Improve Job Search Results - Dealing With Job Search Pressure

This article will highlight how people generally respond to distress; and especially the distress of job search pressure and how to manage that stress and the results of your job search by effectively dealing with job search pressure.

The conventional wisdom surrounding people's responses to pressure typically revolve around two behavior models: The type A personality, who becomes consumed with anxiety over pressure situations, and has a tendency to become angry and unreasonable; and the type B personality, who remains unaffected and carries on with business as usual.

However, among psychologists, a third type of personality has emerged: type C. Type C personalities actually thrive on pressure, turning in their best work under stressful circumstances. The big difference between type C and types A and B seems to be the ability to commit to a task without making the process about their own egos.

Apparently, the type A personality unconsciously ties their feelings of self-worth to success in the area of work and career. When a situation arises that puts performance pressure on this type of person, they perceive it as a threat to their self-image - the way they perceive their value to themselves and friends and loved ones - and thereby respond from a place of fear and panic.

The type B personality has successfully avoided tying up their self-image with their employment, but in such a way that he or she is minimally, if at all, emotionally engaged in work and career. While the type B personality does not give in to the mania that will affect a type A, they also have little motivation to step up to the plate and deliver if job search circumstances demand extra commitment.

The type C personality, on the other hand, seems able to commit to whatever time and effort is required to bring in a job search goal on a tight schedule and budget.

Many of us would like to assume we are that resourceful type C personality; and the truth is... even if you are currently a type A or type B, you can become a type C personality by consciously choosing how to respond to any situation, instead of simply reacting from emotional upset or disconnection from a required task. It takes discipline, willpower and presence of mind to choose to respond in a mature, productive fashion; but with practice, those personality skills can become habit, and your job search life will change for the better.

A major part of becoming a type C personality is to recognize vicious cycles in your behavior. There are telltale signs that you are entering a destructive cycle of emotion motivated reactions to pressure filled job search situations. Whether your emotions kick into overdrive, and you become an abusive, overbearing person, or your emotions shut down and you simply refuse to invest in what's going on around you, learn to spot the symptoms that signal the start of these cycles. For example, some people start losing sleep, or drinking too much coffee or alcohol. Some people turn inside themselves, and stop communicating and socializing with others. Whatever the early behaviors are that signal to you that you are starting a vicious cycle of negative, anti job search behavior, you can notice these symptoms and thereby prevent yourself from generating non-productive and self-defeating job search behavior patterns before they take over.

But simple recognition of these early signs of unhealthy behavior is not enough. These behaviors are habits, and like all habits are very hard to break, unless you replace them with other habits. Put positive, productive job search behaviors in place of the unhealthy ones, and you will find that your entire outlook on life, and not just your job, will change. For instance, if you normally lie awake nights during pressure periods, worrying about aspects of the situation that are beyond your control, you might get out of bed and work on one or another of the job search tasks you require to complete. The act of writing, for many people, takes the power out of problems, and once the particulars are on paper, a solution often presents itself. Or when you feel yourself withdrawing at work on your search for a good job, as the circumstances get tense, try communicating with someone - a job search counselor or advisor, or a friend, your spouse, or possibly a therapist - about your desire to isolate yourself from your stress filled job search. Again, just saying out loud what the problem is, can often take away much of the power that it has over your emotions.

In order to move successfully a less stressful job search scenario, you must be willing to follow the principles of the three Cs - commitment, confidence and control. It is through these three principles that you may build a framework by which you can make those conscious decisions to behave in a productive fashion.

Of course, this is no small job search task. All must be performed to generate a job offer from your chosen vocation. You may need assistance. There are many effective tactics by which you can manage stress, to keep the peace of mind you need to make the right decisions during your job search. For example, find yourself a good stress management program, and follow a healthy diet, with regular exercise and relaxation techniques.

For many of us, a job search is a high pressure situation. Assure yourself that your decisions are based on your commitment to get the best job out there. Do that, and you may find more strength and energy to complete job search research, and development of materials, and job search correspondence, job interviews, job interview call backs, follow-ups, and other details that must be handled professionally in order for an employer to conclude that you are the kind of person that they want to have in their company. In all truth, you are that person now or you would not be reading this article. So just remember... there is no better way to get a job than to be exactly what they are looking for.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR JOB SEARCH!

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Ten Tips on How to Make a Success of Your Job Search

Are you a job seeker presently at loss as to how to make a success of your job search? Are you a job seeker agonizing on the way to land that dream job? We human relation practitioners have known that making a success of your job search is hard work. In point of fact it could be the hardest job in a job hunter's life. It requires innovation and creativity to make it a reality. As a job seeker therefore, you have to bring a lot of ingenuity into job hunting to make it effective and result oriented. Since you are also marketing a product which is you the job seeker, therefore as in marketing it requires positioning, process, persistence, performance and personality. You also have to exhibit enough dexterity as a job seeker marketing yourself to prospective employers. This write up is therefore about the various ways of enhancing the effectiveness of their job hunting.

What therefore are those actions a potential employee needs to take to make a success of his or her job search? What are the necessary steps to be taken to make job seeking result oriented rather than mere action? My experience as an HR expert has shown that the following are the steps you should take to take you from a mere job seeker to a potential employee.

1. Personal Assessment/Audit:

The first tip in making a success of your job search is personal assessment. You need to know what you can do or cannot do and this is important in focusing your career objectives and consequently making a success of your job hunt. It is important to know your feelings about work itself. You need to know what your goals are in one or five year's time. What are your work preferences, your values, your interest areas, skills you possess and personal traits. You may also assess your feelings about working alone or in a group. All these will keep you in a good stead in determining the kind of career and jobs you should pursue.

2. Focusing your job search:

After carrying out a personal audit of yourself and learning about your career objectives it then becomes necessary to focus your job hunting on specific jobs that matches your interest, work preferences, passion, traits, skills and values. You can use job search engines to locate jobs by using keywords that matches your interests and locations where you prefer to work. Other methods of finding employment includes listing in newspapers, referrals from databases, professional magazines, employment agencies, executive search firms, consulting firms, outsourcing agencies, informal inquiries, mass mailing of resumes etc. Narrowing of search criteria brings about focus of the job search and consequently provides more relevant listings to review and less relevant listings to weed out.

3. Create enabling profiles on networking websites:

Another tip in making a success of your job hunt is to create professional profiles on networking sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, Skillpages and VisualCV. Branding yourself in a professional manner will attract recruiters, employers and contact thereby portraying you as a candidate worth being interested in. The benefits of branding yourself on these networking sites can therefore not be overemphasized.

4. Endeavor to search for unadvertised job openings:

It is not all the job openings that are normally advertised. There are some hidden job markets. This is because some recruiters and employers sometimes recruit job seekers that are recommended to them by colleagues, friends and sometimes associates. I personally have once been employed through this means. You should therefore get acquainted with potential employers with a view to having a pre-knowledge of available jobs before they are advertised by developing your contact network. To advertise your availability in the job market, you need to get the names of the professionals in your field. You need to ask faculty, alumni and peers on how to contact such persons. Also, directories, association listings, professional bodies, alumni associations, job search clubs and telephone books are veritable source of such names. To get reliable information about any job listing in any organization the best person to contact is the supervisor or manager of the position you are interested in.

5. Search for advertised job openings:

This is another step in having an effective job hunt. You can find employment adverts through newspapers, journals, publications, professional associations, internet and eRecruiting systems. All these need to be pursued if you really want to make your job hunt successful and result oriented. Following all these leads (together with the unadvertised) will increase your chances of uncovering openings that matches your desires. You should however keep your search focused and apply for only jobs which you are qualified. Employers only notice applicants whose skills and experience matches the one they are looking for. If not your resume and cover letter will be ignored and discarded.

6. Your Resume and Cover Letter need to be targeted:

Endeavor to craft your resume in a professional manner such that it will be a perfect match with the job on offer. Same with your resume cover letter. This is the only way your chances of being invited for interview can be enhanced. Without their being targeted to fit the requirements of the job they will be ignored.

7. The Interview:

You should learn as much as possible about the company you are targeting if you are offered an interview. Prepare adequately before the interview. Prepare with likely interview questions. Hold mock interviews with your friends to identify your lapses. Dress appropriately for the interview and be relaxed during the interview. You should make adequate effort to convince the interviewer with your skills, abilities and accomplishments with a view to convincing him that you are a perfect candidate for the position on offer.

8. Follow Up:

It is important also to make a follow up on your job search after you might have attended the interview. You need to thank everyone that might have made your invitation possible and endeavor to convince them that you are interested in the job and will be perfect for it if selected.

9. Acceptance or Declining of Job Offer:

When an offer for employment has been made you will need to take some time to think it over whether to accept or decline the offer. Certain factors will have to be put into consideration in reaching your final decision. These will include growth possibilities, working conditions, salary and benefits, location, size of organization, travel, stability of organization, amount and level of work, freedom on the job, organizational culture and philosophy of the organization.

10. Need for Continuous Career Development:

Research has shown that the current trend is for the average employee to change jobs several times in his lifetime. To make a success of his job hunt therefore, he will need to constantly re-evaluate his short and long term goals. The skills, values, personalities and interests are therefore necessary to help the average employee achieve his career satisfaction.

By following the steps listed above and taking necessary action, making a success out of your job search will certainly become a reality. This is because the steps will guide potential employees in achieving the desired result of employment. Further all the secrets required for enhancing employ-ability have been presented in easy to learn and understandable manner which will consequently help the average job seeker in landing his dream job.

Human relation practitioners and especially talent hunters have always known that job search is very tasking. To be successful therefore, a job seeker needs to apply certain strategies which will ultimately shorten the period. If these strategies are not applied, success therefore becomes farfetched.

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How to Be Prepared For All Types of Job Interviews

Types of Job Interviews

There are several type of job interviews that the job seeker faces in the job search. Here are some of the interview types that you may face: phone interviews, group interviews, and multi-tiered interviews.

Group Interviews

Ever been to a group interview type with several other job candidates and a small roster of interviewers? These are cream of the crop situations where the best of the best must rise above the rest. What that means: there are several positions available but too many best matches for the positions available, or there one to two positions available and the competition is steep. What it all boils down to is how do you handle stressful situations? Then there is the interview type where the job seeker is faced with more than one interviewer. Congratulations, you are the cream of the crop and half the battle is already done.

This type of interview is a collaborative process that not only defines your flexibility in a stressful situation, but shows whether or not you are truly the best match for the company. Don't let this type of situation stress you out. You, the jobseeker, are also looking for a company that best matches you.

Multiple Interviews

Then there is the multi-tiered interview process. Sometimes, this type of interview is done in two steps or three steps. Whichever interview type you encounter, there are multiple doors you must open before the final meeting. Your first interview maybe a group interview or a personal face-to-face interview. Either way this is the sorting process, where once again they sort out the best of the best.

The interviewers at this type of interview either generally sift through the obviously mistaken at the interview, or relay to the hiring manager who they should "keep an eye out for". Then you get to the second interview, which is usually one on one. This interview means the company expresses a unique interest in hiring you. At the second interview, the job seeker will face questions that are more technically inclined towards the position that you applied, your goals within the company if hired, and the character of your personality.

Basically are you, the job seeker, truly fit for this position, the best match for the company, and should I alert the big hiring boss that we have found a winner? Strangely, you're called back for a third interview. This is the last step in the multi-tiered interview process. You, the job seeker, have finally made it to the hiring manager. The hiring manager is the catch all in the process. They catch anything that their human resources team may have missed, and decide during that interview whether or not they want to work with you.

Now that you have reached the end of this article, remember that this type of interview process can start with a phone interview. Use the career advice below to pass the elusive phone interview and find useful tips on a face to face interview.

Phone Interviews

Before the face-to-face interviews, you may have a telephone interview. Here are some tips to ensure a successful telephone interview:

o Schedule the interview period for a time when you won't be distracted. 

o Control your environment. Keep the dog chained in the backyard. Make sure the kids have a babysitter. Turn off TVs and radios. Ensure all distractions are kept to a minimum. Better yet, eliminate all distractions. 

o Use a landline if one is available. 

o Have a glass of water nearby, in case you get dry mouth. 

o Have your interview notes and resume in front of you. Highlight those areas you believe are most important. 

o Vary your pitch and response time. Don't rush. Calculate your responses. 

o Do not multi-task. Pay careful attention to the process. Having to ask the interviewer to repeat a question or comment indicates inattention.

Face-to-Face Interviews

Once you have gotten past the phone interview, here are some strategies designed to ensure a smooth, in-person interview process:

1. Sell it, Don't Tell it

The interview is the time to "Sell" you. For example: You might be asked how many people you managed in your last position. You might be inclined to answer "35". That's "Telling."

The "Selling" approach should be: "I managed a staff of 35, including both professionals and support personnel. Not only did I manage those individuals, I directed all recruitment and hiring activities, set salaries, designed and implemented bonus plans, facilitated annual performance reviews, and projected long-term staffing requirements. Additionally, my team increased sales by more than 35% in one year while reducing expenses by 10%". 

When presented in this fashion you have "Sold" your achievements and not just "Told" what you did.

2. Spin a Negative into a Positive

Suppose you're asked about your experience having managed people and you've never before done that. Your instinctive response might be to respond that you have no supervisory experience. Never answer "No", "Never", or "I don't know". Alternatively, use related experience to answer the question and illustrate your specific skills. For example, you might respond with "My background includes experience coordinating workload distribution among a team of 50+ personnel and responding to their specific inquiries about job assignments, deadlines, and resources". This approach is honest (you never said you supervised anyone), and you've positioned yourself positively.

3. Use "Big" to highlight the "Little"

Suppose someone asks you if you have any experience with mergers and acquisitions. To organize your thoughts, make your response flow seamlessly, and make it easy for your interviewer to understand your specific experience in that area, use the "big-to-little" strategy. Start "big" with an overview of your experience in M&A transactions; just a few sentences to describe your overall scope and depth of experience. Then, follow up with 2- 4 specific, "little" achievements, projects, or highlights that are directly related. You might talk about your involvement in due diligence, negotiations, transactions, and/or acquisition integration. In essence, you're communicating, "This is what I know and this is how well I've done it."

4. Remember: You've passed the First Test...

Before you enter the interview remember you have passed the first test - You've been invited to the interview based upon your stellar resume, reputation, and performance based upon a telephone pre-interview. If you are meeting with top executives of the company they're already interested in you. Their time is valuable. They wouldn't be meeting with you if they weren't interested. Approach the interview knowing you've got them hooked. Don't be cocky, but use this knowledge to relax and present your best self. Be confident, poised, and work with the objective that you are there to "close the deal".

5. Take the Initiative

It is likely that something within your resume, skills or experiences, may have been overlooked. Perhaps it was your experience with Supply Chain Management or Mergers and Acquisitions. It is your responsibility to introduce this information into the conversation before the interview concludes.

You might comment "before we end the interview I'd like to share some more information about myself as it relates to the position and your company". Proceed with the information, making certain it is pertinent to the conversation and that you communicate all information that has value. It is important to produce this information whether or not the interviewer addresses a particular topic.

Understandably, the interview process is a stressful and difficult situation. Keep in mind your professional life is on the line. Remember to walk into each interview with an agenda of your desired outcome, and work towards that goal. Demonstrate and illustrate your qualifications and experience. Quietly control the interview process and paint a picture that positions you as being the ideal candidate for the job.

With that in mind, some people look great on paper... but miserably fail when presented with the opportunity of the interview. Here are some tips to keep in mind when approaching your interview:

o The Handshake

Keep the handshake firm, not too tight, and certainly not loose. It should last no more than 3 seconds. Maintain eye contact during the handshake and remember to smile.

o Talking too much

Don't talk too much. Certainly engage in conversation with the interviewer, but let them set the pace. Speak slowly and deliberately. Maintain eye contact, but don't glare.

Be comfortable with "uncomfortable silence". You may be asked a question to which you respond, and the interviewer sits there as if they're waiting for more. This may be a test of your patience and confidence. If you've answered the question to the best of your ability remain silent, yet poised for the next question. If it appears that the interviewer isn't wavering you might inquire if your response was satisfactory, and whether they desire a more elaborate response.

o Previous Employers

Never bad-mouth your previous employers. Even if your last boss was a mean- spirited dictator, never present your true feelings about him/her. No matter how reasonable your complaints... you come out the loser. When faced with the challenge of describing your previous employers remember to focus on the positives. Certainly there were some admirable traits you recognized in your previous employers (He/She was diligent in overcoming any obstacles to completing a project. He/She showed no favoritism, treating everyone equally.)

o Show up on time

Never arrive earlier than 10 minutes before the scheduled start of your interview. Anything earlier than 10 minutes is a giveaway that you've too much time on your hands. Act as though your time is as valuable as theirs. 

Never, ever, arrive late for an interview. Anticipate traffic delays or a flat tire. If an emergency causes you to be late telephone the company, explain your predicament, remind them you appreciate how valuable their time is, and inquire if they desire to proceed with the interview or reschedule.

o Be polite to the Receptionist

The Receptionist often is the first person you will meet at the company, and will be the first person for which a good impression should be made. Be polite, and not overly talkative. The Receptionist has the power to present you to the interviewer in a positive or negative light. Never underestimate the power of the receptionist.

o Pay, Benefits, and Vacation time

Never discuss pay, benefits, or vacation time during the initial interview. This meeting is to determine if you are a candidate for the position and if the employer is a candidate for you. Your objective is to receive an offer of employment.

A second interview is the time to discuss pay, benefits, and vacations. At this point you are assured that your experience and skills are valuable to the employer, and discussions about pay and benefits can be presented.

o Prepare for the interview

Find out how people at the particular company are attired. Dress the part. Dress as if you could start work right now. 

Anticipate which questions the interviewer may present. Be prepared to answer any question that might be presented. 

Prepare questions for the interviewer as it relates to the position and the company. Consider asking questions to which you already know the answers. Ask questions that are out of the ordinary. If the company has been involved in a large project, make an inquiry. This signals the interviewer that you've done your research and genuinely are interested in the position and not looking for just another "job".

o Certain questions you might consider asking:

o What are the company's plans for the next five years, and how does this position contribute to achieving those objectives?

o How will my performance be measured, and how often?

o What are the day-to-day core responsibilities for this position?

o Can you describe the company's management style and culture?

You want to be armed with from 5-10 solid questions... ask questions that otherwise you couldn't find answers to on the Internet.

Don't ask:

o What are the company's strengths and weaknesses compared to the competition?

You should prepare, in advance, to identify what those strengths and weaknesses are, and how your skills and experience will contribute.

Remember; demonstrate to the interviewer that you've done your homework, that you have the initiative to seek out answers.

o Communication styles:

o Everyone has a different communication style. Focus on how the interviewer communicates, and mirror his approach.

o If the interviewer seems all business, don't shake things up by telling jokes or anecdotes. Be succinct and businesslike.

o If the interviewer is personable, respond in kind. Identify common interests. Scan his/her office for items that might be a topic for conversation. Keep it short, and not too personal.

o Respond to direct questions directly. Consider following up on a question by inquiring if your answer was sufficient or if it requires further elaboration.

The internet has become a main source of information for job candidates. The internet, being an extremely popular source, makes competition for getting that job highly competitive. Get started with My Online Career Space and let that prospective employer know you are the primary candidate for them. With your own personalized career space you will rise above the rest of the job seekers on the internet.

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