HR Blog | Human Resources

Dec 20

How To Get A New Job in 2013

With the onset of the holidays and a brand new year just around the corner, along come the traditional resolutions. I will lose XXkgs, I will complete a marathon, I will give up smoking, I will stop working so many hours, I will find more work/life balance and a pretty common one – I will find a new job.

We’ve all done it and in most cases, all failed. What starts with a gusto soon fades as life gets in the way, excuses are made and before we know it we’re right back where we started.

If you want a new job in the new year, want to make the break and enter a new industry or occupation, do yourself a favour and break the goal into manageable and attainable steps.

The first thing you need to do is be clear about your goals. What are you looking for? Break it down – not just the industry, specifically what positions are you interested in?

Now what do employers need in those positions – skills, licences, certificates, training – do your research and make a complete list of what they look for in those roles.

Do you have what they need? If you lack some skills your next step is to gain them. Look at what you can do online, what courses can you take or perhaps volunteer to gain experience.

How will you present yourself to employers? Is your resume ready? Does it sell your greatest strengths and convey the value you offer?

How will you approach employers and find opportunities. Will you dedicate time to speaking to people in your network, reach out to people in the industry who may be able to help you etc? Determine a strategy.

Finding a new job is hard work. It takes enormous effort and patience.

Instead of resolving to find a new job within a prescribed amount of time and then giving up when it all becomes too difficult, how about resolving to do something every week to advance your jobsearch. Take the time to research and prepare before you execute a jobsearch and no matter what life throws at you along the way, stick to your guns – do one thing, every week to advance your search.

I am sure if you tackle it this way instead of the bold “I will get a new job by February”approach, you will find yourself making positive, well thought out steps that will do wonders for your job search.

Good luck and happy 2013!

This article is contributed by Michelle Lopez of One2One Resumes.

Thanks

Jappreet Sethi

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Aug 11

How to Handle Panel Interviews

As if a one-on-one interview wasn’t stressful enough …. there is the dreaded Panel Interview! If the thought of facing a panel of interviews sends you into a tailspin, you are not alone.

Panel interviews are most commonly used for government positions within Australia. The panel is made up of representatives from different business units including human resources, line management and senior employees. Numbers vary but typically range between 3 and 6 panel members. On a positive note, panel interviews usually negate the need for a second round of interviews.

Feeling intimidated in these interviews is common because questions can be fired at you from all angles. With a one-on-one interview you have time to catch your breath in-between questions while the interviewer makes notes. However, in a panel interview, another member will pick up where one left off. Try to relax and answer as best you can.

The key to a good panel interview is to connect and build rapport with each member. Remember too, that each member will have his or her own agenda. For instance, the needs of a representative from the HR department will be different to that of the sales or operations areas. Try to tailor your response to meet the agenda of the member who asked the question.

The main area of concern for panel interviews is eye contact. This is a challenge, but when responding to a question, direct your answer to the person who asked the question. However, be sure to make eye contact with other members of the panel as well. Engaging everyone on the panel will help you to make a good impression.

Tips:

At the time of making your interview appointment, don’t be afraid to ask who will be on the panel. Note their names and position within the organisation.
Your preparation for a panel interview is similar to that of a regular interview. Review your resume in advance, study the job description and develop examples of your ability to meet the criteria.
When you arrive greet and shake hands with every panel member. Try to remember their names. It is good to use their names during the interview. A good trick is to use your notepad and make notes of the panel member’s names in the order they are sitting so that at a glance you can remember their name.
Maintain eye contact with each member of the panel. A good rule of thumb is to address your response primarily to the person who asked the question, but let your eyes drift briefly to other members during the response.
If you need a moment to gather your thoughts during the interview say so. There is no shame in taking a moment to come up with the best example.
As with other interviews, a follow up letter is a must. Make sure you send one to each member of the panel and tailor it towards their area of the business.

This article is contributed by Michelle Lopez of One2One Resumes.

Thanks

Jappreet Sethi

Aug 11

How To Handle One-on-One Interviews?

These are by far the most popular style of interview. You meet one-on-one with a representative of the company, more often than not, the manager you will be reporting to, or, in some cases, a representative from the HR department. If you reach this stage of being offered an interview you more than likely have the right qualifications and skills for the job. So now is the time to determine if you are a good ‘fit’ for the organisation.

These interviews are usually structured. The interviewer may have a list of questions that he/she will ask all candidates in order to compare apples with apples. Bear in mind though, that some interviews are unstructured. In other words, an interviewer may ask questions prompted from your responses, so come armed with examples.

Interview questions will be of a technical and general nature. The interviewer will be looking for specific examples of how you have, and will, handle certain situations in the workplace. To that end you may be asked questions like – “What would you do if faced with….. ?” or “How would you handle a situation where …..?”. Other questions may include “Tell me about yourself”, “Why would you be a good fit for the role?” etc.

The interviewer will be working from your resume and will undoubtedly ask questions about its content, so be ready to answer more in depth questions about your background, skills and experience.

There will be other candidates who are being interviewed so your aim in this interview is to show them that you are the person they need. Talking about your achievements and unique selling points is the most effective way of differentiating yourself from other candidates.

Tips:

Be prepared! Review the job advertisement/description and make notes of areas where you have a lot to offer.
Review your resume and highlight points that you want to elaborate upon.
Look at the achievements in your resume and come up with different examples to demonstrate the breadth and depth of your experience.
Think about the STAR method when answering questions. What was the ssituation, your task, the approach taken and the result. See Understanding STAR for more information.
Try to establish rapport. Be professional, friendly and engaged. Watch your body language. Listen attentively and maintain eye contact throughout the interview.
Research the company. Use the Internet, industry associations, your network, publications etc to understand the company and their products/services. Be ready to ask questions about the company. This shows the interviewer that you’ve taken the time to research them and demonstrates interest.
Always thank the interviewer for their time and remember to follow up with a thank you letter.

This article is contributed by Michelle Lopez of One2One Resumes.

Thanks

Jappreet Sethi

3 comments

Aug 11

How To Handle Telephone Interviews ?

The key to a good interview lies in your ability to research, prepare and rehearse. There are many different styles of interview and understanding how these work can help you prepare in advance so you don’t freeze with nerves.

Telephone interviews are becoming increasingly common. However, the mere thought of them make some people literally quiver at the knees! Here are a few suggestions to help make your preparation and hopefully, experience of telephone interviews, a little more pleasant.

Employers and recruiters use phone interviews as a means of narrowing down the number of candidates who will be given a face to face interview. They are just as important as traditional interviews and you should be prepared.

Remember, this is your first point of contact, aside from your resume, with the employer. Your telephone manner, tone of voice and overall professionalism will be monitored and you want to make the interaction a positive one. This is your chance to shine – to add a touch of ‘you’ to your application, to build rapport, get more information on the role and present highlights of your background; all of which could land you a face to face interview.

Smile! Yes, no one can see you, but I guarantee they will hear your smile. This will also increase your confidence and settle the nerves.

Make sure you are in a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted. You don’t want background noise, screaming kids or traffic in the background. Try to use a landline if you can to overcome the potential for poor reception or drop outs.

Keep a glass of water with you.

Don’t forget the pleasantries. Just because you’re not in front of the person doesn’t mean manners don’t count. Be polite. Listen attentively to what is being said or asked and try not to interrupt to make a point. Wait until the person has finished and then put forth your answers.

In many ways a telephone interview can be easier because you can have a ‘cheat-sheet’ in front of you. Write down what you want to say so you have a list of key points which you won’t forget in the event of nerves.

Questions are impressive. If you’ve done your research and have some well thought out, intelligent questions to ask, you come across as someone with initiative who is well prepared and interested. Don’t read them verbatim because you risk sounding stiff, but have them in front of you to use as a prompt.

Make sure you have your diary nearby in case you are asked for an interview at the end of the call – you don’t want to appear unorganised.

No matter how the call ends, always thank the person warmly for their time and consideration. We hope this makes preparing for a telephone interview a little easier. Good luck!

This article is contributed by Michelle Lopez of One2One Resumes.

Thanks

Jappreet Sethi

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Jul 03

20 Ways to Kill Your Job Application!

We spend a great deal of time talking to recruiters, employers and human resource staff every week. I recently sent an email asking some of them what they would list as their top 3 peeves when it came to receiving resumes and short-listing candidates. You should have seen my inbox fill up with responses! Many were repeated, so I thought I would share a list of the top 20.

Straight from the mouths of the people reading your resumes:

Rambling! I wish people would get to the point. I haven’t got time to read a novel.
Resumes that are a straight list of duties. Tell us what you did differently, what you did well.
I want people to tell me how they meet my need. If not, I move on to the next resume. Simple.
People who don’t meet the criteria for the role. If you don’t have the essential skills required, then don’t apply. Essential and desirable criteria are listed for a reason.
Career Objectives. OMG, these are so annoying. I don’t want to know what you want. I want to know what you can do for me!
Incorrect contact details. If an email bounces or the wrong phone number has been given, I won’t search for them, I’ll just move on to the next application.
Poor grammar and spelling mistakes. It amazes me how many people apply for a role where written business communication is a major component of the role and send me a resume riddled with errors. These people usually claim they pay attention to detail as well!
An application addressed to someone else. Its obvious they use the same application for every job and haven’t changed the salutation. These usually hit the shredder.
Clutter. Personally, I can’t stand looking at resumes that are jammed so tight and written using the smallest font to get as much information on the page as possible. They are too hard to read and very unappealing.
A cover letter that repeats, verbatim, what is in the resume. Why bother? You’ve wasted my time and yours.
Long resumes. Resumes longer than 3 pages lose me.
When you call a candidate about a job application and they say something along the lines of “Sorry, what job is this about again?” Keep track of your applications.
Resumes without dates for each position. My first thought is “What are you trying to hide?”
I’m sick of reading that everyone is a team player, has attention to detail and can see the big picture. Really? Prove it.
When I ask about salary expectations and get the “What is this role offering?” question in return. You should have an expectation and be prepared to discuss it.
Candidates who can’t make the time for an interview. I spent close to 20mins on the phone the other day with a woman who couldn’t seem to lock in a time to meet. It interfered with soccer practice, music practice, a monthly ‘girls’ movie night, and of course, her current role. If you’re serious about job hunting – make the time to be available for the interview.
Template driven resumes. One day recently I saw 4 resumes, the exact same format, and in some sections, the exact same wording! Write it yourself or get a reputable writer to do it for you.
Resumes that are not in chronological order. It is too hard to follow resumes that jump all over the place.
Trying to figure out locations of positions. People who have worked internationally or nationally need to include this information – I am not an atlas!
Gaps in employment that haven’t been explained. I know you will have a reason for it, but try telling me, I’m not a psychic.

So there you have it …. 20 ways in which to kill your application and lose an opportunity. I hope by sharing these, you will be able to avoid some of these pitfalls in your job search.

This article is contributed by Michelle Lopez of One2One Resumes.

Thanks

Jappreet Sethi

2 comments

Jun 25

How To Crack HR Interview – Using STAR Model

Using the STAR method is one of the most effective ways of getting your message across to potential employers whether in your resume or at interview. Applied correctly the STAR method can significantly improve your job search. It works!

The STAR acronym stands for:

Situation
Task
Action
Result

Following the STAR technique enables you to give employers a clear, concise and informative response which outlines a situation and the part you played. It tells them how you approached the task and the results of your actions. This gives credibility to your claims.

So how does it work?

Situation: Give an example of a work situation you were involved in with a positive outcome. Briefly outline the situation and your role.

Task: Describe the tasks involved. What were your tasks, duties or responsibilities? What needed to be done? What obstacles had to be overcome?

Action: Describe the action you took to address the situation. What did you do? What steps did you take to complete the task? What was the allocation of resources and/or people involved?

Result: Describe what resulted from your actions. What was the outcome? What were the improvements or benefits? How did the situation end?

An example of a STAR response in an interview works like this:

Question: Can you tell me about a time when you increased sales?

Answer: In my role at ABC Pty Ltd I was hired to drive sales by actively reaching new customers. There was also a major problem with declining sales from existing customers. Many were no longer purchasing from us and of those that were, the frequency and volume had significantly decreased. (Situation/Task)

The first thing I did on commencement was telephone all existing customers including those who hadn’t purchased with us in awhile. I introduced myself as a new member of staff and asked them for feedback on our products and service. I catalogued their feedback into an Excel spreadsheet and identified the key areas of concern. I presented my findings to management who were alarmed to find so many customers dissatisfied with the delivery contractors they were using. (Action)

As a result of this, management negotiated a new delivery contractor who promised to deliver on time. I notified every customer, both in person and in writing, and actively sought their business with an assurance of improved delivery service.

In 6 months I had increased sales in the division by 45% (from 26k to 38k) and am proud to say, managed to get all but 3 customers to buy from us regularly again. (Result)

Can you see how this technique is so effective at actually telling the employer not just what you did, but how you did it and the resulting benefits? Applied to your resume, this technique gives instant credibility to your claims.

Think about using the STAR method for your next interview and why not take a look at your resume again. Could it be improved now you understand the technique?

This article is contributed by Michelle Lopez of One2One Resumes.

Thanks

Jappreet Sethi

Jun 13

Will blasting your resume Help or Hurt your job search?

When you first start looking for a job you’re excited … you jump online and blast your resume off to anything that looks remotely interesting. You are thinking about you … “Hmm, that sounds good, I might like to work in that role …”, hit Send and away it goes!

Perhaps you’ve lost your job and suddenly, with no warning, you’re staring down the barrel of financial struggles and stress. You desperately scour job sites and papers and apply for anything. This seems like a great idea – surely the more applications you send, the greater chance you have of getting another job and putting this stress behind you!

Others adopt a first-in, best-dressed theory – job markets are competitive and you believe that getting in quickly will give you an edge over the competition.

I know of candidates who sit at work, miserable in their job, and in reaction to something that has happened in the workplace, spend a few minutes online frantically applying for anything remotely possible.After a resume-blasting session you feel better … “Well that was a good effort” you think, “I’ve put myself in front of plenty of employers. Surely I will get a job from one of these.”

Did you know that, within minutes of a new job being posted on job search sites, employers and recruiters start receiving applications in their inbox? The problem is however, that most of those applications will be from people who don’t meet the criteria.

Job-searching is a numbers game and the more applications you get out there, the more likely you are to find a position. But your applications must be targeted.

Nobody is impressed by the number of applications you submit, nobody will pat your back at the end of a resume-blasting session and say “Well done Johnny, 30 applications sent”.

Employers want substance. Facts. Figures. Results. They’ve got a problem and they want you to solve it. Employers want to know what you’ve done, how you’ve done it well and the value you can offer them. Generic applications don’t address those needs.

Using a one-size-fits-all resume and generic cover letter will not make an impact with employers. You are wasting not only your time, but the employers’ time as well and ultimately lengthening your job search.

Stop and think about recruitment databases for a moment. Records are kept of positions you apply for: have you ever considered that in 3 months from now if you are still looking for work, people will see not only that you’ve been searching for a while but also that you’re a ‘serial applicant’?

Candidates who take the time to tailor their application to the role have far more chance of being considered as a serious applicant.

“But I need a job,” you cry, “I haven’t got time to be selective and tailor my application.” Understandably you need to secure work and have to be proactively applying for roles, but proceeding in a job search with a generic resume and cover letter is ineffective.Take the time now to work on an interview-winning resume and cover letter. You can use these as your base, so that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel each time you apply.

When you see a job of interest read the criteria carefully – do you meet it? If you do then it’s time to customise your application.

Start with your resume – make sure your profile and areas of expertise (core competencies/skills) are tailored to the role – does it contain keywords from the advert?
How have the company written the qualifications – are yours listed this way in your resume?
Look at the order of information in the advert (usually the order of importance for the employer) – does your application cover these points early in the resume?

Sometimes your resume will only require minor editing – perhaps changing the order of achievements to highlight key areas of importance for this role.

Treat your cover letter as an opportunity to talk about your ‘fit’ for the position.
Tell the employer how you will meet their needs.
Discuss other information that might not be contained in your resume but is relevant to the role.
Talk about the company: a candidate who has clearly done their research is impressive.
Address your letter to a person rather than Dear Sir or Dear Hiring Manager. You can call the receptionist or search online for this information.

Every time you tailor an application save a copy: if you come across a similar role you’ll only need to make minor adjustments.Taking the time to customise your application is well worth the effort. Employers can see that you’ve invested time in the application and you stand out from other applicants. You have the opportunity to highlight points from your past that speak directly to this position.

Don’t be reactive – stop and think about your application and take the time to get it right before pressing Send!

This article is contributed by Michelle Lopez of One2One Resumes.

Thanks

Jappreet Sethi

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Nov 29

How To Switch Jobs In A Market Slowdown

All things considered, this is not the best of times for switching jobs in India. This country has seen a fair bit of negative fallout of the economic problems in Europe and the US, and most MNCs in India are tightening their belts on recruitment. If you are looking to get a senior-level job in one of the bigger corporates, you will need to rethink the traditional job switching strategies.

Move Beyond Job Portals

To begin with, move beyond job portals like Naukri.com and Monster.com. In the current scenario, these platforms may not offer you what you are looking for. While they do serve their purpose at certain job levels, they may not be of great help to those seeking high-level placements. In times when good jobs are hard to come by, all you will find on these portals is the jobs that are not being filled because they are less than lucrative.

Remember that the HR departments of most MNCs have their own trusted recruitment routes and networks, and turning to job portals is usually their last option. Even when the occasional senior management job pops up there, your chances of your application getting short-listed are pretty slim. The queue is simply too long.

How To Get Through To Real Decision Makers

If you are looking for a senior management job today, your only real hope is to get face-time with senior decision makers within such companies. If you attempt to do this via the company’s HR department, the odds are heavily stacked against you. As already mentioned, the HR department of this company would already be in contact with the most suitable candidates in their database. You, as a stranger to this database, are therefore a wild card at best.

How do you manage to meet the senior decision makers and bypass the HR route? Tap into your own industry contacts and start working upwards till you get an email ID, a mobile number or a direct line. Remember not to shoot straight for the top. There is no point in talking to the CEO, since he or she will probably not be aware of the company’s managerial needs. Also, CEOs are unlikely to entertain unsolicited calls or emails, which would usually be fielded by their PAs. What you need is a direct line to the head of the department you are aiming to join.

Upgrade Your Resume to Reflect Your Achievements

Sit down with your existing resume and mercilessly edit out everything that looks like window dressing. Forget about your hobbies and club memberships. Never mind your personal objectives or ‘mission statement’. In a job recession, the only things that matter are your abilities to beef up a company’s bottom line.

Succinctly state how your skills can help make a difference to the department in terms of increased sales and greater visibility. Mention your past successes in some detail. Do not forget to include credible references. If you find yourself stumped, using a good resume writing service may be a good option.

Make A Strong Case In Your Covering Letter

Once your resume has been amended, compose a brief, winning covering email, attach your updated CV and send it to your designated ‘mark.’ If you have a phone number, follow up with a call later in the day. Explain that you are eager for a personal meeting to discuss your potential worth to the company. This direct and forthright approach is very likely to get you noticed. It emphasizes the fact that you have courage and conviction, and that you know what it takes to get something done.

Follow Up Strategically

Sending your resume is the start of the game, not the end – the action starts now. Make sure you follow up periodically. Find out if someone else knows the decision maker and get a reference call to him or her. It is all about making your case stronger than that of other possible applicants. However, temper your follow-ups with prudence – you do not want to seem desperate, either.

Networking In Conferences Works

The other way is to increase networking opportunities so that you can bump into senior executives at conferences, seminars and panel discussions. It would work best if your are actively participating in the event, since you could strike strategic conversations. In the course of such conversations, it becomes easy to infer that you would be interested in working for the organization. Often, companies sponsor executives for such events. However, my advice would be to not shy away from investing in an entry ticket. It pays off in the long run.

Jappreet Sethi

3 comments

Nov 26

How To Achieve Career Mastery

You have worked hard at mastering yourself – your habits, your outlook on life, your relationships and your finances. Now is the time to master the course of your career, as well. You achieve career mastery when you can integrate your personal development and growth into your professional growth and development.

There are different elements for career mastery.

Becoming Proactive: The most important aspect of career mastery is going after what you want. This means identifying your goal and taking the necessary action towards it. It will not be easy, which is why you have avoided taking these steps in the past. Getting proactive about your career also means that you will regularly have to overcome barriers and limitations. You do not have to overcome everything at once; all that is required it consistent action
Networking: Obviously, you will need to interact with other people and build your treasury of valuable contacts. If you have not been very successful at this so far, you may have overlooked one very important aspect of connecting with others. You need to understand that to effectively connect with other people, you need to connect with yourself first. In other words, you have to gain a thorough understanding of who and what you are. Once you have this understanding, networking with the right people becomes effortless.
Becoming Informed: Have you put all your time and effort into staying informed about issues related to your current profession – to the exclusion of everything else? This is a mistake, because it closes you off from other career options. Career mastery may involve changing the current story-line altogether. Inform yourself about other professions that may interest you, as well.
Knowing Your True Potential: It is important to know your potential and your strengths and weaknesses. This will allow you to focus on what is feasible and workable in your professional life, and save you the wasted time and effort of Quixotic endeavors.

These principles hold true whether you are working for an organization or self-employed. The idea is to take charge of your career, no matter how and where you are placed right now. Remember that the onus of career mastery is completely on you – the world does not owe you better opportunities. Other people will not promote you in your professional life – only you can do that. Throughout your professional life, you will have to accept total responsibility for right and wrong career decisions.

Here is a fundamental standard to guide you in whatever you do from now on – you will only succeed at something if you love doing it. Successful people do not create and build their careers or businesses for economic reasons alone. They succeed because they love their company, their jobs or their business.

Probably the biggest challenge here lies in knowing what you really love to do. It is difficult to find and attain your true potential when you choose to act solely on the basis of logic and common sense. Peter Senge, the American scientist and director of the Center for Organizational Learning at the MIT Sloan School of Management, has correctly pointed out that adults have little sense of real vision. Most of us have goals and objectives in our lives, but having a vision and following up on that vision is a very different ballgame.

Changing or shifting your career as a professional or an entrepreneur is not easy. You have to master yourself first before you start changing. Career mastery begins with self-mastery. Self-mastery, in turn, begins with uncompromising self-examination, facing up to the immutable truths of one’s abilities and potential, and following through with determined, concerted action.

Jappreet Sethi