We all know that first impressions are very important, possibly never more so than in a job interview. And with the job market so tight right now, you need all the tools in your arsenal to nab the position. Here are ten things you should never do during a job interview:
At one time, members of Generation Y would apply for a job and ask, “what can you do for me?” However, employers claim that the downturn in the economy has led this group to be much more humble, instead saying, “here’s what I can do for you.” They say the lack of jobs has changed this generation’s attitudes. Read more…
Research by the University of Iowa found applicants were more likely to get the job when they had a firm handshake compared to a limp grip. This was especially true when it came to women applicants.
A firm handshake was said to be even more influential than the applicants dress or physical appearance.
“We found that the first impression begins with a handshake that sets the tone for the rest of the interview,” said researcher George Stewart, associate professor of management and organizations in the Tippie College of Business, in a statement.
Read more.
According to TechRepublic:
Career coaches or head hunters may have told you that creating an effective résumé means punching it up with jazzy verbs and adjectives. Not so, say IT hiring managers. In fact, if you’re using glitzy modifiers, you could be doing your résumé more harm than good. Here’s a look at some recruiters’ “favorite-hate” résumé verbiage.
- Assist, assisted
- Experiment
- Skillfully, effectively, carefully, quickly, expert, mastered
- Cutting-edge, detail-oriented; coordinate, facilitate, transform; proven ability, synergy, and liaison
- Responsible for…
Hollywood, CA (PRWEB) January 18, 2008 — With over sixteen million albums sold worldwide, Deborah Gibson is poised to pass on the pop idol torch to the next wave of musical prodigies through her passion and commitment as a judge on Total Pop Star and the launch of Camp Electric Youth.
“I was like the Miley Cyrus of my generation and I have a lot of experience and knowledge to offer today’s aspiring performers,” says Deborah Gibson. “Working with young talent and helping cultivate their skills is extremely rewarding.”
Currently, as a celebrity judge on Total Pop Star, the biggest online singing competition, and as Camp Electric Youth’s founder, Deborah Gibson is now fostering and mentoring so many young performers today. Each week on Total Pop Star, an Internet reality show, Deborah Gibson, Joey Lawrence and Andrew Van Slee judge video entries and live performances. In June 2008, after months of critiques and eliminations, one lucky singer will win a coveted recording contract with a major label. All aspiring singers can submit their entries online until May 18, 2008 for this season’s showdown and a chance at winning one of the many prizes. Visit http://www.totalpopstar.com today!
Developing the next generation of young musical sensations, Deborah Gibson will spearhead Camp Electric Youth in collaboration with prestigious acting coaches Howard Fine and Cynthia Bain. The camp experience includes many workshops with celebrity professionals and concludes with an industry showcase for talent executives. A scholarship audition is scheduled to be held in Hollywood on February 2nd. All performers, from age 7 to 17 who are available from July 7th to August 1st and are interested in honing their skills in singing, acting and dancing, may qualify for an all expense paid tuition to Camp Electric Youth. To audition for one of several scholarships available, attend the open call on February 2nd at Howard Fine Studio, 1445 N. Las Palmas Ave, Hollywood, CA 90028 from 9AM - 6PM. Those auditioning should be prepared to sing 16 bars of any song (please bring sheet music) and prepare a one minute monologue or just tell a funny story! Personality is as important as well as talent! For an audition appointment please email Patrick at ElectricYouth08 @ aol.com. For more information please visit http://www.campelectricyouth.com.
“It seems like yesterday that ‘Foolish Beat’ was at the top of the charts worldwide,” states Deborah Gibson. “What is more amazing is that over these past twenty years I have never gone a month without performing in something. This is what truly strikes me as significant. I owe so much to all of the fans that have stuck with me year after year.”
Celebrating her twentieth year reigning supreme as the youngest person to write, produce and perform a number one hit song, Deborah Gibson continues to dazzle with entertainment magic. Showcasing her incredible career, Gibson will be performing her “Pop Goes Broadway” concert during a three week engagement at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, NJ from May 4-24. Gibson bridges the gap between Pop Music and Broadway singing some of her biggest hits and reprising her starring roles on Broadway with a slew of surprises in store. This is sure to be a momentous concert event that fans won’t forget. Tickets are on sale and available at Ticketmaster.com!
About Deborah Gibson:
Deborah Gibson was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. The celebrated Deborah Gibson started her personal love affair with music at the ripe old age of two and a half. “I’d put my ear to the speaker in my bedroom and run back to the piano and play — left and right hands.” Known the world over as “the Original Pop Princess”, Deborah has come a long way from her early days of classical music training. Bursting onto the pop music scene at age 16, Deborah’s run-away hit Foolish Beat made her the youngest person to ever write, produce and perform a number one hit single which is a record she holds in the Guinness Book of World Records to this day. Refusing to simply ride out the wave of her initial success, Deborah has since invested more than 20 years into the music industry. Releasing a string of well-received albums — Out of the Blue - 1987, Electric Youth - 1989, Anything is Possible - 1990, Body Mind Soul - 1993, Think With Your Heart - 1995, Deborah - 1996, M.Y.O.B - 2001, Colored Lights - 2003 as well as a greatest hits collection, Deborah has successfully worked the music industry from all angles. in 1988 Deborah co-hosted Nickelodeon’s first ever “Kids’ Choice Awards” with Tony Danza. Deborah is not only a great singer, but is a producer and writer as well. With 16 million albums sold worldwide, successful performances in New York-based theater productions of Les Miserables, Grease and Cabaret, and starring in the West End Production of Grease as Sandy, Deborah knows what it takes to be a successful entertainer.
Awards and Achievements
Winner of ASCAP Songwriter of the Year - 1989
Nominated for Favorite Female Music Performer - People’s Choice Awards - 1990
Rock Producer of the Year - American Songwriter Awards - 1990
Nominated for Best Pop Female Vocalist - American Music Awards - 1990
Artist of the Year - New York Music Awards - 1990
Song of the Year - Lost In Your Eyes - New York Music Awards - 1990
Best Pop Female Vocalist - New York Music Awards - 1990
Debut Album of the Year - Out of the Blue - New York Music Awards - 1989
Debut Artist of the Year - New York Music Awards - 1989
For more information please visit http://www.deborah-gibson.com.
About Total Pop Star:
Total Pop Star, launched by IFA DOT COM, LLC is the world’s first and biggest on-line singing competition! No long lines, no missed opportunities and best of all, no Simon! Mashing up the appeal of the internet with the ever-hot music industry, Total Pop Star seeks to uncover the next singing sensation from amidst the masses and plant launch them into superstardom! The Total Pop StarCelebrity Judges and Hosts are the highly recognizable faces of this multi-platform venture providing our on-line audience insight into all things Total Pop Star. Please visit http://www.totalpopstar.com.
Santa Monica, CA (PRWEB) December 3, 2007 — New research shows high-school students share a grim opinion of college admissions.
“There is something terribly wrong with this process,” said one student interviewed by Education Conservancy, the Portland, Oregon-based nonprofit behind the study. “There is so much propaganda,” said another student. “Colleges should try less to sell themselves and more to act interested in students and in education.”
 They’ve confirmed what all of us on the front lines knew in our guts  |
Jerry Slavonia, CEO of CampusExplorer.com, says the findings don’t surprise him. “Our Web site provides the opposite experience. We promote school attributes without hype — essentially leveling the field, and promoting an educational interest that surpasses rankings.”
Nearly 100 high-school seniors surveyed in Atlanta, Boston, San Francisco and Chicago characterized the college process as an exercise in “marketing.”
They admitted to taking advanced courses and SAT classes — even cheating on tests — solely to enhance their candidacy. They lamented pursuing numerous extracurricular activities, instead of a particular passion, to appear well-rounded. They complained of colleges courting kids who had zero chance of acceptance.
Overall, the students described the admissions experience as dizzying, disenchanting and deceptive.
“They’ve confirmed what all of us on the front lines knew in our guts,” says Jennifer Delahunty, dean of admissions and financial aid at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio.
The study is part of Education Conservancy’s effort to convince colleges to abandon rankings, specifically those compiled by U.S. News & World Report.
According to Lloyd Thacker, Education Conservancy Executive Director, rankings caused universities to rely on a cottage industry developed to help them hype their selectivity. The result: a commercialized admissions process that has cheapened the value of learning.
Says Thacker: “This research shows college presidents that they might have some responsibility for that — and, that they need to do something about it.”
Off with fairs and information sessions, say Thacker and his supporters. The solution? Comprehensive Web sites helping students broaden their college searches.
Several such operations, including the University and College Accountability Network, funded by a group of universities, have already gone live in the last year. CampusExplorer.com, Zinch and Admish, among others, feature interactive forums and advanced search options designed to link up students and schools with similar interests.
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) November 27, 2007 — With more than 35 million resumes posted online how can you get your resume to the top of the virtual pile? TalentDrive, an innovative online resume sourcing company, has compiled tips for jobseekers in creating truly effective online resumes. Since TalentDrive launched in June of this year, it has provided resume sourcing services to more than 25 global companies, helping to fill more than 300 different job openings.
With today’s employment world made up of online automated searches, keywords and resume scanning, job seekers have an opportunity and a challenge. The competition is overwhelming, but working smart to impress employers and meet them where they’re searching is critical, advises TalentDrive.
| managed a $1 million budget for marketing. |
Following are ten tips for getting your resumes noticed online:
1. Achieve maximum and targeted exposure. Don’t ignore niche job boards, social networking sites, university Web sites or local community sites. Employers are increasingly expanding their reach to such online locations.
2. Go beyond standard resume forms. Make sure to upload your complete resume. Don’t just fill in the standard resumes forms at the big job boards provide. While most recruiters rely on searchable databases like Monster.com they still search the Internet for Web based resumes not to mention you might miss out on getting in front of those who don’t subscribe to the big job boards.
3. Jump the virtual queue. Remember that a resume is your sales paper to get in the door. Candidates need their “best stuff”, the most impressive and pertinent information at the top to grab employers’ or recruiters’ interest.
4. Optimize your keywords Provide industry keywords and your top skills at the top of your resume and repeat them often so they’ll be sure to be picked up by the recruiter’s search logic.
5. Spell out acronyms. Not every recruiter will know the industry lingo.
6. Be a parrot. Rely on and reflect the job description – if it indicates “3-5 years experience”, include that in your resume.
7. Devil is in the details. Make sure your formatting is consistent and spell check!
8. Show them the money. Senior-level applicants in particular should include a bullet list of accomplishments at the top, things that make them stand out over others, i.e. “awarded #1 salesperson for enterprise software team” or “managed a $1 million budget for marketing.”
9. Be professional. List multiple means of contact, including home numbers and cell phone numbers. Make sure to use appropriate email addresses for job hunting – “mysexymama@hotmail” or mybabysdaddy@yahoo” don’t scream professionalism.
10. Manage your Google presence. You can help present your best face online by providing links to examples of your work. For example if you are a graphic design artist you might want to include past projects on a personal Website future employers can check out.
About TalentDrive:
TalentDrive provides growing and established companies with a new way to source and screen quality talent through innovative technology combined with eyes-on review by experienced industry experts. With millions of resumes dispersed over tens of thousands of web-based locations, TalentDrive provides a resume sourcing solution that enables companies to better leverage the Internet to find talent within Sales, Manufacturing and Distribution, Information Technology, Finance/Accounting, and R&D/Engineering. TalentDrive enables companies to spend less time sifting through unqualified resumes, helping to increase a hiring managers’ productivity by 90%.
Additional information on TalentDrive services is available at www.talentdrive.com, or by calling 866.916.2249
NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire - November 20, 2007) - Job seekers often postpone their search around the holidays, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, believing no one is hiring or holding interviews, reports ERE Media (http://www.ere.net), a community of recruiters around the world.
“The holidays are one of the better times of the year for job seekers to examine their career,” says Todd Raphael, ERE’s editor-in-chief. “With all that takes place around the holiday season, it’s a great chance for networking and meeting new people.”
ERE recommends several tips to help find a job during the holidays.
1. After Thanksgiving, Give Thanks. Send an email or holiday card to those people who have helped with your job search or those who have interviewed you. They will appreciate that you appreciate them, and will keep your name top of mind.
2. Spread the Love. Get involved in volunteering and you may meet people who will make great contacts for a future job. Contact the Boys & Girls Club (bcga.org), or Big Brothers/Big Sisters (bbbsa.org). Visit volunteermatch.org to see what’s available in your area.
3. ‘Tis the Season to Analyze Demographic Data. “The U.S. workforce is aging because birthrates aren’t what they used to be,” says Raphael. Industries like health care and education are likely to be strong for many years. There are also jobs available at lesser-known companies in growing sectors like transportation, energy, and defense.
4. Invest in Yourself. Take a professional development class. Check out blogs your friend or colleagues have mentioned. Learn some new industry buzzwords. Subscribe to a magazine that is on top of important trends.
5. Bring Joy to the World Wide Web. “Sharing your expertise on a blog, discussion group, or through a video on YouTube allows others, especially future employers, to see what you potentially have to offer,” says Raphael. “Many recruiters look on blogs to find out who knows their stuff.”
6. Take Advantage of Holiday Parties. If there’s a holiday party, whether personal or professional, accept the invitation. Make mention you’re looking for a job but be sure to also mention something about what you’ve accomplished in the past. You never know how family members, friends or colleagues may be able to help. Make yourself visible and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
About ERE Media
ERE Media, Inc. is the preeminent source of information and networking opportunities for recruiters and HR professionals on the Internet, in print, and at conferences. ERE provides information to over 40,000 active users through a series of free email newsletters, blogs, and direct networking opportunities. For more information, visit http://www.ere.net.
CHAPPAQUA, N.Y., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ — Every teenager wants to win the dating game. Why should the job game be any different? Teens and the Job Game: Prepare Today-Win it Tomorrow, by former Merrill Lynch Vice President Beverly Slomka, offers teenagers a fresh, new way to think about how to land- and keep-that perfect job.
Teens and the Job Game includes interview tips, sample resumes and cover letters, but it’s much more than a how-to book. Slomka asks readers to consider the whole self-including dress, attitude, self-image, and people skills-in making the transition from school to work. What do employers expect, and how can teens meet those expectations?
When it comes to career planning, the book encourages readers to set realistic goals and to think about the true meaning of success. Is it about making a lot of money, or is there more to it than that? And once you get the dream job, how do you score a perfect ten as an employee? Teens and the Job Game explains how to prepare for the first day of a new job and discusses appropriate workplace behavior, how to handle constructive criticism, corporate ethics, and more. Stories taken from the author’s years of experience in the corporate world provide real-life examples.
Full of concrete suggestions and thought-provoking questions, Teens and the Job Game can be used as a career-planning workbook for individuals or groups. Write-in sections at the end of each chapter reinforce the various topics.
Teens and the Job Game will be released simultaneously in three formats: paperback, hardcover, and e-book, and will be available nationally. For more information, please visit www.teensandthejobgame.com.
Houston, TX (PRWEB) October 4, 2007 — Larry Keim is an authority on guiding professionals through career change. Keim believes that “green” industries will be growing at a pace ahead of many other industries over the next several years.
What is a “Green” industry? According to Larry Keim “Green” industries are those industries that support environmental change such as alternative fuels. Expansion of ethanol refining and bio fuels and even the possibility of nuclear energy expansion are on the horizon. When faced with $100 per barrel oil, it is not unreasonable to see the expansion of any options. Nuclear energy has already started to expand overseas. Keim quotes William Ramsay, deputy executive director of the International Energy Agency who says, “People are saying let’s take a second look at nuclear power. Rising oil prices means nuclear is becoming more economically attractive, and gas prices are a second kick in the pants.”
| People are saying let’s take a second look at nuclear power. Rising oil prices means nuclear is becoming more economically attractive, and gas prices are a second kick in the pants. |
“But is not just about oil prices. People are becoming more environmentally aware and environmentally conscientious. This trend will be influential as well as a driving force behind growth in these industries,” says Keim.
Other areas of expected growth according to Keim are recycling, wind power generation, solar power generation, bio fuels and hydrogen fuel cells, and more. “Given the level of interest in more environmentally friendly alternatives the industries that provide or support these resources will be taking off. This will mean newly created employment opportunities that never existed before. This is not about anyone’s political beliefs; it is about a real trend in the job market.”
“With some sectors of the job market suffering, this is a huge area that is about to provide an enormous number of jobs for decades to come. Jobs will not be created just for engineering or technical positions. With new companies come new employment opportunities in marketing, finance, sales, and so on.”
Larry Keim provides career related services, tools, and advice to career management organizations throughout the U.S and mentors professionals in the career management industry.
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