Some experts say more than 90% of communication is non-verbal, and in this ultra competitive job market you must pay attention to every silent detail in order to make an impression. Why? Because there are many other candidates out there who are equally qualified and dedicated, and who know how to make a great first impression.
But there are lots of ways to get the edge utilizing your professional appearance, communication, and attitude. You may think, 'Surely employers aren't so shallow that they will judge me based on my appearance.' While a lot more goes into their impression of you, your appearance is certainly a big part.
By showing an employer that you know how to make a great first impression and you have attention to detail, you can communicate way more than you may think. Here are some basic and sometimes overlooked areas that make a big difference in an interview:
Your attitude: It is important to get along with the hiring manager/interviewer. It doesn't matter if you like them personally, but you must make an effort to connect with them. While it can be harmful to appear too agreeable, timid or aloof, coming off as too pushy, overconfident or disinterested can also turn away a hiring manager. It boils down to being confident, honest, and personable.
Your attire: You don't have to wear an Armani suit or Prada heels to tell an employer you are dressed for success, but you do have to dress neatly with absolutely no wrinkles or stains on your clothing. Your clothing should fit well, but not be too tight.
Ladies, do not wear skirts ending above the knee, heels above 2 1/2 inches, or deep "v" camisoles. It is simply inappropriate and can make the interviewer uncomfortable when your chest is staring at them. Dressing provocatively simply has no place at work.
Men, invest in a suit (including a tie depends on the company). It is true that the American workplace is less formal than it used to be, but job interviewing is a very important exception to that trend. Check the corporate culture to see what is appropriate before showing up to an interview in a polo and unpressed khakis. Even if you are applying to a mailroom job, adopt the very wise adage: Dress for the next position you want!
Your "essence"(a.k.a. hygiene): We all know to lay off the cologne when going to an interview, but it bears repeating. Of course, men should also have a haircut, shave, and a light spray of cologne, but nothing else. For the ladies, neat hair, minimal jewelry, and light on the perfume. At the end of the day, the company needs to see you as upholding their reputation as a representative, so it's important to convey to a company that you are prepared to represent them in the best possible light.
Your greeting: A firm handshake, strong eye contact, and a simple, confident introduction will never go out of style. Employers want to know you are self-assured and know your worth. A good conversational rule of thumb is to let them talk first and be a respectful listener.
Your interview communication: Rehearse as much as possible beforehand with another person and have them point out your verbal and nonverbal ticks (e.g. saying "um" too much, fidgeting, using poor grammar, rambling, laughing too much, talking too fast). These are easy to pick up on when a hiring manager has interview hundreds of candidates, and they send strong signals. They know you are nervous but they need to know you can overcome that.
Attention to detail goes beyond an error-free resume or available references. When you are competing against dozens or even hundreds of applicants that may have the same or better qualifications, you had better look beyond the obvious and get the edge however you can!
Cathy Eng is a Certified Advanced Resume Writer and owner of Resume Rocketeer, Inc. She specializes in helping clients leverage their best skills and experiences to create a powerful, effective resume and cover letter. Cathy specializes in a wide variety of fields and experience levels, as well as professionals looking to change career paths and those returning to the workforce after an extended period of time. She is a member of the National Resume Writers Association, Career Directors International, and Professional Association of Resume Writers.
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Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Easy Ways to Find a Job by Uma A Ilango
Easy Ways to Find a Job
Job loss is a major factor in our economy today, with many companies downsizing or even going bankrupt to offset the amount of money they are paying out with low profits coming in. If you or your spouse has been laid off, or if you have fallen victim to any of the other countless scenarios that involve your lack of work, then you probably need an easy way to find a job. Some key factors when it comes to the ability to find a good work are patience, persistence, and looking in places that other people wouldn't look. There are plenty of ways to find work easily, so let's take the stress out of the search with these tips:
1. Don't be rigid.
Sometimes you can deprive yourself of great positions and a wider selection of options when trying to find a job by only wanting to focus on work you've had in the past or on specific skills that are too specific to provide you with enough choices. Being fixed on the work you are willing to apply for will eventually become discouraging if you are not getting enough leads for interviews, and you do not need emotional obstacles to add to your search. Open your options to different kinds of work and you will find yourself swimming in offers for all kinds of interesting fields of service.
2. Find a job in places that others might not look.
Many people rely on websites to find jobs instead of applying for work in person, greeting the hiring manager and filling out paper applications. Somehow the personal touch of applying in person seems to be fading away. A lot of companies are switching away from paper applications to electronic applications, but calling to check on your application can get your name put on the top of the pile. Try to find work by looking in small, family run stores and businesses, most will gladly talk to you and find out how you can meet their needs.
3. Find suitable work for you by using techniques that few try.
Providing a general resume is not the best way to catch the attention of hiring managers. Hiring managers want to see that the person applying for the position they are advertising is looking specifically for the position they have posted. If your objective is just for a general position in a broad field of service, your resume can be viewed as if you really aren't interested in committing to the work they are offering because they know you are applying for many positions. Provide a personalized resume to the job you're applying for and include a cover letter. You will be sure to find a job with those techniques.
About the Author
Uma Ilango is a programmer from profession. She writes regulary at ">Bigarticlepool.com. Thousands of ">new articles are added every month.
Job loss is a major factor in our economy today, with many companies downsizing or even going bankrupt to offset the amount of money they are paying out with low profits coming in. If you or your spouse has been laid off, or if you have fallen victim to any of the other countless scenarios that involve your lack of work, then you probably need an easy way to find a job. Some key factors when it comes to the ability to find a good work are patience, persistence, and looking in places that other people wouldn't look. There are plenty of ways to find work easily, so let's take the stress out of the search with these tips:
1. Don't be rigid.
Sometimes you can deprive yourself of great positions and a wider selection of options when trying to find a job by only wanting to focus on work you've had in the past or on specific skills that are too specific to provide you with enough choices. Being fixed on the work you are willing to apply for will eventually become discouraging if you are not getting enough leads for interviews, and you do not need emotional obstacles to add to your search. Open your options to different kinds of work and you will find yourself swimming in offers for all kinds of interesting fields of service.
2. Find a job in places that others might not look.
Many people rely on websites to find jobs instead of applying for work in person, greeting the hiring manager and filling out paper applications. Somehow the personal touch of applying in person seems to be fading away. A lot of companies are switching away from paper applications to electronic applications, but calling to check on your application can get your name put on the top of the pile. Try to find work by looking in small, family run stores and businesses, most will gladly talk to you and find out how you can meet their needs.
3. Find suitable work for you by using techniques that few try.
Providing a general resume is not the best way to catch the attention of hiring managers. Hiring managers want to see that the person applying for the position they are advertising is looking specifically for the position they have posted. If your objective is just for a general position in a broad field of service, your resume can be viewed as if you really aren't interested in committing to the work they are offering because they know you are applying for many positions. Provide a personalized resume to the job you're applying for and include a cover letter. You will be sure to find a job with those techniques.
About the Author
Uma Ilango is a programmer from profession. She writes regulary at ">Bigarticlepool.com. Thousands of ">new articles are added every month.
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