First Job Interview Tips

Even though you're probably going to be really nervous when you go on your first job interview, the key to a successful first interview is to prepare for the interview, practice interviewing, dress appropriately and try to stay calm.

Remember, your interviewer is mostly likely used to interviewing first time job seekers. Plus, everyone has a first interview in their work history. After interviewing the first time, it will get much easier. 

Here are first job interview tips to make the interview a success

Before Your First Job Interview

Research the Company. Take some time to research the company so you are familiar with how they operate. There is a lot of company information available online.

Learn About the Job. Learn about the job you are looking to get. Ask yourself, "Why am I the best person for the job?" Do you know someone else who works at the company? Ask them about the job, the interview process, and the company.

 

Watch a Job Interview Video. Watch interview videos that offer tips to really be prepared.

Practice Interviewing. Review typical teen interview questions and answers and practice your responses before you go. Ask a family member or friend to ask you some questions, so you can practice your answers. 

Dress Appropriately. Choose simple and appropriate attire for the position you are interviewing for. If you're not sure what to wear ask an adult family member, teacher, or guidance counselor. Take a look at what you shouldn't wear to a first job interview, as well.

 

Write a Resume. A resume will make a good impression on the interviewer. Bring a copy of your resume, if you have one, and a pen and paper ready to take along for notes. Here's how to write your first resume.

Get Directions and a Ride. If you need a ride to the interview, line it up ahead of time. Make sure you know where you are going for the interview so that you do not get lost and are on time.

 

During Your First Job Interview

• If you're under 18 and your state requires teens to have working papers, bring your working papers with you.
• Try to stay cool, calm, and collected. Staying as calm as possible, will help you focus on the interviewer.
• If you feel flustered, pause and take a few deep breathes to gather your thoughts.
• Be confident in your skills and abilities when you are talking to the interviewer. Remember this is a first job and you aren't expected to have a lot of experience.
• Try to incorporate what you know about the company looking to hire you.
• Be honest. If you have sports or other activities that may conflict with your work schedule, tell the interviewer.
• Make eye contact and avoid distractions.
• Listen and take notes. Have a question ready to ask at the end of the interview.
• At the end of the interview thank the interviewer for taking the time to interview you.

After Your First Job Interview

Send a thank you note immediately after the interview. Remind them about how interested you are in the position they are looking to fill. Send a note to each person that interviewed you.

 jobsearch.about.com

7 Mistakes First Time Job Seekers Make: And How to Avoid Them

The day you graduate from college may be one of the happiest days of your life. The sense of accomplishment, the acknowledgement of a job well done, the pat on the back from your family and peers elates you. The future looks so bright, until you begin to search for a new job and are met with rejection after rejection. Then you begin to wonder if all of your years of hard work pursuing a college degree were worth it, if you can not find a job.

Some first time job seekers may be making mistakes that they are not even aware of. If you have found yourself committing any of the below offenses, stop, and change course immediately.

1. Unprofessional initial contact — You always want to make a great first impression. Whether you are responding to a job posting via telephone, email, fax, or postal mail, you want that first contact to be professional. By email, fax, or mail, address the hiring manager by name, and proofread to make sure you didn’t make any careless mistakes in spelling or punctuation. Always include a well thought out cover letter with your resume that is designed for the specific job you are seeking. For more information on creating cover letters look here.

By telephone be sure there is no noise in your background. Turn off the television and radio before placing a phone call or returning one. Be sure to speak in a professional manner using please, and thank you.

2. Missing the interview without calling to cancel — This one may seem like common sense, but more people do this than you know. If you can not make a previously scheduled interview, even if it is because you have already found a new job, let the company know. You never know when you may need to apply to that company in the future, and you do not want to have burned a bridge.

3. Dressing unprofessionally — For an interview you want to look your best. Your hair should be neat, not overly styled. You should wear professional clothing, preferably a suit. Here are some tips on professional interview attire.

4. Bringing friends or family to an interview — You may be thinking, who would do that? Lots of first time job seekers do it. They bring their mother/father, or boyfriend/girlfriend, or best-friend with them to the job interview for moral support. This is not the doctor’s office, or even the admission’s office at school. Bringing people with you to your job interview looks really bad to your potential employer. If you are incapable of completing an interview without someone holding your hand, how can you go to a job each day on your own and perform well?

5. Being unprepared — When you go in for an interview it is important that you bring a current copy of your resume with you, and at least 3 references. Even if you previously emailed a resume to the company, it is best to be prepared to submit it again.

Also, you want to research the company so that you are informed. When the interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions for me?” which they surely will, have a few prepared. Do not ask about the pay rate in the initial interview. Instead ask thoughtful questions about the company itself or the particular job you will be doing.

6. No thank you — When your interview is complete, thank the interviewer for his or her time. You also want to send a thank you note either by postal mail or email.

7. Using social media in a negative way — Many potential employers search the names of their potential employees online. What will come up if your name is searched? If it is anything negative, or inappropriate, you may just kiss the position you applied for goodbye. Take caution when online, including comments you leave on other people’s social media pages. While you may have set your Facebook or Twitter accounts to private, the page you are commenting on may not be private. These comments do show up when your name is searched using a search engine.

If you avoid making these mistakes, you will be well on your way to landing that first job.

http://www.fastweb.com

10 essential networking tips

The term “networking” is one of the most overused and often misunderstood terms.  One of the problems with most young engineers trying to network is that they do not grasp the concept that the most valuable form of networking cannot be done without investing in relationships.  This misunderstanding is only further exacerbated by the emergence of social networking, a topic which prompted its own discussion.

The very definition of networking dictates that a network is “a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest.”  Supportive in the sense that networking is all about building mutually beneficial relationships, from which all parties can derive positive benefit. A classic “scratch-my-back-and-I’ll-scratch-yours” type of an engagement.

So, how you approach networking matters, since it provides the basis of how you might interact with people in your professional life.  The following list provides 10 often ignored tips which provide crucial insights into networking by building sustainable and productive relationships.

1. Never make assumptions

Always approach every networking opportunity with an open mind. In other words, never make assumptions about anyone you meet. The worst thing you can do is to assume that a particular individual is not worth networking with because he/she lacks the characteristics you might be looking for, say a VP of an engineering company.

One of my favorite books, The Tipping Point, provides an interesting analysis of the type of people the author terms as “connectors.”  Connectors, according to the author are those “people with a special gift for bringing the world together.”  So, the casually dressed gentleman you meet at the airport lobby might be a connector with access to several VPs of engineering companies. Share your bagel with him.

2. Relax

Networking is like golf, if you try to hard it shows and you end up playing badly.  If you remember one simple fact, that networking is primarily social and secondarily business, you will be able to network more effectively.  At the end of it all, the more comfortable you are, the more comfortable the person you are talking to will be with you.

3. Listen more than you talk

This goes back to the earlier point about networking being a mutually-beneficial relationship. From the initial meeting, both parties involved should be able to derive meaningful purpose from interacting with each other. So, if you find that you are the one doing most of the talking, and constantly shifting your focus from on candidate to the next, then you are wasting your time.

4. Find a common interest

The goes back to the very definition of networking. In order to cultivate the most beneficial relationship with anyone, it is a good idea to establish early on that you and the other person have common interests or common goals.  If you cannot find any, don’t create them but at least look for commonalities by exploring activities and interests that might have been mentioned in the course of the conversation.

It is usually easy to find a common ground with fellow engineers, be it career, school or the passionate dislike of Biology. However, if after ten minutes you still cannot find a connection, move on.

5. Be impressive

Always make sure you have your business cards

Have you ever had a conversation with someone and realized that at the end of the conversation, you were still did not know anything about the person. This happens because most people’s idea of networking usually involves reciting their skills and objectives to as many people as possible. This type of exercise is not only counterproductive but also negates the desire for anyone to interact with you in the future.

So, how do you capture someone’s attention and leave a positive impact? Simply be yourself and stick to what you know. Networking is all about cultivating potentially beneficial relationships, so rely on your best attributes to impress whoever you are interacting with. Never, under any circumstance, try to bring up topics you are not familiar with in the name being impressive. If you fail at this all-too-common networking tactic, you end up appearing disingenuous and vague.

6. Make a graceful exit

Networking at social events

There is usually an undisclosed time limit when it comes to networking, especially if you are in a networking event. General rule of thumb is, if you start running out of content, it is a good idea to give others a chance to interact as well. However, if you feel that you have something productive to contribute, or you feel that you need to get to know someone better, stick around as long as you are not making the other party uncomfortable. Otherwise, close off by telling the person that you enjoyed meeting. At this point you should have already exchanged contacts.

7. Follow through

This is by far the most crucial part of any networking encounter. It does not make sense to go to a networking event, establish a contact and then never follow through afterwards. The initial follow through should NEVER be an immediate request for a favor. Nothing breaks apart a potential networking relationship than only calling when you need something. Remember, networking is all about cultivating beneficial relationships. Thus said, you have to act fast, before you disappear from memory and build up on the initial meeting. Realize that even at this point you still have to maintain a high level of professionalism, so do this in a proper and professional manner.

A good follow through conversation should basically reiterate key points from earlier discussions and leave an open ticket for future correspondence. Ideally, you should seek a face-to-face meeting, but please do this tactfully.

8. Personal Touch

Since networking is, at its most basic level, the building of mutually beneficial relationships, it is important to nurture those relationships beyond business. This could initially be in the form of subtle communications such as Christmas cards, gift certificates etc.  As the relationship progresses, you can move on to bigger and better things.

9. Harvest the networking benefits

You should never be afraid to utilize your networking contact on anything within the realm of their abilities. Such connections might be in the form of job referrals, introductions or help in furthering a particular business agenda.

When you have established that the individual is the proper resource for the type of connection you are seeking, approach them and articulate your request. If you have nurtured a good relationship, then the rest should be easy.

The most adept networkers know how to convey appreciation for networking favors. If someone has been helpful to you, let them know that you appreciate it. A simple thank-you card should be sent to the person as quickly as possible.

10. Become a resource for others

When you are known as a strong resource, people remember to turn to you for suggestions. In the continuing nurture of the networking relationship make sure you make your contacts aware of your strong points and how you can help them. Whenever favors are requested of you, act on them quickly.

http://www.engineeringdaily.net

ORT Students Awarded Assyrian Universal Alliance Foundation Scholarship

We are very happy to share some great news:

Our students Farha Binyamin, Alaq Bakos and Rita Bato received a scholarship from the Assyrian Universal Alliance Foundation toward their studies at ORT.

Scholarship awardees Alaq Bakos and Farha Binyamin with AUA President, Homer Ashurian, at the Scholarship Award Banquet, August 11, 2013

Improve Your English Quickly - Tips for Learning

Ask yourself weekly: What do I want to learn this week?

Asking yourself this question every week will help you stop and think for a moment about what is most important to you. It is easy to focus only on the current unit, grammar exercise, etc. If you take a moment to stop and set a goal for yourself every week, you will notice the progress you are making and, in turn, become more inspired by how quickly you are learning English! You will be surprised at how this feeling of success will motivate you to learn even more English.

Quickly review important new information shortly before going to bed.

Research has shown that our brains process information that is fresh in our brains while we sleep. By shortly (this means very quickly - just a glance at what you are working on at the moment) going over some exercise, reading, etc. before you go to sleep, your brain will work away on this information while you sleep!

While doing exercises and alone at home or in your room, speak English aloud.

Connect the muscles of your face to the information in your head. Just as understanding the basics of tennis does not make you a great tennis player, understanding grammar rules does not mean you can automatically speak English well. You need to practice the act of speaking often. Speaking by yourself at home and reading the exercises you are doing will help connect your brain to your facial muscles and improve pronunciation and make your knowledge active.

Do five to ten minutes of listening at least four times a week.

In the past, I decided I needed to get fit and went jogging - usually three or four miles. Well, after not having done anything for many months, those three or four miles really hurt! Needles to say, I did not go jogging for another few months!

Learning to understand spoken English well is very similar. If you decide that you going to work hard and listen for two hours, chances are that you will not do extra listening exercises any time soon. If, on the other hand, you start off slowly and listen often, it will be easier to develop the habit of listening to English on a regular basis.

Look for situations in which you must speak / read / listen to English

This is probably the most important tip. You need to use English in a "real world" situation. Learning English in a classroom is important, but putting your English knowledge into practice in real situations will improve your fluency in speaking English. If you do not know of any "real life" situation, create new ones for yourself by using the Internet to listen to news, write English responses in forums, exchange emails in English with email pals, etc.

http://esl.about.com

8 Tips For Starting Your Internship Off Right

Here are some things to remember on the first day of internships:

Be physically and mentally ready. 

Keep your energy up by getting plenty of sleep and eating a good breakfast. Learn the dress code before you get there and follow it. Keep in mind that interns who dress for higher-level positions might be looked at more seriously. Come in with a positive and excited attitude.

Get there early. 

It’s a simple step to starting the internship on a good note. Fifteen minutes before work starts is probably enough time to get situated. Plus, you’ll make a strong impression on your manager.

Come prepared. 

Do all of the research you can before you even arrive at your internship. Find out about the company, employees, and anything else you think is relevant. Retain what you can. It’s also important to anticipate paperwork. The first day at any job will be filled with it. Bring your driver’s license, social security card, and anything else you might need to help you fill things out.

Take lots of notes.  

Bring a pad of paper and get ready to write everything down. The first day of your internship will be full of information, so write it all down to help you remember it all. Write down instructions, as well as other details. Pay attention to how your co-workers prefer to communicate, the preferred writing style for your assignments, and other things that come up. You’ll be able to access it all later, when it becomes relevant. Plus, interns who take notes leave a good impression on managers.

Ask questions.  

Your supervisors will throw tons of information at you on your first day. They know they are doing this, so it’s okay to ask them to slow down or repeat something. Asking questions will allow you to learn how to do things the right way, rather than having to redo things because you missed the instructions. Interns who ask lots of questions demonstrate their critical thinking skills, which will impress managers.

Meet new people.  

Depending on the internship, you may only work directly with a supervisor and a few other interns. Don’t let this stop you from meeting other interesting people in the organization. Go out of your way to introduce yourself to lots of people in the organization. Learn their names and roles, and form relationships with them. Networking during an internship is never a bad thing.

Do more than is asked of you. 

Show your managers that you mean business by going above and beyond, especially when you’re new. If your manager asks for two examples, provide three. If you find yourself with nothing to do, ask for another assignment. Not only will you be busy learning new things, but also you will impress your managers this way.

Speak up. 

If the opportunity presents itself, volunteer your opinion or your skills. If your managers want suggestions on a project, speak up. If they want volunteers for an extra assignment, volunteer. Taking initiative when you are given opportunities to do so shows your managers you are a valuable member of the team.

What else should interns remember on the first day of their internship?

http://www.levoleague.com

Starting or building a career in Computer Networking

Many view computer networking as one of the best and "hottest" career fields available today. Some claim that a serious shortage of qualified people to fill these networking jobs exists, and these claims may lure some people into the fray hoping for an easy position with a fast-growing company

Don't be fooled! Debates over the actual extent of any "shortages" aside, networking involves mostly hard work, and competition for the high-quality positions will always be strong. Continue reading to learn more about beginning or expanding a career in networking, and pick up some valuable job-hunting tips that also apply to many other types of technical careers.

Job Titles

Several types of positions exist in networking, each with different average salaries and long-term potential, and one should possess a clear understanding of these. Unfortunately, job titles in networking, and in Information Technology (IT) generally, often lead to confusion among beginners and experienced folks alike. Bland, vague or overly bombastic titles often fail to describe the actual work assignments of a person in this field.

The basic job titles one sees for computer networking and networking-related positions include

• Network Administrator
• Network (Systems) Engineer
• Network (Service) Technician
• Network Programmer/Analyst
• Network/Information Systems Manager

The Network Administrator

In general, network administrators configure and manage LANs and sometimes WANs. The job descriptions for administrators can be detailed and sometimes downright intimidating! Consider the following description that, although fictitious, represents a fairly typical posting:

NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR - HOBO COMPUTING
"Candidate will be responsible for analysis, installation and configuration of company networks. Daily activities include monitoring network performance, troubleshooting problems and maintaining network security. Other activities include assisting customers with operating systems and network adapters, configuring routers, switches, and firewalls, and evaluating third-party tools."

Needless to say, a person early in their career often lacks experience in a majority of these categories. Most employers do not expect candidates to possess in-depth knowledge of all areas listed in the job posting, though, so a person should remain undeterred by the long, sweeping job descriptions they will inevitably encounter. 

Comparing Roles and Responsibilities

The job function of a Network Engineer differs little from that of a Network Administrator. Company A may use one title while Company B uses the other to refer to essentially the same position. Some companies even use the two titles interchangeably. Firms making a distinction between the two often stipulate that administrators focus on the day-to-day management of networks, whereas network engineers focus primarily on system upgrades, evaluating vendor products, security testing, and so on.

A Network Technician tends to focus more on the setup, troubleshooting, and repair of specific hardware and software products. Service Technicians in particular often must travel to remote customer sites to perform "field" upgrades and support. Again, though, some firms blur the line between technicians and engineers or administrators.

Network Programmer/Analysts generally write software programs or scripts that aid in network analysis, such as diagnostics or monitoring utilities. They also specialize in evaluating third-party products and integrating new software technologies into an existing network environment or to build a new environment.

Managers supervise the work of adminstrators, engineers, technicians, and/or programmers. Network / Information Systems Managers also focus on longer-range planning and strategy considerations.

Salaries for networking positions depend on many factors such as the hiring organization, local market conditions, a person's experience and skill level, and so on.

http://compnetworking.about.com

3 Cover Letter Tips That Guarantee an Interview

If you're sending out endless cover letter and résumés to email oblivion, stop. Use these three strategies to make your cover letter stand out and get you in the door for an interview, where you can really shine:

1. Get an introduction. 

It's difficult to know someone at every company you wish to work, but you can know somebody who knows somebody. That is, get an introduction to prospective employers from your friends, family and colleagues. Using LinkedIn is an option, but it's often better to craft personal emails to your network stating what you're interested in. Try emailing close mentors, but also weak acquaintances with this script:

I am looking to leave my full-time job at Company B, and was wondering if you knew of any social media or marketing jobs, or if there were any consulting or freelance projects available? I'd love to stay in the world of e-commerce, if possible.
Wanted to put my feelers out...
Thanks in advance!

You don't need to explain that you hate your job or why you're leaving. State simply what you're looking for in your next position. Once you get an introduction or someone has put in a good word for you, reference that person at the beginning of your cover letter. Start your note with something like:

I am very interested in joining Company X as an Account Executive. I learned about this position from Jane Smith.

And then make sure your cover letter really knocks it out of the park. Forget about impressing human resources; make sure that your cover letter makes the person who told you about the position proud. When you make other people look good, they will continue to recommend and promote you.

2. Summarize your experience in three bullets. 

Your cover letter is your chance to explain exactly why you are the best person for the job, and while it's important to customize your résumé, it's even more important to customize your cover letter. Try picking three desired qualifications from the job description, and organizing your note under those three bullets. 

For example, your headings might read:

1) Solid foundation and proven results in sales and marketing

2) Outstanding performance as an enthusiastic and creative self-starter

3) Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Not only does this give you a logical and easy way to structure your letter, but it also allows a prospective employer to see that you've researched the position and clearly understand how you will bring value.

3. Promote yourself unabashedly. 

Under each heading in your cover letter, describe specific stories and examples that illustrate why your experience and skills exemplify what the company is looking for. Don't be afraid to highlight experience that may not be a perfect fit. This is your opportunity to explain why that retail job taught you stellar communication skills you can use in a business development position, or show how your side project or volunteer work proves you're a self-starter. Here's an example paragraph of a salesperson who wants to transition to nonprofit fundraising:

With no prior sales or marketing experience, I filled my pipeline at Company X with innovative social media strategies and beat-the-pavement determination. I led our sales growth 20 percent month-over-month, and increased our pipeline by 60 percent. I'm confident I could employ the same identification, solicitation, cultivation and stewardship strategies to move potential prospects to loyal and enthusiastic donors at Nonprofit Y.

Make sure you include specific results under each heading so that your letter walks your talk. And remember, it's OK to toot your own horn. While it may seem awkward to couch yourself in such promotional terms, be confident in your fit and potential.

These three strategies will ensure your cover letter stands out among hundreds of other applicants. Putting yourself out there and selling yourself in the best possible light is what will unlock that invitation to an interview.

money.usnews.com

We are now an Authorized American Red Cross Provider

We are pleased to announce that Zarem/Golde ORT Technical Institute has become an Authorized American Red Cross Provider of CPR/AED and First Aid Training!

Starting in August, 2013, we will be hosting CPR/AED and First Aid Training to ZG ORT students and the community-at-large on the last Saturday of each month from 9am – 3:30pm.  

The cost is noted below: 

• Current MA and PT students: $zero 
• Alumni and students in other programs: $25 
• Community-at-large: $50

The first class will be hosted on August 31^st and sign-up sheets for students will be posted outside the entrance to the Medical Assistant Lab in two-month intervals, as seats are limited to 10 students maximum.  The certification received is valid for two years from the date of the course and completion of the training is required for MA and PT students prior to externship.  All others are encouraged to sign-up! Payments will be accepted in the Business Office by cash, check or credit card.

Please direct any questions to LaNorra Dennis, our CPR Instructor, at 847-324-5588, ext. 30 or at lndennis@zg-ort.edu.

10 Words Never To Use On A Resume

There are certain resume words and phrases that have become so ubiquitous they do little more than induce yawns and eye rolls from hiring managers. Employers are so accustomed to hearing from "team players" and "problem solvers," for example, that those descriptions are now essentially meaningless. To distinguish yourself from your competitors, you'll need to cut the clichés - or at least expand upon them with concrete details that back up your claims.

Robert Half recently asked more than 1,300 managers at companies across the United States and Canada to name the most overused resume phrases. Based on our survey findings, here are 10 terms to retire:
1. Hard worker.

Nothing causes a hiring manager's eyes to glaze over faster than seeing this hollow descriptor. Why? Because virtually all applicants - even the least-motivated clock-watchers - claim to work hard. To impress a prospective employer, you'll need to explain exactly how you've gone the extra mile. Do you regularly meet aggressive deadlines, handle a high volume of projects, exceed ambitious targets or volunteer to tackle tasks outside your role?
2. Self-starter.

Companies seek astute candidates who can get off to a strong start without excessive managerial direction and handholding. (In another Robert Half survey, managers cited mastering new processes and procedures as the greatest challenge when starting a new job.) Unfortunately, simply saying you're a "self-starter" won't convince anyone of your initiative, resourcefulness or ability to quickly make meaningful contributions. Instead, illustrate how you've thrived when managing important projects with little or no supervision.

3. Team player. 

This term is the cliche of cliches. Working well with others is imperative, but get specific. Spell out the ways you've collaborated with colleagues. Did you dive in to help an overwhelmed co-worker deliver a high-priority project or lead a key cross-departmental initiative?

4. Highly qualified. 

When it comes to your qualifications, show, don't tell. Skip this empty expression and describe what you'll bring to the position. Whenever possible, quantify your biggest achievements (think about money you've generated or saved your employers, for instance).

In addition, emphasize your most pertinent skills and certifications. Researching the firm and doing a careful reading of the job posting can help you determine which aspects of your background to focus on.

5. Dynamic.

What does this well-worn term really mean? That you're bursting with innovative ideas and positive energy? If true, just say that. Characterizing yourself as "dynamic" is boastful and sounds unnatural. Unless you regularly don a cape as part of a crime-fighting duo, you can safely banish blasé buzzwords such as this.

6. Problem solver.

While being a "problem solver" beats being a "problem creator," employers want tangible evidence of your effectiveness. What specific solutions have you devised? How have you overcome hurdles? Have you helped your boss or colleagues out of jams or streamlined workflow inefficiencies?
7. Reliable.  

Don't waste space touting "strengths" that are basic requirements of any job, such as reliability. It's expected that you -- and every other potential hire -- will be dependable. Showing up on time and doing your work isn't worth bragging about. After all, anything short of reliable would be unacceptable. Delete it.

8. Familiar with.  

Many job seekers rely on this ambiguous phrase to obscure a lack of in-depth knowledge in a particular area. For instance, a person can technically claim to be familiar with a software program they've used just once. This type of wishy-washy wording raises red flags. It won't give employers any sense of your level of expertise, but it will dilute the impact of your more relevant core competencies.
9. Flexible. 

Change is the only constant today. As such, companies seek versatile professionals who'll adjust easily to new situations. But go a step beyond merely referring to yourself as flexible. Underscore your adaptability by explaining how you successfully responded to a major change at work or deftly dealt with unpredictable aspects of your job.
10. People person.  

Interpersonal skills are critical for most positions. Employers value professionals who can communicate effectively and build camaraderie with a diverse array of internal and external contacts. Cite examples of how you won over a challenging coworker, client or customer, or helped a group of stakeholders reach a consensus.
The bottom line is that clichés aren't memorable, powerful or persuasive. While there's nothing inherently wrong with the skills and traits listed above, they alone won't deepen an employer's understanding of who you are and what you offer. Stop using generic content as a crutch and embrace clear and specific information instead. As a job seeker, it just might be the most "dynamic" thing you can do.

By Robert Half International

http://jobs.aol.com 

Career Tips For Aspiring Accounting Students

For students and professionals entering into the job market, an accounting career offers a variety of rewarding opportunities. The accounting field offers stability for individuals seeking these jobs. Businesses need employees to report and analyze the finances of the company and the accountant meets this need. When someone decides to pursue a career in accounting, they should look at what companies need from accountants and how they can serve the company. These career tips will help you advance in your own accounting career.

Know the basics
While you may not be an expert in every area of accounting, especially if you are still a student, you should know the basics. Understand the primary financial statements, such as the income statement and balance sheet. Learn the basics of recording financial transactions. Companies hire students and beginning accountants for entry level positions. However, these companies also want to see that the people they hire have an initial foundation of knowledge in place. This allows the company to train the employee on their own specific accounting practices.

Understand Different Accounting Roles
The accounting field consists of several different specialties. Some accountants focus on financial reporting. Others work on analyzing costs. Some spend their days reviewing the costs of fixed assets. When looking at various jobs in accounting, understand what role each job expects the accountant to fulfill. The skills needed for each role vary considerably. Prepare for the position by researching the needs of each particular position.

Join Professional Organizations
Professional organizations, such as the Institute of Management Accountants or the American Institute of CPAs, provide resources for accounting professionals to continue developing their skills. Accountants who maintain current with industry knowledge provide greater value for their employer. In addition, these organizations provide networking opportunities where accountants meet and build relationships with colleagues. Accountants use these networks to hire new employees or to find new accounting jobs.

Pursue Certification
In an accounting career, people hold a variety of qualifications. People come into an accounting position with varying levels of education. Most have undergraduate degrees. Some have graduate degrees. Others hold certifications, such as a Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Management Accountant. Certified accountants hold an advantage over others competing for accounting jobs. Certification also opens opportunities for accountants to receive promotions in the workplace.

Volunteer
Find opportunities to volunteer and share your accounting skills with others. Volunteering allows you to demonstrate your skills while helping out your community. Volunteering opportunities for accountants include serving as treasurer for a nonprofit, counting donations collected, filing tax returns or compiling financial data for reporting purposes. Many accountants make professional connections with others by participating in activities like these. These activities also add to the qualifications listed on your resume.

Speak At Public Events
Many nonprofit organizations seek speakers for their events. These organizations may or may not have the resources to pay a speaker. However, those accountants who choose to speak at these events gain recognition as an expert. When companies are seeking an accountant, they often remember the speaker at that event. These companies may seek you out directly to discuss opportunities within their organization. You can also add public speaking events to your resume.

Publish Your Knowledge
Take the opportunity to write articles on various accounting or financial topics. Write editorials and send them in to your local newspaper. As your name gets published on a regular basis, you will develop a reputation as a skilled accountant. You can draw on this reputation as you pursue accounting jobs. Share your publications with potential employers by listing these on your resume.

While job seeking in the accounting field can represent a high level of competition, there are also many different opportunities for accounting professionals to take advantage of. These tips won’t guarantee you career success. But they will greatly improve your chances.

by George Hillston

sleeponcpa.com

Career Happiness? First, Discover Your “My Three Things”

I am the original crash-test dummy of careers.

Waiter, salesman, teacher… CEO (three times now), nonprofit leader… My adult life has been rife not just with different jobs, but different careers.

 As long as I’m getting “My Three Things,” though, I’m good. Very good.

What are “My Three Things”?

I worked with a really talented success coach for about a year. One of our major points of focus: what do I want from my work? Through that process, regardless of the title I had at the time, I identified the three bedrock items needed for me to be happy in my work:

1. Human Interaction

I put human interaction first because I have never – literally, never! – had a job that wasn’t heavy on the human factor. I love people, interacting with them, working with them… we’re all social animals, and I’m certainly no exception.

Please God, never put me in a quiet office and ask me to write code for you. I wouldn’t last a day!

2. Learning

Learning is also completely essential to me. I left teaching when I felt I had learned all I could. I learned how to build a successful business, then left it when I realized to continue on would entail doing more of the same stuff, every day.

Learning is much, much more important to me than wealth, recognition, or anything else that work could provide.

3. Meaning 

We all crave meaning in our work. If our company stands for something important – life-changing diabetes treatment, green energy, customer delight; taking down the Goliath of our industry – anything bigger than stock price and wages, we’ll often thrive.

Meaning at work is essential for me; I know I’m far from alone there.

Those are my three things. Give me these three… and I’m happy. I’ll be fully engaged. My employer will prosper.

Notice we haven’t discussed money at all yet. That wasn’t an oversight.

Pay is not one of My Three Things.

Pay is important, of course, but several times thus far in my career, I have held jobs that pay less than my family needs to get by because the work provides me… My Three Things.

Most likely, your Three are different from mine. If you take work because you’re desperate to move from Ramen before you get the rickets, I totally get that. However, if you don’t have to take the first job, any job, you can: please, satisfy your Three Things through that work, that job.

As your career unfolds, there’s an outstanding chance that you’ll end up leaving the position and employer. This will happen often as your priorities, passions and life situations (including your savings accounts) change. If you focus on your My Three Things as you progress, however, your career is going to surprise and delight you.

What are your My Three Things?

Do you have a good handle on this? Is pay one of your three? A few years ago, I would have listed pay, too: no one’s judging you. Just think a bit about the bedrock issues behind why pay matters. Does high pay mean security? Respect? Being able to afford a certain lifestyle?

No matter where you are right now, regardless of your current level of work experience (or lack thereof) – the era of waiting in line for your turn to lead is over (as much as a lot of old farts hate and deny it). You’ll be leading sooner than you think, if you aren’t already. 

So here is one of the most important things you can focus on:

As a leader, what are my people’s My Three Things?

Only if you tap into people’s bedrock motivation will you ever unleash their full brainpower. And in this brave new century, we are all knowledge workers, every one of us. And when we understand our Three Things, and the Three Things of those we lead and mentor, our careers will fulfill us, no matter where we find ourselves.

Get started. Before your next day at work, or your next gig, discover your “My Three Things”.

by Ted Coiné 

youtern.com