Archive for February, 2011
Your “My Next Move”
Feb 28th
My Next Move is an informative and educational website for job seekers. This website has so much to offer candidates who are exploring different career options and help guide them in the right direction.
If you have questions about a certain industry, job title, salary, ect. this website brings together all those answers to help you on your way.
For example; if you want to work in Retail the site will provide you with the following:
• Knowledge – what you need to know before applying
• Skills – the skills you should possess before seriously being considered for this type of positions
• Abilities – what verbal skills, ideas, and logic you should have for this specific role
• Personality – traits you need to be successful at this role
• Technology – skills in various software to be considered for this position
• Education – lists general education needed to apply
• Job Outlook – Average salary and new job opportunities
• Explore More – other jobs in this area that may interest you
With this interactive tool finding a job that interests you won’t only be limited to a job description. Look deeper into the job that you think you want and you may find something else that inspires you.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on February 28, 2011 at 7:58 pm, and is filed under Sites For Seekers. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
A Click In The Right Direction – Free Career Tests
Feb 23rd
One of our favorite career writers and job search experts, Alison Doyle, has posted another efficiently informative article regarding career happiness.
The post is short and touches on some points to ponder whether you’re currently working or not.
If you’re truly unhappy in your job or confused at why it’s taken you so long to find a job that’s right for you take a career personality test.
After some research we’ve found some free tests that may add some insight into your job woes.
Career Path via Career Builder
*We tested this one and the results were spot on! We were provided with our “interests” and “style” based on color.
The colors include -
Red – Expediting
Green – Communicating
Blue – Planning
Yellow – Administrating
Good luck with you job search and email us with any questions.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on February 23, 2011 at 4:46 pm, and is filed under Sites For Seekers, To Do Before You Interview. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Investigate Before Interviewing
Feb 22nd
Depending on your industry and where you’re interviewing, it may be beneficial to visit the location of you interview before the “big day.”
This is great advice for candidates interviewing for retail sales associate, assistant manager, and manager positions.
Some benefits include:
• Clock It
This gives you the opportunity to clock how long it will take you to get there – Being late is not an option.
• Get A Feeling
Get a feel for the environment before the interview.
• Calm Your Nerves
Believe it or not, having an image of the location will make you less nervous about the interview.
• En Route
If you’re really bold – find a couple of different routes just in case you get stuck in a bind.
If you have any questions about your next interview prep please send us an email. You may inspire a blog post.
sbellow (at) pyramidcg (dot) com.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on February 22, 2011 at 5:26 pm, and is filed under Human Resource, Interview With The Interviewer, To Do Before You Interview. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Pyramid’s Presidents’ Day Pep Talk
Feb 18th
All of us, working or not, have dreams to be something great. Whether your “something great” is an Executive Assistant, Visual Merchandiser, Store Manager, Financial Analyst, or Fisherman – your aim is to get on the right track to this dream early in your career.
However, we all have to start somewhere.
In honor of Presidents’ Day (Monday February 21) we took a look back at what our Presidents accomplished before they led the country.
In no particular order:
• George Washington – Planter, Surveyor
• Thomas Jefferson – Writer, Inventor, Architect
• Barrack Obama – Worked for a church-based group seeking to improve living conditions in poor neighborhoods
• Jimmy Carter – Peanut farmer
• Andrew Johnson – Tailor
• Lyndon Johnson – Teacher at a smaller school in Texas
• Ronald Reagan – Well known actor in Hollywood
• John F. Kennedy – Lieutenant in the US Navy
• John Adams – Real Estate Investor
• Abraham Lincoln – Lawyer
You can be whatever you want to be! Dream.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on February 18, 2011 at 8:17 pm, and is filed under Uncategorized. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Be An Animal On Your Next Interview
Feb 17th
A large part of being a recruiter involves gathering feedback from both client and candidate after an interview. This helps us find the best candidates for our clients.
After following up on a few interviews yesterday one candidate told us she was asked
“If you could be animal which would you be? Why?
What an interesting question. Why? This says a lot about you. Choose a pig and there is a good chance you won’t get the job.
Here are a few characteristics your animal should possess:
- Strong
- Diligent
- Intelligent
- Loyal
- Fast
- Attentive
Try and choose an animal that relates to the job in the best way possible.
Some great answers include:
- A Lioness – strong, confident, and competitive
- A Wolf – works well in groups but is also independent
- A Bird – free, adapts well to changes in environment, works well in groups and as a leader
- An Elephant – Great memory, unstoppable
- Dolphin – Intelligent
Have you ever been asked this question on an interview? What did you say? What would you say?
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on February 17, 2011 at 5:16 pm, and is filed under Awkwardly Asking, Chronicles For Candidates, Interview With The Interviewer. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
A Simplier Way To Link In
Feb 16th
Yesterday, LinkedIn’s Blog announced that they’re responding proactively to requests to make accounts easier to navigate. We understand that the “new and improved” system is being tested in order to gather feedback on the new design.
According to LinkedIn blog writer, Nico Posner, “no member settings or defaults have changed with this design update.”
If you’re interested in learning more about these updates visit the link above. The post walks you through key features of the revamped Account and Settings page.
Some new points of mention:
- A top section will highlight important information about you and your account
- A bottom section reduces vertical scrolling and clarifies what each section is about
- An additional sidebar is added to help you better understand the settings with FAQs.
Conveniently there is a new “modal layer” design so that you will not be transferred to another page when navigating.
For more information please visit LinkedIn’s very informative blog. We hope this helps you network!
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on February 16, 2011 at 4:16 pm, and is filed under SINC - Source, Interact, Network, Connect, Sites For Seekers. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
When In Doubt – Leave It Out
Feb 14th
Objectives are like figurines. They fill space, collect dust, and, more often than not, don’t serve any particular purpose. However, there are those small, shelf enhancers that you can’t pass up. They are enticing; spark your curiosity and interest. Unless your objective enhances your resume, experiences, and interest in the position, leave it off. Most importantly, don’t be repetitive.
Leave It Out
- If you’re applying for the job – your objective is obvious
- Your cover letter should cover your objective through detailed description
- If you’re applying for entry level positions you might not have enough experience to fill the page. Employers love to see comparable internships, accomplishments, skills, goals, and most importantly what you can contribute to the company
- Objectives, although geared and customized to the position being applied for, restrict and limit opportunities.
- Don’t list your personal hopes and dreams. Save your personality for the interview.
While we recommend moving forward without an objective there are situations when including an objective are necessary and beneficial.
Put It On
- If your experience is inconsistent without a natural progression overtime an objective will help straighten out the curves in your resume
- Switching gears in your career also may require a few sentences introducing the reasons for the shift and why you know that this position and career are the right direction for you
For more questions regarding an objective on your resume please email us.
Good luck in your searches.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on February 14, 2011 at 6:37 pm, and is filed under Don't Mention It, Human Resource, Right Your Resume, To Do Before You Interview. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Applying Again and Again
Feb 11th
When searching for a job it often happens that you come across multiple open jobs at the same company. While it may be acceptable to apply to more than one job at the same company, it’s extremely important to stay consistent in your focus.
For example, if a company that interests you posts an opening in their Marketing Department for a Marketing Assistant and a Marketing Coordinator – it doesn’t hurt to inquire about both spots. However, if you call to convey interest in the Marketing Assistant position and Executive Assistant position, the hiring manager may question your motives.
You do not want to come off too desperate – as though you would do anything for work. Seeming genuinely interested in the company is the first step to landing a first and/or second interview.
Apply selectively.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on February 11, 2011 at 4:18 pm, and is filed under Human Resource. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Behavioral Interviews – Hiring Country Club Staff
Feb 8th
One of our loyal readers called in yesterday asking what a behavioral interview is and how to prepare for one. Pyramid Consulting Group is currently staffing the following positions which will involve a behavioral interview.
- Banquet Steward
- Pub Server Assistant
- Cooks
- Lobby Attendant/Overnight Cleaners
- Bellman/Valet
- Front Desk
- Conference Services Aides
*These positions are located in Westchester County – just in case you or a friend are interested…
This mode of interviewing is popular because it provides foresight into future performance by looking back and assessing past performance.
The familiar questions asked in your typical interview like, “Tell me about yourself,” and “What are some of your strengths and weaknesses,” are only “surface questions.”
The questions you experience in a behavioral interview are more along the lines of:
“Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills.”
“Tell me about a time when you had to use your presentation skills to influence someone’s opinion.”
As you can tell from the difference in the questions above, the two interviews vary in preparation and honesty. Vague answers won’t suffice for these probing questions.
Preparing for this type of interview is similar to a traditional interview aside from the following bullet points that you should practice and script before your interview:
- List “circumstances” and “situations” that are relatable to probing interview questions. For example practice questions involving a time when you demonstrated or experienced struggle, leadership, overcoming challenges, ect.
- Be familiar with the SAR Technique. When interviewing apply this strategy to describing your professional experiences.
S – Situation – describe the problem you experienced at the start of your story
A – Action – explain the action you took to overcome this challenge
R – Results – list the beneficial results of your actions
*spend more time on the A & R – This is where the depth of your personality will shine through to the interviewer.
We hope these steps and tips help in your next interview.
Have you ever experienced a behavioral interview? How did it go? What are your thoughts and advice for candidates interviewing today?
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on February 8, 2011 at 4:07 pm, and is filed under Awkwardly Asking, Human Resource, Interview With The Interviewer, To Do Before You Interview. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Link Love – The Job Board
Feb 3rd
The Job Bored, one of our favorite career blogs, has shared “Job Interview: Ten Tips for Success!” Out of all the blogs we read and interview tips we have quoted, these are some of the best, and in hindsight, the most obvious.
One of the greatest ways to be successful during an interview is to relax and be prepared. This specific blog post from “The Job Bored” elaborates.
In general when going on an interview you want to remember to be yourself, act professionally, and be honest. Stay tuned for a post dedicated to – how to spin a negative past experience into something positive and constructive in an interview.
We hope you enjoy today’s post and have a chance to visit The Job Bored. Just Relax!
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on February 3, 2011 at 3:02 pm, and is filed under Sites For Seekers, To Do Before You Interview. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
