LET'S-BEGIN

Profiling the job role - 5 rules for success

When looking for a job, especially a management or professional job, preparation and research is important. There are 3 main areas to research: the organisation, the job role itself and interviewers. Focusing on the job role means that you can understand what the job role involves, the requirements and be able to match these to your own capabilities.

1. Try and get a job role description: what are the key objectives of this role and why, find out this and you will uncover a lot about the knowledge, skills and experience that you need to demonstrate strength in to be successful at the interviews. The search firm or recruitment agent should be able to help you build the picture of what is really important and why, then you can sell yourself in the interview process as the person to deliver what the job requires.
2. Find out what are the key experiences needed for the job and why, you should be able to see a connection between the jobs objectives and the experience that a successful candidate needs to have.
3. Why is there a vacancy, is it an existing job role someone has vacated? Or is it a new job roles meaning the employer decided to change their organisation by adding this new role, ask why? Also keep in mind often there is a senior sponsor for such new job roles, who is the executive pushing this ahead, ask if will you meet that person in the selection process.
4. With existing job roles it is helpful to ask what is happening or has happened to the current job holder. Did they get promoted or did they leave the organisation, and why? Additional useful information would be to ask what achievements and strengths the current job holder was responsible for, and of course what needs to be improved.
5. Whether you get a long list of objectives for the job role or a general job description, in either case it is good to define the most important 3 priorities for the job. You can refer to the priorities in your interviews to see if any of the interviewers add to them or clarify them for you.

By following these simple rules with a focus on full research and preparation you will persuade the search firms that they would be putting forward an impressive candidate to potential employers with a strong chance of success. More information about Get that Executive Job. 

Francis Lowe
Founder
www.lets-begin.com

10 Tips for online job applications

Online job applications present both opportunities and challenges. Opportunities come from being able to use online search, find and apply for many more jobs than would be possible using offline approaches. Challenges arise because, whilst face to face job search allows personal contact, online applications are completely dependent on application forms, CVs and covering emails. To get past the first step your written application has to be very effective and focused on the job role requirements.

Here are 10 tips for successful online job applications:

1. Decide what kind of a job role you want and limit your applications to concentrate your efforts and develop expertise in applying for those jobs.
2. Online searches for jobs can "discover" more vacancies of the type you are looking for by varying the words used in a query, for example as well as searching for "web content manager" try "web manager" as well.
3. Read the details of the job advert carefully, both the description of the main job content and the desired capabilities of the person required. Many agencies use key word matching software to compare whether words and phrases in your CV, application form and covering email match what they use in the job 'advert'. One way of ensuring that your cover letter contains the most used key words and phrases is to use any one of many pieces of free web based word tools.
4. Fire and forget does not work, applying for masses of jobs and hoping is not a good approach. Instead track each of your applications closely with follow up emails and phone calls. Note down when the next step in the process is due and follow up on time.
5. Do not be deterred by long lists of requirements, many of these can be "wish lists" describing the ideal candidate which, like the ideal job, does not exist. Try to identify the top 3 or 4 requirements and focus on matching yourself to those.
6. Covering email letters, that accompany an application, are the opportunity to highlight how you match the top 3 job requirements in a personalised and effective way
7. When following up an application with a recruitment agent have a list of questions ready to ask about the job. Some agents know more about the employing organisations than others: why is there a vacancy, what are the top 3 requirements for a successful candidate. Questions about the process: what steps are there in the process – how many interviews, starting when and when does the employer expect to make a decision, who will decide finally?
8. The time of day or day of the week when you make an application is not critical with the exception that avoiding Friday afternoon is desirable in case your application gets lost in the weekend email.
9. Be ready to receive a phone call from a recruitment agent once your online application is submitted, keeping in mind if you already have a job when and where to take those calls so as not to risk your current job.
10. When approaching employers directly look to see if they have a "jobs board" section on their web site. If you would like to work for a specific employer, even if you see not advertised vacancies, apply to them with your CV and a covering email letter stating why you would like to work for them and the kind of job role you are interested in.

By following these top 10 tips the chances of success with online job applications can be significantly increased. For a full online learning course on how to to get a job go to www.lets-begin.com

Francis Lowe
Founder
www.lets-begin.com

Job search satellite navigation

In tough economic circumstances the national view, often mentioned in the daily news, is that trying to find a new job is very difficult. No one would challenge that, but it does not help you actually get a job and if you are a college leaver and you want a job you have to take the initiative for yourself.

A good starting point is to remember that all national views are generalisations (designed to make the news more watchable) and within the overall picture there will be positive trends. Just like using Sat Nav. to get somewhere by the quickest route, and even avoid queues, you need your own Job Search Sat Nav. to help you track down the best places to look for a job.

Using the Job Search Sat Nav. approach here are five steps you can take for yourself to improve your chances of getting a job:

1. Who is hiring?
   Look for organisations that are actually hiring people, even in organisations that are reducing staff numbers in some departments they continue to hire more people in other departments or people with different skills. This is question of what skills and experience are in demand.
   
   
2. Where are the growth sectors?
   Look for new and developing areas of the jobs market. For example these could be connected with the "green" economy or with high technology. The growth in smart phones and applications for them is generating new businesses all the time. Companies that are exporting to foreign markets can also be good potential for jobs. Do not overlook that some more traditional trades such as plumbing and electrical engineers are also in demand.
   
   
3. Who is winning business?
   Search the news online and offline for organisations that announce expansion and success in adding new locations or winning new customer contracts. More jobs very often follow such success. Some online news sites publish lists of the most profitable and growing companies others list the most admired companies to work for. All these are good potential employers.
   
   
4. What skills are in demand?
   Identify skills needed in the new economy and get yourself onto a training course for those skills. These could range from customer service, design to manufacturing, engineering or plumbing and electrical specialists.
   
   
5. Make a job out of getting a job
   Getting a job takes time, effort, dedication, research, preparation and planning combined with a "never-give-up" persistence. Do not hesitate to ask for help, use every contact you have.

Finally keep updating your Job Search Sat Nav, look for new information online and offline to track down the places that are hiring people. Using this approach you will increase your chances of getting a job.

When you get the chance of an interview take a look at the College Leavers Programme at for professional training to help you get the job you want.

Franc Lowe www.lets-begin.com

7 deadly sins that are danger signs about your job application

When applying for jobs good practice is ask about the date when the employer will make a decision.  If you are really well organised you will also ask about the steps in the selection process and when each step is expected to complete.

Unfortunately most timescales get delayed, leaving you wondering and worrying why.  It helps to understand what the main reasons for delays are, then you can do something about it.

So here we go with the 7 deadly sins that can happen and delay or threaten your job application:

1. No job role anymore:
   Vacancies can be removed because the budget is removed and the hiring manager cannot hire anyone.  A temporary hiring freeze can be imposed or the employer may re-organise and remove the need for the job role.  Alternatively an internal candidate can be given the job.
   
   
2. Another candidate is more favoured than you are: 
   If another candidate is ahead of you in the preference of the employer you may be told there is a delay in the process.  This allows the employer to see if they can reach agreement with another candidate whilst keeping you and other applicants in reserve in case the preferred person does not accept the job.
   
   
3. The hiring manager/s are not available at the agreed dates:
   Hiring managers have their day job to do, this means interviews have to fit into their normal work schedule.  It is quite common for interviews to be delayed so that they can meet the requirements of their normal work.
   
   
4. The recruitment agent is out of touch with the employer: 
   If you are using a recruitment agent or search firm sometimes delays can happen because the agent is not in close enough contact with the hiring manager.  If the agent is new to the employer or not working exclusively on the job role this can be more likely to happen.
   
   
5. The hiring manager is leaving:
   After the hiring process has started the hiring manager gets a new job and a new one takes over.  Change is very common and this issue can result in a short delay, a long delay or no job role anymore.
   
   
6. More approvals needed
   When economic circumstances are tough employers can add extra people into the job selection process.  You could face extra interviews or the hiring manager may be required to justify why the job role is needed to more people.
   
   
7. Your references do not check out:
   The references you provide are either not available when contacted, or worse they do not give the needed assurance about your capabilities.  Alternatively the hiring manager knows someone you worked with and contacted them without you knowing.  Or your online profile in a business network is not consistent with your CV details.

Being aware of these threats puts you into a better position to do something about them.  More than that it reduces the feeling of helplessness when you are told there has been a delay.  You can take positive action to get back into control of the timescale.

My own company has created a set of online guides, courses and programmes designed especially to help people in the job search process. 

Franc Lowe
www.lets-begin.com

See things from the interviewer's point of view

See things from the interviewer's point of view

Searching for a job is such an important, and in many cases stressful time, that we naturally concentrate on ourselves. Whether it is writing the best CV or wanting to perform well at an interview or worrying about getting selected for a second interview. It is easy to forget there is another person involved in this process - the person interviewing you who has to decide on the person to offer the job to.

Making an effort to demonstrate an awareness of the interviewer’s objectives and pressures will improve your chances of success in getting the job you want.

So what are the typical objectives and challenges that an interviewer has to deal with when hiring a new employee:

1. Hire someone who can do the job: Interviewers want to find someone with the right skills, knowledge and experience to do the job effectively and efficiently. This means you need to present yourself in your CV and at interview with these areas in mind.
   
   
2. Hire someone who passes the 'fitness test': In the interview process the 'fitness test' covers 3 key areas. First, all organisations have their own culture and style, interviewers need to ensure that the people they hire will fit in with this. Second, do you fit the interviewer's own style and way of working? Third, do you fit the team you will join? You need to find out what kind of culture exists -by asking - and explain how you could fit in with this based on your own attitudes and behaviours
   
   
3. Make a fast, effective start: A big concern for an interviewer is choosing the right person and seeing them make a good start in the job. Other managers will watch to see signs of a good start. With this in mind you should be ready to talk about how you plan to work in your first 90 days during the selection process.
   
   
4. Communicate the decision to management. Interviewers must be able to persuade their managers that the basis on which they selected a person for a job was factual, well researched and supported by references. Help the interviewer to help you by following up interviews with an email summarising the main ways you match the job and providing references.
   
   
5. Keeping the day job going. Be aware that interviewers will have severe time pressures on them as not only will they be a person short - this is why they are hiring someone - but also they have their normal job to carry out. Respect time and check at the start of your interview how long you have and keep to time. Make your answers in the interview short and concise.

Using these 5 steps along with other key techniques will dramatically increase your chances of successfully winning the job you want.

My own company has created a set of online guides, courses and programmes designed especially to help people. For a fuller guide please see our Executive Job Seekers Programme.

Franc Lowe
www.lets-begin.com

Swapping sectors

5 ways to get a job in a different sector of the economy

Wide scale job losses are forcing people to seek work in completely different sectors of the economy than ones where they have their built their experience. Witness the move from public sector to the private sector along with a down-sizing of large organisations and the growth in smaller, new companies.

Competition for the jobs that are available and pressure on companies to achieve results quickly mean the selection process for the jobs that are available is intense and long. Natural preference goes to those with experience and knowledge of the job on offer. So how can you give yourself a stronger chance of being considered for jobs outside your area of experience?

Here is a 5 step process that will help you when applying for a new job in a sector of the economy that is unfamiliar to you:

1. Research: Careful and detailed research of the organisation, the sector of the economy it operates in, the job content and the people involved in the selection process is critical. This gives you a building block on which to add the next steps.
   
   
2. Analysis of generic skills & knowledge List the generic skills & knowledge that are needed for the job and write down examples of how you use those skills in your current job. Being able to describe this during an interview show you have an organised, logical approach to your work which are generically valuable skills.
   
   
3. High speed learning & familiarisation Write down examples of where you have acquired new skills and knowledge quickly and effectively. This is a powerful technique to minimise the negative impact of coming from outside the sector and demonstrates your willingness to learn, a key behaviour at a time when everyone is facing change.
   
   
4. Fast start - have a first 90 day plan The selection process for a new job is very intense on the people who are looking for a job, there is also an equally intense pressure on the people who make the decision to hire someone. Choosing the wrong candidate reflects badly on them and damages their departmental productivity. By preparing a short first 90 day plan for your new job and showing this during the selection process you can reassure your future employers of your commitment to a fast effective start.
   
   
5. Use references A range of references about your working capabilities will provide reinforcement of your application. Do not wait to be asked for references instead actively volunteer them. Try and get 360 degree references, from your manager, from a peer or equal and from someone who works for you. A full range of references like this reassures the interviewers about your ability to be a potentially good all round employee.

Using these 5 steps along with other key techniques will dramatically increase your chances of successfully winning the job you want.

My own company has created a set of online guides, courses and programmes designed especially to help people. For a fuller guide please see our Executive Job Seekers Programme.

Franc Lowe
www.lets-begin.com

Interviews live - Behaviours and personalities

I want to discuss the impact of behaviours and personalities, specifically how although when you go to a job interview you are probably slightly nervous that it is just as likely the interviewer has some stress or pressure as well. For example all the time they spend interviewing people they know their other work is piling up and may be late.  Also keep in mind very few interviewers have been trained to interview people, and it's not easy either!

So with this knowledge try and prepare yourself for the interview and be ready to handle a bit of pressure or sometimes abrupt behaviour, or lack of attention from the interviewer.

Some job interviews can deliberately put you under stress to see how you react; this is understandable if the job you are applying for demands someone able to work calmly under pressure perhaps in emergency situations or dealing with customer complaints in a service department.  The effective way to handle this kind of interview question is to ignore any provocative remarks, deal with the underlying question and answer it factually.

People often employ people who appear to be similar to them in their comments, looks and behaviors.  It is worth studying the interviewer to try and figure out what they are like and if you add this to asking what are the top 3 criteria needed in a successful applicant you should get a good picture about what the interviewer is looking for.

Remember also that everyone you meet from the moment you step onto the employer's premises could directly or indirectly have an influence on who gets the job so it pays to be polite and friendly - but not over friendly -to everyone.

Let us now explore six different personalities of interviewers

1. The professional interviewer, often from the human resources department, is used to asking some very searching questions.  But in return, you can ask back your own questions for example about training programmes and career paths.
   
   
2. The talker, some interviewers love the sound of their own voice, ask a question and you may find you get a full life and organisational history.  The problem here is to make sure you do get time in the interview to sell yourself into the job.  Be sure to show interest in what the interviewer is saying and try and keep mentioning your skills and how they fit into what the interviewer is saying.  
   
   
3. The ‘I'm great' person is constantly saying how excellent they are at their job.  Listen, acknowledge them and their achievements and try and find small ways to comment that you have the same outlook as they do, not in a competitive way but in a way that seems similar to their outlook.
   
   
4. Bullies or aggressive interviewers are more difficult to deal with, but fortunately it's unusual to experience this kind of person today.  First you must decide if this is a stress interview designed to test you, if it is deal with it as we already discussed.  If is not a stress interview and you feel the interviewer is being unpleasant or rude -and they would be your future manager -maybe this is not the job for you.  You are perfectly entitled to withdraw from the interview if you are being subject to unreasonable behaviour.
   
   
5. Quiet interviewers should be approached in the same way, quietly. If you're a loud person yourself, quieten your voice.  You need to ask your open questions, probe around, and find out what's going on, what they think, and what's important to them.  When you've identified what this person is thinking, then go through the process of matching yourself to their needs, but do it quietly. 
   
   
6. Open, assertive interviewers are similar to the professional interviewer. They may not be professional interviewers but will be easy to get along with, be aware that you be drawn into being very open about yourself and you may give away more than you planned to say.  The open, assertive type is also in all probability a very good judge of character.  As with all aspects of the interview, using your eyes and ears will assist you greatly.  You have two ears and one mouth.  Use them in that ratio.

Check out our online learning course Get that Job (buy now 50% discount blog offer) which covers the whole process of how to get a job.

Richard Lowe
www.lets-begin.com

Interviews live - Questions to ask and answer

The subject of how to answer tough interview questions is covered in many books and articles along with examples of tough questions, however, what is a tough question to one person is easy for another so it is difficult to generalize about the “right" answers.  Here I plan to take a slightly different but nevertheless I hope valuable viewpoint.

1. How to prepare yourself to answer tough interview questions
   This can best be summarized as: practice, practice, practice!  Start by making a list of any tough questions that, based on your CV and working record, could apply to you.  Examples could range from why you had so many jobs, to why you left your last job, why you had 3 months off work, why you feel you are the best candidate for the job, why your academic results were not better or why your last appraisal was poor.
   
   When you have your list of tough questions write down some short, truthful but acceptable answers for each question.  Always remember even if the question is about something that for you was a big issue the interviewer may not see it as a major issue.  In any case you definitely should not ramble on for hours about it.  Give a short, honest answer, if need be explaining how you have learnt from the issue and changed and then restate your enthusiasm for the job you are being interviewed for.
   
   Next find someone you trust to give you honest feedback and get them to look at your CV and the advert for the job you are applying for and see if they can think of any tough questions you have missed.  Then get them to ask you some of the questions and try out your answers.  Listen to the feedback and make changes to your answers where needed.  Remember you should be short, honest and positive with your answers.
   
   During the interview if you have any doubt about what the interviewer has asked you, repeat what you heard as the question back to the interviewer and ask if you understood the question correctly.  Make sure you don't answer the wrong question.
   
   Quite often you will get asked a tough question and your answer may not really help you, in these cases it is better to accept that no one is perfect (just as no job is perfect) and having given your answer go onto to summarise 3 areas where your achievements, skills, experience are a match for the job and restate your interest in the job.  Honest, open enthusiasm backed up by knowledge and research about the employer and the job are very powerful positive factors that can counter balance negative issues.
   
   
2. Asking questions in interviews
   This is a less well covered subject and most people don't realise that good interviewers will not only judge you on the type of questions you ask but also the order you ask the questions in.  Based on the fact that people tend to ask first what most interests them.  Equally not to ask any questions at all can suggest that you have not really prepared for the interview or are not interested in the job.
   
   Allow me to use an obvious example: if the first question you ask is about the amount of holidays you get the interviewer could reasonably assume your enthusiasm was for time off and not the job.  Let this serve as a warning to you about the need to spend some time thinking about questions to ask that reinforce your interest, suitability and skills for the job and write them down.
   
   Look at the job advert, read what is said about the job content, any reference to tasks and duties and write down some questions related to them.  On the same basis if there are details of the skills, background and experience of the ideal candidate in the advert try and think of some questions around these areas too.  Good questions are around such areas as “if I am successful in the job over the next 3-6 months what will I have achieved?" and “I am interested in developing myself, what kind of training is available?"

Check out our online learning course Get that Job (buy now 50% discount blog offer) which covers the whole process of how to get a job.

Interviews live - 9 silver bullets to slay the demons that cause bad interviews

Job interviews are always a stressful time; it's natural to want to give your best performance and therefore to be anxious about it, even haunted.  There are powerful demons at work to cause bad interviews: Arriving late, appearance inappropriate, not getting a good start with the interviewer, rambling on about how unfair it is you weren't successful in your last job, only asking questions about pay and holidays, not getting across your key strengths, running out of time and no follow up.

There are some practical things, however, that you can do to protect against a bad interview and we are going to examine some of them here. See our online course Get that job for a complete approach

9 Silver bullets to make interviews successful (slay those demons):

1. Before you start your journey to the interview:
   1. Write down why you want the job and 3 skills / achievements that qualify you for it.
   2. Make sure you have all the information about the job, two copies of your CV and some relevant questions to ask
   3. Have clear address details, a contact phone number handy in case you get delayed and need to call the interviewer + of course a fully charged mobile phone AND SET OFF EARLY!
   4. Have you got the look - your appearance and clothes - is it right for the interview?
2. First impressions count, a welcome smile and thanking the interviewer for the clear directions from them or their assistant to find the location is safe and polite to start an interview
3. Timing - ask how long the interview will last for, it's easy to run out of time and not get across all your key points
4. Ask permission to make a few short notes, important points you can refer to later
5. "Tell me about yourself" - A very common opening interview question which can be used by interviewers in two ways.  The first, obviously, being for the interviewer to hear about your experience, skills and knowledge.  The second, not so obvious, to see how well you communicate.  In both cases after a few short words about you personally a good approach is to use your CV as a guide when describing your achievements and capabilities.  Using your CV in this way will ensure you talk about major points that are relevant for the job and give structure to your answer.  Be sure to emphasise why you want the job, interviewers like applicants who are enthusiastic and have the right skills / experience
6. Key criteria - as soon as you can do so in the interview it is good to confirm the key requirements for the job, as this will allow you to keep relating your own capabilities back to them
7. Answering questions - make sure you understand the questions you are asked, if you are unsure repeat the question back to the interviewer.  We will deal with tough questions in a separate blog.  The interviewer is trying to find the best person who: fits the interviewer, fits the job requirements and fits in with the organisation or team. Make your answers informative, positive and short. 
8. Asking questions - good interviewers pay attention to the questions you ask as these indicate what you are really interested in
9. Feedback & summarizing - at the end of the interview ask for some feedback from the interviewer, this is an opportunity to correct any misunderstandings and learn about your chances.  Finish by summarising your interest in the job and your top 3 achievements / skills that qualify you for the job. 

Finally ask permission to contact the interviewer in case you think of any questions later, this is an important tool to allow you to ask about aspects of the job and re-sell yourself.  Also, timescales for decisions on jobs can change and you need to know after you leave the interview what is happening and when.

Richard Lowe
www.lets-begin.com

5 ways to keep motivated when searching for a job

Keeping motivated and positive during the search for a job is a challenge for everyone. It is not uncommon, especially if the search takes a long time, to feel a bit down about chances to get the job you want. There are, however, a few simple actions you can take to maintain your motivation; here are 5:

1. Focus on your strengths and achievements. Clearly it is good to be self aware and know what you need to improve but start by reminding yourself what you are good at, what have you achieved or won and done well at. It helps to see visible evidence of previous success so whichever room or part of your home you do your job hunting from, display your certificates, awards and any other evidence of success
   
2. Have a plan. Print it out, and keep it visible, set goals that stretch you but are not impossible and make sure you have actions with a target date to complete them by. Track each action and make sure you follow up on the agreed date. Success happens most often when preparation and planning meet opportunity, in this case the opportunity is the job you want
   
3. Keep learning new skills and knowledge; employers are impressed by job applicants that show they have a willingness to learn new skills – which a new job will involve - and also that you are committed to improving yourself. This can range from attending an online training course, reading business books to asking a colleague to coach and mentor you in areas where you want to improve yourself. In parallel practice of interview skills will sharpen up your performance ready for when you do enter a job selection process
   
4. Keep physically fit, it helps to set yourself goals to keep or get fit
   
5. Keep busy, be honest with yourself and measure your activity, number of phone calls, emails, letters, interviews, recruitment agents/search firms, job applications. The more activity you start the more likely you are to be successful and get a job.

Finally if we can assume that most employers prefer to hire people who are motivated and positive it makes sense to examine one interesting aspect about moods and facial expressions. You might feel that if you get into a bad mood your (unhappy) facial expression reflects your mood and equally if you are in a good mood your smiley face reflects that as well. But what if it was the other way round, in other words your facial expression affects your mood, and so if you smile you can actually put yourself into a good and positive mood. Since neither theory is scientifically proven maybe it's worth a trial smile or two?

Richard Lowe
www.lets-begin.com