Know Your Employer

By: Faith Nsubuga, BP360 Intern

 One key to success in interview process that most people forget to do is researching the company prior to the interview. I recently participated in a group interview where the HR manager asked what each person knew about the company. I was shocked to find that 5 out of the 7 people did not have an answer. It is imperative in the competitive job market today to do everything in your power to set yourself apart from the group. One simple way you can do this is by taking some time before your interview to review the company website or do a google search to find out more. Some key pieces of information to remember are:

 The founding date

Why the company was started

What sets that company apart from other similar businesses

Know a few of the companies’ accomplishments or milestones

Review the purpose or company motto

Know the services that the company provides

Review companies goals if they are listed

 Researching the company will also allow you to market your skill set during the interview, by giving you a platform to demonstrate how your prior job experience aligns with their company goals. It can also help you determine if the company is a good fit for you.

Happy Job Hunting!

Business Partners 360

www.businesspartners360.com

Easy Career Switches

By: Faith Nsubuga

BP360 Intern

Are you looking for ways to change your career path? Do you want to know how you can move up in your field? This is a great article that provides examples of easy ways to transition in this current job market:

 http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-training_secrets_for_easy_career_switches-991

Happy Job Hunting!

Business Partners 360

www.businesspartners360.com

Interviewing Tips

By: Faith Nsubuga, BP360 Intern

 Good communication skills are essential to landing a job. Companies want to know that the person they hire can communicate well with clients, fellow team members and management. Your skills in this area are being evaluated from the first phone conversation that employers have with you all the way up until the end of your interview. Your ability to converse about a variety of topics from the weather to your knowledge of the company is important to your success.

Some tips:

1. You want to make sure to stay on topic and avoid long stories that divert attention away from the purpose of the interview.
2. You should also give relevant examples when answering questions that highlight your strengths and do not divulge too much personal information.
3. Focus the attention on your accomplishments and skills that will help that employer fill that open position.
4. Make sure to listen carefully to each question so that you can answer it in its entirety.  This will also help eliminate long-winded responses.
5. You want to appear confident so your body language is also important.
6. Sit up straight and maintain good eye contact. You want the interviewer to know that you are engaged and interested in what they have to say.

Remember that the words that you use communicate something about you, so avoid slang or casual topics that you make you appear unprofessional. The goal of an interview is to market yourself and demonstrate that the skills that you have are exactly what the employer is looking for so choose language that represents you appropriately.

 Happy Interviewing!

Business Partners 360

www.businesspartners360.com

Words Matter

By: Faith Nsubuga, BP360 Intern

 Not getting any calls back from your resume? One simple thing that you can do in order to get it noticed is to update the key words. Companies utilize technology to sift through hundreds of resumes per month. They can type in specific “buzz words” in their computer in order to eliminate candidates that do not fit the qualifications that they are looking for. If your resume has key phrases that are essential to that field, then your chances of being noticed are much greater. These key words can be found in the job posting or on the company website. Job postings usually list the type of characteristics that an employer is looking for. They range from “team player” to great “communication skills.”  Using these buzz words that are already provided will help show the employer that you could be a great fit for the company. Make sure to be honest in listing the traits or skills that you have so that you can provide valid examples in the interview.

Another great tool to find key words is to do an internet search for terms that are well known in your field of interest and include those on your resume. You can also utilize a recruiter, who specializes in job placement as they can help you update your resume in order to reflect what the company is looking for. Words matter, so make sure to update your information and re-submit your resume so it will be noticed.

Happy Job Hunting!

Business Partners 360

www.businesspartners360.com

Online Job Search

by Faith Nsubuga, Business Partners 360 Intern

We have moved into the information technology age where most companies no longer posts jobs in newspapers or in the window sill.  They now utilize the internet to find candidates to fill open positions.   Here is a great article about online job searches:

http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-the_online_essentials_for_your_job_search-674

The Importance of a Great Cover Letter

by Faith Nsubuga, Business Partners 360 Intern

We have all been taught that a cover letter is an essential part of getting an interview. Remember that the company is looking for someone to fill a specific role, so tailor your cover letter to match the skills that the organization desires. Here is a great article that highlights the key points for a successful cover letter:

 http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-cover_letters_that_catch_the_eye-852

I Applied – Why Won’t They Call Me Back?

It is frustrting business to be applying for jobs and not hear anything back.  You don’t know what you did wrong (or maybe you did nothing wrong and there is another good reason you haven’t heard anything).  Some good foo

Your Brand

(written by Faith Nsubuga, Business Partners 260 Intern)

What is the difference between McDonalds, Burger King, Jack in the Box, or In-N-Out burger? From the outside looking in they all seem to serve the same thing- meat on a bun with a few added extras. These companies spend millions of dollars each year working on their branding so that when you see their logo or drive by their restaurant an image, a feeling, an emotion pops into your head and causes you to want to eat there. What causes you to choose a McDonalds over a Wendy’s a Big Mac over a Whopper? They essentially have the same composition, but these companies invest a lot of time and resources in marketing their product to set themselves apart. As a job seeker you need to have the same mentality. What sets you apart? Why should a company choose you over another candidate? Are you a quarter pounder with cheese or a triple cheeseburger? How can you market yourself so that a company is interested in what you have to offer?
Human resource teams plow through hundreds of resumes each month. Most look exactly the same and boast the same experiences the same goals and the same earnest desire to work for their organization. In order to stand out you need to understand who you are, what skills you have to offer and how to market those skills so that they grab the attention of your desired employer.
Think of yourself as a brand. Let us call it “Me Inc.” As the founder and CEO of “Me Inc”, what can you do today to help improve your brand quality, to set yourself apart? What classes can you take to help increase your skills? What books can you read that will increase you knowledge and give you the edge over another candidate? What changes can you make to your resume or cover letter? Try and put yourself in the shoes of the recruiter or human resource agent and ask if you would stop and read your own resume if you were in their position. Would you hire yourself for that position based on your resume or the image that you put forth?
Keep in mind that the purpose of a resume is to get you in the door. Your confidence, experience, attitude, and the way you present yourself get you’re the job. Each of these factors can either add or detract from your brand. So take the extra time to learn your strengths, increase knowledge about your particular field of interest, update your resume and put your best foot forward. The time that you invest in yourself will lead to more opportunities for employment.

Applying for Jobs and No Call Backs?

It is frustrating business to be applying for jobs and not hear anything back.  You don’t know what you did wrong (or maybe you did nothing wrong and there is another good reason you haven’t heard anything).  Some good food for thought and advice in this article on Yahoo:

http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-6_reasons_they_didn_t_call_you_back-988

Jennifer Schoennagel

www.businesspartners360.com

Having a hard time finding a job?

by Faith Nsubuga, Business Partners 360 Intern

We have all at one time or another utilized a job search engine to locate a possible future employer. You enter a key word and then a variety of options pop up on your screen. You spend minutes and sometimes hours looking for that perfect job. This time consuming process can sometimes drain or discourage you. A great way to limit stress and save time is to utilize the services of a job coach. They act as a liaison between you and your future employer by determining if you are the right fit for the company as well as if the company is a right fit for you. They do the research, highlight your strengths, market your abilities and provide you with good options for a possible future career. So if you are looking for an easier and less time consuming way to find that job you have always wanted, try job coach and save yourself time and frustration.