Responding to an Ad

Once you find an ad that sounds interesting, ask yourself, “Do my skills, qualifications, and experience make me a good candidate for this position?”  If the answer is yes, you are ready to respond to the ad.

Chances are many other job seekers found the same advertisement equally as appealing and will vie for the position, too. For that reason, filling out the online application in such a way as to grab the employer’s attention is a must. Don’t just fill in requested responses; give your responses depth. Remember, the application is in essence a job interview. You want to present yourself as intelligent, bright, and just the right person for the position.

Many employers prefer that job applicants use their company application. Still, you want to make your application unique, to avoid being swallowed up in a growing pile of other applications.

Filling out the Online Application

The National Association of Colleges and Employers recently conducted a survey, posing the question to employers, “How does one make an electronic application outstanding?”  At the top of the list was “<i>follow directions…be careful to enter the correct data in the correct field<i>.”

Advice that sounds so simple and basic, it barely seems worth mentioning, yet it is a critical first-step through the door of opportunity. You’d be surprised the number of online applicants who rush through the process, and send the application on its way without going over it a second time. Why would any employer consider hiring someone that didn’t take the time to be sure their application was filled out properly?

The second piece of advice was to tailor the application information to fit the position, instead of copy and pasting text from a generic resume. Use key words, buzz words, and industry jargon – taking cues from the verbiage in the job advertisement as your model.

This is a very important aspect of filling out the online application, because employers do a keyword search when looking for people to fill specific employment positions.

Be specific when asked to describe past employment duties. Instead of saying, “<i>I counted cash drawers<i>,” say “<i>I counted 7 cash drawers daily<i>.”  Instead of “<i>oversaw secretary pool<i>,” say “<i>oversaw a secretary pool consisting of 6 full-time and 3 part-time employees<i>.”

What about the Comments Field?

Complete all fields, even if they aren’t required. If the application doesn’t include a job skills-inventory section, create one. This could go in the comments section.

Another use for the comments section is to demonstrate your knowledge of the company or industry. Research it as thoroughly as possible to show your earnest interest in the position for which you are applying.

And above all else, proof read the application before sending it on its way. Do a spell check from your word processor before copying and pasting text in the appropriate field. Also check for grammatical errors.

Remember, when you apply for jobs online through employeeemployer matchmaking resources such as istaffsolution.com, the online application will be the employer’s first impression of you. Make sure it is a good one!

© 2006 Lori S. Anton for istaffsolution.com

Times have changed, and so has the recruitment process for jobs as a flight attendant. These days, the quickest and easiest way to apply for a job as a flight attendant is on the Internet. Your first stop in your job hunt for that perfect flight attendant job is a search engine or directory to find the web sites of as many airlines as possible. Don’t forget to include the charter services and fractional owner airlines that are among the highest paying of all jobs as a flight attendant. With that list in hand, fire up your web browser again and start hitting the airline company web sites.

Be sure that you have your entire resume details gathered together. Many of the airline web sites now do their preliminary screening of applicants for flight attendant jobs over the Internet. You may be able to simply upload your current resume along with a cover letter, or you may have to enter your details into a web form. Many job experts recommend that if you’re given a choice, opt to use the provided form rather than uploading your resume. Often, the form feeds names and details directly into a database that the company will use when sending out invitations to applicants to attend group interviews and informational sessions scheduled around the country.

Telephone Interviews for Flight Attendant Jobs

Some airlines have recorded telephone interviews to screen out people applying for jobs as a flight attendant. You may find the telephone number in a recruitment ad in your newspaper, or get it through the reservations line for the airline you want to apply to. When you call, you’ll hear a short description of the jobs that are available, and then you’ll be asked to submit your name, address and contact information over the telephone and to answer several questions about situations that you might run up against in the job. Those recorded interviews will be reviewed by hiring managers, and those that do well on the questions will be invited for face-to-face interviews for jobs as a flight attendant.

Airline Open House Interviews (and on Campus Recruitment)

The most common way to begin the process when you’re considering a job as a flight attendant is through an open houseinterview held by an airline. Airlines often hold these when they’re planning to start a new training class, or to open a home base in a new city. Usually, they’re advertised in the job sections of the local newspaper a few days before the open house. On the day of the event, the recruiters will give a short presentation about what it’s like to work as a flight attendant for their airline. When the presentation is finished, interested applicants will be invited to step up on stage and introduce themselves with a short explanation of their job history and qualifications. Those who seem best suited for the job will be discreetly asked to remain for one on one or small group interviews.

Because the airlines hire far fewer people in jobs as flight attendants than the number who apply, they can afford to be choosy and hire only those that really catch the eye of the recruiter. That means, though, that you need to be persistent. Don’t stop with one airline or one try. Apply to several different companies, and follow up on your resumes. There are far more jobs as flight attendants than you’d expect - you just have to keep looking for them.

1. Searching job on the Internet ? before you go for the actual search, you would need to narrow the search focus as much as possible. For this purpose, you need to identify what exactly would make you happy to have as a career.

In case you are undecided yet, list your strength and past experience and this would guide to what should be your career focus.  If by any chance what you see is not exactly what you want ? do not despair. You could attempt a change in career by focusing on your aptitude and soft skills.

Once you decided what you want to pursue  then start your online job search . You will almost instantly receive thousands of possible websites like www.jobo3.comjobo3.com where such job listings are posted. Choose maximum four such websites and submit your application.

2. Posting your resume on the Net ? your search for job can be delegated to the Net. You could identify excellent job sites like <a  href=”http:www.jobo3.comwww.jobo3.com  and post your resume there. For websites such as this one, the moment you upload your resume, it would be available to thousands of employers as these days majority of job sites are following  social networking by allowing  employers to post jobs for free and connect to job seekers

A word of caution ? you need to upload a separate CV for every type of job you are looking for; for example if you are looking for a job in marketing and HR ? you have to draw up  different resume so that each would have different keywords highlighted in it. Since the employer would search the data base by keywords ? so pickup the best ones relevant to your skills and job you aspire

Appearing For the Interview

Once you get the call letter, you are in the second phase of the job acquiring process.  Here you need to understand and prepare yourself thoroughly for behavioral interviews, psychometric interviews, technical interviews and so on. You also need to learn in depth about the company you are appearing the job interview for as well as what exactly the job requires of you. Before you appear for the interview you would need to match your skill and strengths as closely as possible to what is required for the job. Also do some research on internet about job salary and employment guidelines for similar kind of positions

How should an investor determine what stocks to buy, and when to buy them? Will Rogers summed it up: “Only buy stocks that go up. If they aren’t going to go up, don’t buy them.” Many have misread this tongue-in-cheek observation and joined the “Buy (anything) High” club. I’ve found that the “Buy Value Stocks Low (er)” approach works better. A Google search produces a variety of criteria that help to identify Value Stocks, the standards being low Price to Book Value, low PE ratios, and other “fundamentals”.  But you would be surprised how the definitions can vary, and how few include the word “Quality”. In the late 90’s, it was rumored that a well-known Value Fund Manager was asked why he wasn’t buying dot-coms, IPOs, etc. When he said that they didn’t qualify as Value Stocks, he was told to change his definition… or else.

How do we create a confidence building Stock Selection Universe? Simply operating on blind faith with one of the common definitions may be too simplistic, particularly since many of the numbers originate from the subject companies. Also, some of the figures may be difficult to obtain quickly, and it is essential not to get bogged down in endless research. Here are five filters you can use to come up with a selection universe of higher quality companies, and you can obtain all of the data inexpensively from the same source:

1.An S & P Rating of B+ or Better. Standard & Poor’s is a major financial data provider to the investment community, and its “Earnings and Dividend Rankings for Common Stocks” combine many fundamental and qualitative factors into a letter ranking that speaks only to the financial viability of the rated companies. Potential market performance (a guessing game anyway) is not a consideration. B+ and above ratings are considered Investment Grade. Anything rated lower adds an element of unnecessary speculation to your portfolio. A staff of thousands does your research for you.

2.A History of Profitability. Although it should seem obvious, buying stock in a company that has a history of profitable operations is less risky than acquiring shares in an unproven, or start-up entity. Profitable operations adapt more readily to changes in markets, economies, and business growth opportunities. They are more likely to produce profit opportunities for you quickly.

3.A History of Regular Dividend Payments. The payment of regular dividends, and periodic increases in rate paid, are sure signs of economic viability.  Companies will go to great lengths, and endure great hardships, before electing either to cut or to omit a dividend. There is no need to focus on the size of the dividend itself; Equities should not be purchased as income producers. A further benefit of using dividend payment as one of your selection criteria is the clear indication of financial stress that a cut communicates.

4.A Reasonable Price Range. You will find that most Investment Grade stocks are priced above £10 per share and that only a few trade at levels above £100. If you have a seven-figure portfolio, price may not matter from a diversification standpoint, but in smaller portfolios, a round lot of a £50 stock may be too much to risk in one position. An unusually high price may be caused by an unusually high degree of sector or company specific speculation while an inordinately low price may be a good warning signal. With no real structural size limitations, I feel comfortable with a range between £10 and £90 per share… but I would avoid most issues at the higher level.

5.A NYSE Listed Security. I’m not sure that the listing requirements for the NYSE are still more restrictive than elsewhere, but it is helpful to be able to focus on just one set of statistics since most of the information you need regularly is reported by Exchange (Market Stats, Issue Breadth, and New Highs vs. New Lows).

Your Selection Universe will become the backbone of your Equity Investment Program, so there is no room for creative adjustments to the rules and guidelines you’ve established… no matter how strongly you feel about recent news or rumor. Now you can focus on operating procedures that will help you diversify properly by position size, industry, etc., and on guidelines that will help you identify which stocks should be watched closely for purchase when the price is right. Keeping in mind that you want to sell each Equity Position at a target profit ASAP, you’ll want to establish appropriate buying (and selling) rules. For example, I never consider buying a stock until it has fallen at least 20% from its highest level of the past 52 weeks, so I include those that are close or at this price level on a “Daily Watch List”. Then, I select those that I would be willing to add to equity portfolios if they fall a bit more during the trading day. Your actual “Buy List” changes every day in both symbol and limit price.

You will need to apply consistent and disciplined judgment to your final selection process, but you can be confidant that you are choosing from a select group of higher quality, well-established companies, with a proven track record of profitability and owner awareness. Additionally, as these companies gyrate above and below your purchase price (as they absolutely will), you can be more confident that it is merely the nature of the stock market and not an imminent financial disaster… and that should help you sleep nights.

By the way, never say no to a profit when the upward movement equals 10%, and you’ll be able to do it again, and again, and again.

What is important is that you take a long hard look at your circumstances, your lifestyle, your commitment and your ability to motivate yourself. Don’t just go out and resign your job before you have even tried starting a data entry job.  Take a while to ask yourself some basic questions:-

- What are my strengths?
- What are my weaknesses?
- Do I enjoy flexibility?
- Can I plan the family activities so they do not interfere?
- Will my family support my new career?
- Do I have self-discipline?

Decide what your strengths are.  There is not one type of person that is just right for this type of work.  Everyone has strengths and you need to decide if yours are the ones you need for this kind of work.  Some strengths that might help in this kind of work could be:-

- You like attention to detail
- You enjoy working on the computer
- You like to work on different projects
- You are dependable

These are just a few to give you an idea.  There are so many things that you could consider a strength that would benefit you working from home.

Now take a serious look at your weaknesses.  Decide if they will cause a problem or if you can work around them.  For instance, you might say that your weakness is that you can’t get up in the mornings.  This could be a problem if you schedule your only work time at 8 a.m. but if you schedule your work for the afternoon or the evening then this would not be a problem.  This is part of the benefit of working from home - you can decide for yourself how and when you want to work.

How flexible are you?  If you are a person that thrives on flexibility then you will especially enjoy taking on different data entry jobs and allowing yourself to work at various times and for varying lengths of time.  If you are not a very flexible person (be honest!) then you can still make a great job of this by being more diligent about scheduling your time and also by planning your jobs ahead.

If you are planning to work at a data entry job from home you will have to consider your family.  While it is important to set aside time without interruption, it is not realistic to think that  the family will never interrupt.  There will always be times when you will have to change your priorities.  A good discussion with your family outlining what everyone’s expectations are would be a great idea.

Some people just know that they have great self-discipline while others are not sure.  If you think you do then you won’t have any problems.  If you are not sure, don’t despair.  It is amazing where self-discipline comes from when you are interested in what you are doing.  Many people find that the mere fact that they are working for themselves is a huge motivating factor.  It is a very different feeling from grinding out the work for some one else.  You may not have a boss breathing down your neck, but many people are surprised to discover that they will push themselves harder than any boss would have.

It is definitely a good idea to learn about how to prioritize and organize your work.  As with any job or home business, there will be jobs that you will really enjoy and jobs that you will want to put off.  Take some time to learn some simple routines for organizing such as making lists of things to do that day.  Your lists could be split up into priority A and B so that you keep on track each day and stick to the most important tasks.

Organization is important, especially when you work at home.  Make sure you have an area where you can sit at your computer and carry out the data entry jobs with everything you need close by.  Try to separate your business things from your personal things.

In conclusion I would say that most people could be suited to working from home at data entry jobs if they just take the time to think things through and prepare themselves mentally and physically. The benefits of this kind of work are worth the effort it could take to adapt to this way of life.

One of the most popular work at home scams is the data entry scheme. Ads claiming big earnings are not uncommon. You can pick up almost any paper or classified ad and spot these work from home ads. Yes, there are legitimate work at home positions and yes some of these may be in the field of data entry. The trick is knowing how to spot a scam.

The first thing you need to do is look very carefully at the advertisement. Read what is says and read the fine print. Be aware of what it does not say, too. What is it really advertising? Is it advertising a job or is it offering you contacts for a one-time fee? This is one of the most common scams going. Lines such as, “ For a small, one time fee of 20 dollars, we will supply you with hundreds of companies hiring data entry clerks right now.” If you see anything like this, just ignore it. Once you give them your money, you’ll either receive nothing, or get worthless information. Even if you get actually company names, they are under no obligation to give you a job. You will have a better chance looking through your local phone book.

Another trick is selling software. Check to see if the advert is offering you the software to get started up in your own work at home career. If so then again, ignore it. A legitimate company would give you this software for free should they take you on as an employee. Don’t be fooled into buying start up kits and expensive computer equipment. Most work at home jobs can be done with your current computer and anything extra should be supplied for you.

Finally, if the ad gives a company name, look into it. Run a check on Google or check with the better business bureau. If they have no fixed address or phone number then stay away. It is very dangerous doing business with those who only have an email address. It is too easy to take the money and run.

It is possible to find a data entry work at home job. It just takes, time, patience and research. Don’t be seduced by promises of big money. Making a successful work at home business takes just as much work as any other. If they are offering way above what you would make in a normal company then chances are it is a scam. Do not pay any of your own money for contact information or start up equipment. You should be paid for working not the other way around. Chances are this is a scam as well. Finally, check into the company. The better business bureau can tell you if there are any complaints lodged against this company.

There are such things as very legitimate work at home businesses. However, these types of businesses take work. You can’t expect to make money overnight, or even in a week. You need to keep your eyes and ears opened to spot any possible scams when it comes to these work at home ads. By being patient and working hard you can create your own work from home business. Beware of those companies that are out to scam you. Do not send any money up front and check into the company before deciding whether or not to do business with them. They promise lots for nothing but never deliver.

Usually a traveling nurse’s assignment is only temporary and s/he will work in a variety of clinical settings.  Jobs can last from a week or to as long as the employed nurse is willing to work.  As a traveling nurse you can work anywhere in the country and you are able to expand on your skills. By expending on your skills you will be able to further your nursing career.

As a traveling nurse the nurse gets to decide which assignment they wish to accept. They are given the opportunities to not only help where needed but to travel the world and tackle various jobs in the nursing field. As a traveling nurse though sometimes the job is a little more detailed, a traveling nurse is required to fill out paperwork, move around from assignment to assignment, negotiate their contract provisions to name a few.

Traveling nurses are need for various jobs, Have you ever wanted to cruise around the world? Well did you know a cruise ship could not leave a port unless there is a doctor or nurse on board? This is an excellent opportunity for a nurse would loves cruises and wishes to take their passion for cruising and their passion for nursing and blend them into a career and lifestyle.

Hospitals are also hurriedly erected in areas of disaster. These places are always looking for nurses to travel to the area and help in times of crisis. Think of the Katrina hurricane, medical attention was needed in the area and many traveling nurses where employed for this medical disaster.

A traveling nurse’s job can sometimes be more rewarding and challenging then day to day nursing jobs. You are learning new skills, sometimes under pressure in emergency situations. You are going to foreign areas that you are not familiar with and learning new techniques and styles of doing things. Procedures may not be the same from area to area so as a traveling nurse you are constantly learning. It’s not only a job but a full time education.

Depending on the length of some assignments and the need some agencies will pay a traveling nurse up to 3,000 to take an assignment, they include these bonuses as an incentive to pull in nurses where they are highly needed.  Some agencies even pay for the traveling nurses traveling expensive for their relocation, housing and basic utilities. Some agencies will even offer you other incentives while you are employed with their agency.  When you are searching for the right place of employment its best to search out agencies and become aware of exactly what an agency offers and get everything in writing.

When it comes to landing a job that you applied for, your interview will play an important part in whether or not you are hired.  If you are able to get a job interview for one of the jobs that you applied for, you are advised to proceed with caution.  Your actions or your responses during an interview can either make or break you.  To increase your chances of landing your dream job, or at least the one that you applied for, you will want to continue reading on, as some helpful tips are outlined below.

When going to a job interview, it is important that you are properly dressed.  You would actually be surprised to learn how many job applicants show up to a job interview in unattractive, unprofessional attire.  Even if you are just applying for a job as a cashier at one of your local supermarkets, you are still advised to dress professionally for a job interview.  Depending on the job you are applying for, a dress or a business suit may be called for; however, a simple pair of black pants and a white shirt is much better than a pair of jeans.

You are also advised to bring a couple of copies of your resume to your job interview.  This is something that many job applicants do not think to do, but it is actually a wise move.  Yes, you may have already submitted your resume to the employer giving you the interview, but it is important to remember that they probably received hundreds, if not thousands, of resumes.  It is not unheard of for resumes to get lost or misplaced.  Bringing along an extra copy of your resume shows that you are responsible and likely to always be prepared.  In addition to brining an extra resume for the interviewer, it is also advised that you bring a copy for yourself.  This will make reviewing your work history and education easier, as everyone would be on the same page.

During the interview, you will be asked a number of different questions by the interviewer.  One of the most common questions asked is about your strengths and your weaknesses.  One of the biggest mistakes that a job applicant makes is stating that they don’t have any weaknesses.  Everyone has at least one weakness or something that they wish that they could chance about themselves.  You will want to be honest and admit this.  Of course, you don’t want to go overboard.  What you will want to do is try and make your weakness a strength as well.

At the end of most interviews, most interviewers ask the interviewee, which would be you, if you have any questions. You are advised to ask questions.  In all honesty, even if you don’t have any questions to ask, you are advised to come up with some.  Many interviewers use the “do you have any questions,” as a ploy.  Many are turned off by interviewees who do not have any questions.  Some even associated it with not be interested in the job or the company.  Even if you ask about how the company got started or what the chances are for moving up the company ladder, you are advised to ask questions.  Of course, be careful with the questions that you do ask.  You don’t want to sound too pushy or overbearing.

At the end of your interview, it is extremely important that you shake the hand of your interviewer and thank them for the opportunity.  This is very important.  It is hard for some to imagine, but a simple thank you actually goes a long way nowadays, as it is hardly spoken anymore.  It is also advised that you send a thank you note the interviewer you met with.  This may not necessarily increase your chances of landing the job, but it will make you look professional.

By keeping the above mentioned tips in mind, you should be able to have a successful interview.  As a reminder, interviews are the most important part of landing a new job.

So what can you do to ensure, or at least improve your chances of getting good employees? The key is to be prepared before hand, and to answer the right questions.

Your preparation should begin long before the employee arrives. You should have a substantial amount of information about the person from their application. Review this information thoroughly.

Most applications ask for job history. I recommend that you call these places, not only to verify that the potential employee actually worked there, but also as a character reference.

Most applications also ask for personal references. Call these references and ask specific questions. Pay attention to their answers, especially if they seem to be the exact same, as this may be a sign that they were couched beforehand.

The Interview

Once you have reviewed the employee’s application and decide that they may be right for your company, the next step is get them to your business for the interview.

Have a notepad handy so that you can take notes. You may even want to consider using a recording device as well. A voice recorder will come into handy if you forget parts of the interview.

Talents and Skills

You must remember that talents and skills are not only developed in the workplace. A childhood interest may have bloomed a passion for something that no workplace could create. Because of this, you will want to examine what was gained from every aspect of their life.

Character and Personality

One important thing that you have to remember when interviewing a potential employee is the fact that each person has their own character traits and personality. It is up to you to learn as much as you can about this person’s personality, and how it will relate to your business. You will want to find out if a  character trait will conflict with your business before hiring the person, as it could cause problems later on.

Questions to ask

What have you learned from previously successful times in your life?
What have to learned from a time in your life when you were down?
Did you learn from mistakes?
What interested you the most as a child?
Can you name one specific hobby or interest that carried over into your adult life?
What skill or talent would you consider to be your best?
What have you learned from others?
What work experience taught you the most?

You should never hire someone on the spot, but instead you should take time to reflect on the interview and your notes. This will give you a chance to analyze exactly how you think this person would perform in your business. You may come across something that you did not notice beforehand.

Once you have decided that you will hire the person, call them with the good news and hope for the best!

If you’ve been a reader of our blog for any length of time you’ll quickly realize that we’re very forthcoming with free tips, advice, and resources about how to improve your resume, cover letter, networking, LinkedIn profile, personal branding, interview, and job search. I try to formulate the tips and advice I provide based on real problems, downfalls, and issues I see job seekers struggling with every day-combined with some good ol’ real world experience as a hiring manager, of course. Aside from all the career advice we give (listen closely… here’s my disclaimer for this article) this article will not contain any to-the-point, hard advice on careers, job search, etc. What it will do is tell you that perseverance pays off. You CAN do it! If it’s not working, change it-and hold on tight, because before you know it, you’ll have that new position.

Are you doing everything possible to ensure that you’re putting yourself out there and that your information will catch the eye of a recruiter or hiring manager? Searchable LinkedIn profiles optimized for the positions you want to obtain, twitter accounts, networking online and off, professionally written resume, creative job search techniques? If you’ve never read any of Kevin Donlin’s blog articles about guerilla job search I encourage you to hop online and read his blog or get his free CD (I’m getting no kickbacks here-honest! He doesn’t even know me). What I am trying to do is get you to be creative in your job search. If what you’re currently doing isn’t working, then what risk or harm is there in changing it up? Isn’t the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result? I like Donlin’s articles/blogs because they are creative, out there, and they work. For example, he recommends sending your information in a handwritten envelope that resembles a thank you letter. Everyone loves a thank you letter, and it guarantees your resume, cover letter, pitch letter, etc. will be read! Unprofessional or genius? Our job seekers are getting jobs this way when we mail out their resumes and pitch letters like this.

So the moral of the story is… Hold on-your breakthrough is coming! Be patient and persevere, stay the course; but if the same old junk isn’t working, then don’t be afraid to take a risk and change it up. You’re doing all the right things, and one day you’ll be rewarded with a new promotion, better position, or great new opportunity. You can do it-we believe in you! So put yourself out there, take a few risks, try something new, and above all else, keep your hopes up. We told you this blog article would be just one big cheerleading session! Go get ‘em, tiger!

To receive a free resume analysis send your resume to info@greatresumesfast.com or visit us online at http://www.greatresumesfast.com