Getting an interview can be extremely difficult in today’s job market.  So if you are fortunate enough to land one at a company you really want to work for, it may seem like you’re in the home stretch.  Yet, this is just the beginning of what could be a long process.   

There may still be many other potential candidates interviewing for the same position and with so much competition the name of the game is in setting yourself apart from the rest of the crowd.  

So, how do you keep yourself in the mind of the hiring manager long after the interview is over?  First, you must remember the unspoken code of etiquette when it comes to the interview.  The impression left behind by simple steps like arriving a little early or having a firm handshake can never be underestimated.  

These steps may seem like common sense to you, but the good news is that many job candidates don’t know or follow them.  By adopting these steps for yourself you can get an edge over others in the job selection process.  It’s also equally important to remember that professional etiquette does not end after the interview.  It continues even after you get home.

The first and most important step to take after your interview is over is to send out a thank you letter.  This is a crucial step in the job application/interview process and sometimes it can mean the difference between a rejection and a callback for a second interview.  

To save them the trouble of downloading an attachment you can simply write the letter in the body of an e-mail, but it must be composed professionally.  No abbreviations or casual one sentence messages.  It’s not a text message, it’s a professional letter.  The purpose of the thank you letter is to be respectful to the person who interviewed you by thanking them for their time as well as letting them know how much you enjoyed learning more about the position.  

This is a good time to reiterate your interest in the position and mention something you admire about the company. This shows that you paid attention and what they had to say during the interview was important to you.  Hiring Managers appreciate a candidate who engages with them in a positive way and a thank you letter is a great way to do that.  It is also a prime opportunity to highlight an additionally relevant skill you might have forgotten to mention during the interview.

Key Advantages to a Thank You Letter

An interview can be a very nerve-wracking and intense experience.  Surprise questions often come up and they can throw you for a loop.  It’s easy to flub the answer to a question or forget to mention a particular skill or accomplishment while on the spot.  We always think of a great thing to say after it’s too late.  

But don’t fret.  Besides being respectful and professional, sending a thank you letter gives you the chance to give more relevant information to the hiring manager.  You can add a line or two highlighting something you forgot or clarifying an answer you might have bombed during the interview itself.  Just remember to keep it brief.

Brevity is the Soul of Wit

Thank you letters should be short and sweet.  Certainly no more than a page.  Perhaps even shorter.  You also don’t want to come off as though you are sucking up to the hiring manager.  They are smart people and will see right through that.  The key here is to be sincere.  They will appreciate sincerity much more than gushing to them about how much you want the job.  Don’t appear desperate.  Be confident.  Being brief will also relay to them that you respect their time.  A short paragraph or two is fine.

Timing is everything in life and it’s no different with a thank you letter.  Before the days of e-mail it was suggested to write the letter and put it in the mail as soon as you got home from the interview.  That way the hiring manager would receive your gentle reminder by the following week.  This was perfect timing in case you were no longer fresh in the hiring manager’s mind.  

Today, however, things are a bit different.  We now live in a world of immediacy.  Quick turnaround is commonplace in the digital age.  So it’s totally acceptable to e-mail a letter the same night so the hiring manager receives it first thing the next morning.  Twenty-four hours is plenty of time.

Never forget the impact of a simple courtesy.  It can go a long way in the eyes of a perspective employer and it’s always appreciated.  So send out a professional thank you letter after your next interview and increase your chances of getting a second one.

Many job hunters may automatically assume that any job posting with the phrase “work-from-home” is a scam, but each year more and more legitimate telecommuting positions pop up – the trick is just to know how to spot them.

Between 2007 to 2010, there was a 400% increase in the number of telecommuting jobs due to companies looking for ways to cut costs during the recession. As a result, many industries that traditionally had fewer telecommuting opportunities began to take advantage of new technology to make it work.

“When we first started the site a little over five years ago, it was mostly call center work, writing jobs, computer positions and IT,” says Sara Sutton Fell, a telecommuting jobs expert. “Whereas now, medical and health account for the biggest proportion of jobs, followed by education.” Even though the economy has begun to improve, Fell expects that cost-saving pressures along with environmental concerns will continue to increase the number of telecommuting opportunities.

For job hunters, it’s important to keep in mind that these positions tend to be ultra-competitive and generally pay less (as much as 5%-15% less, Fell estimates). And then, of course, you have to beware of the scams. In particular, Fell suggests watching out for job postings that ask for money or sensitive information like your Social Security number, not to mention postings that are written in all capital letters or include lots of exclamation points and dollar signs. If it doesn’t look like a professional posting, then there’s a good chance it’s not.

Once you filter out the obvious scam posts, you can find plenty of telecommuting options that you might never have thought existed.


Physical Therapist

It might sound surprising that a physical therapist could work from home – unless of course that home is the patient’s. But that’s exactly what Christiana Care, an East Coast health care provider, is advertising. This position allows the health care professional to create and assess training routines for the patient from their home computer in addition to making the occasional visit to the patient.

Indeed, the same company is advertising other positions on the site for physical therapists and even registered nurses. Humana Inc. and UnitedHealth Group – both Fortune 500 companies – have telecommuting postings for nursing positions as well.

Pharmacist

Along the same lines, there are also multiple job opportunities for work-from-home pharmacists at nationwide companies like Humana and LifePoint Hospitals. Obviously, these positions aren’t focused on interacting with customers so much as developing strategies and working on research for pharmaceutical treatments. Humana is looking for an oncology pharmacist to study clinical treatments while LifePoint is looking for a remote order pharmacist who can analyze the patient’s health profile to make recommendations about their treatment.

Social Worker

Social work isn’t exactly your typical office job to begin with as workers often have to go out and consult with families and individuals in need, but some companies don’t require social workers to come into the office at all. OptumHealth, a part of the UnitedHealth Group, has a position for a full-time social worker who consults with patients and their families to help find the proper medical care, insurance options and community programs. While it is listed as a telecommuting job, this position does require you to live in the Seattle area, presumably so that you can meet with families and medical personnel in person if need be.

Executive Assistant

Not all executive assistants have to work in an office. For example, the Research and Innovative Technology Division, a branch of the Department of Transportation, is looking for an executive assistant who coordinates surveys, prepares travel advisories and coordinates with high-level officials by phone and email. The position itself is based in Washington, D.C., but telecommuting is an option. Oh and did we mention the salary starts at more than $60,000 a year?

Team Manager

You don’t necessarily need to be in the office to manage a team anymore. General Electric currently has a posting for a consumer service manager who is responsible for managing a team of appliance repair technicians working in Maryland and Washington, D.C. While the company is looking for someone who lives near that area, much of the job is expected to be handled out of a home office.

Food Safety Inspector

Science Certification Systems, an independent group that certifies company claims about everything from food safety to sustainability, is looking for a food safety auditor to vet food safety claims. This is a contract telecommuting position, though it does require traveling around the country to carry out inspections.

High School Adviser

So much for visiting the guidance counselor’s office. K12.com, an online education program, has an opening for a high school adviser who is responsible for reaching out to students by phone and email and planning online orientation sessions, among other tasks. It’s a part-time job and one that can be done almost entirely from home.



Source

Here’s another smart post from our friends at The Daily Muse. Check it out:

It’s a great day in anyone’s job search: A recruiter calls with a new job opening. You hear the details and get excited—it’s sounds like exactly what you’ve been looking for! You go to the interview, hit a home run and leave the building feeling pretty confident that you’ll hear from them soon.

Two days later, you do—and you hear that they’ve chosen another candidate. Wait, what?

The majority of job seekers would be bummed out, then shrug it off and move on to the next job application. But, not so fast. Not getting a position you want is still an opportunity to get your foot in the door for future opportunities, plus a chance to learn more about yourself as a prospective candidate. If you didn’t get the job you were gunning for, take these four steps to turn your disappointing situation around.

Do Some Reflection

After a few days have passed, try to step back and assess the situation. Were you not the perfect fit for the position? Was the employer seeking a certain qualification or skill set that you don’t have?

Also think about your interviewing skills. What did you do well—and what could you do better next time? Were there questions that tripped you up, or experiences you should have highlighted but didn’t?

No, it’s never easy to rehash the experience, but taking the time to see what you can learn will only benefit you. You’ll be more aware of how you can improve as a candidate, and you’ll be able to apply that knowledge to future interviews.

Follow Up

Now, reach back out. Even though you might not want to think about them ever again, you should send a follow-up email to your interviewers, 2-3 weeks after your interview. Thank them for the opportunity to apply, acknowledge their decision to go with a different candidate, and ask that they keep you in mind for future openings. This lets the employer know that there are no hard feelings and that you’re definitely still interested in being considered in the future.

Also include a line that could elicit feedback—for example, “Please let me know if there was a concern or question regarding my candidacy.” This way, without appearing defensive, you let them know that you’re open to learning more about why you weren’t a fit.

Ask for Feedback

That said, it’s rare that an interviewer will tell you directly why you didn’t get the job, but if you’re working with a recruiter, she should. Make sure you connect with her after the interview and ask for specifics on why you weren’t chosen.

Maybe you need more education or an expanded skill set, maybe you could improve upon your interviewing skills or maybe they really liked you, but just didn’t think the position was the right fit. In any case—you’re better off knowing, so that you can refine and hone potential weaknesses, gaps or mistakes you’re making during the interview process.

Keep in Touch

If you’re really interested in the company, and think you might be a fit for future positions, don’t be afraid to periodically keep in touch. A few months after your interview, send an email to HR or the person you interviewed with to check in and see if any new positions have come up, making sure to include any new experiences or skills you’ve gained in the meantime. If you don’t have any updates, that’s okay—include an article you think they’d find interesting instead.

Remember, timing is everything. If you’re staying in touch with someone, it’s easier for them to keep you in mind for new job openings as they arise.

Whether or not you’re chosen for the job, the most important thing you can do as an interviewee is to stand out from the pack. And by showing that you’re interested in the company long-term and that you’re continuing to improve your qualifications—even when you didn’t get the job—you’ll do just that.

http://www.learnvest.com/2012/05/4-things-to-do-you-dont-get-the-job/

Today we bring you another day in the life of Hugh Manresources, our mysterious HR insider!

Firstly, let me say that this Monday has been full of bizarre turns; it's like an M. Night Shyamalan film where you kind of see it coming but are still shaking your head in surprise at not fully grasping the idiocy before it hits.

For example, the internet is down, but I went home and got my laptop and got into the wi-fi from one of our neighbors, who has sense to use a reliable ISP.

The first five calls I get start the same way and it hits at 8:02. They were all variations on "Did you get my email?" Well, no I did not because I HAVE NO WAY TO CHECK MY EMAILS.

 

This changed at 9:05, of course, but it doesn't lessen my sheer anger at these people who don't seem to understand why I didn't read their emails.

 

One of the emails involved an employee who showed up to work at midnight on May 5th, got to work, and proceeded to kick off his shoes, roll up his pant legs, and fall asleep, his mouth agape, tongue listing to the right, a wet spot on his shirt.

 

You see, when you are manning the front desk of an operation, there are cameras everywhere. And the rhythmic rising and falling of his chest was hypnotizing, a steady up and down that showed a heavyset man at peace.

 

He remained slumbering for an hour and a half, until the phone woke him up, at which point he got up, scratched himself, and went to the bathroom.

 

When he emerged, he sat down and took out a book to read, which for our purposes we will assume was Fifty Shades of Grey.

 

About 4:30, he got up, did his rounds, and returned, where he remained sleeping until about 6:45; seems he set his phone alarm.

 

He was also fifteen minutes late but signed in as if he was on time. So now I get to terminate this person because he lied about his in time, he fell asleep, and was technically out of uniform.

 

Tomorrow morning at 8AM, I will be doing the termination.

 

Termination Tuesday coming up!

In today's economy, the prospect of graduating from college with tens of thousands—possibly hundreds of thousands—of dollars of debt gives many college students pause.  Marketplace Tech from American Public Media explores an unusual alternative to the traditional education pyramid.

Going to Harvard or MIT can be tough, what with the cost and it being really hard to get in and the moving to Massachusetts and all. How about taking classes from either Harvard or MIT at home on the Internet and it's free and everyone gets in?

 

That's the idea of Ed X, a new partnership that launched yesterday. Classes start in the fall. Online.

 

In October of 2002, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology signed onto a new system called OpenCourseWave that offered M.I.T. classes for free. A new system, called M.I.T.x, will offer free classes – with an option for a certificate of mastery.

 

"Students do five to 10 minute videos, interlaced with online exercises that give instant feedback," says Anant Argawal, president of Ed X. "There's no emails -- it's all browser-based and online. There's Interactive laboratories where you play with laboratory components in Lego-like fashion, you build things online. There's a discussion forum you go on and you can enter your questions and so on and either the staff or more commonly other students answer them."

 

"I teach the MIT course 6002, and my team and I teaching 6002X online -- it's the same hard course. The grading uses the same standards, and so if several people are able to show mastery of a subject, so be it. They deserve to be recognized with a certificate."

 

 

OpenCourseWave and M.I.T.x both are online learning systems designed to offer high-level college courses for free. OpenCourseWave posted all class materials and lectures from classes for anyone online to download and study as they wished. OpenCourseWave is used in the United States and incredibly popular in Japan, China and with many other international students. Notre Dame, Tufts, Yale and several other schools use the OpenCourseWave system.

 

The biggest criticism of OpenCourseWave school options have been that the classes, while possibly effective, also offer no “on paper” credentials for students. M.I.T. is hoping to address this criticism with the new M.I.T.x. Set to launch in spring, with a few classes each semester, M.I.T.x will offer a much more full-scope system of taking M.I.T. classes for free. Online students will be able to watch lectures, participate in discussions and generally be a part of the classes. After completing mastery of a particular subject area, M.I.T.x will offer an affordable certificate of mastery. The exact cost of the certificate has not been determined, but the money will go back into the M.I.T.x nonprofit to help expand the program.

 

"It will have value in technical jobs," says Elaine Allen of the Babson Survey Research Group at Babson College, "because right now you can go out and get a certificate in Microsoft technology, so I think this will have value at that point and also in keeping your skills current. But will it get you a job? I don't think so."

 

Allen says this approach in higher education won't be a novelty for long.

 

"Up until now, everything was just replicating face to face classes. And now you're seeing, and they are big name institutions, that are coming online and essentially giving away their courses," Allen states. "In the long run, they will have less maintenance in terms of faculty, so they can give them away, but I'm not sure what long term they will be getting back.

 

OpenCourseWave and now M.I.T.x are attempting to make higher education much more accessible, no matter the financial status of a particular student. The cost of attending traditional college has been steadily rising at a rate far above inflation, and the average student graduating from a four-year college or university comes out with $25,250 in student loan debt and a terrible employment outlook. While the M.I.T.x certificates of mastery will not be degree equivalents, they will offer “on paper” proof of subject mastery that could become equivalent to a degree, in time.

Sources
http://www.marketplace.org/topics/tech/what-good-certificate-mastery
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesmarshallcrotty/2011/12/21/m-i-t-game-changer-free-online-education-for-all/
http://www.decodedscience.com/online-courses-with-mitx-mits-internet-classroom-initiative/8694
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/19/education/mit-expands-free-online-courses-offering-certificates.html
http://money.cnn.com/2011/11/03/pf/student_loan_debt/index.htm

A few days ahead of the official monthly non-farm payroll reports from the government, payroll-processing firm Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) has released preliminary figures today that indicate that job growth in April was the slowest it has been in over seven months.

According to the report, private sector employment increased by 119,000 in April, the smallest increase since September 2011. Average employment increases for previous months hovered around 200,000 in the first quarter of 2012. The service sector and small to medium sized businesses were responsible for the majority of jobs created.

 

Service sector employment gained 123,000 jobs in April, while manufacturing jobs fell by 5,000, the first decline this year, says ADP. Small businesses added 58,000 jobs, medium businesses gained 57,000 jobs and large corporations only hired an additional 4,000 in total.

“This deceleration seems consistent with other incoming data,” said Joel Prakken, chairman of Macroeconomic Advisers, which produces the report for ADP. “There is some evidence that unusually warm weather boosted employment during the winter months, with a ‘payback’ now coming due.”

If April’s job numbers on Friday turn out to be lower than anticipated, experts say it will be due to sluggish hiring, not an increase in layoffs. This will mark the first month in nearly 4 years that this will be the case.

 

Source

 

In addition to Tax Day, there's another big occasion happening today. It's Equal Pay Day, a day that us women aren't exactly celebrating. That's because we're far and away from making equal pay to our male counterparts. Let's make some progress by making plans to ask for a raise, but before you do so, keep these salary negotiating mistakes in mind when negotiating your salary bump.

• Don't bring up your co-worker's salary. Sure, it's not fair that a certain co-worker is making more and you may feel that you're more deserving of a higher salary, but let's not turn this into a "he said, she said." First of all, you may not have all your facts right, and bringing up your colleague's salary will put your manager into an uncomfortable position. What you should do is compare what you're making to the industry average. Research figures and get them from sites like Glassdoor.com, or you can even reach out to your alma mater to see if they have stats on what the alumni are making. Using the industry average will reflect well on you and will show your boss that you've been doing your research.

• Don't make it personal. The reason for your raise will be professional, so keep that in mind when you're asking for more. Your student loans may be more than you can handle or maybe your husband recently lost his job so you're falling behind on your bills, but that's not the reason that will get you your raise. There are lines you shouldn't cross into personal territory, and this is one of them. What you need to do is write a list of your wins at work, which will show your boss that you do deserve that increase in salary.

• Don't get emotional. If things are not going your way or if you feel that your employer is wronging you, don't get emotional. Oftentimes, the reaction you have when you're emotional is probably more intense than if you had given the situation some time to think over. Collect yourself and don't let your boss see that you're upset. Instead, take some time to think it over after your meeting to carefully craft your next move.

• Don't be negative. Don't start complaining or whining about how unfair your wages are. Instead, take the more positive approach and show your boss why you think you deserve more. Being assertive will earn your manager's respect.

• Don't underprepare. Before having this talk with your boss, make sure that you've done a lot of prep. Do research so you know what figure to aim for and write out a list of accomplishments that you'd like to mention, so you won't forget any details.

• Don't respond immediately if you're unsure. If your boss offers you an alternative and not the raise you're asking for, and if you have some doubt about it, don't immediately agree to it. Instead, ask her if you can take some time to think about it and let her know that you'll get back to her about her offer soon.

• Don't be inflexible. If your company doesn't have the resources or the budget to give you the raise you want right now, there can be other arrangements you can make with your boss in the meantime. Perhaps more paid time off days or the opportunity to work from home — find out what your manager is willing to give you in lieu of a raise. You can even ask for more training and map out what you need to do to be considered for a raise a few months down the line.

• Don't give ultimatums. People don't respond to threats very well and your manager will not be very happy if you give her an ultimatum. If you have other job opportunities, don't wave them in her face — just gracefully move on if you have better chance of advancing elsewhere. 

And if you're job hunting, here are some ways you can negotiate your salary. Plus, check out this cool infographic about how to give and ask for a raise! 

Source

Two bellwethers of economic health continued to show signs of confidence-boosting growth last month. The U.S. auto industry released its sales figures for April on Thursday, shoring up cautious optimism for the industry’s future. 

The encouraging April figures come on the heels of the best quarter for auto sales in the United States since the first three months of 2008, before gas prices spiked and the financial crisis hit its peak.

Chrysler, which introduced a variety of new models over the past 12 months, posted its best April in four years, with U.S. sales surging 20% versus last year.

"The first-quarter strength in new vehicle sales was not a blip or an accident -- we're seeing stable growth in new vehicle sales," said Jesse Toprak, an analyst with sales tracker TrueCar.

The story repeats itself in the manufacturing sector, where domestic activity grew at the strongest rate in 10 months.

The Institute for Supply Management said on Tuesday that its index of national factory activity rose to 54.8 points from 53.4 in March. The figure beat expectations that called for a decline to 53.0 in a Reuters poll.

A reading below 50 indicates contraction in the manufacturing sector, while a number above 50 signifies expansion.

The organization's gauge of employment also rose to its highest since June, to 57.3 points from 56.1. The forward-looking new orders component racked up its best reading in a year at 58.2 points, up from 54.5.

The strong labor figure comes ahead of the larger government nonfarm payrolls report due on Friday, which is forecast to show the economy added 170,000 jobs last month, including 22,000 manufacturing positions.





Sources:
http://money.cnn.com/2012/05/01/autos/car-sales/
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/02/business/manufacturing-strengthens-report-shows.html?_r=1

The last full week in April has traditionally been celebrated as Administrative Professionals week, an unofficial secular holiday observed in several countries to recognize the work of secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals.

Administrative Professionals Day itself is celebrated on the Wednesday of the last full week of April. In much of Europe, it is celebrated on the third Thursday in April.

The idea began with Mary Barrett, president of the National Secretaries Association, now called IAAP (International Association of Administrative Professionals), and C. King Woodbridge, president of Dictaphone Corporation. They served on a council addressing a national shortage of skilled office workers. Together with Harry Klemfuss, public relations account executive at Young & Rubicam, they originated the idea for a National Secretaries Week.

The official period of celebration was first proclaimed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Charles Sawyer as "National Secretaries Week," which was held June 1–7 in 1952, with Wednesday, June 4, 1952 designated National Secretaries Day. The first Secretaries Day was sponsored by the National Secretaries Association with the support of corporate groups.

In 1955, the observance date of National Secretaries Week was moved to the last full week of April. The name was changed to Professional Secretaries Week in 1981, and became Administrative Professionals Week in 2000 to encompass the expanding responsibilities and wide-ranging job titles of administrative support staff. IAAP created National Secretaries Week (now Administrative Professionals Week) with two objectives in mind: to recognize "the secretary, upon whose skills, loyalty, and efficiency the functions of business and government offices depend," and to call attention "through favorable publicity, to the tremendous potential of the secretarial career."

Over the years, Administrative Professionals Week has become one of the largest workplace observances. The event is celebrated worldwide through community events, social gatherings, and individual corporate activities recognizing support staff with gifts. In the United States, the day is often celebrated by giving one's assistant gifts such as flowers, candy, trinkets, lunch at a restaurant, or time off. The IAAP suggests that employers support the holiday by providing training opportunities for their administrative staff through continuing education, self-study materials, or seminars.

Administrative Professionals Day is a registered trademark of the International Association of Administrative Professionals.

Did you know EmploymentGuide.com has many job listings for secretaries, receptionists, administrative professionals, office assistants and more?