7.20.2014

Interview Prep

Getting extended an interview can be nerve racking, especially if it is a job opportunity that you have been waiting for. We all don't like to have to do multiple interviews to get a job, and the more we need to go through the more frustrating it can be. Ultimately we want to win them over the first time so if there is a second one involved we can know we have a chance to have a positive impact on the decision of getting extended the job offer. Interviews can be that once in a lifetime opportunity to get your foot in the door of a company that you only dream to be working for. Being in the capital of North Carolina, Raleigh, there are many fortune 500 companies that offer good benefits for their employees and it would ultimately be a blessing to have the chance to win them over. It is nice to be able to work for a company or small business that takes their employees seriously and treat them the top of the line and not just another number. Employees don't just help keep the business running but in all aspects they are responsible for most work of fixing errors found, whether it be making it right through customer service or in a back office.

Lets talk about what gets us ready for an interview. You do not necessarily need a degree to get your foot in the door of the desired company, especially if your working towards one or you have certificates that they highly recommend. It is all in winning over the interviewer and building rapport with them. If you are attending college you might want to check what they have to offer through their career and employment resources. In addition, there may even be a class requirement or open lecture which prepares you through projects on interviews, developing your resume or both. Preparation and confidence is key to winning over the interviewer. We need to remember that those who interview are not typically trained in interviews but they do work for the company and more then likely they have a leadership role for the department you are going for.

For the class I had to take as a requirement for graduation helped me immensely in finding my values and skills. We used the "Big Interview" in one of the many projects that were required to complete for preparation and professional transition. (This is the path through Wake Tech Community College) you can also see the main website for free trial at Big Interview, if you are not attending classes at a college or university. Check your school, if you are attending, to see what mock interview options they have available to you. Otherwise you can find local resume help through the local libraries or employment centers provided by the state and federal government.

There are also free resources all over the web in your job search and preparation. If you are not familiar how to search then the best way to do so is to use key words like job prep, resume prep, etc...For an example when seeking for this post I found a free resource Best-Job Interview (Guiding you to success)

The biggest thing is to focus on your strengths and weaknesses. By knowing both we are able to know what we need to place more focus on. Through the knowing of our weaknesses we are able reflect on how we can focus energy to grow to mold them out of the weak pool of skills. Interviewers are going to want to know what your weaknesses are and they are going to be curious how they will effect your job, so it is a good idea to know how to answer a question as to how you are going to keep your weaknesses from getting in the way of job tasks.

As always I am wishing you great success in seeking tools, preparing, and winning the employment opportunity you have been waiting for. If you have any questions or need guidance as to where to look further please leave comment. 

4.30.2014

Career Developing Resources

Recently I was doing a homework assignment and started to submit one click applications because the teacher said to submit a link to an application template. I started becoming confused since now a days it's one click apply, that is if your like me with job search networking.  The purpose of this class and this specific assignment was employment transition, and one suggestion for those applying to jobs everyday is to have a template of general info that you could copy and paste into an application since resumes when uploaded don't seem to filter well and you end up still reentering and fixing everything anyway. After noticing that it was taking one click to apply I must have tried "applying" to at least 10 jobs trying to get what she was looking for. Not two days later I got a call back since I was trying to find what she wanted and ended up applying to IT JOBS. It goes to show you that there are jobs if you are seriously looking especially in this state. Need a IT JOB or entry level opportunity then Apply in NC for IT JOBS. 

Back to the current topic, we can't do everything on our own especially when we do not always know where to look for employment. There are many career resources and development counselor companies who are ready and willing to help get you placed with your dream job. Yes it takes a little work but who is not willing to get placed sooner then later? Job hunting can get frustrating and then we start to apply any and everywhere out of desperation but with career resource counselors we are able to place our skill assets on the table and end up in our dream job quicker knowing that we are not working on our future alone. If you do not want to go back to school then you do not even need to do that to fit into entry level positions. New Horizons is a career development for those looking to broaden their education but not to attend school for a degree. With new horizons they are willing to know what your skills currently are and what will better you in the long run in employment such as certifications in networking, security and other IT related fields. This learning center does have access to free webinars and also discounted testing for certifications.On the other side there are learning centers that you can use to simply research open jobs and work with someone who can help locate employment for you based on skills and what you are interested in doing. Keep in mind some career placement centers are for temporary employment but potentially long term based on performance and need with the organization. Just to name a few:


Wishing you the best on your employment search and needs.