5 Unorthodox Pre-Interview Routines That Actually Work

Preparing for an interview can be a nerve wracking experience. Fortunately, there are some ways to prep for it which will let you ace the interview. While these may seem like strange pre-interview routines, they actually do work and will help you to land the job of your dreams: Look at Facebook This is actually two strategies in one. First of all, check your Facebook profile out and make sure that your own profile is set to private and there are no embarrassing photos of you tagged on the site. If there are, untag yourself from those photos and ask your friends if they would please refrain from tagging you. If possible, get the photos taken down. Double check as well that status updates you've posted aren't embarrassing. If they are, delete them. While this won't completely remove the record of those photos, it does make it harder to find. That in turn means if you ace the interview, your interviewer is less likely to find embarrassing material online which will make them think twice about calling you back for a second interview. The second half of this technique is to find out the name of the person who will be interviewing you and look up their Facebook profile. Get as much information as you can about the person since this will be helpful to you to throw into the conversation when you are meeting with them. Showing an interest in something the person is interested in is a sure way to get yourself remembered out of the hundreds of interviews the hiring manager has to conduct. Prepare a Folder to Fiddle With Yeah, it sounds strange, but this is a great pre-interview technique that can come in handy. Often, you will be asked to wait for a few minutes before your interview. Most times, it's just because the person interviewing you is busy or wants to make you feel as if you aren't the most important person for them to meet. However, on occasion, this is actually a test. They will secretly observe you to see what you do when you are waiting to be interviewed. If you have a folder with your papers in it, you can spend the time appearing to organize yourself so you ace that test. Put Water Behind Your Ears & On Your Wrists This is actually something to do just before the interview. Duck into the bathroom and dab a few drops of water behind the ears and on your wrists. These are areas where you have major arteries and some experts claim by putting water in those locations you can help to calm your nerves by cooling down quickly. Write a List

This one is actually not such a strange pre-interview routine, but it does work wonders. You'll inevitably be asked to tell the interviewer about your proudest achievements, your best qualities and your worst qualities. Most people just wing it when they walk into the interview. However, since you know these things are likely to come up, pre-empt them by making yourself a list of things you can answer. Just make sure to pause for a moment when answering so it appears natural and not rehearsed. Speaking of that Rehearse in Front of a Mirror While a common pre-interview routine is to rehearse by having a friend or family member go through a mock interview with you, a strange pre-interview technique which actually does work wonders is to rehearse on your own in front of a mirror. Your face will often speak louder than your words, so you want to take the time to make sure when you answer questions, you don't telegraph you aren't comfortable answering those questions. By rehearsing in front of a mirror, you can avoid that problem completely. Ted Hekman is the CEO of ResumeBucket.com, a FREE online resume storage service that also has one of the largest collections of sample resumes on the internet. Thanks to Ted Hekman / Careerealism
http://www.careerealism.com/pre-interview-routineswork/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+careerealism+%28CAREEREALISM%29

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

5 Strategies To Cope When Quitting Really Isnt An Option
Those who say "quitters never win" are fooling themselves. If you stick something out just because you're afraid of giving upand it's something that no longer serves you you're wasting your time. And ultimately, you lose. Sure, you're not a quitter. But you sure as hell aren't winning either. When it comes to work, quitting is sometimes the best move you can make. Often, it's a necessary step for forward movement, growth, and pursuing your life's purpose. Still, as we all know, quitting sometimes really isn't an option. Not because it isn't the right thing to do; sometimes, you just can't feasibly move on. Maybe you just can't financially afford to leave your current job. Or maybe the health insurance coverage isn't something you can give up. Or maybe the stress of leaving right now would be far worse than the stress of simply sticking it out for a while longer. These things happen. This is reality. You can't always pick up and move on the second you realize it's the right thing to do. In fact, it's rare a decision to quit can be acted on quickly. It takes time and preparation. So, if you know it's time to quit but doing so right now simply isn't possible, try the following: 1. Emotionally disconnect. Remember: It's just work, it's not YOU. Many peoplemyself includedthink of work as an extension of their identity. So, if you're in a job you hate, you can start to hate yourself. Now is the time to put it in perspective. You are not your job. Your job is simply providing you with somethingwhatever that thing is that makes quitting impossible. Focus on that and break the emotional connection. 2. Find a friend. Happiness has a lot to do with relationships. Even if you're ready to leave your job, you can still enjoy the social side of work. Find a personjust one is all it takeswho gets you. Having a friend at work makes every day easier. 3. Get out. Don't just hang around in an environment that feels like it's slowly draining you. Get out and breathe some fresh air. Take lunch out of the office, go on walks throughout the day, or just take a few minutes to sit outside instead of stewing in the frustration that surrounds you. The more perspective you can get, the more you'll be able to deal with the current situation.

4. Take steps. It might not be feasible to quit right now, but circumstances will change. Start saving money, learn new skills, network and make connections. Prepare yourself for a time when you can leave this job and find something more fulfillingbecause it will happen sooner or later. 5. Stress less. I call this "managing the inner game" and truly, this is the most important point here. Believe me, once you know quitting is what you'd like to do but it's just not possible at the moment, your stress will skyrocket. This is a natural result of feeling trapped. Every instinct in your body is screaming, "FIGHT OR FLIGHT!" It's also a result of feeling stagnant. You want to move forward and yet, due to circumstances beyond your control, you're standing still. Don't ignore these emotions; manage them. Actively work to get your stress under control so you don't end up making some irrational, emotional decision you'll later regret. Chrissy Scivicque (pronounced "Civic"), founder of Eat Your Career, is an awardwinning freelance writer/editor with a passion for two things: food and helping others. Thanks to Chrissy Scivicque / Careerealism
http://www.careerealism.com/5-strategies-cope-quitting-isntoption/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+careerealism+%28CAREEREALISM%29

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

20 Clipped Forms And Their Place (If Any) In Formal Writing
Clipped forms, shortened abbreviations of words, have a checkered history. Some are acceptable in formal writing, and others aren't. When writing in academic contexts, in business writing, or another formal environment, take note of the status of these common clipped forms: 1. Ad: In formal writing, the full form, advertisement, is usually employed. 2. Bra: This clipped form of brassiere, from the French word for "bodice" (its euphemistic meaning: "arm protector"), has supplanted the longer form in all but the most stiffly formal writing. 3. Burger: If ever a reference to this fast food staple makes its way into formal writing, the short form of hamburger is just as likely to appear as the long form. 4. Bus: Omnibus (Latin for "all"), a word for a horse-drawn public-transportation conveyance, gave the right of way to its short form around the time such vehicles became motorized. 5. Copter: The full form, helicopter, is best for formal writing. 6. Deli: Though this word has been in use for at least a half century, delicatessen, from the German word for "delicacies," is best for formal usage. 7. Exam: Examination was clipped back in the late 1800s and has long since been used even in formal writing. 8. Flu: The short form of influenza (Italian for "influence," from the medieval supposition that illness was the result of celestial perturbations) is several hundred years old and has long been acceptable even in formal medical texts. 9. Fridge: This term, unusual not only in that the full form, refrigerator, has been clipped at both ends but also in that the spelling has been altered to reflect the pronunciation, is suitable for informal writing only. 10. Gas: Gasoline is much more likely to appear in formal writing than its clipped form. 11. Gator: This clipped form of alligator, in spite of its nearly 200-year-old tenure in the English language, is considered slang. 12. Gym: Most formal references to a school building for athletic activities will use the full form, gymnasium, which many patrons might be amused to learn stems from the Greek word for "naked," because athletes in ancient Greece trained and competed

nude. Because Greek gymnasiums were centers of intellectual education as well, the full term is often used in Europe to refer to what might in the United States be called a preparatory school (which, by the way, has its own clipped form: "prep school"). 13. Memo: So pervasive is this clipped form of memorandum that many people may not even know its origins. (The full word ultimately derives from the Latin for "memory.") 14. Movie: Even more taken for granted than memo is this diminutive form of "moving picture," which, if you step back from it, may appear silly looking and juvenile. Formal writing often refers to the medium as film or cinema, but movie is also acceptable. 15. Phone: The original term, telephone, is still often used in formal writing, but the clipped form is just as likely to be used. 16. Plane: Plane has become as acceptable as airplane in formal writing. 17. Pro: Professional, the full form, is the preferred usage in formal contexts. 18. Quake: This clipped form of earthquake is, despite long usage, still considered informal. 19. Tie: The full form, necktie, is all but obsolete. (Perhaps the clothing accessory will be, too, before long.) 20. Typo: This slang for "typographical error" is over a century old but is still considered substandard usage. Thanks to Mark Nichol / Daily Writing Tips
http://www.dailywritingtips.com/20-clipped-forms-and-their-place-if-any-in-formal-writing/

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Sample Cover Letter
tumped on how to write a cover letter that will catch an employer's attention? Get ideas from this sample below. Sue Ling 2750 Tower Ave., #58 | Sometown, CO 50805 Home: 555-555-5555 | Cell: 555-555-5500 Email: someone@somedomain.com Available for All Shifts November 3, 2010 Ms. Rhonda West Customer Service Manager Acme Inc. 123 Corporate Blvd. Sometown, CO 50802 Re: Customer Service Representative Opening (Ref. ID: CS300-Denver) Dear Ms. West: I was excited to see your opening for a customer service rep, and I hope to be invited for an interview. My background includes serving as a customer service associate within both call-center and retail environments. Most recently, I worked on the customer service desk for Discount-Mart, where my responsibilities included handling customer merchandise returns, issuing refunds/store credits, flagging damaged merchandise for shipment back to vendors and providing back-up cashiering during busy periods. Previously, I worked within two high-volume customer-support call centers for a major telecommunications carrier and a satellite television services provider. In these positions, I demonstrated the ability to resolve a variety of issues and complaints (such as billing disputes, service interruptions or cutoffs, repair technician delays/no-shows and equipment malfunctions). I consistently met my call-volume goals, handling an average of 56 to 60 calls per day. In addition to this experience, I gained considerable customer service skills during my part-time employment as a waitress and restaurant hostess while in high school. I also bring to the table strong computer proficiencies in MS Word, MS Excel and CRM database applications and a year of college (business major). Please see the

accompanying resume for details of my experience and education. I am confident that I can offer you the customer service, communication and problemsolving skills you are seeking. Feel free to call me at 555-555-5555 (home) or 555-5555500 (cell) to arrange an interview. Thank you for your time -- I look forward to learning more about this opportunity! Sincerely,

Sue Ling Enclosure: Resume Thanks to Career Advice Monster / Monster

http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/cover-letter-samples/sample-cover-letter/article.aspx

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Tips For Creating A Concise Resume
If you're in the middle of updating or writing your resume, you may be asking yourself any of these questions:

How long should my resume be? How can I fit all my experience on one page? What can I eliminate, and what should be highlighted?

If you are, you're not alone. As millions of workers update their resumes, one of the top concerns is resume length. Not long ago, job seekers followed the resume golden rule: No resume should exceed one page. However, today's job seekers are finding that rule no longer applies. In this time of confusion, the solution is simple: common sense. If you are just graduating, have fewer than five years of work experience or are contemplating a complete career change, a one-page resume will probably suffice. Some technical and executive candidates require multiple-page resumes. If you have more than five years of experience and a track record of accomplishments, you will need at least two pages to tell your story. Your Resume Is Not an Autobiography Don't confuse telling your story with creating your autobiography. Employers are inundated with resume submissions and are faced with weeding out the good from the bad. The first step involves quickly skimming through resumes and eliminating candidates who clearly are not qualified. Therefore, your resume needs to pass the skim test. Look at your resume and ask yourself:

Can a hiring manager see my main credentials within 10 to 15 seconds? Does critical information jump off the page? Do I effectively sell myself on the top quarter of the first page?

The Sales Pitch Because resumes are quickly skimmed during the first pass, it is crucial your resume gets right to work selling your credentials. Your key selling points need to be prominently displayed at the top of the first page. If an MBA is important in your career field, don't bury it at the end of a four-page resume. An effective way to showcase your key qualifications is to include a Career Summary statement at the top of the first page. On your Monster resume, use the Objective

section to relay your top qualifications. The remainder of the resume should back up the statements made in your summary. Use an Editor's Eye Many workers are proud of their careers and feel the information on a resume should reflect everything they've accomplished. However, the resume shouldn't contain every detail. It should include only the information that will help you land an interview. So be judicious. If your college days are far behind you, does it really matter that you pledged a fraternity or delivered pizza? The editing step will be difficult if you are holding on to your past for emotional reasons. In these cases, show your resume to a colleague or professional resume writer for an objective opinion. Eight Tips to Keep Your Resume Concise 1. Avoid Repeating Information: Did you perform the same or similar job tasks for more than one employer? Instead of repeating job duties, focus on your accomplishments in each position. 2. Eliminate Old Experience: Employers are most interested in what you did recently. If you have a long career history, focus on the last 10 to 15 years. If your early career is important to your current goal, briefly mention the experience without including details. For example: Early Career: ABC Company -- City, State -- Assistant Store Manager and Clerk, 1980-1985. 3. Don't Include Irrelevant Information: Avoid listing hobbies and personal information such as date of birth or marital status. Also, eliminate outdated technical or business skills. 4. Cut Down on Job Duties: Many job seekers can trim the fat off their resumes simply by removing long descriptions of job duties or responsibilities. Instead, create a paragraph that briefly highlights the scope of your responsibility and then provide a list of your most impressive accomplishments. 5. Remove the "References Available Upon Request" line: Many job seekers waste the valuable last line of the resume on an obvious statement. Delete it. 6. Use a Telegraphic Writing Style: Eliminate personal pronouns and minimize the use of articles (a, an, the) when preparing your resume. 7. Edit Unnecessary Words: Review your resume for unnecessary phrases such as "responsible for" or "duties include." The reader understands you were responsible for the tasks listed on your resume.

8. Customize Your Resume for Your Job Target: Include only the information relevant to your goal. This is particularly important for career changers who need to focus on transferable skills and deemphasize unrelated career accomplishments. Thanks to Kim Isaacs, Monster Resume Expert / Career Advice Monster / Monster
http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/resume-writing-tips/tips-create-a-concise-resume/article.aspx