Introduction With more competition in the job market than there was a few years ago, it's more

challenging for many people to land jobs. Internet searches, networking, classified as perusing, lots of resume' mailings, interviews, writing follow-up letters, e-mails, and are all important. It takes a lot of work to find work and Express is happy to provide you with information to help simplify your search for a new job. Simply select the sections youre most interested in reading or scan from cover-to-cover. Either way youll gain valuable techniques that address both traditional and modern job searches. If you need information that isnt specifically addressed in this booklet, call the nearest Express Personnel Services office. It wont cost you anything. As a professional staffing provider, Express can be a valuable source of information, and job openings. Best of luck in your search!

Table of Contents Charting Your Skills, Likes and Interests .................................2 Environment..................................................................................3 Money............................................................................................4 Building A Resume' .....................................................................5 Finding Job Openings ...............................................................11 Writing Cover Letters.................................................................14 Interviewing.................................................................................18 Types of Interviews ...................................................................18 Interview Questions...................................................................19 Negotiating Your Salary.............................................................21 What Employers Want from Employees ................................22

Express Personnel Services operates more than 400 locations in the United States, Canada, and South Africa. The company employs an estimated 225,000 people in professional, full-time, contract, part-time, and temporary jobs. For more information about the Express office nearest you, visit Express on-line at www.expresspersonnel.com or call (888) I GOT A JOB.

CHARTING YOUR SKILLS, LIKES, AND INTERESTS

Whether youve been working for 15 years or this will be your first job, the most important part of any job search is determining your skills, your interests, and the kind of environment in which you work best. All of these are crucial considerations to ensure you find a job where you can grow and excel. By completing this step, youll be better prepared to develop your resume', complete employment applications and successfully respond to interview questions. To help simplify the process, weve provided this worksheet with a sample list of skills you can use to ensure you include everything.

SKILLS
The first section addresses skills. Write down all the skills you possess that could be used on the job. We provided a sample listing to give you some ideas. This should be the biggest section in your chart.
Clerical

Industrial Manufacturing

Personal computer Microsoft Office Package, Lotus Notes, Internet Data Entry Customer Service Assembly, packaging and shipping Electromechanical assembly testing Computer/audio-visual equipment testing Oscilloscope and other test equipment operation BA in Journalism Five years research/writing experience for local and national publications Working knowledge of advertising, design and publication layout

Professional

LIKES
Next you need to list all the job responsibilities youve enjoyed most. If this is your first job, you may not be able to complete this section. Only include those work tasks that you would be interested in doing again.
Clerical

Industrial Manufacturing

Problem solving Customer contact and service Administrative support Detail Troubleshooting Project concept and completion

Professional

Working on a team Creative thinking Research and writing

INTERESTS
Now, its time for the fun part. List the job activities that you would like to do, whether youve done them or not. The idea here is to pinpoint what kind of job responsibilities you think might be interesting. A key reason for doing this is to provide you with an idea of where you may want to grow in your job responsibilities or a vehicle to negotiate new responsibilities with your boss that address some of your interests.
Clerical

Industrial Manufacturing

Presentation design Training Management Management Design engineering Computer programming Public Relations Review books/movies Meeting planning

Professional

ENVIRONMENT
One of the primary reasons people leave their job is the work environment. In this section, include the ideal schedule, work hours, benefits, management, anything you can think of that would completely satisfy you. Keep in mind, this section is a breeding ground for questions you should ask the interviewer. If you are seeking full-time work in your career field and youve been asked back for a second interview, take this opportunity to ask specific questions. For example, if you would prefer a flexible work arrangement due to child or elder care but that wasnt part of the original discussion, simply state, I understand the hours for the job were posted as 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Im curious, does your company offer flexibility in its traditional work hours? Here are some examples:
Flextime

A forty-hour workweek designed with flexible starting and quitting times within limits set by management. Employees work an eight-hour day, but hours differ from traditional 8:00 to 5:00 workday. (Example: 6:00 to 3:00 or 1:00 to 9:00, etc.)
Compressed Workweek

A forty-hour workweek, condensed to less than 5 days. (Example: Employees can opt to work 10-hour days, 4 days 3

a week.)
Telecommuting

A forty-hour workweek designed so the employee can work at home during part or all of a scheduled workweek. (Ideal for exempt, salaried workers who are paid for what they do, not by the time they spend in the office.)
85% Workweek

Eighty-five percent of a full-time work schedule with 85% of a full-time salary.

Job Share

One full-time job shared by two part-time workers. The workweek and job responsibilities are usually divided among two workers. (Example: One employee takes the a.m. shift and the other, the p.m. shift. Or one employee works the first part of the week, the other works the end of the week.) Other popular work arrangements include Alternate workweek, Part-time fixed, and Three-day weekend every other week.

MONEY
Now, to address the most popular topic money. Everyone wants to be overpaid; unfortunately, few of us are. But that doesnt mean you cant get paid for the skills youve acquired. Theres nothing wrong with wanting to make money, but remember, salary has nothing to do with your personal situation; it has everything to do with what the job is worth. Salaries are usually based on experience and education. Updating your skills, both job and human relations skills, can help you earn significantly more in the workplace. Specific jobs pay specific salaries. For example, if youre just starting to focus on your career, its a bit unrealistic to demand a salary of $60,000 because thats what you need to live on. New college graduates rarely make sixty grand their first year. But, if you work hard and hold an electrical engineering degree, be patient. It just takes time and experience.

Most job search sites have links to salary research, but there are some specific sites that focus on salary information. Try: Jobstar.org/tool salary/index.htm.

Doing Salary Research When trying to find a different, better, or first job, its important to understand not only your value, based on your skills, but also what your market is paying for those skills. Those amounts can vary significantly from market to market. The first thing to do is develop a list of job titles that best match the jobs youre applying for or are interested in finding. Now, its time to do a little research. The quickest and easiest way is the Internet. Check out the job search sites in the Finding Job Openings section of this

handbook (page 11).

If you are looking for general career information like career management, company data, salary negotiation, try these sites:

Keep in mind, salary research is best when it pinpoints your city and specific job title or tasks. However, if you cant narrow it as far as your city, a region will suffice. Regional salary information may include much larger surrounding cities with a higher cost of living index. And that can impact your potential salary by thousands. If you dont have Internet access, go to a local copy store or library and pay by the hour to search, or simply go to the library and look up the salary information in the Occupational Outlook Handbook. For some old-fashioned salary research, get out your Sunday classifieds, and hunt for any job openings in your field that list a salary. Copy it or cut it out, especially if it validates your previous findings. You need all the support you can get when it comes to salary negotiation. A fourth option for salary research is to talk with your representative at a professional staffing provider like Express. They typically have access to local salary data and are more than willing to help you. Post Retirement If youre retired and looking for a part-time job simply because you like to work or need to supplement your income, youll still need to document your work experience. Who knows, your experience may earn you a higher salary. Dont underestimate your value. Employers need you. First Job If you are searching for your first job, youll obviously need to document any skills you have that prove you can do the job, e.g. typing courses, vocational courses like electronics or bricklaying, even baby-sitting is a valuable skill. If youre bilingual, be sure to investigate the opportunities for using your language in your job. That is a valuable skill. Use it. Now, lets build that resume'.

Acinet.org Review.com/ career/index.cfm Quintcareers.com Vault.com

BUILDING A RESUME'
Nothing is more important to landing a job than your resume'. Potential employers weed out or select candidates based on the content of this document. Thats why its critical to include every piece of your work history and training that may be relevant to the job for which you are applying. On the next page are two lists, the essential sections of a resume' and what should be left out. Most of the information you include is basic. The key is how you write it. 5

Use action verbs. If youre still employed, use present tense verbs like maintain, supervise, train, or manage. If its previous work experience, use past tense, action verbs, such as developed, saved, increased, or reduced. Describing tasks can be challenging. Heed the advice above and consider using the following verbs to describe various responsibilities: Information administered analyzed compared compiled gathered organized prepared recorded researched Objects/Materials arranged assembled created inspected maintained operated repaired sold tested People coached coordinated counseled evaluated instructed managed negotiated persuaded scheduled

Dont create your resume' from your job description. Potential employers need to know how well you did your job as well as what you did. Whenever its possible, include achievements as part of your explanation of responsibilities. For example, if part of your current job requires you to answer all incoming calls, consider describing it like this: Greet and route 700 incoming calls weekly.

Proofing your resume is just as critical as the creation. Often times, misspelled words or other basic grammar errors can eliminate you from consideration. Always have at least two other people carefully review it.

Basics of a Good Resume' Name, complete mailing address, e-mail, telephone number with area code Employment history beginning with the present or most recent job (Detail achievements, not just tasks) Education, awards, accomplishments Volunteer work, military experience, internships Other training, including other languages Computer hardware and software skills Outside interests Things to Leave Out Age, marital status, children, health, physical size Picture of yourself Reason for leaving previous jobs Salary requirements Grade point average, unless 3.5 or higher Names of references (have them available as a separate list) Use of the pronoun I

A good resume' will command about one minute of a recruiters time. If in that minute, the recruiter cant locate the information needed to consider you for an interview, your resume' will be tossed in the notqualified stack.

Follow these steps to create an eye-catching resume' and to minimize your chances of being overlooked for an interview. 1. Have someone good in grammar proofread your resume'. 2. In your current job description, use present-tense verbs. In describing previous jobs, use past-tense verbs. 3. Be consistent; if you spell out state names, do so throughout the resume'. Do the same if you use postal codes. 4. Keep indentations and other special devices consistent. 5. Use easy-to-read type, avoiding script, too much bold type or type smaller than 9 point. 6. Keep your resume' on one page. If you require an additional page for awards, accomplishments, community service etc., consider adding 1/2 page to provide this information. 7. Make sure you can live up to everything on your resume'.

On the following pages are resume' samples to provide you with ideas on formatting content. The most widely used resume' formats are chronological, functional, or a combination of the two. The most commonly used resume' style is chronological. When writing a chronological resume', include work experience in order, beginning with the present and going backwards. List, in detail, the duties performed and the time frame of each position. Following a record of your work experience, document any training and/or education. In a functional resume' format, achievements and skills are emphasized rather than employment history. A functional format is effective if you are re-entering the workforce after a period of time or if you have or will be changing careers. This format is often used by first time job seekers, such as new graduates. A combination resume' emphasizes both employment history and accomplishments. This format highlights skills and talents and also places emphasis on employment history. With the widespread use of e-mail and the Internet, consider an electronic resume'. You still need a traditional resume' for mailing purposes, but you may also need an e-mail friendly version in either ASCII or Text Only format. If youre not sure which resume' format to use, study the next few pages. Youll find samples of a chronological resume', a functional resume', and an electronic resume'.
As stated earlier in this handbook, limit your resume' to one page. However, a twopage resume' is acceptable if you have years of experience. It isnt necessary to list every job youve ever had or every task in every job. Employers are interested in the last three to five positions, spanning no more than 15 years.

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CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME'

CARSON MATTHEWS Your Address City, State/Province, Zip/Postal Code Telephone Number e-mail Address Professional Objective: To increase sales by obtaining a position to develop and design state-of-the-art marketing tools and campaigns. Work Experience and Accomplishments Marketing Services Specialist COMPANY NAME City, State/Province, Zip/Postal Code 1996-Present Develop, distribute, and provide training on multimedia, video and print sales tools. These tools are used to assist external sales force in capturing new business, as well as developing existing accounts. Continually organize, present and train sales staff on Integrated Marketing Communications strategy. Other primary responsibilities include developing training workshops and sales materials. Other development responsibilities include: Corporate and training video production Communications on CD, Basic and Advanced (client/prospect proposals, articles and press releases, account development tools, electronic visual presentations, etc.) Development of multimedia marketing presentations Territory Manager COMPANY NAME City, State/Province, Zip/Postal Code 1990-1996 Responsible for selling supplemental staffing to local businesses. Designed customized employment solutions for new and existing clients. Developed new business and successfully increased sales through personal selling to local businesses Worked together with client companies to find solutions for their human resource needs Recruited, tested, interviewed, and placed qualified personnel with client companies Independent Contractor Personnel Consultant City, State/Province, Zip/Postal Code 1987-1990 Independent contractor for nine area university Business Research and Consulting Centers. Served as Assistant Project Director for two Human Resources Development projects. Developed strategies that aligned employee development with organizational goals; developed training programs; analyzed, evaluated, and classified jobs; revised job descriptions; wrote new policies and procedures. Education Masters Degree in Adult Education University of Central Oklahoma, 1999, GPA 3.9 Organizational Involvement American Marketing Association American Society for Training and Development Software proficiencies: Freehand, Director, Authorware, Photoshop, PageMaker and Microsoft Office References available upon request. Bachelors Degree in Personnel Management Southern Nazarene University, 1994, GPA 3.6

Leslie A. Rider
PRESENT ADDRESS City, State/Province, Zip/Postal Code Telephone Number e-mail Address

Professional Profile Administrative support professional with five years experience in the service industry. Dependable and trustworthy. Committed to exceptional customer care. Service-minded and detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task effectively.

Skills Summary

Proficient in Microsoft Office 2000 Strong Oral and Written Communication General Office Skills Customer Service and Relations

Professional Experience

Prepare weekly and monthly usage reports for ten corporate locations. Handle monetary transactions. Arrange and verify pre-order requests. Respond to customer requests for information. Invoice customer orders. Research and resolve billing discrepancies. Collect past-due accounts. Assist customers with payment arrangements. Provide customer service training to all new hires. Assist other team members in immediate and long-term assignments.

Software Proficiencies Microsoft Office Package -- Word, Excel and Powerpoint Accounting Software -- Peachtree and QuickBooks Work History Administrative Clerk, Jones Industries, City, State/Province, 2001 to Present Customer Service Representative, Video Warehouse, City, State/Province, 1999 to 2001 Education Francis Tuttle Technical Institute, City, State/Province Certified Administrative Assistant

References available upon request.

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FUNCTIONAL RESUME'

Accounting/Bookkeeping Report Preparation Account Billing and Collection Problem Solving

The Electronic Resume' Once youve formatted a traditional resume', you can create a Text Only version by removing all the formatting like borders, tabs, bold, italic, underlined text, etc. Left justify everything, making sure there are no more than 65 characters per line. To save your file in Microsoft Word, select Save As and change the file format to Text Only. Your file extension will be changed to .txt. To ensure you dont have any odd spaces or erroneous text from formatting that wasnt removed or didnt translate, send this e-mail version to yourself to review. Remember, when you create an on-line resume': no design is a good design.

Leslie A. Rider

PERMANENT ADDRESS City, State/Province, Zip/Postal Code Telephone Number e-mail Address

Professional Profile Administrative support professional with five years experience in the service industry. Dependable and trustworthy. Committed to exceptional customer care. Service-minded and detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task effectively. Skills Summary Proficient in Microsoft Office 2000 Strong Oral and Written Communication General Office Skills Customer Service and Relations Accounting/Bookkeeping Report Preparation Account Billing and Collection Problem Solving Professional Experience Prepare weekly and monthly usage reports for ten locations. Handle monetary transactions. Arrange and verify pre-order requests. Respond to customer requests for information. Invoice customer orders. Research and resolve billing discrepancies. Collect past-due accounts. Assist customers with payment arrangements. Provide customer service training to all new hires. Assist other team members in immediate and long-term assignments. Software Proficiencies Microsoft Office Package -- Word, Excel and Powerpoint Accounting Software -- Peachtree and QuickBooks Work History Administrative Clerk Jones Industries, City, State/Province, 2001 to Present Customer Service Representative Video Warehouse, City, State/Province, 1999 to 2001 Education Francis Tuttle Technical Institute, City, State/Province Certified Administrative Assistant

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ELECTRONIC RESUME'

FINDING JOB OPENINGS

There are so many places to look for jobs today its mind-boggling. To help you narrow your choices, weve listed the most popular ways to find jobs. Internet There are millions of job openings posted on the Internet. These jobs span all industries, with an infinite number of sites representing Internet job search services, professional employment services, private and public companies, state employment services, recruiters, the list goes on and on. Because you cant search every site, every day, you can register with those sites to search for you. After you register, if a job opening is posted on that site that matches your request, the service will notify you by e-mail. Some of the most popular general job search sites are: Monster.com Net-temps.com Joboptions.com Hotjobs.com Careerbuilder.com Dont limit your search to these web sites alone. Web sites come and web sites go. For an updated listing of more job search sites by industry, visit Jobfactory.com. And dont forget to check out the local and national web sites of professional associations and organizations. Employers in niche markets post jobs on these sites. Even the Wall Street Journal (www.careerjournal.com) posts job openings. And, at nearly every site, you can post your resume'. Keep in mind, posting your resume' does have its risks. If your search is confidential, but you post your resume' on a dozen sites, the chances that someone in your organization will uncover your search efforts increases dramatically. Its all up to you. Staffing Providers Often referred to as employment agencies or temporary help firms, these companies employ millions of people. The primary advantages to using a staffing provider are: its easy, they already have a database of companies with job openings in your area and they can put you to work while youre waiting to find just the right job. The purpose of a staffing provider is to help match job seekers with job openings. All you have to do is register with a provider and take a few tests. Then your next decision is whether you want to work for them while youre searching or not. Most staffing providers offer both temporary and direct hire placement. Simply contact a staffing provider like Express Personnel Services for an interview. Go to the interview with your resume' in hand, tell them what youre looking for, and let them do the rest. 11

At Express Personnel Services there are no fees to the job seeker, so think twice before paying a recruiter to find work for you. When you call to set up your interview, ask who pays the placement fee, the company or the applicant. If they say it varies, inform them that you never want to be sent on interviews where the applicant pays the fee! NEVER!!! Networking Despite the Internets success, networking remains a highly successful avenue for finding a job. And, its easier than you think. You can create a Networking Contact List by simply writing down the names of all your friends, colleagues, teachers, neighbors, relatives, and anyone else you can think of who would be willing to talk with you or make suggestions about job opportunities. Next to their name, include their telephone number, and e-mail and street address. Either call or write to all the people you put on your list. Let them know youre looking for a job and that you would appreciate any advice or leads. If youre mailing letters, always send a copy of your resume'. If youre calling, ask if they would like you to mail, e-mail, fax, or hand deliver your resume'. If your contact list needs a little boost, get involved in professional organizations or school chapters of professional organizations. If youre interested in getting a job as an electricians apprentice, for example, find and join the electricians association nearest you. If its too expensive to join, go to the meetings as a visitor, which usually only costs you the lunch fee, between $10 and $20. Find a way to meet the people who make the hiring decisions. Internships are great for just about every kind of job. And, if you prove yourself during an intern program, your supervisor is sure to help you find a job or offer you one! Just the word networking intimidates some people. They feel uncomfortable asking for help. If you dont remember anything else from this booklet, remember this: the majority of people love to give advice. Youre not bothering or pressuring them. Actually, its a compliment that you think they have the contacts or resources to help you find a job. Try it. Its not as difficult as you may think. And dont forget to send thank you letters to everyone you contact. Its important to show your appreciation for their time and help. That also keeps your inquiry in a working file. Classifieds Help wanted ads in the newspaper still serve as a solid way to find a job, at any level. And, the Sunday edition remains the most popular day for companies to advertise. If you want to respond to a Help Wanted ad, do so as soon as possible. You should mail your letter and resume' no later than two days after the posting. Dont leave anything to chance. 12

If the Internet is your prime job search tool, you can also find the classified sections online if your newspaper hosts a web site.

Job Fairs Unlike most job search strategies, local job fairs offer you the opportunity to speak directly to company representatives. You can find job fair postings in both the Classified and Calendar of Events sections of the newspaper. High schools, vocational schools, colleges, technical schools, universities and the Chamber of Commerce sponsor a number of job fairs every year. When you go, take copies of your resume'. Make sure you can recite all your skills, talents, education and work experience in a confident voice and without hesitation. Get a business card from the recruiter or company representative. When you get home, send a thank you note and another copy of your resume'.

Where the Jobs Are Working in a growth industry is another key to finding a job. Fortunately, many industries in North America are growing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the fastest growing occupations from 2000 to 2010 are expected to be: Computer software engineers, applications Computer support specialists Computer software engineers, systems software Network and computer systems administrators Network systems and data communications analysts Desktop publishers Database administrators Personal and home care aides Computer systems analysts Medical assistants Social and human service assistants Physician assistants Medical records and health information technicians Computer and information systems managers Home health aides Note: Eight of the top ten fastest growing jobs are technology-based. Some of these fast-growing occupations dont necessarily require a degree from a university, but most of them do require training, whether its vocational, on-the-job or college courses. If you need training, go to a staffing provider like Express. Not only will they find you a job, theyll provide you with free training.

13

WRITING COVER LETTERS

Keep in mind, even if youre sending your resume' via e-mail, your first page should be a cover letter. On the following pages youll find a few examples to help you draft your own.

The cover letter, like the resume', should emphasize what you can do for the employer. It also serves as an excellent opportunity to show the employer that you know something about the company or organization, its achievements and its challenges. To find out more about companies youre interested in working for, visit their web site or use your local reference librarian. He/she can help you track down company information through the JobBank book series, Dun & Bradstreets directories or trade literature. When youre researching a company, you should at least uncover what the company produces or provides, their annual revenues and how theyve fared in the past three years. If you have more time, dig a little deeper and learn who the members of their executive or leadership team are and find out if someone on your contact list knows anyone at the company. A cover letter should never be more than two or three brief paragraphs. It should be addressed to a specific individual and printed on good quality paper matching your resume'. Additional tips about writing cover letters include: Address the letter to someone in authority who has the power to hire you. Tell how you became interested in the company or organization. Demonstrate that youve done some homework on the company. Balance professionalism with personal warmth and friendliness. Identify at least one thing about you thats unique. Convey your enthusiasm and commitment for this line of work. Provide information appropriate to the field you are exploring. Outline specifically what you are asking and offering.

Sending your cover letter and resume' via e-mail is convenient.

Most hiring managers will specify e-mail, fax, or traditional mail. Respond appropriately. Some e-mail with attachments are automatically deleted to protect against unknown viruses. Always follow-up to ensure your resume was received.

14

CARSON MATTHEWS Your Address City, State/Province, Zip/Postal Code Telephone Number e-mail Address

August 1, 2000

Elizabeth Henderson, Ph.D. Name of Company, Association or Organization Street Address City, State/Province, Zip/Postal Code RE: Employment opportunity with your organization Dear Dr. Henderson: Your web site and philosophy on education have definitely piqued my interest. As an educator, I found your site to be helpful, a premium resource and guide to information, data and ideas. I am interested in exploring employment opportunities with your organization. I have built a ten-year career around research and program development. I have developed training for small classes and have made presentations to groups as large as 200 attendees. I can offer education, experience and energy to your company and teacher communities around the globe. Enclosed is a copy of my resume' for your review. You can contact me at 555-7777, or send me an e-mail at e-mail.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely,

Carson Matthews, M.Ed. Enclosure

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TRADITIONAL COVER LETTER 15

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ELECTRONIC COVER LETTER
CARSON MATTHEWS Your Address City, State/Province, Zip/Postal Code Telephone Number e-mail Address August 1, 2000 Elizabeth Henderson, Ph.D. Name of Company, Association or Organization Street Address City, State/Province, Zip/Postal Code RE: Employment opportunity with your organization Dear Dr. Henderson: Your web site and philosophy on education have definitely piqued my interest. As an educator, I found your site to be helpful, a premium resource and guide to information, data and ideas. I am interested in exploring employment opportunities with your organization. I have built a ten-year career around research and program development. I have developed training for small classes and have made presentations to groups as large as 200 attendees. I can offer education, experience and energy to your company and teacher communities around the globe. Attached is a copy of my resume' for your review. You may contact me at 555-7777, or send me an e-mail at e-mail.com. look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, I Carson Matthews, M.Ed. Attachment

16

Your Name Your Address City, State/Province Zip/Postal Code e-mail Address

Date Attn: Human Resources Street Address City, State/ Province, Zip or Postal Code To whom it may concern: Please accept this confidential submission for the position of Office Manager, as advertised in the March 1, edition of The Sunday Daily Times. For the past three years Ive served as an executive secretary for Dalton Woods, Inc. In addition to supporting both the President and Chief Operating Officers, I am wholly responsible for office management and property maintenance. During the past year, Ive streamlined our supply/order process and renegotiated with our property maintenance contractors, reducing fixed costs by 13 percent, as well as implementing a recycling program that reimburses our paper costs. If, upon reviewing my resume', you agree that my experience matches your requirements, I would be interested in discussing the opportunity further. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely,

Name

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Sample advertisement for an Office Manager High growth, public company with multi-state operations has an opening for a career-oriented individual with proven office management skills, including property maintenance, supply order and inventory, and executive level administrative support. Send resume to Attn: Human Resources, P.O. Box 4356, City, State/Province, Zip/Postal Code.

RESPONSE TO BLIND AD

17

INTERVIEWING
Interviewing is critical to landing a job. Prepare for the interview. Anticipate questions and practice your answers. Winging it rarely pays off. Making a great first impression is important, so dress for success; be friendly, yet professional, and show enthusiasm. The three most important parts of the interview are punctuality, appearance and how you handle the interviewers questions. Punctuality Nothing will destroy your chances of getting the job quicker than being late. If you dont know the location of a company, call for directions the day before and make a trial run that evening. Your rule should be: Arrive 15 minutes early. You can wait in the lobby or in your car. Being early displays your enthusiasm and makes a good first impression. Appearance Dress appropriately for the interview. The last thing you want is for your wardrobe to be the reason you didnt get the job. Youll have to use your best judgment or take advantage of your contact list and ask for advice. You could also ask the company representative when you are arranging the interview. Handle this however you feel comfortable, but no matter what, make sure you have clean hair, body and clothing. Avoid too much cologne or perfume and eating or drinking anything that causes bad breath. When you arrive early, you may want to visit the restroom just to ensure you look great.

TYPES OF INTERVIEWS
Handling the interview effectively is the most difficult part of finding a job. In addition to a variety of interview questions, you may encounter several different kinds of job interviews. Recognizing them might help you be more prepared to successfully navigate the questions. Here are some of the most common types of interviews and why theyre used. Screening Interviews focus on skills rather than rapport. The goal of the interviewer is to eliminate unqualified applicants. A Telephone Interview is often used as a screening interview. The best advice is to answer the questions with skill-based responses. This type of interview is important; treat it that way. If you excel during this interview, chances are youll be scheduled for the face-to-face interview. 18

Face-to-face Interviews are only offered to candidates who, from the resume' reviews, meet the job requirements. The interview helps determine if you will fit in with your supervisor, department and the company. During this interview, you need to create a rapport with the interviewer and reinforce your abilities. Lunch Interviews are basically face-to-face interviews. Dont underestimate this change in venue. Lunch interviews are often used when choosing high profile positions, as well as jobs that interact with the public. Its more than minding your manners. Your actions and responses are under scrutiny. Committee Interviews usually involve several members of a department or company who all have a say in the hiring process. Each person will have an opportunity to ask you questions, and you should direct your answers to the person asking the question. You may not be able to develop a rapport in this situation, but you should try to be professional and personable.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Understanding what kind of interview youve found yourself in is one thing, responding to and asking interview questions is another. It will be difficult to get a great job if you cant communicate your abilities to the interviewer. Questions You May Be Asked If you have little experience interviewing or are just nervous in interviews, its always wise to practice responding to questions. By practicing, youll feel more prepared, confident and comfortable in the real situation. Many interviews involve the same basic kinds of questions. Try responding to each of these frequently asked questions as you would in a real interview. Why did you apply for this job? Why do you want to leave your current job? Tell me about yourself. What did you like most about your last job? What did you like least about your last job? How do you determine or evaluate success? How do you plan to achieve your career goals? How do you work under pressure? What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal with it? What is your biggest weakness? Describe the responsibilities you had at your previous job. Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others? What job do you see yourself doing in five years? Why did you decide to seek a position with this company? What salary are you expecting? How do you feel about relocation? Why should I hire you? 19

More often than not, they ask you to tell them a story about how you handled a stressful situation, or how you were able to manage a difficult employee, or how you diffused a confrontational situation. This is referred to as a behaviorbased interview.
Within two days of the interview, preferably immediately following, mail a brief thank you letter to your interviewer.

The purpose of this type of interview: Research indicates that past performance predicts future behavior. Be prepared, behavioral interviews are more common than they used to be. The goal of the interviewer is to see if your work style fits the companys culture. Questions You Could Ask Another key to a successful interview is to be prepared to ask the interviewer questions. The interviewer expects you to take an active role in the discussion. Remember, youre not the only one being interviewed. Youre interviewing them as well. You have to determine if this is the kind of company you want to work for. You need to find out if your potential supervisor will satisfy your needs and help you grow in your career. You could ask questions like: What would the daily responsibilities be in the (title) job? What growth opportunities are there in the department and in the company from this position? Does the company have a promote from within policy? How long have you worked here? What do you like most about working here? If you could change anything about the working environment, what would it be? What are the companys short-term goals? What are the companys long-term goals? How does this department fit into those goals? If I performed well, where would you see me in five years? Does your company have a flexible work arrangements policy?

Use the information from the business card you obtained during the interview. If you forgot to get one, call and ask the receptionist. Never, never, never misspell your interviewers name.

If you interviewed with more than one person, write each person a thank you letter.

Lengthy descriptions of previous positions held. Your questions should provide you with the answers you need to decide if this company meets your professional and personal needs. And, feel free to ask them after you answer similar questions. For example, if youre asked about where would you like to be in five years. Answer the question honestly. Then ask the interviewer the same question; If I perform well, where do you expect to see me in five years? General Interview Tips Now that you have an idea how to respond to and ask questions, here are a few more tips. Dont create the answers you think the interviewer wants to hear. If you get the job and then you cant do the job, or if you gave the interviewer the wrong impression of your skills and abilities, you may not get to keep the job. 20

Relate your experiences to the job for which youre interviewing. Provide examples of tasks you have performed to give the interviewer a better idea of your skills. Never complain about past jobs or bosses. Negative employees are difficult employees. Know specifics about computer equipment and software applications that you have experience with, and be sure theyre listed on your resume'. If you dont have experience, contact an employment service and investigate the possibility of getting computer training. Always ask for a business card from your interviewer(s). This card will help you get all the information correct on your thank you/follow-up letter; plus, if you dont get the job, you may be able to add this person to your contact list.

Following up is just one more opportunity to get your name in front of the hiring manager. Use this time to clarify information and as one more time to promote your skills.

Following Up and Following Through If youve gone to all the trouble to develop a resume', prepare for the interview, do salary research, and go to the interview, the least you can do is follow up. Post interview follow-up is extremely important and easy.

NEGOTIATING YOUR SALARY

More often than not, salary is not discussed during a first interview. And its in your best interest to discuss money only after a job offer has been extended. The first interview is a preliminary screening. A second interview is usually scheduled after the employer has met with all of the qualified candidates, checked their references and verified their education, skills, and abilities. Lets say you made it through the second interview and the interviewer makes you an offer at the end of the interview, or you receive an offer sheet the next day. If its not in line with what your salary research revealed, keep in mind that most companies are willing to negotiate a little. Stay true to your research and suggest a figure that is justifiable given the market and your experience. Your goal is to get the job and get paid for what you can bring to the table. If you dont get it now, you may never catch up. 21

There are several forms of compensation you can negotiate. If the company isnt willing to increase the base salary, consider suggesting an increase in benefits, incentives, flexible work hours, or negotiate a salary increase after your six-month anniversary. Dont try to negotiate unless you have data to support your request. You dont want the employer to feel like youre backing them against a wall, but you do want them to know youre confident, capable, and worth it. For more information, there are a number of books that focus on salary negotiation, and many of the job posting web sites offer information on the topic. The best advice is to use your own judgment. After all, this is your job opportunity, and you should determine the amount of risk youre willing to take.

WHAT EMPLOYERS WANT FROM EMPLOYEES

Keeping a job and getting ahead take more than just mastering the job tasks. You may possess all the necessary tangible skills to do your job, like accounting expertise, technical skills, software proficiency, 10-key, typing, etc., but its the soft skills that often become the deciding factor in who gets the job, who keeps the job, and who climbs the ladder. Soft skills are intangible characteristics like the way you conduct yourself, manners, and how you treat others. Pay attention to both your verbal cues and your body language. They are typically behavior based, with one exception, appearance. Based on employment and management surveys, the intangible soft skills that seem to concern employers most are attitude, commitment, flexibility, appearance, communication, and teamwork. Attitude No single intangible job skill has more impact on your future than attitude. In fact, the results of one employer survey revealed that a good attitude could be more valuable than actual performance. Attitude, in short, is your behavior. To evaluate your attitude, examine your level of enthusiasm when youre at work, whether you tend to make more positive or negative comments, and how you handle problem situations, like office politics and gossip. Other factors that reflect attitude are body language, willingness to be flexible when the need arises, and your reactions to criticism, as well as how you deliver information. All of these play a role in attitude. Commitment Commitment doesnt mean you owe your life to your job or that youll work there forever. What it does mean is giving your best effort to meet and exceed the expectations of the job. 22

From an employers perspective, when you accept a job, you are promising the company, your supervisor, and your coworkers that you will take responsibility for those job tasks, including being punctual, available, and consistently performing at your highest level. Commitment is one soft skill that employers are most concerned is disappearing from the workforce. Flexibility and Multi-tasking Flexibility, adapting to change and multi-tasking may be the most talked about, but least understood soft skills in todays workplace. Multi-tasking doesnt simply mean having several projects on your list. When an employer asks if you can multi-task, he/she is really asking you to share how youve managed the demands of multiple projects simultaneously. Employers want employees who recognize that change is a fact of every job description and every days tasks. Just because a job has been one way for two years, doesnt mean it will always be that same way. Being able to refocus as job duties grow or change is almost always considered a promotable quality. Communication Of all the soft skills, communication may be the most difficult. The obvious areas of communication include writing letters, talking on the telephone, face-to-face conversations, and drafting e-mails, but the reality of good communication begins with listening. Unfortunately, most of us are apprehensive about admitting that we dont understand something weve heard. However, the majority of employers prefer that employees ask questions early in the work process, as soon as they realize they dont understand, even if the question seems minor. To ensure you understand a message, try repeating the information back allowing the sender to correct the message before any action is taken. For example, if your supervisor begins talking about a new project and youre not clear on some of the details, rather than acting like you understand, say, Let me make sure I understand what you want me to do. Im supposed to and then describe exactly what you understand the assignment to be. This way, if you misunderstood, or the instructions were vague, youll clarify it at this time. By doing this, youll save yourself time, avoid making mistakes, and learn how to communicate more effectively, whether youre sending or receiving a message. Most of us practice on sending messages, rather than receiving. If youre sending a message, and you want to verify that someone understands, simply say, Just to make sure that Ive covered all the bases, can you repeat what Ive asked you to do? This way, youre not questioning the receivers ability to understand and you get to ensure the message you sent was properly received. Effective communication is everyones responsibility. 23

Appearance While appearance is critical for getting the job, its equally important for keeping the job, and even more vital for climbing the ladder. Why? Your appearance reflects not only your image, but the image of the company as well. Since no two businesses are the same, what to wear will vary. Some companies have adopted a more business casual atmosphere, whereas other companies remain traditionally formal. Rather than guess how to dress, pay attention to how your boss, successful coworkers, and your boss boss dress. A popular phrase among aspiring employees is, dont dress for the job you have; dress for the job you want. Teamwork Todays workplace demands employees who are team oriented. Many companies even compensate employees based on team performance. Being a good team player isnt easy for one obvious reason, successful teams have a variety of people with different backgrounds, experiences, strengths, and weaknesses. But, you can learn how to work well with others. Some of the key areas in team building involve: acknowledging and respecting strengths, tolerating differences, forgiving infractions, and understanding that creating, sustaining, and protecting the team is part of your job. In reality, the team can outperform the individuals who make up that team. No one said teamwork was easy, but in order to keep your job and climb the ladder, teamwork is necessary.

Conclusion We hope What It Takes to Get and Keep a Job has helped expand your understanding of an effective job search. Fortunately, most of the tools to getting a job are the same tools needed to keep that job and move up the ladder. All of us at Express Personnel Services wish you a successful job search, but if you want to take the work out of finding work, were only a phone call away. Call us at (888) I GOT A JOB!