MINOR MATTERS THAT MAKE YOUR INTERVIEW

Preparing for an interview can be stressful -- and time-consuming. You can spend days researching a company, brainstorming answers to "trick" questions and preparing your portfolio.

With so much to do, it's easy to forget the practical details that can distinguish a successful interview from a tragic one.

This article focuses on the minor matters that job seekers often overlook before they sit down in the interview hot seat.

Getting Your Interview Gear Ready

Lay out your clothing in advance. You don't want to be frantically searching for a missing sock or clean shirt on the day of the interview.

Make sure your outfit is clean and neatly pressed and take care of other time-consuming chores (polishing your shoes, trimming your nails) the day before the interview if possible.

Also, gather all the other important materials you'll need for the interview in one place, where you will be sure not to forget them. You might include copies of your resume, references and directions.

Just Call Me "Dragon Breath"

Your parents were right: You don't do as well on an empty stomach.

Make sure you eat before the interview. You don't need to have a huge meal. In fact, a heavy meal or one loaded with carbs can make you feel sluggish and lethargic. But a light meal or snack will ensure that your stomach doesn't start rumbling loudly just as you're about to discuss your most brilliant accomplishment.

If your interview isn't until later in the day, steer clear of stinky bards, such as onions and garlic.

Whatever you plan to eat before the interview should be followed by some mouthwash and a good brushing.

Have Interview, Will Travel

The day of the big interview is not the time to try out a new shortcut or investigate an unfamiliar area.

Make sure you know how to get to your interview in advance. Make a practice run the day before if necessary.

Also, find out exactly where you'll need to go when you arrive at the company.

If you're lucky, you'll walk through the front door and find the receptionist waiting. If you're not so lucky, you'll need to find your way to Lot 8, Building 9, Floor 10, Suite D, Room 125 -- so be sure you know how to get there.

Eyes and Ears Are Everywhere

When it comes to interviewing, a little paranoia can be a good thing.

Your interview starts in the parking lot, so be conscious of your surroundings. Any onlooker could be one of your interviewers. Act accordingly.

Be courteous and professional to everyone you meet, from the security guard to the receptionist. If you make small talk with strangers, be positive and pleasant. This isn't the time to complain about the "funny smell in the lobby" or a long wait for an elevator.

Lastly, turn off your cell phone.

By Erin Hovanec

HOW TO ANSWER THE TOUGHEST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

You know they're coming: Those seemingly unanswerable questions that pop up during job interviews.

You can't clam up. And you don't want to stutter and stammer. So what's a job seeker to do?

The 'Future' Question

Otherwise known as the "big picture" question, the future question goes something like this: "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

The best tactic: Talk about your values.

Don't get too detailed about your specific career plan. Instead, discuss things that are important to you professionally and how you plan to achieve them. If growth is a goal, mention that. You can also talk about challenge, another value that employers prize in their employees.

The 'Salary' Question

Most people will tell you that whoever answers this question first loses. But that's not necessarily true.

When an interviewer asks your salary requirement, try first to gently deflect the question by inquiring about the salary for the position.

If the interviewer presses you for a number, give a range. To decide on a range, think about the salary you want, your salary at your most recent position and the industry-standard salary for the job.

The bottom line: The salary question is one of the most important, so you should prepare for it in advance and plan what to say.

The 'Why' Question

There's a fine line between boastful and confident. And you need to learn it.

When an interviewer asks you why they should hire you, you're going to have speak confidently and honestly about your abilities. But you should avoid sounding overly boastful.

Aim for earnest and prepare by practicing. That's right: Stand in front of the mirror and acknowledge your abilities and accomplishments to your reflection. Tell yourself: I have a very strong work ethic. I have integrity. I have excellent industry contacts. I aggressively pursue my goals.

It's sometimes hard to praise yourself, but after a few sessions you'll sound sincere.

The Seemingly Silly Question

If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? What if you were a car? Or an animal?

These type of questions can bring your interview to a screeching halt.

First, don't panic. Pause and take a deep breath. Then remind yourself that there's no "right" answer to these questions. The job isn't hinging on whether you choose to be a spruce versus an oak.

Interviewers usually ask these questions to see how you react under pressure and how well you handle the unexpected. It's not so important what type of tree (or car, or animal) you choose as that you explain your choice in a way that makes you look favorable.

So, be a spruce -- because you want to reach new heights in your career. Or be an oak -- because you plan to put down roots at the company. Either way, you'll get it right.

By Caroline Levchuck, for Yahoo Hot Jobs.

CREATING AND E-MAILING A PLAIN TEXT RESUME

Unlike Microsoft Word and other word processors, plain text does not allow bold, italics or different fonts. While it may seem boring, this simplicity allows recruiters to view resumes the same way regardless of the software they use.

Tools You'll Need

If you don't already have a text editor (and most people with computers do), you can get one for free online.

As far as text editors go, I like two in particular:

1. Notepad: If you're running Microsoft Windows software on your computer, chances are you have Notepad, which is Microsoft's default text editor.

2. NoteTab Light: If you don't have Notepad or can't find it on your computer, you can download NoteTab Light for free here: http://download.com.com/3000-2352-8235248.html?tag=lst-0-4

Creating Your Plain Text Resume

There are two ways you can enter your resume into a text editor.

• From scratch: Once you've found a text editor, start it up and begin typing in your resume. Keep the organization clean and simple as you will not be able to use bold, italics or fonts in different sizes.

• Copy and paste: If you cut and paste a formatted resume into a text editor, you'll notice that a lot of the formatting will be lost. Your font will be uniform and any text with bold or italics will be replaced with plain text.

If you are using a text editor, your document should automatically be saved as text. Double check this by making sure your document has a ".txt" file extension.

Also, text editors do not typically have spell check. So, copy and paste your text resume into Microsoft Word or another word processing program with spell check. Spell check the document. Be sure to make any necessary changes to the text document and save it again.

Creating a Plain-Text E-Mail

If a job description asks you to include a plain-text resume in the body of an e-mail, make sure your e-mail software is set to send plain text. Otherwise, your e-mail browser will add formatting to your resume and the recruiter may assume you didn't follow instructions.

The method for sending a plain-text e-mail depends on the e-mail program you're using. I've included directions for some major e-mail programs below. If your e-mail program isn't listed, look in the "help" section of your e-mail or consider calling your Internet Service Provider.

• Yahoo! Mail: Create a new e-mail. At the bottom of the e- mail, click the "plain text" button. Then, simply copy and paste your resume into the e-mail. You may have to make some minor formatting changes.

• Hotmail: Create a new e-mail, in the pull-down field labeled "Tools" make sure the "Rich Text Editor" is off. You'll be able to tell if you've successfully turned the Rich Text Editor off as all the formatting options will disappear from your composition screen. You may have to make some minor formatting changes.

• Microsoft Outlook: Create a new e-mail, click on the "Format" button and choose the "Plain Text" option. Then, simply copy and paste your resume into the new e-mail. You may have to make some minor changes, but most of your formatting should remain intact.

Helpful Formatting Tips

• Use all caps to make headers stand out from body text. Since plain text does not allow for bold and italics, it can be difficult to distinguish between resume sections. I use all capital letters for "OBJECTIVE," "WORK EXPERIENCE" and "EDUCATION" to give them prominence.

• You can use bullets in a plain-text document, but it's not as easy as clicking a button. If you want to use a bullet point in your plain-text resume, copy and paste this bullet (

• ) without the parentheses into your resume. Otherwise, you can use an asterisk (*) or dashes (--).

• Avoid using the "Tab" key, because plain text when saved may not retain the tab command. Instead, use the space bar.

• Always e-mail a copy of your plain-text resume to yourself before sending it to a recruiter. This gives you a chance to see the resume as the recruiter will see it.

By Christopher Jones for Yahoo Hot Jobs

DISCUSSING SALARY

At some point during your job search, you will likely be asked about your salary history -- how much you're making at your current job, and how much you made previously. Should you tell? Is there any way to avoid telling? And why do potential employers want to know, anyway?

When forming a response to these questions, it helps to understand employers' reasons for asking.

Employers tend to use your past pay as a gauge of your market value, says Richard Phillips, a career coach and owner of Advantage Career Solutions in Palo Alto, California. They also want a sense of what salary you'll be expecting. If it's tens of thousands of dollars more than the employer can pay for the position, it's probably not worth wasting your time or the employer's on further discussions.

"It's a way to figure out if we are all playing in the same league," Phillips says.

Play Your Cards Right

Of course, this information also gives the employer a leg up in the negotiation process. "We're going to play poker," Phillips says. "You're going to show every other card of yours, and I'm not going to show any of my cards."

Because of this, Phillips recommends not offering salary history in an initial written application. If you're filling out an application, put dashes in the box for salary history, indicating that you saw it, he says. If you're responding to a job posting that says to send in a resume and salary history, just send the resume. If the employer is interested, someone will call to ask for more information.

"Then you're in a dialogue," Phillips says. At this point, instead of telling the employer your current or past salary, ask what range they expect to pay for the position. You could also offer to provide your desired salary range.

The Strategy Could Backfire

This approach does have pitfalls. First, some employers may not call, choosing instead to focus on applicants who provided the information on the application.

"My take on it is that if you are a qualified candidate and they are going to ignore you because you did not send in your salary history, you do not want to work for that organization," Phillips says.

Even if you make it to the conversation stage, simply stating your expectations may not work.

Tell the Truth

"They could say any number for an expectation," says David, an independent staffing consultant who focuses on high tech companies. When David talks to candidates, he asks for their salary history. "Everybody I talk to ends up giving that information out."

David is looking not only at whether the candidate is likely to be happy with the salary the company can offer, but also at whether the person has received raises when changing jobs. She also notes that employers can verify this information, so it's critical to tell the truth.

In the end, Phillips says, it's not usually a problem to give the employer the information. If bonuses or stock options were part of your pay package, mention this when you give salary numbers -- it could make a case for paying you more. If you know the position you're interviewing for pays less than you're making and you're OK with that, say so.

And remember that when the company actually makes an offer, you can still negotiate.

by Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs

POWER NETWORKING TIPS

Two ways to Network your way to a new Position

1. If you know any prospective employer, and you have the opportunity of meeting them, at any occasion,do not hesitate to take your resume to them at the occasion, and start meeting people. Let them know what you'd like to be doing for them, they might offer to create a position just for you that uses your skills. Or at least agree to let you interview. You'll never know what good things might happen unless you go and find out!

2. In addition to meeting employers, try to exchange business cards and resumes with other job seekers. Why? They might be leaving a company that's looking for someone just like you! Or they might know someone that has a position for you, or is looking for someone with your skills.

Written by Schi-baba

HACKING THE HIDDEN JOB MARKET

Majority of the times, the best jobs are not advertised in the papers. And those that are will trigger in a flood of resumes, putting you in competition against thousands of other candidates.

Instead you should try hacking the hidden job market. Here are two ways to do just that.

1. Apply directly to a company that suits you. This is so obvious that very few people do it, which means you will have far less competition.

   Simply identify the companies you would like to work for, then address your Resumes to the Human Resource Manager of that company, or the person in charge of recruiting.

   Spend some time researching these firms. You would want to familiarize yourself with the each companies products, services, markets and competitors. Most importantly, always come up with at least one suggestion on how your target company's can increase revenue or solve a problem.

   Next send a personalized letter and Resume to each employer. Follow up with another letter or email, if you don't hear back from them in 10-14 working days.

2. Use your personal network. This is often the most effective (and under-used) job search technique.

   Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job. Call every friend, relative and acquaintance in your address book. If each person can't help you, ask them if they know someone else who can. Your network will soon become massive. Eventually, someone should be able to put you in touch with a decision maker who can hire you.

   Even former employers can help. If you parted on good terms with your last boss, he or she might be able to refer you to hiring managers in other companies who can help.

Written by Schi-baba

FIRST SEND A RESUME, Then FOLLOW UP

You've found your dream job.

You spot the job posting, craft a winning resume and e-mail it to the recruiter. Then the waiting game begins.

After you've sent a resume, it's tempting to sit back and hope the recruiter will call. But -- make no mistake -- you SHOULD follow up. You just need to figure out when and how to do it.

Wait a Week, Recruiters Say

The ideal amount of time to wait before following up on a resume you've sent: One week.

The majority of recruiters (53 percent) say candidates should wait one week before following up, according to a HotJobs survey.

Some recruiters prefer you act sooner: Twenty-one percent said candidates should wait less than one week. And others prefer you wait longer: Eight percent said candidates should wait two weeks.

And some even rather that you wait for them to call you. Nineteen percent of recruiters surveyed said they preferred to contact candidates, rather than for candidates to contact them.

Your best bet? Go with the majority opinion and wait a week.

Send a Short E-Mail Message

E-mail is a great follow-up tool because it not only lets you remind the recruiter that you've applied for a job, but it also lets you submit a resume again without seeming too pushy.

A week after you've submitted a resume, send the recruiter an e-mail to follow up.

Use these tips to write your follow-up e-mail:

• Put your full name and the title of the position you've applied for in the subject line.

• Write a professional note that reiterates your qualifications and interest in the job.

• Attached your resume again. (Don't make the recruiter have to dig though old e-mails to look for it.)

• Include your full name in the file name of your resume.

• Don't forget to proofread carefully before you hit "Send"!

Phone With a Friendly Reminder

If you decide to follow up on a resume over the phone, be sure to rehearse what you want to say to the recruiter.

Keep it short and sweet. Introduce yourself and remind the recruiter that you submitted a resume recently. Make sure you state exactly what job you're interested in. You can also ask if they received your resume and if they're still considering candidates for the position.

If you get a recorded message, you may want to call again later. Call a few times in hopes of speaking with a real, live recruiter before resorting to leaving a message.

You also need to know even to put down the phone. Calling recruiters repeatedly isn't going to make them more likely to call you back. It's probably just going to irritate them.

Almost half (47 percent) of recruiters claim that their biggest pet peeve is candidates who keep calling them, according to a HotJobs survey.

Should You Just Resend Your Resume?

Have a few weeks passed since you sent a resume and you still haven't heard from the recruiter? Are you considering simply reapplying for the position?

Don't.

Recruiters usually keep resumes on file, and they'll likely discover that you've already sent one. Worse, they may think that you didn't even realize that you'd already applied for a position.

Only resend your resume to a recruiter when you want to apply for a different position at a company. Otherwise, you should e-mail or call to follow up.

By Erin Hovanec

EFFECTIVE RESUME DEBATE

Are you for job objectives or against them?

Most job seekers -- and even career experts -- have strong opinions.

Those in favor say objectives are the simplest, quickest way to target a specific position. Those against charge that objectives waste valuable space and limit you to just one position when you might be qualified for others.

Whether you are pro- or anti-objective, here are tips for writing a resume that will grab recruiters' attention from the get-go.

Putting Your Goal on Paper

Job objectives work best for two types of job seekers:

• Those who know exactly what job they want, and

• Those whose career goal isn't obvious on their resumes.

If you include an objective, place it directly under your name and contact information. An objective typically begins with "to." For example, "Objective: To obtain a position ... "

Your objective should be simple, specific and brief -- no more than two or three lines. It should highlight what you have to offer the company, such as a specific skill or experience. A recruiter is more interested in what you can give the company than what you hope to get from it.

Here's an example of an effective job objective:

Objective: To obtain an entry-level account management position in financial services utilizing my strong analytical and interpersonal skills.

Review your objective each time you send a resume and make sure it fits the job you're applying for. Just as you should have several versions of your resume, you should also have several versions of your job objective.

Summarizing Your Skills

Not 100 percent sure what job you want? Then you may find a summary statement more effective than an objective.

While an objective focuses on the job, a summary statement focuses on the job seeker.

A summary statement is a one- to two-sentence overview that captures the essence of your skills and experience. It highlights what makes you a qualified candidate as well as what makes you different (and better) than other applicants.

Tailor your summary statement to highlight the experience that is most relevant to the job.

Here's an example of a strong summary statement.

Summary: Public relations professional with five years of experience managing PR campaigns across multiple media, working with national and local press and coordinating large-scale events.

Highlighting Your Achievements

Sometimes a job objective is too targeted. And sometimes a summary statement is too short to highlight all your accomplishments.

If that's the case, you have another option: A summary of qualifications.

A summary of qualifications is similar to a summary statement, but differs in two key ways:

1. It's formatted as a list of items rather than a single statement, and

2. It highlights specific accomplishments rather than general achievements.

It's most useful for job seekers who have a long work history or who are applying for senior positions. It's an effective way to highlight the most important, relevant parts of a long, detailed resume.

This section goes by many names, like "Key Accomplishments" and "Career Highlights." It's placed just where a job objective or summary statement is, under your contact information.

A summary of qualifications is a list of your most significant career accomplishments. For maximum effectiveness, the list should include no more than five items and be results-oriented.

The summary of qualifications is usually a list of short phrases. You can use a bulleted list, with each qualification on its own line. Or, to conserve space, you can arrange them in paragraph format, with a period after each one.

Here's an example of an effective summary of qualifications.

Summary of Qualifications

• Skilled pharmaceutical sales manager/executive with nine years sales experience and advanced degree in biology.

• Consistently surpassed annual revenue goals by 35 percent-plus.

• Named 2001 "Salesperson on the Year." Managed regional sales staff of 175.

Job objectives, summary statements, summaries of qualifications -- all are useful resume options. Your best choice will depend on your experience and the type of job you're interested in.

By Erin Hovanec

4 CAREER RISKS WORTH TAKING

Taking calculated risks in you career can help you reach your goals. Below are some of the common career risks that you may grapple with, and how to weigh your options.

RISK: Going Back to School

Making the financial and time commitment to go back to school for an advanced degree or certification can feel overwhelming. Factoring into the equation family responsibilities or not being able to quit your job to focus on school can make furthering your education feel like a heavier burden.

Weighing your options: "First you need to know your end goal and what you are trying to achieve by going back to school, such as a raise or changing career paths," advises career coach Hallie Crawford. "Next, determine if going back to school helps you achieve this goal by talking to your boss and mentors. In some fields an advanced degree matters, in others it really doesn't."

RISK: Changing Careers

So many people hate their jobs yet toil away daily because sticking with the familiar feels safe. There are a number of reasons why people are unhappy on the job, including being in a profession that does not utilize their passions and interests.

Weighing your options: With increased company layoffs, no one is immune to losing a job. Finding work that you love should be a priority in your career. Mitigate the risk of career change by doing research before you make the leap so that you'll know what to expect from your new career in terms of salary changes, and what the work is really like.

"There's always some amount of risk, but if you are truly unhappy the risk is worth it," says Crawford.

RISK: Saying 'No' to Added Responsibility

If your boss is saddling you with more responsibility with a project or promotion, be sure you understand exactly what that will mean for your success. Not all promotions are created equal, and you can quickly become the office doormat if you constantly take on projects that may not have high enough visibility to move your career forward.

Weighing your options: Saying no to more money or recognition is often hard to justify. Your friends, family, and colleagues may think you're crazy for passing up a promotion. But you have to follow your gut instincts. In weighing your options, ask yourself if this project or promotion will really move your forward.

RISK: Starting a Business

More people are going into business for themselves than ever before. Many dream of being their own boss but find the risk of giving up a regular paycheck, health insurance, and retirement accounts too high.

Weighing your options: Do your research (including health care options), save money, and build contacts in your industry while you're still working in your current job.

"Business ownership is a risk and it's not for the faint of heart," says business coach Dresdene Flynn-White. "However, the risks can be mitigated by financial and mental preparation. If someone wants to learn about business ownership, they should work part time in a small business to get that reality check."

written by Denene Brox, for Yahoo! HotJobs

SEARCHING FOR THEJOB YOU WANT

Thanks to the Internet, searching for a job is much easier. Ill give a couple of links her that will lead you to your dream JOB. Do keep searching for other related links on line too.

http://nigeriancareersonline.com/ http://www.nairaland.com/ http://deoluakinyemi.com/categoryjob-blog/ http://blog.careersnigeria.com/ http://www.recruitpath.com/ http://www.careersnigeria.com/ http://www.naijahotjobs.com/ http://www.nigerianjobs.blogspot.com/ http://www.2nigeria.com/ http://www.jidaw.com/nigeria/career.html http://www.nigeriajobsonline.com/ http://www.nigeriagalleria.com/

These are just a couple of links that you could visit on daily basis, to Post Resumes, and search for updated list of jobs you can apply for in Nigeria. The papers cannot be left out of this. Continue checking off line(News Papers) for recent job openingins. But be rest assured that what you see in the papers will already be posted in one of the sites listed above.

By Schi-baba