Can’t Create A Lasting Impression? . . . You’ll Never Get Hired!
Of course, if you’re in the job market, you want to get hired. But there’s one absolutely essential ingredient. Without it you’ll never get hired!
Let’s take a look at how the hiring dynamic works. Unfortunately, we’ve been taught to focus on our work history and experience as the essential determination for a decision-maker to decide that you’re the right person for the job. Nothing could be further from the truth!
You see, an employer looks way beyond your resume to make a hiring decision. And if you’re not aware of what’s going on in his/her mind, you’ll miss out on what you have to do to lock up the job.
For example, we’ve been studying how hiring decisions are made for many years. We’ve learned that, in the final analysis, you’ll be offered the job because an employer likes you. That’s right! If an employer doesn’t feel good about you or have some connection with you that goes beyond you work credentials,you’re not going to get the job!
So, the question becomes, “What do I have to do to win over an employer?”
Well, being a phony doesn’t work. But being friendly and focusing on personal strengths and character traits rather than work history and experience will go a long way. Keeping the communication with an employer informal and conversational rather than a Q&A session helps too.
But, most important of all, you have to create a lasting impression. The reason for this is very simple. An employer will rarely make a final decision about you on the spot. He/she will want to think about you,compare you with other candidates, review ways you can make a contribution to the organization.
If he can’t remember you, you’re out! This decision-maker has a lot more going on than spending time
going over your credentials. Unless you do something to make yourself stand out in his/her mind, you’ll become just another forgettable job candidate. In short, you won’t get hired.
So, what’s the secret?
Learn to tell stories about yourself! I call them “war stories.” Talk about yourself in vivid, colorful stories that paint a bright picture of you in action, actually doing the things you’re especially proud of, rather than listing your work history and accomplishments.
People can get very interested in your graphic picture of you in action. And more importantly, they’ll remember them after you’re gone which, like I said before, is when most hiring decisions are made. In other words, the more memorable your stories the more you move the odds in your favor that you’ll get hired!
Telling war stories about you takes a bit of practice because it’s not something we’re used to doing. However, if you write out six or eight good, juicy stories illustrating your main accomplishments and then practice them with family or friends, I promise you, you’ll be in the winner’s circle where you can count on hearing the welcome words, “You’re hired!”
Paul Bowley manages EEI, the world-class pioneer in alternative job search techniques and innovative e-business strategies . . . since 1985. Check out THE WORLD’S FASTEST JOB SEARCH PLAN! And grab our stunning FREE REPORT! http://www.fastest-job-search.com
Job Search Myth #1 . . . My Resume Will Get Me A Job!
Let me tell you about a sad job search myth. You spend a lot of time on your resume. You worked and reworked to get the chronology right. You’re able to hold it up and say you’re proud of what it represents. You expect it to work for you. You plan to have your resume find you a job.
But it’s a job search myth!
There are several compelling reasons why counting on your resume to get you a job is a job search myth.
1. There are millions of resumes in circulation at any given moment — in print and online. The chances of your masterpiece getting directly into the hands of the person who is going to hire you are very, very slim.
2. Assuming your resume does match some of an organization’s needs, it’s going to go through an institutional screening process. A lower level HR associate or assistant to the assistant manager is going to be deciding whether or not you’re a worthy candidate.
3. You’ve got competition. When you submit a resume, you’re putting yourself right in the middle of your competitors with nothing but the cleverness of your document to distinguish you from the rest of the crowd. What are your chances that’s going to happen?
4. My resume will be carefully reviewed by a qualified decision-maker. NOT! We know from studies that an employer spends a maximum 20-50 seconds reading a resume. If something doesn’t pop off the page at him/her in that first cursory reading it lands on the reject pile,
5. Employers aren’t interested in what you used to do for someone else. Your resume details how you’ve helped someone else be successful. Someone who’s interested in hiring you wants to know how you’re going to fit into their organization. And how you can contribute to their bottom line.
So, if I can’t count on a resume to get me a job, what good is it? How do I avoid this job search myth?
An excellent question! You see, no one is going to hire you unless they have a chance to meet you face-to-face. It’s in the course of that engagement that the initial (not final) screening decision is made. If that’s the case, then your resume can serve as a summary of your accomplishments to hand an employer AFTER you’ve met.
In a sense, it serves as a business card. It’s a reminder to an employer of some of the highlights you brought to his/her attention in the course of your meeting. And it becomes the basis for a follow-up letter, phone call, second meeting, etc.
Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t have a quality resume. But you should be spending a lot more time researching organizations and decision-makers you’d like to go to work for. And then designing ways to get in front of them so you can make your case in person where it really counts.
That’s how you turn a job search myth into a job search success story!
Paul Bowley manages EEI, the world-class pioneer in alternative job search techniques and innovative e-business strategies . . . since 1985. Check out THE WORLD’S FASTEST JOB SEARCH PLAN! And grab our stunning FREE REPORT! http://www.fastest-job-search.com
Bad Credit and Finding New Employment
People can live without owning a home, they just rent. People can live without owning a car by riding the bus. People can go without health insurance; it is not ideal but possible. People learn how to deal with cash only instead of credit cards, but there is one thing that it is hard to function without – a job. Now it is having an effect on people’s employment in a way that it didn’t in the past.
It is important to know that the law prohibits an employer from denying employment to someone based on bankruptcy findings. However, the law does not prohibit an employer from denying an application, or even rescinding an offer, based on other credit issues.
Some of these issues could be inquiries, foreclosures, or collection actions. More and more companies are using credit reports as a means of hiring, firing, and for promotional purposes. One survey that was taken by the Society for Human Resource Management showed that 35% of companies are now performing this practice.
The most common practice for employers still remains to be the background check, but studies have found that if a company is pooling resources in order to verify background, more often than not, they will go ahead and pull the credit report also. However, many employers have found that finding credit mishaps did not determine whether or not an employee was more likely to steal.
The better predictor, most would say, is a full criminal background check, which would show things such as bounced checks. Employers will also use credit checks in order to make sure employment history is correct and that the Social Security numbers are valid. This is a measurement that is taken as a form of insurance for a company that is trying to hire new staff members.
Should you apply for a job with a governmental agency you will most likely have to go through a credit check. This might sound intimidating; however a governmental credit check isn’t as scary as having one done for a private company. Aside from the usual need for security clearance, the government will run a check if the job you are applying for will have you dealing with cash.
There are rules that people have to follow, regardless of the position that is being applied for. For instance, an employer has to have your permission before they can run a credit check. The permission has to be obtained in writing, and any deviation from this method is against the law.
Bankruptcy is not supposed to be considered a problem. Remember, they can take issue with you not paying your bills, but not if you have filed for bankruptcy. Finally, if your credit information is used against you in any way, the employer is required to tell you what the problem is.
When it comes right down to it, the best thing you can do for yourself is to stay on top of your credit. Credit affects people more and more with each passing year. During the time of our grandparents no one would have ever thought that they would be refused a job due to bad credit. Today, there are many people who lose their jobs due to bad credit and it is affecting us all in ways we never would have thought of.
Mike Selvon is the owner of various niche portals. Our credit repair portal at http://creditrepair.trustprofitableniche.com is a great resource for more information on bad credit and finding employement. While you are there don’t forget to claim your free gift.
How to Win The 21st Century Job War!
Let’s face it. You’re in a job war if you’re in the job market these days!
Why? Well, we live in a world of competition! Any job success strategy worth its salt has to take that into account. If you’re bent on winning your job war, you better be realistic about competition.
In short, to win the job war you need an alternative job success strategy.
Well, you already probably know that the alternative job search and non-traditional career advancement movement is dedicated to finding innovative alternative ways to accomplish career goals. These inventive strategies bypass old-fashioned ways of handling career and job search issues.
You know . . . trying to win the job war based on what you used to do for someone else. Like the way you represent yourself in a traditional resume. You see, handling competition requires an alternative job success strategy as well.
You see, the more competitive the field you’re in, the harder it is to overtake the competition and achieve your goal. The facts of life are that, once you get there, the next hurdle is holding your position and keeping the competition at bay.
To get to that special place you better be in top shape. The means being the smartest, toughest and strongest (physically and mentally). You also need to persistent, confident and truly believe in your talents–even when everything seems to be going wrong.
Depending on your earning power and level of responsibility, you’re probably expected to achieve astonishing results. At the same time, you’re more vulnerable and open to intense scrutiny. Your supporters are cheering you on while your competitors are watching and waiting for you to screw up.
Here’s what an alternative job success strategy looks like. If you want to be on track for superstar status, you have to be prepared to take on the biggest and riskiest projects. You also have to be prepared to fail miserably. But if you can survive, you’ve put together the fundamental principles of an alternative job success strategy and a non-traditional career advancement process.
If you’re not fit to play the job success game, then you’re better off adopting a strategy that puts you in a quiet and adequately paying job where you’re barely visible and not a target for anyone who wants your job. Doing this the right way is a measure of success as well, depending on your long-term career goals.
Part of any alternative job success strategy is knowing who you are and be satisfied that you’ve chosen the correct career path success plan that’s consistent with the kind of person you are.
So, whether you’re a hard-charging competitor whose willing and able to take significant risks . . . or you’re an average, committed employee who enjoys his/her job without any of the competitive worries . . . you can reassure yourself that you have a success strategy that works for you!
Paul Bowley manages EEI, the world-class pioneer in alternative job search techniques and innovative e-business strategies . . . since 1985. Check out THE WORLD’S FASTEST JOB SEARCH PLAN! And grab our stunning FREE REPORT! http://www.fastest-job-search.com
The Law of Attraction? The Secret to Love, Happiness and Success
Have you heard of the movie The Secret? It is truly one of a kind. First off, it had a world premier on March 26, 2006 – not really something new BUT it was also heavily marketed as “a Worldwide Internet Event” because the movie was made available for online viewing. So what IS the movie The Secret all about? It’s about the Law of Attraction.
The Movie The Secret – Unlock the Potential of the Universal Law of Attraction
The movie The Secret is not really a ‘movie’ in the traditional sense of the word. It’s more like a documentary with people providing commentaries on how life success, relationship success, business success, and more can be yours if only you know how to leverage the law of attraction.
What is great about the film is that it is never boring. You sit there riveted as you absorb this particular success principle. Another great thing about the movie is that you sit there listening to so many successful people attesting to this success system that never fails, providing credence to what the film is trying to teach.
The Law of Attraction 101
Put simply, the premise of the Law of Attraction is that everything that is happening to you NOW is something that you attracted to yourself. As is constantly repeated in the movie The Secret – what you think about, you bring about. The Law of Attraction is not really something that is new. Even when we were young weren’t we always taught to ‘think positive thoughts’ to turn away any ‘negative vibes’?
So since we were children, we have been exposed to the success through a positive mental attitude mantra. This is partly why the film really reaches out to its viewers – it is touching a nerve that is not completely unknown. It is understandable and easy to grasp.
However, LIFE happens and our childlike definition of success gets muddled. The Secret shows us that we should go back to this state of success through a positive mental attitude and we WILL see results.
How to Practice the Law of Attraction
So how does one put the Law of Attraction into practice? The movie The Secret reveals three steps.
One: ASK.
Quantify what you really want in life. Don’t just say you want to be rich, be specific. However, having said that, don’t forget that success is a journey. Asking for a million dollars in the bank tomorrow is self-defeating (although… not impossible as any lottery winner will attest) because you are setting a goal that is almost impossible. The result? You are persuading yourself that this particular law of success is not working and you abandon it and perhaps go back to your negative way of thinking.
Two: BELIEVE.
Once you specify what you want in love, life, business or whatever aspect, BELIEVE that you will get it.
Many people put themselves down thinking they are not worthy of such high ambitions. Well you know what? You are! So start believing that you will achieve success and YOU WILL.
Three: RECEIVE.
The Law of Attraction is all about putting forth into the universe what you want… and receiving it. It can be tomorrow, next week or in a couple of years but you will receive it in due course.
How To Start Bringing Success In Your Life
The Attitude of Gratitude. Start putting out those positive vibes by starting each day with thoughts of what you are already thankful for in life. This will give your day a ‘happiness kick’ that no caffeine drink can produce! The positive energy that this exercise produces will carry out through your day and ATTRACT other positive outcomes.
Dress for Success. Put forth a successful aura and success will be attracted to you like a magnet! Our outer appearance is almost always a reflection of how we feel inside so if you dress sloppily, you are putting forth negative energy. However, no need to run to the mall to break the bank for clothes. How about just trying to smile more often? Smiling is one of the best (and cheapest!) ways to put forth positive energy.
If you have teeth problems preventing you from radiating a bright, cheery smile, FIX IT NOW. Visit your dentist or if it’s just dark-stained teeth, use an at-home teeth bleaching product. In short, don’t let anything get in the way of a great smile.
So what are YOU going to do now that you know about the Law of Attraction? Practice it. Remember, the universe does not like delay… so ACT.
Ashley Truitt empowers men and women to increase their Wow Factor through personal development and image makeovers. Radiate confidence and attract success with a dazzling white smile. Go to http://www.novawhite.com/t/am9/ and check out our amazingly affordable home tooth whitening solutions.