Office Party Etiquette

It’s that time of year again! The Holiday Season is upon us and this means trimming the tree, shopping, and the dreaded office Christmas party! Office parties are a make it or break it event when it comes to your professional image. Here are our tips to get you through your office party with poise and polish:

1. Dress appropriately
An office party is still a work related event so keep it professional. Follow your company dress code and do not wear anything ostentatious or risqué. You can opt for a more festive look such as a darker colored shirt for gentlemen or a little black dress for ladies but stay conservative and don’t over expose.

2. Chat’ em up
Your office party is a great opportunity to network outside of your department, floor or unit. Make an effort to meet new people within your organization and talk to people you wouldn’t otherwise interact with. Be ready for small talk ! Do your research prior to attending and find out what’s going on in your city – events, festivals, movies etc.  Remember to focus on positive news both local and international and avoid any complaints.

3. Join the party
Here's your chance to let your personality shine through. Don’t shy away from participating in games or activities but remember to participate in moderation. For example if your office party has karaoke step up and sing a long but don’t hog the mic. It’s also a great idea to have your co-workers participate along with you but moderation is key, you don’t need to own the dance floor or engage in a dance off with your boss.

Although you don’t get participation marks at work your boss will notice that you are capable of letting loose and joining the fun. Engaging in group games and activities also demonstrates that you are a team player.

4. Think Before You Drink
Alcohol can be free flowing at office parties especially when there is an open bar so drink in moderation. An open bar is not an excuse for you to get inebriated at the expense of your employer. Limit your consumption of alcohol to 2 drinks for the entire night (one for cocktail hour and one with dinner). The last thing you want  is to exceed your limit and be the butt of jokes on Monday morning so keep it professional and opt for non-alcoholic beverages in addition to your two drinks.

5. Respect your co-workers privacy
Taking photos at office parties is not outlawed but sharing them via social media should be! If you are going to take photos ask permission before hand.

Avoid sharing your work party photos on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram. Though you may think your photos are funny and flattering your co-workers and boss may not share your sentiments.  If someone does want a copy of your photos send it to them privately and request that they do not share it on social media as well.

On a personal note avoid being photographed with a drink in your hand as photos can easily be misinterpreted and blown out of proportion. If someone is taking photos simply set your drink aside for the picture.

6. Say Thank You
Your employer is not obligated to host an end of year party, it’s something they do voluntarily so show your appreciation. Prior to leaving make your rounds and thank the management and/or partners as well as your immediate boss for hosting the event.  Make your exit when the party starts to die down, do not be the last one to leave.

Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting

4 Tips for Success in the Global Workplace

As technology makes our world a smaller place many businesses big and small are engaging in commerce across international borders. The definition of workplace has now expanded to include not just new cities or regions but the whole world, we are indeed witnessing life in the global workplace.

Conducting business on an international level isn’t always easy  as social norms, greetings and introductions and even time restraints differ across cultures. Here are our tips for success in the global workplace.

1. Have an open mind
Being open minded makes the transition from national to international easier as you will be more willing to learn about new countries, their customs, and the way they do business. Things may not always go as planned and tasks that used to be simple before may become more complicated and tedious. Obstacles be they cultural, financial or logistical will arise and you need to be able to think outside the box and get creative.

2. Welcome and embrace change
Making changes to the way you do business, approach projects, and even shake hands is inevitable when working in a global workplace. Change is never easy but being ready for the change and approaching it with a positive attitude certainly makes the transition run smoother. Don’t shy away or be afraid of changing the way you do business, different markets demand different approaches. Chances are you will have a completely different business model or approach for each new market you enter. Think of each new culture, country, or market as a creative outlet, an opportunity to do your job in the different way. The result or product is the same but the method is different.

3. Do your prep work
Preparation and research are essential when working on a global level. You need to be aware of the cultural and social norms of the countries you are doing business in.  There are many sources online that allow you do conduct a cultural comparison between countries. It’s a good idea to compare the country you live in with the countries you wish to enter or are looking to do business with.  The World Factbook is an online tool that provides comprehensive and detailed information about countries, however it focuses more on general information rather than cultural comparisons. To compare cultural differences, we recommend using the The Hofstede Center website as it allows you to compare and contrast cultures using 5 detailed dimensions.  In addition to cultural research you should attempt to learn a few basic words in the native language such as hello, thank you, and please.

4. Seek out local mentors
Locals are the best guides when it comes to learning about a new culture and market.  Seeking out a local professional who can help you learn about the business culture in your prospective market is a good idea, as you will be able to get a first hand account of what corporate life is like.  You can reach out to professionals in your field or similar fields through organizations advocating for trade between your home country and your perspective market. LinkedIn is also a good way of researching professionals in your field, however since these would be cold connections asking for mentorship is not recommended. You can also ask for guidance and information about perspective markets from their local embassies in your home base. Most embassies have trade commissioners that provide information on conducting business in their country.

Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting

7 Reasons Why You Should Network

In today’s technology driven digital world global expansions are on the rise and the old saying “It’s not what you know it’s who you know” cannot me more true. As companies seek out new markets and buyers that were virtually inaccessible a decade ago, networking is identified as a key factor in business success.

Although the internet is a great way to reach out to potential clients, it’s not as effective as face time; an in-person, face to face meeting. There are some skeptics who still rely on their expertise, education, or credentials to get by in the corporate world but they are few and far between. Networking is now the best way to get clients and keep business.  Networking isn’t always easy and does require an investment of both time and money but it is an investment that will pay off.

Here are 7 reasons why you should network :

 1. Word of mouth recommendations
Networking is a great way to spread the word about your business or the services offered by your employer. Interacting with people in person helps build a rapport and a level of trust which will in turn make others more comfortable when recommending you to their friends. When you can identify with others they will also be more likely to remember you and recommend you to their friends or peers.

2. Mentoring
Working is a continuous learning experience and it’s always helpful to have a mentor to guide you along your corporate journey. Networking events are a great place to meet potential mentors that can provide you with helpful insight and ideas. If you are a veteran in your field networking can help you connect with potential mentees and share your expertise with young professionals.

 3. Gaining a better understanding of your market
Understanding your market is extremely important when selling goods or services. Networking gives you access to a wide range of individuals and opinions. You can use these opinions to your advantage by examining how they react to the products or services you offer and how much demand there is for your product. By expanding your network you will have access to more people and be able to identify those individuals who fit in to your niche market.

 4. New Employment Leads
If you are a job seeker you can network your way to your next job. Networking is now the primary way of finding a job. People are more likely to hire or recommend someone they know rather than someone they don’t. Networking and letting your contacts know you are looking for a job is the first step to starting your job hunt. Your contacts will then be able to recommend you to their network and keep you in mind for any upcoming vacancies. Make sure you highlight your skills and specialties so the referrals you get will be relevant.

5. Explore a new career
Effective networking gives you access to contacts from varying fields and work environments. This is especially useful if you are looking to change careers. Reaching out to your network to learn about different options and fields of work will help you seek out new career interests. Networking is also a valuable tool for new grads starting their careers. We advise graduates to actively seek out contacts who are already employed in the positions they are interested in and get a first hand account of what the job really entails.

6. Increase or drive sales
Increasing your network and meeting new contacts can help you increase your reach when promoting materials or products. More people reached means more potential clients. Networking is often used to drive sales. More effective than cold calling, networking allows you to actually meet your potential clients prior to approaching them with an ask for a sale or an endorsement. It’s usually easier to call someone you’ve met before and explain how you met them etc. rather than calling a stranger and making small talk before getting to your pitch.

 7. Building brand familiarity and notoriety
Attending networking events puts a face to the name of your business. Building brand familiarity is something business owners and associates must keep in mind when seeking out new clients. The larger your network the larger your reach! You want people to be able to identify you and only you with a particular service, not your competitors. It’s important for entrepreneurs and professionals to be aggressive in networking, this means expanding your network and getting your name out there.

 For more tips on expanding your network check out our upcoming workshop Courteous Connections

Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting

Handling Workplace Conflict

Conflict is inevitable in any workplace. The reason being that just like you can’t choose your family, you can’t choose your co-workers either. Most offices are a melting pot of ideas, backgrounds, and cultures. Workplace diversity is a definite advantage but this mix of personalities can also result in misunderstandings and hurt feelings.

Handling conflict is not something everyone enjoys. In fact most people prefer to ignore or avoid conflict rather than addressing it head on. Here are a few things to keep in mind when dealing with workplace conflict:

1. Consider the cause

Conflicts do not arise out of the blue. They’re often the result of a misunderstanding. It’s important to consider the cause of conflict as this will help you determine how to diffuse it. Try to think of what occurred in the past days or weeks that may result in a conflict. If you cannot understand the cause simply ask the person who is engaged in a conflict with you why they are upset or displeased.

2. Keep an open mind

Adopting an unbiased view in a conflict situation is much easier said than done. We often feel like we are being blamed or victimized and it’s very difficult to think otherwise. However keep in mind that your workplace is a professional environment and attempt to take on an objective stance during a conflict, try not to let other co-workers or peers influence your opinion,

3. Listen

The best communicators listen more than they talk. Being an active listener and gaining an understanding of the other person’s point of view is essential to resolving a conflict. When you ask someone what is wrong be ready to listen to what they have to say, even though it may not  be what you want to hear. Make eye contact while listening and nod your head to acknowledge what they’re saying. Remain composed and do not react in anger if what you hear is unpleasant or insulting, wait for your turn to talk but don’t retaliate and lash out.

4. Empathize

Empathy is an important skill in conflict resolution. You need to be able to recognize and understand the feelings of others involved in the conflict. Expressing empathy and being aware of how people are feeling is crucial to being able to provide a solution. You can express empathy by using phrases such as “I understand your frustration” or “ I can appreciate your displeasure with the current situation”

5. Be accountable

When addressing conflicts you will most likely have some blame placed on you by the other party involved. Accountability is key when resolving a conflict. If you have indeed done something to offend them promptly apologize. If your actions were simply misunderstood and you firmly believe you did nothing wrong resist the urge to lash out at the other party; instead use a statement such as “I’m sorry you feel that way, I can assure it was not my intention to offend you” or “I believe my actions were misinterpreted, I’m sorry about the confusion”. Using the words  like apologize and sorry does not mean you are retreating, it just shows your understanding of the situation and your regret in potentially causing offense or hurt.

6. Bring in a mediator

Sometimes an impartial third party is needed to mediate a conflict. This situation arises when open communication between the two conflicting parties is not feasible. When choosing a mediator be sure to choose someone that will recognize the concerns of both parties and give equal importance to both. It’s a good idea to choose someone from a different department or even rely on a Human Resources professional to do the job as he/she will be better equipped to deal with such issues. Mediation is usually a last resort if feuding co-workers simply cannot come to a consensus. 


Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting

10 Dining Etiquette Do's and Don'ts

Dining etiquette is often overlooked and discounted as frivolous when it comes to projecting a professional image. However, with more business meetings being conducted over lunch or dinner dining etiquette has taken on a more central role in the corporate world.

Here’s a look at 10 do’s and don’ts of dining etiquette. This content comes straight from our program Guess Who's Coming To Dinner

1. Don’t tuck your napkin in to your shirt

Your napkin should lay across your lap with the folded end closest to you. Although it might be tempting for some gentlemen to protect their favourite work shirt or tie, tucking your napkin in to your shirt collar is never an option.

2. Refrain from using cutlery to gesture at the table

This is a common mistake people make when talking at the table. When you’re speaking put your cutlery down, the last thing you want to do is point your fork or knife at a potential client or business contact, this comes across as dangerous and somewhat threatening.

3. Keep your cell phone off the table

Although many of us feel the need to have our phones with us at all times resist the urge to text, call, or use social media during a business lunch or dinner. By keeping your phone out of sight and stored away in your purse, bag, or jacket pocket you will not be tempted to refer to it during your meal. Make sure your phone is on silent. If you are indeed expecting a call, inform the person you are dining with and excuse yourself from the table to take the call.

4. Avoid primping at the table

Many ladies feel the need to touch up their lipstick after a meal. Though projecting a professional image is essential, hair and make up should be reserved for the ladies room and not the dining table. Resist the urge to break out a compact mirror to check your make up and touch up lipstick.

5. Your napkin is not a tissue

Never use your napkin to blow your nose at the table. Your napkin should only be used to dab the corners of your mouth. If you have a runny nose simply excuse yourself and retire to the washroom to blow your nose.

6.  If it falls leave it on the floor

If you happen to drop your napkin or cutlery on the floor during the course of your meal do not pick it up and resume eating. Simply call the waiter over, explain what happened and ask for a fresh fork, knife, or napkin. Although it may seem like common sense to pick it up, keep in mind that you are at a professional business meeting and reaching under the table will make for an awkward moment and come across as unprofessional.

7. Too hot to handle? Don’t blow on it!

If your food is too hot to eat right away, resist the urge to blow on it before taking a bite. Instead wait a few minutes for it to cool down. If others are waiting for you to commence eating simply explain the situation to them and encourage them to proceed.

8. Don’t be picky!

Some restaurants provide you with toothpicks at the end of the meal. Toothpicks should never be used at the table. If you need to use a toothpick to get food out of your teeth, you should always excuse yourself and retire to the washroom. Although toothpicks are presented at the table they should not be used at the table.

9. Never chew with your mouth open

Your food should stay in your mouth while you’re eating. Do not open your mouth and chew food to the side of your mouth. You should also avoid talking with your mouth full as you will risk being rude and possibly spitting food at your colleagues.

10. Maintain good posture

As your mother always told you : keep your elbows off the table. Placing your elbows on the table causes you to hunch or slouch with sends the message that you’re not really engaged in the business meeting. Make sure you sit upright with your hands either folded in your lap or placed on your thighs. You may also rest your wrists on the table but make sure you are sitting up straight. Good posture is a sign of confidence!

Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting

Building Your Personal Brand

Building your personal brand is something that has become essential for all professionals young and old in the current global economy. Your “Brand” dictates how others identify and perceive you.

Here are a few tips on building and maintaining your personal brand.

1. Identify your specialty
What are you good at? In order to create an effective brand you need to figure out what sets you apart from the competition. What can you do well that others cannot? What is your area of expertise?  Your specialty may be a result of your educational background, your personality or natural talent.

2. What kind of image would you like to project?

You need to identify how you want others to perceive you. This will depend largely on your specific field of work and expertise. For example if your field is IT you may want others to perceive you as a intelligent, technically sound, punctual and professional. In this field it may not be a disadvantage to be perceived as a “nerd”. If your field is Public Relations for example, being perceived as shy and nerdy may be a disadvantage as this field requires an extroverted and outgoing personality.

3. Be active on Social Media
Social media is a valuable tool to help you build and promote your personal brand. LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook are all outlets for expressing yourself and getting your message across. It’s important to be YOU on these social networking sites.  If you are posting a photo of yourself make sure it’s professional, true to your brand, appropriate and authentic. Avoid hiding behind fancy usernames and fake photos, this defeats the purpose of building your own brand.

4. Maintain a polished and up to date CV or Resume
Your CV or Resume showcases your achievements. Make sure you have it up to date and ready to go in case clients or potential employers request for it.  Having a current CV on hand is key to promoting and supporting your personal brand as you can have a hard copy of what you have achieved thus far. As soon as you obtain any new education or training, be sure to add it to your CV. For more information on resumes check out our post Resume Writing Tips

5. Expand your network

Expanding your network of contacts and building new connections is a great way to build your personal brand, as more people will be aware of your expertise. Forming mutually beneficial relationships is key as contacts will have an incentive for staying in touch with you, and you will be in touch with more people. Don’t be shy, seek out the people you need to meet and introduce yourself!

6. Market yourself at networking events

Self marketing is an important component of building your personal brand. Getting your name out in the open is essential to making your brand synonymous with your  field. We recommend attending local networking events where you can make new connections and make others aware of your skills and expertise. Remember not to over promote; attend events to make connections but maintain brand consciousness and let others know what you’re good at and what you do.

7. Seek out feedback

In order to be successful in building your own brand you need to be aware of your strength and weaknesses as a brand. The best way to do this is via peer feedback. Ask friends and mentors to give you feedback on your brand. Remember to seek out constructive criticism from sources you trust; those who have your best interests in mind. We recommend linking up with other professionals who are also in the process of building their own brands and setting up a peer mentor group so you can provide each other with insight, feedback, and support.


Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting

10 Do's and Don'ts of Office Attire

1. Clothes that are poorly tailored and ill fitted are not appropriate for business wear.
Poorly tailored clothes make one look frumpy and ill clad for business. One must remember that first impressions count immensely in the business world and poorly tailored and ill fitting clothes will definitely not give out the image one wants to create in the business arena. Boxy blazers and tops as well as tight fitting tops are inappropriate for office wear. A well tailored suit/ blazer with pants or skirt will give out a professional look.

2. Overly revealing Clothing is a definite No. Too little is too much. 
Revealing clothing be it a low cut blouse or a mini skirt is a definite "NO NO" for the office. Skirts with slits that extend above the knee are not suitable.

3. Underwear is not to be worn as outerwear.
Camisoles are to be worn under a blazer and underwear should be "underwear" meaning they should be worn under other clothing and not to be seen. It portrays a ill image when bra straps are exposed or when pants are worn so low that it reveals underwear.

4. Muscle shirts and spandex is not appropriate. Workout gear is not suitable office wear.
Muscle shirts and spandex is  for working out and for the gym. Never for the office. It's very unprofessional to see one in work out gear, working in an office. This is very poor taste for Business Attire.

 5. Immaculately cleaned inexpensive clothing is far better than soiled and crumpled designer wear.
One doesn't have to buy expensive clothing to look well put together. Clean and well fitting clothing is far better than crumpled and soiled expensive clothing. the over all picture is the image you give out. A well groomed person gives a far better image than one in crumpled un-ironed designer wear.

6. Wearing shorts to work is considered wrong.  However, Walking shorts are considered appropriate in certain offices.
Most offices do not encourage shorts to work merely because shorts come in many different lengths. However, some offices do specify walking Shorts. shorts that extend up to the knee are appropriate when worn with a clean well tailored blouse. Shorts and t-shirt however, do not give a professional image.

7. Micro-miniskirts that make it impossible to sit comfortably are definitely not appreciated in the work place. 
As mentioned above, too little is never too good for the office. Minis skirts make it very uncomfortable for office work, not only for the wearer but also for the other employees.

8. Mismatched bright coloured clothing is actually not appropriate.
Its always best to avoid bright clothing in the office. Geometric designs or pastel floral designs are acceptable and make a personality statement. Polka dots in black and white or neutral colours are acceptable.

9. Most businesses have a dress code and it will do one well, to stick to the dress code.
Most offices want their employees to adhere to a dress code in order to avoid uncomfortable situations. It serves well to follow your office dress code and help avoid embarrassment.

10. Use common sense. Anything that indicates to you that it should not be worn, should not be worn.
Common Sense is the best guide to dressing appropriately in the work place. Trust your instincts, if something doesn’t feel right then it probably isn’t!


Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting

Job Seeker the new Job Title for Recent Grads?

Since the 2008 recession jobs have been a scarcity in North America and many have been left either out of work or looking for work. But where does this leave new graduates? Although the economy took a hit many universities have still boasted of high enrollment numbers in graduate programs. In fact many undergraduates have opted to stay in school and further their education. Even those recently laid off have decided to seek comfort in education looking to increase their knowledge and widen their scope or even seeking to try a second career later on in life.

It seems that now Job Seeker is the new job title for recent graduates. Although Universities are cashing in on the influx of graduate students in post-recession North America, they fail to realize that the market simply cannot handle more job seekers. There are too few jobs available and too many unemployed or underemployed graduates. New grads often have to compete with more experienced job seekers who have been laid off due to recent cuts in the private and public sectors.

Last month Canada's unemployment rate remained steady at 7.2% even as the country added 12,500 new jobs; increases in unemployment rates in the maritime provinces and some prairie provinces resulted in no change in the overall rate. So where is it toughest to find a job in Canada? Newfoundland had the highest unemployment rate across Canada in April coming in at 12.4%, not very inspiring for young job seekers.
 

Being a full time job seeker is tough, but the biggest mistake new graduates make is devoting 8 hours per day or more to online job searches. Although many firms advertise vacancies online, most jobs are found through networking and connections. In order to make connections job seekers need to ditch the computer for some face time and handshakes! This means attending networking and social events. Job seekers should not be ashamed of letting others know that they are indeed looking for work, this is a great way to self-market and expand your database of contacts. That’s not to say that online vacancies should be overlooked, but we suggest spending no more that 2 hours per day applying online and devoting more time to in person interactions.
 

Joining a local Chamber of Commerce or Student/Alumni union is a great way to make new connections. Many Job Seekers feel demoralized by the fact that they don’t have a job and often feel pressured to find or accept just any job just to have a title so to speak. The sooner they embrace Job Seeker as a title the faster they’ll be able to market themselves to their connections and reach potential employers.

Although you make connections don’t oversell yourself. Chances are your new connections will ask you what you do, stating that you are now a professional Job Seeker will pique their interest and prompt them to ask you what kind of work you are looking for. Here’s your window but be careful not to seem too desperate. State what you are looking for and what relevant experience and skills you can bring. Even though joining social and networking groups can cost money you must view this as an investment in yourself and a way to create and maintain your personal brand. It’s all in the way you look at it, you can market yourself as a “recent graduate desperate for money to make ends meet” or a “Professional Job Seeker looking for an opportunity in  . . . “   Which one sounds better? We think the latter. 


Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting

5 Things to Remember When Writing Your Resume

With the current unemployment rates in both Canada and the U.S. many young graduates and even seasoned veterans are left pounding the pavement looking for work.  In order to secure a job you not only need connections but a resume to present yourself as well.

Here’s our look at 5 quick resume writing tips:

1. Cut it short – There is a stark difference between a resume and curriculum vitae. One main difference is length.  While a CV can be upwards of 3 pages long and contain details about your professional and academic life, a resume should be 2 pages at its longest and contain some academic qualifications but mostly work experience.

2. Profile it – Include a profile in your resume. A profile should act like a snapshot of your entire resume. Make sure to highlight job specific skills that you have acquired and bold font the skills themselves. Often times hiring managers will not go through your resume and may even rely solely on your profile to give them a quick introduction to you and your work experience.

An example of a phrase used in a profile can be found below:

e.g. Project Management skills acquired through work for a NGO heading projects in Africa

Note how the phrase alludes to work experience and a position listed in the resume.

3. Create a Master Copy – When writing your resume it is always helpful to have a working copy that you can use as reference. This document should contain all your experience in a brief manner. Once you have a working or master copy you can use it as a guide and create a customized resume specific to the particular job you are interested in. This way you can emphasize job specific experience as needed.

4. Edit and re-edit – You can never spend too much time proofreading your resume. In fact spelling and grammatical errors are the most common mistakes job seekers make on a resume. These errors can be costly as hiring managers will notice them, even though they may not spend too much time on your resume. Proofreading can be a cumbersome task to perform alone,  so it’s a good idea to have  a friend, relative or peer look over your resume. A new set of eyes is always welcome as they will notice errors you may have missed. This also gives you a chance to see how reader friendly your resume is and how others perceive it.

5. Nothing but the truth – Often times job seekers feel the need to over embellish their experience or qualifications. This can be risky as one can get carried away. The last thing you want to do is list experience, academic credentials or skills that you do not actually possess. Hiring managers and HR personnel will find out eventually and it will not bode well for you. Of course it’s alright to re-word your experience :

e.g. Canvassing donations can be rephrased as “community outreach and fundraising”

Remember to stay true to your skill set. Sometimes you may not actually have the skills for the job so instead of fibbing on your resume try to look for opportunities that do match the skills and experience you have to offer.


Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting

Are you employable?

With the recent onset of the so called recession in North America many job seekers are left with the dismal feeling of a futile job search. Some may believe there are no jobs out there but in reality there are jobs, if you are in fact employable. Here's an inside look at what job agencies and most HR managers consider when evaluating candidate fit and employability.

1. Are you available?
We mentioned this in our previous post : 10 tips for Job Seekers, but availability is a key factor in being employable. HR firms and hiring managers prefer a candidate who is available immediately or unemployed as opposed to someone looking to make a career move or lateral transition. This is due to the notice period, often 2 weeks that must be provided to their current employer. Like most people hiring managers are often impatient and want a candidate to start immediately, or on their terms.They will very seldom hold a position for a desired candidate the market is just too huge.

2. Experience in a related field
Avoid applying for jobs in which you have no relevant experience. Lack of relevant or job specific experience is an  immediate red flag for hiring managers. Don't just apply to any and every job. Read the job description carefully and gauge your level of experience within the given field, if you have the experience then apply. If not, move on to something else. This will save you time and trouble. For example if your field is Communications and there's a vacancy for a accounting clerk, shy away even if you may have taken some accounting courses in university or college. Hiring manages are usually looking for directly rateable experience.

3. Software knowledge
In today's technology driven world knowledge of workplace software in addition to Office, Excel, Outlook is a hot commodity. Hiring managers and HR firms look for candidates with knowledge in specialized software such as SAP, Quickbooks, Simply Accounting, ACPAC, Teraview, Peoplesoft and HRIS to name a few. It's always a good idea to invest in upgrading your knowledge and even consider taking a course in a software programs  that may be of interest or relevance to your career aspirations.

4. Education/Certification

Some positions may ask for specific education or certification that is essential to scoring an interview. For example a position for a Counselor may ask for a Degree in Social Work or Counseling Certification. In this case years working as a free-lance counselor sans a qualification would not garner an interview. Firms that list educational requirements such as degrees or diplomas value such requirements and will most likely eliminate candidates who do not have them. Although experience is valuable sometimes education and certifications are essential in proving you are able to perform a specific task.

5. Salary expectations

Placement agencies often ask candidates about their salary expectations and the biggest mistake candidates make is setting their expectations too high or too low. Expecting a six figure salary with minimal experience but years of education for example is just one scenario in which agencies and hiring managers would be turned-off. It's important to know your worth and not to over or under value yourself. Conduct some market research on the kind of salaries jobs you're interest in would provide and what type salary increases your experience would warrant. Flexibility is another key factor in being employable; what's your salary range and how flexible are you within that range? Are you willing to take a pay cut to get your foot into a firm you've always wanted to work for? Or are you dead set on a figure and not willing to budge? These are all facts agencies take in to consideration when they decide to represent you. In fact flexibility in terms of salary may be the deciding factor between them presenting you or another equally qualified candidate to a potential employer. 



Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting

10 Tips for Job Seekers

With the recent economic downturn leaving many previously secure jobs in jeopardy, looking for work has now become a familiar pass time in North America.  Job seeking is not a pleasant activity to engage in especially when one may have lost a secure job that was not only financially but emotionally secure as well.  Job hunting is time consuming and often ends in a futile effort as most seekers fail to capitalize on some key aspects of the job market and what exactly hiring managers are looking for.  In an effort to remedy this here’s our take on ten useful tips job seekers can  put in to use in order to make their search more effective and generate the results they are aiming for.

1.Have a general resume on hand

 A general resume should consist of all your work experience over the last 10 years or so, assuming you did not switch jobs frequently.  Most general resumes are a balanced mix of education and work experience. The structure of the resume however is not job specific  as you have not customized it to suit any particular job description. It’s important to have a resume that highlights your strengths as an employee. A profile which is essentially a summary highlighting the most important aspects of your resume should also be included in your resume. Ideally a general resume should be approximately two pages long.

2. Have a reference bank

Some hiring managers will ask for references if you are successful  at an interview. These references will then have to attest to your skills and abilities as an employee. Therefore it’s crucial to have a wide variety of people that can attest to your varied skills and experiences.  General references won’t cut it, you have to have references that can account for your suitability to the specific job to which you’ve applied. Thus it’s always better to have a handful of individuals that you can ask to recommend you as opposed to just two or three. Make sure you seek out job specific references.

3. Be wary of online job postings

Although many workplaces and even placement agencies now post vacancies online applying online can be a tedious and rather discouraging process. Many times job seekers get discouraged applying to online jobs as the vast majority does not receive a response let alone a favorable one. This is because many times companies post jobs online in order to demonstrate that the information regarding the vacancy was available to the public, they’re simply going through the motions. Often times they’ve already selected a candidate for the position before it’s even posted, and this candidate may be an existing employee chosen through internal postings or a contact of someone working in the firm.  Employers also inhibit job seeker success by using gate keeping software such as Taleo which automatically eliminates candidates that do not have specific key words (chosen by the employer) on their resume. They may be the ideal candidate for the job but never get through thanks to Taleo’s selective and tedious application process.

 4. Don’t discount networking

Networking is a valuable tool job seekers can use to render their search more effective. More than 65% of jobs are found through networking and some positions are not even posted externally. This is where networking and access to private information comes in to play. When you have  a contact on the inside of an organization you will have access to valuable information such as upcoming vacancies and possible internal postings.  As stated in point # 3 most online postings are filled before they are even posted for 24hours. Building an effective network is one of the most helpful things when you’re looking for work. As a job seeker you should aim to attend local networking events and look to expand your network ( Further Reading : Building an Effective Network for more networking tips).

5.  Professional Voicemail

Employers may opt to call you on the phone with news about an interview rather than emailing you, thus having a running voicemail system on your cell phone and home phone is essential. If your home phone has an answering machine message that is more casual opt to give out only your cell phone as a means of contacting you. Make sure you record a professional voicemail message stating your name and asking callers to leave their name, number and informing them that you will follow up on any missed calls. When giving out your cell phone you should also be wary of any ring backs, or ring in tones. Although they may be amusing to your friends, hiring managers will not look favorably upon a candidate that has their favorite song whatever genre it may be as a ring in tone as opposed to the traditional ring.

6. Professional email address

Email is another means of employers to contact you. When applying to online postings or through a company website you will need an email address to use when corresponding with employers. When job hunting a clear conservative email address is key. Your email address should consist of yourname@gmail.com. We recommend using Gmail over Hotmail as it has a more professional sound to it. If your name is already used in an email address we suggest using variations such as firstname.lastname@gmail.com . Avoid using numbers and characters as this is unprofessional. You could even opt for a shorter form of your name such as Rob instead of Robert if your name is already taken.

7. Make use of agencies

Although job agencies are a dime a dozen and promise unrealistic job placements they may have some interesting tips and advice to offer. As a job seeker you should not rely solely on agencies to find work, but you can make use of their resources which may include career counseling and tips on resume writing and cover letter drafting. Signing up with a placement agency also gives you more exposure as you can apply to many online jobs, even if they are predetermined, your resume still gets to the hiring manager and he/she may see something they like. It’s also beneficial to sign up with many agencies as opposed to just one as this will increase your visibility in the job market.

8. Create a LinkedIn ProfileLinkedIn is a great professional networking tool. It provides potential employers and current connections with a snapshot of your resume and experience. The tool also allows co-workers or clients to recommend you which aids in building credibility and marketing your personal brand. Creating a profile and adding professional contacts to LinkedIn vs. Facebook is a great idea as you cannot post personal photos etc on LinkedIn. Always separate your professional and personal life and aim to keep professional profile with your co-workers/boss etc. Some companies even recruit using LinkedIn so it’s a good idea to keep an updated profile and add a picture as well so recruiters can associate a face to your name. This also makes you more marketable to potential employers.

9. Are you available?
Availability is one of the key aspects of how employable/ marketable a candidate is. Even top employment agencies will look for candidates that are available immediately vs. ones that are currently employed and looking for a change of career etc. In order to secure a job you are interviewing for you need to be available to start within the employers’ desired time frame. Do not make the mistake of interviewing for jobs for which you are not immediately available. This may sound harsh but in the professional world time is money and employers very seldom hold positions just for one candidate that they may seem to like. Often times there are many candidates that are equally qualified with similar experience and availability just might be the determining factor.

10. Follow up
In the age of online job postings some may feel that following up on an application is a thing of the past. On the contrary, following up can bring a hiring manager’s attention back to your resume. Follow ups should be done via phone or email about 48 hours after submitting your resume. If the job has a closing date it might be best to follow up the day after the posting closes. In any case it’s good to be persistent but not desperate calling twice and leaving a message is deemed acceptable, however messaging, emailing, and calling every day is not. Just use your common sense. If the ad specifically says no phone calls, there’s a good chance the employer already has someone in mind for the job and is placing the ad just to be “transparent and fair”.

Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting