THE TEN KEYS TO SUCCESS AT JOB FAIRS

Job Fairs have one common theme: it's a chance for a company to meet and screen a large volume
of potential job candidates. Whether you're a college student, new to the job-hunting process or a
seasoned professional, these ten strategies will improve your odds of not being screened out and
should lead to a deeper level of satisfaction with your efforts and increase your chances further.
1. PRE-REGISTER:
Some career fairs allow job-seekers to pre-register for the event, which usually includes
choosing a time slot of your choice. With more fairs going to the Web, pre-registration will most
likely become even more common. TimesJobs.com's Big Leap Job Fair was among the first in
the country to allow applicants a chance to pre-register.
2. BE PREPARED:
Many job-seekers go to fairs on a casual note without any preparation. You can get a huge jump
on the competition by getting a list of the companies attending the fair and doing some research
on each of the companies you want to interview with; don't waste time with companies that do
not interest you.
3. RESUMES:
Bring lots of resumes to the fair -- at least two for each company for which you have an interest.
If you have multiple interests or job objectives, make sure you bring enough of each version of
your resume.

4. PORTFOLIOS:
More and more career experts are emphasizing the importance of career portfolios. These
portfolios should include copies of your resumes, a list of references, and samples of your best
work. While most career fair interviews are fairly short, there may be opportunities for discussing
your portfolio with a recruiter -- either over a short break or meal or during a second interview
on-site. It is best to always be prepared no matter what happens.
5. ATTIRE:
Conservative business attire is essential, because image and first impressions are critical. Know
what the expected attire of your profession is and dress accordingly. It is always better to be
overdressed than underdressed.
6. STRATEGY:
You need to devise a strategy or plan of attack for the fair. You've already done the first step by
researching the companies you are interested in. The second step is seeing if any new
companies have registered when you arrive at the fair. The third step is surveying the layout of
the fair and determining an order of interviewing. Some experts suggest meeting with your top
choices first thing in the morning, interviewing with your other choices in the middle of the day,
and returning to your top choices at the end of the day. But remember to stay flexible as your top
choices may be the top choices of many, creating long lines that you may wish to avoid.
7. INTERVIEWING: THE CRUCIAL FIRST 5 MINUTES
First impressions count. And that's a fact. More so, if you are facing a job interview. Studies reveal
that the first 5 minutes are crucial for any interview. And it is in these 5 minutes that the decision of
hiring or not hiring you is made by the interviewer.
How, then do you ensure that the impression that you create is a favourable one? Keep the following
few things in mind for that:
1. Be punctual. It is better to arrive early than to rush in at the last moment. Allow extra time for
traffic, parking and slow elevators.
2. Project a professional and enthusiastic image. Your aim is to convince the interviewer that you
would be an asset to the company and not a liability.
3. You can't change the way you look. However, you can ensure that you project a clean and well
groomed appearance. Dress comfortably, but immaculately. Shoes should be polished,
pants/skirts and shirts pressed.
4. Make eye contact when you speak. Stand straight, move confidently and sit slightly forward in
your chair. Body language is important and people notice it more than you think
5.Shake hands firmly. A firm handshake projects confidence and leaves a lasting impression.
You should also prepare answers to interview questions just as you would any employment
interview. What do interviewers really want in job candidates?
The answer may be different. But first-time job hunters may be surprised by how simple their wish lists are. The
most common questions you will face are something along these lines :

EXPECTED QUESTIONS WHEN FACING AN INTERVIEW

Why do you want to work for us?
Explain why you see the company as an attractive employer. Avoid mentioning financial remunerationinstead talk about things like the company culture, training program, company structure or the company's
ethic. Obviously these need to be relevant and well-researched before hand.

What do you know about our company?

For this, you obviously need to do your home-work in advance. Research as much information as possible
including products, history, size, financial status, reputation, image, management , people, and
philosophy. Remember- You need to be excited about the company and project a positive image to the
interviewer.
Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
Think about where you really want to be within a company: in a lead role with a team under you; or a lead
consultant; or a director of the company. Be ambitious but realistic and have direction in your answer.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
This is a tricky one. The trick actually lies in projecting your strengths and weaknesses in such a manner
that it brings out the best in you. Talk specifically about the positive things you've achieved to illustrate
your strengths rather than generalising and make them relevant to the role you are going for. Try to show
your weaknesses in a positive light and give examples of where you have addressed and overcome your
weaknesses.
Why did you apply for this job?
While answering this one, focus on the actual content of the job, referring to the possibility of learning,
new challenges, or the prospect of putting your previous experience to work in a new role. Appear
confident and provide relevant examples to support your answer.
Why are you leaving your current employer?
Never say anything negative about any employer; stress what you are looking for, not what you are
running away from. Give group answers if possible. Emphasise on our rather than mine.
Why should we hire you?
Many companies ask this question to gauge a candidates strengths. Prepare a list of your strengths
beforehand and think about how they relate to the job. Avoid being arrogant, but at the same time
emphasise on your strengths with reference to the job that you are being interviewed for.
What motivates or drives you?
For some people this could be learning or work/life balance, for others it could be money or professional
acceleration. The answer really tells the interviewer about what makes someone tick. Not everyone wants
to be a board director, and an interviewer isn't necessarily going to see it as a weakness if you don't. It's
important to be honest.
What interests do you have outside work?
Your hobbies and interests can tell an employer a lot about you, including whether you are sociable or
solitary, and whether you can take on 'leadership' roles. So you should think about which interests will
paint the right picture of you given the position you are discussing.
What would your ideal job be?
Again, remember where you are! Describe the job in terms of the criteria they have used to describe their
job. An ideal job might include things like challenging work, a fair rate of pay for the job, nice colleagues,
good career prospects, good team atmosphere, opportunity to learn new skills, apply old skills, etc.

Seems like easy questions to answer, especially if you've done your homework and can tailor your

answers to your interests and the company's interests, thereby marketing yourself. Make sure you
also have some questions to ask the interviewer.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK
Are there any plans for a corporate merger or outsourcing initiatives?
When a merger or outsourcing happens, layoffs follow. Before you accept a position, you should
inquire about the direction the company is taking. Many candidates are under the misconception that
only failing companies downsize. In truth, no matter how stable they are, companies are always
looking to cut costs.
How closely do my qualifications match the requirements for the open position?
Two things can happen when you ask this question. (1) The interviewer can affirm that your
experience, skills and abilities are a perfect fit. Needless to say, if that is the interviewers response,
you have a good shot at landing a job offer. (2) The interviewer may divulge that the company is
looking to hire someone with more experience in XYZ. Believe it or not, if this occurs it can work out
to your advantage because you have another opportunity to sell yourself.
How long has this position been open?
If the interviewer reveals that the position has been open for three months, you can ask a follow-up
question such as, It is obvious that the company is taking its time in finding the right candidate, and
there must have been qualified candidates that have interviewed. What would you say they were
lacking that an offer wasnt extended? In asking this follow-up question, you will find out exactly
what the interviewer is looking for and you can adapt your responses to meet the companys specific
needs.
Are promotions based on seniority or accomplishments?
Some companies still hold on to the old-school mentality where old-timers, no matter their
accomplishments or lack thereof, are offered an opportunity to move up the ladder before a new hire
gets the same opportunity. You deserve to know that if you put 110% in your work, you will be
rewarded accordingly.
If you could change one thing about how this company functions, what would it be?
Just as you are not perfect, neither is a company. Interviewers are aware of this fact and therefore,
during the interview process they do their best to sell the organization as a great place to go to every
day. It is part of your job to uncover everything about the hiring organization the good, the bad, and
everything in between.

8. INTANGIBLES:
There are several other things you can do to help make your career fair experience a success. First,
don't waste your time interviewing with companies you have no desire to work for; do make sure to
interview with all the companies you do want to work for. Further, if your ideal company is hiring
programmers and you want to work in accounting, do still interview with the company at the fair,

being sure to leave the interview with the contact information of the person responsible for hiring in
that area; don't be discouraged and just walk away.
9. NETWORKING:
Career fairs are all about networking. Of course, you are building a network with the recruiters -- this
task is your most vital. However, you can also network with your fellow job-seekers in terms of
sharing information about job leads, companies, and their recruiting strategies and styles. There
may also be professional organizations or employment agencies on hand at the fair, which are also
good sources for networking.
10. FOLLOW-UP:
Last but not the least, follow up. You would be surprised at how few job-seekers actually take the
time to follow-up their career fair interviews. Thus when you do it, you will get an edge over the
many others who do not. There are two main methods of follow-up. Some experts suggest actually
calling the recruiter the evening of the fair and leaving a voicemail message thanking the recruiter
again for his/her time that day. A more concrete and traditional method is to write a thank you note
and mail it the next day to the address on the recruiter's business card. In the letter, thank the
recruiter for his/her time, restate your interest and qualifications for the position, reiterate your
interest in a second interview, and make a promise to follow-up the letter with a phone call (and
then make sure you do in fact call). You probably should enclose another copy of your resume to be
sure.
YOU MUST BE SOLD ON YOURSELF
Before you can sell yourself successfully to others-and thus sell your ideas, your wishes, your needs, your
ambitions, your skills, your experience, your products and services-you must be absolutely sold on yourself: 100
percent.
You must believe in yourself, have faith in yourself and have confidence in yourself. In short, you must be totally
aware of your own self-worth.

HOW TO SHOW YOU'RE NUMBER ONE

Im the number one person in my life." Sound selfish? Egotistical? Not at all.
LOOKING OUT FOR NUMBER ONE is a book that enjoyed a status for some time as a runaway best-seller. Some
readers regarded it as putting forth an extremely self-centered viewpoint. Others, more charitable, saw it as a
handbook on enlightened self-interest. But the message came away with was this: IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE
YOU'RE NUMBER ONE, NO ONE ELSE WILL. WHAT YOU MUST LOOK OUT FOR IS THAT BELIEF.

HAVING A CAREER GOAL

Why have career goals? Does a career goal limit your future?
Generally, a career goal is based on your skills and interests, career possibilities, and job trends.
Once you have chosen a career, think strategically about the steps to accomplish your goal.
Understanding and accomplishing your career goal will be a lot easier if you also create a career
plan.
A career plan determines your skills and interests, what career best suits your talents, and what skills

and training you need for your chosen career.

A career goal helps you focus on what you want to do for a living.
A career goal can be a specific job you want to do -- such as doctor or teacher -- or a career
goal can be a particular field you want to work in, such as medicine or education.

Rather than limiting your future, a career goal may help you discover career possibilities that
you wouldn't have thought of otherwise. There are several job possibilities with any chosen
career. For instance, if you choose a medical career, you may want to be a scientist, a nurse
or a doctor.

A career goal will also guide you into doing what you want with your life rather than just drifting
into a job.

FACING REJECTION
If you're applying for lots of jobs but not getting any interviews, you're probably setting yourself the
wrong job targets - maybe applying for posts that are too junior in the belief that your chances of
interview will increase. Or you may be sending in a poorly-worded cover letter or CV. Some tips on how
to improve your chances.
1. PLAN MORE BEFORE THE INTERVIEW.
If you can plan more at the pre-interview stage, you'll avoid further disappointments and be well
on the way to getting an interview. Try to get inside the employer's head. What problems are
they looking to solve? What evidence can you give them that you're the answer? Does your
letter even make mention of their needs at all?
2. SEND OUT ANOTHER APPLICATION IMMEDIATELY.
Remember that rejections are a natural process in any job search, and that you have to take the
occasional no before you can get to yes. In fact, if you gain one job offer for every six interviews
you attend, then you are conducting a highly effective interview campaign. When you do receive
a rejection letter, don't dwell on it. Send out another job application immediately. Your motto
should be- one rejection in, one application out!
3. CALL FOR FEEDBACK.
Although you may not always like to hear negative feedback, remember that the purpose of the
call is to help you in the future. So whatever you do, do not argue. You've asked for an opinion,
so respect it and use it positively. Also, remember that the company may have a future job for
which you would be suitable. So don't burn your bridges.
4. ACT ON YOUR FEEDBACK.
Don't just sit on your feedback. Also take action to improve. You spend more time at work than
anywhere else, so it is worth investing time in acquiring the skills and tools needed to drive your
career forward. Give yourself an edge, and stay positive.
5. STAY CONFIDENT.
Think about your key achievements - at work and outside. Write them down, glance at them two
or three times a day. Recall how success felt: how you walked and talked and what the glow was
like. Replicate those actions and feelings and bring them into your daily life. The more you focus
on success the quicker your feelings of rejection will pass.

HOW TO CREATE A CAREER BLUEPRINT

Building an ideal career is like building a custom home, one you've designed that fits you perfectly. Almost

everyone who builds a custom home is wild about it. Likewise, in the perfect career you like everything
involved: the company, product line, people, customers, and location. Naturally, this is only an ideal. Few
homes or careers achieve 100% perfection. But many are 95% perfect, and that's much better than a 40%
fit. The first and most important step in planning your career is to create a blueprint of what the ideal looks
like.
Creating a career blueprint
WANT

DON'T WANT

The Company Less formal

Mammoth
environment of small bureaucracy
company
The Industry

Hi-Tech, Internet,
or e-commerce

Manufacturing of a
mundane product

MUST HAVE
At least 100
employees

FUN / FRIVOLOUS
Yahoo!
Wired
Fast Company

Technology product
or servsice

Stagnant or
shrinking industry
The Culture

Team-oriented

No fun
No humor

Fast-paced

Leadership-Oriented
Logic-based
Innovation and risktaking are
rewarded
Fun, casual
environment

The People

Highly political

Internal chaos
Silly bureaucratic
rules
Crisis management

Long periods with

Bright, well-educated no customer contact Ethical people
I can trust
To depend on
High intellect and
others who fail to
motivation
perform

Work Tasks Leadership role

and Functions
Invent the rules as I
go
Work with
consultants
Supervize staff
of six to eight
Detailed complex
problems with no
apparent solutions

Four ten-hour
workdays

To become a
specialist in a
specific discipline

A big impact

VP Title

An important role

5% Intl Travel

Too narrow a job

A significant
contribution
M&A job with no
direct reports
Detailed,
repetitive tasks

Sense of Humor

Exposure to upper
management
Promotion
opportunity
Delegate execution

of details
Fair

Insecure

The Boss
Self-confident

Autocratic

Gives objective
feedback on a timely
basis

Downtown or
industrial park

D.C. Location within

30-minute commute

Knowledgeable
Mentoring
Geography

Suburban campus
Noble Cause

Ethics

Making a difference

Integrity

Values

Travel

20% International

Intangible

Work from home

one day per week

Weekend Travel

5% International

Work 60+ hours

per week ongoing

High degree of
freedom

Mentor who is father

figure
The Office

Politics

Work at home two

days per week
Collegial
collaborative team

Bickering among
senior managers
Worry about being
politically correct

Company where I
can say what I mean
and not offend
everybody in the
room
450 Mhz laptop

Fun Stuff

Emotional

Country Club
Membership
Calm, serene
environment
Uniform, fair
standards

Window view of the

ocean
Too many people
Quick feedback
who can torpedo my
project
High degree of
autonomy and
Cold calls or high
control over my
rejection
projects

Recognition for
a job well done
Constant deadlines
Environment
High pressure
supports introversion High stress

Reduction in pay
Compensation

$175K base
+bonus
+stock options

Paid tuition

To pay for parking

$100K base +bonus Signing bonus

+stock
Sabbatical after five
Employment
years
Contract
Expense account
One Year
Outplacement
$500K Life Insurance

Benefits
Four-week vacation
401-K
Disability Insurance

Major Medical Equal

to Current Policy
Three-week paid
vacation

The words you see above are only examples. Don't copy them verbatim or use them as a checklist.
Search your soul and invent your own phrases. You might even add some new categories down the left
side of your chart. Remember, you are writing about your future life, not just your career.
As you see, this list is fanciful, not 100% realistic. To say "I want to invent the rules as I go" is a stretch.
No job gives 100% freedom to invent one's own path-not even self-employment. But it's the concept that's
important.
Use this chart to compare and contrast every potential opportunity and job offer, both inside and outside
your present employer. You'll be surprised how helpful it is. If you use this grid carefully, difficult choices
will be easier, and your next job offer could easily be 95% perfect

MANAGING YOUR BOSS

An important but most disregarded aspect of leadership is your relationship with the boss, as s/he would
determine your success/ failure as a leader. Managing your team as a leader is as important as managing
your boss. The following outlines ways to manage your boss.
MISREADING THE BOSS SUBORDINATE RELATIONSHIP

Some people behave as if their bosses were not very dependent on them. They fail to see how much the
boss needs their help and cooperation to do his/her job effectively. These people refuse to acknowledge
that the boss can be severely hurt by their actions and needs cooperation, dependability and honesty from
them.
It seems that managing a situation of mutual dependence among fallible human beings requires the
following:

That you have a good understanding of the other person and yourself especially regarding
strengths, weaknesses, work styles and needs.
This information is used to develop and manage a healthy working relationship - one that is
compatible with both people's work styles and assets, is characterised by mutual expectations and
meets the most critical needs of the person. This combination is essentially what highly effective
managers are found doing.

UNDERSTANDING THE BOSS

Managing the boss requires that you gain an understanding of the boss and his/ her own context, as well

as your own situation.

At a minimum you need to appreciate your boss's goals and pressures as well as his or her strengths and
weaknesses. Such as what are the boss's organizational and personal goals and objectives? What are the
pressures? What are your boss's long suits and blind spots? What is his preferred style of working? Does
s/he like to get information through memos, formal meetings or phone calls? Does s/he thrive on conflict or
try to minimize it?
UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF

The boss is only one half of the relationship. You are the other half, as well as the part you have more
direct control over. Developing an effective working relationship requires that you know your own
strengths, weaknesses and personal style. One cannot change the basic personality of oneself or one's
boss. But one can become more aware of what it is about you that impedes or facilitates working with your
boss and take actions to be more effective.
Gaining self-awareness about oneself and acting on it are difficult but not impossible, but this could be
managed by reflecting on past experiences.
Although a superior subordinate relationship is one of mutual dependence, it is also one in which the
subordinate is typically more dependent on the boss than the other way round.
Counter-dependence (when the subordinate acts on his or her negative feelings, in subtle or nonverbal
ways, the boss sometimes does become the enemy) and over-dependence (managers who swallow their
own anger and behave in a very compliant fashion when the boss makes what they know is a poor
decision) lead managers to hold unrealistic views of what a boss is.
DEVELOPING AND MANAGING A RELATIONSHIP

With a clear understanding of your boss and yourself, you can usually establish a way of working together
that fits both of you that is characterised by unambiguous mutual expectations.
COMPATIBLE WORK STYLES

A good working relationship with a boss accommodates differences in work style. Subordinates can adjust
their styles in response to their bosses' preferred method of receiving information. Peter Drucker divides
bosses into "listeners" and "readers".
Some bosses like to get information in a report so that they can study it .others like it better when
information is presented to them so they can ask questions. So the implications are obvious, says Drucker,
if your boss is a listener you brief him/ her in person then follow up with a memo.
If your boss is a reader you convert important items in a memo and then discuss them. Other adjustments
can be made according to a boss's decision-making style.
Some bosses prefer to be involved in decisions and problems as they arise; these are high involvement
managers who like to keep their hands on the pulse of the operations. Usually their needs are best
satisfied if you touch base with them on an on going basis. Other bosses prefer to delegate - they do not
want to be involved. They expect you to come to them with major problems and inform them about any
important changes.
Creating a compatible relationship also involves drawing on each other's strengths and making up for each
other's weaknesses.
MUTUAL EXPECTATIONS

The subordinate who passively assumes that s/he knows what the boss expects is in for trouble. Some
superiors spell out their expectations very explicitly but most do not. And though many organisations have
systems that provide a basis for communicating expectations these systems never work perfectly. Also

between these formal reviews expectations invariably change.

Ultimately the burden falls on the subordinate to find out what the boss's expectations are. They can be
both broad (what problems the boss wishes to be briefed about and when) as well as very specific when a
particular project should be completed and what kind of information the boss needs in the interim).
If a boss is vague and not explicit it may be difficult to get information out of him
Developing a workable set of mutual expectations also requires you to communicate your own
expectations to the boss, find out if they are realistic and influence the boss to accept the ones that are
important to you. Being able to influence the boss to value your expectations can be particularly important
if the boss is an over achiever. Such a boss will often set unrealistically high standards that need to be
brought into line with reality.
A FLOW OF INFORMATION

How much information a boss needs about what a subordinate is doing will vary significantly depending on
the boss's style, the situation he or she is in and the confidence the boss has in the subordinate. But it is
not uncommon for a boss to need more information that the subordinate would naturally supply.
Managing the flow of information upward is particularly difficult if the boss does not like to hear about
problems. Nevertheless for the good of the organisation, the boss and the subordinate, a superior needs to
hear about failures as well as successes.
DEPENDABILITY AND HONESTY

Few things are more disabling to a boss than a subordinate on whom he cannot depend, whose work he
cannot trust. No one is intentionally undependable. A commitment to an optimistic delivery date may
please a superior in the short term but become a source of displeasure if not honoured. It's difficult for a
boss to rely on a subordinate who frequently misses deadlines.
Dishonestly is another issue. It's almost impossible for bosses to work effectively if they cannot rely on a
fairly accurate reading from their subordinates. Because it undermines credibility, dishonestly is perhaps
the most troubling trait a subordinate can have. Without a basic level of trust a boss feels compelled to
check all of subordinates decisions, which makes it difficult to delegate.
GOOD USE OF TIME AND RESOURCES

The boss has limited time, energy and influence. Every request a subordinate makes uses some of these
resources so it's wise to draw on these resources selectively. No doubt some subordinates will resent that
on top of all their other duties they also need to take time and energy to manage their relationships with
their bosses.

FOOLISH MISTAKES THAT JOB SEEKERS MAKE

Foolish mistakes that Job seekers make
1. Arriving Late
Walking in for the interview even ten minutes after the interview is scheduled for, sends a negative first
impression to potential employers. Get detailed directions to the interview site and calculate how long it will take
you to get there, so that you can arrive 10 minutes early.
2. Inappropriate Appearance

Improper clothes and grooming can jeopardize an interview. Casual clothes are definitely out. Your objective
should be to dress smartly and not overtly. Remember, nails should be cut, hair well groomed and shoes
polished. These may seem like little things but they count for a lot in any interview.
3. Poor Communication Skills
A candidate who has bad grammar, talks too much, or does not listen is a red flag. Being too open during the
interview is a killer too. You should be candid, but don't pile the interviewer with all of your personal problems.
Think before you speak!!
4. Poor Performance or Preparation
Yes, there are job seekers who don't prepare or even know what job they are interviewing for. Lack of eye
contact, extreme gestures or movements, and other physical ticks can really turn off employers.
5. Negative Attitude Display
Hiring managers are turned off by unenthusiastic, bored or arrogant behavior. Using profanity, acting cocky, or
putting down a previous boss will quickly turn off an interviewer.
6. Lying in the Resume or During Interview
Do you have to be told that dishonesty is a no-no? For example, do not falsely claim to have earned degrees or
certificates and do not cover up a possible criminal record. Also, just in case you weren't sure, stealing from a
prospective employer is also frowned upon in an interview.
7. Failing to Confirm Interest
After the employer has finished explaining the details of the organization and the job description, it is your
responsibility to reaffirm your interest and ask what the next step is.

APPLYING TO A JOB THROUGH MAIL

Applying for a job via email is certainly more efficient but its effectiveness depends entirely on you and how
seriously and professionally you approach your application.
The sender should be serious.
Think of the impact your email address creates. If you don't have a sober mail address, you can create one at no
cost through any free email provider, such as indiatimes.com. Keep the fun one for your friends. Senior
candidates can also consider using email providers that lend to credibility like meramail@ indiatimes etc.
1. The subject should be specific.
What you write in the subject line must be relevant to the reader. Writing 'application for sales
manager position' in the subject line of the email is more efficient from the reader's point of view.
The reader can tell the purpose of the email at a glance, and can deal with it accordingly. Writing
a more cryptic comment such as 'a moment of your time...' may just put people off. Don't be
clever; be clear.
2. The tone should be tempered.
Email may be perceived as a more personal form of communication, but it's still a professional
application for a job. It may feel familiar, but the fact is that the person receiving your application

is unfamiliar to you. So eradicate the exclamation marks and spare them the smileys. What you
have to offer must take precedence over what you feel.
3. The attachments should be accessible.
Think universal here. You may have the latest gizmo or desktop package or want to wow your
reader with your knowledge of Photoshop for Pros, but you'd be assuming that they are able to
open or download your masterpiece CV. Stick to the universally accepted .txt or .doc formats.
Every PC on the internet can read a .txt format, and most can read MS Word.
4. The content should read like a cover letter.
If you choose to go electronic, remember, your email text should serve as a piece of promotion
to your CV, just as a cover letter does. A few short words along the lines of 'please find attached
my CV' mean you miss the opportunity to highlight your top qualities for the job. Whatever you
write in the body of your email text will encourage (or discourage) the reader to go straight to
that CV.

NEGOTIATING WITH YOUR INTERVIEWER

You excelled in the interview, you've been offered the job, and now you're down to negotiating the deal.
But how do you make sure you secure the best deal for you? A few tips:
1. Know your worth.
You may have an idea of what you are worth based on anecdotal information about what people
like you are paid, but you will need something a little more scientific if you are to convince a
future employer. Have a comparison list with you in the interview. Write out the requirements for
the job, as listed in the advertisement. Add any extra skills you believe are important for the role.
Then tick those items that you closely match. This gives you a physical list of your strengths as
compared to the employer's needs, and a negotiation base.
2. Timing is important.
Think of the timing and importance of the things you want to negotiate, and acknowledge that
some things are not negotiable. Pushing in the wrong direction will only cause friction, and may
distract you from pursuing a more productive avenue. For example, don't ask for a car of a
specific make or a house in a particular locality. You could be seen as over-confident or, worse,
over-demanding.
3. Look at the whole package subjectively.
Some companies have their hands tied when it comes to salary, but may have a number of other
benefits that will raise your overall remuneration to a figure that meets your expectations.
Consider the tax benefits and liabilities of having a company car, for example, or the opportunity
for flexible working or working from home, if this is important to you.
4. Work towards a win-win situation.
It is possible to be too good at negotiating. Squeezing every last penny out of your future
employer will not get the relationship off on the best footing. Remember that you will most likely
be working with the person you are negotiating your salary with, so keep things convivial, lest
your working relationship does not match your salary. Be prepared to compromise. If you ask for
six benefits and the company comes back with two, settle for three or four and everyone will win.
It's important that the outcome of the negotiation is a win-win situation.
5. Know your limits.
Sometimes no amount of negotiation will get you what you want. If it does not meet your needs,
it is time to stop rather than end up with the wrong deal. If not, then be upfront as soon as
possible, so that the interviewer can consider you in an enhanced light or, alternatively, cut the
process short to save time for all concerned.

SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL JOB SEEKERS

In the job search craze, there are those who land a job right away and those who struggle through the process of
finding one for a long time. Luck is usually the response one hears from disenfranchised job seekers when they
find out that their neighbor down the street was offered a position after only a two-week search. With many job
seekers vying for only a few open positions, the truth is that luck rarely has anything to do with it.
Realizing that their job search campaign doesnt have to be a never-ending struggle, successful job seekers
approach the process with patience and persistence. If you want to be among the highly successful job seekers
follow the seven steps outlined below.
1. Search with purpose
Instead of trying to fit into a mold set by a hiring organization, target companies that match your goals and career
values; doing this will allows you to focus your energy into searching for a position that is a natural fit.
After all, you dont want to find yourself embarking on another search within a years time because you made a
decision in haste.
2. Always be prepared
Be ready for your days activities by 9 am. Opportunities rarely land on your lap and you have to be prepared for
the surprises that may come up during the day. You dont want to be caught sleeping when someone calls to
discuss an employment opportunity.
If you find yourself answering the phone like this: "hello? . . . well . . . um . . . well, like I was kinda sleeping. . .
how long is this gonna take? . . . who are you again? . . . like I, um, contacted so many places, cuz, you know,
like, I can't like find a job . . ." then it is time to reprioritize your needs.
Waiting until your unemployment insurance is about to end before you begin aggressively looking for a position
can be a costly mistake. You dont want to find yourself in a situation where you are running low on resources and
desperation is about to set in. This is when mistakes are made and your job search may begin to suffer.
3. Develop a job search plan
Organize your job search, map out a strategy, set priorities, and establish goals. Begin your search with a clear
focus and a plan. Participate in a number of activities including answering classified ads, posting your resume on
the Internet, and going on informational interviews.
4. Bypass Human Resources
A human resources representative is also known as a screener. The screeners job is to review resumes and
match your experience with a checklist of requirements set forth. If there are enough matches, the human
resources representative forwards the resume to the decision maker.
5. Write follow-up letters
Well-written follow up letters can make a difference as to whether you get hired. A follow-up letter is more than a
simple note thanking the interviewer for his or her time. It should be a sophisticated letter that either re-affirms
your interest in the position, serves as an opportunity to mention an important point you neglected to bring up,
and/or provides an opportunity to offer new insight on a topic that was discussed during the interview.
6. Avoid toxic job seekers

Job clubs are a great way to generate ideas and for networking purposes. However, some are also a breeding
ground for negativity. These support groups can inadvertently affect your job search. Take inventory of the job
seekers in attendance. Do they offer words of encouragement? Are they supportive of your efforts, or do they feed
into your insecurities?
If after such meetings you feel emotionally drained and start to believe your chances of landing a job are bleak,
then its time to search for a new support team.
7. Be good to yourself
There are two types of job seekers. One, that has a laid back approach, and the other that always feels "there
arent enough hours in the day" and compulsively searches for a job without taking a breather.
Following in the footsteps of the latter is the fastest way to reaching burn out and when careless mistakes are
often made. Though your job search should be your primary activity, dont allow it to consume your every waking
moment.
Every so often take a mini vacation; spend time with people who support you, listen to music and participate in
activities you enjoy. Clearing your mind replenishes your energy and will allow you to continue searching for a
job with a fresh outlook.

SO, WHY DONT YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF?

So, why dont you tell me about yourself? is the most frequently asked interview question. Its a question that
most interviewers expect and the one they have the most difficulty answering. Though one could answer this
open-ended question in a myriad of ways, the key to answering this question or any other interview question is to
offer a response that supports your career objective i.e you shouldnt respond with comments about your hobbies,
spouse, or extra curricular activities. Trust me, interviewers arent interested.
Interviewers use the interview process as a vehicle to eliminate your candidacy. Every question they ask is used to
differentiate your skills, experience, and personality with that of other candidates. They want to determine if what
you have to offer will mesh with the organizations mission and goals.
Follow the four easy steps outlined below to ensure your response will grab the interviewers attention.
1. Provide a brief introduction. Introduce attributes that are key to the open position.
For example: During my 10 years of experience as a sales manager, I have mastered the ability to coach, train,
and motivate sales teams into reaching corporate goals.
2. Provide a career summary of your most recent work history. Your career summary is the meat of your
response, so it must support your job objective and it must be compelling. Keep your response limited to your
current experience. Dont go back more than 10 years.
For example: Most recently, at The Widget Corporation, I was challenged with turning around a stagnant territory
that ranked last in sales in the Northeastern region. Using strategies that have worked in the past, I developed an
aggressive sales campaign that focused on cultivating new accounts and nurturing the existing client base. The
results were tremendous. Within six months my sales team and I were able to revitalize the territory and boost
sales by 65%.
3. Tie your response to the needs of the hiring organization. Dont assume that the interviewer will be able to
connect all the dots. It is your job as the interviewee to make sure the interviewer understands how your
experiences are transferable to the current position they are seeking to fill.

For example: Because of my proven experience in leading sales teams, Craig Brown suggested I contact you
regarding your need for a sales manager. Craig filled me in on the challenges your sales department is facing.
4. Ask an insightful question. By asking a question you gain control of the interview. Dont ask a question for
the sake of asking a question. Be sure that the question will engage the interviewer in a conversation. Doing so
will alleviate the stress you may feel to perform.
For example: What strategies are currently underway to increase sales and morale within the sales department?
There you have it a response that supports your agenda AND meets the needs of the interviewer.
When broken down into manageable pieces, the question, So, tell me about yourself? isnt overwhelming. In
fact, answering the question effectively gives you the opportunity to talk about your strengths, achievements, and
qualifications for the position. So take this golden opportunity and run with it!

HOW TO COPE WHEN YOU ARE OVERQUALIFIED FOR A JOB

Are you professionally overqualified for your job? Are you having trouble finding a job that fits like a glove?
Have you settled for a job that has no relation whatsoever with your professional skills?
When you are professionally overqualified, there are usually lots of stressful issues, which have to be dealt with.
You may be forced to adjust your entire life and mold it to fit your current situation. This can be very stressful,
frustrating and can even lead to depression.
It is therefore important to equip yourself with some tips on how to cope during this period when you feel like
you have been hit under the belt.
SIX COPING TIPS FOR OVERQUALIFIED:
1. Talk to your boss
Dont be shy about telling your boss or any other significant person in your organization about your other
professional skills.
Let them know that you would be interested in applying for other positions within the company, which match
your skills better. Ask your boss to let you know about suitable positions that are open. Inquire about policies
relating to internal candidates seeking to fill vacant positions within the company. Speak outMother luck may
just smile on you!
2. Prepare to mentally re-adjust.
Life is tough as it is and being professionally overqualified means that you have to have the right mental attitude
to adjust to your situation.
Mentally re-adjusting involves accepting your position and planning how to deal with it. You have to be prepared
to not only deal with being a direct report to a boss who may be less qualified than you but also a leaner paycheck
and a bruised ego.
You may also have to trim your resume and down play your qualifications to suit your current job description.
The ability to maintain a positive attitude will do so much for you in terms of preserving your sanity. It never hurt
anyone to look on the bright side.

3. Search for a more suitable job.

One good thing about being overqualified is that there are always other options available. Mount an aggressive
job search, update your resume and keep all your relevant job related documents ready.
Begin to research your industry while look at current job listings on the Internet. Check for job openings posted in
the classified section of your local newspaper and contact temporary employment agencies that hire professionals.
Be aggressive about your job search. Find out what additional skills employers are looking for and what you need
to do to get a cutting edge over the rest of the job seekers in your field. Network with people who can give you
leads about job availabilities in the sectors that interest you. Dont give up.
4. Dont be afraid to start fresh.
It is sometimes easier to get a clear perspective of what you really want to do when life is not going as smoothly
as you expect. Take time to search your soul and take an inventory of what matters most in your life.
If you feel that you may have a better chance in another professional field, dont be afraid to start a new. New
beginnings can be a welcome relief especially if your current skills are standing in the way of better opportunities.
Its never too late to start a fresh. Be prepared to adjust your life to new experiences and other opportunities
5. Join a professional association.
Volunteer or seek membership in a professional association that addresses issues in your field of expertise. This
will keep you abreast of the latest developments in your field and keep you intellectually challenged.
Making contributions to the association and being actively involved in its activities will give you a chance to
indirectly pursue what you are qualified to do. It will also give you a chance to meet and network with
stakeholders who may widen your chances of getting hired in your preferred field.
6. Consider it a learning experience.
There are many lessons to learn from being professionally overqualified. Apart from acquiring new job skills, you
may discover that you have strengths in other fields which you never knew you had.
Sometimes it takes hardship for the best attributes we have to surface. This may also be an opportunity to view
things from another perspective.