Online Job Applications

Paper applications are becoming a thing of the past as more employers go to electronic and kiosk job applications. While these applications can be cumbersome to complete, there are a few things you should know.

Many applications request plain text resumes.  That means that you cannot use functions such as bold, italics, underlining, etc.  If you use any function button it will either not show up or convert to another symbol that might mar the smooth look of the resume.  It is also a cue to the hiring agent that you did not follow their directions.

Use the same or similar wording as your resume.  Consistency is key in completing the job application.  It may raise a red flag if your dates of employment conflict with what you have on your resume. 

EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) questions ask about race and gender and many employers will add it on to their  application process.  You are not obligated to answer that form until you have been offered employment.  It does not impact the likelihood of getting an interview or the job.

Some online applications also attach a questionnaire or test that must be completed.  Some set time limits to answer the questions, but most are not.  Take care when answering question, make sure sentences are complete and all words are spelled correctly.

Some sites have the ability to save your online application and resume.  Make a note of which sites do and if you apply for future positions, make sure you use your user name and password to get to your information.  It will save time in  the application process.

Finally, document your online application activities.  Save passwords and user names.  If you are required to do a job search to maintain qualification for unemployment insurance, you can provide this information as your documented proof.

First Impressions

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”  That adage is still true today.  First impressions for a job seeker include those that are on a cover letter and resume, a handshake, appearance and response to interview questions.

It was noted in an earlier blog post that employers typically take less than ten seconds to look over a resume.  Resumes and cover letters that get noticed for all of the wrong reasons are on colored paper, contains pictures or photos and have misspellings.  A good cover letter and resume captures an employer’s interest, has a lot of “white space” and every word is correctly spelled.  acronyms are used only after the name has been fully spelled out.

We all know that a handshake should be firm, but it should NEVER make the other person feel uncomfortable they will remember you for all the wrong reasons.  When a handshake hurts the assumption is that the job seeker is too aggressive or may be a deterrent to expanding the customer base.

Did you know that you can actually be overdressed for an interview?  If you are looking for a job in construction, you don’t wear a business suit to apply for a position nor do you wear high heels to apply for a position at a fitness center.  The key is to know the dress code of the business and dress accordingly.

A book could be written on some of the hilarious responses people have given during the course of an interview.  While the interviewer might disregard the response, it will also leave them wondering if you know enough to qualify for a position.  If you make a gaffe during your interview, be sure to provide the appropriate response or ask for clarification to the question. Don’t dwell on what went wrong!  remind the interviewer of your strengths.

The best way to make a great first impression is to know about the company and the position that you are seeking. Knowing and responding the business, the job and the company culture will all have a positive impact on making a great first impression.

Self-Employment

Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald’s, started with an idea and one small restaurant. It grew into a global chain.  Pierre Omidyar created E-bay Angie Hicks is the driving force behind Angie’s List. They changed how we use our computers.  These entrepreneurs all started their own businesses and grew them into huge corporations.  Part of the allure of self-employment is the opportunity to take an idea and turn it into a job that you want and can excel in. 

There are pitfalls to self-employment that job seekers need to be aware of when planning their businesses. Even if you know your product, where you’ll be located and who your competitors are, you should still develop a business plan.  The plan guides how your business will grow and how you will address potential pitfalls.  A business plan is also required if you are seeking start-up capital or a loan for expansion.

Even if you are a sole proprietor and only employee, you will need to set aside funds for business and employee taxes.  Business owners have to pay employee taxes as well as the employee contributing taxes.  You are essentially paying a double tax on your employment.  Business taxes may need to be paid in quarterly, depending on your profits.

You will also be required to carry insurance on your employees should you hire any, and on your business and/or product.  This is for any liability or major losses such as fire, flood, wind, etc.  An insurance agent can help you select the best policy to meet your needs.

If you work from home, try to dedicate a space just for your work.  This will help when you file taxes as this space can count as a tax deduction.  Also tax deductible are a percentage of your utilities, telephone, materials, supplies, travel, training/education and trade shows.

Marketing your product is essential.  The internet is a great way to promote products and services for a reasonable cost.  A wholesaler can help you expand your product line, but not necessarily a service. 

Setting a price for a product or service requires understanding the cost of materials and your production time, demand for the product and what the market will bear. 

finally, if you are unemployed and starting a business, this in all likelihood will disqualify you from receiving unemployment benefits.  However, many states have self employment assistance programs.  Check the rules or regulations with your local unemployment office.

 

Multiple Interviewer Interviews

Nothing can be quite as nerve-racking as having three or more people present and asking questions at your interview.  Now you have to impress several people instead of just one.  Many companies use a multiple interviewer approach as a way of considering various aspects of your responses to their questions.  These interviews can be pretty intimidating, but it is also an amazing opportunity to make a great first impression with the key players who will have a say in whether you are offered a job.

It is essential to shake every interviewers hand.  Make eye contact, make sure your handshake is firm and acknowledge them by repeating their name.  For instance,  when you are introduced to Jane Smith, smile, look Jane in the eye as you are shaking her hand and say, “Jane, it is a pleasure to meet you.”  Make sure you do some variations so that you are not saying the exact same thing to each interviewer.

Whether each interviewer or only the lead interviewer asks questions, be sure to take the time to make eye contact with each person as you are giving your response.  This shows that you are acknowledging them and including them in your reply.

Most interviewers write down your responses, and may not look at you while writing down what you are saying.  There may also be a lag time between writing their notes and asking the next question.  Don’t feel compelled to “fill the silence,” especially if you feel like your response was thorough.  Interviewers will often ask for a clarification if they are seeking additional information.

Don’t hesitate to ask for a clarification in an interview!  You won’t “look bad” or like you do not know the subject matter.  Most employers will give you credit for asking questions.  It lets interviewers know that you want to thoroughly understand what is being asked before you respond. 

If you have the opportunity to ask the interviewing panel questions, do so!  Avoid any questions about pay and benefits.  Focus on the panel and the job that you are seeking.  Great questions to ask would be clarifying who on the panel will be part of your team, what specific skills they panel members are seeking, and what they consider to be the most important aspect of the position.  Once they have answered, follow-up and identify how you will fit into the position.

At the conclusion of the interview, shake each interviewers hand, and thank them personally.  For instance, you might say to Jane Smith, “Jane, thank you for the opportunity to interview for this job opening.”  As with the introduction, try to use some variations in what you say to each interviewer.

A personalized thank you note should be sent to each interviewer.  Keep the note brief, using their name and why you think you are the best candidate for the job.  These small touches can increase the likelihood of landing the job.

 

Welcome Transition Fair Families and Students!

Welcome to the Career Connection Blog!  This is a free site that can be shared with friends, family members, teachers and classmates.

We focus on employment topics and have over fifty posts in nine categories.  You can link us to your facebook page and leave comments and feedback for us.  You can ask us to address topics of interest to you. 

For 55 years Sherwood Community Services has provided a wide array of services to people with disabilities.  The Career Connection program  specializes in technology in the workplace.  We have a computer restoration training program open to interested job seekers who want to participate in customized training.  In addition, we offer TechSTEP, a program that focuses on communication and training with high and low tech devices.

Please visit our web page, www.sherwoodcs.org to learn about all of our great services.

 

Finding the Right Job in a Recovering Economy

Recent reports show a steady increase in new job creation.  This is great news but there are still a lot of people who are unemployed, under-employed or who have stopped looking for work altogether.

Two employment sectors–housing/construction and retail, have not yet benefited from the recent hiring trend.  It is small businesses that have been largely responsible for hiring activity in the past three months.

Job seekers can use this information to secure employment.  Technology, service and medical professions have been hiring. Major businesses such as Boeing have been hiring people into training and mentoring  programs so that they have a workforce that possesses the specific skill sets that the company needs and values.

Finding the small businesses that are hiring may require more than using a search engine or a computer based job search.    You may want to consider enlisting the help of family and friends to identify local hiring opportunities.  The last two of three job placements made by Sherwood Community Services staff were not advertised positions.

If you do not have skills required for jobs in the growth industries, you may want to consider training in a sector that interests you.  There are many options for training and some may be as short as three months and offer placement upon completion.

If a career change is necessary an occupational skills assessment may provide insight to career aptitudes and interests.  For those with dyslexia or other disabilities, a pictorial assessment such as the Wide Range Interest & Occupation Assessment 2 (WRIOT2) is recommended.  Check with your local community employment program providers to see if they can administer this assessment.  For individuals who are comfortable with a self-administered assessment and who are computer savvy, O*Net has a quick assessment and detailed occupation information that can direct and guide you to training and education requirements.  This free assessment can be found at www.onetonline.org/skills.  Be sure to review career cluster information to make sure that it is the right occupation for you.

Are Resumes Obsolete?

Recent discussions have focussed on the question “Are resumes obsolete?”  While there is a great deal of debate surrounding this topic, the short answer is: not at this time. 

Resumes, and their function in the job seeking process, is hotly debated.  Some predict that the resume as we know it will not exist in five years while others argue vehemently that a resume still plays a crucial role in filling vacancies and are not likely to change significantly.

A recent Wall Street Journal took up this topic and noted that social media sites such as LinkedIn.com are being used more often in screening candidates.  Employers are looking for ways to determine if a job candidate will be a good fit for their company, and Facebook and Twitter postings easily give the hiring agent a snapshot of how you interact with others.  Some employers are moving toward videos to aid in selecting job candidates.  Ironically, this virtual meeting can easily be compared to the old and illegal requirement of adding a photo with your resume.  This has not yet been challenged in court, but should be watched carefully by employers and job seekers alike.

Tech savvy employers can and do use profiles on job boards, Google and sites such as  www.socialmention.com to gain additional information about a job candidate.

Job seekers should exercise caution when posting on social media sites.  You can even Google your name to see what has been published about you and how many others share your name.  If you see something that was written or published under your name that you didn’t write, contact the website to request the removal of the post.

In the meantime, keep your resume simple, factual and under two pages.  Be prepared to provide supporting documentation for education and certifications.  Employers, for now, still want and need that information.