Eight Worst Things to Say in an Interview

Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer

Interviews are nothing if not opportunities to drive yourself crazy. Just remind yourself to look good, appear confident, say all the right things and don't say any of the wrong ones. It shouldn't be so hard to follow these guidelines except you'll be on the receiving end of an endless line of questions. Factor in your nerves and you'll be lucky to remember your own name.

Don't fret.

If you walk into the interview prepared, you can make sure you know what right things to say, and you can stop yourself from saying the following wrong things.

1. "I hated my last boss."

Your last boss was a miserable person whose main concern was making your life miserable. Of course you don't have a lot of nice things to say; however, don't mistake honesty, which is admirable, for trash-talking, which is despicable.

"If you truly did hate your last boss, I would be prepared to articulate why your last organization and relationship was not right for you," says Greg Moran, director of industry sales and partnerships for Talent Technology Corp. "Then be prepared to explain what type of organization is right for you and what type of management style you best respond to."

2. "I don't know anything about the company."

Chances are the interviewer will ask what you know about the company. If you say you don't know anything about it, the interviewer will wonder why you're applying for the job and will probably conclude you're after money, not a career.

"With today's technology," Moran says, "there is no excuse for having no knowledge of a company except laziness and/or poor planning - neither of which are attributes [of potential employees] sought by many organizations."

3. "No, I don't have any questions for you."

Much like telling the interviewer that you don't know anything about the company, saying you don't have any questions to ask also signals a lack of interest. Perhaps the interviewer answered every question or concern you had about the position, but if you're interested in a future with this employer, you can probably think of a few things to ask.

"Research the company before you show up," Moran advises. "Understand the business strategy, goals and people. Having this type of knowledge will give you some questions to keep in your pocket if the conversation is not flowing naturally."

4. "I'm going to need to take these days off."

"We all have lives and commitments and any employer that you would even consider working for understands this. If you progress to an offer stage, this is the time for a discussion regarding personal obligations," Moran suggests. "Just don't bring it up prior to the salary negotiation/offer stage."

Why?

By mentioning the days you need off too early in the interview, you risk coming off presumptuous as if you know you'll get the job.

5. "How long until I get a promotion?"

While you want to show that you're goal-oriented, be certain you don't come off as entitled or ready to leave behind a job you don't even have yet.

"There are many tactful ways to ask this question that will show an employer that you are ambitious and looking at the big picture," Moran offers. "For example, asking the interviewer to explain the typical career path for the position is fine."

Another option is to ask the interviewer why the position is open, Moran adds. You might find out it's due to a promotion and can use that information to learn more about career opportunities.

6. "Are you an active member in your church?"

As you attempt to make small talk with an interviewer, don't cross the line into inappropriate chitchat. Avoid topics that are controversial or that veer too much from work.

"This sounds obvious but many times I have been interviewing candidates and been asked about my personal hobbies, family obligations, et cetera," Moran says. "Attempting to develop a rapport is essential but taking it too far can bring you into some uncomfortable territory."

7. "As Lady Macbeth so eloquently put it..."

Scripted answers, although accurate, don't impress interviewers. Not only do they make you sound rehearsed and stiff, they also prevent you from engaging in a dialogue.

"This is a conversation between a couple humans that are trying to get a good understanding of one another. Act accordingly," Moran reminds.

8. "And another thing I hate..."

Save your rants for your blog. When you're angry, you don't sway anybody's opinion about a topic, but you do make them like you less. For one thing, they might disagree with you. They also won't take kindly to your bad attitude.

"If you are bitter, keep it inside and show optimism. Start complaining and you will be rejected immediately," Moran warns. "Do you like working with a complainer? Neither will the interviewer."

Warning: Social Networking Can Be Hazardous to Your Job Search

Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor

That cute, affable guy who brags of his drunken exploits on FaceBook.com may be meeting a lot of other partiers online, but he's probably not getting added to the "friends" lists of many corporate recruiters. A recent study by the executive search firm ExecuNet found that 77 percent of recruiters run searches of candidates on the Web to screen applicants; 35 percent of these same recruiters say they've eliminated a candidate based on the information they uncovered.

"You'd be surprised at what I've seen when researching candidates," says Gail, a recruiter at a Fortune 500 company who recently began looking up potential hires on the Web. "We were having a tough time deciding between two candidates until I found the profile of one of them on MySpace. It boasted a photo of her lounging on a hammock in a bikini, listed her interests as 'having a good time' and her sex as 'yes, please.' Not quite what we were looking for." "Another time I went to a candidate's site and found racial slurs and jokes," Gail continues. "And there was yet another instance where a candidate told me he was currently working for a company, yet he left a comment on a friend's profile about how it 'sucked' to be laid off, and how much fun it was to be unemployed!"

As the amount of personal information available online grows, first impressions are being formed long before the interview process begins, warns David Opton, ExecuNet CEO and founder. "Given the implications and the shelf-life of Internet content, managing your online image is something everyone should address -- regardless of whether or not you're in a job search," he says. Because the risks don't stop once you're hired. Twenty-three-year old Kara recently took a job as a management consultant at a high-profile practice in the Los Angeles area. An Ohio native, with no friends or family on the West Coast, Kara put up a profile on MySpace in the hopes of meeting new people. Kara was judicious in how she set up her site: "I didn't fill out that cheesy questionnaire many people post, where you describe your best feature and say whether or not you shower every day." she says. "I used a photo that was flattering but not at all provocative and was even careful what music I chose." Within a few months, Kara met many others online who shared her interest in biking and water sports. One Friday morning, Kara decided to call in sick and go surfing with a few of her new pals. That weekend, unbeknownst to Kara, her friend posted some of the day's pictures on her profile and sent Kara a message saying, "We should call in sick more often." Unfortunately for Kara, her boss happened to be patrolling MySpace to check up on her college-age daughter and came across Kara's site and the dated photos! Mortified, Kara says she learned an important lesson -- not only about honesty, but about how small the world of online social networking can be and how little control you have over any information put out there.

Not all employers search candidates and employees online, but the trend is growing. Don't let online social networking deep-six your career opportunities. Protect your image by following these simple tips:

1. Be careful. Nothing is private. Don't post anything on your site or your "friends" sites you wouldn't want a prospective employer to see. Derogatory comments, revealing or risqué photos, foul language and lewd jokes all will be viewed as a reflection of your character.

2. Be discreet. If your network offers the option, consider setting your profile to "private," so that it is viewable only by friends of your choosing. And since you can't control what other people say on your site, you may want to use the "block comments" feature. Remember, everything on the Internet is archived, and there is no eraser!

3. Be prepared. Check your profile regularly to see what comments have been posted. Use a search engine to look for online records of yourself to see what is out there about you. If you find information you feel could be detrimental to your candidacy or career, see about getting it removed -- and make sure you have an answer ready to counter or explain "digital dirt."

Volunteering Yourself into a Job

by Heather Boerner

Sandra Erbe volunteered for a Maryland nonprofit for eight months after being laid off in 2008, using her communications skills to do branding and strategic planning for the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.

When a communications job became available there, she was first in line--and nabbed the job.

Volunteering is growing in popularity as laid-off workers look for ways to stay sharp in their fields and stay busy during the job hunt. But done right, volunteering can also land you a job in a company you might not have access to otherwise.

"Volunteering, sometimes referred to as 'adult interning,' is a great way for someone to hone specialized skills and be in the right place at the right time when a position comes available," says Debra Yergen, the author of the book "Creating Job Security Resource Guide."

Here's how to make sure the time you donate advances your career:

Keep it part-time
"You can't volunteer full-time because then you don't have time to look for a job," explains David Craig, executive director of Work It Up, a Maine-based nonprofit that connects unemployed professionals with volunteer work in their chosen industries. "It shouldn't be more than 20 hours of your week."

Choose carefully
Many corporations can't legally or operationally hire volunteers, says Craig, who works with companies to create projects that qualified volunteers can lead.

Nonprofits are always looking for volunteers, and may be willing to tailor a volunteer opportunity to your skills. You might also target small businesses that have been squeezed by the economy.

Make your case
For some companies, a new person without any training is more of a burden than an asset, even if she or he is working for free, says Craig. You can still get your foot in the door--just demonstrate how you'll add value: "You've got to show a company that you will be low-maintenance and self-directed. Come up with a plan for how you can help their business without having a negative impact."

Treat it like a job
It's important to show up on time, dress appropriately, work hard, and even stay late on occasion, explains Diane Gottsman, a San Antonio-based etiquette expert who works with job seekers and head hunters.

"Show them you're committed," she says. "If you just do a little extra, when they're talking about you, they'll say, 'Diane is such a team player.' You want to make yourself indispensable so they want you on staff."

Network, network, network
"You may volunteer with kids with the Red Cross, but they have no job openings," says David Couper, a California-based career coach. "The local kids' foundation down the street may, and they'd love to know about your experience."

Couper says that, no matter what, you'll definitely get the emotional boost that comes from helping others.

"And when you're engaged in a common purpose, you will make new relationships and contacts that can lead to jobs," he adds.

Tweet Your Way to a New Job

by Caroline M.L. Potter

Are you on Twitter? Thirty-two million other folks are, but most of them aren't using it to search for work. A recent Yahoo! HotJobs poll revealed that only 8% of respondents have used Twitter to help with a job search. Don't let this valuable medium go unmined as you look for your next opportunity.

Dan Schawbel, author of "Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success," has tips to help you use Twitter to raise your professional profile and fast-forward your job search.

1. Create your personal brand. Instead of just jumping in, Schawbel says, "Before using any social network, create a single, unified social-media strategy, so that your brand remains consistent throughout each network that you join, including Twitter." He recommends using the same professional picture/avatar and user name, a consistent bio, and a personal brand statement that explains what you do and who your audience is.

2. Tweak your Twitter homepage. Take advantage of all of Twitter's tools to make sure your Twitter homepage looks professional. Says Schawbel, "Just like your other social network profiles, your Twitter profile should be completely filled out. This includes your full name, location, a biography, and -- the single most important element -- a single link to a site of your choosing. I recommend directing people to a blog, your LinkedIn profile, or a site that you feel best represents you. If you really want to take your brand to the next level, then a custom Twitter background, which you can make using twitterimage.com or twitterbacks.com, is required."

3. Build your audience. Don't think you know anyone on Twitter? Think again. "A percentage of your friends, family, and previous coworkers are already on Twitter," he reveals. "You can easily import contacts from most Web-mail programs or find people using Twitter's search engine and invite your network onto Twitter with an email invitation. Then, use Twitter search to locate people in your industry, follow them, and interact with them through a series of tweets and 'retweets' over time."

4. Start tweeting. Not sure what to tweet about? Tweet what you know, says Schawbel. "The more you tweet about what you know, the more you'll become the go-to person on that topic in the Twitterverse. The key to building an audience is to remain interesting to your current followers so that they retweet your messages and more people discover and follow you. And, again, by constantly following more people, namely the influencers in your industry, and pushing out relevant tweets, your audience will grow rapidly."

5. Let folks know you're looking. There are a few ways to alert followers that you're in the market for a new job. "First, revise your Twitter profile to call attention to the type of job you're looking for. Second, customize your Twitter background and add in text that talks about where you're headed in your career. Finally, you can send a tweet after you've built your follower count, which states your expertise and the type of job you're looking for," he advises. To get a job you may have to help others find them, too.

Adds Boston-based Schawbel, "If you discover a job lead on Twitter and it's not related to what you want to do, passing it on is an effective way to network."

The Savvy Networker

Written by Liz Ryan

If you're job-hunting today, you know that employers are looking for sharp, self-motivated people. Paradoxically, just about the worst way to convey your talent and motivation is to say in your resume or cover letter, "I'm self-motivated." Anyone can say that! The phrase falls flat. You can't afford to let done-to-death boilerplate language sink your resume like a boat anchor.

Resume cliches like "self-motivated individual" and "results-oriented professional" are out of date in 2010. You can do a better job of letting hiring managers know how you solve problems on-the-fly or leap over tall buildings in a single bound.

Here are ten of the deadliest resume phrases in use ("massive overuse" would be more accurate) and replacements for each one. You'll rewrite the replacement phrases to reflect your own accomplishments--and that's the key! We can't expect a timeworn piece of resume boilerplate to stand in for our own pithy, personal examples.

Kill this: Results-oriented professional

Replace with your own version of this: I love to solve thorny supply-chain problems

Kill this: Excellent team player

Replace with your own version of this: At Acme Dynamite, I partnered with Engineering to cut our product cost in half

Kill this: Bottom-line orientation

Replace with your own version of this: My accounting-process overhaul saved the company $10M in its first year

Kill this: Superior communication skills

Replace with your own version of this: I led a two-day offsite that yielded our 2010 product lineup and a $40K cost savings

Kill this: Possess organizational skills

Replace with your own version of this: Reduced customer-complaint resolution time from three weeks to one by revamping the process

Kill this: Savvy business professional

Replace with your own version of this: I'm a PR manager who's gotten his employers covered by Yahoo! and Time magazine

Kill this: Strong work ethic

Replace with your own version of this: I taught myself HTML over a weekend in order to grab a marketing opportunity

Kill this: Meets or exceeds expectations

Replace with your own version of this: Invited to join our executive staff at a strategy summit during my first year at the company

Kill this: Strong presentation skills

Replace with your own version of this: Was recruited to join Acme Dynamite after my boss heard me speak at a conference

Kill this: Seeking a challenging opportunity

Replace with your own version of this: I'm looking for a midsize manufacturer primed to grow its business in the Pacific Rim

Get the boilerplate lead out of your resume today, and replace it with concrete, visual stories that bring your power to life. Watch employers respond! You can't afford to send out another lifeless, sounds-like-everyone-else resume. Employers want the real you on the page. Try it!

Social Networking Basics for Job Hunters

by Caroline M.L. Potter

Which site is right?

Facebook. LinkedIn. Twitter. There are many sites that foster community online, but not everyone feels bold enough to sign up for all of them.

If you're skittish about social networking, LinkedIn may be the safest choice. LinkedIn has more than 41 million members from around the world, and its mission is to foster professional connections, unlike Facebook or Twitter, which can be used personally, too.

Getting Started

According to Krista Canfield, the career expert and spokesperson for LinkedIn, "I think the reason people are more comfortable with LinkedIn is because it's a professional networking site and you're representing your professional identity online."

Lauren Milligan, founder of ResuMAYDAY, agrees, "If you're just dipping your toe into the social networking water, the two easiest sites to navigate are LinkedIn and Twitter, because you have 100% control over the content." Remember, though, even if you're not comfortable with Facebook, you should have a passing familiarity with it as it's become an important marketing tool for many businesses.

As you build your connections on LinkedIn, be discerning. Reach out to people you do business with and coworkers as well as former classmates. Carefully consider each request you make and accept.

Canfield says, "I only try to connect with people I've worked with in the past and know and trust or expect to work with in the future. It's more a quality game rather than quantity." When sending a request, she recommends creating a custom message. "Unless you literally sit next to a person, you should remind people who you are and why you want to connect with them."

Good References

Then, says Milligan, "Do everything you can to get lots of recommendations on your LinkedIn account. (Insider secret: the best way to GET a recommendation is to GIVE one first!)." It may also be helpful to include your LinkedIn profile ID or URL on your resume.

"Twitter is a great way for broadcasting things and letting your network know what you're up to," says Canfield. "You could send out a tweet saying, 'I'm looking for a job in finance. If you know of anything, here's my LinkedIn profile.'"

Adds Milligan, "Use Twitter to position yourself as an expert in your industry and people will listen!"

What Not to Do

Don't spam people with too many tweets or status updates. If you're using any mode for professional purposes, be respectful of your contacts and followers.

Also, avoid collecting followers or connections that don't have real value for your network or your job search.

Says Canfield, "The right number of connections will differ from profession to profession. Someone in advertising may have many more than a lawyer or an accountant. When people have around 25 connections, that's when they see the benefits of being on a professional network. But, it's like having a phone book: Just because you have all those numbers, doesn't mean they can help you out."

 

INTERVIEWING TIPS

http://www.careercc.com/interv3.shtml

Interview Tip 1: Plan Ahead - Do a little homework! Research the company and the position if possible, as well, the people you will meet with at the interview. Review your work experiences. Be ready to support past career accomplishments with specific information targeted toward the companies needs. Have your facts ready!

Interview Tip 2: Role Play - Once you have finished studying, begin role playing (rehearsing). Use the general questions provided below in the Interview Preparation Area. Write down answers if it helps to make your presentation more concise. Try to keep your answers to the information your new employer will want to know.

Interview Tip 3: Eye Contact - Maintain eye contact with your interviewer. Show you want the job with your interest.

Interview Tip 4: Be Positive - In particular, avoid negative comments about past employers.

Interview Tip 5: Adapt - Listen and adapt. Be sensitive to the style of the interviewer. Pay attention to those details of dress, office furniture, and general decor which will afford helpful clues to assist you in tailoring your presentation.

Interview Tip 6: Relate - Try to relate your answers to the interviewer and his or her company. Focus on achievements relevant to the position.

Interview Tip 7: Encourage - Encourage the interviewer to share information about his or her company. Demonstrate your interest.

Tell me about yourself? (try to hold your response to 2 minutes)

What do you know about our company?

Why should we hire you?

What can you do for us that someone else can't?

What do you look for in a job?

What skills and qualifications are essential for success in the position of ______?

How long would it take for you to make a meaningful contribution?

How does this assignment fit into your overall career plan?

Describe your management style.

What do you believe is the most difficult part of being a supervisor of people?

Why are you looking for a new career?

How would your colleagues describe you?

How would your boss describe you?

How would you describe yourself?

What do you think of your present or past boss?

What were the five most significant accomplishments in your last assignment?

What were the five most significant accomplishments in your career so far?

Can you work well under deadlines or pressure?

How much do you expect if we offer you this position?

Why do you want to work for us?

What other positions are you considering?

Have you kept up in your field with additional training?

What are your career goals?

What are your strong points?

What are your weak points?

How did you do in school?

What position do you expect to have in 2 to 5 years?

If you took the job what would you accomplish in the first year?

What was wrong with your current or last position?

What kind of hours are you used to working or would like to work?

Do you have your reference list with you? (Remember don't give it out unless it is asked for).

Can you explain your salary history?

What questions didn't I ask that you expected?

How To Ruin An Interview

Spam your resume.
Maria McGuinness, a hiring manager for a small manufacturer in central New York, says that too many applicants repeatedly apply for the same position and cite different websites where the job was posted. Other managers are annoyed when candidates apply for every position in the company--both behaviors cause unnecessary work for hiring managers. "While I realize the job market is tight and people are desperate, spamming your resume is a very bad idea," McGuinness says.

Ask, "What does your company do?"
"If candidates don't have the curiosity or interest to do their homework on our website, then I am not interested in them," says Rosenblatt.

Bring the family.
Erin Duddy, a recruiter at a small staffing firm in Raleigh, has been unpleasantly surprised when a candidate brings a baby or a child to an interview. "If you absolutely must bring children to the company, at least clear it ahead of time," she recommends.

A hiring manager at a Florida hospital adds that bringing a spouse or parent to the interview--or letting a loved one negotiate your salary and benefits for you--is one way to ensure you'll get no salary and benefits.

Use your cell phone in the meeting.

Hiring managers say that they're seeing more candidates use their cell phones to send text messages or take personal calls during interviews--but that doesn't make the behavior any more acceptable.

John M. O'Connor, president of Career Pro Inc., adds that even using electronics in the waiting room can reflect negatively. "Executive assistants often tell the boss everything, and if they see you constantly using your PDA, it may give the impression that you're unfocused or easily distracted."

Don't smile. Or laugh too much. Or cry.
O'Connor says that a smile and a sense of humor are crucial in interviews, no matter what the job may be. "Hiring managers have told me, 'this person is great on paper--but he's so intense and humorless in person, I would never want to go to lunch with him,'" he says.

On the other hand, Frank Papa, operating partner at H.I.G. Capital in North Carolina, warns against undue giddiness. "When a candidate laughs all the time ... it says they are trying too hard to be accepted and be liked."

Then again, laughter may be better than tears. "I hate interviewing someone who is so nervous they cannot answer the questions and then break down and cry," says Isabella Tagore, a recruiting consultant based in southern California.

Come with your own beverages.
Many hiring managers dislike it when people bring their own take-out cups of coffee to drink during an interview, according to career strategist Barbara Safani. It can come across as far too informal. And if you bring a child's Hello Kitty lunch box containing utensils to brew your own tea, as one candidate did when meeting Terdik, you will be memorable--but not in a good way.

Don't write a thank you note.


"If I don't get a well-written thank-you note as a follow up, they're out," states one hiring manager. And don't text message, "thx 4 mtg."

Show up late and/or disheveled.
This may seem unnecessary to mention, but it's one of the most important parts of the interview process. Showing up late, smelling like smoke, chewing gum, or having messy hair or clothes can all give impressions of being disorganized, untrustworthy, irresponsible, and incompetent.

Five Ways to Turn Off Employers

Anthony Balderrama

Job searches, much like first dates, are about giving the other party -- in this case the employer -- a once-over and presenting yourself in the best possible way. Also similar to first dates, job searches give you several opportunities to make a single mistake that is a real turnoff.

You're on your own when it comes to finding true love, but for staying in an employer's good graces, we've got you covered. So put on your best clothes, style your hair and make sure you don't make one of these job interview gaffes that are certain to turn off an employer:

Turnoff No. 1: Arriving too early for an interview

The reason: Interviews are scheduled at specific times for a reason. Hiring managers have other meetings and responsibilities to deal with throughout the day, so they can't interrupt their schedule just to meet with you. Also, interviews often have multiple components. If you're scheduled to meet the hiring manager first, then have a conversation with some potential colleagues, followed by a tour of the company and finally a drug test, an early (or late) arrival disrupts everyone's schedule.

The solution: By all means, arriving early is better than arriving late. However, from an interviewer's perspective, arriving 45 minutes early and letting the receptionist know you've arrived is just as bothersome as showing up 45 minutes late. If you get to the interview location too early, go to a nearby coffee shop, take a walk around the block or sit in your car to pass the time. Checking in with the front desk five or even 15 minutes early is acceptable and shows the employer you're punctual.

Turnoff No. 2: Letting your desperation show

The reason: Although you have been looking for a job for several months or even longer, don't let your frustration become the interviewer's problem. A negative attitude that causes you to vent about the hardships of being unemployed can leave you reeking of bitterness and repel employers.

The solution: Don't get us wrong -- being unemployed can be one of the worst experiences a person goes through, and anyone who has been there understands that eventually you reach a point where you want to scream. Nevertheless, do your screaming before you get to the interview.

When you're preparing for the interview, think like an employer. Do you want to hire the person with amazing qualification, a great personality and the potential to grow with the company? Or do you want to hire the person whose primary concern is getting a paycheck, who sounds angry and who might quit the moment a better job comes along? Enthusiasm impresses an employer; desperation does not.

Turnoff No. 3: Being too aggressive with your follow-up

The reason: Employers want to see enthusiasm from job seekers, but they don't want to be inconvenienced by said enthusiasm. Two e-mails, a handwritten note, a few phone calls and a quick visit to the office just to see how things are going will not impress a hiring manager. That approach will scare them.

The solution: Again, enthusiasm wins over desperation every time. You need to send a thank-you note, and you can send both an e-mail and a postal letter to cover your bases. Pestering employers doesn't just make you look desperate, it also annoys them. They don't have time for so many distractions and eventually the first thing they'll think of when they see your name is, "Oh, that's the one who wouldn't leave me alone." Prove you have common sense, which includes knowing when to stop.

Turnoff No. 4: Talking trash about
anyone

The reason: You probably have plenty to say about your incompetent former boss and inept co-workers, but you know better than to say it. You've been told that employers hear you talk negatively about a past boss and think, "One day you'll be talking that way about me." You might forget that the same thoughts run through their mind when you talk about other organizations, too. If you're interviewing with the No. 2 company in a specific industry, you shouldn't take cheap shots at the No. 1 company every chance you get. Employers know you're job hunting and that you've probably been just as unkind about them in other interviews.

The solution: Stay positive. Explain why you want to work for the company. Point out how your experience has prepared you for this move. You don't need to pretend that your former employer is a personal hero, but you should demonstrate that you are bringing something from the company other than your 401(k). Rather than belittle the competition, promote this company. Say, "I know your competitor is doing this, and they've had some success, but you have the ability to do this and that to beat them." The focus remains on this company and also on your ideas.

Turnoff No. 5: Lacking direction

The reason: Whether or not they are micromanagers, employers like to have some trust in their employees. If your résumé, cover letter or interview suggests that you have no goals, you are not an attractive candidate. If you don't even know where you want your career to go, how can you know this job is for you? A cover letter looking for
a job instead of
this job implies that you're floating from gig to gig until you get bored.

The solution: If you're not positive what your future looks like, at least create a narrative that satisfies you. This job might not be your ideal one, but do you see yourself learning from it and putting you on a path to something better? What could you do after you spend some time working here? Figure out what that path is so you can show an employer you know where you're going. You don't need to promise that you'll stay at this position forever, but you can suggest that you are eager to learn and want to move forward. Employers like ambition because these workers tend to care about their jobs and ultimately improve the business in some capacity.

 

Facebook Tips for Working Professionals

Written by Doug White

To friend or not to friend, that is the question.

As more people embrace Facebook and other social media websites for business purposes, the already fine line between what's professional and what's personal continues to blur. It can be difficult to determine which work-related contacts to connect with and what content to share. Here is some friendly advice:

Let your boss make the first move. According to a new Robert Half survey, nearly half of executives polled said they are uncomfortable getting Facebook friend requests from people they manage.

Regardless of how much rapport you have in the office, your supervisor simply might not want to connect with employees on personal networking sites. Avoid awkwardness by waiting for your boss to reach out to you first. And if you choose to accept the friend request, make sure you don't post anything you wouldn't want him or her to see!

Protect your privacy -- and your professional image. Familiarize yourself with Facebook's privacy settings. Remember: Unless you use this feature, every word or image you post can be seen by all of your Facebook friends. Do you really want coworkers and clients to view your vacation photos?

Adopt a better-safe-than-sorry approach by creating a separate "work" list and limiting the content you make accessible to those contacts. You can even go a step further and customize your settings to block specific individuals from viewing certain sections of your profile, such as photos of you and your friends.

Exercise good judgment. This common-sense message bears repeating: Don't be your own worst enemy. If you have a bad day, cool off before clicking. Badmouthing your boss, a colleague, or a hiring manager through Facebook is a highly risky move that's come back to haunt many professionals. Similarly, if you're currently employed (and you want to remain so), think twice before writing status updates about your search for a better job. In addition, avoid becoming a fan of potentially controversial people or products, or taking online quizzes (for which there are no privacy controls) that could be deemed unprofessional.

Consistently monitor your online reputation. Managing your so-called "digital footprint" requires more than merely monitoring what you post. Check your Facebook account regularly to keep tabs on the information others are broadcasting about you.

You'll want to act quickly if someone makes an inappropriate comment on your Facebook wall ("Steve, are you still working for that boneheaded boss?") or identifies you in an embarrassing photo. You can easily delete comments posted on your wall and untag yourself from pictures by clicking "Remove Tag" under the image. You also might contact the person to express your displeasure and politely request that he or she keep your professional reputation in mind in the future.

While Facebook enables savvy professionals and job seekers to build key connections, there are also many pitfalls to sidestep. By taking the tips highlighted above, you can be sure that Facebook helps -- not hinders -- your career.

Are You Sabotaging Your Job Search Without Knowing It?

Written by Liz Ryan

"I'm so frustrated in my job search," said my friend Alissa. "I was waiting to hear on one opportunity for most of December, and now the job opening is on hold."

Yikes! In 2010, make this resolution: Don't sabotage your job search by putting job-search activities on hold while you wait to see whether one particular opportunity pans out. You can't afford to do that! The promising job opening might disappear, as it did in Alissa's case.

The more irons you've got in the fire, the more self-confidence and negotiating leverage you'll have when a hoped-for job opening arrives. No matter how certain an expected job offer appears to be, keep your job-search engine humming!

That means applying for four to 10 new job openings per week, minimum.

The Limits of One Resume

Here's another way that job-seekers shoot themselves in the foot: "I'm focusing on Call Center Manager jobs," said Samir, "but I've broadened my resume to present myself as an IT person, an HR person and a Purchasing guy, too."

One resume can't do all that heavy lifting. Samir's resume could end up up marketing him as a guy with lots of different experiences and no expertise. Samir needs specific resumes for his Call Center, IT, HR and Purchasing personas. If you've got more than one job-search prong working, you'll need a separate resume for each individual job-search direction!

Avoiding the Black Hole

"I know you told me to avoid the Black Hole of HR, Liz," said Corinne, "but I talked to an HR person in one company, and she said that only resumes sent through the company's website will be considered."

Of course the HR person told you to follow the rules. It's in her best interest to have job seekers do that. It's not in your best interest, though. Ignore the HR person's advice and use LinkedIn and Internet search engines to find the hiring manager for "your" job. Send a pithy cover letter and your resume directly to that manager, using LinkedIn, email, or surface mail. Forget the Black Hole of HR -- you already know from experience how useless that channel is.

What Problems Have You Solved?

Here's one more way job-seekers can sabotage themselves. They write cover letters that go on and on about their talents and skills. Big problem! Hiring managers don't care. They want to know what a job-seeker can do for them.

Cover letters need to talk about the problems you've solved, not about your strategic vision, work ethic, and excellent communication skills. You can yak all you want about those things, but why would anyone believe you? You need to use your valuable cover-letter real estate to talk about the ways you've made a difference for past employers -- in concrete, specific detail.

Don't sabotage your job search in 2010.

• Keep applying for jobs, even when one seems like a sure thing.
  
• Use a separate resume for each job-search direction.
  
• Avoid the Black Hole of HR by taking the time to locate hiring managers directly.
  
• And, use your cover letter space to write about the employer's situation and your relevant experience -- not about your fabulous abilities (because no one cares what you think of yourself).
  

Keep your job search moving in high gear -- employers are posting job openings as we speak!

6 Career-Killing Facebook Mistakes

by Erin Joyce

With more than 400 million active visitors, Facebook is arguably the most popular social networking site out there. And while the site is known for its casual social aspect, many users also use it as a professional networking tool. With that kind of reach, Facebook can be a valuable tool for connecting to former and current colleagues and clients, as well as potential employers. In fact, some surveys suggest that approximately 30 percent of employers are using Facebook to screen potential employees--even more than those who check LinkedIn, a strictly professional networking site. So don't commit these Facebook faux pas--they might cost you a great opportunity.

1. Inappropriate pictures
It may go without saying, but prospective employers or clients don't want to see pictures of you chugging a bottle of wine or dressed up for a night at the bar. Beyond the pictures you wouldn't want your grandparents to see, seemingly innocent pictures of your personal life will likely not help to support the persona you want to present in your professional life.

2. Complaining about your current job
You've no doubt done this at least once. It could be a full note about how much you hate your office or how incompetent your boss is, or it could be as innocent as a status update about how your coworker always shows up late. While everyone complains about work sometimes, doing so in a public forum where it can be found by others is not the best career move. Though it may seem innocent, it's not the kind of impression that sits well with a potential boss.

3. Posting information that conflicts with your resume
If you say on your resume that your degree is from Harvard, but your Facebook profile says you went to UCLA, you're likely to be immediately cut from the interview list. Even if the conflict doesn't leave you looking better on your resume, disparities will make you look at worst like a liar, and at best careless.

4. Statuses you wouldn't want your boss to see
Everyone should know to avoid statuses like "Tom plans to call in sick tomorrow so he can get drunk on a Wednesday. Who cares that my big work project isn't done?" But you should also be aware of less flamboyant statuses like "Sarah is watching the gold-medal hockey game online at her desk." Statuses that imply you are unreliable or deceitful, as well as basically anything that doesn't make you look as professional as you'd like, can seriously undermine your chances at landing that new job.

5. Not understanding your security settings
The security settings on Facebook have come a long way since the site started. It is now possible to customize lists of friends and decide what each list can and cannot see. However, many people do not fully understand these settings, or don't bother to check who has access to what. If you are going to use Facebook professionally, and even if you aren't, make sure you take the time to go through your privacy options. At the very least, your profile should be set so that people who are not your friend cannot see any of your pictures or information. (These rules apply to Twitter as well, and you can also use Twitter to find a new job. Find out more in "Tweet Your Way to a Sweet Job.")

6. Losing by association
You can't control what your friends post to your profile (although you can remove it once you see it), nor what they post to their own profiles or to those of mutual friends. If a potential client or employer sees those Friday-night pictures your friend has tagged you in where he is falling-down drunk, it reflects poorly on you, even if the picture of you is completely innocent. It's unfortunate, but we do judge others by the company they keep, at least to some extent. Take a look at everything connected to your profile, and keep an eye out for anything you wouldn't want to show your mother

5 Ways Volunteering Can Help You Get a Job

by Amy Neumann

There are a lot of obvious benefits to volunteering for your favorite charity -- a sense of accomplishment, giving back to others, gaining perspective, and meeting new people. You can also find business benefits, and ways your efforts can help land you your dream job.

Develop New Skills

Volunteering can be a positive way to get training in areas your current or past jobs didn't provide. If you need some additional experience for a particular job or promotion, there are many options. For example:

• Project management -- organizing events or fundraising efforts
  
• Sales skills -- contacting people for donations or recruiting volunteers
  
• Managing a team -- many projects require a group effort, and a leader to coordinate it
  

VolunteerMatch.org offers free webinars on "How to be a great volunteer" to get you started.

Meet New Networking Contacts

You never know who you'll meet doing charity work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 42.8% of all volunteers in 2009 had a bachelor's degree or higher, while the U.S. Census 2007 put the national average of degree holders at 25.6%. So your chances of meeting professionals in the volunteer pool are good. If you choose a volunteer role related to your target job, you might run into people with similar interests or that have jobs similar to the one you want.

Impress Employers With Your Ambition

Many companies have a strong social responsibility core, and showing your charitable side displays a good cultural fit.

Tony Blake, staffing director at DaVita, a Fortune 500 kidney dialysis provider, notes that candidates who volunteer stand out in a positive way. "As our CEO Kent Thiry says, 'We're a community first and a corporation second.' We value the passion and involvement with community. It adds depth to a candidate's resume and experience, and it gets noticed."

Fill in Employment Gaps, Add Experience

Volunteer experience is also professional experience. List the organization and dates, and instead of using the title "volunteer," use your responsibilities as a title -- "project coordinator" or "instructor." Mention your accomplishments, results, or awards like any other job, without being misleading.

Using your time to gain new skills and help your community -- either while looking for employment or while working -- highlights your willingness to jump in, learn new things, and do more.

Get That Extra Spring in Your Step

Giving back can be an energizing boost to your self-worth and confidence. Volunteers are the backbone of any nonprofit. By helping others, you'll get that fulfilling "I made the world a little better" feeling in return.

"Without our 14,000 volunteers putting in 45,000 hours of service each year, we could only serve a tiny fraction of the 1.2 million meals we serve a year," says Andy Bales, CEO of Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles. "There are opportunities to mentor, tutor, plan events and activities, work in the back office, and multiple other options. Volunteers really do impact peoples' lives."

 

Newsletter 5

Survey Results are In!

 

Thanks to the 39 of you who participated in completing the survey. We have tallied the results and you will begin seeing things in the newsletter and in the Resource Room that will address your answers.

 

Many of you expressed a need for help with your Talent Bank Resume. Please remember that you MUST have that Talent Bank Resume in place before you can draw unemployment.

 

There are blank Talent Bank Resume templates in the Resource Room. Take one and fill it out. If you need help putting it on the computer, MI Works! staff are available on Tuesdays to help. Or see Kryste the Peer-to-Peer person near Renee's office; she can help too.

 

Take advantage of these opportunities now while you are in your comfort zone. The people are here to help you.

 

Aptitude Testing!

 

The survey results showed us that many of you were interested in aptitude testing. An aptitude test will match your skills, talents, and abilities to careers. You then can learn more about these careers and decide if they might be the next one for you.

 

All of the following websites are free. There are many others available, but these three are terrific places to start.

 

LiveCareer.com is a website that offers free easy-to-use career aptitude and assessment tests to help participants find their dream job. The 100-question career aptitude test asks participants to rank their favorite and least favorite activities and their specific skills.

 

CareerPath.com, a subsidiary of CareerBuilder.com, is a career resource center that offers both career aptitude tests and career assessments. The Job Discovery Wizard gives participants possible career choices based on skill set and interests.

 

 

Pathways to Career Success offered by America's Career One Stop is found at http://www.careerinfonet.org/acinet/skills/default.aspx?nodeid=20. Use the Skills Profiler to create a list of your skills and match them to job types that need those skills.

 

 

 

More on Career One Stop

 

This is a grand website. Career OneStop is your pathway to career success. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. It is filled with information about Worker Re-employment. It contains information on Exploring Careers :  Salary + Benefits :  Education + Training :  Job Search :  Resumes + Interviews :  People + Places to Help.

 

There are computers in the Resource Room; Design Ware has made time available on shift to use them, and there is help there on Tuesdays.

 

The more prepared you are before you leave Design Ware, the better you will be at making the transition from employment to your next career move.

Newsletter 4

You Spoke; We Heard; We Asked; You Received!!

 

Last week we published a newsletter that stated the end was drawing near for Design Ware to pay for the Work Train/Work Keys assessment and certification. Many of you had barely started (and some, sadly enough, had not even yet begun), so you became alarmed that you were going to miss out on this very important opportunity. You said that you needed more time. We heard you. We asked and Design Ware has offered to extend the opportunity one more month. So you now have until May 30, 2010 to do your Work Train and Work Keys Assessment, and get your certifications paid for by Design Ware.

Design Ware has even offered company time for you to work on your Work Train in the Resource Room. Computers are available; the company paid time is available; please don't miss this opportunity!
There is a list of times/dates available for testing on the reverse side of this newsletter.

Please, please, please take advantage of this opportunity. Work Keys certification will be needed as you start transitioning to your new career.

 

 

 

 

Surveys

We have extended the survey one more week. We have received surveys from almost 1/3 of the present Design Ware population. We will use the survey results to help prioritize the issues with which you have concerns. Please fill out a survey (they are confidential) and return to HR (or Sid). We will tally the results and start addressing your concerns. Help us help you.

 

 

 

Talent Bank Resume

 

We are concerned. Many of you have not started working on your resume yet. And, the Talent Bank resume is REQUIRED before you can draw unemployment. So, here's the deal. There is a Talent Bank Resume template in the Resource Room. Make a copy. Complete it. Put it on the MI Talent Bank website. If you need help with the computer, if you need help with the website, or even if you are stuck with the resume, please see the MI Works! person in the Resource Room. She can help you. Design Ware has given you company time in which to do this…please use it. Current State of Michigan budgeting only allows for this MI Works! service until the end of June. Please get your Talent Bank Resume on the website.

 

 

Local Businesses are HIRING!

 

Are you ready? Please remember that the Union and Design Ware agreed that if you are a union member and you give your 2 weeks notice before you quit, you still receive your severance package!!

It is easier to 'get a job while you have a job'. Please know that there aren't hundreds of jobs at one company, there may only be one or two, but the economy is beginning to turn a little. You want to be ready to apply for any job that interests you, so get that resume together.

 

 

 

Don't miss out!

Newsletter 3

Time Marches On!    

 

It'S FREE and It's Almost Gone!

 

Can you believe that it has almost been 30 days since The WorkKeys Assessment was offered to all Design Ware employees?

Remember…you had 30 days from March 31 to do the KeyTrain Assessment and take the Work Keys Assessment Tests?

 

Remember … you had 30 days from March 31 to do get the Work Keys Certification?

 

Remember… it was all paid in full…free to you…all you had to do is take the pre-assessment and the Work Keys tests.

 

Remember… most employers in the Kalamazoo area now require Work Keys Certification before you will be hired somewhere else?

 

Remember…it is a requirement before any training will be paid for by the State of Michigan or the Federal Government?

 

Remember…you were given an access code so you could do the assessment from any computer with Internet access (even from the comfort of your own home)?

 

Well…The deadline to take the assessment, the tests, and receive your certification for FREE is April 30.

 

Don't delay…do it now!

Need your Access Code?

See the MI Works! person in the Resource Room or Renee

 

WHAT IS IT AGAIN?

The WorkKeys® Assessment System is a comprehensive system for measuring, communicating and improving the common skills required for success in the workplace.

 

The job analysis component of WorkKeys helps to set benchmarks that correspond with WorkKeys scores, giving you a target score to hit in order to qualify for a job.

 

• Employers use job analysis to determine which skills are required for a job, and the level of each skill needed to perform the job successfully. This helps employees determine the standards for how an applicant must score in a particular WorkKeys skill assessment in order to be qualified for the job.
  
• The job analysis element validates the use of WorkKeys foundational skills assessments for hiring, complying with legal standards set by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
  
• When taking a WorkKeys test, the skill level at which you score corresponds to how prepared you are for the job, or how much remedial training you need.
  

Newsletter 2

Have you worked your whole life and now discover that since you don't have a piece of paper (a certification) that you can't really 'prove' you can do the job? Employers are looking for people who have certification and experience, but without the certification, you can't even get the interview.

WorkKeys might be the answer!

Q: What is the WorkKeys Assessment System?

A: The WorkKeys® Assessment System is a comprehensive system for measuring, communicating and improving the common skills required for success in the workplace.

Q. Where is it accepted?

A.
The WorkKeys System is Nationwide. The WorkKeys Assessment System is rapidly becoming the nationwide standard for measuring and communicating basic workplace skills. The WorkKeys System was developed by ACT, Inc., the creators of the college entrance exam.

 

Q How does it work?

A: The WorkKeys System is a Flexible System of Components. It consists of 3 elements:

• Job skill assessments, which are designed to measure foundational and personal skills as they apply to the workplace
  
• Job analysis, which pinpoints or estimates skill benchmarks for specific job positions that individuals must meet through testing
  
• Skill training, which helps individuals boost their scores
  
• 
  

Q: What is the Job Skills Assessments?

A: The job analysis component of WorkKeys helps to set benchmarks that correspond with WorkKeys scores, giving you a target score to hit in order to qualify for a job.

 

• Employers use job analysis to determine which skills are required for a job, and the level of each skill needed to perform the job successfully. This helps employees determine the standards for how an applicant must score in a particular WorkKeys skill assessment in order to be qualified for the job.
  
• The job analysis element validates the use of WorkKeys foundational skills assessments for hiring, complying with legal standards set by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
  
• When taking a WorkKeys test, the skill level at which you score corresponds to how prepared you are for the job, or how much remedial training you need.
  

Q. What is the Skills Assessments?

 

A:
WorkKeys consists of twelve workplace skill assessments:

• Applied Mathematics – applying mathematical reasoning to work-related problems
  
• Applied Technology – understanding technical principles as they apply to the workplace
  
• Business Writing – composing clear, well-developed messages relating to on-the-job situations
  
• Listening – being able to listen to and understand work-related messages
  
• Locating Information – using information from such materials as diagrams, floor plans, tables, forms, graphs, and charts
  
• Observation – paying attention to details in workplace instructions and demonstrations
  
• Reading for Information – comprehending work-related reading materials, from memos and bulletins to policy manuals and governmental regulations
  
• Teamwork – choosing behavior that furthers workplace relationships and accomplishes work tasks
  
• Writing – creating effective written work-related messages and summaries
  
• Performance – a person's tendency toward unsafe work behaviors and attitudes toward work
  
• Talent – a person's dependability, assertiveness, and emotional stability
  
• Fit – how a person's interests and values correspond to a chosen career
  

 

Q: What is Skills Training?

 

A: The WorkKeys system also includes computer-based and classroom-based training for individuals that corresponds with WorkKeys exams. There are curricula available for every skill level of each WorkKeys foundational skill exam.

Q: What is the National Career Readiness System

A:
WorkKeys exams are the foundation of the National Career Readiness System – a job skills credentialing system.

People can earn a National Career Readiness Certificates by taking three WorkKeys exams: Applied Mathematics, Locating Information, and Reading for Information exams. They are awarded certificates of Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels, depending on their test scores.

The higher the skill levels, the more jobs for which the applicant qualifies.

Q: Can I start before I leave here?

A: Absolutely! That is a grand idea!

Q: So, what do I do?

A: Go to Michigan Works! Employment Service Center at 1601 S. Burdick St in Kalamazoo and ask to register for the KeyTrain. This is FREE. It is the assessment test that will show you what (if anything) you need to successfully complete the WorkKeys and get your certification.

Want more information on how WorkKeys works? Go to the website: http://www.act.org/workkeys