People of America!!! (and surrounding areas…)
Again I would like to thank those still getting back to me on their current employment situation. Soon I will have a master-grand-top-first-awesome record of what everyone does for employment, allowing me to better serve your needs.
And if I get you a lead that turns into a job, then you can take me to the brand new Orem In-n-Out! See? It’s a win-win situation! In other words, this would be your chance to buy me lunch. I know… Thank me later. Well, I will stop… Some of you are probably already shedding tears ;-)
Until then though, you can read below on available jobs and I will just wait for the lunch invite!
Also, today is November 5th 2009. In case you didn’t know this 5 is a special number. For instance there are five rings in the Olympic symbol. Basketball is played with teams of five players. The English alphabet has five vowels. The number itself is also a prime number and a Fibonacci number. Keep in mind that five was the lucky number for the superstitious French fashion designer Gabrielle `Coco' Chanel. In 1921 she chose the fifth day of the fifth month to introduce her new brand of perfume which she called Chanel No. 5. At that time its scent was unlike any others in a market dominated by floral perfumes. It was a huge success and today it is one of the most famous - and most expensive - perfumes available.
K, now let’s get you some more meaningful information that may take longer than five minutes to read ;-)
FEATURED SERVICE – Do you have a resume? Wanted to get reviewed by the pros at no cost? Just go here:
FEATURED FULL-TIME JOBS – Some of you have already checked out the new website the church has put together for full-time jobs. That’s great. If you haven’t already I would recommend you do so. It’s a great resource and it connects you with employers. But beyond that I also have another full-time option for you. A close friend of mine works for a company called blue host. They do a bunch of stuff online. Mostly dealing with websites and domain name registration. They are look for both part-time and full-time help. They are local and are looking for people who are comfortable typing on a keyboard without looking at the keyboard. One of my close friends works there, so if you apply for the job feel free to tell them you know me and Morgan Anderson. That’s right baby, name dropping! If you are interested send your resume to: brooke@bluehost.com.
FEATURED PART-TIME JOBS – Are you the type of person that loves to dress up? Or maybe you care about the jeans brand? Have you heard of Plato’s closet? Well they’re hiring. If you have never been there, it’s a mix of Nordstrom and DI. They sell gently used brand-name clothes. In order for you to apply, this is where you need to go: http://platoscloset.com/about_careers.html
Once you have your application taking into the store. Their stories in Orem. Here’s the Google maps direction for it:
Now if you are selected for an interview the manager that everyone loves his Britney. In case you need another name the owner of the establishment is Jason Young. I also have a friend who works there. Her name is Randee Anderson.
Now a few have come straight to the part-time jobs section, go back up and read about blue host. They are hiring both full-time and part-time positions. It really is a piece of cake to work there.
FEATURED INTERVIEW QUESTION – Okay, you have worked very hard to finish your resume. You have met with consultants, maybe a professor, whoever, and finally you submit your resume for the job. Before you know it, they select you among the applicants for an interview. What was excitement quickly turns into anxiety and self-doubt: Can I do this? Am I ready? Will I know the answers?
Don't sweat it friend, every week I am going to put on interview questions in this section with the three available answers to choose from. I will then explain which answer suits the employer best. As you see these answers try to tailor them in your own words. What would you say? Why would you say such a thing? To let you know there are two main types of interview questions: 1. A general question and 2. A behavioral question. I'm going to include one question of each. Here we go:
GENERAL QUESTION
“Why should we hire you?” Select the strongest answer.
(A) I can do this job. I know I can. Because I am a quick learner, I have the ability to pick up things faster than most people can. I currently am taking classes to learn some of the computer programs I don’t know. I can learn this job very fast and be useful almost immediately. I am looking for an opportunity to try something new.
(B) My strong people skills are what I can bring to this job and company. I have an ability to read people and treat them as individuals in a way that most people can’t. My customers always ask for me personally because they know I will give them excellent service. When I saw this job posted on the Internet, I knew that this was my job.
(C) If you compare my qualifications with your requirements, you will see that I am almost a perfect match for this position. You are seeking someone with years of experience and skills I have acquired in this industry, and in addition to that I have excellent writing skills. I have the ability to work with a wide variety of people at all levels. If you were to ask my former colleagues, they would tell you, “He is one-of-a-kind. He keeps the morale up in the work flowing.”
What answer do you think is the best? What would you choose? Why?
Below you will find which answer is the most preferred by employers (this is based on research):
The strongest answer is C. This is the strongest answer. The best way to persuade the interviewer that you are the best person for the job is to present yourself as being as close a match to the requirements as possible. Let him know that you are a match by telling them about your skills, particularly in the specific areas required. If you have something additional to bring to the job, that will make a difference; it may be the deciding factor in whether you get the offer. Quoting colleagues or bosses helps prove your point without your having to say so.
The mediocre answer is B. This is not as strong as answer C, but it has the right tone. Consider stating one or two strong points that you have outside the job description: an added value. This answer also shows strong confidence in yourself and your ability to do the job.
The weakest answer is A. This is the weakest answer because it has a desperate tone. It’s a difficult sell when you do not have the requirements for the job. This answer does demonstrate an eager attitude and a proven ability to learn quickly, which is the right approach to take when you’re lacking skills. Remember that the company is not in business to teach you new things but to get the work done.
Behavioral question
“What has been the most difficult training course or class you have ever taken?” Select the strongest answer:
(A) I don’t know if you want to consider the classes I took while I was getting my bachelors degree, but I had a couple of classes that were killers. I was carrying a full load of credits and working a 30-hour week. I had a geology class that was the most difficult class I ever took. The way I survived was to plan the projects and study times, and I would stick to the plan no matter what. Because that class was the most difficult I made sure that it was my main focus that semester. Focus was the key to surviving the course.
(B) I can’t think of one course that was more difficult than the others. I have taken a lot of training courses since I graduated from college. Because they pick up things easily and quickly, I move right along. The classes and courses I have enjoyed the most have been about finance and investing. I have a good mind for numbers in theory, and that has helped me in my previous positions. I intend to keep taking classes as a way to develop new techniques.
(C) I have taken a lot of training courses and my career. Some of them have had to do with business, somewhat personal growth, and some with technology. I enjoy a broad coverage of subjects. I’m a strong believer in continuous training. I guess the most difficult program have been in the area of technology, which probably is my weakest area.
The strongest answer is A. This is the strongest answer because it is the most specific. Even though it is not about business, it gives a good example of how you focus your efforts to get through a tough situation. It is desirable to give a business answer as your first choice, but if you can’t think of a situation that answers the question, give an answer that is as closely related to that question as possible. This is especially true for new grads or reentry persons. This answer indicates your ability to be organized and planned as well as defining your tenacity. The skills demonstrated are the important aspect of this example.
The mediocre answer is C. This answer is not wrong; it is just not a strong answer. On the positive side it does include the various kinds of training you have taken. In answer to this particular question it would sound better if you focused on a specific course that challenged you the most you say that the technology classes were the most difficult but don’t give any specifics that would add depth to your answer.
The weakest answer is B. This is the weakest answer because it does not answer the question. It is very general. It has some merit because it speaks about your ability to learn quickly and pick up information easily. It also demonstrates an ethic of continuous growth through learning, which is positive.
THE JACKPOT TIP – If you could do one thing that perhaps would put you ahead of the competition, what would it be? Ask people’s names. Let me explain what I mean: just yesterday I went to Plato’s closet to buy some clothes. I have never met the manager or the owner but I quickly became friends with the girl that helped me buy my close. Then I asked her who the manager was and who the owner was which she knew their names. So, if you’re looking to get a job somewhere and you happen to go there before you ever get hired ask who the manager is, or who the store owner is. If you ever want to interview and work at that location chances are by simply dropping those names you will be remembered.
TIPPING POINT – How many of you know what the brethren did before they became general authorities? How about the Presidency of the Seventy? If you have never done research on their background you may be surprised to find out the Elder Merrill J. Bateman (now an emeritus seventy) who was one of BYU’s presidents was also an executive of Mars Candies, which makes the popular Snickers and Twix. At first this may sound like useless information, but it may serve you well during an interview. Maybe you’re trying to work for a company that has something to do with Mars Candies or work there yourself. How about the Marriotts? Did you know that Bill Marriott is a member of the Sixth Quorum of the Seventies and lives on the East Coast? Did you know that he started the Marriott hotel chain with his brother Dick many years ago? Again this may become useful information if you’re trying to become an operations manager with the southwestern region of the Marriott hotel chain. You simply never know. So take the time to go read Wikipedia. You’ll be surprised to find out pieces and bits of information that may just serve you well. If nothing else this is a great way to start conversation and before you know it your network.
Okay everybody. I have to go to my job now. Remember to be nice to others as you wish others were nice to you!!
Best regards,
Daniel Souza
801-735-8281
daniels@byu.edu
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