The On-Going Conversation

The Nature of Cell Phone Usage

Cell Phone Trends in 16 Countries: Source: Pew Research Center. The median % of people who own a cell phone has increased by 36% since 2002; the current median is 81%.

10 Additional Tips for the Challenging Job Market

Isolation from the Competition

We all understand that you need to bring something unique to the table when looking for a career opportunity; otherwise you may fail to intrigue prospective employers and they may move on without you.

This means that the key is to fascinate them from the commencement of your conversation. You need to make sure to establish a quality first impression; this will help generate a positive way of classifying you as a candidate from the beginning of your discourse. This will also facilitate an optimistic and encouraging mentality in their minds, which should carry over to the actual interview.

Listed below are ideas and potential avenues to achieve a quality conversation from the start.

1. Be accommodating when scheduling the interview. Try to work within the confines of times that they suggest will work. Sometimes this doesn’t always happen, but at least try to make this a reality. This will document that you understand they have extremely busy schedules and in a sense, that their time is more valuable than you own. Hopefully this leads them to think you are a team player and utilitarian from the start.
2. Go out of your way to ask how they and the entire business are doing. This will create a cordial and hospitable relationship, prior to actually meeting in person for the interview. This will also suggest that you are more concerned about the overall mission of the business, than the potential position you may have with the company.
3. If you cannot answer their call immediately, make sure to call them back momentarily. Sometimes you are unable to answer phone calls at the time of the call itself, which is completely understandable. However, when dealing with prospective employers and opportunities, you want to make sure to communicate with them as soon as possible. This will demonstrate that you are truly interested in working for the company and have a desire to find employment. It also documents a degree of organization, confidence and credibility by returning their call immediately.
4. Verify that the interview is still convenient for the scheduled date and time. This will illustrate your flexible personality and willingness to compromise. It will also exemplify your professional demeanor and ability to remain accommodating, if you are eventually asked to join the team.
5. Ask for meticulous details about the interview and location, so that you convey intelligence. This will help ensure that you arrive on time and are prepared for the interview. It will also showcase your attention to detail and ability to work within a high paced environment.
6. Show up early for the interview and dress professionally. This will help indicate how you will behave if you are eventually hired. It will also allow the potential employer to see the value you can bring to the organization and your willingness to come prepared.
7. Practice sample interview questions and be prepared for anything they may ask you to do.
8. Bring supporting materials such as your portfolio, references and additional resumes, even if they don’t request them.
9. After the interview – let them know that you appreciated their time and ask if they need anything additional on your behalf.
10. Continue applying for opposing opportunities and don’t assume anything with previous engagements.

We all know how difficult the job market can be, but don’t get discouraged. Remain optimistic and continue striving for a position that will align with your personal perspective. Best of luck and never give up; that ideal job is hopefully right around the corner.

Image Credits: 4 Ways to Speed Up Your Job Search -- Liz Lynch

5 Tips for Finding a Career Opportunity

Job seekers need to remain confident and optimistic. They also need to understand that they will eventually find an opportunity they truly enjoy. It may be challenging to continue pursuing a job, but don’t give up; there are good days ahead.

Nonetheless, as the touch economic state continues to meander, I thought it would be an ideal time to suggest ideas for seizing that perfect job, which you have all been diligently striving for.

1. Send out as many resumes as possible. Don’t let failure set you back and please continue applying for jobs. I understand that it may be tough, especially when none of the jobs you are applying for are yielding results. I have always thought this is the most difficult part though, because once you are asked in for an interview, you in a sense have control over the conversation. Don’t let it get you down either—just look at it this way, if they don’t want you, it is their loss.

2. Create a LinkedIn account. I would say that LinkedIn is the most beneficial for career professionals and those looking for employment. Not only because you can connect with potential employers and individuals that work at these companies, but also because there are specific jobs listed on the site. In addition, LinkedIn offers groups that consist of individuals in similar professions; seek out an individual that is in a comparable field and see if they have any advice. You can even start a forum and hopefully engage a discourse regarding potential opportunities. It is also free and allows people to find you—not the other way around.

3. Ask for feedback on your resume, references and supporting materials. Everyone thinks their resume is the greatest show in the world. However, wouldn’t you agree that most people are biased towards their own personal presentation? Please keep in mind—that it never hurts to have another person have a glimpse into your world; that way they can see it from your perspective and hypothetically decide if they would consider you for an opportunity, based on your resume and supporting resources.

4. Create different resumes for different opportunities. Don’t merely send the same resume to every single job that you apply for. Make sure you are highlighting the skills that are actually requested and documented on the job description. If you fail to do this from the start, you will more than likely not even be asked in for an interview. Remember, that is the critical element—once you are in front of the hiring managers, the ball is literally in your court and you have the utmost ability to impress them. This even involves adjusting the cover letter and making sure it correlates to the job specifically as well.

5. Personalize your resume and cover letter to juxtapose it with that of the company. This may seem obvious, but make sure you include the information about the company that is available. This day in age, basically every single company has a website. Make sure you go to their website and do your homework, prior to the interview itself. This way you will know more about the company, specifically what they do and where you fall into the equation.

In a sense, you are attempting to generate a prescription for the company, because you literally want to be the remedy to solve all their problems and create an ecosystem where everything works cohesively. This will not only benefit the company in the long run, but may also benefit you in the future regarding the potential for career advancement.

Hopefully these recommendations are helpful. However, I am sure you will discover something that helps you specifically. Just don’t give up and always continue trying to find something that will make you ultimately happy.

Not only regarding prospective employment, but in life in general. Never settle and always keep pushing yourself until you achieve results that are you can be truly comfortable with. I understand it can be difficult, but utilize the people around you; they are more than willing to help and can ultimately enable you along the way.

Image Credit: The Pongo Blog -- November 5, 2008