Post-Interview Etiquette

January 20, 2010

So you just went to the latest job fair expo and are lining up interviews.  Are you asking yourself what steps should you take after you’ve left the interview?  To leave a lasting impression after completing the interview process, it is highly recommended that you take the proper follow-up procedures to thank your interviewer.

Enter into an attitude of gratitude.

The first step is to place a thank you call. A personal conversation is preferred to leaving a voice mail message. This phone call should ideally take place within 24 hours of the interview.

The next step is to write a short note emphasizing your interest in the position and expressing your gratitude for being considered. The note can be typed or hand-written and should be received within 48 hours of the final interview.

The final post-interview recommendation is to be prepared to provide an employer additional information like your reference list, a salary history, samples of your work or a portfolio.

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Posted by HR Diva

Resume Types Revealed

December 19, 2009

There are three major categories for resumes – the chronological, the skills resume, and the creative/combination resume.

The most common and most useful is the first – the Chronological resume. The key feature of this type of resume is the listing of your jobs held from the most recent position held on the top to the oldest. Be sure to list dates, job title, name of the organization, address, and your description of duties and responsibilities. Use action verbs that are transferable to the work you are seeking. The other sections of the resume – education and affiliations should also follow the chronological format with the most recent achievements listed on top.

The second type of resume is the Skills resume. This approach is more successful for individuals who have limited paid work experience, are in career transition, or who have not worked for awhile. This type of resume will help you to present your strengths and avoid displaying your weaknesses. In the skills resume, you will group your experiences under your major skill areas. For example, if one of your strengths were accounting or bookkeeping skills, then you would list your activities from jobs, schooling, or volunteer opportunities that support this. The skills resume only makes sense when your major skills help to qualify you for the job you are seeking.

Finally, the creative/combination resume is the most volatile style. This type of resume is not encouraged unless the position you are seeking welcomes creative flair and ingenuity, and even then they can be risky. These resumes may combine chronological and skills techniques but defy traditionalism and may stray from the norm by using unusual paper colors, sizes and shapes, or art and decorative borders. The creative resume may be very successful for a small niche of jobseekers, but for most positions a chronological resume is preferred.

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Posted by HR Diva

Four Steps to Your Job Search

August 10, 2009

If you’ve recently been let go or are worried about job security, these job searching tips are for you. Job searching can be time-consuming and frustrating however there are steps you can take to insure you spend your time wisely and efficiently. It will not be easy, particular in this economy, but there is work available. You just have to be smarter about how to make yourself stand out and give a potential employer even more reasons to hire you.

Do a self-assessment

  • Review your skills and background to help you understand what kind of workplace/industry you would excel in.
  • When assessing yourself and your background, consider your personality, training, experience and skills and what jobs suit you. (Do you like working independently? Do you enjoy fast-paced environments? What did you do at your past jobs and what did you learn to do?)

 Create an effective resume

  • Resumes should be written clearly and simply. Bullet points work best because they are easy to read and highlight your accomplishments.
  • Your cover letter should not duplicate your resume but should emphasize any specific skills or accomplishments that will help you get the job.

 Search for positions in various ways

  • Networking is one of the best ways to find a job is by word-of-mouth. Tell everyone you know what you are looking for and even pass along your resume. (You never know whose desk it may land on.)
  • Staffing consultants are also another great option. Many jobs that are never listed in public are only offered through staffing services, like ALTRES.
  • Register with sites like JobsFreeForAll, Yahoo Jobs, Monster or CareerBuilder which often send emails about jobs that are available in your area of interest.

 Follow up and prepare for the interview

  • Always call or email the company to make sure they received your resume. (unless it specifically states not to.)
  • Ensure your follow up is viewed as positive, not a nuisance. Calls and emails simply to check in wastes the employer’s time.

Use the follow up to differentiate yourself in some way. Send a sample of your work or provide the hiring manager with specific information relative to his or her company or industry.

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Posted by HR Diva

Top 10 Strategies for Keeping Your Job

July 28, 2009

Unfortunately, Hawaii’s unemployment rate is still at 7.4 percent so here are the top 10 simple strategies to help you do your job well so you don’t increase that statistic.

  1. Arrive to work on time and report to work late or absent only if absolutely necessary. Repeatedly showing up late for work may jeopardize future pay increases and may be subject for dismissal.
  2. Be professional in dress and in attitude. A professional appearance presents a confident image of being able to perform your job.
  3. Come to work with a positive attitude. Be a happy employee who is willing to share ideas with others and show enthusiasm.
  4. Complete tasks beyond your job description. Help co-workers finish their projects and volunteer to assist with future assignments.
  5. Learn new skills and/or pursue certifications/education relevant to your field or company’s industry. Take a class, read a book, and keep up with trade publications related to your industry.
  6. If you like your job, SAY you like it. Make sure your supervisor knows you enjoy what you do and respect the company you work for.
  7. Be flexible. This may include taking on additional duties, being able to be “cross trained” in other areas. People who are demanding or difficult take too much time and energy, and supervisors will use downsizing as a chance to rid themselves of those employees with bad attitudes.
  8. Be visible. Be sure your manager knows what you are doing and how you are contributing.
  9. Help your company cut costs and increase business. Suggest ways of efficient spending in the workplace and increase revenue/production/service level in your position, department and overall in your company.
  10. Look for ways to align your goals with your organization’s goals. You should meet with your manager and find out what the goals and directions is for the company and help align what they do on a daily basis to help the company achieve the goals. Ask, “How does what I do help the company get where it wants to be? How can I be more effective and help the company be more effective?” This will make you and your work even more valuable to the company.

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Posted by HR Diva

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