ABR Blog

“Tell me a little bit about yourself.”

When an interviewer asks you about yourself, he or she doesn’t necessarily want to know where you were born, what your hobbies are or a laundry list of your job skills.  In reality this is an extremely important question.  Interviewers ask it for a number of reasons:

• To get a sense of what you feel is most important about yourself;
• To see how well you’ve prepared for the interview; or
• To find out why you think you’re the best candidate for the job.

There is a lot riding on your response to this question, so make sure you knock it out of the park.  Here are a few quick tips for answering the “tell me about yourself” interview question the right way:

• Be brief.  Keep the answer short – no more than two to three minutes.
• Practice, practice, practice.  Write your answer out, then rehearse it until it’s second nature. 
• Cite examples.  When you develop your answer, include one or two examples that best demonstrate why you’re well-qualified for the available postition.

 Take advantage of your time in the driver’s seat by selling yourself, creating a great first impression and setting a positive tone for the rest of the interview.

Still not sure how to answer this all important question?  Then participating in the December 1 (2 pm) ”Don’t Interview — Audition” is a must do. To register, login to ABR JobConnect and click on the WEBINAR Tab. Then click on the Event and register by clicking the Webinar registration link for each event listed.

Like most things in life, you’ll get out of your job search what you put into it.  Those who work harder, have a positive attitude, persevere and go the extra mile are more likely to get what they want – period.

If you have the commitment to work hard, but need direction for your efforts, here are five things you can do to take charge of your job search today:

1.  Clarify your self-knowledge and your goals. Do you know exactly what you have to offer an employer?  Do you know exactly what you are looking for in a career?  Take the time to write down your specific skills, strengths, accomplishments and career goals.  If you know what you want, and what you bring to the table, it’s infinitely easier to focus your efforts, identify potential employers and find the job you want.

2.  Establish your network. Identify individuals in companies, industry organizations and professional associations who can provide insight into their employment needs.  When possible, schedule informational interviews to learn more about potential careers, as well as skills you may need to acquire to make yourself more employable.  Identify faculty, friends, business associates and relatives who can assist you with your job search.  Tell everyone you know that you’re looking for a job and ask them to refer you to potential employers.

3.  Get more organized. Place all of your job search materials, including: research on potential employers; listings of job postings to which you’ve responded; resume versions and cover letters; staffing services with whom you’ve registered; network lists, etc.  Use this binder to track your progress, plan follow-up, develop daily to-do lists or record other important information.

4.  Find a mentor. If you don’t have a trusted advisor who can help guide your job search efforts, you should get one.  To select a mentor, choose someone you know who:  has earned your respect; is successful in his or her career; will provide honest and effective feedback; will take an interest in your professional development; will support you in your career progression.  Meet with this person regularly to solicit advice, share your ups and downs, and get the feedback and support you need to keep going.

5.  Register with ABR Employment Services. As a leading Wisconsin staffing and placement service, we connect thousands of individuals with rewarding employment each year.  Launched in March 2011, our new ABR JobConnect™ is a career resource to help guide and support you in your job search.  It empowers you to:

• Access over 1,000 Job Boards on one site
• Prepare a resume or receive a resume critique
• Utilize the career advisor
• Participate in weekly webinars covering job seeker “hot topics” and receive job search advice
• Take advantage of job assessment tools
• Receive information on continuing education opportunities

Best of all, it’s FREE!  Register today for access to additional career information on this topic.

“I’m willing to take any job.”

“Money doesn’t matter.”

You may honestly be desperate for work, but job experts agree that desperation doesn’t work when it comes to landing the opportunity you want.

Don’t let anxiety or feelings of hopelessness derail your job search.  Watch this quick video to learn what phrases to avoid while interviewing and other ways to stay in control while you look for work:

Have you made a New Year’s resolution to find a better career?  Here are several things you can do in 2011 to make yourself more marketable and land the job you really want:

Everybody makes mitsakes (oops, that should read “mistakes”).

But while a blog typo may be easily forgiven, other mistakes on the job can have serious consequences – for you, your boss, or even the company as a whole.  And frankly, the way you handle your slip-up can be just as critical as the mistake itself.

So what should you do when you make an error at work?

• Assess the situation.  As soon as you realize your misstep, take a minute to consider the ramifications, as well as whether or not you can correct the mistake yourself.  If you can solve it, do so immediately; but if not, take a moment to brainstorm possible solutions.  This way, when you approach your boss you’ll appear proactive and responsible.
• Own up to it.  Never try to cover up your mistake.  If a boss finds out later that you hid a problem, it can permanently damage your credibility.  So take the initiative and bring the situation to your supervisor’s attention.  When you’re honest from the outset, your boss won’t feel the need to underscore the situation’s importance to you.
• Take responsibility.  Don’t make excuses, act defensively or place blame elsewhere.  Negative reactions like these will cause equally negative reactions from your boss.  Instead, use your mistake as an opportunity to step up to the plate and demonstrate your responsibility and problem-solving abilities.  If someone else is involved in the mistake, encourage him or her to follow your lead and do the right thing.
• Explain what happened and what you plan to do about it.  Once you’ve acknowledged your misstep and apologized, you must present a plan for correcting it.  You can say something like, “I’ve made a mistake and I apologize for the error.  I’ve come up with some possible solutions and would like your feedback on how to best resolve the situation.”  It’s fine to ask for help developing and implementing your solution – the key here is to not simply ask for your boss to bail you out.
• Demonstrate that you’ve learned from your mistake.  When a mistake occurs on the job, it’s not enough to just solve it and move on.  Once you’ve resolved the problem, you need to determine what caused it in the first place – and discuss your plan to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.  Explaining to your boss what you’ve learned from your mistake demonstrates that you’re conscientious and have the organization’s best interest in mind.

You’re human.  You’ll make mistakes from time-to-time (we all do).  And if you handle a mistake at work correctly, you can turn a difficult situation into a learning experience – an experience that actually provides an opportunity to demonstrate your honesty, integrity and problem-solving ability.

Handle Your Job Search the Right Way

Don’t make the mistake of going it alone in your job search.  Contact ABR Employment Services today.  Whether you need a flexible opportunity, or are searching for full-time employment, we have rewarding clerical, light industrial, technical and professional opportunities with leading Wisconsin employers.  Finding a job through us is fast, easy…and free.

Looking for ways to earn a raise or promotion?

Get on your boss’s A-List.  If you consistently show your boss that you’re doing a great job, you’ll progress further, faster.  Here are a few quick tips to get you noticed, separate yourself from the pack and create a lasting positive impression:

1. Communicate clearly.  When in doubt, err on the side of clarity and ask questions when things are unclear.  Provide your boss with regular updates about your projects and plans.  But be careful not to go overboard – ask him directly if you’re providing enough information or too much.
2. Honor your commitments.  Underpromise and overdeliver.  Don’t shy away from new challenges, but make reasonably sure you can hit an objective before taking on the additional responsibility.
3. Know what makes your boss tick.  Learn your boss’s pet peeves – and avoid them.  Find out what his priorities are – and incorporate them into your own (e.g., if your boss is a “numbers guy,” quantify all your results).  Anticipate his needs, by providing what you know he’ll want before he asks.  Show him you understand the issues he faces and you’re sure to make your mark.
4. Provide solutions – not just problems.  Everyone makes mistakes.  So if something does go wrong, view it as an opportunity to set yourself apart from chronic excuse-makers.  Own up to the problem and come to the table with potential solutions.  Your boss will appreciate your ability to think for yourself and manage a difficult situation.
5. Be positive.  When you celebrate a departmental success, send a congratulatory e-mail to those involved and copy your boss.  The gesture will draw attention to your success as well as your leadership skills.  During more stressful times, strive to maintain a positive attitude.  For every two complaints or suggested improvements, point out eight positive things.
6. Take a calculated risk.  A boss will notice a talented employee who demonstrates his desire for excellence by occasionally sticking his neck out.  So when the time is right, volunteer for a difficult assignment or challenge the status quo to improve a work process.  Your courage and enthusiasm will increase your visibility and earn the respect of your boss and co-workers alike.

ABR Employment Services:  Another Great Way to Further Your Career

ABR Employment Services provides challenging assignments and direct placement opportunities in the office/clerical, technical, professional and light industrial sectors.  Contact us today to find out how we can help you further your career, faster.

Ever notice how certain people always seem to have great jobs?  You know - the ones who are always working on a consistent basis, even in shaky industries and during uncertain times.  So, what are their secrets to success?

According to Deborah Brown-Volkman, President of Surpass Your Dreams, Inc., these people make their own luck.  Rather than being reactive, and waiting for things to happen, they take a proactive approach to their careers.  And rather than blaming others for mistakes or missteps in their careers, these individuals are passionate about new possibilities.  They are excited about what they do and what they can contribute every day.  Their enthusiasm is infectious, making their superiors committed to keeping them around as team members.

Here are a few practical tips to help you “make your own luck” – and ensure you always have  a job:

1. Tell yourself that you will always be employed.  What you say matters.  Your words have power, meaning, and intention.  If you tell yourself that you are marketable and confident that you will always be working, your words can make this true.
2. Anticipate trends in your industry.  If your job is being eliminated or outsourced, you need to know about it before HR sits you down to let you go.  Research what’s going on in your industry.  Know what’s happening and what the experts say will happen.  Look for trends and train yourself in these areas.  Having the right skills at the right time ensures that, no matter what is happening around you, you will be needed and employable.
3. Keep your resume up-to-date.  Your resume is an invaluable selling tool that showcases your skills and abilities to the world.  So even if you’re not looking for work, keep your resume current to keep track of contributions and accomplishments you may otherwise easily forget.  When you eventually do need it, your resume will be up-to-date and ready to work for you.
4. Create a 30-second introduction.  You never know when a new career opportunity may present itself.  So, create a good first impression with anyone you meet in business by developing a concise introduction with clear details.  Include the following information: your name; type of position you seek specifically; your skills and strengths; your background and accomplishments.
5. Network regularly.  If you start networking only when you need something, you’ll have a lot of catching up to do.  So make networking a part of every day.  Don’t limit yourself to conferences, job expos, or meet-and-greets – networking opportunities are everywhere, even within your own company.  Keep in regular touch with your key contacts, even if only via e-mail, so that you will not feel like you’re “bothering” someone whe it’s time to reach out and ask for help.
6. Always be on the lookout for new opportunities.  Read trade publications.  Read memos from departments outside your own.  Think about what more you could be doing, or how you could be doing things better.  Get your creative juices flowing, and think positively.  Rather than telling yourself that “it cannot happen,” believe that what you want is possible and within your reach.  Then, make it happen.

Of course, registering with ABR Employment Services can help ensure you always have a job.  With offices throughout Wisconsin, we match talented individuals with temporary and direct placement opportunities in the office/clerical, professional, technical, and light industrial areas.  Contact us today to find out more.

About Deborah Brown-Volkman

Deborah Brown-Volkman is the President of Surpass Your Dreams, Inc., a successful career and mentor coaching company that has been delivering a message of motivation, success, and personal fulfillment since 1998.  Deborah Brown-Volkman can be reached at www.surpassyourdreams.com, or www.career-escape-program.com.