QUESTION:

I get so depressed when I cannot immediately find the work I want to do. It isn't clear what I'm doing wrong and many times it seems as though the thing that's holding me back is that I'm a minority. I have a Master's in my field of endeavor and a lot of solid experience. What else should I do to get myself positioned for the right offer?

ANSWER:

Actually, it sounds as though you're well on your way to reaching your goal. You have several of your credentials and are about to complete the most distinguishing one. In addition to all of that, your field has been rapidly expanding over the past six or seven years.

Consider checking Council for Higher Education Accreditation. This is one of two organizations that evaluates online universities and determines whether they are entitled to be accredited for their programs. Their listing of universities should be helpful for determining where you want to conduct your search. You may also want to read their publication "Accreditation and Assuring Quality in Distance Learning". There is a second accrediting organization. However, at the moment, I cannot remember the initials or name of it. Another site that will have distance learning accreditation information is eLearners.com.

Spending about 20 minutes a day in going over the lists these sites present will provide you with a cluster of situations that fit within your personal parameters. The next step is to investigate the qualities these institutions are seeking. Some require exactly the credentials that you possess and are seeking people to fill exactly the position you desire. In fact, they have several.

There is another step to fulfilling your desires. Chances are it is obvious but you've been engrossed in satisfying your current requirements and have not yet seen the door of opportunity. Speaking up about your desire is a great move. Making your goal known to the right parties is what you need to be doing. And talking up your skills and experience is yet another.

It sounds as though you have yourself in the right position and are about to capture your desire. A strategic word to the right people where you presently work may also prove to be an opportune move on your part.

Posted by Yvonne LaRose, CollegeRecruiter.com - Career Coach on November 14, 2006 at 8:50 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Even if you're just learning to walk, next steps aren't that hard. The execution part may be, but the actual decision-making process? Not so much.

This morning, I sat on a course selection panel helping first-year students at my business school think about what classes to take next year. We gushed about professors we love and classes that were valuable until one student asked "well, when should I tke these classes?"

Which brought up an interesting sentiment. We may know what's good for us professionally--a job that would be good experience, a class that will help us progress in our jobs--but knowing and doing are two very different things. In consulting, there are about a million cliched terms (can anyone say synergy?) But some of them are actually broadly applicable, as hard as that might be to believe. And gap analysis is one of them.

Before you think I'm about to go all-out academic on you, stop for a minute and take stock of exactly where you are in your career, job, education, etc. Let's say you have some idea of where to go next, and you're aware of the gaping hole you have to fill to get there. But do you know when and how? That's gap analysis.

Which brings me back to the questioning student and to your career (that's right, you behind the computer screen reading). How are you going to get where you're going? Plane? Train? Automobile? For the curious student, it's a question of planning. She's about to search for a summer internship, so of a collection of classes that will all be beneficial to her learning, what would be most valuable to her in preparation for the internship? What would give her the most ammunition in an interview or prepare her most effectively to succeed?

For the job-weary among us, it's the same thing. There may be hundreds of jobs that will fill the gaping hole, but will they get you where you want to go? It's easy to revel in the short term, but you have to ask yourself if the short-term is actually on the route you want to travel. Is it hard? Yep. There's no career Mapquest, but you can find the best route if you stop and take the time.

- Susan Strayer is an HR and business professional, and former recruiter and hiring manager who has worked with hundreds of Fortune 500 companies. She is the author of The Right Job, Right Now due out in December 2006 from St. Martin's Press.

Posted by Susan Strayer on November 14, 2006 at 4:11 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

1. Choose Your Format Correctly - There are two main resume formats - chronological and functional. If you are seeking a job in a field in which you already have work experience, you will probably want to choose a chronological format where you will be able to showcase your job history. If, however, you want to transition into a different field, you definitely need to use a functional format. This will allow you to focus on your strengths and transferable skills and not box yourself into a certain field.

2. Be Specific - Too often, I see resumes with experience stated this way, "Sold used vehicles" or "Negotiated claim settlements." Use real numbers to improve your resume. "Sold 20 used vehicles in first 3 months of employment" or "Increased overall customer satisfaction by 25% in claim settlement negotiations."

3. Be Accurate - Don't stretch the truth just to impress. Make sure you use completely accurate numbers in your claims. You cannot build a solid career on a shaky foundation.

4. Be Precise - Always proofread your resume. Spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors will disqualify you quicker than anything. A well crafted resume is an essential tool in the job search process. Find someone else to proof it for you as well. Often, other people will catch something you overlooked.

5. Be Brief - Be careful to write a resume that is not "wordy" or "superfluous." It is very obvious to anyone reading one of these resumes that there is not much substance to them. Make each word count.

Ultimately, even a well crafted resume rarely gets you hired by itself. Click here for more info on the 3 Step Job Search Process that always gets results.

-- Jonathan R Taylor is the author of The Coach's Career Tips and Resources. He helps his clients Love Their Work! You can subscribe at www.careercalling.com/ssubscribe.htm.

Posted by Steven Rothberg, CollegeRecruiter.com on November 14, 2006 at 8:06 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

QUESTION:
My career coach has started giving me exercises to do in relation to my job search and identifying my personal skills and interests. Some of the exercises require me to talk about things I haven't done yet. I think it would be best for me to ask to be excused from doing the exercises where I have no experience.

ANSWER:

Career coaches embark on their careers with a great amount of experience and exposure to a large number of situations. These factors provide them with the knowledge and insight to have a good grasp of what is needed in order to develop a good job search that leads to an optimal career option.

You say you want to avoid doing certain exercises because you have no experience with the focus of the task. Let me start answering this question by posing some counterpoints to you.

• Have you considered that the tasks are preparing you for various situations that will come up in the future?
  
• Do you plan to never have the experience that is being challenged?
  
• Why not go ahead and do the exercises so that when the situation arises in real life, you'll be prepared in the moment to deal with the situation and from the best position possible. You'll have already been exposed to good responses, superior responses, and responses that could use some work.
  
• Have you considered that there are many more dynamics being developed through these exercises and that they're coming to you on a step-by-step basis so you won't be overwhelmed?
  
• More importantly, if an employer asked you to do something but you'd not yet done that task and the employer was willing to train you to do it, would you ask to be left out of doing the task because you had no experience? That task might be one of the steps to gaining new knowledge and a better position.
  

Posted by Yvonne LaRose, CollegeRecruiter.com - Career Coach on November 11, 2006 at 5:58 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

QUESTION:
I've been assigned a mentor and coach for my internship as well as my real job search. While this person is very talented and knowledgeable because of their vast amount of experience, I simply do not like them. As a consequence, I do spiteful things like pretending to have been working on a work assignment in order to have an excuse for not following the coach's advice. In the alternative, I simply ignore what they've told me. The other thing I do is talk to them about coaching I've received from other people and how well the other advice proved to be.

Should I just tell them that I have no respect for them and that it's best that we part ways?

ANSWER:

Your message goes into a lot more detail and explanation. I've summarized the essentials of what you shared for the sake of space and to make the content as cogent as possible.

It sounds as though you've not allowed yourself to become part of the process that's been implemented to help you get to your goal. In fact from the things you outlined, you're fighting and destroying.

Mentors and coaches have a dual purpose in working with their students. To be sure, there is personal gratification in helping someone see things in a new light and do well because of the coaching. It's proof that the coach has done their job. But a good coach has a certain amount of investment in their student. They care about the trials, turmoils, victories, and setbacks. Many of the things you admit to doing to your coach are, quite candidly, very vicious and unnecessary. The one who is being harmed most from these tactics is you because you are not gaining the full benefit of the coaching that is being offered. An astute coach/mentor probably became aware of what was happening long ago but continued to provide support and advice in the hope that some of it would be received and lead to some successes.

From the perspective that you've not really allowed yourself and your coach a fair opportunity to develop a meaningful and fulfilling relationship, I would say you need to change your attitude and stick with this relationship for a while longer.

Given that you've not done any of the things that your coach has counseled and that you admit to having been extremely and openly rude, it would be good to cut your losses. This person's time has value and you're wasting both their time as well as yours. If you believe you can stop seeing the anecdotes as self laudatory and more as examples from which you can grow, and if you believe you can become the professional you say you aspire to become, perhaps a fresh start with another coach would be a good idea. But you should not repeat history by treating the new coach with the same distain should they tell you something that doesn't set well with you.

No matter which way you go in this situation, I would also say you definitely owe this person an apology.

Posted by Yvonne LaRose, CollegeRecruiter.com - Career Coach on November 11, 2006 at 5:50 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

No, it's not time to throw your resume in the trash and start a "new age job search". But one thing that any job seeker must understand is that the showcase of talents does not begin and end with the resume. There are many "secret" abstract, often called "soft", skills that employers keep an eye out for.

This article discusses the five key "secret skills" that interviewers examine and how to demonstrate them in an interview situation.

These five skills are:

1. Organizational
2. Critical Thinking
3. Communication
4. Interpersonal
5. Multi-Tasking

1. ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS

Unless you are applying for a job as a mad scientist, organization is an essential skill for any job. Employers can get sense of how an individual will handle large workloads by how organized that person is during the interview. Moreover, a person that makes a sincere effort to stay organized is an employee that will take a job seriously and make a sincere effort to get things done.

The best way to display these skills:

Dress professionally and neatly for an interview.

Keep supplies or materials on hand if you think they might be pertinent to the interview. This can go beyond pen, paper, resumes, and business cards depending on the position you apply for.

Organize your thoughts before the interview. Preparation for typical interview questions will reflect a sense of general readiness.

2. CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

Nobody wants a mindless drone for an employee. If they did, they would buy a robot. Employers want people that can think on their feet and respond. They are looking for people that won't come crying with every little setback. They are looking for problem solvers. Having critical thinking skills means that you can come through in the clutch.

The best way to display these skills:

Prior to the interview, prepare of a list of anecdotes or previous jobs that required critical thinking to solve a problem. When applicable, bring these examples up in the interview.

Talk your way through the answers. Let the interviewer understand your train of thought when responding to questions. This can also buy you a little extra time if you are unsure of how to answer.

3. COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking, is the number one fear in America, but making an impact requires these skills. Unless you can communicate ideas to others effectively, you may not come across as very confident. This is precisely why so many employers ask for individuals with good communication skills, often including public speaking.

The best way to display these skills:

Practice speaking, or answering interview questions in a mirror. This will get you used to speaking aloud and let you see the things you may be doing wrong.

Practice interviews with another person, so you can learn to keep cool when reacting to another person's comments.

Stay calm and ALWAYS MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT. It's hard to disagree with a confident person. Once you SEEM confident, you hold all the cards.

4. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Along with being able to communicate your own ideas well, you have to be receptive to other ideas and work constructively with them. Companies need versatile team players: people that will work hard on their own and increase the depth and effectiveness of a group effort.

The best way to display these skills:

As in the case of critical thinking, it is a good idea to prepare a list of examples in which you were part of a successful team effort. These items may not be on your resume, but could come up in an interview.

When possible, reflect back on cases where you coordinated a team effort. It is one thing to work well in a group, but it is even better when you show that you can also lead and take charge of a group.

Don't be afraid to mention troubles within a team that you had to overcome. A group of people will not agree on everything 100% of the time. Being able to work through problems and succeed is paramount.

5. MULTI-TASKING SKILLS

Businesses are always happy to drive down costs, and the best way to do this is by hiring fewer individuals who can multi-task. It is often the case that one efficient employee can do the work of two typical employees. Employees are paid for the hours they work, and employers want to get the most out of what they pay. An employee that can complete multiple tasks at once is the solution.

The best way to display these skills:
When discussing previous positions held, include situations where you worked on multiple tasks at the same time.

Prepare a list of projects that required you to separate tasks into clusters that could be addressed simultaneously. Be ready to explain the thinking behind your separation system.
Show a willingness to take on many responsibilities. Any worker can pick up one or two, but if you can pick up more without getting spread to thin, you become a valuable asset.

CONCLUSION

The resume will always be around and serve as your primary means of communicating skills with a prospective employer. But remember that you are more than just a list of skills on a piece of paper. The interview lets the employer see whats not easily determined from a resume and also your chance to shine. Mastering the art of showcasing your "secret skills" will let an interviewer know you are person they need to hire.

Sincerely,
Nathan Newberger,
Managing Editor
http://www.WorkTree.com
"Helping You Find More Jobs Faster"

-- Nathan Newberger is the job and career expert at http://www.WorkTree.com Nathan has over 10 years experience in staffing and human resources. He has worked both as a recruiter and career counselor. Mr. Newberger has been the Managing Editor at http://www.WorkTree.com for the past 5 years and his articles have helped thousands of job seekers.

Posted by Steven Rothberg, CollegeRecruiter.com on November 10, 2006 at 8:04 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Depending on your political affiiliation, you're either thrilled, disappointed or ambivalent about the outcome of Tuesday's election. But you voted, did your civic duty, so now it's back to work, school or the job search, right? Not so much.

Anytime you are in the midst of a job search, you're selling yourself in every communciation you make. Whether it's a cover letter, resume, networking conversation or interview, every chance you have to communicate is a chance to sell.

What does that have to do with red states and blue states? Well, election news is just that, news.

When a company evaluates candidates, hiring managers aren't just looking for skills and experience, they're looking for broad understanding. Do you pay attention to trends in your industry? Are you aware of the latest and greatest in your field? Do you know how news affects the business?

For example, let's say you interviewed the day after the election. If you're politically agnostic, you may have quickly glanced at the television and can mention who won or lost in your state. But in the business world, the election had huge implications.The stock market reacted immediately to the election results and a smart job searcher would know this and be able to reference it in an interview.

Not interested in finance? Election news is still important to you. Let's say you're interviewing to work at a retail company. Knowing that a Democratically controlled Congress is more likely to raise minimum wage can earn you big points in an interview. It shows that you stay on top of business news and understand the challenges the company will face in the coming years.

Still not convinced? Think AARP (American Association of Retired Persons). Almost every company has an interest in the baby boomer generation. According to a study done by insurance giant MetLife, baby boomers will make up at least 20% of the population by the year 2030. And since AARP is one of the most powerful lobbying bodies in the United States, it's a safe bet that the company you work for will care.

How can you use this to your advantage? By reading the news and applying what you read to the business or company you're interested in working for, you can set yourself apart by leaps and bounds. A recruiter or networking connection will be aptly impressed by your level of knowledge and application. If you're selling a product you want your product to stand out on the shelves. If you're selling yourself to a recruiter or hiring manager the same principle works wonders.

- Susan Strayer is an HR and business professional, and former recruiter and hiring manager who has worked with hundreds of Fortune 500 companies. She is the author of The Right Job, Right Now due out in December 2006 from St. Martin's Press.

Posted by Susan Strayer on November 9, 2006 at 10:10 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Finding a legit telecommute job can be difficult. Telecommute jobs are in high demand and hundreds if not thousands of other people are competing for the same position.

So how do you stand apart from everyone else? Your résumé.

Your telecommute résumé the first and often the only document a potential employer has to make a hiring decision with. Here are some tips specifically for your telecommute résumé to keep it on the employer’s desk and out of “file number 13”.

I have consulted with telecommute résumé expert Jennifer Anthony of RésuméASAP to get a list of the top five telecommute résumé mistakes. Here they are!

1. Wild designs or frilly fonts.

If you want to be taken seriously for consideration, avoid using cursive fonts or cutesy clip art. Leave this to personal use; it does not belong on business correspondence. Also, check your e-mail signatures. You don’t want to send your résumé out and then sign your name “Mommy to Sean and Sissy” with little angel graphics around their names.

2. Résumé templates.

“I know for a fact that recruiters hate templates and would rather rip their hair out than read templates”, Jennifer Anthony

Recruiters and hiring managers spend their day (often overtime) sorting through hundreds of résumés. Templates are hard to read, and the design elements often don’t show up correctly on a monitor other than that your own. Hiring managers need to be able to scan your document quickly to see if you are qualified before moving on. If they can’t find out in 6-8 seconds, your résumé is trash. It is better to start with a blank document and look at other résumé examples for inspiration.

3. The selfish objective statement.

If you are using the same old objective statement as everyone else, your résumé may be thrown in the trash because you did not put forth the effort to create a personalized résumé.

Here is an example objective you should avoid:

“A telecommute position allowing me to utilize my knowledge and expertise working from home.”

Why? This statement opens up many questions. What kind of telecommute position? What is your knowledge and expertise? Also take note that using the words “me” and “my” sound very selfish. Instead of telling them what you want, you should be showing them what you have to offer them.

Here is an example of what you can use as your headline:

“Talented and experienced virtual assistant, skilled in all aspects of office management within nonprofit environments.”

(More headline examples can be found at RésuméASAP).

This is targeted and to the point. The reader knows this person is an experienced virtual assistant who is especially skilled in a nonprofit role. No wasted time.

4. Irrelevant Experience.

Don’t list irrelevant work experience just to fill in space. If you are applying for a transcription position, your customer service experience at the local fast food restaurant does not apply. What matters is how much transcribing experience you have, how fast you type, how good your spelling and grammar skills are, and how accurate your work is. Any work experience that deals with these skills can be listed.

5. Personal Information.

Leave off information like how many children you have, how long you have been married, or that you happen to love scuba diving

Let’s look at children and spouses for instance. Some people may see this as stability, but many others look at it as a liability. They may have questions about how you will work out for them with the responsibilities. How often will this person miss work because his/her kids are sick? Is his/her spouse supportive of the telecommuting role? Can he/she work efficiently if the children are home? Employers are not allowed to ask, so why put this on your résumé. Personal information should be left off.

If you write that you love scuba diving, you may think this makes you look like a well-rounded person. However, it could give someone the idea that you love scuba diving more than work. It is best to just leave this kind of info off.

-- Nell Taliercio is the owner of a leading work at home mom resource website packed full of unique information for the telecommuter, business owner and virtual assistant. Visit http://www.mommysplace.net today!
For more resume resources please visit http://www.mommysplace.net/resumecenter.html

Posted by Steven Rothberg, CollegeRecruiter.com on November 8, 2006 at 8:02 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

When you walk into a job interview, the product you are selling is YOU. The interview process begins when you accept the interview, and ends when the employer decides to either hire you or look for someone more suitable. The more you are able to communicate professionalism with personality, distinction and skill, the better your chance of getting the job.

Before the Interview: Use the 3 P's - Plan, Prepare, and Practice.

1. Prepare for the interview; research the company and prepare questions based on your research.

2. Do mock interviews in order to prepare for all questions, especially uncomfortable ones.

3. Dress professionally even if the company dress code is business casual.

4. Arrive early! (12 - 15 minutes before the interview)

5. Give your interviewer a firm handshake. A powerful handshake and a genuine smile will get you off to a good start.

6. Beware of your Body Language; sit erect, stand and walk with confidence, lean forward toward the interviewer.

7. Build rapport - use powerful, effective communication techniques.

8. Be a good listener. Answer only what's asked, in a brief but effective manner.

9. Show enthusiasm and sincere interest. Don't act desperate.

10. Take notes. You may need to refer to them later in the interview.

11. Communicate your skills, qualifications, credentials and the benefits you offer.

12. Demonstrate your accomplishments; how you improve sales, reduce cost, improve productivity, solve organizational problems, etc.

13. Make eye contact. It demonstrates confidence, trust, and power.

14. If you want the position, ask for it - directly.

15. After the interview: Send a follow-up thank you letter. The letter should state what interests you about the position, why you are suitable for the job, and your appreciation for the interviewer's time.

-- Cecile Peterkin is the President and Founder of Cosmic Coaching Centre, and publishes “Recipes for Success”, a Free monthly ezine on living your best life both personally and professionally. Cecile is a certified Career Coach and Retirement Coach and Speaker. She helps Middle Managers overcome the “Middle Syndrome” of being stuck in a middle position in mid-life. Copyright 2004.

Posted by Steven Rothberg, CollegeRecruiter.com on November 6, 2006 at 8:00 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

"Doing a good job is one of the most important ways to move up the ladder", says Dr. Don Bagin, Professor of Communications at Glassbro State College. If you are one of the many people who do a good job consistently but are not noticed by top management, here are some suggestions to help you get on the fast track:

Smiling: Research has shown that people who smile are perceived to be more intelligent than those who don't.

Prioritizing: Avoid spending a great deal of time on things that aren't important just because you are good at them. The person who gets ahead is the person who establishes priorities and sets aside time for them accordingly.

Walking: Choose to walk rather than drive as often as possible. And when you do, walk at least ten to fifteen percent faster than you normally would. Somehow this faster pace communicates to others that you are a person with a mission who is eager to get the job done.

Speaking actively: Use the active voice when speaking or writing. Listen to the difference: "I prepared and delivered the reports promptly." Compare it to "The report was promptly prepared and delivered." Although the second one told you something, many more questions were left unanswered.

Knowing your boss: Get to understand your boss' personality and when to approach him or her. If your boss is a morning person, be sure that you come up with your suggestions and proposals in the morning while he is most receptive.

Volunteering: While being careful not to overdo it, volunteer for special projects and responsibilities outside of your working hours and job description.

Expressing gratitude: Develop the habit of sending brief notes of thanks to anyone who has made your day easier.

Positively speaking: Look for positive things to say about people, especially your co-workers.

Being approachable: Make yourself approachable. Let people know when and how to reach you.

Following-up: After a task-assigning meeting, follow-up immediately on those assignments that were given to you.

Spotting trends: Learn to spot trends that affect your company or agency. Be the first person to alert those in a position to capitalize on them.

Presenting effectively: Be certain that you speak clearly and precisely when making presentations. Speak with confidence and admit honestly when you don't know, but promise to return with an answer promptly.

Reading the trades: Determine which publications top management is reading, then get a copy of them so that you, too, can become knowledgeable of relevant matters.

Making contact: Establish a contact person in all your referral sources. Make it a point to meet with that person so that you can get to know each other. It will help make your future contacts easier for both of you.

Remembering your manners: Never forget to be polite or to follow the proper protocol. It lets people know that you mean business, that you take your business relationships seriously.

Put these fifteen ideas into practice, and I guarantee you that you will see yourself progressing faster and farther than you thought possible.

Remember: When you maximize your potential, everyone wins. When you don't, we all lose.

-- © MMIV, Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW, Management Consultant. Etienne Gibbs maintains several online businesses. Take a free health survey at http://eagibbs.usana.com; get travel updates at
www.executiveandgrouptravel.blopspot.com; or email him at eagibbs@ureach.com.

Posted by Steven Rothberg, CollegeRecruiter.com on November 2, 2006 at 7:55 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

My friend John (not his real name) came to me with a work-related problem that could cost him his job. He worked in a multi-national company, and his job was to carry out quantitative analysis of equities.

His problem: He was prone to committing mistakes in his work. So much so that his boss had already given him an ultimatum to either improve or leave the job in next few months.

As we discussed about his background, he casually mentioned that he had once taken a personality test and he remembered he was INTJ. The moment he uttered those four letters, I realized how the hidden hand of his personality was causing John all the trouble at the work.

Personality is one of those vague things that we all realize we have but find it difficult to understand, especially its implications on our career.

Let's look at what personality means, how you can find yours, what is the relationship between personality and occupation, and finally, what can you do once you know your own personality.

Four dimensions of personality
Carl Jung, a Swiss psychologist, originally came up with a theory to describe personality. He called it Personality Type. Later, Personality Type was adopted, modified and applied in the real world by an American woman Katharine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers.

According to the Personality Type, there are four dimensions of a person's personality:

1. Extraversion-Introversion (E-I): This dimension determines where you like to focus your attention. From where do you get energy?

Some people have an outward orientation (E type). They show a spark or higher energy level when they meet others. They are good at connecting with people. Others, however, are inward looking (I type). These guys are happy to be left alone and often find it awkward to deal with strangers. They like to reflect and think deeply before taking action.

2. Sensing-Intuition (S-N): How do you prefer to get information?

There are people who are good at using their five senses to gather information (S type). They find it easy to handle facts and figures, and are generally practical. They show patience with routine details and are good at precise work.

Some people, however, get information through intuition or what we call sixth sense (N type). They can see interconnections in seemingly unrelated situations. They dislike routine details and are prone to making errors of fact. They like to imagine.

3. Thinking-Feeling (T-F): This dimension reveals how a person prefers to make decisions.

Some people like to think and logically arrive at decisions (T type). For them, reasoning is more important than feelings. They are generally seen as cold and calculative. These people may often hurt others' feelings. They don't mind firing and reprimanding people.

Some people, however, base decisions on their feelings (F type). They are perceived to be warm and friendly. They like to please others. They are perceived to be sympathetic.

4. Judging-Perceiving (J-P): This dimension measures how a person prefers to deal with the outer world.

Some people are systematic and like to plan, set goals and work in an organized manner (J type). They don't like pending work; they like to finish it before going for a breather.
Some people, however, are "messy" (P type). These people are spontaneous, flexible and take the life as it comes. They would often start a new project only to get bored with it after some time.

Each of the four dimensions has two preferences. We have a natural inclination to use one of the two preferences more than the other. Knowing your personality means knowing your preferences on each of the four dimensions.

Combinations of the above preferences result in 16 distinct personality types as below:

ISTJ, ISFJ, INFJ, INTJ

ISTP, ISFP, INFP, INTP

ESTP, ESFP, ENFP, ENTP

ESTJ, ESFJ, ENFJ, ENTJ

Where:
E: Extraversion / I: Introversion
S: Sensing / N: Intuition
T: Thinking / F: Feeling
J: Judging / P: Perceiving

Experts say that everyone conforms to one of the 16 personality types.

What's your personality type?
There are two ways to know your personality type:

a. Take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®) test, which is one of the most widely used tests for assessing personality type. There are several organizations offering MBTI® test for a fee. You can get more information on this test from CPP, Inc.'s Web site: http://www.cpp.com. This is the most accurate way of knowing your personality type.
b. Assess yourself through online tests (mostly clones of the MBTI®). Some of these tests are free. For example, you can get yourself tested (for free) at:

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp
http://www.ship.edu/%7Ecgboeree/jungiantypestest.html

In addition, there are plenty of commercial Web sites offering online personality tests.

Personality and occupation
Studies show a clear correlation between people's personalities and their occupations. For example, one study showed that people doing well in creative occupations like architects, writers, research scientists, etc. were mostly intuitive (I) type of people.

Findings from another study showed:
- Majority of the accounts were ST (sensing-thinking) type.
- Majority of customer service/relations professionals were SF (sensing-feeling) type.
- Majority of creative writers were NF (intuitive-feeling) type.
- Majority of research scientists were NT (intuitive-thinking).

Studies also show that when people enter into occupations that do not match with their personality, they struggle and eventually leave them.

So, what should you do?
For the sake of your own career, you can do the following:

a. Find out your personality type and study closely the characteristics of your type.
b. Embrace work/situations that match with your personality type.
c. Avoid, if possible, work/situations that do not match with your personality type.

The bottom line: The hidden hand of your personality is playing its game behind the scene. The question is whether you can make it play to your advantage and success.

Copyright © 2006 by Atul Mathur

Atul Mathur is the author of three ebooks: 5 Quick Steps to a New Job, The Best Career Move: Know Yourself and The Secret of Finding the Right Career Direction. He also writes Career Tips, a free monthly newsletter dedicated to career development.
Web site: http://atulmathur.com

Posted by Atul Mathur on November 2, 2006 at 10:37 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Going to an Interview is like Going to the Academy Awards...

Sure, these two events seem to have nothing in common, but I’m going to point out a few ways in which they are more similar than you would think!

Part 1: Your Entrance is Key
We hear the words “fashionably late” quite often; however celebrities walk the red carpet with plenty of time to spare before the awards show actually begins. The same should be true for you- arrive at your interview about 15 minutes before it is scheduled to start. If you’ve never been there before, either drive by the day before or leave extra early in case you get lost. It may be a good idea to leave extra early even if you know where you are going because, as we all know, you cannot control the traffic. If you arrive too early, relax in your car or review your notes and sample questions.

Eyes are on celebrities from the moment they step out of their car, and the same may be true for you. Take this opportunity to focus, calm your nerves, and reflect on key experiences you may want to mention during your interview, rather than talking on your cell phone or lighting up a cigarette. Smoking before or directly after an interview is not recommended for two reasons. 1. Some companies now have policies against smoking, and even if they don’t, the employer may make judgments about you. It’s not fair, but they may make assumptions about your lifestyle, or think that if hired, you’ll be wasting company time by going on smoke breaks throughout the day. 2. You may be in a small interview room, and the smell of smoke may be overwhelming, especially to nonsmokers.

Smile!!!
Celebrities on the red carpet look so much better when they smile, and so do you! The best way to convey a positive image is to smile. The employer wants to know that without a doubt, you are excited to be there and truly interested in the opportunity to showcase yourself and learn more about the company.
We judge those celebrities that are ‘too good’ to stop and talk to the media, and instead just walk on by. Try to greet everyone you see. You never know how much input on the hiring decision the receptionist may have, or you may be surprised to realize that you passed your potential future boss on the way in- were you on your cell phone telling your best friend about how you’re going to ace the interview (or about how you are nervous because you did not prepare; or did you look him or her in the eye, smile and say hello?

On the way out…
Some recruiters even admit that they will walk a candidate to their car just to take a peek and see if it reflects the person as they spoke of themselves… did you just spend 5 minutes describing how clean and organized you are when in reality you haven’t really cleaned your car, apartment, clothes… in months?! You are still being interviewed until the moment you get back on the road- so err on the safe side.

Next- Part 2: Dress to Impress...

Posted by Lindsey Pugh on November 1, 2006 at 9:13 AM | Leave a Comment (0)