Job Search Techniques That Will Surely Land You To That Dream Job

Friday 13 June 2014

Choosing a career presents a nerve-racking decision, as it can have a life-long impact on you. Do not fret, as you can gain a clearer outlook into your future by thorough career planning.
Having a clear vision of the future can guide you by helping you set career goals and helping you on your way towards attaining them. Whether you are starting out on a new career or looking to change your current career, you will benefit enormously from taking sound advice.

JOB SEARCH
Finding a career on the other hand has proved to be such a hustle to many job seekers worldwide and neither is the story any different with us here. It cuts across all sectors of any career at any level say for instance from the initial stage of looking for a job, through the process of job application having identified an opportunity since securing the job is another big challenge that will need guidance from an expert.  Searching for jobs has been made easier since now potential employers have got a number of platforms from which they can inform the public of the current vacant positions in their companies or organizations.  Let take a look at these different platforms.

Employers’ Websites:
This is usually done by the Employee Seekers through posting these vacancies on the career page on their websites. This makes it much easier for any job seeker since they get information directly from their potential employers and the Application Process is usually specified by the employer. Some companies will require you to apply online through the filling of an Online Application Form, others through their Fax Addresses, delivery to their Physical Addresses, Postal Addresses, while some will simply provide an email address and this enhances the work of the Job Seeker. However, other companies will direct you to their respective Recruitment Agencies for their available vacancies and Application procedures.

Recruitment Agencies:
Recruitment companies have also made it easier by taking on the role of recruitment which initially should have been done by the initial employers. These do the sourcing for the potential candidates suitable for the various positions in the different employment centers. This is usually done by advertising on their own recruitment websites for those companies with which they partner and any time there are any vacancies, these recruitment agencies will be notified.

Job Sites
Job sites are yet another platform that has enhanced the work of Job Seekers and employers as well. Job sites such as this one (aebestjobs.blogspot.com) take the initiative to collect and compile a list of these job vacancies from the different employers all around a given geographical locality and bring them together on one platform where those searching for them can locate them with their full details and Application information. All this is geared towards simplifying your work as a Job Seeker.

The Media
This is another great source of employment vacancy listings. Although many of these Media Houses still advertise on their official websites, Daily Journals and Newspaper Print outs serve a great purpose for even that one who cannot or can hardly access the internet. In some parts of a given location, it is much easier for many to access daily Newspaper Print Outs as opposed to internet services; in this regard Job Seekers are still covered.

Our next Article is going to cover the Application Process. We are going to take a step by step approach through the entire application process guidelines, documents required and any advice on which application process may be viable or most appropriate for you.

These posts are going to run on this Blog on a regular basis until when we fully exhaust the topic and make sure that everyone from anywhere can successfully locate a job of their interest, abilities and qualification, carry on the application process and go through the interview process with minimal hardships. The journey does not stop at that, having successfully acquired that job is not the end of your career journey; we will walk with you all the way to achieve advancement in your career, change of career and how to acquire promotions.

Check Out Our Career Advice Page for More

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The Most Commonly Interviewed Questions; A Guide on How To Go About Them

Although there is no set format that every job interview will follow, there are some questions that you can almost guarantee will crop up. Here’s a list of the most common questions and a guide to the kind of answers your interviewer wants to hear.

Tell me about yourself
This is usually the opening question and, as first impressions are key, one of the most important. Keep your answer to under five minutes, beginning with an overview of your highest qualification then running through the jobs you’ve held so far in your career. You can follow the same structure of your CV, giving examples of achievements and the skills you’ve picked up along the way. Don’t go into too much detail – your interviewer will probably take notes and ask for you to expand on any areas where they’d like more information. If you’re interviewing for your first job since leaving education, focus on the areas of your studies you most enjoyed and how that has led to you wanting this particular role.

What are your strengths?
Pick the three biggest attributes that you think will get you the job and give examples of how you have used these strengths in a work situation. They could be tangible skills, such as proficiency in a particular computer language, or intangible skills such as good man-management. If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at the job description. There is usually a section listing candidate requirements, which should give you an idea of what they are looking for.

What are your weaknesses?
The dreaded question, which is best handled by picking something that you have made positive steps to redress. For example, if your IT ability is not at the level it could be, state it as a weakness but tell the interviewer about training courses or time spent outside work hours you have used to improve your skills. Your initiative could actually be perceived as a strength. On no accounts say “I don’t have any weaknesses”, your interviewer won’t believe you, or “I have a tendency to work too hard”, which is seen as avoiding the question.

 Why should we hire you? or What can you do for us that other candidates can't?
What makes you special and where do your major strengths lie? You should be able to find out what they are looking for from the job description. “I have a unique combination of strong technical skills and the ability to build long-term customer relationships” is a good opening sentence, which can then lead onto a more specific example of something you have done so far in your career. State your biggest achievement and the benefit it made to the business, then finish with “Given the opportunity, I could bring this success to your company.”

What are your goals? or Where do you see yourself in five years time?
It’s best to talk about both short-term and long-term goals. Talk about the kind of job you’d eventually like to do and the various steps you will need to get there, relating this in some way back to the position you’re interviewing for. Show the employer you have ambition, and that you have the determination to make the most of every job you have to get where you want to be.

Why do you want to work here?
The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates you’ve given this some thought. If you’ve prepared for the interview properly, you should have a good inside knowledge of the company’s values, mission statement, development plans and products. Use this information to describe how your goals and ambition matches their company ethos and how you would relish the opportunity to work for them. Never utter the phrase “I just need a job.”

 What are three positive things your last boss would say about you? 
This is a great time to brag about yourself through someone else’s words. Try to include one thing that shows your ability to do the job, one thing that shows your commitment to the work, and one thing that shows you are a good person to have in a team. For example, “My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can always rely on me, and he likes my sense of humour.”

 What salary are you seeking? 
You can prepare for this by knowing the value of someone with your skills. Try not to give any specific numbers in the heat of the moment – it could put you in a poor position when negotiating later on. Your interviewer will understand if you don’t want to discuss this until you are offered the job. If they have provided a guideline salary with the job description, you could mention this and say it’s around the same area you’re looking for.

 If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?
Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you can think quickly. If you answer ‘a bunny’, you will make a soft, passive impression. If you answer ‘a lion’, you will be seen as aggressive. What type of personality will it take to get the job done?

You should always have some questions for your interviewer to demonstrate your interest in the position. Prepare a minimum of five questions, some which will give you more information about the job, and some which delve deeper into the culture and goals of the company.

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Interview Tips EveryOne Must Take Care Of Before Any Interview

If you're counting down the days till your next job interview, these helpful hints will help you get in the right mood so you can leave a lasting impression on the interviewers:

1. Do your research
Fail to plan, and you plan to fail. You are certain to be asked specific questions about the company, so make sure you've done your homework on things like their last year's profits and latest product launches. Also take a look at the latest developments in the industry so you can converse with confidence.

2. Practice your answers
Although there is no set format that every job interview will follow, there are some questions that you can almost guarantee will crop up. You should prepare answers to some of the most common interview questions about your personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as being able to explain why you would be the best person for the job. They are also discussed in our subsequent article.

3. Look the part
Appearances shouldn't matter, but the plain fact is that you are often judged before you've even uttered a word. Make sure your shoes are polished, your clothes fit correctly and that your accessories are subtle. Dressing one level above the job you're applying for shows a desire to succeed.

4. Stay calm
Good preparation is the key to staying in control. Plan your route, allowing extra time for any unexpected delays and get everything you need to take with you ready the night before. Remember to speak clearly, smile and remember that your interviewers are just normal people, and the may be nervous too!

5. Ask questions
You should always have some questions for your interviewer to demonstrate your interest in the position. Prepare a minimum of five questions, some which will give you more information about the job and some which delve deeper into the culture and goals of the company.

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