Appearance Matters

In a highly competitive job market your appearance matters more than ever. With this in mind I am going to outline some things that you should be mindful of if you are seeking employment or looking to climb the corporate ladder.

1. Tattoos - If you are going to get tattoos make sure that you get them on places that people can not see unless they are in intimate contact with you. Multiple tattoos can suggest a stereotype that is not true of you. I have witnessed visible tattoos being a road block to employment.

2. Piercings - Your mindset towards piercings should be the same as it is towards tattoos. Don't get body piercings where they will be visible to the naked eye. If you have a tongue piercing remove it if possible prior to an interview.

3. Hair Color - It is important that you are conservative with your choice of hair color. Hopefully, you can be confident with your natural hair color. If not stay away from colors like red, orange, green, and blue. In may cases I would say don't choose blonde as your hair color if you are not a natural blonde.

4. Facial Hair - Your facial hair should be kept neat and at a good length at all times.

Final Analysis
You may have the desire to express your individuality but you have to use good judgement if you are pursuing employment or trying to climb the corporate ladder. Oftentimes in Corporate America perception is reality, so remember that your appearance matters.

Attitude Is King!

Nothing will affect your Job Search like your attitude. The longer your job search lasts the more likely this statement may become true. You are likely to go through a roller coaster of emotions as you search for employment. You may experience the highs of earning 1st and 2nd interviews and the lows of applying to multiple jobs without receiving any communication from employers.

Here is my Top 3 Ways That Your Attitude Will Affect Your Job Search:

1. Your attitude will dictate how consistent you are in your Job Search activity. If you are not consistent in your Job Search activity you are simply adding to the length of time it will take for you to find employment.

2. A positive attitude will be noticeable to employers and likely increase your Job Search activity. The more jobs you apply to the more you increase your chances of being called for an interview. Remember that you have to get an interview before you can get a job.

3. A negative attitude will also be noticeable to employers. Sometimes a negative attitude is something that we can easily overlook. Signs that you have a negative attitude are you automatically think employers won't be interested in you even though you are qualified. You may also be carrying negative baggage from bad experiences with previous employers. You may even quit a task in your Job Search before you even begin. The best way to overcome this is to be your own toughest critic.

Your attitude is just as important as your resume in your Job Search. A poor attitude like a poor resume will eliminate you in the race to become employed.

5 Things To Do To Prepare For Your Next Interview

Here's my list of 5 things that you need to do to prepare for your next interview in no particular order.

1. Review The Job Description

Reviewing the job description reminds you of what the employer is seeking and how you can go about convincing them that you can address their needs during your interview.

2. Bring Copies Of Your Resume

Always bring a copy of your resume in the event that the interviewer does not have a copy of your resume.

3. Get Directions To Your Interview Location

Make sure you know how to get to your interview location so you can be on time for your interview. Being late for an interview could eliminate you from further consideration.

4. Wear Proper Attire To The Interview

You should always dress properly for your interview. You NEVER get a second chance to make a first impression. If you are unsure of what to wear, do an online search for Dress For Success or dress conservatively.

5. Practice Answering Interview Questions

When you practice answering interview questions it gives you an opportunity to formulate what you will say if you are asked that question on a LIVE interview.

Keeping Your Job

So you have been looking for a job for awhile and you have finally found one. Congratulations, you can now breathe a sigh of relief! How do you keep that new job? I will present 5 tips for keeping that new job.

1. Challenge yourself to learn something new everyday.

Even if you are experienced in the field that you are now employed in, you will have to learn how to apply your knowledge to your new company's way of doing business.

2. Learn how your manager or supervisor makes decisions.

Learning how your manager makes decisions will enable you to make decisions on how you should complete your work. In the event of your managers absence you will be able to make a decision that they will be in agreement with.

3. Retain all the information given to you.

You supervisor will appreciate your ability to be given information once. The more information that you can retain, the more information you can be given.

4. Master new information that is given to your company as a whole.

Whenever your company goes through a systems conversion or they unveil a new product you should view that as an opportunity to show your worth. With everyone starting at ground zero you have a chance to standout as an expert on something new.

5. Stay longer if needed and always arrive to work on time.

Being punctual may seem like common sense but it can not be overlooked. The last thing you want to be is the new employee who is not flexible or the new employee who is late everyday.

Job Security-Is My Job Safe?

I believe there is no such thing as job security in today's workforce. With that thought in mind I am presenting a list of signs that your job could be in jeopardy.

Frequent Write Ups

1. Your job could be in jeopardy if errors that you make go from being verbally discussed to being documented in writing. Most companies are advised by their Human Resource department that they need a paper trail if they are planning to terminate an employee. So if you have been written up frequently recently watch out!

Your Job Is Posted

2. Even if you haven't been written up, if your company post your job that is a definite sign that your job could be in jeopardy.

Someone Else Is Being Trained To Do Your Job

3. If someone else is being trained to do your job that could be another telling sign that your job could be in jeopardy. This is especially true if there is only one person in the company that does your job or if your company doesn't have any other departments.

Your Company Produces Less Than Expected

4. If your company produces results that are less than expected cuts have to be made. If your name is at the on the top of the list of poor performers then you have very little if any job security. If you are not producing you have very little value to your company.

Final Analysis

There are many things that will effect how much job security that you have with your employer. Sometimes your job security will be based on your production while other times it will be based on how you fit within your companies culture. Beware of the above listed signs and your give your best effort at work everyday.

Your Job Search

Job Searching 2011
Searching for employment in 2011 can be extremely tough. However, finding a job is still possible if you take the correct approach. I will outline some key factors that will help you in your Job Search.

Attitude
You have to start your Job Search with a positive attitude. You have to think that you can find a job. You also will have to fight to maintain your positive attitude. Remember we all have our pity parties during periods of unemployment but you must find a way to limit those parties. Your job search may take some time even if you have skills. If you carry a negative attitude it will follow you along on your job search and it may show up at the wrong time like on an interview. No employer wants to invest into someone with a negative attitude.

Consistency
The key to building momentum in your Job Search is to remain consistent in your Job Search activities. Set daily goals for yourself regarding the number of jobs that you will apply to. Keep a log of the jobs that you have applied to so you will be prepared when you get a call for an interview. You also have to follow up with the jobs that you apply to.

Networking
It is important to network with all the people in your circle. They can oftentimes be your greatest resource. They know when jobs become available and what hiring managers are looking for.

Final Analysis
There is a lot of competition for jobs in 2011. Employers can choose from the cream of the crop. Your attitude, your consistency in applying to jobs, and your network will go along way in determining how long it will take to find a job. Jobs are available but you have to be prepared to demonstrate your value to prospective employers.

Getting Fired In Review

Initial Reaction

I was recently fired and I have decided to share that experience with my audience. My initial feelings after I was fired were shock, disbelief, and relief all at once. First of all I was fired in mid morning on a Friday, not exactly the time I think such a bomb would be dropped on me. My disbelief came in the form of being somewhat shocked that my performance over the past eight months did warrant a more specific warning that I could be let go. I was never written up, however I did receive a group verbal warning from the agency owner a couple months ago who stated "that he did not take any prisoners and would fire someone if things did not improve". I was relieved because I had realized that I was in a dead end job and my pay would not increase no matter how successful I was.

The Execution

I was called in the office of my boss as I was conducting class and told that I had to be let go immediately. I was told that I would be paid through the end of the day and my last paycheck would be mailed to me. I was basically dismissed like I stole something or personally attacked someone.

Recap

I kept my head held up because I knew that I given my job the best that I had. I may not have achieved desired results but I was in the process of rebounding from a down month. In addition to that my months were not far worst than my co-workers. So I ask myself, why were you fired? Was it just numbers based? I would say no because I was never officially given any numbers after asking for numbers every since I was verbally threatened by the agency owner. Was it an issue of race? Again I would say probably not. The agency consisted primarily of African Americans. Was it a case of favoritism? I would answer possibly because the office consisted of a majority of women.

So then what was the ultimate reason I was fired.

I believe that God has an assignment bigger and better planned for me!

Sometimes we have to be removed from one situation so we can get to were we are suppose to be.

Are You A Barrier To Your Success?

If your Job Search has become stagnant you may be in your own way. I will present 4 signs that you could be in the way of your success.

1. You fail to take responsibility for your own actions.

2. You fail to receive help when it is offered.

3. You have adopted an attitude that you know everything.

4. You conclude that you will fail even before you get started.

From time to time we may all become our own worst enemy.

However, the key to success is to continually evaluate yourself.

You must be honest with yourself when you begin this exercise.

Ask yourself questions like:

Am I am giving my Job Search 100% effort?"

Do I have the necessary skills to find employment?

Am I open to constructive criticism?

Do I need an attitude adjustment?

The answers to the above questions should help you determine if you are a barrier to your success. Leave me a comment and tell me what you think.

Tell Me About Yourself

"Tell me about yourself " is a common interview question that you want to be asked. The way you answer this question will help develop the impression the interviewer will have of you. Let's dissect this question.

Don't respond this way

You don't want to answer this question with one word adjectives. You don't want to reveal your age, marital status, or the number of children you have. Don't give false information.

Make sure

As with all interview questions make sure that you make good eye contact with the interviewer because this helps reveal your honesty.

Respond this way

State your name to the interviewer.

Discuss your qualifications and the positions you have held.

Project confidence and capture the interest of the interviewer.

Don't be shy because you want show that you are the best candidate for hire.

In closing

Review this interview question so that you will know how to respond if asked.

You want to be prepared but you do not want to sound rehearsed.

When Opportunity Knocks

Everyday people leave the workforce because they retire, are fired, quit, or are permanently downsized. This revolving cycle represents tomorrow's job opportunities. Will you be prepared to take advantage of the next job opportunity that comes your way?

When Opportunity Knocks you must be prepared to respond quickly. To ensure that you are ready you will need a well-written resume as I listed in my previous blog titled "Ingredients For A Successful Job Search". You will also need to be prepared to answer and ask interview questions . Asking questions at the interview allows you to investigate in advance to determine if the employer will be a good fit for you. I also recommend that you take time to familiarize yourself with your potential employer's website. Read and retain information that attracts you to the employer.

When Opportunity Knocks you are obligated to make the most of the opportunity. Prepare for your opportunity by making sure that you have proper interview attire. Focus on being neat and clean because you will be judged partially on how you present yourself. Remember like the cliche says you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Lastly, When Opportunity Knocks you have to maintain a positive attitude. Holding on to the memories of past employment nightmares will keep you stagnant. Let those memories and feelings go, so that you can let employers meet the best you!

Ingredients For A Successful Job Search

1. Establish and maintain a positive attitude.

A positive attitude is important during any Job Search.

2. Gain control of you personal life.

You need to plan and organize your life so that finding employment is a priority.

3. Consistent Job Search activity.

Finding employment is NOT a part time job. Map out activities for everyday.

4. Network with the people you know.

Put your contacts to work by letting them know what type of job you are seeking.

5. Create an eye catching well-written resume.

Implement bullet points, keywords, and have your resume proofread.

6. Consistently review interview questions.

You can't wait until you have an interview to practice what you are going to say.

7. Evaluate your skills and gain new skills while you are seeking employment.

Improve your typing skills and your computer knowledge as you seek employment.

8. Seek volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer opportunities allow you to showcase your talents to the public.

9. Write down the information about all of your previous employers.

Gather all the information you will need as you complete job applications.

10. Always wear the proper attire to any Interview/Job Fair.

You always want to make a positive first impression.

Your Credit Can Impact Employment Decisions

If you have been searching for employment for an extended period of time you are not unlike many Americans. There could be numerous reasons why you weren't hired. Your resume and cover letter may successfully highlight your background and qualifications. You may make a great first impression in the interview. However, the red flag that stands out to employers could be your credit. Bad credit can stop you from obtaining employment. Let's breakdown the impact of your credit in hiring decisions.

Screening Tool

Employers use credit reports to confirm identity and to determine whether an applicant is responsible and reliable. Employers also use credit reports in hiring decisions to determine whether an applicant will be able to manage their debts with the salary being offered. Furthermore, many employers limit credit checks to management, executive, or positions that will have access to cash, assets, a company credit card, or confidential information.

Your Privacy

Employers cannot obtain a copy of your credit report without an applicant's written permission. Most job seekers generally give them the needed permission when you complete forms authorizing a complete background check. Information found on a credit report cannot be used to deny the applicant of a job until the applicant has a had chance to review the credit report.

Information found on the Credit Report

Negative information found on the credit report will remain there usually for a period of seven years. Information pertaining to bankruptcies remain on the credit report for a period of ten years. Although there are limitations to using a bankruptcy in an employment decision.

Bottom Line

Strive to maintain good credit. If you have good credit, monitor your report closely to ensure that you are not a victim of identity theft. Remember, the information that shows up on your credit report could impact whether you are offered a position.

You Can Have What You Speak

When you operate in faith you need a vocabulary to support your mindset.
Here are some words to ponder over and some words you can speak into your life.

Abundant
Bless/Blessing/Blessed
Change, Confident, Creative
Determination
Expectation, Excited
Faithful, Fruitful, Fellowship
Grace, Growth
Hopeful
Increase
Joy
Kindness
Love
Mercy
New
Overcome
Purpose
Quality
Respect
Strength
Triumph
Unique
Victorious
Wisdom
Yearn
Zeal

Is Going Back To School An Option For You?

The decision of whether you should go back to school can be tough. The mere thought could spark important questions like:

1. Where do I find the time?

2. How would I pay for school?

3. Would it improve my chances of landing a better job?

4. Am I too old to consider going back to school?

In Part I of this blog series we will review time.

Time is precious because once it is gone you can never get it back. In determining if you will have the necessary time to go back to school I am going to use three components to help analyze your time. Those three components are commitment, time management, and support.

Commitment

Commitment means that you are in union with something or someone. If you are considering going back to school you will have to be committed to school. The commitment you may need could be for several weeks or several years. In fact, that means that you will have to plan everything in your life around school. This may mean that you will miss some parties, vacations, or even some of your sleep time. If this sounds like something you are ready to do then let's look at time management.

Time Management

In addition, to having commitment you will need excellent time management if you want to be successful in going back to school. I am recommending that you start to use a calendar or planner to help you with your time management. This will help you planning your school life and life away from school. Furthermore, you will have to discover which times you study best. Some of us study best when our minds are fresh early in the morning. While some study best when they are burning the midnight oil studying into the late hours of the night. It is key that you to find out what works for you. If you think that you have the necessary commitment and you can effectively manage your time then we will examine your support system.

Support

Finally, you will need support so you can stay committed to school and properly manage your time. Communicate to your family and friends and let them know your intentions and what you will need from them. You may need your family to step up and take on duties you were previously responsible for. Let them know that there sacrifice will enable you to allocate additional time to school. You may want to call on friends to help keep you encouraged when you want to give up and to give you space so you that you can give school your best effort.

Conclusion
In conclusion, careful thought about time will give you insight on whether going back to school is the right option for you.

The Question Behind the Question

How comfortable are you in having a conversation about your career history and career goals? The answer to this question will go along way in determining how well you will do in your next interview. Remember that an interview is an elimination competition held by employers to find the best people. Therefore, you must be prepared to answer many questions and have stories ready as an example of what you are stating. Every question you are asked is designed to give the interviewer a better understanding of you. Let's review some questions now.

Question 1: Tell me about yourself?
You may be wondering why you are being asked this when the employer more than likely has your resume or job application.

Purpose of Question:
The interviewer is asking this to see how you communicate and which career highlights are important to you. You should stick to professional information only when responding to this question. I would not discuss age, marital status, religious beliefs, or hobbies.

Question 2: Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a co-worker and how you handled it?

Purpose of Question:
This a behavioral based interview question that seeks to discover how you would handle a future situation based on how you have handled similar situations in your career previously. I would use the STAR approach in answering this question. The word STAR is an acronym for situation, task, action, and result. Using the star formula you breakdown your answer into three segments of: description of task, the action you took, and the final measurable result. By using the star approach you allow the interviewer to visualize and record your behavioral responses to specific events and make a better conclusion of your future performance.

Question 3: Are you competitive?

Purpose of Question:
This question is asked to determine how important it is to you to be as successful or more successful than your peers. Being competitive is an important trait for anyone managing a sales goal.

Question 4: Tell me why you left your previous employer?

Purpose of Question:
This question is designed to determine if you are a job hopper or to simply understand the logic you use regarding decisions effecting your career. If you have a job listed on your resume be ready to explain why you left the company.

Conclusion:
Lastly, continue to practice answering interview questions so you can further develop your confidence when you are on an interview. Mastering this task will demonstrate to interviewers who you are and why you are the best candidate for hire.

Great Tips for Graduates Entering the Workforce

As a newbie to the workforce there are some important strategies to execute to insure your success. I am presenting 5 things you can do to help jump start your career.

1. Observe the Chain of Command - The chain of command is the order you should follow to get a problem solved. Going over your bosses head will not help you. Moreover, it will probably lead you to being labeled as a troublemaker.

2. Learn to Ride the Wave - The waves or challenges within any organization can change by the minute or by the day. There are few perfect jobs and even fewer perfect companies. This is a lesson that many seasoned workers haven't fully grasped. Show your adaptability and flexibility by handling the changes that may accompany your job. A good boss will appreciate your attitude.

3. Strive to Make An Early Positive Impact - There is nothing better than early success in your new job. Start everyday by breaking it down into smaller parts in which you will thrive. Take good notes so you can retain key information. After you master that strive to achieve success on a daily basis. Meanwhile monitor all the activities that lead to your success. Once you achieve success it is key that you realize what the formula is so that you can repeat it.

4. Keep Being a Student - Oftentimes after graduating from school people want to separate themselves from habits such as studying and learning. Being a good student in the workplace could allow you to learn product information. Product knowledge is key in a sales position. You may not get a formal test in the workplace but rest assured that your work progress is being measured. Instead of getting a report card you will receive a performance appraisal.

5. Don't Burn Any Bridges - As with life you want to be careful not to burn any bridges. You can burn bridges by bad mouthing your company on social networking websites. You could also burn bridges by quitting without giving adequate notice or by underachieving on the job. Remember that you may need your current employer to provide you with a reference in the future.

Money Matters So Know Your Worth

I spoke to a client recently that said that she needed a job so badly that she would accept a wage less than what she was worth just to be employed. I am not criticizing this logic, but I do want to discuss the impact of this decision making.

First of all, I do not advise such tactics and I will explain why. If you low ball yourself initially it may take years for you to regain the salary that you have sacrificed. Most jobs give either semi-annual or annual raises. The standard raise you should expect while staying in the same position is usually limited to 3 to 4 percent.

If you accept a wage of $9.00 per hour and feel that your experience would dictate that you earn $14.00 per hour, lets see how that will effect you financially after one year. A raise is not guaranteed considering the state of the economy. But in my example we are going say that you work for a generous employer that will give you two semi-annual raises during the course of the year. If you earn two 3 percent raises after accepting a wage of $9.00 during one year you will still be earning less than $10.00 per hour after one year.

Finally, I believe that accepting a job for less pay than you worth will haunt you whenever things go wrong at the job. You will start to think that you are only getting paid X dollars and for X dollars your company can only expect a certain effort. Your salary needs will not be your manager's focus. Your manager will be focused on getting the overall job done. If you don't figure in that equation your limited salary or wage may no longer be a concern for anyone. I suggest that you utilize a salary calculator to determine your worth if you are unsure. You can find a salary calculator on careerbuilder or by doing an online search. Do your homework so that you can get the wage or salary that you deserve.

For more career tips check out my website: www.resumesolutionsllc.com

Five Bad Habits to Avoid At Your New Job

Congratulations, you have found a new job and you want to do well. Here is my quick list of bad habits to avoid.

1. Making personal telephone calls
If you have to make telephone calls do it on your break. If you have a peculiar situation going on at home speak to your supervisor about your situation so they are aware of what is going on.

2. Failure to retain information
Take good notes so that you don't have to ask the same questions repeatedly. This will allow you to function independently of your supervisor or co-workers. You must remember they have a job to take care too.

3. Unauthorized internet use
Many companies have the capability of tracking your computer activity so stay off of MySpace, Facebook, your personal e-mail, and other non-work related websites that you may frequent. Remember you are at work to work not to be entertained.

4. Late or Tardy Arrivals
Don't start your new job with an attendance issue. Being late may suggest that you don't care or take your job seriously. Arriving early to your job gives you a chance to prepare for your work day. You can finish up previous assignments and make a to-do list for the current day. As a new employee you don't want to stand out to management as the person who can't make it to work on time.

5. Unwillingness to accept company policy and procedures
Even if you have industry experience be open to doing things the way that your new company wants them. Implement your ideas and creativity gradually. Your new company may not be receptive to you changing or altering established procedures.

For more career tips go to my website www.resumesolutionsllc.com.

The Aftermath of Being Fired Part III

In this final installment of "The Aftermath of Being Fired", I will explain the necessity of learning how to explain why you were fired.

In the first place, I would not volunteer telling an interviewer that you were fired. However, I would not lie about your reason for separation if asked. Honesty is always the best policy and telling a lie could be grounds for termination if it is discovered. You may not be asked about your reason for separation from an employer that you list on your resume or job application in an initial interview. To be sure in a second or third interview you should be prepared to answer a variety of questions relating to your employment history.

Secondly, if the conversation of you being fired comes up you must learn to effectively communicate what happened without blaming the employer. This can be especially difficult if the firing was recent or if you feel like you were wrongfully terminated. Additionally state what you learned from the situation and how you would handle similar situations in the future. Employers will appreciate the fact that you have learned from your past.

In conclusion remember that being fired is not uncommon. As a matter fact being fired is one of just a few ways that you will separate from an employer. The other common ways people leave employers include: retirement, voluntary termination (quitting), and permanent layoffs.

The Aftermath of Being Fired Part II

As a part of the healing process following a firing you must determine why you were fired. If you don't share the reason with anyone else you should at least have the answer for yourself. Why is it important to answer this question? You may be thinking that you just want to move on with your life. The reason this answer is important is that it will likely impact your future.

If you think you were wrongfully terminated you may want to seek legal assistance. Don't let the thought of not being able to afford a lawyer stop you from pursuing one. There are lawyers that work pro bono and lawyers that work on contingency. Lawyers that work pro bono generally take cases without charging their clients. Lawyers that work on contingency will receive their payment from the proceeds of a settlement.

If you determine that your company fired you with just cause then you will have to think about how you will explain that to a future employer. Most people would not recommend you sharing that you were fired. However, I suggest that you be careful before you follow that line of thinking. You may be told that a previous employer can not tell anyone that you were fired. That statement is partially true as long as you don't sign a consent to conduct a complete background check. If you sign a consent to conduct a background check a potential employer can ask your previous employer specific details relating to your separation from your previous employer. If it is discovered that you lied about being fired you could be immediately terminated again. In Part III of the Aftermath of Being Fired, I will discuss how you should address being fired to future employers.

For more career tips go to www.resumesolutionsllc.com.