say you will follow up, make sure you do.
Follow Up Quickly on All Resumes You Send
Follow up within three to five business days. You can follow up by phone, or by email if replying to a blind ad or the ad specifies no calls.
When following up by phone, try saying something like, "Hi, my name is ______ and I submitted my resume for your ______ opening. I'm extremely interested in this opportunity, and I just wanted to touch base with you on how I can benefit your operation..."
If you are following up by email, your message should be brief. Here's an example:
Dear Name (or "Hiring Manager" if name is unknown):
I recently applied for your ______ opening, and I just wanted to follow up to make sure my resume was received. My strong background in ______, ______ and ______ appears to be an excellent match to the qualifications you are seeking, and I am very interested in your opportunity. I realize you may not yet be at the interview stage, but I am more than happy to answer any preliminary questions you may have, and I can be reached at ______. Thank you for your time and kind consideration.
Sincerely,
_______
Be Purposeful in Your Subsequent Follow-Up Contacts
If several weeks pass after your initial follow-up without word from the employer, initiate another call or email. Your purpose for following up could be to find out if a timeline has been established for interviews or to leave an alternate contact number if you will be traveling. As always, be polite, professional and respectful.
Keep a Contact Log
Your follow-up attempts will be much easier if you keep a contact log of all positions to which you apply. Your log should include a copy of the ad for the position (don't rely on a job posting URL, as jobs can be removed from the Web), the file name of the resume and cover letter you sent, contact dates, names of hiring managers and a summary of information you gleaned during your contact with them.
Don't Be a Pest
Repeated follow-ups are tricky. Unless you are confident that you can walk the fine line between being persistent and becoming a pest, exercise restraint after your third or fourth follow-up contact. Don't give up hope if your follow-up efforts don't yield immediate results. Depending on the employer, industry, specific job and number of responses, the time between the application closing date and the day interview invitations are issued can be as long as several months.
Adjust to Your New Job
Adjust to Your New Job
by Anya Martin
Monster Contributing Writer
Your first week at a new job is supposed to be exciting -- the start of the next adventure in your career -- and you've been looking forward to doing something different. Perhaps you've made a shift into a new kind of business, leaping from law to finance or from a technology firm to a medical practice.
Whatever the case, starting a new job means you may be confronted with a range of challenges that might include new software or a fresh operating system. You're sure you're up to it, but suddenly you're faced with a learning curve that seems as steep as Mount Everest.
Don't panic. Remember those first days on your last job. You probably felt just as nervous, but after a while, all those intimidating tasks became second nature. Here are some tips to get you over the mountain.
Ask Questions
Bosses sometimes expect employees to be psychic, but it's best to ask about expectations up-front. In today's work world, with more and more workers reporting to multiple bosses, remember that different people may have different preferences.
You also may be assigned a particular person, a supervisor or coworker, to whom questions should be addressed. However, in many offices, no one person holds all the answers or is always available. Therefore, it pays to identify your best sources for questions on different topics. If you're on a team where each person's tasks are similar, you may have lots of people to choose from. Other information sources could include IT specialists for computer matters, mailroom clerks for shipping instructions and human resources personnel for protocol questions. Let everyone know you're the new kid on the block, and ask them to take the lead and guide you.
But Be Sure the Time Is Right
In a really busy office, you may begin to feel like your constant questions are becoming annoying. Pay attention to what others are up to before you interrupt with a question. Consider their body language and tone of voice. Does your coworker or boss appear harried or in the middle of something? If yes, can the question wait? Can you drop that task and work on another until a more convenient time? Consider going to another source or accumulating multiple questions so you only have to bother the person once. Ask for a convenient time to set up an appointment, or email questions so they can be answered easily when convenient.
Take Notes
This may seem like a no-brainer, but the trick to ramping up at a new job is accessing information when you need it. Make sure your how-to instructions and various lists are well-organized. If your job requires some moving around, it's no good to have a helpful Post-it back on your bulletin board. Use a portable notebook or accordion folder with labeled dividers that you can even take home for review.
Ask for Examples
If you're not sure how to fill out a form or craft a document, ask for an example you can keep on file. File these samples in your notebook or folder as well.
Sign Up for Classes
Many companies offer complimentary courses to help employees get up to speed on a variety of tasks, from software to customer service to specialty skills such as medical coding. Ask your supervisor for a list of available classes, an increasing number of which may be online or on CD-ROM for independent study. Many large firms post class descriptions and schedules on their intranets. Also, check software for tutorials, explore "help" sections and sift through manuals.
Finally, don't forget to take a deep breath! Your new workplace has factored in time for the learning curve. When filling a key spot in a fast-paced environment, you may feel pressured to catch up quickly. But if you do new tasks too fast, you're liable to make mistakes. If you're concerned about taking too long, talk to your supervisor and communicate your appreciation of the importance of getting tasks done correctly.
by Anya Martin
Monster Contributing Writer
Your first week at a new job is supposed to be exciting -- the start of the next adventure in your career -- and you've been looking forward to doing something different. Perhaps you've made a shift into a new kind of business, leaping from law to finance or from a technology firm to a medical practice.
Whatever the case, starting a new job means you may be confronted with a range of challenges that might include new software or a fresh operating system. You're sure you're up to it, but suddenly you're faced with a learning curve that seems as steep as Mount Everest.
Don't panic. Remember those first days on your last job. You probably felt just as nervous, but after a while, all those intimidating tasks became second nature. Here are some tips to get you over the mountain.
Ask Questions
Bosses sometimes expect employees to be psychic, but it's best to ask about expectations up-front. In today's work world, with more and more workers reporting to multiple bosses, remember that different people may have different preferences.
You also may be assigned a particular person, a supervisor or coworker, to whom questions should be addressed. However, in many offices, no one person holds all the answers or is always available. Therefore, it pays to identify your best sources for questions on different topics. If you're on a team where each person's tasks are similar, you may have lots of people to choose from. Other information sources could include IT specialists for computer matters, mailroom clerks for shipping instructions and human resources personnel for protocol questions. Let everyone know you're the new kid on the block, and ask them to take the lead and guide you.
But Be Sure the Time Is Right
In a really busy office, you may begin to feel like your constant questions are becoming annoying. Pay attention to what others are up to before you interrupt with a question. Consider their body language and tone of voice. Does your coworker or boss appear harried or in the middle of something? If yes, can the question wait? Can you drop that task and work on another until a more convenient time? Consider going to another source or accumulating multiple questions so you only have to bother the person once. Ask for a convenient time to set up an appointment, or email questions so they can be answered easily when convenient.
Take Notes
This may seem like a no-brainer, but the trick to ramping up at a new job is accessing information when you need it. Make sure your how-to instructions and various lists are well-organized. If your job requires some moving around, it's no good to have a helpful Post-it back on your bulletin board. Use a portable notebook or accordion folder with labeled dividers that you can even take home for review.
Ask for Examples
If you're not sure how to fill out a form or craft a document, ask for an example you can keep on file. File these samples in your notebook or folder as well.
Sign Up for Classes
Many companies offer complimentary courses to help employees get up to speed on a variety of tasks, from software to customer service to specialty skills such as medical coding. Ask your supervisor for a list of available classes, an increasing number of which may be online or on CD-ROM for independent study. Many large firms post class descriptions and schedules on their intranets. Also, check software for tutorials, explore "help" sections and sift through manuals.
Finally, don't forget to take a deep breath! Your new workplace has factored in time for the learning curve. When filling a key spot in a fast-paced environment, you may feel pressured to catch up quickly. But if you do new tasks too fast, you're liable to make mistakes. If you're concerned about taking too long, talk to your supervisor and communicate your appreciation of the importance of getting tasks done correctly.
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