Job Search Public Enemy No 1: Procrastination
- Written by Alan Carniol
In job searching, there are a lot of factors that prevent you from getting an interview and getting hired, but none is bigger than procrastination.
The danger of procrastination is that most people don’t recognize it. Often, people think that it is normal.
Stopping Procrastination
Dilemma on Short-Term Jobs in Resumes
- Written by Alan Carniol
In a perfect world, every citizen would be holding a permanent position with one or two employers until his or her retirement. In reality, the economy is unstable and companies often lay off good employees simply for financial reasons.
In a time when many are laid off and are struggling financially, it is understandable to see people accepting jobs just to keep a roof over their heads.
So now, you find an opening that feels like the perfect opportunity for a permanent position. You’ve had several short-term gigs. The question is: Do you put them in your resume?
Social Networks Hurting Job Search
- Written by Alan Carniol
The Internet of yesterday is vastly different from what it is today. Technology evolves rapidly on a daily basis, and along with this change comes a change in how we look for a job. Job seeking is already tough as it is, and with the ever-growing popularity of social networking also grow the challenges of job seekers.
Before the advent of social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, writing resumes and cover letters was the only thing job seekers would worry about. However, this is not true today. Whether we like it or not, more and more employers use social networks to screen applicants. The reason is that social networks help them understand applicants better.
Answering: “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job”
- Written by Alan Carniol
There are many reasons why you may have left your last job. Perhaps you had the worst boss in the world, you were laid off, or you simply did not like how your co-workers treated you. Whatever the reason may be, the key to answering this question is a positive attitude.
Importance of a Good Handshake
- Written by Alan Carniol
In a job interview, we wa
nt to make sure that everything is perfect. We dress for success, arrive early, and go over our prepared interview answers. However, all of this can fall apart if you don’t give the right handshake with the interviewer.
There is a lot of debate as to how long we have before a first impression is formed, but what is certain is that our time is short. In a matter of seconds, the interviewer will form his or her impression of you, and this sets the tone for the rest of the interview.
Employer’s Mindset: Putting on their Shoes
- Written by Alan Carniol
Most applicants come to 
an interview with the wrong mindset. Often, this is why they don’t get hired even when they have the necessary skills and experience. The problem is that they have the applicant’s mindset.
When you come to an interview you should be there with an employer’s mindset. Why? Because this will help you understand what goes through their mind when they interview an applicant. Using this knowledge, you can prepare for an interview with the right mindset.
4 Mistakes to Get a Resume Sent Straight to a Shredder
- Written by Alan Carniol
A lot of times we want to know what to do to get a job. Right now, however, let’s talk about what we do to NOT get a job.
Most often, we focus on the major points in preparing our resume; for this reason, we neglect the minor things that people do to get their resume sent straight to the shredder.
Four Common Job Interview Questions for Teachers
- Written by Alan Carniol
After waiting for what seems like forever, you finally get a call from the school administrator. Now what?
An interview is a lot like a test. If you prepare thoroughly for your interview, you won’t need to worry about passing the test.
What to Tell Your Interviewer When They Ask “What’s Your Biggest Weakness?”
- Written by Alan Carniol
During an in
terview, when you feel like you’ve done everything right to impress the interviewer and show that you’re the best candidate for the job, the last thing you want to hear the interviewer say is the dreaded, “What’s your biggest weakness?” The problem is, this question will almost always get asked, no matter how you might hate it.
There might not be a “perfect” answer that you can recite to get this right. Don’t fret—there are things you can do to answer interview questions properly.
Three Keys to Interviewing for Older Applicants
- Written by Alan Carniol
Many people who are older than the average applicant fear interviews. However, seasoned applicants need not allow their age to become an issue. Older applicants should understand that they have something that average applicants don’t.
As an older applicant, you have experience. Prepare answers to interview question in which you can use this experience during an interview to prove that you will be the better employee.
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Saying Thanks after Rejection
- Written by Alan Carniol
You submit your resume, get called for an interview, dress properly, arrive early, answer every question with ease, and basically breeze through the interview process seamlessly. Everything seems to be going right for you. You assume that the only thing left is the job offer, so you're already thinking of salary, benefits, and when you can start.
Suddenly, you get a call telling you that they decided to hire someone else, and then it all dawns on you. All of your expectations are now down the drain. Even though you knew that the job was yours, they went ahead and chose someone else. Now what? Send them a thank-you letter.
Two Easy Ways to Prepare for an Interview
- Written by Alan Carniol
You sent your resume to countless companies. After weeks of waiting, you finally get a call. Now, it’s up to you to dazzle the interviewer and get hired.
It’s no secret that preparation is crucial to acing an interview. Yet it’s funny how people neglect preparation and wonder why they don’t get hired.
Getting an interview is the easy part. Impressing and making an interviewer believe you’re the best person for the job is the hard part. But don’t fret—you can make the hard part easy. How? The answer is properly preparing for an interview.
Preparing for an interview takes time. You need to put in the time and effort to make sure everything goes right for you on your big day.
What Beer Can Teach You About Answers to Questions in an Interview
- Written by Alan Carniol
When you think about how to deliver strong answers to questions in an interview, beer doesn’t usually come to mind (well, having one maybe, but...). So for a bit of respite from the standard sources of interview advice, I turned to one of my favorite sources for inspiration.
Here’s what I realized is true for both a job applicant walking into an interview and for a beer:
Answer to Interview Question: "Have You Ever Been Fired?"
- Written by admin
One of the scariest parts of losing a job is the potential stigma attached to it. There’s a fear that you’ll never know when, in a future job interview, the interviewer will ask you the question, “Have you ever been fired?” or even, “Where are you working right now?” With the tumultuous job market over the past few years, a lot of people have been laid off. In fact, if I had to guess, I would estimate that at least one in four Americans in the job market today has experienced a layoff or been asked to resign. If you’ve ever involuntarily lost your job, you are definitely not alone.
So, how do you answer the interview question, “Have you ever been fired?”