Desperately Looking For Employment Read This Job Advice

Introduction Looking for Employment

Many people find the job search process to be frustrating. There are lots of things you can do to help you find the job you need and get hired more quickly. The tips in this article can really help you reduce your anxiety and find that job.

Read on…

Man looking for a job

Preparing Your Job Search

Spread the word among all your friends and family that you are looking for a job – many companies value employee referrals highly, so ask your acquaintances if they know of any potential job openings that you might be a candidate for. Many people will be glad to help if they can!

Always make sure that the job that you are applying for is feasible from a location perspective. Often, you may want to just take the first job that is available to you, but you do not want to drive 100 miles to get to and from your job each day.

Showcase your writing skills and creative abilities with a comprehensive, interesting portfolio. Even if you are not pursuing a career in writing or marketing, communication skills are critical in any profession. Your portfolio should include a variety of written documents, such as press releases, business reports, research findings and executive summaries. These demonstrate that you can communicate with others in a professional environment and formal context.

Make a name for yourself! In a job market bleeding qualified candidates, self-branding goes a long way in helping you to stand out from the crowd. Self-promotion and developing your personal brand is not a matter of ego. Instead, it is an opportunity to showcase your best ideas, initiative and creativity. Never exaggerate or falsify your best attributes, but do not be afraid to set your modesty aside.

Looking for Employment – The Job Interview

Do your best to maintain eye contact during your job interview with the interviewer. Do not try to stare them down, but keep eye contact as much as possible. This shows the interviewer that you are paying attention and that you show interest in what they have to say. Practice with a friend before your interview and keep eye contact in mind.

When answering questions on an interview, stay as direct and concise as possible. The interviewer will know if you do not understand something so try not to beat around the bush. Clear answers will show that you know what you are talking about and not making up answers on the spot.

Remember that when you are at a job interview that you need to keep everything you say positive. Never speak badly of previous employers. This never reflects badly on your previous employer, it only reflects badly on you. If you do not have something good to say, then try to switch the subject.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve read this article, you should have much more of a handle on how to find a job. Practice the tips you just read until you feel confident about them. You are sure to wow interviewers and land the job of your dreams if you follow our advice.

For additional job advice, check out Flexicrew website today!

5 Insights Job Seekers Learn from Anthony Bourdain

Anthony Bourdain, born in June 1956, was one of the world’s most celebrated celebrity chefs, travel documentarian and book author. He had a passion for exploring the world and making the most out of his life. His strong personality would make you believe that growing up, he had it all served on a silver platter.  But there is a lot more to his life than most people know. And his life remains an inspiration to many diverse groups of people, most importantly, job seekers.

Below we offer 5 insights job seekers learn by studying the life of Anthony Bourdain:

Anthony Bourdain

Stray from the Beaten Path

One thing that has a negative bearing on the job hunting pursuits of most job seekers is lack of deviating from the norm.  And the root cause of this is the inclination of the human mind to follow the success of other people.  This occurs with job seekers to such an extent that they forget they also have their own path to pursue.

For Job Seekers, Uniqueness is Key

One common and yet ludicrous line of thought is that job seekers have to wait for someone to employ them or wait for the perfect opportunity. Life has no guarantees! What if the perfect opportunity never comes?  And what if they never get called for an interview? Life requires one to move out of the ordinary, shun mediocrity and aim for a higher goal. If a person is called for an interview, they should move away from common responses and find a unique way of catching the interviewer’s attention. 

Keep on Truckin’ 

Growing up, Anthony’s life was at some point an awful life of drug addiction and many other bad choices. However, as he grew older, he refused to be defined by his past mistakes. Anthony moved from one restaurant to another trying to pursue his ambition of becoming a chef, but in most cases, he got turned down. That, however, did not stop him from trying to bring his dream to life.

As a job seeker, being turned down does not mean you are not good enough. It simply means you are being given a chance to move on to the next level, a chance to improve yourself and equip yourself for a better tomorrow.

In one of his writings, he is quoted:

“If I am an advocate for anything, it is to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food. It’s a plus for everybody.”

This refers to traveling, but is equally applying to jobseekers in interviews and in continuous learning.

Poke Your Nose Where it Doesn’t Belong

Curiosity has a unique way of making one stand out in the crowd. Inquisitive people are most likely to grow their careers faster than those who sit and wait for things to happen. As a job seeker, go out more often; mingle with people, volunteer just to establish your circle of like-minded people who will be willing to work with you in future.

Anthony was well traveled and knowledgeable. His curiosity saw him travel the world, making documentaries and creating a web of followers, fans and business associates who helped grow his career. He mingled with people and always sought to understand other people’s cultures.

Being inquisitive is probably the best thing any job seeker can do for themselves. Always be eager to learn, be open-minded and ask questions where you do not understand.  

Respect

What would you do if you walked into an office for an interview and you discover that one of the interviewers in the panel is the guy whom you told off at the reception? The worst thing you could do as a job seeker is to criticize a person because they are different from you or hold different opinions or attitudes. Always respect other people!

Be Authentic

Often, job seekers feel obliged to put on a show to please others especially those who are potential employers. Employers are not hard to please. They just want to see the real you, the one they would be interacting with on a daily basis. Putting on a show not only defeats the purpose of the interview, but it is bound to betray you one way or the other during the interview. Like Anthony Bourdain, be yourself and always strive to be a better version of yourself. Authenticity is character and like Anthony Bourdain said in one of his writings, “Skills can be taught. The character you either have, or you don’t have.”   

Final Thoughts for Job Seekers

In your search, reach for the stars.  Remain curious and respectful.  Adapt to each interview environment.  And take pleasure from every meeting whether it yields an offer or not.  If you could use support and advice in your job pursuit, call Flexicrew today!

Sources

1. www.everydaypower.com

2. www.amp.scmp.com 

3. www.glassdoor.com 

4. www.goodreads.com 

5. Interview Skills: How to prepare, answer tough (Rebecca Corfield)

6. Great Resume, Application and Interview Skills (Ann Byers)

7. Guerilla Marketing for Job Hunters (Jay Conrad Levinson, David E Perry)

3 Steps to Help You Nail Your Next Interview

Looking for a job can be very stressful and time consuming. Going to a job interview can be a nerve-racking process, even to the most confident person.

Meeting with job seekers on a daily basis, we are incredibly surprised to see how many people have not considered specific aspects of their daily life that would be beneficial in their job search. When looking for employment or looking to change your career path, there are specific steps that can be taken to assist with landing your dream job.

Step 1: Self Assess

Start with a self-assessment. The outcome of this assessment will help you better understand and nail down your interests, strengths, skill set and what specific needs you are trying to meet.

Take time to understand what you are genuinely interested in or passionate about. For example, if you are passionate about helping senior citizens or giving back to the community, it would be a great idea to look into non-profit organizations. Start to research companies in your area that are active in their local communities and giving back. If you enjoy being active and working with your hands, research warehouse and assembly positions in your community, which will allow you to be hands-on.

Don’t Forget!   It is also important to understand what your weaknesses and dislikes are. Every person has areas in life that need improvement and we all have things we do not like or enjoy. Understanding and being aware of these areas can help you in your career.

Self Assessment:

  1. What kind of work am I most comfortable with and willing to do?
  2. What am I passionate about or interested in?
  3. What area(s) do I need improvement in?
  4. What is it that I want to stay away from (ex: type of work, industry, environment, etc.)?
  5. What are the top 3 things that are important to me (ex: location, work schedule, pay, career advancement, etc.)?

Step 2: Research

Before stepping foot in an interview, research the company you are applying to work. Read and fully understand all aspects of the job description. Make sure that after the interview is scheduled, you have taken the research the company and its reputation. This can be done on company website and social media pages. Read company reviews. (There are numerous websites out there to assist with this research, such as Glassdoor.com) This is especially important when you are applying to a company you are not familiar with.

As with any research, be sure you use more than one source or website. The company’s social media pages will help you learn more about the work culture and work environment. Most companies post fun company pictures and community events to their social media sites. It is also a good idea to do a little research on the job title or industry if you are new to the field.

Step 3: Practice

Practice, practice, and practice! Do not skip this step!! This will build confidence and work out any kinks you might have or be feeling. I have found it is more beneficial to do a real practice interview with a family member or a trusted friend. Limit the practice to just you and the other person so you are more relaxed and focused. Make sure you ask them to have some questions prepared for the practice interview. Once the two of you are finished, ask for feedback on your performance. This will give you a good idea of how the interview went and what kind of questions you need to work on. Also ask for constructive feedback about your facial expressions, body language and anything else they noticed that a professional interviewer or hiring manager could view as negative. Practice, Practice, Practice!