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There are plenty of standard do’s and don?ts for any regular job interview. But what about when certain important things that you?re not prepared to explain or avoid spiral out of control? We thought that just going over a few crazy scenarios that could possibly arise ? with simple-to-remember directions to start them off ? might be appropriate.
1. Avoid dog poop.
?I really, really needed this job. So the fact that I was riding to the interview on an ailing public bus that was having a hard time keeping the engine running was making me even more nervous. The bus pulled to a stop at my corner, and I was already standing at the door waiting to burst through to make it on time. I leapt off the bus, hurried to the receptionist desk, where she was waiting to lead me in immediately. After about two minutes of small talk and an official question, I noticed a quickly overpowering smell in the office. My interviewer and I quickly discovered the cause, to my horror. Always look where you?re walking.? ? Chris F., San Francisco, California
2. Turn off your cell phone ? especially if you have a ring tone that sounds like farm animals.
?I had an interview for an MIS position. I’d spent the night before in a less-than-civilized fashion in another city in an overcrowded house with several friends, catching up. I got back into town tired and stinking of drink, smoke and sweat to frantically try and put myself together.
?I arrived 10 minutes late and still looking like a carnival freak. Mere minutes into the interview, my cell phone begins ringing. I’d forgotten one of the basic tenets of job interviewing: turn my ringer off. Of course, with me being a geek, the phone didn’t sound off with just any everyday, boring ring tone. I’d created a special one from an old punk band on my digital audio workstation, complete with cursing and cow mooing effects. My interviewer didn?t try to hide the fact that she wasn?t much of a music fan.? - Megan H., Lawrence, Kansas
3. Keep your computer virus software updated if you?re sending your resumé electronically.
?I sent a digital resumé and cover letter via e-mail to apply for a position as a technical writer. Within a few hours, a message from the director in charge of hiring came via e-mail. Full of anticipation, I opened it to find a terse message: ‘Your resumé is infected with a virus and has been quarantined.’ You just can?t recover from explaining an infected resumé during an interview. I did not pursue the position further.” - Ed B., Madison, Wisconsin
Bonus Round:
Try not to wear perfume that smells like bacon.
?During a particular interview, I was the subject of someone who had brought his dog to work that day (or maybe every day?). The dog took an interest in my leg. I defended my ?honor? as quietly as possible, but my interviewer took no notice of the dog at all. Uncomfortable as this was, I was actually wondering if it was some kind of test to see if I could maintain my concentration.? ? Sherri S., Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Most people would readily argue that they don’t earn what they are worth. It seems everyone believes they deserve higher salaries. According to Don Straits, CEO of Corporate Warriors, "too often our expectations are not founded on the realities of the marketplace or on our ability to ‘earn’ our income based on performance."
Although there is no guarantee that you will get a raise, here are some strategies to keep in mind as you prepare to go to your boss about a salary increase.
Establish a track record – Most people believe that their accomplishments speak for themselves, and that may be true; but if you can’t communicate them to the person who gives the raises, you will have a hard time convincing them to increase your salary. One way to highlight your professional accomplishments is to put them in writing. Review your work to see where you showed innovation in solving a problem, prevented a significant loss or increased profits in your division. Write them down and when you have your review, show your boss your track record of success.
Learn from successful people – Having a mentor seems to be the "in thing" right now, but that doesn’t minimize its importance in the professional world. Whether the person is with your company or simply in your profession, a mentor can offer valuable insight and guidance as you advance in your career. Look for someone who demonstrates the qualities you want to possess, as well as the success you desire to achieve. The mentor relationship should be beneficial to both participants. Look for a mentor who is willing to let you into his or her life as you invite him or her into your life.
Never stop learning – Continuing your education is a necessity in this age of rapid technological advancements. As things change, those with the proper education are able to change with the times. Continuing education can include college courses, advanced degrees, certifications, training seminars, conferences or independent study. The key is to keep learning. The more you know, the more you earn.
Know your industry – There is no excuse to be "out of the loop" when it comes to your profession. In this age of information, you can find whatever you need to know from industry trends to company mergers to personnel changes at the click of the mouse. Join professional organizations. Read trade publications. Network with others in the industry. When you understand your industry, you enhance your value to your company and make yourself more marketable.
Out-perform yourself on a regular basis – You would be surprised how many people want a raise or promotion but never do more than what is expected of them. To catch the eye of senior staff, you have to display initiative and innovation. Make unexpected contributions to a project, or do research on a new market to present as a potential area of expansion.
Speak up for yourself – If you know that your work ethic and performance have earned you a raise or promotion, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Be prepared to demonstrate in writing why you deserve a raise or promotion. Be realistic, but don’t back down if you can demonstrate intrinsic value to your company.
The old adage that beauty is in the eye of the beholder has never proven truer than in our hyper-glamorized society, where beauty over brain is the norm.
No longer do the beautiful people just get the best dates and enjoy the best social lives; they now have access to better housing, better jobs and higher salaries.
According to a study on appearance discrimination conducted by University of Texas economics professor Dr. Daniel Hamermesh, personal appearances count when it comes to success in the workplace. He found that good-looking people earned about 12 percent more than less-attractive people over the course of a lifetime. His findings were published as Beauty, Productivity and Discrimination: Lawyers’ Looks and Lucre.
This preference for attractive features has been coined "lookism" by psychologists and social science professionals. "Good-looking men and women are generally judged to be more talented, kind, honest and intelligent than their less-attractive counterparts," said Dr. Gordon Patzer, who has been studying physical attractiveness for several decades.
The same proved to be true for taller men versus shorter men. Taller men tended to earn more on the job and were considered more desirable by women. Andrea McGinty, founder of San Diego-based dating service It’s Just Lunch, admitted that "women will take just about any shortcoming in a man, except in the height department."
A survey of male graduates of the University of Pittsburgh found that the tallest students’ average starting salary was 12 percent higher than their shorter colleagues’. The London Guildhall study showed that overweight women are more likely to be unemployed and that those who are working earn, on average, five percent less than their trimmer peers.
Looks play an undeniable role in the way we perceive competence and talent, but some argue that looks alone don’t cut it. Rick Busby, vice president of Busby’s Heating and Air Conditioning, was quoted in a Phoenix magazine article, saying, "whether or not a person is good-looking is not important. However, professional appearance is important."
It is also a good thing to have confidence in yourself and your abilities. "It’s like being a college student," said Jim Duffy, human resources director at MAU, a large staffing firm in Augusta. "What good is a college education? It gets you in the door. But after that — just because you’re pretty, or you’re tall or you’re physically active — you’re not going to get a promotion if you flopped on the first job."
Hiring managers say it is the appearance of confidence they find attractive, not the presence of physical beauty. They also contend that attractiveness has more to do with how you carry yourself and the energy you exude. So, even if you are not what some would consider a "looker," you can still excel in the workplace.
It’s 2008 and technology is moving fast. Computers and Information Technology are industries that are expanding at breakneck speeds. And these industries need people to run the machines that run our businesses. What basic skills do you need to break into the job market in computer office work?
Here’s a short list of things you should learn that will come in handy as you build a new career.
Typing
Yes, it’s a no-brainer. If you’re going to make your mark in an information-based economy, then you have to be able to type accurately and quickly. Practice at home or take a short class at a nearby community college. Once you’re up to around 50 words-per-minute, you’re golden.
Search engines
There’s a world of information out there and you will most likely need to find it quickly. There’s more to search engines than just finding furniture stores using Google Maps. Start reading the blogs that search engines post about new features and how to utilize them.
Microsoft Office
Word processing, Excel and Outlook E-mail are programs that drive office efficiency these days. Nothing impresses an office manager more than someone who understands the intricacies of word processors or spreadsheet software. It cuts down on training time and lets your team get back to their jobs.
Removing malicious programs
Knowing what not to open or install on your machine is half the battle, but if you find that you’re collecting some digital nasties - understanding how to remove them safely and permanently is just as important.
Macs
Hey, you know there are some offices that run these because they’re stable, simple and sleek. Would it kill you to learn how to cover all your bases and take a few primer lessons for the iMac? It could be the difference between getting a rejection notice and a job offer. Yeah, we know the one-button mouse is awkward.
If you love animals and want to make a difference in their lives, pursue the 9th hottest career! Employment for veterinary technologists and veterinary technicians is expected to grow much faster than average through 2014, according to the United States Bureau of Labor. Many pet owners consider their animals to be part of the family, and are becoming more affluent and more willing to pay for advanced pet care. This means that they will turn to the services of veterinary technicians and technologists.
Help fill the demand to keep these pets happy and healthy! According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2004, veterinary technologists and technicians held about 60,000 jobs and their median hourly earnings were $11.99. The number of employers looking for qualified people to fill these positions continues to grow. You can search for jobs in:
? Veterinary offices
? Boarding kennels
? Animal shelters
? Stables
? Grooming salons
? Zoos
? Local, State, and Federal agencies
No matter where they practice, veterinary technologists and technicians perform many of the same duties for a veterinarian that a nurse performs for a physician. These routinely include both laboratory and clinical procedures. They may also perform tests such as urinalysis and blood counts, prepare tissue samples, take blood samples and assist veterinarians in a variety of analyses.
So, should you become a veterinary technician or a veterinary technologist? While there is generally not much difference between the duties technicians and technologists perform, there are some differences in their formal education and training. You can become a veterinary technician by earning a 2-year Associate degree, or become a veterinary technologist by earning a 4-year Bachelor’s degree.
No matter which you choose, an accredited program in veterinary technology should have a strong focus on science, biology and ethics. Courses are generally taught in clinical and laboratory settings using live animals, giving you the knowledge you need to begin this 9th hottest career.
Hottest job lookout!
Do you know what one of the hottest jobs in America is? Believe it or not ? it?s dental hygiene. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to increase more than 27% through 2014 for dental hygienists. In 2004, dental hygienists held about 158,000 jobs nationwide. Be a part of a successful field. Learn more about becoming a dental hygienist.
Education requirements
You will need at least an Associate degree in dental hygiene to practice. Classes are offered at community colleges, trade schools and 4-year universities. You can earn your Bachelor?s or Master?s degree in dental hygiene. Mostly, those degrees are required for teaching or practicing in public or school health programs. Some classes you might have to take are chemistry, anatomy and biology. To receive your state?s license, you must take and pass a written and clinical exam.
Earnings for dental hygienists
The national average of earnings for dental hygienists in 2004 was $28 an hour. The middle 50% made between $23 to $34 an hour. At the high end, dental hygienists can make $40 an hour, to the lowest, less than $18 an hour*. The earnings vary by demographic location, experience and employment setting.
All part of the job
Dental hygienists provide preventive dental care to patients. They remove deposits from your teeth, take x-rays, and inform you on good oral hygiene practice. In some states, they can administer anesthetics, remove sutures, and place and carve fillings. Dental hygienists may not diagnose disease. However, they can prepare the tests for the dentist to interpret. They also can work alongside a dentist during treatment.
The demand for dental hygienists will continue to rise with importance of quality oral health and the maintenance of natural teeth.
Staying current on the skills required to advance in your career has taken on new meaning in today’s tumultuous job market. A failure to keep learning could mean stagnation in your career.
For decades, the way to experience career advancement was to find a job in a great company and work your way up. If you possessed a degree, diploma or certificate, you were almost guaranteed to enjoy upward mobility in management throughout your career. In these days of mergers, off-shoring and rapid technological changes, it takes more than longevity and a degree to find success in the job market. You must incorporate continuing education into your career plan to remain competitive.
Continuing education has many faces. It is everything from job-relevant training to topic-specific workshops to degree completion. At the heart of continuing education is the goal to keep you updated on the skills, trends, practices and principles governing a particular industry.
At CIGNA, a leading healthcare benefits provider, continuing education is a regular part of the job for brokers and consultants. “CIGNA has a strong commitment to our brokers and consultants, and Academy by CIGNA is part of our ongoing efforts to provide them the tools and resources they need to deliver the best solutions to their clients,” said Gary Kirkner, Senior Vice President of Sales and Distribution at CIGNA.
“Employers are using opportunities for education and training to attract and retain the best employees,” said Gina Mauller, author of Workforce Development Trends Reflecting the Importance of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning. “Training of employees is an investment. A more educated employee tends to be more productive.”
Although continuing education is not a guarantee for career advancement, it certainly increases the marketability of someone seeking to move into a management position or simply remain competitive in the job market. By taking the time to invest in continuing education, employees are saying that they understand the industry they work in and are better prepared to continue to move forward in that industry.
