Face Your Fears and Find the Freedom You Need to Succeed!

Does fear keep you from reaching goals? Here are some ways to combat common job-related fears.

Beyond Grades – Preparing for your Career

In school, getting good grades is really important. But in the professional world, you need more than just a 'good performance'. Here are some other ways to prove you can be a great employee. 

Finding the Right Career

Are you good at finding things on the computer? Do your friends think your middle name is Google? You may be good at a career in the fast growing field of Health Information Technology. Clinics and hospitals are being forced to go paperless – but you're already there! For more help finding the right career, check out this career help guide and take free online career test.

Getting a Good Reference

Many employers want references – 3 seems to be the right number to have at the ready. Past employers, coaches, volunteer managers and others could all be candidates. Here are other tips to pick the right ones. 

Choose references you're sure can do a good job answering questions from an employer. Here's a checklist:

• Wants to see you succeed as much as you do.
• Can clearly articulate your strengths, areas of expertise and development.
• Can think on her feet if asked a tough question.
• You would feel good about being a reference for. 

Ask before you list anyone!

• It makes you look professional and courteous.
• It gives them time to prepare and not be caught off-guard by a phone call they didn’t expect.
• Their willingness or hesitancy can help you judge whether or not they would make a good reference. 

Share your goals

Tell your references where you are applying and why. Give them your resume' and current contact info.

Prepare a contact sheet

Create a one-page list that includes contacts and be sure your references can be reached and know the best way to contact them (phone, email, days/nights, etc.)

• Person’s name
• Job title
• Relationship to you (such as co-worker or direct supervisor)
• Company name
• Address
• Contact info (phone number, email address)

Close the Loop

Check back with your references from time-to-time to make sure that contact information has not changed. And of course, THANK your references each time they are contacted. They should also be the first to know when you land that new job.

These tips and suggestions were excerpted from a blog by Beth Braccio Hering of Career Builder found here.

Interview Tips from the Pros

Last week, the Kalamazoo campus hosted a free Career Workshop. Rich Daudert from Right Management and Dan Dunn from Comerica Bank gave advice to attendees on how to get the "Winning Edge". Here are some tips they shared with the group.

Avoid Distractions and Get Your Life Back!

Have way too much to do? Feel overwhelmed? These ideas can set you up for success. Little steps can make a big difference.

Keeping a Positive Attitude in a Job Search

It's not always easy to stay positive while you're looking for work. These tips from staffing firm, Kelly Services, may help. As a Career Quest graduate, you've already mastered 3 of the top 6 tips! See which ones.

Do a Smarter Job Hunt

Here are some smart ways to cut through company walls to find someone inside who can help you. Don't go in circles - do a smarter job search. Just be sure to start with the basics - know what you're looking for!

What's in a Word?

This blog suggests 10 words to impress employers with your resume, (hint: they're action verbs). It also lists 10 words to avoid so your resume doesn't get tossed out before you can get an interview. Take out your version and see where you stack up. And please, choose your words carefully. Read more here.

SHOW THEM YOUR 'SOFT SKILLS'

What Employers Really, Really Want

Written by Cindy Whittum, Director of Career Services at Career Quest Learning Centers 

Employers we talk to every week are looking for the same thing. The “soft skills” employers are talking about now are the character traits that may not show up on your resume. Are you dependable? A good team player? Believe it or not, soft skills can be measured. Read on to see 5 ways you can show off your soft skills to good advantage...

HOW TO DRESS FOR AN INTERVIEW ON A BUDGET

Most people looking for work are on a tight budget. Here are some tips for dressing well with tight budgets in mind. Here are 10 tips - and some of them won’t cost you a cent...

MOVE UP WHERE YOU ALREADY WORK

Ever feel like you could move up in your job if you just knew what to do? Here are 5 different actions you can take to make yourself more valuable to the employer you already have. Take some actions - then start thinking about that promotion.
See the article here.

A RECENT CNA GRAD SHARES HER STORY

Interested in being a CNA? Here's a first-hand look at what it really takes to be one!
See the story here.

SORRY! THE BEST WAY TO RESCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW

Sometimes you just can't help it and rescheduling an interview is the

only choice you have. Call as soon as you know - don't wait for a

'miracle' to remove the time conflict. You can do this! 

Here are more ideas.

FINDING WORK IN AN UNSTEADY MARKET

Sometimes you wonder if you're wasting your time.  But job hiring is

up. Here's how to focus on the jobs that are on the best match and

ignore the rest. 

Already hired? Tips for you too!  

Thanks to Career Builder for this solid advice.

See the link here.

THE DREADED QUESTION: 'WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES?'

You know your best qualities, but what are your weaknesses? 

Read this to handle the question everyone hates!

THE SKINNY ON RESUMES

Less is more! Effective ways to slim down your resume in the right areas.

Check it out here.

STILL WAITING? WHAT YOU CAN DO AFTER THE INTERVIEW...

Vickie Elmer understands that waiting for a call back is beyond annoying. But Elmer tells you how you can get some control back between interviews. 
See the article here.
We found her at the blog glassdoor.com

PUSHY PARENTS??

Here's some career advice you might want to show to your mom. Tell her you'd really like her help -- just not during the interview!! Yes, some parents actually come along for the interview!

JOB HUNTING IN THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

There’s a myth that says it’s impossible to find a job in the hot summer months of July and August. Not true! It might be difficult to get through to hiring managers when many are on vacation, but summer can be a very good time to look for work. Compiled from reports from the field, we offer 5 good reasons to put on a fresh shirt or blouse and head out the door, heat or no heat.

UM... I'D LIKE TO WORK FOR YOU!

Words and catchphrases to avoid during an interview.
See them here.

MAKE THE RIGHT FIRST IMPRESSION

They happen fast!

Here are the best ways to be prepared for that moment.

HOW TO GET A REFERENCE OR RECOMMENDATION

Learn about who and how to ask!

See more here.

GETTING THROUGH ROADBLOCKS TO FINDING A JOB

You will find a job! Refine your job search approach to make it happen.
Get some tips here.

YOU GOT THE JOB! NOW WHAT?

Job acceptance letters help seal the deal.
Learn more here!

HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER

Five easy steps to help you create an excellent cover letter!
Check them out here.

WAYS NOT TO FIND A JOB

Seriously? It is possible. 

Here are a few things to avoid.

EMPLOYERS AND THE INTERNET

Employers know more about you then you think.
Is your internet identity job-search ready?

Find out here!

WORDS TO AVOID ON YOUR RESUME

When you're done with your resume, be sure you avoid the the things employers don't like to see. Have someone double-check spelling and grammar, too. Spell-check is good, but it can't tell you the word has the right meaning.

Get more advice here.

SHOULD YOU SEND A COVER LETTER?

Employers value cover letters for multiple reasons.
Here's why!

SURPRISE PRE-INTERVIEW TIPS - ACE IT!

Congratulations – you’ve landed an interview! Now what? Besides researching the company, and preparing for questions, here’s how to stay cool and look smart even while you wait. Read the first tip on Facebook today: your future employer is researching you while you are researching them!
Learn more here.

FOLLOW-UP MADE EASY

What's the right way to follow-up after an interview? 
Are there rules for this?
Check out these guidelines.

BE FIRST IN LINE

A survey by StartWire says the earlier you apply, the better your chance for getting the job. 
Read more on why it pays to watch when new jobs are posted to get a jump on the competition here.

6 NON-TECHNICAL SKILLS HIRING MANAGERS WANT

You get the interview because the company recognizes you have tech skills. You get the job because the hiring manager is impressed with your business understanding and personal effectiveness skills. You keep the job because you have six of the most highly sought-after non-technical skills that demonstrate your fit into the organizational culture:
Find out what they are here.

WHAT COLOR IS YOUR RESUME?

Here's the inside scoop on how employers view your resume. Turns out that color is not always your friend. And showing up in person? That doesn't always work with companies that prefer to get email. Here are some tips found from Avail Coaching and Consulting, pros at HR and career coaching.
10 Things HR Won't Tell You About Your Resume
(Thanks Jean at Avail Coaching and Consulting for the link!)

WHEN TO SEND ONLINE JOB APPLICATIONS?

Not the Weekend, says recruiter and blogger Gavin Redelman of recruitingblogs.com.

Most employers work a regular Monday – Friday schedule. Ping them with your sharp cover letter and resume when they are more likely to be at their desk, not on Saturday night.

WHERE THE JOBS ARE

New Federal laws requiring electronic health records are behind a push to update technology and hire new healthcare workers. 

See this excerpt from a recent article in Modern Healthcare

DRESSING FOR SUCCESS

Smart job applicants research the dress code where they want to work. “Find out the corporate uniform, and wear it!” Good advice from this online recruiting firm. And go easy on the perfume and after-shave!
How to dress for the best possible outcome

STAR WARS OR STAR TREK?

How do you prepare for interview questions that don't seem to have anything

to do with the job? Sometimes, the interviewers are just trying to
understand how you think.
Questions you just might hear in the interview

REMEMBERING NAMES

I'm horrible with names - here are some very good tips to help remember names.
Work Smart: 5 Rules for Remembering Names

PHONE INTERVIEW TIPS

When you're invited for a telephone interview, it's just as important to prepare as it is to get ready for an in-person job interview. Here are some tips to help ensure success.
Telephone Interview Tips

BECOMING INVALUABLE

Please share your stories of how you became invaluable to your organization. Is it really as simple as being the Copy Machine expert - maybe?
How To Become Invaluable, Find Your Distinct Skill and Stand Out