This is another edition of your weekly employment newsletter.
As I have done in the previous weeks, I will continue to use the same format giving you tips on how to do better with your resume and job interviews. By the way, does anyone have a success story to share with me? I am eager to learn if you have been able to get a job. If you haven't, don't sweat it. I'm here to help!
This past week I had a chance to go to the LDS Employment Resource Center.
How many of you have taken the time to go there?
You don’t have to answer out loud just think to yourself. ;-)
They have a wonderful staff there. Full-time missionaries will sit down with you and help you find the best career based on your circumstances. People, that's a great resource the church has made available for you.
Did you also know that they have information on how to get scholarships?
That's right scholarships! So even if you already have a job and you are going to school remember you can still get help but this time through a scholarship. Those are only some of the things that the Employment Resource Center can help you with.
Where is it you ask? At the Provo D.I. I answer! (Second floor to be more exact. The entrance is on the south side of the building).
Anyways, let's get on with the real stuff.
If you are looking to get a part-time job to maybe help supplement your income, or simply give you a chance to work beyond your schoolwork, there is a great new website that focuses on hourly paid jobs. The address is: http://www.snagajob.com/
Now, this week we have a workshop. It's a great option because the price has just been reduced to zero. Yes, I have some connections and I have been able to pull some strings for members of the 162nd Ward it won't cost you anything. Go take advantage of it. And of course thank me later. The flyer is attached.
Please see below for some of what’s happening this week employment-wise.
FEATURED SERVICE –
Career
Workshop
A three-hour, interactive, job-search training to help you get a great job or internship
Date: Wednesday, October 14th
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: 3224 WSC
Contact: ersprovo@gmail.com
What’s in it for you?
gain a greater testimony of God’s concern for your career ● discover at least 10 positive characteristics you never knew you had ● learn (through lots and lots of practice) to communicate personal strengths to employers, graduate schools, internship providers, etc.● network like a champion ● discover your career identity ● learn to powerfully introduce yourself in 30 seconds ● learn to tame the elusive cover letter ● get ideas of resources for finding jobs ● get suggestions for composing effective resumes, cover letters, thank-you letters ● develop a vision of employment goals and a plan to achieve those goals ● learn strategies to be successful on the job ● solve the mystery of finding a job ● gain greater interviewing confidence (through lots of practice) ● learn how employers think ● understand what networking is and how to do it ● practice powerful methods for answering most interview questions ● find out you’re more awesome than you ever thought you were ● find out you’re more qualified than you ever thought possible ● find out about the most effective way to job search ● find out how your callings are actually teaching you job skills for work ● discover your power, and so much more...
Workshop created by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
FEATURED FULL-TIME JOBS – Are you going to school to be a nurse? Did you know that most industries have specialized job search engines? Well, here’s this week’s option: http://www.nursingjobs.org/ So now that you know how to use a catheter, here’s a chance to put that into practice!
FEATURED PART-TIME JOBS – http://www.snagajob.com/
Also, I spoke with Nick Elmore in our ward (801.427.9557 nickelmore@gmail.com) and he said that there are some positions available at Marriott where he works. I would call the man for more info if you are interested! I don’t think it will hurt to also send chocolate his way… Just saying…
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
"Let's begin with you telling me about yourself." Select the strongest answer.
(A) I was born in Salt Lake City. My mother was a nurse, and my father was a lawyer. I went to the local high school and then attended a state college and graduated with a major in English. I worked for four years at a high-tech company, where I was a customer service rep. Then I moved to a large company and worked there for two years as a help desk rep. I was at my last company for one year as a manager of customer service.
(B) I have a total of seven years in the customer service field. In my last job I managed a team of 14 reps. I have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and that allows me to work with a broad range of people at various levels. My background includes working in Fortune 500 companies as well as smaller companies. My strength is my ability to organize and coordinate projects, making sure deadlines are met.
(C) I would be glad to. Would you like to know about my personal life or my professional life? What would you like me to focus on?
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 B. This is the strongest answer because it presents a good summary of what you have to offer. The interviewer knows your total years of experience, the types of companies where you have worked, and what you consider your strengths relative to the job. The answer also provides a good blend of knowledge based skills, transferable skills, and some personality traits. You are striving to give the interviewer a good snapshot of yourself.
The mediocre answer is A. This answer is all right but it is not as strong as answer be. This is basically a walk through the resume type of answer: I was born, attended college, and work at such-and-such place. It would benefit from more detail in the specifics, such as type of companies you work for or some of your strengths and personal characteristics. The ideal answer contains a well-rounded, current picture of you.
The weakest answer is C. This is a very common reply to this question but is a weak answer. It does not show any preparation or planning in regard to what the employer would be interested in knowing about you. Your reply to this question is your opportunity to lead the interview and start out by focusing on what you want the interviewer to know about you and your qualifications for the position.
Behavioral question
"Tell me about a time when we had to adapt quickly to a change."
(A) When I ran the numbers on a certain food item, I discovered that sales were declining. I had to move quickly to come up with a plan to turn the sales around. Using demographics, I discovered that we were off on our target market. I immediately put together a proposal, and within a week we had a new marketing focus to reach the right customers. The new plan included coupons, two-for-ones, and special display to attract customers. By the end of the month sales rose significantly.
(B) I actually like change. In fact I thrive on change. I am a person who can adapt easily to any situation you put me in. I was with one company where upper management changed three times in one year. I just don't let it get to me. I know how to roll with the punches. The worst thing for me is no change. To continue doing the same thing for years would really not be what I want for a job or career. Movement keeps me growing and learning; I like being challenged.
(C) Change is something that happens every day in this industry. A policy difference can make everyone jump, and we have very little power over the situation. That has been one of the most frustrating things about my current job. There are just too many changes, without any thought behind them. I don't want to complain about management, but sometimes they changed the way we were doing something and then a week later changed it back to the way it had been before. That can be very frustrating for an employee.
The strongest answer is A. This is the strongest answer because it gives a very action-oriented example: there was a problem. You moved quickly to solve the problem. The problem was resolved. There is a strong sense of what your role was in the situation. This answer also would be a good reply to a question dealing with problem solving or coming up with a creative idea.
The mediocre answer is B. This answer borders on being dangerous because it gives an impression of restlessness. Because you say that change is good while lack of change is deadly for you, the interviewer could get the impression that you aren’t going to stick around long particularly if this is a dead end job.
The weakest answer is C. This answer has a negative, whiny tone. It is a bad idea to badmouth former employers in an interview. Even if there were negative circumstances, it is best to let it go in the interview.
THE JACKPOT TIP – If you could do one thing that perhaps would put you ahead of the competition, what would it be? This week’s tip: Remember names.
I know many of us have a hard time remembering names. However once you remember someone's name, it makes everything personal. And if you're trying to get a job, that could make the difference versus the other candidate. It shows you're attentive and alert to the conversation with your prospective employer. How to do it? It is pretty simple actually!
Use the persons name in your next three sentences. For example, let's say I just met Sally. I would then go on to my questions using her name at the end of the sentence. I would say: "So, how big is your office Sally?" Then I would follow up with another question: "Sally, are your hours flexible for students?" And of course when you close the conversation remember to be courteous and use her name: "Well, I would like to take the time to thank you Sally. This has been a terrific chance to meet you."
You get the idea… You'll be surprised the more you use this technique the easier it becomes to remember people's names.
CAREER FAIRS – Meet companies hiring in the Salt Lake City Job Fair.
Wednesday October, 21, 2009
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM | 150 W 500 S |
All right friends, this is it for this week. Now get out there and go make some money.
Best regards,
Daniel Souza
801-735-8281
daniels@byu.edu
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