Vet2work

How to Think Like a Headhunter or Recruiter

2012-02-11T09:12:00.000-08:00

Want to get an interview? Then begin to think like a Headhunter or Recruiter! Ask yourself specifically what is the position and exactly who are they looking for to fill it? What qualities do they appreciate in a candidate? Is company mission oriented "all hands on deck until the job is done" culture? Perform enough research to know where your skills, experiences, and values learned will be most readily identified as being "positive", and then give a brief career history highlighting those areas into your resume that bring on an "Aha!" from the reader. You will find that, more often than not, it will cause the recruiter to pick up the phone and call you in for an interview!

As a Headhunter or Recruiter, what keywords would you enter if you wanted to find the most qualified candidate for the job? Recruiters expect to find the right person by identifying the resume with the most keywords used in their initial job announcement/advertisement. Companies advertising online place relevant and desired "key words" into their resume screening program - Applicant Tracking System (ATF) software. ATF, also known as talent management systems (TMS) is used to garner, analyze, and coordinate resumes and applicant information. One important fact - these tracking systems screen out about one half of all resume submissions. Many unsuccessful online job seekers have long believed that their online resume submissions go into an obscure resume abyss. These futile job hunters may really be on to something! One reason, at least 40-50% of all online submissions by job hunters get screened as "not having the basic qualifications for the job" even though the submitter may truly have the qualifications. These candidates simply failed to place those qualifications into their resume via select keywords.

To make an impact, and prove you are qualified for a position, when applying for a position titled "operations manager" ensure that both of the title words - "operations" and "manager" are strategically placed in your resume (preferably in the top one third). Note: Another way to enter the chasm of resume doom is to confuse the screening/tracking software with the presentation of your information and dates in the "Job History" or "Experience" section. Always list the employer first and then list dates of employment (on the right side of the page).

Headhunters and Recruiters like "dynamic" "pop off of the page" verbiage! While your resume design should be presented in a simple, easy-to-read format to get the best results, each sentence within your "Skills/Value Added" and "Employment History" sections should start off with dynamic and anomalous action words. Such pop out lead-in's can include action words such as "Employed forward thinking leadership to motivate staff...", or "Led teams in operational and compliance initiatives, improving internal control, and financial results...".
Remember - It's not about you, it's all about the Headhunter or Recruiter and their company or the company they represent. Take a look at the company's website for clues to their values - can you align yourself with a company's culture (often defined by their mission statement)? Aligning yourself and your resume with the organization and its mission is extraordinarily important for success in any online resume submission.

C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer. Get more information @ http://www.vet2work.com or http://www.naturallysilver.com © Copyright. All rights reserved Worldwide.

HOW TO WRITE AN IMPRESSIVE RESUME

2012-01-31T15:21:00.000-08:00

When most people write a resume, they assume that the resume's reader knows more than they do. Remember, when sending out your resume, it must clearly speak to its reader about you and your abilities. When someone is reading your resume, you can't speak to explain any inconsistencies, clear up any confusion, or fill in things that are missing to its reader. That is why your resume must paint a picture of you and your abilities...

Understand Your Viewer(s)

A large amount of resumes are ineffective for the reason that their creators fail to concentrate on the employer’s wants and needs for the position. You can easily win an interview for the job if your resume demonstrates how you can add value to your target business.

If you can’t tell an employer why they should hire you, then why should they? You must know what employers are looking for. Employers hire new employees to solve a problem or take advantage of an opportunity, whether it's an entry-level position, or a senior leadership role. Employers don’t just create an available job just for fun.

This is why you should not begin to write your resume until you have identified the type of companies you are want to work for and researched them to understand their needs.

Define Your Value in Your Lead-In

You can define your value to the employer by writing a resume that seizes the reader's attention by clearly conveying your unique value in lively, interesting language.

Your value section is made up of those things that make you uniquely valuable to an employer. Just as marketers summarize the value of their product or service in order to differentiate that product in the marketplace, job seekers need to write a resume that clearly communicates what they can do to meet an employer’s needs.

Once you have identified your value, you can write a resume lead-in that encapsulates your value proposition. NOTHING will help you make an impact as much as this one change to your resume.

Create Impact

Employers reading your resume have just one question: "What's in it for me? They want to know that you have made an impact on other companies. That's why the bulk of your resume must be focused on IMPACT, not responsibilities.

Your resume must demonstrate what impact you had in your prior positions and so that the employer can begin to imagine the impact you will have their business.

Replacing old, tired, overused lists responsibilities with energetic accomplishment bullet points is a guaranteed way to increase your resume response rate.

Pack It With Action

Does your resume express that you have taken initiative, achieved results, and made changes? Do you feel it communicates your drive and enthusiasm?

If not, then you need to pack your resume with action by rewriting it to incorporate high energy, active words. One of the easiest ways to do this is to rewrite your accomplishment statements so that they all begin with an action verb. For example:

· Brought about a 10% increase in productivity by ...

· Solved a challenging logistics problem ...

· Augmented sales ...

Dynamic, high-energy language creates a sense of movement, action. and purpose that is irresistible to employers who have to read hundreds of cloned, lifeless, and boring resumes.

Use Design Effectively

Design is the aspect of resume writing that is most often overlooked by busy job seekers - but it's incredibly important. Your resume will initially be scanned for 20 seconds or less before a decision is made about whether your resume belongs on the "no" pile. In order to make it past that first screen, you need to ensure that your key selling points jump off the page at first glance, so they should be strategically placed in the upper one third of your resume.

Assume that the reader of your resume is extremely busy (because they probably are) and assume that he or she is not really going to thoroughly read your resume, but only plan to scan it quickly. Anything that doesn't jump off the page during that time is going to be missed.

Remember, a badly designed resume results in lost interviews, so do not skimp on this important stage of the hiring process. Putting in extra effort to layout and format your resume correctly will pay off enormously and get you the interview!

SUPERLATIVE INTERVIEWING

2012-01-16T14:40:00.000-08:00

A superlative job interview can be characterized as performing and articulating precise details during the interview process that set you apart and land you the job! The secret to a successful interview begins with just three easy steps:
1) Comprehensively researching the company prior to the interview;
2) Preparing for the interview by taking part in one or more mock interviews comprised of questions you envisage you may be asked during the interview;
And finally:
3) Developing answers to the questions asked which clearly articulate why you should be the interviewer’s candidate of preference.

The preliminary step in laying the groundwork to the superlative job interview is to research and find everything you can on the business you will be interviewing with. Carefully examine the job’s description... exactly what are they really looking for in an employee? Do you meet or exceed their requirements? Begin to compose good notes and review them often. Well prepared notes will also equip you for a pre-screening phone interview, if there is one.

You can never do too much research regarding the position, duties, its place in the company’s culture, and most importantly – its role in achieving the company’s mission. To that end, ensure you know and fully understand the company’s mission statement because it is probably one of the most significant items in learning a company’s culture. Is the company numbers driven? Or, are they customer fulfillment driven? Familiarizing yourself with the company’s culture might also include checking to see if they display a diversity statement. A company that visibly presents a diversity statement is one that respectfully maintains that they do not discriminate against job candidates during the employment process and fully embrace a diversely rich workforce.

When preparing to take part in one or more “mock” interviews, make the interview experience as practicable as possible. Dress and equip yourself as though you are going to a “real in-person” interview, including bringing your up-to-date portfolio information and multiple copies of your updated resume. Ensure that your “pseudo” interviewer asks you at least 20 of the most common behavioral interview questions. If possible, have someone record your practice interview so that you can review and hear how you perform, look, and sound. Do you give the impression of being composed, or do you look ill at ease? If you feel you appear uncomfortable or self-conscious, start the simulated interview over and try smiling (yes, a fleeting smile can help alleviate anxiety).

You will soon become aware that the more you practice the less distraught you will be for the actual interview. Fine-tune your vocal tones as you answer the mock interviewer’s questions. Rehearse and ascertain how to modulate your voice to place emphasis and enthusiasm on noteworthy information you want to express to the employer in the course of the interview, and endeavor to speak in a lower, measured intonation in other portions of the interview. Once the interviewer has ended their portion of the interview and asked if you have any questions for them, have several well developed questions to pose to them regarding the job or the company – but don’t fail to remember that salary and benefits is a segment of a subsequent future interview and is not broached in the “initial interview” unless brought up by the employer. Finally, end each and every interview with a solid handshake and a genuine smile. Superlative job interview accomplished!

Copyright 2012 Vet2work/Naturallysilver

Overcoming Rejection

2012-01-05T06:10:00.000-08:00

Don’t try to rationalize away the sting of being rejected. Turned down for the job? Didn’t get the interview? Lost the position to someone you believe to be a less qualified candidate? Don’t let your worth be defined by others... Even though it smarts, get right back in the hunt. Rejection is not a permanent condition; it’s a just short-term setback.

Examine your attitude and eliminate any negativity. When confronted with a challenging situation, what do you tell yourself? “I’m not good enough... I don’t have enough experience... I don’t have enough education . . . this is too hard a change for me . . . I’ll never make it . . .?” Don’t let your negative mental-talk sabotage your positive attitude.

Identify your credible fears. Exactly whom do you fear and why? What do you believe might go wrong? Who has the power to reject you? Why would that person say no? Finding the answers to these questions will help you prepare yourself to face your fears head on and preserve your self control, as well as help you to be prepared for the next interview.

Become more self-assured. Most fears of rejection rest on a person’s desire to have approval from other people. Don’t base your self-worth on others opinions.

Analyze what went wrong but don’t wallow in every failure. As written by James Joyce, “Mistakes are the portals of discovery”. Failure is a situation all of us experience in our life at one time or another. It’s how we react to those failures that differentiate winners from losers.
Don’t try to rationalize away the sting of being rejected. Turned down for the job? Didn’t get the interview? Lost the position to someone you believe to be a less qualified candidate? Don’t let your worth be defined by others... Even though it smarts, get right back in the hunt. Rejection is not a permanent condition; it’s a just short-term setback.

Examine your attitude and eliminate any negativity. When confronted with a challenging situation, what do you tell yourself? “I’m not good enough... I don’t have enough experience... I don’t have enough education . . . this is too hard a change for me . . . I’ll never make it . . .?” Don’t let your negative mental-talk sabotage your positive attitude.

Identify your credible fears. Exactly whom do you fear and why? What do you believe might go wrong? Who has the power to reject you? Why would that person say no? Finding the answers to these questions will help you prepare yourself to face your fears head on and preserve your self control, as well as help you to be prepared for the next interview.

Become more self-assured. Most fears of rejection rest on a person’s desire to have approval from other people. Don’t base your self-worth on others opinions.

Analyze what went wrong but don’t wallow in every failure. As written by James Joyce, “Mistakes are the portals of discovery”. Failure is a situation all of us experience in our life at one time or another. It’s how we react to those failures that differentiate winners from losers.

Standout in the Interview

2011-12-13T07:13:00.000-08:00

Want to stand out in an interview? Here are some questions to ask the employer when they ask "Do you have any questions for me?"

1. Is this a newly created position or would I be replacing someone?

2. Is training provided?

3. Is there a career path for this position?

4. Did I answer all of your questions?

5. Is there anything in our discussion you would like for me to clarify or expound upon?

6. How would you describe a successful employee (name the position if you have it)?

7. What is it about this position that would bring the greatest value to the company?

8. What would you consider some of the strengths and weaknesses in the processes for this position?

9. What were some the challenges you faced when you started here?

10. What are the short and long term goals for the company?

11. Are there any tasks for this position that have not been covered today or in the job description?

12. What is the company’s turnover rate?

13. What would be the top 3 challenges I will face in this position?

14. What has to happen for you to know that you have hired the right person?

15. What is the one thing you are proudest of regarding your department (team)?

16. What does success look like for a new hire in this role after 60-90-120 days?

17. What do you feel is the company’s strongest asset?

18. What type of training does the company offer?

Job Search Ethics

2011-07-05T06:46:00.000-07:00

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Don’t Mislead the Employer

When searching for employment, don’t let your values, ethics, or judgment be disputed! You should make ethics a part of your daily job search routine. Here are a few tips:

1. When creating your résumé, and when answering information in an interview, always be completely truthful! Don’t lie or mislead employers about your past work experience, education, or qualifications for a position.

2. Apply only to those positions which you are genuinely interested in for employment. Thoroughly research the company, and the position, prior to any interview to demonstrate your interest. Remember, taking Interviews in order to practice your interview skills is inexcuseable!

3. Don’t ever “no show” for an interview. Each employer sets aside their valuable time to interview potential candidates. If you can't make an interview due to an unforeseen emergency, you should make every effort to call the employer at least 2 hours or more in advance of the interview time. Some inexcusable reasons for not making an interview include not having the right date and time of the interview, oversleeping, running out of gas, or completely forgetting about the interview.

4. Always go to every interview fully prepared, professional, and on-time!

© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2011. No re-publication of this article is permitted without express permission. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author: C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer

JOB SEARCH ETHICS

2011-07-05T06:22:00.000-07:00

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Accepting an Offer of Employment

When accepting an offer of full time employment or an internship (whether paid or unpaid) you should honor that commitment. Additionally, when you accept an employment offer or other career opportunity, you should immediately withdraw from the recruiting process completely. This includes:

1. Removing your resume from all job sites.

2. Contacting all employers you may have interviewed with to let them know you have accepted another position.

3. Declining any and all future interview invitations (for at least one full year).

4. Contacting any recruiters you may have applied with so that they will discontinue their search for you a position.

5. Fully committing to your new position for at least one year – no matter what.

What Not To Say In An Interview

2011-07-03T07:22:00.000-07:00

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1. Don’t tell the interviewer your personal troubles. While the interviewer may have sympathy for your state, they will also be wondering if you can fully concentrate on their available job, if hired. Even if you have great skills, the interviewer will be wondering what percentage of the time you will be using those skills versus time you will be concentrating upon your personal problems.

2. Don’t ask if there is room for advancement, salary growth, or if you will get a raise after probation. Salary should never be broached by the interviewee on the first interview.

3. Don’t be excessive about your past work experience in the interview. Too much information about your past experience may lead the interviewer to think “This guy/girl is going to go ‘this isn’t how we did it in my past position”. Also, a less experienced hiring manager may get intimidated. You should always demonstrate a sincere desire to learn new things.

4. Don’t appear too relaxed during an interview. Appearing too relaxed may make you appear over-confident and over-rehearsed. Don’t slump or drape your arms over thechair armrests, or cross your legs. This could cause an interviewer to think “I haven't offered you the job yet, so don’t make yourself too comfortable.”

5. Don’t bring up your past salary history. Salary should never be discussed on the first interview. But if it is brought up by the interviewer, don’t make statements such as “Don’t let my past salary histories influence you…” You are interviewing for this position and its pay, so whatever you made in the past is irrelevant.

6. Don’t under dress for any position. The interview is the opportunity to put your best foot forward and if you come underdressed you express that you may not be really interested in the position. Also, you need to demonstrate you can meet the company's dress code, whatever that code may be.

7. Don’t overdress for the position. If you are interviewing for a field position, then don’t wear an extremely expensive suit. The employer will wonder how willing you will be to do the less glamorous job.

8. Don’t overexposure yourself. Too much cleavage or leg exposure is distracting and can take away from the actual employment contributions you can make to the employer.

9. Don’t wear extra jewelry. Both males and females should keep their jewelry to a minimum and match as much as possible. If you have multiple piercings on your ears, limit the earrings to one matching earring on each ear.

10. Don’t display tattoos. While tattoos are generally a personal statement, the interview isn’t the place to make it.

11. Don’t fidget. Don’t stroke your head, hair, facial hair, move your hands, or cross your legs. This shows nervousness.

12. Don’t chew gum.

It's All About Being Personal

2011-06-29T14:16:00.000-07:00

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There is little doubt that finding a job today if you are unemployed is difficult. Recent statistics show that there are nearly 14 million unemployed Americans, 6 million of whom who have been unemployed for more than 6 months. Additionally, the average time Americans spend unemployed is now in excess of 9 months.

Many unemployed workers are faced with the fact that their previously highly desired skills are no longer in demand and that pay rates are rapidly declining. In the face of the uphill struggle to find a job, many more senior workers, now in the ranks of the long-term unemployed, aren't returning to the workforce at all. This is because many have become uninspired in their job search and are unwilling to change. Fear of rejection also begins to set in the longer the person is unemployed. However, some of the basic job search skills more senior workers used years ago may just be the very thing that could move them into the ranks of the employed if used properly.

Finding a job today involves personal communication just as it did decades ago. A personally delivered résumé to an employer will often be viewed before those sent electronically via email or fax. This also gives the more senior applicant an opportunity to be viewed, and to view the potential workplace. It can go a long way to quell nervousness about whether or not age or other factors will come into play when invited for an interview.

When delivering a résumé personally, be sure to dress as though you were going for an interview. Additionally, more senior job seekers should dress appropriately for today - even if it does make you feel as comfortable. There is power in being dressed properly and feeling good about “you”. Find your professional image and take it to become employed!!!

© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2011-12. No re-publication of this article is permitted without express permission. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author: C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer

Don’t Get Ambushed in an Interview

2011-06-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

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The most popular interviewing trend used by employers today is the behavioral interview. This form of interview questions tends to focus upon your past experiences as well as your integrity, leadership abilities, initiative, communication skills, ability to problem solve, interpersonal skills, adaptability, knowledge, and past performance to determine if you will be a good fit for the employer. The behavioral questions are designed to lead the interviewee into more in-depth and trait revealing answers to specifically designed questions. A complete answer to behavior-based interview questions must explain the task or problem for which you were responsible, the specific action you took to complete the task or solve the problem, and the results of the action you took.

There are three forms of behavioral questions:

Open-ended questions – This type of question requires more than just a “yes” or “no” answer. This type of question often begins with “Describe...”, “Tell me about...”, “When...”

Close-ended questions- This type of questions is usually used to verify or confirm information you have previously given the employer such as “You graduated from college, is that correct?”

Why questions – This type of question is used to reveal your rationale for decisions you have made in the past or to determine your motivational level such as “Why did you decide to go into the service when you had a scholarship at UNT?”

Here are some sample behavioral questions and possible ways to answer them:

Q. Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Approximately 80% of all interviews begin with this question. Many candidates, unprepared for the question, start with a prolonged recap/narrative of their life story.

HOW TO REPLY: Commence with your latest related experience or training and communicate why you meet the criteria by matching your qualifications to what the interviewer is looking for. To answer, you must try to uncover your interviewer's greatest need, want, problem, or goal in filling the position and tailor your answer. Recall recent work experiences which demonstrate your favorable behaviors or actions, especially your teamwork, leadership, and customer service abilities.

Q. Why are you leaving (or did you leave) your most recent position?

HOW TO REPLY: If you left an employer on bad terms, you still must follow the inviolable rule: never badmouth your previous industry, company, board, boss, staff, employees or customers. Never be negative! Any negativity brought into your reply will cast a shadow on your abilities, candor, and disposition. This is not the time to discuss an increase in pay, even if that is part of the motivation. If you have been previously terminated from a position – don’t lie about being fired. It’s unethical, and can easily be checked. The best way to answer is to attempt to redirect the reason from you personally. Make sure you've prepared a brief, positive reason for leaving your last position.

Q. What are your greatest strengths?

HOW TO REPLY: You should match your abilities to the interviewer's greatest wants and needs. You should also have an example or two demonstrating strengths from your most recent work experience. You should, have this list of your greatest strengths (experience, initiative, customer relations) and corresponding examples from your achievements committed to memory.
Q. What are your greatest weaknesses?

This is often called an “eliminator” question because it is designed to shorten the candidate list. An admission of a weakness or fault will earn you an "A" for honesty, but an "F" for the interview.
HOW TO REPLY: Assure the interviewer that you can think of nothing that would stand in the way of your performing in this position with excellence. Then, quickly review you strongest qualifications.
Q. Aren't you overqualified for this position?

HOW TO REPLY: The employer’s main concern behind the "overqualified" question is that you will leave your new position as soon as something better comes your way. Anything you can say to demonstrate the sincerity of your commitment to the employer and reassure him that you're looking to stay for the long-term will help you overcome this objection. Also, assuring the employer that you love to learn and take on new responsibilities will help to soothe their wariness.

Q. Where do you see yourself five years from now?

HOW TO REPLY: Employers want to know that you plan to stay with them. Assure the interviewer that you are making a long-term commitment and that this position is exactly what you want to do and what you feel you do very well. Looking to the future, you know that if you perform with excellence, future opportunities will take care of themselves.

Q. Tell me about your ideal company, location, and job.

HOW TO REPLY: The correct answer is to describe the company (by reviewing ahead of time), what the company is offering that you like, how you feel you would be a good fit. Make your answer believable with specific reasons, stated with sincerity, why each quality represented by this company and opportunity is attractive to you.
Q. Why do you want to work for our company?

HOW TO REPLY: By doing an in-depth research of the company, you should make this your home run. Sources for research include: annual reports, the corporate newsletter, contacts you know at the company or its suppliers, advertisements, articles about the company in the trade press.

Q. Tell me about a situation when your work was criticized.

HOW TO REPLY: Begin by emphasizing any positive feedback you may have received throughout your career. No one is always perfect, emphasize that you always welcome suggestions on how to improve your performance.
Q. What are your outside interests?

HOW TO REPLY: Try to shatter any stereotypes that could limit your chances. If you're over 50, for example, describe activities that demonstrate your intergenerational teamwork abilities, technology, as well as your physical and mental stamina. If you’re relatively young, mention an activity that demonstrates your wisdom. Keep in mind that employers hire employees for what they can do for them.

Q. Looking back, what would you do differently in your life?

HOW TO REPLY: Indicate that you are a happy, fulfilled, optimistic person and that, in general, you wouldn't change a thing.

Q. How well do you work under pressure?

HOW TO REPLY: Convey that you work well under pressure (and then give a recent example).

Q. What was the toughest decision you ever had to make?

HOW TO REPLY: Pre-prepare a good example, with an explanation as to why the decision was difficult. Talk about what process, or processes, you used to make the decision. Then relate how you carried it out. If you are looking to leave the military, you might want to describe how difficult it has been to reach the decision to not continue with the military as a career.

Q. May I contact your present employer for a reference?

HOW TO REPLY: If you are employed and haven’t told your employer that you are looking for a new position, then convey to the interviewer that you'd like to keep your job search private but that you are extremely proud of your record with your current employer.

Q. What are your future goals?

HOW TO ANSWER: Be prepared to discuss your goals for your career and personal development and learning which include the employer you are interviewing with. Express your desire to stay with a company. Avoid family, physical (health), community service, and any spiritual goals.

Q. How do you define success…and how do you measure up to your own definition?

HOW TO ANSWER: Give a definition of success by incorporating you, your strengths and abilities, a position within the interviewer’s company, and how that the combination would mean the ultimate success to you personally.
© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2011-13. No re-publication of this article is permitted without express permission. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author: C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.

Tips on Getting Employed Using Social Media

2011-06-15T07:12:00.000-07:00

Twitter – create a free Twitter account using your personal name. Put your 30-second elevator speech* in the information about you section and include an email. You might want to create a personal email just for employment. Once you have created a twitter account, add your twitter link to your resume. Attach a recent picture and follow only employment-related twitter sites such as job boards and employment services.

Facebook- if you don’t have a Facebook profile, then you should proceed to create free one. When creating your profile, provide only information that an employer would need to see. You might want to include your 30 second elevator speech in your profile section. In your interests section, include words such as “networking” “team building” “employment opportunities”. Insert a professional recent picture and then look for employers and employment related sites in your field of interest and “like” them. If you already have a Facebook profile, then review your existing page as the employer would see it. Are all posts relevant? Are all pictures appropriate? Is every post made by you spelled correctly, and are you using proper grammar? Is there profanity on your feed? If you have a Facebook page and you answered “yes” to any of these questions and you really want to go to work, then you have two options – go in and re-create your existing page to a more professional one or create a new account and professional page and once it is created add it to your resume.

Linked In- Creating a LinkedIn profile is time consuming but is definitely worth the work you put into it. Linkedin is a professional networking site. Like Facebook and Twitter, it is free to join. However, the site is designed for the business professional world. Once again, when you create your linked in profile be careful of spelling and grammar. Post a recent professional picture. Look for professional persons you may know and also join groups which are correlated to the field you aspire to enter.

© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2011. No re-publication of this article is permitted without express permission. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author: C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.

6-Step Blueprint for Creating an On-Line Presence

2011-06-13T10:43:00.000-07:00

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Hiring managers continually use the internet to find out about you. Upon receipt of your on-line application or résumé, it’s just a matter of simply typing in your name in the search box. Through this one effortless action, an employer can attain personal knowledge on how you lead others, how you think, and what type of contribution(s) you provide to civilization in general.

Yes, all of this can be found just by paying a visit to your on-line presence as seen on Facebook, twitter, Linkedin, My Space, your blog, your YouTube additions, any online discussion boards you are on, groups you follow, community events you are involved in, and anything else that can be readily revealed about you. This can also be accomplished just by searching your name on Google, or other search engines. When you search your name, what do you find? If future employers and others and find this same information, what will they think? With this in mind, it may be time for you to create, delete, or re-create your on-line image - especially if you are a current or soon-to-be job seeker.

Tell employers who you are! Here are six steps for creating a professional on-line presence:

Step One. Determine precisely what you want your on-line presence to demonstrate to readers. Like a really good autobiography, everything in your on-line profile should be honest, but also appealing to an employer.

Step Two. Start out with a clean drawing board by either creating a new profile or re-vamping your older one. When creating a profile on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, or any other board, choose a professional name (or use your own) and upload a current professional picture of you (preferably in an office or professional setting). Don’t shock an employer at an interview! Using an older photograph could be easily seen by an employer as a deceptive move on your part.

Step Three. Provide employment and training details that accurately represent you. Use professional language and highlight both your abilities and professionalism. Proofread every entry for accuracy in both concept and spelling.

Step Four. If participating in discussion boards, thoroughly read and check all entries by others. Then, when making your response entry, use only the correct language, spelling, and punctuation. You might even want to type your response in Word format on your computer and then use the computer’s spelling and grammar check, thesaurus, and correct any punctuation errors before copying and pasting your answer(s) onto the discussion board.

Step Five. Clean out your followers list and also who you are following. Keep family and personal talk to a minimum or zero.

Step Six. When displaying your likes and dislikes on your pages or blogs, avoid putting up items that would be considered as unprofessional by an employer including religious or political groups.

Interviewing by Phone? Not a Problem

2011-06-12T16:03:00.000-07:00

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Properly planning and preparing for a phone interview can increase your employment chances dramatically. Characteristically, the initial phone call from an employer will be to arrange an in-person interview or to schedule a more formal in-depth phone conversation. This is often the result of the company wanting to make a “quick hire “and deciding to conduct an in-depth phone interview discussion with some potential candidates to determine if any applicant is appropriate for the position they are filling. Upon the phone interview screening, the company will then schedule a face to face interview. For that reason, job seekers should always be ready for the both types of phone interviews: the predictable (which has been scheduled just like an in-person interview) and the surprising (which occurs with the first contact call.)

Good preparation for an interview by phone should having your most accurate current résumé within your reach (perhaps in a drawer by the phone), having well prepared notes (by taking information from your résumé and preparing to answer difficult questions, as well as knowing and using proper phone protocol.

Proper Phone Interview protocol includes:

Change your phone answering tone while you are in the job search process. Although you may have a preference in a certain type of music, it is best to go without during a job search.

Be professional and business like when speaking during the interview. Don’t get too friendly with the interviewer..

Write down important information for further review after the call.

Let the interviewer speak and don’t interject comments unless asked to do so.

Answer all questions truthfully and avoid elaborating.

Follow your résumé as you talk about your history or schooling.

Can Employers Really Trust You?

2011-06-10T10:39:00.000-07:00

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Put your resume, cover letter, training, experience, looks, and ability to interview out of your mind. The big question is: can an employer really trust you? That is the sole most-salient item they are endeavoring to bring to light during an interview.

Throughout the interview process, here are some of the questions churning in virtually every employer’s mind with regard to your trustworthiness:

Can I trust that the information this candidate has given me (résumé, cover letter, other information) is accurate and truly characterizes this person and their abilities?

Can I trust that the information this candidate is giving me during the interview is candid and straightforward? Or, is it extremely well rehearsed interview rhetoric?

Can I trust that this person really aspires to work for me and my organization? Or, is this just an interview for the sake of practice?

Can I trust that this person is coachable, trainable, and open-minded?

Can I trust that this person will show up to work regularly?

Can I trust that this person will fully perform the available position to the best of their abilities?

Can I trust that this person will be loyal, both to me, and to the organization?

Can I trust that this person will remain with the organization for at least several years?

Can I really trust this person?

By proving to the employer, during an interview, that you are truly trustworthy, you are strengthening your chances of obtaining any position.

How To Answer Standard Interview Questions

2011-06-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

Preparing to answer any interview question presented to you is arduous, to say the least. Often, it seems that there just isn’t a way to ease your anxiety. Time has proven, however, spending extra time preparing prior to an interview results in more improved your answers and that you will be more confident in giving them. Here are a few standard interview questions:

1. Why do you want to work for us?

Your answer should come from thoroughly researching the company including what they do and what the job they are advertising entails. If, through your research, you determine that the position deals with job aspects which you are uncomfortable with, then you would and should decline an interview. However, if the company offers a job or jobs which you find interesting and would like to be involved with, then you should stress your interest during the interview. As an example – if the company does a lot of cold calling of customers and you have a similar background, you can answer this question by stating that upon researching the company you found that they have a great deal of interaction with clients both old and new and that you have previous experience in a call center environment or in sales and really are enthusiastic about this type of work. Or, if the company is a financial organization and you just love working with numbers, you can discuss your aspiration to work with figures and statistics and stress your meticulous consideration to detail.

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2. Why should we hire you?

If you have thoroughly researched the company, you should have an idea as to why you want to work for them (see #1). As an example, if the company is a research and development organization, then you might want to emphasize the fact that you like to create new things and possess an out-of-the-box thinking style and state that you appreciate that the company supports this type of ingenuity in its workers.

3. Tell me about yourself.

Your answer to this question (which is often the first question asked) should be no more than a minute or two in length and should include education, work history, and recent employment history. The interviewer is going to be more interested in the latter so this is part you should emphasize. Be sure to incorporate transferrable skills and duties from your past employment to highlight what you can do in the new position. Emphasize customer service abilities, dealing with deadlines, meeting quotas – to name a few.

4. What do you find most attractive about the position? What do you find least attractive?

You should let the employer know at least 3-4 factors about the job you find interesting (from reading the job description) and then add one minor, unattractive or uninteresting item (if you find one).

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Your response should not contain goals you may have for returning to school or moving to another company (the employer doesn’t want to hear this) but rather should clearly state that you are interested in obtaining a long standing and progressive career within the organization. In this answer, you also want to demonstrate that you desire to be an integral part of the organization and hope to augment your talents and abilities towards the company’s successes in the future.

6. What are you looking for in a position?

Your answer should be oriented to the opportunities which are offered by the company you are interviewing with. You should stress your desire to perform the job duties well and a desire to obtain recognition for great job performance. Your answer should be from the perspective of opportunity and not your personal well being.

Ways to Appropriately Answer the Dreaded Salary Question

2011-06-04T14:37:00.000-07:00

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When you are asked about your salary expectations you should not give the employer an actual figure.

Why? Because if you give a number that is higher than the actual salary range for the position you have applied (typically the interviewer will inform you that you are too high in your salary expectation) it sets a very negative tone for the remainder of the interview. Conversely, if you give a number that is too low, the interviewer will probably not say anything in an effort to hire you at the lower salary rate.

Here are some variations of salary expectation questions you may be asked and some possible responses.

What is your current or your most current previous salary rate? “Since this position is very different from the last position I held, can we discuss what my job responsibilities would be and then determine a fair salary for the position? Generally, an employer would have a hard time arguing when you have used the words "responsibilities" and "fair" in when responding.

What salary range are you looking for? “I don't have a range in mind at this time. I would like to hear about the job requirements and your expectations first, in order to get a sense of what you need for the position.”

Additionally, some recent research has shown that if you mirror the behavior of the interviewer you are more likely to get the job. So, be sure to pay attention and watch your tone of voice, enthusiasm, and body language.

Tell me about a time when you misjudged a person.

2011-05-22T16:11:00.000-07:00

Answer Guide:

This question is to find out about well you adjust to the different personalities in your workplace.

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Some time back, I had a co-worker that I felt was always extremely moody. Being an upbeat and happy person, I had a difficult time with her moodiness but I did my best to adjust to it although I didn’t understand it. What I didn’t realize at the time was that she was going through a very painful divorce and she was dealing with it with little or no help from family and friends. After I left the company a year later, I heard that she left the company a short time after me. One day, I made the decision to find her and call her just to say hello. It was the best thing I ever did because we during that visit we became friends and we now meet and have lunch often. I believe the whole experience has made me a much more thoughtful and accepting co-worker.

What is your preferred way to communicate?

2011-05-22T16:04:00.000-07:00

Answer Guide:

This question is to find out about your personal communication style (be careful how you answer – saying that you “love to text” may give the wrong message).

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I have several ways of communicating at home. I use email as one form of communication and also talk with friends and family via phone. At work, I use only the approved forms of communication. In the past, my employers have all established guidelines for communication in the office and I have followed those diligently.

If you could start your work life over what would you do differently?

2011-05-22T16:01:00.000-07:00

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Answer Guide:

This question is to find out if you have any detour that may be blocking your professional career.

I am a forward looking thinker so this is a difficult question. Looking back over my career, I don’t think I would really change much. I have learned from each and every job experience and am always willing to learn more. Perhaps, the only thing I might have done differently would have been to return to school earlier. I try not to dwell on the things I could have done and to focus on what I plan to do in the future.

How do you balance your personal life and work?

2011-05-22T15:59:00.000-07:00

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Answer Guide:

This question is to find out if you have made personal arrangements to avoid calling in (such as daycare).

I have worked on my organizational skills and feel that I can balance my personal life and my work life I purchased a day planner which has really helped. I also find the Outlook calendar very helpful. I have a backup plan for anything that might come up so that I can full focus on my position and give it 100%.

Gap in Employment

2011-05-22T15:56:00.000-07:00

What did you do during the six month gap in your employment?

Answer Guide:

Because I knew I was ready to re-enter the workforce at the earliest available date, I worked on a personal plan to get back to work. I re-vamped my resume, read self help books and internet sites, visited and applied to some employment agencies, and also built up a professional network through LinkedIn, Facebook, and twitter. I connected with past co-workers who could attest to my work performance and asked them if I could use them as contacts. I found that the websites offer job opportunities also through job postings. Although the job search took longer than I anticipated, I learned a great deal about myself during my unemployment and realized that I am a person who really enjoys the challenge of working and will probably work well past my anticipated retirement age (smile).

Think about what you say or text to “connections”

2011-03-31T04:56:00.000-07:00

It is now “the norm” to see if applicants turn up on social networking sites, after doing the more traditional “Google” of someone’s name. If you are a job seeker and there is anything on your social site that you don’t want an employer to see, time to get rid of it! Don’t be self-assured in believing there is such a thing as having one “confidential” site and one “visible/open to anyone” site. Today’s technology allows almost anyone the capability to view anyone’s information through an electronically connected “semi-detective agency” network. Tiny and large bits of information alike can be amassed as quickly as you can raise a detective’s monocle to your eye.

As much as a good physical impression, an applicant’s overall “perceived” abilities or inabilities are equally as important. If you text in slang or use profanity on your social site, the repercussions could result in long-term case of unemployment. If you constantly boast of your uproarious weekends, repercussions could be a “not employable” status. Although you may only have a few persons within your social network, each one of those could have a hundred or even more connections.

In today’s media driven society, the only scrupulous social networking a true job seeker can do is to make minimal non-offensive entries on to their personal page, network to find potential employers on a “professional” social networking level, and play enjoyable solitary social media games while waiting for the phone to ring with a job offer.

Learn to Leverage Yourself When Going for a Position

2011-03-31T04:51:00.000-07:00

Leveraging yourself amongst the many job competitors in today’s tight job market isn’t easy. Especially if you are a seasoned veteran or a more senior worker who hasn’t had to use today’s technology much in order to survive. At least until now...

One piece of advice - use technology – don’t let it use you! Remember, if you are feeling a little overwhelmed by what you don’t know about today’s technology, you don’t have to spend a fortune to take a multitude of classes or run out and buy the latest products. You should make plans to attend free tech conferences, expos and trade shows in your area. Local civic organizations also sponsor free or minimally priced trainings. You can also read about the latest technology in the local newspaper or in magazines or in self help books from the library.

When asked about your technical skills, try to refrain from letting people know you have any discomforts with technology or using today's technological devices. Let them know, subtly, you are expanding your mental universe by embracing all things technological and enjoying it. You just might find that you really are.....

Be Prepared for the Interview!

2011-03-31T04:46:00.000-07:00

Setting out for the interview need not be too scary if you have prepared in advance. Here are a few pre-interview tips to make things go more smoothly.

1. Organize and prepare a portfolio. The portfolio doesn’t have to be fancy; a plain vanilla folder will serve for this purpose well. The portfolio should contain multiple copies of your résumé, letters of reference, copies of transcripts, recent certificates or certifications and examples of your work for the employer to review, if necessary. Call all of your references and let them know you are going to use them and re-affirm that you have the correct contact information on each one.

2. Review your résumé and proof for correctness. The more you review and proof and have others review and proof your résumé, the better. Remember to be truthful in all ways when presenting yourself to the employer through your résumé and supporting documentation.

Your résumé is the first impression the employer has of you, so honesty counts.

3. Create a short biography. Create a short synopsis about your professional self that will sell you to the potential employer. Practice it until you feel comfortable enough that you can relate it to the employer without hesitation and with confidence. You want the employer to know why they should pick you for the position. Remember to only highlight work related information.

4. Research the company and drive by it before the interview. Familiarity with the location will put you at ease on the day of the interview. Also, knowing a little bit about the company can help you convey to the employer what you like about them and why you would be a good fit.

5. Set your clock, your phone and your mind. Set your alarm clock in order to ready yourself for the interview and arrive early, re-charge and set your cell phone with the main number or given number of the interviewer in case something happens to delay you. Set your mind to be confident and secure that you are the best person for the position.

6. Practice your handshake. Yes, whether male or female, a firm handshake is important and displays confidence!

7. Get a good night’s sleep. You want to look refreshed and ready and a good night’s sleep will help you.

8. Arrive early. Get to the interview about 15 -20 minutes early. You will probably have to fill out an application for the employer (yes, even if you bring your résumé) but you will be prepared because you will have all of your information in your prepared portfolio!

© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2011-12. No re-publication of this article is permitted without express permission. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author: C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.

Job Seeker’s Competition Isn’t Always “Unemployed”

2011-01-13T07:20:00.000-08:00

Unemployment remains relatively static at 9.6% nationwide. Today, these statistically documented out-of-work job seekers are not just competing for positions with their unemployed counterparts but also with the growing number of statistically undocumented “underemployed and underpaid” workers trying to lay their claim to additional superfluous income.

Traditionally, these workers are employed individuals who have taken significantly less paying positions due to a previous layoff, early retirement, or for other reasons. To sustain or maintain a previous lifestyle, these workers look to supplement their current decreased household income status by adding a part-time or even a second full time position on a different shift. Although seeking a part-time position to supplement income is not a new concept, it has grown since economic downsizing has created so many unemployed and under-employed workers. Because the majority of the focus is on the unemployed, under-employed workers customarily tend to slip under the economic radar and therefore are not seen as a “threat” to the unemployed workers

Friend, Follow and Connect Your Way Into a Position

2011-01-13T07:13:00.000-08:00

Looking for a part time or full time position? Social networking is growing and as it does so does the capacity for serious job-seekers to find a job. You may just find the perfect job where you haven't been looking - social networking sites you already are on. If you "tweet", "friend", or "connect" on a social network, you can go to "groups" and begin "following" your way to a position. On some sites, you receive notifications as jobs are posted - and this often is prior to listings in the local news or on the large internet job sites.

Many large companies have found this method of advertising the most effective and least expensive. By posting jobs on sites such as LinkedIn, an employer can not only receive resumes or information requests for positions, they can also view profiles and read recommendations. It is a real time saver and also is very efficient. Savvy job seekers who keep their profile up to date and professional can move to the front of the line...and into employment.

Do I Really Need a Federal Resume?

2011-01-13T07:07:00.000-08:00

For some federal jobs, a résumé is not required, so it is important to carefully read the job posting and the qualification criteria and have justifiable experience. Just as a regular civilian résumé, a federal résumé will contain personal information, education, work experience and related skills and training. Typically, however, a federal résumé is longer and will contain information required by the agency you are applying to. Pay close attention to "key words" in the job posting and insert them as they match to your experience and qualifications. As with other résumés, federal résumés are a marketing tool presenting your career history and personal traits. Also, federal résumé should be designed to incorporate the important key words and core competencies you would demonstrate in all other résumés. . A well written résumé will serve as the foundation for any federal résumé submission. If necessary, consider using a professional. A professional résumé writer will take the time to personally get to know their clients and their needs. Writing a résumé is a very personal endeavor because each job seeker is unique and no two people will have exactly the same skill set, education, and/or work experience. The real purpose of creating a résumé is to demonstrate to the employer how the combination of these skills, education and experience makes a job seeker a "good fit" for their organization

Sometimes you do have to reinvent the wheel!

2011-01-13T06:51:00.000-08:00

If you are wedged into a job hunt rut, then it may be time to re-evaluate what you are doing or not doing to find a position. From your résumé to the interview, you should assess and re-assess as you receive, or don’t receive, those all-important calls for an interview. And, if you aren’t receiving calls, then your deductive skills should tell you that cover letter and/or résumé are the culprit. If you are getting interviews and not receiving a call back, then it is time to re-assess your interview style as the malefactor.

If there were an ultimate job getting résumé or cover letter, then anyone and everyone who applied for a job would use it. And, if there were a set if perfect interview techniques, everyone who used them would get hired. However, the employment universe is faulty and finding answers to a static unemployment status requires as much research as a dissertation for a PhD. And, like the requirements for a thesis, every résumé and interview should be distinct within the dynamics of the employment universe.

To get the wheels turning again in your employment search, follow a few simple basics.

1. Don’t use a template to create your résumé and cover letter.

2. Adjust and change your résumé and cover letter as needed to fit positions you apply for - adding in information about you and your work history or training that matches what the employer asks for in the job announcement.

3. Check your spelling often and always have someone else proof your résumé and cover letter before you send it to any employer.

4. Use terminology and words in your résumé and cover letter that you personally know and understand, and not words you have copied from other people's résumé, or from some other source, to avoid embarrassment during an interview.

5. Practice, practice, practice interviewing and view each interview as another practice.

6. Most importantly, don’t lose your focus or drive to get to the finish line and into a career.

© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2010-11. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author: C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.

IAVA Announces Changes

2011-01-13T04:09:00.000-08:00

Complete: Upgrades to the New GI Bill.
In 2008, historic New GI Bill legislation was signed into law. Since then, IAVA has been fighting for critical upgrades where the benefit was lacking. These upgrades, which were passed last week, will impact 400,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans within the first year. These include:

85,000 full-time National Guardsmen who will become eligible for the New GI Bill
58,000 students at private and graduate schools will have increased  tuition benefits
25,000 distance learners will receive a monthly living allowance
21,000 disabled vets using Vocational Rehab will receive additional allowances
19,000 Active Duty service members will receive an annual book stipend
6,000 vocational students will receive tuition/fees and a monthly living allowance
6,000 On The Job training/Apprenticeship participants will get access to an  expanded program
6,000 schools will receive increased fees for processing vets’ paperwork
180,000 new recruits will not have to pay $1,200 to buy into the old GI Bill

Get Noticed! What Your Resume Says to Employers

2011-01-10T03:59:00.000-08:00

Tell me the time, don't build me a clock.....! Employers don't want to read a book when looking at your resume. Consequently, your resume should immediately describe you honestly and clearly without being overly wordy. Because your resume is, or should be, limited to one page in length, every part of your resume should be connected to the other parts logically. Information should be organized clearly and be visually appealing to the reader. The key focus is to have your resume express to the employer how you will meet their (and their organization’s) requirements for success once you are hired. Remember, if your resume isn't customized and linked to the business’s product or service it won't represent you as a viable candidate to the employer.

Job Seeker’s Competition Isn’t Always “Unemployed”

2011-01-10T03:55:00.000-08:00

Unemployment remains relatively static at 9.4% nationwide. Today, these statistically documented out-of-work job seekers are not just competing for positions with their unemployed counterparts but also with the growing number of statistically undocumented “underemployed and underpaid” workers trying to lay their claim to additional superfluous income.
Traditionally, these workers are employed individuals who have taken significantly less paying positions due to a previous layoff, early retirement, or for other reasons. To sustain or maintain a previous lifestyle, these workers look to supplement their current decreased household income status by adding a part-time or even a second full time position on a different shift. Although seeking a part-time position to supplement income is not a new concept, it has grown since economic downsizing has created so many unemployed and under-employed workers. Because the majority of the focus is on the unemployed, under-employed workers customarily tend to slip under the economic radar and therefore are not seen as a “threat” to the unemployed workers

Watch out for Social Media Blunders

2010-12-19T16:17:00.000-08:00

Use social media sites every waking hour and tell everyone of your every single move or thought? If so, you just might find yourself in employment trouble if you vocalize too much on social media sites. Many employers have gone to using the internet sites as a screening forum for potential job candidates.
It is now “the norm” to see if applicants turn up on social networking sites, after doing the more traditional “Google” of someone’s name. If you are a job seeker and there is anything on your social site that you don’t want an employer to see, time to get rid of it! Don’t be self-assured in believing there is such a thing as having one “confidential” site and one “visible/open to anyone” site. Today’s technology allows almost anyone the capability to view anyone’s information through an electronically connected “semi-detective agency” network. Tiny and large bits of information alike can be amassed as quickly as you can raise a detective’s monocle to your eye.
Think about what you say or text to “connections”
As much as a good physical impression, an applicant’s overall “perceived” abilities or inabilities are equally as important. If you text in slang or use profanity on your social site, the repercussions could result in long-term case of unemployment. If you constantly boast of your uproarious weekends, repercussions could be a “not employable” status. Although you may only have a few persons within your social network, each one of those could have a hundred or even more connections.
In today’s media driven society, the only scrupulous social networking a true job seeker can do is to make minimal non-offensive entries on to their personal page, network to find potential employers on a “professional” social networking level, and play enjoyable solitary social media games while waiting for the phone to ring with a job offer.

© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2010-11. No re-publication of this article is permitted without express permission. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author: C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.

Timing is everything!!!

2010-10-13T04:51:00.000-07:00

You had an interview on Friday of last week and the employer said he would make a decision by mid-week. It is now Wednesday and you haven’t heard anything. Its Wednesday...isn’t Wednesday “mid-week”? Now what? Do you call the employer? Do you wait for them to call you? What’s the protocol?

Customarily, post-interview etiquette dictates that job seekers wait at least one full week after the interview to make contact with the employer. While that may seem like an eternity, failure to maintain this composed wait can be cataclysmic even if, at some point, you may have been a front runner for the position. To employers there is a very fragile, thin line between following up an interview and becoming an annoyance...
Yet, there are still a few ways a job seeker can put themselves in the forefront after the interview process. Here are some tips:
Immediately after the interview send a short thank you note to the interviewer thanking them for the interview opportunity. One novel way to say thank you is to create personal professional postcards for this purpose. Your personal contact information and your specialization, if any, can be printed on the card and then you can add a personal note to the employer. Even in the midst of the social media-zation of the business world, some old rules still apply. It’s requisite to commit to your memory not to email or text an employer to thank them for the interview. A hand written thank-you note is extremely important, as well as being very classy...and class never goes out of style!

Also, don’t let your world stop turning while you are hoping for the phone to ring. Even though an interview seemingly went well, a job seeker should continue to actively pursue opportunities and not place all of their hopes on just one employer. The interview is an integral step in the employment process as a whole and, like any other undertaking - it improves with, and is worth, the recurrence.

copyright: Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2010-2011.

Civilian Career Goals

2010-08-17T06:01:00.001-07:00

Through recognizing the fundamental dissimilarities and similarities of your former military career and your new civilian career, you can clarify your future professional needs:
While serving in the military, you receive an assignment which lasts for an explicit amount of time at a standard pay grade consisting of a conventional salary with pay upgrades determined by the assignment) and are provided with all of the clothing, equipment and training necessary to carry out the set objective. Essential difference: Collaborative environment, member of a team, Field Service Record created to detail military qualifications, training and experience, sometimes but not always given opportunity to make choice in assignment(s), generally not subjected to layoffs, downsizing and changing industry environments, always provided clothing equipment and training.
In civilian life, you must look for employment opportunities at varying rates of pay and provide your own clothing. Most positions will provide equipment and some training for the position. Essential Differences: Have full opportunity to make a personal choice in employment and position including starting your own business, must translate Field Service Record qualifications, training and experience into a civilian resume, multiple opportunities to exceed conventional salary structure, must find a position on your own or through assistance, must devote personal time and effort into the art of finding a position through research and application process, subject to layoffs, downsizing and changing industry environments once employed and must supply, at the least, the cost of civilian work clothing.

Volunteer to Gain Skills

2010-08-17T05:58:00.000-07:00

Civilian Employment Experience? – Volunteer to Gain Skills
There are many volunteer organizations where you can gain knowledge and experience to add to your résumé. Some organizations which always are in need of volunteers:
• Veterans Hospital
• Disabled Veterans (DAV)
• The United Way
• American Red Cross
• Planned Parenthood
• Catholic Charities
• Jewish Federations
• Other religious organizations
• Legal Aid Groups