Nicholas Tan asked:


Hunting for jobs nowadays is a very competitive and sometimes cut-throat affair. Here are a few tips to help you get the edge in searching out and landing the job of your dreams.

The Curriculum Vitae

The CV is the first, and at most times the most important part of applying for a job. Since potential employers have to whittle down practically hundreds of applications to a few valid ones, they will have to base their narrowing down efforts using the CVs they have collected.

Studies have shown that about half of the employers decide to accept or reject job applications based on the related work experience listed in the CV. A third of the employers decide to reject or accept these job applications based on the layout design of these applications.

1. Make Your CV Stand Out

When preparing your CV, make sure your CV stands out among the rest. It should be the type that is appealing to the eyes, making the evaluating personnel want to read the CV. Step two is for you to make sure your CV lists the related work experience you have had in relation to the job you are applying for.

1. Make Your CV Concise and Relevant

Avoid making your CVs too long. It may make it irrelevant to the evaluator. Remember that the employer is a person to whom time is important. If your CV shows that you value his/her time while showing the most relevant information in the least amount of time, you will have won one important battle.

2. Always tailor your CV to the job.

You may have had previous experience that may not be related to the job you are applying for. Some people keep many different versions of their CV for different job opening purposes. Make sure your CV is appropriate for the job. A one-size-fits-all CV may not be the best way to go since the employer will have the impression that your previous efforts have not been focused enough to produce any specialization on your part.

3. Write about your achievements

You may add your achievements, but make your statements factual and relevant. It does not do harm to advertise yourself, but make your advertisement matter-of-fact and not just hot air. You may want to skip on listing your weak points as the CV is not the avenue for such discussions.

4. Polish Your CV

Your employer will know if you have put enough time producing your CV. If he/she sees that you have put sufficient and thorough effort into your CV, he/she will assume that you will do the same in your work. This is a big plus for you. It is not uncommon for some people to spend days or even weeks polishing and buffing their CVs.

Paul Megan asked:


Maybe you haven’t heard of the revolutionary non-traditional job hunt system. We pioneered it when we discovered that the old-fashioned methods didn’t work any more.

We found out that writing a resume, distributing it to some job websites, mailing it to a bunch of companies, agencies and recruiters, answering some ads and then waiting for the phone to ring . . . well, they just don’t get the job done anymore.

We also discovered that the job market follows the same principles as the business market. And that running a successful job campaign is like running a small entrepreneurial business.

Te see if you’re right for this amazing non-traditional job hunt system, take this simple test by answering “true” or “false” to the following questions:

1. I depend on my resume to get me a job.

2. I understand that the more broadly I distribute my resume, the better the response.

3. An employer is most interested in my work history.

4. There’s no way to avoid competition for a job opening.

5. If there’s no job opening, there’s no opportunity for me.

If you answered “true” to any of these questions, you better try something new because you don’t understand the basics of the 21st Century job market. And you can expect to spend weeks or months looking for a job. A non-traditional job hunt is right for you.

1. Resumes don’t get jobs. No one will hire you until they’ve met you face-to-face and can see for themselves that you can be a welcome addition to the team. This goes way beyond a resume.

2. The more broadly you distribute you resume, the more competition you create for yourself. Just as in an entrepreneurial business, you must target very specific decision-makers in very specific organizations. And then arrange to meet face-to-face.

3. Employers could care less about what you used to do for someone else. They expect you to know something about them and their organization and goals. And then come to the table with specific ways you can make a contribution.

4. When you target a specific decision-maker instead of a job opening, you avoid all the competition.

5. The facts are that some of the best job offers are made in situations where a traditional job opening doesn’t exist.

Now, the good news is that there is a proven system that can walk you through the non-traditional job hunt process step-by-step. And if you follow it, you can be meeting face-to-face with a prospective employer in a matter of days. You can be entertaining a good job offer in as little as two weeks!

Dave Poon asked:


Nowadays, looking for a job is easy; this is because of the tools available online.

One effective tool for job hunting is job search engine. It allows you to look for job vacancies on a certain area or even globally.

What these job search engines do is create a bank of jobs, which came from different companies. Then, they categorized the collected data so that job seekers can easily locate a job appropriate for them.

This also provide convenience to job seekers since the search process has been narrowed down into just job listings instead of using a regular search engine that may provide you a long list of results and some may not even be associated with the job you are looking for.

Another advantage of using job search engines is their large job bank. If you are looking for job and does not have restrictions on the job location, then using job search engines is good for you.

Unlike the job ads in newspapers, which can only provide you limited search ads and you cannot go back to the ads posted the other day, job search engines provides a wide range of selection and are searchable as long as the job is still offered by the company.

However, some job search engines are limited only to certain regions or countries so you may want to check the services offered before choosing a job search engine.

Job search engines are also easy to use because all you have to do is using the search box. They even list the job per category so you can also view all job listings for a specific job position.

Some job search engine also great features offered by, which will make your job-hunting much easier. These include:

Free resume posting.

Job search engines often allow you to post your resume. Then, the job search engine will use this information so it can identify which job is right for you.

Instead of looking for a job yourself, the job search engine will send you an email with the list of new job posting which matches your preferred job, credentials and work experience (based on the resume you posted).

View company profile.

Knowing the background of the company that you are applying for is important so that you know if you share the same vision with what the company has. Also, from the profile, you can see what the company can offer to you.

This can help you decide if you really would like to be part of the company before even applying to them. You can also make comparison among companies if ever they posted same job openings. Thus, you can first collect and just select the best later on.

Customizable search.

If you would like to narrow your search and would view only job openings that meet your preset criteria, utilizing the customizable search can do this. Criteria can be job location, expected salary, schedule preference, category search or employment type.

Get job advice.

Some search engine sites even extend their help by providing tips and advice about your job or job hunting. You can look up for articles about resume writing, preparing for an interview, etc.

You may even send an email to them or chat with their agent about a problem you are having with your job or if you are having difficulty looking for a job.

With the many services and features of job search engines, they can effectively help you in landing to your dream job.

Paul Megan asked:


Well, you’re already familiar with a traditional job hunt. That’s where you write a resume, mail it or email it to lots of employers. Post it on a couple websites like Monster and HotJobs. And wait for the phone to ring.

If it does, you may get invited in for an interview . . . usually with a lower level HR associate. Or maybe with a management assistant. If the phone doesn’t ring, you send out more resumes.

Now, you may eventually wind up with a job. But the chances are it will be after weeks or months of frustration, nail-biting and downright discouragement. And then you’ll probably have to settle rather select your next job.

The good news is there’s a better way . . . and a lot faster, too! It’s called “alternative job hunting.”

An “alternative job hunting strategy” has a totally different starting point. It focuses exclusively on what it takes to get in front of the person who could be your next boss. And then how to represent yourself in a way that convincingly helps him/her see you as a productive member of the team.

Any technique that contributes to that goal is called an “alternative job hunting strategy.” Usually the alternative technique is a departure from traditional approaches. On the other hand it’s much quicker.

Following an alternative job hunting strategy means you can be entertaining a good job offer is as little as 14 days!

For example, as a student of an alternative job hunting strategy you would learn how to recruit and access “career partners.” When you establish a rapport and chemistry with selected friends, community leaders, business owners, religious leaders, etc. and approach them correctly, they become an invaluable and almost immediate resource for you.

Your career partners can provide you with critical intelligence, open doors and make introductions that can shortcut all the mailings and phone calls and get you face-to-face with a real decision-maker in record time.

You know, so much can go wrong with a traditional job search that it’s almost impossible these days to get the position and compensation that’s right for you. Unfortunately, we have the bad habit of convincing ourselves that whatever comes along will be OK.

That’s called “staying the course.” But it doesn’t have to be that way!

An alternative job hunting strategy is a remarkable way to put yourself in control of your destiny. And it’s so much easier and quicker than the old-fashioned, traditional approaches. Isn’t it time for you to investigate how this 21st Century process can turn you into a job search winner?

PAUL BOWLEY asked:


If your job hunt is going smoothly, you may become complacent. You may think you can cream any interview because you’re sharp enough to handle anything that’s thrown at you. But be careful!

Now is the time to be prepared for job hunt backlash . . . you know, the kind of questions an interviewer may throw at you to unsettle you and find your weak spots. It happens almost every time. And unfortunately unprepared candidates fall right into the trap . . . and strangle their chances.

Job hunt tip: Be prepared for tough questions. Don’t become defensive!

Human nature being what it is, we tend to become defensive when confronted with something we don’t like to hear about ourselves. We feel we have to explain. We have to protect our image. We can’t let someone else think we’re not as good as we think we are.

So we have to show the other person they’re wrong. Trouble is . . . no one likes to be told they’re wrong. Especially if you’re a prospective employer.

In fact, employers will frequently ask difficult questions just to see how you respond. If you get defensive you just lost! So you need to be prepared for the tough questions that come your way. And you need to have a way to respond that opens door rather than close them.

So, here’s a simple 3-step process guaranteed to defuse tough job search questions and create respect.

STEP ONE: Acknowledge the legitimacy of an employer’s concern by saying, “I appreciate your concern,” or “I certainly understand why you would want to know that.”

STEP TWO: Give an employer an alternate, more positive way of considering an objection. For example, you could say, “My lack of experience in your business actually works to our advantage. It means I can bring fresh thinking to the table and an opportunity to show you innovative ways of getting the job done.”

STEP THREE: Illustrate your alternate positive statement with a story taken from your experienced that demonstrates in very picturesque and memorable ways how you handle situations like that. Then show the benefit that this experience brings to the organizations.

Like we said before, the secret to avoiding job hunt backlash is to be prepared. Certainly, you want to have responses worked out and practiced for the obvious liabilities an employer might find in you and your background. Be hones with yourself. Put them down in a list and prepare a strategy for each using the 3-step method we showed you above.

But the questions that can sink you are the ones that you can’t prepare for . . . but you have to be ready for. If you memorize and practice out loud the 3-step response, you’ll come across like a pro even if your answer isn’t right on the money. You’ll be a winner because you didn’t become defensive. And you’ll win the respect of the interviewer.

Debby Richardson asked:


Most of the movement with regards to goods in United States happens through trucks. Several business owners depend on ‘truck drivers’ to have their materials and goods reached on time. The present scenario is such that number pertaining to truck drivers is increasing at an alarming rate. Such a thing doesn’t only assure you of a secured tomorrow, but a high income as well. There’re various bonuses and benefits for having earned from an exciting career like this.

Truck driving

All those willing to make their job thrilling can move ahead with having made the maximum from trucking. According to ‘American Trucking Association’, there’s acute shortage, as far as truck drivers are concerned. Majority of them, however, aren’t aware of reality that ‘truck driving jobs’ can aid them in having climbed the success ladder. In fact, trucking companies always look out for fine drivers. The demand for truck drivers rises especially after their completion of CDL, i.e. Commercial Driver’s License training. This training goes on to have assured the organization that proper road sense is contained with you and huge trucks can be handled under crisis as well. You might be pleased to know that fresh graduates learning such techniques from ‘Tech School’ have also been preferred so far.

Simplicity

Obtaining a handsomely-paying job, that too, in trucking industry, isn’t all that difficult. The school in which you would get enrolled would play an important role in granting you the driving job. Certain companies tend to have tie-up with ‘truck driving schools’. Moreover, if you happen to perform well with respect to trucking skills and theory, there are chances of you landing up at a good job place. However, you need to check whether the school you wish to enrol yourself in makes way for placements or not. Such a thing would remove the burden of job search from your head. It’s advisable to go for recognized and recommended schools which would assure placements with regards to trucking industry.

Internet

The other way of locating a driving job is the ‘internet’. Several online organizations aid you in finding a job with regards to trucking companies. You can get your resumes uploaded, thereby allowing online companies to aid you in approaching finer companies in trucking industry. This can be done irrespective of you being a fresher with the above-mentioned training or an experienced person. There are companies giving advertisements on such websites. They also make mentions regarding salary offered and job profile. Choice can be made and application can be submitted to these companies. Their response can be awaited then.

Companies usually prefer candidates having proper driving record, along with those having experience of >6 months after ‘CDL’ training. For making it big with regards to trucking profession, you can begin with a small company. You can then obtain good experience, maintain a crystal clear record by having driven safe. Accidents should be strictly averted. These guidelines would help you in getting a finer job within a span of 6-12 months. Growth can also be ensured. Thus, enormous profits can be earned.

John Pawlett asked:


This article is going to be very different from all the usual articles on job interviews in that I am not going to go into the specifics about what questions you may be asked or what kind of answers you will give, instead I am going to talk about ‘that first impression’ and how you can get the interviewer to fall in love with you from the moment you walk in the door.

You may have all heard the phrase ‘be yourself’ well the job interview is one place when this is not helpful! Instead I am going to explain to you how you become the person that the interviewer must have working for the company!

The techniques I am about to share with you are extremely powerful and can be used in all walks of life (especially dating!) and not just for job interviews.

They come from a science called NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and are the basic techniques used by some of the world’s greatest influencers such as Tony Robbins, Al Gore etc.

Have you ever had that feeling when you are on a roll and nothing can go wrong? Well that’s the feeling you need to have when you enter the room for your interview.

To elicit that state you first need to remember a time when that happened to you, maybe it was a sport you where playing when you could do no wrong and won easily or a meeting you had where everything fell exactly in place just like you wanted it to!

On the flip side you may have had days were nothing has gone right for you, everything you did was a complete disaster. So what’s the difference between having a great day and one that’s terrible? The difference is the neurological state that you were in.

Now I need you to access that state you were in when you were at the top of your game, to do this you need to go back in your mind to the time when you felt absolutely awesome, undefeatable, on top of the world!

What we are going to do is make a ‘personal’ video production of those events in your mind so that whenever you want you can replay your video and feel as great now as you did then.

So take that image of a time you felt awesome and visualize it, what does it look like to you? Try changing the picture in your mind, make it brighter add more colour keep playing with that picture until you get the best representation of the event you possible can.

Next I want you to listen to the sounds that you heard at the event, maybe someone was praising you or a crowd was cheering, whatever it was play with the sounds like the volume, tempo, uniqueness etc until you get the best possible sound ‘quality’ for your production.

Now I want you to physically feel what was going on at the time, were you stood ramrod straight, had a big smile on your face? If you are doing this now along with reading this then I bet you can already feel a difference in the way you feel?

I want you to play this ‘personal’ video every time you need to be in a state of resourcefulness, if you walk into a room feeling like that then unconsciously everybody around you will feel the aura that you have and immediately perceive you to be a winner.

In the second part of this series I am going to give you some tips on how to create immediate rapport with everybody you come into contact with.

Good Job Hunting.

PAUL BOWLEY asked:


You already recognize you need a good job hunting plan if you’re at all serious about finding a good job. And you’ve probably been told the right way to do it. Or you’ve read a couple books that tell you how to write a great resume and conduct a successful interview.

You’ve got all the right intentions. You can picture yourself happy in your next job. You know about a fabulous job hunting plan that can propel you to success if you follow it. But there’s something that can sabotage all your carefully considered plans and dreams.

It’s called “procrastination!”

Look, we’ve all been victims of procrastination. It comes to us in life any time we have to make a change. It’s just hard to pull up stakes with something we’re familiar with and comfortable with and move on. Even though we know we have to.

Going out in the unknown is particularly sticky when it comes to changing jobs. We suddenly become less sure of ourselves . . . of our capabilities, strengths and assets. Our motivation starts to lag. We look for ways to put off making a decision. In short, we become good at procrastinating.

The good news is there are 4 positive steps you can take right now to break the pattern of job hunting procrastination.

1. Question your beliefs. Be prepared to dump the old-fashioned assumptions about what it takes to get employed. Explore the exciting new 21st Century strategies that start with identifying what the employer is looking for in someone he/she wants to add to the team . . . rather than what looking to get out of the job change.

2. Reconsider old habits. They die hard. For example, we have preconceived notions of what a traditional job hunting plan should look like. You know . . . a resume, mass posting or mailing, working with agencies and recruiters, answering want ads, going on screening interviews, etc.

3. Control your impulsiveness. Most job hunters jump from one task to another without following a carefully thought out plan of action. So, you need to plot a roadmap to get you moving on the path to exciting new and lucrative employment. And you need a system that will guarantee you the results you seek.

4. Prioritize your tasks. If everything seems like a priority, you’ll feel overwhelmed and get nothing done. For example, don’t obsess about your resume. It won’t get you employed. Instead, put together a job hunting plan that focuses on identifying employers that meet your qualifications. And then plot ways to get face-to-face with decision-makers without all the resume and interview hoopla.

When you’ve got a track to run on and can see clearly what’s expected of you to conduct a successful job hunting plan, suddenly procrastination evaporates and before you know it you’re on your way.

Tony Jacowski asked:


What Employers Want

Awareness of employer’s expectations is essential to finding a job. Older job-hunting techniques focused on “you”, the person. It laid emphasis on your work history, accomplishments, academic background and other credentials. It focused on your qualifications and objectives as well. But that has changed and today, employers expect you to know what their needs are and tell them how you can complement the organization.

Energy

Displaying the right energy and initiative is very important. Energetic people are credited with enthusiasm, vigor and drive and that is exactly what employers want. Most jobs require you to be proactive. Employers can easily evaluate this ability, almost as soon as the candidate enters the room. If you are not an energetic person, you should practice ways to look and act accordingly, in order to make a good first impression. It can make a huge difference; most of the time, job opportunities are won or lost on approach and preparation.

Specific Skills

Every job involves a set of specific skills and education or training, with the required background and experience. Most often, these skill sets are mentioned in the advertisement. If, however, they are not mentioned specifically, find out about the company and its hierarchical structure. This will help you to prepare to present specific abilities and initiative, creating a positive impact on the employer. Your primary concern, once you have the list of required skills, should be to present evidence that you have those skills.

This could involve your academic qualifications, projects and achievements. In addition, you need to project the capability to meet job responsibilities, work experience, voluntary activities and tasks in personnel management. The key is to try to match your skills and capability to the specific requirement of the employer. Highlight the relevant areas, since recruiters usually do not have a lot of time on hand and have to deal with a number of applications. They show interest only in particular skill sets that are required by the organizations that they represent. Make these skill sets noticeable. Precision and brevity are important too, but it is also important to highlight the skills you possess and how you can be an asset to the firm.

Transferable Skills

There are particular skills that most employers look for that have nothing to do with the competencies required for the particular job. These skills indicate the development potential and not the knowledge level. These so-called transferable skills include communication, teamwork, leadership, initiative, problem solving, adaptability, motivation and numerical skills. In addition to this, private sector companies prefer the candidate to have some idea of how the firm operates, current business news and trends and their impact on the organization. The courses completed, work experience and hobbies are of value as well. Be ready to answer clearly if asked at the interview as to how your education has prepared you for a specific job. You should be prepared with a good and precise answer. It is important to plan in advance.

By applying the steps above, you will be well on your way to giving employers what they want and conducting a highly successful job search.

Tony Jacowski asked:


Misconceptions during a job hunt can lead to grave mistakes and hinder your job search. It is important to understand the process involved in a job hunt and diligently strive towards your goal. Many people harbor certain myths about job-hunting. We take a look at some of them here.

Job Hunting Myths

-A Cover Letter Is Not Important: A cover letter informs an employer about your qualifications for the position you are applying for. The cover letter is also known as the letter of introduction or letter of application. A resume without a cover letter is considered incomplete.

-Job Search Right After College Is Easy: Identifying the right job immediately after college is not an easy process. The job you eventually land is greatly influenced by the your qualifications, skills and experience. While a few graduates do get jobs right away, many take a while before being considered for a suitable position in a decent company.

-A Well-Designed Resume Improves A Person’s Chances Of Getting Placed: Generally, flashy resumes don’t serve any good purpose. Additionally, it is not a good idea to send such resumes via email. Most employers do not even open very flashy resumes for fear of a virus. Job seekers should keep at least two copies of the resume ready at all times. One set should be very simple, with no special characters or bullets. This simple resume should be emailed to the employer. The other set should be well designed, with keywords highlighted in bold font. This resume should be carried with you to the interview.

-Frequent Job Hopping Is Negative: This is a common myth among job seekers. Some very quick job shifts, within a year, are not always well received. However, job-hopping is sometimes considered to be an opportunity to acquire new skills. Employers believe that one company cannot provide job progression for very long and individuals are sure to move on for growth. Every employer always looks for special ability in the employee to empower the business’s existent operations.

-Registering At Various Job Sites On The Internet Is Beneficial: Job sites online provide options and initial assistance. These job sites do not guarantee placement. Registering is fine, but constant action on your part is very essential. You must keep searching other avenues as well and explore every opportunity that comes your way.

-Better Qualifications Get A Better Job: This is perhaps the greatest misconception among job seekers. It is not always the most qualified person who is hired. Often, a person with the minimum qualifications and good communication skills is the one who gets placed faster. Employers seek employees who can serve the company loyally and use their skills to improve business returns.

Transferable skills are skills acquired on the job or through an activity. They can prove useful during a job shift. A job seeker must always describe his transferable skills in his resume, the cover letter and during the interview. The myths about job-hunting that haunt job seekers only add to the tension of securing a good position within a particular time frame. They do nothing more than hold you back from forging ahead and giving an interview your best shot.