There is No Such Thing as a Gotcha Interview

There is No Such Thing as a Gotcha Interview In the recent McCain/Palin interview with Katie Couric, the candidates referred to the interview as  gotcha journalism.  Job seekers often feel that the job interview process is a similar gotcha experience, full of potential land mines and trick questions. It isnt. When a job seeker walks into an interview, they are a risk. The interviewer is trying to assess:Are you as good as your resume says you are?Do you have past experiences that have prepared you to carry out this new role successfully?How long will it take you to get up to speed and add value to the role/organization?Do you have any weaknesses or limitations that will be a liability in this position?Are you ethical, trustworthy, and loyal and do you have tangible proof of these traits?The whole interview process is about developing rapport and credibility with the hiring authority and proving through accomplishment-focused, metrics-driven examples that you have the competencies and experience to be successful in the role.  Wh ether you are applying for the role of sales person, CEO, or U.S. President/Vice President, the concerns are the same. Hiring managers cast their vote for the job applicant that does the best job of proving their abilities and fostering trust.  Know your value proposition and your stories of success before you go into the interview and continuously showcase these stories of success to answer interview questions and inspire trust. Come prepared and you wont feel like the interview was a gotcha.

One way to empower yourself as a job seeker -

One way to empower yourself as a job seeker - Under the you never know what will inspire you to blog category, I was listening to a local radio show last week The Bert Show in Atlanta. They were interviewing Chilli (Rozonda Thomas) from TLC @officialchilli on Twitter. Youre waiting for the career connection? Chilli shared that she has a list when it comes to looking for Mr. Right. She explained that she has two categories needs and wants. (Disclosure I am paraphrasing here, as I was in the car listening and the audio isnt posted online as of this writing!) Needs according to Chilli include things that are must haves. Chillis needs for a life partner included family man and Christian, among others. Wants? A six-pack (shes willing to date someone who has a 4-pack!) and a man who doesnt eat pork (she can compromise), among a few other desires. Everyone on the show seemed to think it was great to have a list; they commented that it was empowering to know what you are looking for and to be able to quantify it clearly. It obviously helps Chilli to zone in on how to spend her time and energy when it comes to dating. Job seekers think about your needs and wants. Since this isnt a relationship advice blog, lets take this concept to your job hunt. Do you have a list? What are YOUR needs/must-havea? A certain salary? Flexibility? Type of organization? What about your wants? Close to home? Ability to telecommute? Have you narrowed down what you are looking for? If not, its a lot harder to find it! Take some time today to make your list if you have not already clarified this for yourself. Ive talked about searching for a company instead of a job, but its tough to choose a company before you really narrow down what YOU want. Empower yourself with a list. You deserve it! photo by tinybanquet

General Resume Writing - Help From a Certified Public Accountant

General Resume Writing - Help From a Certified Public AccountantWhen you are about to start a new job or even a position that you have already held before, it is very important that you know how to write a general resume. This is because there are many different companies and organizations that will review your application and then determine whether or not you are fit for the position. It is for this reason that you must have a well-written and professional resume that clearly showcases your knowledge and experience in the job you are applying for.Before you begin to write a quality general resume, it is important that you examine all the information that you have about the specific job and the company you are applying for. If you have any questions, you should ask these directly and not make assumptions about the job you are applying for.The first thing that you need to do is to research the company you are applying for and try to gather as much information as possible about the job . This includes everything from how many years they have been in business to what their specialties are. You also need to determine what skills the job requires you to possess.You should never assume that you can help yourself by simply filling out the application form because most job-seekers don't have the time or the patience to answer some of the information that is asked on an application form. If they do, you must ask for a few clarifications.The next step that you should take when writing a general resume is to make sure that you understand how the job will be viewed by other applicants. Some jobs will be listed in a certain way that the competition is very high and it is a good idea to make sure that you know how the position will be listed in the interview.Finally, you need to get some help with the resume. You can get one to write for you if you are a certified public accountant or if you are self-employed and a member of a professional organization. However, many companie s will provide a sample resume for an applicant to write if they have not hired someone to help them write a job resume.Writing a general resume should not be difficult if you are willing to ask for assistance and put forth the time to write the resume. The rewards that come from having a well-written resume far outweigh the difficulties and time that you must put into it.

What to Do When Your Boss Emails You on Nights and Weekends

What to Do When Your Boss Emails You on Nights and Weekends Despite their reputation for industriousness, it turns out Germans have a thing or two to teach us about work-life balance. The country has shaved nearly 1,000 hours from the annual schedule of its average worker (compared with 200 hours in the U.S.) in the last half-century. And now a movement is growing there to make after-hours work emails verboten. A newly initiated study on worker stress led by the German labor minister is expected to lead to legislation preventing employers from reaching out to employees outside of normal office hours. (That might surprise those who’d expect such a thing only from the French.) Though the law wouldn’t come to fruition until 2016, Germansâ€"and Europeans in generalâ€"are still slightly better off than Americans in the meantime. While the average work week in major developed countries is 47 hours, that number balloons to about 90 hours per week for U.S. workers (vs. 80 for Europeans) if you include time that people are checking email and staying available outside of the office. “We have become such an instantaneous society,” says Peggy Post, a director of The Emily Post Institute and expert on business etiquette. “We’re expected to be on call 24/7.” And all this late-night work isn’t without consequences: Studies have found that staying up checking work emails on smartphones actually makes workers less productive the next day because of effects on sleep. Other downsides include more mistakes and miscommunications. In lieu of practicing your Deutsch and moving your whole life overseas, take back your “offline” time by doing the following: 1. Become an email whiz while at work. One major reason we’re forced to take to our phones late at night and on weekends? Because it’s so hard to get actual work done during work these days, due to smaller staffs, long meetings, floods of email, and noisy open floor plans. At least in some jobs, the more you get done during regular hours, the less you’ll be penalized if you aren’t available during evenings or weekends. Some experts suggest giving yourself a specific window during the day to handle emails. See nine specific tips on more efficient emailing from former Google CEO Eric Schmidt here. With smart rules, like “last in, first out,” you can become a speed demon. And if you just can’t pack it all in, you might also think about a quick end-of-day meeting (preferably at the scheduled end of day) to check in with whomever you’re most likely to get emails from later on. 2. Make sure you understand the expectations. You assume your boss wants an immediate response to that late-night brainstorm, but are you sure? It’s worth finding out. Alison Green, who blogs at AskaManager.org has suggested phrasing your question as follows: “Hey, I’m assuming that it’s fine for me to wait to reply to emails sent over the weekend until I’m back at work on Monday, unless it’s an emergency. Let me know if that’s not the case.” But what if the boss says that you really are expected to be at the ready? You might need to communicate your dissatisfaction with these termsâ€"rather than succumbing to burnout. Again, the words you choose are important. Green suggested the following: “I don’t mind responding occasionally if it’s an emergency, but I wonder if there’s a way to save everything else for when I’m back at work. I use the weekends to recharge so that I’m refreshed on Monday, and I’m often somewhere where I can’t easily answer work emails.” Post agrees that how you speak up goes a long way toward getting the result you want. “Without whining, try to share specific constructive solutions,” says Post. “For example, you could suggest having employees take on separate after-hours times to be on call for different days of the week.” 3. Stop the cycle. Remember, you’re perpetuating the expectation when you engage in these email chains. Should you write back once at 10 p.m., those above you will likely begin to assume that you’ll be available at that time (even if they didn’t initially expect you to be). Likewise, if your boss emails you, you might feel that you’re in the clear to contact those below you in their free time. But that’s a no-no, according to many experts. While you may simply be trying to send something while you remember it, you are actually putting someone else in the same predicament you’re in. Some suggest limiting yourself to answering or writing emails to between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., unless there’s a particularly urgent need or projectâ€"though the right window for you probably depends upon your company and office culture. And if you do have your most brilliant thought at 2 a.m.? Go ahead and write it, but then use a tool like Boomerang that lets you schedule it for a more reasonable post-shower hour.

5 Careers That Require Scrub Uniforms - Work It Daily

5 Careers That Require Scrub Uniforms - Work It Daily Many careers have a certain dress code associated with them. If you don’t like fussing with your clothing before you begin your work day, a job wearing scrub uniforms may be just the thing for you. Scrubs, those easy-wear easy-care, largely unisex togs originating in the medical profession, might be more appealing than business suits that demand the time and expense of dry cleaning, extra closet space, and pricey accessories. Scrubs virtually eliminate having to choose what to wear in the morning - or whenever you start your shift. Some businesses in people care (such as spas and child care) require their employees to wear scrub uniforms for their professional attire. However, this varies and is purely a business decision. Most medical professions now require their practitioners and students to wear scrubs as uniforms. Some hospitals employ a system of color coded scrubs where each department is assigned a color. Doctors Scrubs originated in the operating room. Easy to change in and out of, doctors can switch quickly from their street clothes to surgical wear, preventing blood stains on their personal clothing. With being laundered in the hospital, scrubs reduce contamination from the outside world. Originally white, they caused eye strain by reflecting the bright surgical lights. Eventually green became the standard color to reduce that problem. But now, doctors can be seen walking in an out of OR doors wearing other colors, too. Nurses The nursing profession eventually adopted wearing scrub uniforms as standard procedure. Imagine the huge corporate sigh of gratitude that must have been exhaled when thousands of professional women working long hard days were told they no longer had to wear pure white, highly starched uniforms to work every day where they came in contact with all kinds of potential stains. Now, a wide variety of colors, styles, and prints are available to nurses, limited only by the requirement of their employers. Nurses can choose prints based on their specialty, adding a touch of whimsy and personality to their work environment. Nursing and medical assistants also wear scrubs for a professional appearance. Medical Technicians Members of the technology branch of medicine have joined the parade of proud scrub wearers, especially in hospital settings. Technicians in ultrasound, X-ray, MRI, CT, phlebotomy and everything else enjoy the ease of the scrubs lifestyle at work. When dealing with sick folks, it’s good to know regular clothing won’t be ruined by whatever might come their way. Scrubs also visually tie these techs in with nurses and doctors and the confidence uniforms create. Dentistry Professionals Wearing scrub uniforms in this field makes sense, as well. Ease of wear and care and comfort all matter to professionals with busy work days and personal lives. Like doctors, dentists have worn white coats in the past. And they also have stringent professional standards to maintain in their offices. The visual tie-in with the medical profession is a boost to patient confidence, as well. Dental hygienists and assistants wearing scrubs in the office present an overall appearance of competency to anxious patients fearing the sound of the drill. Veterinarians People want to know their beloved pet is being cared for by the best possible vets and assistants. Dressing in scrub uniforms like other medical professionals transfers the appearance of knowledge and compassion to practitioners whose patients are pets or valued livestock. And for the vets and their staff, once again, scrubs make life easier. If, for some reason, you don’t aspire to the life of a medical professional for either humans or animals, you can relax around the house in scrubs or wear them in public, impressing all who see you. Related Posts 10 Traits Of An Outstanding Medical Assistant Going To Medical School: Choosing Between A D.O. And A M.D. Enter Today’s Medical Field With Confidence Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

How To Write A Check

How To Write A Check I learned how to write a check when I welches in my mid-teens, back when it welches exciting having a checkbook. My dad sat me down at the dining room table and walked me through the processwhat to write, where to sign. I learned how to write out the dollaramount in words on the correct line and use a fraction for cents (X/100). Three misprinted checks later, I finally sat with a perfect example of my newfound freedom, sloppy cursive aside. It was all so thrilling. A new wave of independence, all linked to my own checking account (which was linked to my parents checking account).Today, checkbooks are almost a thing of the past it wouldnt be surprising if the majority of millennials had no clue as to how to write a check. With debit cards and online banking and direct deposit (which is how many employees get paid rather than getting a paper check and bringing it to the bank to deposit it, money is sent directly to the employees bank account), its hard to see the use of keeping a checkbook. However, there are some big benefits to writing checks instead of resorting to sliding the plastic or handing out gobs of cash.Writing a paper check versus other forms of payments is great for large purchases, like expensive goods or rent. It can help you not only keep track of your purchases because of the literal papertrail in your checkbook, but it also is safer than using digital means of currency or cash. No one can hack into your checkbook, and only the assigned payee can cash your check. By taking the longhand route, you also have the option to cancel payment or postdate a check so the payee cannot cash it until a particular date. So if someone you paid for a job decided not to make good on the agreed upon services, you can potentially refund yourself by canceling the check before it is cashed. It gives you a little mora control over the how, when, and where your money is used, which is always a good thing. Paper checks dont carry transaction fees like plastic cards do.There is also a professionalism that accompanies a handwritten check that makes it more appropriate for certain people (like, say, your landlord), than cash or debit.So now you know the why, what about the how? Lets get startedstart practicing your cursive now. Here is a basic check. At the bottom is the account number and routing number that link to your checking account, and then a check number that corresponds to the (you guessed it) check number in your checkbook. Above those are six areas for you to fill out date, payee, amountwritten out and written numerically--memo, and signature.First, start by writing the date in the top right corner. Here is where you place the days date, or, a future date if you and your payee have agreed that the check is not to be cashed until a later time. This is called post dating and can be important if, say, you dont have enough money in your bank account now, but expect to by the time the check is cashed. It can be necessary for other types of transactions as well, such as expense reports and accounting purposes.Next, write the person you are paying in the Pay to the order of section. This is the payee who is going to cash your check. It can be an individual person or a company. Handwrite the name in a legible print on the designated line.In the box next to the payee line, you write the amount of money, indicating the dollars and cents numerically. So, if the payment was $19.99, you would write the dollar amount as 19.99. In the line underneath the payee line is where you write out the value longhand, but only for the dollar amount. The cents are written out numerically again. For example, with that same $19.99 payment, you would write Nineteen and 99/100. Or if the payment was $101.01, you would print One hundred and one 01/100. Add a dash from the end of 100 until the dollars to ensure no one adds anything to the end of the check without your permission.The final mandatory step for writing your check is your signature on the line at the bottom right. After youve penned your name, your check is good to go.But what about the memo line? This is optional, but recommended to keep yourself and your payee aware of what the check is for. Think of it like the comments section in VenMo (without the emojis). You just want to write a word or phrase that reminds you what the payment was for, such as rent, groceries, landscaper, etc.Tear off the part of the check you filled out and keep the carbon copy in your checkbook for balancing and referral purposes.--Alexandra Deabler is a writer and editor. She has published articles about California history, travel, lifestyle, personal essays, and short fiction. She lives in New York City and can be reached through her websitealexandradeabler.com.Fairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women.Join us by reviewing your employer

Purchasing Service Writing Resume

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