Job Seeker Articles

When we call you with that great opportunity to meet with one of our clients, we want you to be completely prepared and ready to knock their socks off. Here are a few tips that can help you achieve that goal.

Dress for the job you want.

Be sure you are dressed appropriately for the job you are applying for. You should at least be dressed as though you already work there, for instance it is not necessary to be in a suit for every job interview but above all, be sure your clothes are washed, your hair is styled professionally, and your hands are clean. Nothing can kill an interviewer’s interest more quickly than an unkempt appearance. Be sure you’re wearing something comfortable; if you’re physically uncomfortable during an interview you won’t be mentally comfortable either, and the interviewer may pick up on that. Don’t forget the unmentionables, breath mints and deodorant are a must but skip the heavy perfume or cologne.

Prepare. Prepare. Prepare.

Even though the interviewer will most likely already have a copy of your resume, you should still take a few copies with you in case you meet other people who do not have a copy and want one. Be sure to have with you a pen and paper to take notes, for two reasons: taking notes will help you remember things the interviewer tells you, and having notes to refer to will help you craft questions of your own to ask. It is always a good idea to do your homework before an interview, ask your Energi Personnel consultant all about the company you are interviewing with, like what are the company’s goals and objectives and industry details. Also you can do a search on the internet about the company to find even more information.

Practice. Practice. Practice.

The day before the interview, spend as much time as you can practicing your responses to standard questions most interviewers ask: “Tell me about yourself.” “What makes you a good candidate for this job?” “What are your short-term and long-term goals for your career?” You should already know the answers to these questions by heart, before being asked. Your answers should be straightforward, to the point, and honest. Make a point of telling them about specific accomplishments at your previous employment. When offering personal information, or talking about jobs you held years ago, don’t go into too much detail and leave out anything that isn’t pertinent to the job at hand. Do not be negative about your current or past situations, no one wants to work for the downer in the group, so show that you are an optimistic team player and you are sure to win them over.

Leave a lasting impression

When the interview is over, as you give the interviewer a firm handshake, leave a lasting impression, smile and say something like, “I appreciate your time; I would very much like to work for your company. End by saying you look forward to hearing from Energi concerning the interview.

Follow up is key

After the interview, you should immediately call into the Energi Personnel office and express your interest in the position. It would be a great idea to write a small thank you to the interviewer expressing your interest and appreciation for their time.  If you bring it in to the Energi office we will hand delivery it to the client which puts you heads above the rest.

If you’ve been sending out resume after resume, applying for job after job, and you’re not getting the kind of response you were expecting, obviously there’s a reason. Your resume may not be highlighting your skills correctly; you may not be getting yourself in front of the right kind of employers or updating your skills in a timely manner. Here are a few tips that can help jump start your job search.

1. First, always consider utilizing the service of a professional Recruiter. Our Recruiters at EnergiPersonnel are in front of employer’s everyday and are usually the first to hear of job opportunities before the company places a newspaper ad or the job on their website. This way you have a professional out there every day promoting you and did I mention it is FREE.
2. Attend as many industry conferences and seminars as you can find time to go to. Listing conference attendances on your resume will show a potential employer that you’re not content just to sit at a desk doing your job, you’re actually interested in your career and furthering your knowledge on your own. If possible try to become a speaker at a conference in your industry; this will give you instant creditability.
3. Join professional organizations related to the industry you want to work in. But don’t just join; actually go to the meetings. Not only can you learn things that might be useful in your job hunting, attending meetings are one of the best ways possible to network with other people in your field. You may hear about job openings before they’re posted, or you might even meet a hiring manager that you can impress in person without even securing an interview.
4. Look for magazines or journals related to your career, and then write an article to submit.  Published articles look terrific listed on a resume and can be a great addition to a portfolio.
5. Join online professional organizations that you can place informational and professional information on. Do a search online for organizations in your industry that might have an online directory, this is a great way for you to be seen by prospective contacts that are not just in your area. Please do not list profiles that you might have on Facebook.com or Myspace.com, these are not professional sites. LinkedIn.com is a good professional site to try.
6. Take a class! Find a class that may update current skills or try something totally different. The point is to be continuously seeking ways to improve yourself so that you are more valuable to prospective employers. This is also a great chance to meet others who are interested in your industry and may have connections that you may not.

All of these things require time and effort beyond just printing resumes and licking envelopes. But in today’s highly competitive job market, time spent to get a job is never time wasted.

The minute you walk into the interview you will start fielding through questions, here are a few examples of how to handle the most common questions.

1. Tell me about yourself.
   The most often asked question in interviews so you need to have a small prepared statement.  Limit it to work-related items unless they ask more personal questions. Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that relate to the position you are interviewing for.
2. Why did you leave your last job?
   Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never speak ill of supervisors, co-workers or the organization. You will be the one who looks bad if you don’t. It is better to state that you were looking for a better opportunity instead of speaking negativity.
3. What do you know about this organization?
   This question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the interview. Ask a member of your Energi Personnel staff and do some online research.
4. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?
   Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. Mention any classes you may have taken or organizations that you might have joined.
5. Are you applying for other jobs?
   Be honest but do not spend a lot of time on this topic. Show the company that you are interested in THIS position and what you can bring to the table.
6. What kind of salary do you need?
   This is a hard question and you want to make sure you do not talk yourself out of a position because of how high or low of an amount you mention. Instead, say something like, that’s a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position? If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range.
7. Are you a team player?
   Of course you are a team player, right? Think of examples where you and a team worked together to create a success.
8. Have you ever been asked to leave a position?
   If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and avoid saying negative things about the people or organization involved.
9. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization.
   This question really gives you an opportunity to highlight yourself and your skills. Really give some thought to what you bring to the organization; this answer should be different for every position.
10. What is your greatest strength?
    Numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples: Your ability to prioritize, problem-solving skills, the ability to work under stress, your leadership skills, and a positive attitude.
11. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.
    You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give examples of how you made good decisions in a pressured situation.
12. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?
    This is up to you. Be totally honest.
13. Would you be willing to relocate if required?
    You and your family should be certain of the answer to this question. Be honest so that you don’t cause yourself or the employer any grief.
14. Do you have any questions for me?
    Always have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset to the organization are good. How soon will I be able to be productive? What type of projects will I be able to assist on? Or basics like when would be the potential start date or what benefits does the company provide.

When employers interview applicants, they know what job qualifications they are seeking, but there are at least five basic qualities that are absolutely essential for every job seeker in every industry to possess in order to give a potential employer a positive impression.

1. Self-Confidence - An interviewer will be naturally impressed by an applicant who exhibits confidence in his or her abilities. Make sure you have specific examples to show off those great qualities but remember to walk that fine line between cocky and self-confident.
2. Maturity - Most jobs involve a certain amount of stress, no matter what the industry. Make sure and demonstrate to the potential employer that you are able to handle complex or stressful situations with emotional maturity. Do not talk about disagreements that you have had with previous co workers or employers. Show that you can work well as a team.
3. A Positive Attitude - A good outlook is just as important as having impressive skills and experience. Going out of your way to offer exemplary service to clients or helping out colleagues, particularly in bad times, shows an employer that you are passionate about keeping the outlook positive for everyone.
4. Adaptability - Most jobs will involve change at some time or another whether it is adding new responsibilities or a promotion. It is important for an employer to know that you will be able to adapt to those changes. You need to make it clear to a prospective employer that you will not be overwhelmed by new ideas or unfamiliar experiences, and you will meet challenges head-on and succeed.
5. Goal-Oriented - Every employer has goals for their company, so they naturally value employees that have goals for themselves. Your resume should show employers that you have continuously challenged yourself to achieve higher and more important goals throughout your career and that you will help the company meet their goals as well.

These essential qualities make you attractive to a potential employer. Focus on improving these qualities, and the job offers will follow.