5 Steps to Second Interview Success

5 Steps to Second Interview Success This is your second time in with the same company and an interview is an interview, isn’t it? You did well last time so how hard can it be? Well, it depends. Historically, you’d have had an interview and then fairly promptly afterwards either received an offer or a “You were great, but …” note. Today, more employers are taking longer to consider individual applicants and they’re doing so to an ever-increasing level of detail. More candidates are being invited back, time and time again before a decision is made. Because there is huge variation in how different companies define and manage their selection processes,  it’s hard to know what you’ll be facing. A second interview could be a formality, or a courtesy to your manager’s manager even, in which case the job is yours to lose. Alternatively, you could be facing a bear pit where several applicants are still in the frame and it will be the last person standing who wins through. If you don’t know what the situation is â€" find out, fast. Either way, prepare fully. Forget riding high  following  the success of your first interview,  this is no time for complacency; you’ve got a campaign to plan. Prepare your ground It’s perfectly acceptable to contact whoever is organising the interview to ask them for some details. There are several advantages you can gain by doing so. More contact means more familiarity and that will only ever work in your favour, both ways. At the very least, try to  find out who you’ll be meeting, how many other candidates there are, where you are in the running order and what the format is. If you can create the opportunity, ask if there is anything from last time that counted against you or didn’t come across well. This is pure gold, if you can get it. Clearly, don’t harass the company to the point where you’re perceived as insecure, overly pushy or a stalker. They last thing anyone wants to risk is ending up with a weirdo lodged in the team.  If you have a recruiter representing you, its likely theyll cover this step for you and  manage this risk for you. Now its time to set about re-doing your previous research, by taking  it to a whole new level. Research the company, the people, the role, the industry, the economic climate, their markets, their competitors and so on. You don’t need to become an  expert, but aim for a conversational level on any of those subjects. At the interview, aim to show that you’ve stepped up your game since last time you met. The company will be hoping you can show more insight into the challenges and a real enthusiasm for attacking the role, should you get it.  Five positive steps to winning through: 1. Get your head straight Dial back on the adrenalin and nerves.  The upside for your psyche is that these people are busy, they’re not just getting you in for a cup of tea and a catch-up. They obviously already think you’re capable and a good fit, or you wouldn’t be invited back. If every other candidate screws up or dies on the way home, the job is theoretically yours. Now that’s not a bad starting point, is it? Someone has to win this, let’s make it you. 2. Work on your ‘fit’ Get the chemistry right and it can be a deal-swinger for you.  If you, and every other candidate, tick all of the boxes in spades, your perceived interpersonal skills and how well you gel with them on the day can make a difference. Plan and rehearse your dress, your journey, your arrival in reception, your entry into the room, some conversational interplay, your behavior during interview and your exit. Aim to connect with  the interviewers on a human level and be ‘The One’ theyare looking for. 3. Anticipate their concerns Prepare to be probed more deeply, based on your last interview.  When you left last time, what concerned you? Where did you feel weak or had perhaps failed to show the best of yourself? Assume those issues will come up again, and prepare thoroughly to avoid a repeat. Knowing you can cover them this time will power up your confidence. 4. What can you do for them? Show you understand the real challenges they face as a business.  You don’t have to explicitly state their issues and problems, for fear of appearing arrogant, prescriptive or just plain wrong. Simply, if you can guess what keeps your prospective boss awake at night and can show you are part of the solution, the job is yours. 5. Show your added value What else could you bring to the party that others couldn’t?  You’re going off-piste here. Think beyond the job description and look at the role in a wider context. What extra skill or experience can you present that  would  make hiring you come with a  socking great bonus? If that’s not immediately obvious to you, then you’ll need to dig deep, but it will be worth every ounce of pain doing so. Finally Remember, all candidates will have different strengths and weaknesses,  so dont worry too much about the competition and comparing yourself to others. Instead, concentrate on showing the very best of yourself and how youre the stand-out choice. Good luck. About the author: Jon Gregory is an author, editor, blogger trainer on all things job hunting, interview prep career development. [Featured image: Shutterstock]

What Is the Best Resume Writing Books?

What Is the Best Resume Writing Books?Everyone knows that you can learn a lot from reading the best resume writing books. When it comes to making your resume more attractive, this is a very wise move. However, most of us will either not know how to pick out the right book for the job or we may just be unsure about what to get and find ourselves left with a pile of books on the table or on the shelves.So, how do you go about picking out the right one? By reading reviews written by others who have tried out the book, you should be able to pick out one that has a good reputation and you are sure to find useful in the long run. This is probably the best way to go about this.If you are a first time resume writer then you may want to know about what makes the best books. It all boils down to three characteristics that should be present in each of them. These should be something like easy, effective and full-proof.The best resume writing books are certainly one of the best types of material for beginners because it takes the hassle out of writing a great resume. This will help you save time and worry while actually writing your CV. You may be wondering how this can be possible because of course, anyone who is new to this field is always looking for shortcuts in the writing process.In short, the great thing about these books is that they not only allow you to do all the typing but also allow you to see the effects of the various components of writing a resume. Yes, they are important too. But the way they work together is the real key to getting your resume noticed by the employer.You may want to check out online reviews too because the more people use them, the better. After all, no one likes to have the same old CV after spending so much time and money in preparing it. This is why you should try and look at as many sites as possible to get a broad range of opinions before making your choice.There are actually websites which may help you a lot here because they may pr ovide some sample resumes to get you started. This should give you an idea about what to expect from the various types of materials in the market. You may be able to compare between these and pick the one that best suits your needs.Once you start writing your CV, you will soon find that this can be quite difficult. Especially, when you do not have any experience with this kind of thing. This is the reason why most beginners will try to start by using online resources. For beginners, there are several sites that can help you develop your CV using resume writing software.

As One Great Global Adventure Ends

As One Great Global Adventure Ends… This article is  sponsored  by AXA, a multinational insurance firm. Will Moore is the first winner of the  Great Global Adventure  by AXA, a competition that offers a world-first prize â€" an all-expenses paid travelling experience, that includes two top internships with international AXA teams, a volunteering opportunity, and the chance to tick off his bucket list. We caught up with Will as he completed the final leg of his adventure to hear about his year and to find out what’s next… California doin’ For the past six weeks, I’ve had the privilege to intern with AXA Lab in San Francisco, California. View this post on Instagram Today is my last day with AXA Lab in San Francisco. • The warmth of the teams welcome and their enthusiasm for their work has enriched my experience and made my time here such a highlight of my Great Global Adventure. • Huge thanks to Guillaume, Thibaut, Bastiaan and Ana for your guidance and for this incredible learning experience! A bientôt! • #thankyou #bestteam #abientot #axalab #internship #graduate #gradlife #awesome #experience #technology #innovators #digital #axa #sanfrancisco #california #usa #teamwork #wework #fun #work #travel #travelgram #axaadventure A post shared by Chelsie Kumar (@greatglobaladventurer) on Jun 10, 2016 at 2:17pm PDT The AXA Lab is AXA’s digital innovation sourcing unit and it focuses on accelerating the business transformation of AXA Group. I have been able to develop my understanding of AXA’s digital innovation strategies and delve deeper into the new disruptive technologies and trends that are impacting insurance, like the Internet of Things and the On-Demand Economy. I also had the chance to be part of AXA’s 2016 Corporate Responsibility Week. Myself and the AXA Lab team spent some time volunteering with GLIDE, a San Francisco-based charity that aims to alleviate the suffering caused by homelessness. It was a very humbling experience and we were grateful to be able to serve over 730 hot meals to the homeless community. View this post on Instagram Privileged to be volunteering with AXA Lab at @glidesf this morning to help serve 730 hot meals to those in need. • A very humbling and worthwhile experience, thank you GLIDE for having us! • #crweek2016 #axa #axalab #glide #volunteering #teamwork #sanfrancisco #thankyou #axaadventure A post shared by Chelsie Kumar (@greatglobaladventurer) on May 25, 2016 at 6:46pm PDT The Great Global Adventure is a personal as much as a physical journey. You will repeatedly push yourself to the limit. Whether it’s in organising your travel plans, accommodation, food, or building and maintaining your presence on social media, all whilst travelling you will soon become proud of yourself as you embark on your global adventure. The Charity Project and Internships will be some of the most important and rewarding experiences of your adventure. The welcome that I received from the Prestasi Junior Indonesia team in Jakarta was truly humbling. The work that they do with schoolchildren was inspiring and their focus on teaching the new generation to become entrepreneurs, to be inquisitive and to have self-confidence lays the foundation for Global Citizenship. Learn from everyone and every experience From farmers in Peru to the CEOs of multi-billion dollar companies in San Francisco, each person that I’ve met has contributed to my thinking and to my development as a young person. Both internships have developed my skills, provided me with invaluable contacts and given me a greater understanding of just how diverse AXA is and how they value being a fiduciary to their clients. Most importantly, it’s left me wanting to discover more! Next stop… Although this is the end of my AXA Great Global Adventure, I am delighted to report that this is just the beginning of my AXA Adventure!  I am very excited to be starting my career with AXA, to be back in Hong Kong and to be contributing towards AXA’s growing presence in Asia. Finally, any words of advice for the next Great Global Adventurer? The charity project and internships will be some of the most rewarding experiences of your adventure. They are an invaluable opportunity to develop your skills, enhance your employability and build some long lasting contacts. And be prepared: the adventure is going to stretch you as a person and it will give you the best transferable skills you could acquire for your future career. Thanks again for sharing your incredible adventure with us, Will. Good luck for the future. We’re delighted to announce the winner of the 2016 Great Global Adventurer: it’s Chelsie Kumar from Brisbane, Australia! She beat over 25,000 people to the prize and will be heading off on her adventures soon. Make sure you’re following Chelsie on https://www.instagram.com/greatglobaladventurer/ and Discover AXA. If you’d like to find out more about the global opportunities available on the AXA Global Graduate program â€" if you’re ready to develop and gain transferrable skills and open doors to great career prospects, visit Axas website. ..

A Resume Example for Teens + Tips For How to Write Your First Resume

A Resume Example for Teens + Tips For How to Write Your First Resume A Resume Example for Teens + Tips For How to Write Your First Resume Do teenagers need a resume? Not long ago, the answer was no.Most employers were not that open to hiring high schoolers. Today, however, that’s changing. With the gig economy and freelancing on the rise, landing a quick side-job or seasonal employment is way easier. But considering that most companies now do their recruiting online (including for temp/seasonal positions and internships) you are expected to act like an “adult” applicant and file your resume. And here’s the deal: a fine-written resume can really impress potential employers. Even if you do not have much job experience, most employers will appreciate the effort you have made and the fact that you have followed the corporate formalities. Even if you were not asked to provide a resume, it’s best to bring one to your in-person job interviews. In fact, better to bring two copies. One you will give to the hiring manager. The other you can give to anyone else who attends your interview.Essential Tips for Writing Yo ur First ResumeBefore you create your resume, there are some quick guidelines you should learn. A sloppily written resume or one that doesn’t contain the right information is likely to be tossed aside.So you’ll want to create a resume that highlights your skills and shows that you are the ideal candidate for a job. Some rules apply specifically to teenage applicants. These are designed to ensure that you can look as appealing as possible to potential employers, even when you don’t have a significant amount of work experience.Keep the following tips in mind as you write your resume.Remember that many companies now use an applicant tracking system (ATS). This is a software that companies use to automatically scan resumes, and discard the ones that are not relevant. They work by scanning for keywords. These are phrases that indicate you are qualified for a job.For example, if a job listing says, ‘Must be able to use Microsoft Excel’, the ATS software will scan resumes for the keyword phrase, ‘Microsoft Excel’. If that’s not in your resume, it would likely be discarded. When you read a job listing, make a list of keywords to add to your resume.Pssttheres more good stuff on our resume examples page. Be sure to check it out next!List your accomplishments. This is different than listing your duties. Sweeping the floors at a fast food restaurant is a duty. Maintaining a safe and clean restaurant is an accomplishment. Show proof when you can. This could be an award you’ve received for good work or another honor.It’s okay to focus on academics. As a teenager, you aren’t expected to have much if anything in the way of work experience. So, the best way to show your skills and qualifications is through your academic work.One thing you can do is match the items you place on your resume with the work requirements. Are you applying for a job at your local library? Highlight your excellent grades in English and Literature? If you want to work as a cashier , mention that you’re an A student in math. Finally, remember that sports and activities count as well. So do your community service hours. Be Honest! Don’t lie or exaggerate on your resume. Companies will check, and the last thing you want to do is be embarrassed by your own dishonesty.Proofread your resume carefully. Use spell check, but don’t rely on that entirely. Read your resume, and ask a friend or family member to look at it as well. You want to show that you’re careful and that you pay attention to detail. Also, use a professional looking email address.Put a summary statement at the top of your resume. This will describe your talents, interests, and goals.Resume Sample for Teens (Word version)Download resume (.docx)Resume Example for Teens (text version)Jaden Myers JadenMyers@mail.com (555)555-5555Metro high school senior in search of part-time employment in the food service industry.  Responsible, communicative and result-driven A+ student and cricket team capta in.Hardworking and friendly student with academic and work experience in food preparation and service seeks a part-time position at a local restaurant or cafe. Team player, coachable, problem solver who is able to show empathy towards customers and coworkers both.Skills Cash HandlingFood Service SanitationCustomer ServiceTime ManagementWalk-In ManagementRestocking and InventoryServingDish Machine OperationCold And Hot Food PreparationCatering and Event Set Up And Tear DownMicrosoft Office, Microsoft ExcelEducationMetro High School Sept. 2015 to PresentCulinary Arts Program GPA: 4.0Treasurer Future Farmers of America. Winner of Illinois State Student Bakers Association Pastry Championships. Created an on-campus food pantry program to help solve the problem of food insecurity facing 20% of the students attending Metro High.State of Illinois Department of HealthAdvanced Food Service Sanitation 100% Test ScoreCompleted 16 hours of training on food safety and sanitation issues commonly e ncountered in restaurants and other businesses. This course is in addition to the mandated food service training. previous article Equilibrium The Resume Layout Freebie next article How to Write a Winning Customer Service Resume + Example + Free Template you might also likeA Model Resume Example That Will Get Results

Can You Really Write a Resume on Fiverr?

Can You Really Write a Resume on Fiverr?When people think of resume writing they automatically think of fiverr. But why would a resume be written through a website that charges people to do it? Isn't that not something you can do at home on your own, you would need good typing skills and creative ideas? These are all good questions but it does show the kind of job market we are in.One of the reasons why most of the jobs on fiverr are content-based is because it can be hard to find a good writer who knows what they are doing. After all, people who work on the river do not go to school to get better at their craft. They do it because it is cheap to hire writers who know how to write resumes and they are trying to make money for their work.So when you work on fiverr, you are simply making yourself a target for a good writer. You can easily write resumes yourself if you are really interested in doing so. All you need is the talent to write content and the desire to be able to write well. Those two things are extremely hard to come by.So when you work on fiverr, it's not like you are wasting your time. If anything, you're saving time. No one can help you, you have to be the one to put together a great resume. You could always try to find a qualified writer to do it for you but you have to make sure they will stick to the deadline you set up.Because of this, it's important to work on fiverr a few times each week. It's better to put up more projects than you have to than it is to sit down with someone to make sure you can finish the project you're working on.The great thing about working on fiverr is that a good writer doesn't care whether they are making a profit off of you or not. They are doing it to make a living and if you really love what you do, they will keep coming back to you to get paid.I'm not saying that there aren't paid or free resume writers out there. The fact is, you have to get your resume finished by someone. This is important so you can find a job after you're done with your resume.You have to remember that while you can use any kind of template you want to use on fiverr, you still have to have a lot of passion and effort put into it. Once you get it done, keep going back over it and getting better at it. That's how you are going to land your dream job.

5 Productivity Tools for Writers CareerMetis.com

5 Productivity Tools for Writers â€" CareerMetis.com Photo Credit â€" Pexels.comStaring at a blank page, crossing out one sentence after another because none of them seems to fit. You sit there, paralyzed, aware that the clock is ticking and that you have a tight deadline to meet, fearing that you have been bitten by the Blank Page bug.The good news is that, while there is no medication for that frustrating condition, everyone has been through it at least once and there are some useful productivity tools to help you get past that dreadful blank page which is staring at you mockingly and daring you to write something down.1) 123 writings. comevalWriting a paper can put you through hell, especially if you have been guilty of procrastination and find it impossible to resist the urge to answer your buzzing phone or stop your brain from wanting to check your Facebook inbox every minute.evalTaking a break and remaining collected is not an option, because you have a deadline to meet and if you do not, all your hard work will go down the drain . You feel like your only option is to turn to a custom writing service, but you are apprehensive about entrusting your important essay to someone else.For this reason, you should make sure that you find a reputable company and 123writings. com is one of the best out there, priding itself on the quality of its writers and the fact that they have never missed a deadline.2) Write MonkeyBuddha likened the human mind to a playground of monkeys who are jumping around, chattering constantly and clamoring for attention. If you feel like there is a bunch of drunken monkeys dancing in your brain, distracting you and preventing your from becoming productive, you might want to try Write Monkey.Its full- screen mode provides you with a distraction- free space, hiding all disrupting programs on your computer. It is customizable, easy to use, does not require installation and it comes with a spell checker and a progress bar.3) Bubbl.usSometimes it happens that you run out not only of words, but o f ideas too. Brainstorming is the first building block of your essay structure because it is important to jot down as many useful notes as possible and structure and organize them in an effective way.Bubbl.us works by providing you with a customizable mind map in the shape of a tree, which allows you to start out with one central topic and then branch out into sub-topics.4) EvernoteYou have just had that much-needed moment of inspiration, and an important idea popped into your head, or you have come across a very useful piece of information for your essay somewhere on the Internet, but you have forgotten under which name you saved it, or you did not save it at all because you accidentally closed one of your multiple pop-up windows.evalEvernote allows you to jot down a reminder, write down your facts, save your articles and PDF files and find them easily.5) MyHomeworkevalProcrastination is everyone’s top enemy and the key reason why many students struggle with getting their essays written on time and find themselves in the rush before a deadline. And when you find yourself in that situation, because you have developed a habit of doing everything at the last minute, you will find it incredibly hard to even begin your paper because dangerously close deadline will send you into a panic.To avoid that and if you feel like your head is going to explode because you can not keep track of everything you need to do: language classes, going out with friends, or writing your essay, you might consider trying MyHomework app. It allows you to keep track of your assignments, essays and tests and reminds you when you have to submit them.If you have come to the point where writing is the most daunting task you can think of, that is probably because you have developed some damaging habits that have been hurting your productivity.evalLuckily for you, it is never too late to break a bad habit, especially if you identify it on time and use productivity tools to make your writing p rocess smooth and stress-free.

Technology Is No Longer A Separate Division

Technology Is No Longer A Separate Division We now live in a world where we have to be technically savvy. IT departments really dont help us with the basics any longer. We are expected to know how to access our email from home, know how to connect a wireless hub to our home network, research the most recent tools we supposedly cant live without, set security levels, firewalls, etc, use Smart phones/iPhone/Blackberry/Droids and the list goes on. At home and in the workplace, new technology is at our disposal. We have to learn what will be the best solutions for us, based on facts not fear. Never fear, there are resources. The best resources generally are free, they are your friends or co-workers who love to use the most recent gadgets. They also enjoy giving advice and helping. Tap into their expertise. On-line you can find user groups and even use Google to find answers to your questions. If you dont know how to use LinkedIn, ask! There are free resources available. If you dont know how to keep track of versions of your resume, ask. If you dont know how to create alerts on job boards, ask. If you dont know how to use Skype, ask. This is just the tip of the technology iceberg for job seekers. It can be overwhelming. Break the iceberg down into manageable pieces. Prioritize. Learning this new technology can demonstrate to employers your ability to learn new things, be adaptable and even resilient. For a job seeker, a thorough resource to begin with is Job-hunt.org. There is also a robust tool available called jibberjobber. It helps you keep track of your vast network and job opportunities. And so much more. Dont plead ignorance, claim mastery!

The Right Way to Jump into a Career Change - Hallie Crawford

The Right Way to Jump into a Career Change Here are 5 tips to make a  career change the right way! Avoid being unnecessarily dramatic When people are frustrated with their job, they often feel like they have to make a very dramatic change to feel better. Sometimes a change of company is the enough, or even a change in position at their existing company. Whatever makes you most happy is the perfect way to go. When you’re unhappy at work, your situation may be one of two things: it seems worse than it is and you’re just going through a rough patch or you may not have to make huge change in your career path. You may need more of a course correction. Carve out the time We are all busy, that’s not an excuse to put off your career transition. You must find the time in your busy schedule to devote to your career change. Look at your typical weekly schedule and figure out when you can find the time for your career process. Is it one evening a week after work for a few hours? Is it early Saturday morning before the kids get up? Do you want to use some of your lunch hour for time away from the office to go to a coffee shop with your computer and do some work? Find a way that works for you with no excuses! Create a specific space If you don’t have a dedicated space to work on your career change, you won’t remain as organized as you need to be and you won’t take the process as seriously. Setting aside a space for this is an important part of truly making a commitment to this work and this change for you.  It doesn’t have to be a huge amount of space.  It can be a few folders on your computer, a space on your desk where you keep your notes/journal, or even a vision board on your wall.   Get organized It’s imperative that you get very organized, and remain organized, throughout the entire career change process. This will help you so that you don’t get lost in the information you gather or lost in your networking efforts with others.  After you have set aside a specific space in your life for this work, devise a system to get organized with your material. Doing this up front will ensure greater success along the way,  and will prevent you from wasting time going back and re-doing research you’ve already performed because you didn’t keep good track of it.   Learn to love Microsoft Excel Many job seekers find that Microsoft Excel spreadsheets are an efficient way to manage and track their searches. You can create separate tabs for categories such as: Job ideas you’re considering. Relevant websites about those ideas. Networking contacts and groups. Job openings you have or plan to apply for. Recruiters and placement agencies you decide to work with. Elevator speeches you plan to use at networking events. Online job boards relevant to your search that you want to visit regularly to search for open positions.