Career Marketplace Blog

In this article for LifeHacker.com, Whitson Gordon explains, How to Make (and Sustain) a Good First Impression Every Time.

Read an excerpt of Gordon’s article below. Read Full Article

In a perfect world, friendships, relationships, and business contacts would all develop naturally and blossom exactly how you’d like, but that’s not the world we live in. In reality, we’re all busy people, and relationships take work—work that sometimes slips our mind. Rather than leave it all to chance, here are a few things that can help you leave a great first impression, and form that into a lasting relationship.

How First Impressions Work

People often say “you never get a second chance to make a first impression”, and that’s actually quite true—which is why it’s so important to start on the right foot. In fact, one popular study showed that those impressions can form in just a few seconds:

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In this article for About.com, Alison Doyle gives you helpful information about Pre-Interview Questionnaires and Tips for Answering Pre-Interview Questions.

Read an excerpt of Doyle’s article below. Read full article.

In this article from lifehacker, Melanie Pinola show you how to Prepare to Ace Your Job Interview with this Interview One-Sheeter.

Read an excerpt of Pinola’s article below. Read full article and Interview One-Sheeter

As you know, preparation is the key to doing well on a job interview and hirers tend to ask the same kinds of questions. This job interview one-sheeter is like a CliffsNotes for getting your strategic answers together.

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In this photo slideshow for U.S. News and World Report, Alison Green shows you, 10 Surefire Ways to Annoy a Hiring Manager.

Some of the mistakes listed in this article are:

• Ignore Application Instructions
• Arrive late for your interview
• Being unprepared for your interview

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In the SimplyHired.com blog, simplyblog, Martin Yate CPC explains, How to Handle the Five Killer Telephone Interview Questions.

Read an excerpt of Yate’s article below. Read Full Article

A telephone interview is usually short, just enough time to rule you in or out, so the focus is on questions that help evaluate you quickly. Your goal is to turn it into a face-to-face meeting, so your answers need to be concise. As a rule of thumb, keep your answers to less than two minutes, if an interviewer wants to know more s/he will ask.

“Tell me a little about yourself,”

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In her article for BNET.com, Adriana Gardella counts down Seven Ways to Flunk a Job Interview.

Interview mistakes from this article include:

• Assume your resume speaks for itself
• Stalk your recruiter
• Treat social media communications casually

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New York Times article, When the First Interview is a Phone Call, Phyllis Korkki helps job seekers prepare for a phone interview.

Read an excerpt from Korkki’s article. Read Full Article

With companies sometimes receiving hundreds of applications for a single job, it is becoming more common for hiring managers to conduct initial screening interviews over the phone. This saves them considerable time and money — especially if a candidate lives out of town.

Don’t take these interviews lightly. “It is important to prepare for a telephone interview just as you would for a regular interview,” said Alison Doyle, a job search specialist for About.com, which is owned by The New York Times Company.

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In her article for Forbes.com, Susannah Breslin warns, How to Fail at a Job Interview. 

Below is an excerpt of Breslin’s article. Read Full Article 

I’ve been on more job interviews this year than any other year in my life.

This is a good thing (theoretically, at least) because it forces you to figure out who you are and sell it.

Can’t do that? You lose.

TIP #1: Miss the point.

Earlier this month, I hired a young female journalist to write a guest post on this blog for $100. (Expect to see it soon.) As a hirer, I was forced to confront the real reason why people hire you.

Because they like you.

This has been said elsewhere, but it is the single truth people fail to grasp about interviewing. It’s not about your skills, it’s not about your resume, it’s not about if you answered the questions right.

Do they like you? If they like you the best, they will hire you. If they don’t, they won’t.

People tell themselves their “experience,” their successes-filled resume, and their above-par interviewing skills are what will get them the job. That’s simply not true. It’s what people want to believe because if that were true, they could quantify why one person gets hired and why another does not.

Interviews are like two dogs sniffing one another’s butts. Either you click. Or you don’t.

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Who should you choose as a reference? Joanna Boydak from LiveCareer has a few Secrets to Passing the Reference Check.

Read an excerpt from Boydak’s article below. Read Full Article

Would you be excited to eat at a restaurant that has a mediocre review? An unenthusiastic reference may hurt more than help, so choose your references carefully and make sure they are prepared. With just a little extra planning, you can guarantee your references help you win the job.

Follow these steps to prepare for a reference check:

1. Make your list- Ideally, you will want to use your most recent supervisor as a reference. Former clients, employees you have supervised and co-workers are acceptable as well. If you are an entry-level candidate with little experience, list a mentor such as a professor or family friend. All of these types of references can provide valid insight into your character and abilities as a future employee.

2. Get their permission- Never submit your references before getting their permission first. Describe the type of job that you are looking for and request that they be a reference. If you sense hesitation, consider asking someone else. Having a great reference requires the individual to be prepared to vouch for you with enthusiasm.

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In her article for Forbes Magazine, Susan Adams explains How To Ace Your Interview.

Below is an excerpt of Adams’ article

Do not curb your enthusiasm. Win Sheffield, 56, a coach for the last seven years with the career counseling firm The Five O’Clock Club, says a lot of job seekers forget that one of the most crucial parts of interviewing is convincing the hiring manager that you truly desire the job. Interviewers don’t just look for applicants who have the requisite skills and will fit in with a company. Now more than ever, they want candidates who want them.

Sheffield is absolutely right, says Cynthia Bragdon, owner of Urban Indigo, a gift store in Oakland, Calif. “I don’t know why some candidates miss this,” she adds. “Maybe because they think it seems desperate.” She says the most eager applicants quickly make her A list. “If they seem aloof, I get very worried, because any job requires a full commitment,” she explains. “And if they are aloof in an interview, they will probably be aloof to my customers, which is a very bad thing.”

Read on to learn how your illustrate your strengths and enthusiasm