Alison Doyle

Behavioral Interviews

What is a behavioral interview? Behavioral based interviewing is based on discovering how the applicant acted in specific job employment-related situations.  That past behavior can predict how a job applicant will act in the future.

When an employer is seeking a specific skill set, the responses to these types of questions will help the hiring manager determine whether the candidate is a good fit for the job, or not.

Here's more on behavioral interviews and the types of questions you'll be asked during a behavioral job interview.

Related: Behavioral Interview Questions

How to Ace a Job Interview

One of the most important parts of the process of interviewing for jobs takes place before you set a foot in the company's door or meet the hiring manager.  That's getting ready, in advance, for your interview.

Interview preparation includes practicing interview questions and answers, researching the company, use connections to help boost your candidacy, dressing in appropriate interview attire, and, after the interview, sending thank you letters to your interviewers.

Here's everything you need to know about job interviews so you can make the best possible impression on your interviewers.

More: Job Interview Guide | Job Interview Questions

Resume and Cover Letter Examples

When you're writing cover letters and resumes it can be easier to start with a sample that you can tweak and rewrite to create your own letter than it is to start from scratch.

If you need to write a resignation letter, a cover letter, or to send a thank you letter or thank you note after an interview, take a look at these letter samples and letter templates you can use to write your own employment letters.

• Letter Samples
• Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Examples
• Follow-Up Letters
• Resignation Letters
• Thank You Letters
• Thank You Notes
• Letter of Appreciation
• Accept a Job Offer
• Job Rejection Letters
• Resume Samples

Career Search iPhone App

There is a new iPhone app for job seekers powered by job search engine LinkUp - Career Search.  The Career Search app allows job seekers to search available job openings and research over 1,000 careers, including salary information, number of openings in specific locations, and whether the occupation is expected to grow or shrink in coming years. 

LinkUp's mobile distribution also includes LinkUp's three Job Search Engine apps (Andriod, iPhone & iPad) and Hire*A*Droid. 

For more information on the Career Search app visit: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/career-search/id454718025?mt=8#.

 

Related: iPhone Apps for Job Searching

How to Write a Resignation Letter

Are you getting ready to resign from your job, but not sure how to write a resignation letter? 

When you're resigning, it's important to include the details like when you're resigning.  It's also important not to include too much information like the fact that you hate your job.

Here's how to write a resignation letter, resignation letter writing tips,and a variety of resignation letter examples to fit just about every scenario for leaving your job.

Related: Resignation Email | How to Resign | Farewell Letters

Job Interview Questions

Job interviews can be challenged, even for job seekers who have gone on  more than a few interviews. The best way to reduce the stress is to prepare in advance. Take the time to review the typical interview questions you will most likely be asked.

Then take the time to research the company. That way you'll be ready with knowledgeable answers for the job interview questions that specifically relate to the company you are interviewing with.

Also, get your interview clothes ready in advance.  It's always a good idea to have at least one interview outfit ready to wear at all times. That way you won't have any last minute fashion disasters that could happen while you're scrambling to get ready at the last minute.

Related: Interview Questions and Answers | Company Research

Social Media Take Two

How much social media is enough or is even too much when you're job searching?  I've heard from several job seekers lately who have said enough already - I can't keep up with this. 

I've read articles talking about people getting overwhelmed with social networking, in general, and either giving it up cold turkey or cutting back on the time they spend online.

I'm not sure how much is too much. I do know that I've cut back on trying every brand new social networking site that I hear about or that is pitched to me.  I've also tried to keep my time spent networking online to a manageable level to avoid getting sucked into that black hole of tweeting, posting, and commenting, that can take up a good chunk of your day before you even know it's gone.

For job seekers, the danger is that you may think you can get a job by just spend time social networking.  There's lots of advice other there that says you can. 

Sure, some people can get hired by aggressively conducting a social job search and companies who participate in social recruiting may find you online.  That doesn't mean that traditional job searching doesn't work anymore or that you don't have to search for jobs, apply for them, and network the old fashioned way as well as the new way.

An effective job search needs to be multi-faceted to work and if you're overwhelmed by social media, don't panic. You don't need to tweet or use Facebook as part of your job search. Though you do need to be careful what you post, because there's a good chance employers will see it.

Start with professional networking site LinkedIn.  Build a robust profile, connect with everyone you know, join Groups related to your interests, your academics, and your career field and industry.  Use LinkedIn's job search tools and use your connections to help you job search.

Then, and only then, decide if you want to add more social networking sites to your job search arsenal.  If you do, add one site at a time. Get comfortable with the site you're using, then add another, if it makes sense and ties in with your job search goals.

Related: How to Get Started on LinkedIn | Top 10 Social Networking Tips

 

Helping Your Colleague - Or Not?

A new survey from Monster asked about helping colleagues if they weren't performing at work: "A colleague you are friends with has been seriously underperforming – would you report him or her?"

Would You Report Your Colleague Survey Results

• Yes, if it will help me get ahead: 4%
• Yes, if the team’s success is on the line: 27%
• No, if possible, I’d help my friend with work: 58%
• No, if the boss doesn’t notice, it’s not my concern: 11%

The results when broken out are interesting.  US respondents are the most likely globally to report their friend to the boss and the least likely to to help. Over one in three (37%) would tell the boss if the team’s success was being jeopardised by their friend’s performance, while over 5% are ambitious enough to do so to get ahead.

This compares to one in four in Europe (25%) and Asia (24%) that would tell the boss if it was affecting the team, with under four percent of respondents in both regions doing so to get ahead in the company. In fact, in Europe or Asia, 70% would either help the friend or just leave it to the boss to notice.