Interview Tips

Interview Tips 

 

All that hard work sending out résumés has finally paid off and you've been called in for a face-to-face job interview. Congratulations! This is an important next step in your job search. It's also your only chance to make a lasting first impression. On the day of your interview, sweating palms and stomach butterflies are to be expected. But you can reduce your stress level by knowing some common mistakes that interviewees make when meeting with potential employers -- and avoiding them.

Here are 10 of the most common mistakes people make on job interviews:

* 1

Not taking the interview seriously: Don't make the mistake of thinking the interview is just a formality. Even if all the preliminaries have gone well, don't be cavalier and start imagining how you'll start spending your new salary. The biggest error you can make is to assume that, because you've gotten this far, the job is in the bag.
Read more after the break...

*2

Dressing down: How you present yourself during your initial meeting with a potential employer is very important, and your physical appearance can speak volumes to someone who is meeting you for the first time. Even if you know that the firm allows employees to wear jeans, don't sabotage yourself by showing up to the interview in casual clothing. Err on the side of conservative and show up in neat, professional clothing, preferably a business suit.

*3

Not showing why you're the best choice: Be familiar with the job description of the position you're interviewing for so you can illustrate how your experience, abilities, and strengths are in line with the company's needs. Many potential employers want to know why they should hire you specifically. Make it clear to them.

*4

Being too modest: Failing to talk yourself up during an interview is one of the most self-defeating mistakes you can make. This is not the time for humility, so sing your praises! Don't be afraid to talk up everything you've accomplished, whether in school or in previous companies. This is your time to shine.

*5

Talking too much: Be careful not to talk over the interviewer. This meeting should be a two-way conversation, and many interviewees cover up their nervousness by blathering on. Sit calmly and listen carefully, answering questions thoughtfully.

*6

Focusing on the funds: Don't start talking about money too soon into the interview. Focusing on your salary requirements and previous salary history right off the bat may cause you to reveal too much. While the topic of salary will certainly come up, follow the interviewer' s lead. He or she may be saving that topic for a later conversation.

*7

Trash talking: Even if you hated your former boss or felt you were treated unfairly by your previous employer, a job interview is not the place to launch into a litany of complaints. Don't go there. If you were laid off or fired from a previous position, be prepared with an explanation that puts a positive spin on the circumstances.

*8

Failing to ask questions: Your résumé may be impressive on paper, but employers also appreciate a candidate who can ask several intelligent questions during an interview. Prepare at least 3 or 4 questions in advance to ask the interviewer. Interviews are an exchange of information, and not having questions to ask can reveal a lack of preparation.

*9

Lack of enthusiasm: This is your first and sometimes only chance to showcase your personality. Don't walk in announcing how you're having a bad day. Be polite and upbeat. Show your enthusiasm for both the job and the opportunity to interview for it. And don't forget to thank the person at the end of the interview!

*10

Forgetting the follow-up: Make sure to send a handwritten thank-you note or polite email to the interviewer expressing gratitude for his or her time and consideration. And while you don't want to start calling the company on a daily basis, a phone call checking in a week after the interview is perfectly acceptable.

5 Reasons Youre Earning More Money and Youre Still Miserable

Whether you're a millionaire or a middle-class father of two, we all make the same mistakes when it comes to money – we think the more we earn, the happier we'll be.

If you really want to buy yourself a more fulfilling life, it's not how much money you earn that matters, but figuring out the right way to spend it.

That's the idea explored in a fascinating new book, "Happy Money: The Science of Smarter Spending," written by a pair of renown behavioral scientists, Dr. Elizabeth Dunn and Dr. Michael Norton. 

"When it comes to increasing the amount of money they have, most people recognize that relying on their own intuition is insufficient, spawning an entire industry of financial advisors," they write. "But when it comes to spending that money, people are often content to rely on their hunches about what will make them happy."

That all ends with this book. We've combed through and highlighted five ways to change the way you think about money that will make you happier in the long-run.

  1. You're buying too many things and not enough experiences.

M. WoodruffIn a world where anything and everything can be yours with a credit card and access to the Internet, it's easy to get swept up by material things.

But if you recognized the fact that you could get more satisfaction out of a $50 dinner with friends than that big screen TV or new iPhone, it might change the way you shop.

"Research shows experiences provide more happiness than material goods in part because experiences are more likely to make us feel connected to others," Dunn and Norton write. "Understanding why experiences provide more happiness than material goods can also help us to choose the most satisfying kinds of experiences."

To help, here are four questions they suggest asking before you spend money on an experience that may not be as happiness-inducing as others:

1. Does this bring me together with other people?
2. Will this make a memorable story that I will tell for years to come?
3. Is this experience in line with who I am or who I'd like to become?
4. Is this a unique opportunity and something I can't compare to things I've done before?

 2. You're more focused on getting more money than buying more time.

itupictures / FlickrSometimes, we get too caught up in either working hard to save a buck or working hard to earn a buck to realize what really matters – our time.

"Research suggests that people with more money do not spend their time in more enjoyable ways on a day-to-day basis," the authors write."Wealthier individuals tend to spend more of their time on activities associated with relatively high levels of tension and stress, such as shopping, working, and commuting."

On the flip side, penny-pinchers sometimes take saving too far. When you trade your time for some kind of monetary payoff (saving $20 on a flight by staying up all night on Kayak.com or using your vacation to earn over-time pay), you could be sacrificing your overall happiness in the process.

Now, if you get a high from saving five cents on a gallon of gas by driving 10 miles out of your way, then fine. But most people would be happier spending a little extra money to get home 20 minutes earlier for dinner.

 3. You think a McMansion will make you happy.

Mike Groll/AP PhotoWhat could possibly be more satisfying than ditching that old starter home you and your spouse moved into during your broke newlywed years?

Two studies cited in "Happy Money" prove otherwise.

When researchers followed groups of German homeowners five years after they moved into new homes, they all wound up saying they were happier with their newer house. But there was one problem: They weren't any happier with their lives. The same was true in a study of Ohio homeowners in which it turned out they weren't any happier with their lives than renters.

"Even in the heart of middle America, housing seems to play a surprisingly small role in the successful pursuit of happiness," Dunn and Norton write. "If the largest material purchase most of us will ever make provides no detectable benefit for our overall happiness, then it may be time to rethink our fundamental assumptions about how we use money."

4. You're letting yourself have too much of a good thing.

Bryan Maleszyk / FlickrWhen you've got unlimited financial resources, it may seem stupid to deny yourself simple pleasures that you've come to enjoy, like new jewelry or an expensive bottle of wine with dinner every evening.

But when you reach that point of material over-saturation, you could be killing the potential to make yourself any happier.

"This is the sad reality of the human experience: The more we're exposed to something, the more its impact diminishes," Dunn and Norton write. "Knowing we have access to wonderful things undermines our happiness by reducing our tendency to appreciate life's small joys."

You think if the McRib were always on the menu, people would line up to get a taste every day? Probably not. Instead, try to make things you really enjoy a special treat you only allow yourself once in a while. It will pack a much happier punch.

5. You're investing too much in yourself and not enough in other people.

M. WoodruffLike love, it stands to reason that the happier you are with yourself, the more likely it is that you'll bring happiness to others. But Dunn and Norton suggest flipping that idea on its head.

Make others happier first and you'll bring yourself happiness in the process. It sound obvious, but you'd be surprised how many of us forget it.

"In [a study] of more than 600 Americans, personal spending accounted for the lion's share of most people's budgets," they write. "But the amount of money individuals devoted to themselves was unrelated to their overall happiness. What did predict happiness? The amount of money they gave away. The more they invested in others, the happier they were."

That being said, you may wonder why you don't really feel all that much happier after donating a bag of clothing to Goodwill or cutting a check to the Red Cross. The real happiness comes from seeing your money at work.

We're big fans of charitable organizations that allow donors to see where their money goes in real time. Kiva.org is a micro-lending site that employs a host of workers whose sole job is to write reports on the progress of their borrowers so donors are always in the loop. Dunn and Norton suggest DonorsChoose.org, which also lets donors see their gifts making a difference.

Four Things That Can Send Your Resume into the Trash

You may be the perfect fit for a job -- but a hiring manager is never going to find that out if he trashes your resume after a mere glance. Even in this age of online professional networking, a great resume is still the foundation of a successful job search.  
It's common knowledge that spelling errors and grammatical bloopers are trash triggers (and these simple mistakes top many recruiters’ lists of resume pet peeves). But is there anything else that job seekers are unwittingly doing wrong? We asked some recruiting managers and career experts about the resume errors that cause them to crumple and toss a resume at first look -- and some of their answers may surprise you.

1. Your Resume Is Badly Formatted

Looks matter. Career expert Abby Kohut lists misaligned indentations and double spaces as a couple of the things that make a resume start to look like it belongs in the garbage. The fix? Use tabs for indents, and search your document for stray double spaces.

Also beware of being too creative. "I don't like it when I receive resumes with funky fonts," says Mona Abdel-Halim, co-founder of the Web-based resume tool Resunate, who echoed other experts we spoke to. "It is not professional and it makes the resume harder to read." When choosing resume fonts, opt ones that are widely used and readable, such as Calibri or Arial, and use no more than two fonts with their associated bold and italic styles.

2. Your Resume Is Immature

Other hiring managers we talked to said they had immediately trashed resumes with pictures on them -- for example, of cartoon character Bart Simpson (in the case of one applicant for a technical writing job) or of a kitten (an applicant for a customer service job). Cute resume additions like these are for kids -- not professionals.

3. Your Resume Is Too Templated

Longtime recruiter Mike Monroe says that unaltered, familiar resume templates from word-processing programs annoy him. "This won't automatically put you in the trash, but it tells me that you have put less thought into your resume than your competition," he says.

Jessica Campbell, an HR manager for talent agency Voices.com, says one of her pet peeves is "when a candidate has used a template resume," but hasn't updated it before sending it. (And if you use Word's Track Changes feature to edit your resume, make sure to accept all changes in the final version before submitting it.)

To prevent your resume from ending up in the trash for this reason, customize your resume for each job you apply for using the language of the job ad and highlighting your most relevant experience.

"When the resume is not tailored to the position, it shows you don't really understand what the employer is looking for and are just hoping your resume fits some of the criteria,” says career expert Heather Huhman, author of Lies, Damned Lies & Internships: The Truth About Getting from Classroom to Cubicle. “To avoid this mistake, show the employer how you fit those [criteria] through your previous experience, skills and expertise."

4. Your Resume Is Sneaky

Kohut says she immediately distrusts people whose resumes have no dates on them. “Gaps are not a problem,” she says. “The problem is when you try to be deceptive."

David S. Williams, founder and CEO of salary consultancy SpringRaise, agrees, saying that if you are or have been unemployed, don’t try to hide it. “You may be doing yourself a disservice because you may be a strong candidate for a position, but you tried to hide your current status," he says.

A better tactic is to be straightforward on your resume, and then use your cover letter to tell the story of your career's progress -- including information about how you maximized your time away from the 9-to-5 routine. And do remember to write a cover letter -- not doing so is another guaranteed way to get your resume thrown into the trash, according to the experts.

Best companies to work for in India

Do you want to work in a great place? In 2013, these are some of the best companies to work for in India.

                     1. Google
    Google provides a variety of tools to help businesses of all kinds succeed on and off the web. The company’s advertising programs, which range from simple text ads to rich media ads, help businesses find customers, and help publishers make money off of their content.

    Business description: Search, Youtube, Gmail, Apps, mobile, Enterprise, Social

    Employees: 1,503

    Location: Bangalore

    Photo: Reuters Pictures

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times
   

  

 2. Intel
    Intel is considered to be the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products, and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live.

    Business description: Microprocessors, chipsets, motherboards, adaptors for desktops and laptops

    Employees: 3,472

    Location: Bangalore

    Photo: Reuters Pictures

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

  

 3. American Express
    American Express provides innovative payment, travel and expense management solutions for individuals and businesses of all sizes.

    Business description: Charge and credit cards, corporate cards, prepaid cards and travelers.

    Employees: 6,856

    Location: Gurgaon

    Photo: Getty Images

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

   

4. NIIT
    NIIT is a leading Global Talent Development Corporation, building skilled manpower pool for global industry requirements.

    Business description: Learning solutions

    Employees: 2,448

    Location: Gurgaon

    Photo: Company Website

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

  

 5. Forbes Marshall
    For over six decades, Forbes Marshall has been building steam engineering and control instrumentation solutions that work for process industry.

    Business description: Steam engineering and control instrumentation

    Employees: 1,260

    Location: Pune

    Photo: Company Website

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

  

  6. NTPC
    NTPC is emerging as a diversified power major with presence in the entire value chain of the power generation business.

    Business description: power generation, trading and distribution, coal

    Employees: 25,230

    Location: Delhi

    Photo: Company Website

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

 

  7. Ujjivan Financial Services
    Ujjivan financial Services is a microfinance institution. This is a fast growing segment that is relatively new to India’s microfinance industry.

    Business description: Micro loans and micro insurance

    Employees: 3,553

    Location: Bangalore

    Photo: Company Website

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

   8. MakeMyTrip
    MakeMyTrip is a pioneer online travel industry in India. This company has revolutionised the travel industry over the years.

    Business description: Air, train and bus tickets, hotels and holiday packages

    Employees: 1,324

    Location: Gurgaon

    Photo: Company Website

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

   9. Marriott Hotels
    With the most powerful brand portfolio in the world, Marriott is considered to have set the bar for the hospitality industry. The company’s unique and storied heritage--a way of doing business--that enriches relationships and instills a passion for who they are.

    Business description: Hotel, food and beverage service

    Employees: 4,952

    Location: Mumbai

    Photo: Company Website

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

 

   10. Blue Dart Express
    Blue Dart is a premier courier, and integrated express package Distribution Company.

    Business description: Courier services

    Employees: 8,040

    Location: Mumbai

    Photo: Company Website

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

 

  11. Godrej Consumer Products
    Godrej Consumer Products is a major player in the Indian FMCG market, with leading household and personal care products.

    Business description: Home and personal care

    Employees: 1,989

    Location: Mumbai

    Photo: Company Website

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

   12. Interglobe Enterprises
    InterGlobe Enterprises is a leader in aviation and travel related services, growing the market through innovation and service leadership.

    Business description: Low-cost aviation, hotel development & management services

    Employees: 8,353

    Location: Gurgaon

    Photo: Company Website

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

  

 13. The Oberoi Group
    Oberoi Hotels & Resorts is synonymous the world over with providing the right blend of service, luxury and quiet efficiency.

    Business description: Hotels and resorts

    Employees: 4,500

    Location: NCR

    Photo: Company Website

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

    14. Midland Credit Management
    Midland Credit Management is a company that helps consumers resolve past-due debt obligations.

    Business description: ITES, Financial services

    Employees: 1,890

    Location: Gurgaon

    Photo: Company Website

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

  

 15. Claris Lifesciences
    Claris Lifesciences is one of the largest sterile injectables pharmaceutical companies in India with a market presence in 98 countries worldwide.

    Business description: Health care

    Employees: 1,500

    Location: Ahmedabad

    Photo: Company Website

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

  

  16. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces
    Taj (luxury full-service hotels, resorts and palaces) is a flagship brand for the world's most discerning travelers seeking authentic experiences given that luxury is a way of life to which they are accustomed.

    Business description: Hotels

    Employees: 14,196

    Location: Mumbai

    Photo: Company Website

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

 

  17. Idea Cellular
    Idea is a pan-India integrated GSM operator offering 2G and 3G services, and has its own NLD and ILD operations, and ISP license.

    Business description: Cellular services

    Employees: 7,977

    Location: Mumbai

    Photo: Company Website

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

 

   18. HDFC Standard Life insurance
    HDFC Life, one of India's leading private life insurance companies, offers a range of individual and group insurance solutions.

    Business description: Life insurance and financial services

    Employees: 15,230

    Location: Mumbai

    Photo: Reuters Pictures

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

  

 19. Cactus Communications
    CACTUS is a pioneering global scientific communications company. With CACTUS, you can break through language, market, cost, and resource barriers.

    Business description: Medical writing, transcriptions

    Employees: 230

    Location: Mumbai

    Photo: Company Website

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

 

   20. Tavant Technologies
    Tavant Technologies is an IT solutions and services provider that employs cutting-edge and emerging technologies to provide game-changing results for its customers.

    Business description: IT Solutions

    Employees: 689

    Location: Bangalore

    Photo: Company Website

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

 

  21. Classic Stripes
    Classic Stripes Private Limited, is one of the largest manufacturers of automotive graphics in the world, with a production capacity of over 15 million automotive graphic sets per annum.

    Business description: Manufacturing

    Employees: 539

    Location: Mumbai

    Photo: Company Website

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

  

  22. Apollo Munich Health insurance
    Committed to bring world class health care within the reach of every individual, Apollo Hospitals Group has joined hands with Munich Health, a world leader in the field of health insurance.

    Business description: Health insurance

    Employees: 992

    Location: Gurgaon

    Photo: Reuters Pictures

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

 

  23. Philips Electronics
    Philips is a simpler and more focused company with global leadership positions in key markets of healthcare, lighting and consumer lifestyle, addressing people’s health and wellbeing needs and aspirations as its overarching theme.

    Business description: Lighting, health care, consumer lifestyle

    Employees: 3,710

    Location: Gurgaon

    Photo: Company Website

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

   24. Vodafone
    Vodafone India, formerly Vodafone Essar and Hutchison Essar, is one of the largest mobile network operators in India.

    Business description: Voice and data products

    Employees: 11,260

    Location: Mumbai

    Photo: Reuters Pictures

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

  

  25. Godrej Properties
    Godrej Properties brings the Godrej Group philosophy of innovation and excellence to the real estate industry.

    Business description: residential and commercial projects

    Employees: 404

    Location: Mumbai

    Photo: Company Website

    Information Source: A study by The Economic Times

 

How to prepare for meetings

If there is one activity that unites professionals from different occupations all over the world, it is meetings. Executives, managers, or software developers -- they all spend a large part of their working hours closeted in conference rooms discussing issues, significant and insignificant.

But the truth about meetings is they are largely a waste of time if not organised well or not planned in advance. Here are some tips to help you get the best out of these congregations.

Time and venue
The initiator of the meeting must take up the task of sending out meeting requests to all parties who are required to attend, specifying the date, time and venue. If the meeting is a teleconference or a videoconference with participants from multiple locations, it is essential that the meeting request contain the date and time of the various time zones.
This is a common mistake, as a colleague in Tokyo found out when she forgot to specify the time zone in her e-mail, which meant that disparate groups of people were waiting for her to teleconference them at different times of the day!
The initiator must ensure a discussion room or conference room large enough to hold the requisite number of attendees is booked for the scheduled time.

Material
It is also up to the initiator to arrange for any materials such as a projector, computer, slides, handouts, or even just a whiteboard and markers. A manager at a telecommunications firm narrates how a meeting he was invited to was delayed by 45 minutes because the computer and projectors were not set up, leading to senior managers walking out and requesting a reschedule.

If you are invited to a meeting for which handouts are distributed, make sure you read those notes before attending. It will keep you in tune with the discussions once you are part of the meeting, and will demonstrate your preparedness with ideas and thoughts on the topic at hand.

Agenda
Once the time and venue of the meeting is fixed, it is vital that the initiator of the meeting decide the points on the agenda. Each of these points must be covered in detail and decisions taken on them before the meeting wraps up.

Preferably, these points can even be enumerated in brief on the whiteboard in the room, allowing everyone to be aware of the agenda and helping the initiator keep an eye on it at all times.

Minutes of the meeting
In the duration of the meeting, several points and ideas will be thrown up which, if not documented, will evaporate into thin air well before the end. It will be impossible for anyone to retain all the discussed points in memory. Therefore, it is best for the initiator or the meeting-in-charge to appoint one person to jot down notes during the meeting. It is better still if two or three people take notes just in case one misses out something important.
At the culmination of the meeting, it is the duty of the person assigned to note down the minutes to create a document and circulate it amongst all attendees. Such a document typically contains the date and time of the meeting, number and names of attendees, the agenda and, against each of the points on the agenda, the action items.

The focus on agenda
Often, despite maintaining an agenda and adhering strictly to time and schedule on a few points, the discussion deteriorates into heated debates. At this point, it is the prerogative of the meeting-in-charge or the initiator to ensure an objective discussion. Also, if a member starts rambling for hours without any end in sight, he must be brought back on track. It should be made clear that although brainstorming is acceptable, digression into irrelevant territory is entirely unwelcome.

Conclusion

When all points on the agenda have been discussed to the satisfaction of all parties, the person writing the minutes or even the initiator can wrap up by briefly reading out the salient points of all that has been discussed, including action to be taken once people return to their work. The minutes of the meeting is a good starting point to follow up with team members in the following days if necessary action has been taken, as discussed.

8 crippling mistakes job seekers make

Whether wittingly or unwittingly, there are common and recurring mistakes job seekers make. Employment bunders

              These mistakes will either prolong your job search or derail it altogether. Don't let yourself fall prey to them.

    Not knowing your value
    Your value is determined by two factors. First, what someone is willing to pay for the blend of skills and experience he or she needs and will use; and second, the well-known economic principle of "supply and demand." If there are many people who can deliver the same skills and experience, that drives the price you can command down.

    To best determine your value, research the going rate for the kind of work you're looking for and understand the job requirements. You can do this by talking to other professionals in that occupation or field, talking to recruiters and using online salary calculators. Figure this out early in the process, because your job search success depends on it. If you ask for too much or too little, you'll eliminate yourself from the competition.

    Trying too hard
    This reads as desperate. It looks like the used car salesman at a networking event, dealing out business cards like a poker game, or the slick intro that seems over-rehearsed and like bragging. Don't treat your job search like a sprint. This is your new life habit of building relationships and maintaining them. Your career is a marathon and nurturing these relationships ensures a fertile future.

    Negotiating salary too soon
    When you attempt to negotiate during the interview, you are likely to eliminate yourself from the process altogether. Without a job offer in hand, it is unwise to attempt to reach mutually agreeable terms regarding salary, work locations, paid time off or any other element of the company's benefits. Wait until you hear the magic words "We would like to offer you the job starting on X date and making $Y." This is your signal to begin negotiating.

   Not asking for help
    Many try the job-searching thing all alone. They spend end hours applying for jobs online, which not only gets tiring, but also has a lower chance of translating into a job offer. Worst of all, it gets depressing. Some people even keep their job search a secret from their families, thinking they won't understand or be supportive.

    Start asking for advice and insight from those you know will be most helpful. Additionally, carve time into your day to reconnect with past colleagues, attend job seeker networking groups or even alumni groups. The good news is that everyone today knows someone who has lost a job due to no fault of their own. They will be empathetic; just give them a chance.

    Sending mass mailings
    A mass email announcing your unfortunate layoff or asking to keep an eye out for a job opportunity will almost guarantee you won't get a response. Un the message is specifically worded for the intended individual it is bound to get overlooked. The recipient may think someone else can help you better than he or she can or that you don't really need his or her help. Send your next message to an individual and then follow up. Personalize every bit of correspondence you send out.

    Taking the easy way out
    Job searching is tougher than you imagine. Just submitting an application online and waiting for a response is easy. Taking the time, energy and risk to speak with someone inside the company is hard. This could also mean you need to take the time and energy topersonalize every cover letter, résumé and thank you letter. To personalize each document, you need to research the company and individual and ensure your documents speak to the specific needs and wants of those receiving them. Always take the harder route.

    Riding out unemployment
    Finding a job is going to take longer than you want, so it pays to start the search immediately upon your job ending. Approach each week with a sense of urgency and use the same discipline you used on the job to manage your time. The smartest time to consider relocation, a "Plan B" job or other options is on day one. Put them into play immediately by exploring and pursing opportunities that are a match for your plans.

   "It's not my fault."
    It isn't anybody's fault that the economy is different today. Blaming others isn't going to fix the problem. The only one who can get you a job is you. So if you aren't employed, it is your fault. For example, you should ask for an outside, objective review of your job search history, or have someone review your résumé and application against the job posting.
 

  You could also ask for help practicing common interview questions, or ask a third-party recruiter for feedback on your qualifications. There are a myriad of ways in which you can present your qualifications, millions of jobs to pursue and let's not forget, there's also the solopreneur option. Have you asked yourself what product or service you could sell easily and immediately? Amazing opportunities rise out of necessity. Decide today that you have the power and control to get a job and see what happens.

 

Can social media actually help you get work?

All hail the power of networking!  I’ve always learned that it’s a key factor when it comes to landing a job and career growth. And in today’s digital age, networking takes on whole new meaning – one where your social media profile serves as your virtual business card and your social network offers up a whole different layer of opportunities to connect.

Here’s a “Status Update” for you: there are unwritten rules when it comes to networking in the social media age, where the “www” is more like the wilder wild west!

Check out how to make the most of networking and how to improve your social media profile.

Review & clean up your profile

Before you start reaching out to people, make sure that all your social media profiles are consistent and professional. Delete any photos that you wouldn’t want a potential boss to see (when in doubt, delete!) and make sure your Facebook wall is free of any comments that don’t feature you in a positive light.

For example, even a seemingly innocent status update like: “Can’t wait for the weekend already,” “So stressed right now!” or worse: “Another Thursday night, another Friday hangover,” will not do you any favours. Of course it’s common to wish for the weekend, but it sends the message that you either don’t enjoy working or that you’re unmotivated.

Try to exude a positive attitude on social media with status updates like: “Love Mondays - another week of possibilities!” or even “Nothing better than ticking things off your to-do list,” which send messages of optimism and productivity.

As well, make sure all your profiles are consistent: review your description, background and experience on all the social media channels you use and make sure they are all up to date.
 
Start adding people

Now the fun begins –you can start expanding your network. Start by sending friend requests to those you know, such as friends, former classmates, former employers or managers, and even acquaintances. The more people there are in your network, the more you create opportunities – and you never know what doors they can open in your career.

If you are adding someone to your network who you don’t personally know but with whom you share a mutual contact, send a short message to that person introducing yourself and writing something like: “I noticed we share a mutual contact, John I would like to add you to my network as well.”

Never be too casual or too pushy. Although social media is informal in its nature, always keep your correspondences professional, light and brief.

Asking for recommendations

Approaching former coworkers or managers for recommendations should always be handled with care. Make sure to preface the request with a friendly and professional note – don’t just send the endorsement out of the blue.

Keep it simple with something like: “Hi Lisa I hope this email finds you well! I was hoping you could take the time to fill out this online recommendation, based on my work at Monster with you. I really appreciate it, and please let me know if you have any questions at all.”

Also, make sure to follow up the completed recommendation with a thank you note via email – this is an important yet often forgotten step.

Asking for favours

You need to be cautious when it comes to asking your contacts for favours. For example, if a former colleague or classmate of yours is now working at a company that interests you, it’s definitely acceptable to email them to ask about possible opportunities they may know of, but again, handle with care. No one wants to be pestered online, so don’t harass them (if they don’t respond within one week, send a short follow-up email – and leave it at that), and make sure to keep it professional.

Be a “connector”

This is a bit of a “pay it forward” approach, but if you see the opportunity to match up one of your contacts with a potential employer, let them know about it! There really is such a currency as “social capital” and good karma, and when you help out others in any way, they are usually likely to return the favour by telling you about a job opportunity or referring you to a potential employer – sometimes when you least expect it!

Be proactive

Whenever you have time, proactively reach out to contacts in a friendly way. Simply sending them a “Happy birthday” message or a quick “Just wanted to touch base and see how you’re doing” email ensures that you remain top of mind and also makes it easier to approach people when you actually do need something – maintaining a friendly rapport and relationship goes a long way!

Be digitally social

Make it part of your daily routine to “Like” or comment on others’ status updates or links (always keep it brief) and participate in forums and conversations. The beauty of social media is that the conversation is always going on – it’s up to you to engage and make sure you’re a part of it!

BeKnown

BeKnown, Monster’s professional network on Facebook allows users to make connections, without “mixing business with pleasure.” You can expand your network of people, ask for endorsements, and connect with companies that interest you, all valuable ways to advance your career.

However you decide to use social media, make sure you leverage it and make it work for you in every way.

10 Easy Ways to Improve Your Appearance

The “appearance” of a person is a two-sided facet. It is something that the person in question does with himself, but at the same time, it is what creates the all-important first impression on others who perceive him. Most people limit “appearance” to just looking good.

It is true that over time, we humans have learned to place more faith in our sense of vision, but the fact remains that our other senses are very much alive and play a major role, maybe even sub-consciously, in our perception of others. Improving one’s appearance need not involve expensive treatments and therapies; it all begins with minor, basic changes in daily life. Let us see what simple steps can be taken to appeal to others.

Vision

1. It’s no secret that a fitter body appeals more to the human eye, but nevertheless, every body type can be accentuated to look the best it possibly can. Lots of factors like colour, shape, cut, length and patterns need to be taken into consideration. Dressing according to your body type helps hide the flaws and bring out the positives in your appearance. Also, a keen eye for colour combinations that work well helps a great deal. 2. Picking a haircut that suits you is more difficult than it is made out to be. This is one situation where simply following fads can lead to disastrous results. The most important factor to consider is the shape of your face. Some simple tips for the most common face types are as follows:

Oval face: This shape is considered ideal for most hairstyles, but it is recommended to avoid heavy bangs or uneven hairstyles.

Square face: Avoid styles that part in the centre and stick to layered cuts for this face type. It is also advised to keep the hair away from the forehead as much as possible.

Round face: Shorter hairstyles suit this face type. It is all about getting a balanced look while picking a style that enough hair on the sides to smooth the edges and reduce the round appearance.

Also, stay away from these common errors when it comes to a good hairstyle and you should be sailing smooth with the wind in your hair!

3. Your mannerisms account for a lot. They include the way you walk, sit, stand and even gesture. Confidence inspires the best mannerisms, because you tend to act the way you feel most comfortable and that confidence is clearly visible to anyone watching.
4. Some simple don’ts include, looking at the ground while walking, sitting in a hunched position, fiddling with your fingers or clothes and not maintaining eye contact while speaking to someone. The exact opposite of these is what makes for a good impression. Walk straight and upright with your eyes at mid-level, sit up straight (or lean back if you must, but never hunch forward), maintain eye contact and, basically, feel totally comfortable in your own skin.
5. Apart from the more obvious aspects of your clothes and hair, it is very important to pay attention to your toe and finger nails. Not only do long nails look bad, but the dirt that collects underneath, although minimal, reflects a very poor sense of hygiene. Similarly, the spaces between the toes accumulate dirt quickly and should be cleaned regularly.

Smell

6. Some critics might forgive a bad sense of clothing, but a smell that puts one off is quite hard to erase from memory. It could be the result of something you ate or a recent workout or just poor hygiene. Whatever the cause, banish the odour, you must! Basic hygiene usually takes care of most odour related problems. Wash your mouth immediately after eating, shower after a workout and lather up as frequently as you think necessary based on how much you sweat. The fresh smell of soap and powder is hard to beat. But when the occasion demands a little extra something, knowing how to pick the right fragrance will take you a long way. 7. Another aspect of the odour factor include your clothes and accessories. Jeans can withstand multiple uses but avoid doing the same with other clothes. A gentle wash with a fragrant detergent gives that freshness to your clothes. Do not ignore even the tiniest of smudges for that crisp look.
8. Foot odour is a common problem and thus demands a paragraph of its own. Best ways to tackle foot odour include regular washing and scrubbing of the feet to remove dead cells and drying your feet immediately after a bath, especially between the toes. Use thicker socks that absorb more sweat (but remember to change them regularly), sprinkle some talcum powder in your socks to reduce sweating. In extreme cases, it is recommended to apply a 5% Benzoyl Peroxide solution to the soles of the feet to prevent growth of bacteria.

Hearing and feeling

9. Even the most well-dressed and pleasant smelling man will not be taken to kindly in society if his words are harsh. Harshness is not limited to the language used but also pertains to the tone in which one addresses another person. Many people judge others on the basis of how they treat people inferior to them. For example, being nice to a waiter might seem insignificant to you, but it adds to your overall image. 10. Do not overuse hand gestures and facial expressions. Your words should be enough to express your emotions in most situations. Excessive gesturing shows lack of confidence in oneself and a craving for attention.
Nothing inspires a good appearance like self-confidence. Confidence takes care of the intrinsic aspects of a good appearance. Great posture, eye-contact, a firm handshake and smooth body language. Keeping in style is not about following the trends, it is more about being comfortable with yourself, while keeping in mind the fundamentals of style, which boils down to balance. So step in with confidence and watch the world wallow at your feet!

 

Do you know what signals you are sending at work?

Here are five of the top ways that you inadvertently send signals about yourself at work - and how your boss and co-workers might read them.

   When it comes to how you're judged at work, you might think that the quality of your work is all that matters. But human perceptions are a lot more complicated than that, and you might send signals that you don't realize or intend.

    1.Whom you hang out with at work
    No matter how good your work is, if you're always hanging around co-workers who only do the bare minimum, have a complaint about everything or don't get along well with their managers, you're likely to be perceived as sharing those same traits - even if you don't.

    Likewise, if you spend time with the office's high achievers, you're likely to be perceived as having a similar work ethic and values (and those things can rub off on you in reality too).

    2. What time you leave each day
    If you watch the clock and leave every day at 5 p.m. on the dot, prepare to be seen as someone not especially committed to work, and only putting in what's absolutely required. That can impact you when it's time for raises and promotions.

 
    On the other hand, if you always stay hours longer than everyone else, you might be seen as committed - but you might instead be seen as someone struggling to handle her workload. Better than each of these is a more balanced approach - not running out the door at the stroke of 5 each day, but leaving around the same time most other people do.

    3. What you wear
    "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have" is an old saying for a reason. You might get away with wearing jeans and ratty shirts in your role, but if the people above you look more polished, you'll probably go further by wearing more business-like clothes.

    Fairly or not, people have an easier time picturing you managing others, doing higher-profile work and dealing with clients when you look polished and well put together. Rather than thinking of the dress code as telling you the minimum you can get away with, think of your work clothes as telling other people how you'd like to be perceived.

 

    4. How you behave in meetings
    If you sit silently in meetings without participating, you're signaling that you don't have much to contribute, or that you don't care enough to contribute.

    Even worse, if you spend most of the time checking texts on your phone or reading sports scores, you signal that you're unengaged with the company's business. So try to participate if you can - and at an absolute minimum, make sure you look attentive.

    5. How your office is decorated
    If your office is utterly barren - no photos, no décor, no evidence that someone inhabits it - you might signal that you're just passing through, that you'll be on your way as soon as you find something better. It's easy to bring in a lamp and put an art print on the wall, and it will make a difference in how people see you.

   
    On the other end of the spectrum, don't go overboard: If every surface in your office is covered with photos, art and figurines, you'll look like your focus is somewhere other than on work. You also want to avoid a messy office, which can make you look disorganized and unconscientious.