Tell Me About Yourself - 7 Key Strategies to Sell Yourself in an Interview and Land That Job!

By Samantha Elutilo

So you have landed an interview for a job and want to sell yourself well. When attending an interview be aware of these 7 key strategies so as to deliver a great interview and land that job. Preparing for an interview can be hard, however it is advisable that you put in the time and effort if you want to stand out.

1: Do not digress from the question asked. Keep it brief and relevant

When asked a 'Tell me about yourself' question, the tendency is to oversell ourselves however be aware of not talking too long or digressing from the question. What the employer wants to know is how useful and suitable are you for the role not the ins and outs of your daily life or personal history from way back, so keep your answer 'short and sweet' or else the interviewee will lose interest and become bored.

2: Good eye contact

If faced with one interviewer or a panel remember to give eye contact to all members it demonstrates confidence and creates a good impression.

3: Over gesticulation

During an interview gesticulation is sometimes needed but be aware of not using it to cover up nerves or over emphasizing a point. It can be annoying to the interviewer when an interviewee is constantly over gesticulating.

4: Prepare for the interview

What do I mean by 'Prepare for the interview?' Re-read the job description and specification and ask yourself what sort of person is required for this role. If it is a customer facing role sell all the skills you have which show that you are a people person, that you can build a rapport with customers, and that the customer is valued and important. This requires you to read in between the lines of the job description and have your answer tailored to it.

5: Show keenness and motivation

When asking interview questions show keenness to learn new skills and where you may be inexperienced in a particular area demonstrate how your transferable skills fit in with the role. Demonstrate that you are willing to learn, can adapt quickly and complete what's asked of you. Do not forget, you will be one in a number of people being interviewed for that role so show spark.

6: Self belief, all round skills and experience

Self belief is so important as well as all round skills. What do I mean by this? An individual who has a Degree may not be hired over a person who has none. This is because experience is sometimes placed higher than qualifications as employers want someone who can demonstrate a 'Can do' practical attitude. So when asked 'Tell me about yourself' sell your experiences whether paid or unpaid, as well as relevant work experiences carried out at home/personal life.

7: Reach out

So you have applied for a job and were fortunate to have secured an interview. Great! Now you are concerned about your lack of relevant experience of that role and believe you won't get it. Yes, it is annoying to get selected for an interview then later find out that your transferable skills will not work for that particular interview so what you should do is to speak to someone working in that firm who can tell you not only about the role you're going for but can answer the questions that are on the personal specification. Their time may be limited however, so let them know you appreciate their time and help. Also, read up about the firm for which you have applied for and make sure you get an all round grasp of what the role entails on a day to day basis. Yes, it is a lot of research but it'll pay off.

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10 Professional Resolutions for the New Year

Career Plans You Can Borrow from the Pros
by Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs


The end of the year typically prompts people to reflect on what they've accomplished in the last 12 months -- and what they might do better in the coming 12 months. Have the lessons of a tumultuous 2008 informed how you will approach 2009? Have you even thought that far ahead yet?

If you're not sure about your goals, consider borrowing one of these 10 resolutions from professionals who have already decided what they will focus on in the new year.

In 2009, I resolve to ...

1. Focus on passion, not the passing of days.
Holistic health counselor Trish Balbert shares, "I am going back to school for my Ph.D. in clinical psychology. It will be at least six years before I finish, and a lot of people have balked at that. They comment that it's such a long time, but my feeling is six years are going to pass one way or another. What do I want to have at the end of them? Would I rather spend them doing something I only mostly like or sort of like? Or would I rather spend them doing something that I really like that's going to get me doing something I really love?"

2. Take better advantage of your talents.
Just as the cobbler's children often have no shoes, advertising executive Jim Ellis's agency, Ellis + Potter Advertising, has been so busy providing marketing solutions for clients that they've neglected their own marketing. Ellis says, "In 2009, we resolve to ramp up our website and use its inherent strengths and benefits as more of a new business building tool to create opportunities."

3. Ignore the hype.
Tired of all the bad news? Tune it out! Jennifer DeSpagna, director of Timber Lake West Camp, says, "Well, I don't know if you would call this a resolution, but as my boss put it, 'We are choosing not to participate in this recession!' That is where I'll be coming from in 2009!"

4. Let someone else sweat the small stuff.
Lisa Steadman, also known as "The Relationship Journalist" and founder of Breakupchronicles.com, is ready to grow her business in 2009 -- with a little help. "I resolve to spend more time working ON my business and less time working IN my business. I've already hired a virtual assistant who does amazing work, and I am in the process of interviewing a part-time office assistant that my husband and I can share between our businesses."

5. Raise my profile.
Maya Kalman, president of Swank Productions, a Manhattan-based event-planning agency, shares, "My resolution is to do more publicity and public relations this year. I'm going to focus on doing more press -- because press equals exposure, which equals money!" She adds, "I'm also focusing on staying positive to move the company in the right direction, despite the current economy."

6. Spend money to make more money.
Brooklyn photographer Michael Harlan Turkell, who specializes in the culinary arts, reveals, "I've realized you have to spend money to make money. I had to turn down a lot of jobs this year because I didn't have a commercial space, but I realize how much more productive I could have been with an actual space."

As a freelancer, however, cash flow is always a concern, so Turkell is also on a quest to find a CPA who can help him spend wisely over the course of the year. "Right now, it's about not knowing what to spend and I'm investigating how a quarterly schedule might work best for a freelancer."

7. Recharge to continue to charge ahead.
Daisy Swan, a career coach and strategist and president of Daisy Swan & Associates, promises, "This past year taught me that taking time to regroup and recharge is essential to being able to give my gifts and effectively wear all of the hats that I wear every day! I vow to take time each week (and I do now) to meditate, connect with a larger, greater picture of my life to get centered and present. I know that tuning into the intuition and energy that I am informed by will aid me in making important decisions in the new year that is guaranteed to be loaded with new adventures."

8. Commit to getting commitments.
National workplace columnist and career advisor Liz Ryan admits her resolution took her by surprise. "It's become evident that this year more than ever before, lots and lots of people are scared witless at the prospect of launching a job search. I wish I had seen that sooner. A job-search advisor like me needs not only to share tips, methods, and moral support, but to hold a job seeker to a set of commitments to overcome that 'Oh, goodness, no! Anything but more job-search activity!' inertia."

9. Find the 'hire' power.
Michelle Madhok, founder of Shefinds.com, a popular online shopping blog, is not going to suffer poor performers and will take more time in trying to separate the wheat from the chaff. She says, "This year I will hire slow and fire fast. I will not settle for average employees!"

10. Avoid taking business matters personally.
Career coach Hallie Crawford, author of "Flying Solo: Career Transition Tips for Singles," was inspired by a key line from "The Godfather" film for her resolution. She says, "My resolution is to: Remember it's business, not personal. My peers', clients' or co-workers' decisions are not always about me as a person!"

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Tips For a New Graduates Looking For Nursing Jobs

By Karen P Williams

As a new nursing graduate you are now ready to enter into the exciting career of nursing. A new grad has several choices to choose from when it comes to nursing jobs. Before you start your search for jobs, there a few thing to consider first. As a new grad, you need to carefully choose the jobs that you apply for. To ensure that you apply for the type of position that will suit you, you need to take into consideration your personality and interests.

If your interests are being around children, as a new grad you may want to find a position in pediatrics. As a new grad, taking the time to locate the jobs that match with your personality and interests can help ensure a long and happy career in the nursing field. Getting burned out or overwhelmed to quickly is a problem that some new nurses encounter in their first couple of years of working as a nurse.

This is why you want to match yourself with the jobs that best fit you. As a new grad looking for nursing roles, you should also keep in mind your long term career goals. Most people that want a long term career in the nursing field look for jobs that are in hospitals. Hospitals have several different nursing positions and as well as nursing supervisory positions. As a new grad, you would probably start off with basic patient care, but as you gain experience hospitals allow you to move up to emergency room and trauma room positions. Hospitals also have surgical nurses, rehabilitation nurses and pediatrics nurses.

It is not only common, but expected that a new grad is anxious to start to working as a nurse.

There are several ways to find exciting nursing jobs. Some nursing schools provide job placement services for their new grad students. Job directory websites are also very popular. Job directories not only allow you the option to search for local nursing jobs that are in your area, but they also allow you to search nationally for nursing jobs.

This makes find nursing jobs much easier, if relocating is an option for a new grad. Most all hospitals and medical facilities have there own website. A new grad can browse their available nursing jobs and in some cases you can even apply online. Of course the traditional methods of finding nursing jobs are still popular such as looking through local newspapers for nursing jobs and visiting medical facilities and hospitals in person.

As a new grad looking for nursing jobs, you may find more opportunities if you are flexible and open to the idea of relocating. With the nursing shortage that many states are experiencing, major hospitals are offering new nurses incentives to come work at their hospital. Some offer a sign-on bonus, while others may offer to pay the moving expenses if you agree to relocate. Nursing jobs for a new grad are available to fit most any interests and all personalities all across the United States.

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Basic Tips on Applying to Nursing Schools

By Kathy Mercado

A number of young students opt for nursing courses right after they finish school. Having a diploma or degree in nursing from a reputed nursing school is something that can help anyone to have a bright career. You don't have to read thick books and there is little hard work involved. Nursing field is a light but sensitive field where your attitude and personality is more important that intelligence quotient. If you are a people person, nursing field may prove excellent for you in long term. Here are a few basic tips on applying to nursing schools -

1. Check online as well as local schools in the region. When it comes to online schools, you should choose the ones recognized in your state or territory. There are countless websites that claim to be accredited within the nursing program.

2. Accredited nursing schools will provide various nursing courses ranging from Bachelor's degree to Master of Science. One of the fastest job placements are ensured by degree courses in nursing programs. At present, nursing is one of the fast growing professions in entire United States.

3. BSN (Bachelor's in Nursing) will take around 4 years to complete and MSN (Master's in Science) will take nearly 2 years. Make your plans according to the budget you can afford for a specific period of time. Some of the nursing schools will relax tuition fees when you are an intern.

4. As a BSN you can easily find a job by checking newspapers on daily basis. A number of healthcare centers, nursing homes and retirement homes are continuously looking for nursing professionals. Before you apply to nursing school, learn about their placement records and ratio of graduates inducted directly into major healthcare organizations. A reputable nursing school can push forward your nursing career by giving you the right platform to begin with.

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10 Do's and Don'ts for a Stealthy Job Search

Networking Tips That Won't Blow Your Cover
by Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs


If you've got a job, you probably want to hold on to it until you find another one, even if it's less than ideal. But remember, in most states, employment is at-will, meaning you can be fired for almost any reason (so long as it is not discriminatory) -- including looking for a new position.

So how can a job seeker tap the full power of her network without blowing her cover with her boss? Use these tips from national workplace columnist and career advisor Liz Ryan (asklizryan.com) to keep your job search under wraps.

Do...

1. Tell your people -- in person.

Ryan believes your network is your best resource for finding new opportunities, but she cautions: "Because even our most well-meaning friends can inadvertently spill the beans in unfortunate ways, it's best to share this news in person, while you're looking in someone's eyes." This will allow you to stress how important discretion is.

2. Mix and mingle.

Start going to face-to-face networking events to expand your network. To keep things discrete, Ryan advises, "Don't announce, 'I'm job-hunting!' Instead, tell other attendees, 'I work for XYZ company doing A, B, and C. Of course, like everyone else, I've got my eyes open right now!'"

3. Build your profile to raise your profile.

Network from the comfort of your own home by expanding your LinkedIn profile (or creating one if you don't already have one). She says, "Build your LinkedIn profile and your LinkedIn network by inviting friends and colleagues -- all but the people you work with right now -- to join your network."

4. Tap your resources when doing research.

When thinking about where you want to work next, Ryan says look first to your network. "Begin to research employers and reach out to them through trusted friends and colleagues who either work there now, used to work there, or know people who can make introductions to the employer for you."

5. Expand your network and knowledge online.

Another way to build your network is to participate in online discussion groups. Ryan reveals, "Look for groups devoted to job-search and career topics, such as the 'Ask Liz Ryan' Yahoo! Group, to grow your knowledge base and contacts."

Don't...

1. Broadcast your intentions.

Ryan strongly advises job seekers to avoid any means of broadcast communications. "If you use a LinkedIn broadcast message or a group email to tell friends you're job hunting, there's an excellent chance that someone will not read it carefully and inadvertently tip your hand to the wrong people." She also reminds folks with a vested interest in secrecy not to list their job-hunting status on any social-networking sites.

2. Find out how you'll fare at a job fair.

Job fairs are attracting record numbers of attendees. If you are among them, there's a strong possibility you could run into someone who knows both you and your current employer, creating an awkward situation that could cost you your job. Therefore, says Ryan, "Avoid attending job fairs as a method to meet prospective employers."

3. Count on coworkers.

Keep your search a secret from even your most trusted colleagues. Ryan says, "Asking
current coworkers for help or advice with your job search puts them in a bad situation, torn between loyalty to you and their paycheck. Don't ask them to do that."

4. Blindly respond to blind ads.

Employers often use blind advertisements to attempt to find a replacement for a current employee who does not yet know he is about to be fired. Responding to one, then, puts you in jeopardy of applying to the very company for which you work (perhaps even for your very job!). Even if it isn't the same position or a lateral one, Ryan says, "Don't send your resume to any blind job ads in which the employer is not clearly identified."

5. Give out references at your current company.

It's hard to get a job without references. In fact, solid references are often what seals the deal. However, you shouldn't use your current team members or supervisors as references. Ryan notes, "You'll use these folks as reference-givers down the road, but while you're still working at XYZ Corp, it's not ethical or appropriate to ask XYZ-affiliated people to recommend you for a different job."

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Office tips: how to prevent employee theft

Employee theft can be a problem in a small business or a major corporation. It’s a subject we’re uncomfortable to discuss because we don’t want to think of our fellow co-workers as thieves—and most aren’t. Only a small percentage of our workforce believes it’s ok to take what doesn’t belong to them. But it’s the presence of these unscrupulous individuals that force companies and employees to use various means to protect their property in the workplace.

Personal Security Measures

Employees must take responsibility for protecting their personal property. Here are some suggestions:

* Keep your purse or wallet with you at all times, if possible. Otherwise, lock them up at your desk. And make sure you have the only key.

* Secure all personal items when you leave your area. If you have an office, lock your door when you step away.

* Unattended coats and jackets are fair game for dishonest co-workers. Before placing outerwear in closets, or on coat racks, remove cash and other valuables from the pockets.

Departmental Security Measures

Many departments are located in areas with little security. This is ideal for thieves. Here’s how to stop them:

* Challenge strangers loitering in your area and ask to see identification. If they refuse, call security.

* Make sure there’s staff around to challenge strangers wandering into your area, especially during meetings and lunchtime.

* Some departments allow employees to have direct access to office supplies. This may be convenient, but certain workers will take advantage and steal supplies to use at home. Therefore, choose only a few individuals to be responsible for distributing office supplies to their co-workers, and have them maintain accurate inventory records.

Organizational Security Measures

Companies should have certain measures in place to combat employee theft. Here are some effective ones:

* Document the company’s policy on security and communicate it to all employees. As a deterrent, each worker should know the penalties involved with committing employee theft.

* Issue identification badges to all employees, contractors, and visitors, and require everyone to wear their ID while in the workplace.

* Conduct extensive screening and background checks on all employees and contractors.

* Install security cameras throughout the workplace.

* Create a security awareness program that teaches workers how to prevent employee theft.

* Appoint employees as security managers for each department. Managers should hold periodic meetings to update employees on changing policies.

* Allow only authorized individuals to access rooms where computers and other expensive equipment are stored. Rooms should remain locked when no one’s inside, and the names of all employees, and their times of entry and exit, should be written in a log book.

* Record serial numbers for all expensive equipment issued to employees.

* Make sure terminated and retired employees surrender any equipment issued to them, and have them turn over their ID to security.

Stealing in the workplace will never be eliminated, but it can be greatly diminished if companies are proactive and tackle the problem. Organizations must involve their staff by developing clear and effective measures and policies regarding the prevention of employee theft.

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