8 Essential Items to Take to Your Interview

8 Essential Items to Take to Your Interview By now we all know that preparation is key if you want to succeed at interview stage.  When it comes to interview day, you will have most likely researched the company extensively and studied the job description thoroughly â€" but there’s still a little more preparation to be done in order to boost your chances of success.  You need equip yourself properly in order to be organised and appear professional.  StandOut CV has compiled this handy infographic showing the 8 essential items that you need to take with you to ace your next job interview. 1.  Multiple copies of your CV Although it’s easy to assume that the interviewer will be in possession of your CV by the time you reach interviewer, you shouldn’t leave it up to them to bring a copy with them. Be pro-active and print of multiple copies just in case their printer has broken or you meet more than one person at the company. This level of preparation will show them that you are professional and you plan for any possible outcome. 2. A smart folder or bag Turning up to the interview with and producing a crumpled CV from your pocket will not create a great first impression. Invest in a smart folder or bag to ensure that you stay organised and look like a professional candidate. Something that is small enough to carry under your arm, but big enough to carry all of your essentials is perfect. 3. A pen and notepad It’s likely that a lot of important facts and figures will be discussed during interview stage, so it pays to have a pen and pad handy to note them down. When you need to make follow up emails or decide between competing offers, having the finer details jotted down will be hugely beneficial. 4. Some pre-prepared questions Most employers will expect you to have some questions about their role and company, so write some down in advance and take them with you. Having them in written format will not only help to jog your memory, but will also show the interviewer that you’ve done some proper preparation. 5.  The job description To ensure that you’ve fully familiarised yourself with the role, make some notes on the job description and take it with you. On the day of the interview, you can then arrive to the area 30 minutes early and grab a coffee whilst you revise the job details for one last time before heading in, to ensure that it is fresh8 Essential items to take to your next job interview  in your mind. 6. The interview details Too many candidates rely on their mobile to access interview details through their email. However, mobile internet access in not always guaranteed so save the details to your phone or even write them down on paper. Losing the address or name of the interviewer will not set the interview off to a great start. 7.  Relevant certificates If the role you are applying for requires one or more qualifications, then take those certificates along with you â€" or at least some good copies if you can’t take the originals. You may not be asked to show them but it’s better to have them with you just in case. 8. Examples of your work Creative professionals such as designers or artists will have portfolios of work to display some of their achievements â€" but if you are in a non-creative industry you may have client testimonials or sales figures that you can take with you to give some examples of the impact you’ve made at previous employers. About the author: Andrew is a writer for Standout CVs. Please include attribution to StandOut CV with this graphic.

Benefits of Powering Off Technology - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Benefits of Powering Off Technology - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career When was the last day you went without your computer, tablet or smartphone? How about a half day? How about an hour (not including sleeping)? The reality is that technology has made itself a necessity in all parts of our lives. Smartphone wake us up, give us our schedules, deliver our emails and store important information. Computers help us work, as well as play, without ever having to leave home. Unfortunately, there is a price to be paid for the opportunities and convenience that technology provides including poor health. Here are a few benefits you can reap by taking time away from technology. 1) Improve relationships. How many times have you been talking to someone in person and they break from the conversation to respond to a beep on their phone? How often do you engage in this same behavior. For some reason, people feel compelled to look at each notification at the time it’s received, even if it means being rude to the person you’re with (or worse yet, while driving).   The text, email or Facebook post isn’t going anywhere, but your friend, colleague or spouse might. When you’re talking with people in person, fight the urge to check your smartphone. Instead, focus all your attention on the person you’re with. 2) Lose weight. Research shows a sedentary lifestyle, such as those associated with working on a computer or spending a lot of time gaming, leads to weight gain and associated health complications, such as diabetes. Instead of checking email on your lunch break, leave your computer and cell phone and instead go for a walk. Don’t spend your evenings gaming or watching television. Instead find activities you can do with your family (which will lead to improved relationships #1), such as going for walk, playing board games or other fun activities. 3) Improve sleep. Similarly to sitting too much, not getting enough sleep leads to health problems, including weight gain and depression. Screen time has been identified as a culprit in poor sleep. So turn off the computer, tablet, ereader and television at least 30 minutes before going to bed. Doing so gives your brain time to turn off and should lead to falling asleep faster and a better night’s sleep. 4) Reduce stress. There are several ways staying connected to technology increases stress. One is that you’re on 24/7 and feel like you’re missing something if you don’t check in every few minutes. The other is that the content viewed online is often upsetting whether it’s from the news or someone posting something controversial on your Facebook feed. The reality is that you’re not a 24/7 necessity. Whether you check in or not, life will go on. The work will still be there. The bad news will still be there. The numnut posting on Facebook will still be there. But you don’t have to be. 5) Relax. Turning off your screens gives you and your brain a rest from the chaos online and the negative effects of screen lighting. And if you use the time take care of yourself,   whether it’s walking or spending time with family, you’ll find yourself calmer and more relaxed. 6) Increased productivity and effectiveness at work.  Good health, a full nights sleep and improved relationships all contribute your ability to get work done. When you take care of your mind and body, you have more energy and a positive mood and outlook, all of which help you  think and work better.

14 Ways To Better Your Career With Self-Discipline [INFOGRAPHIC] - Classy Career Girl

14 Ways To Better Your Career With Self-Discipline [INFOGRAPHIC] Your working life is a long one, but it’s easy to let it slide past if you find yourself in a comfortable job and lack the willpower to push for more. So many of us set  our ambitions aside as long as we can pay the bills and the workday is bearable. Those that go further are the ones that don’t just dream big, that don’t just work hard, but who keep in mind a strategy and follow it consistently. Be it searching for jobs, sending your CV out, attending networking events or just going that extra mile in your present position to earn a promotion, keeping your energy up is a tough task. However, there are ways to give yourself a better chance at sustained improvement. On a simple chemical level, higher levels of glucose have been linked to better self-control; treating yourself to a honey-topped treat may help you push on when the will is weak. Similarly, sleep deprivation can interfere with the part of your brain that deals with your resolve: so work hard, but make sure you leave enough time for a good nights sleep if you want to keep it up! There are plenty of other ways you can make yourself feel better about the necessary evils that come with chasing your ambitions. You can try pairing unpleasant tasks with pleasant ones, for example. Twice a week, take yourself to a café you love and do your regular job-hunt in the comfort of these nicer surroundings. Job hunting will soon become something you look forward to â€" or can at least bear to think about! This new guide on how to improve your self-discipline is full of practical tips. Start practicing these techniques every day, and you’ll soon be back in control of your own destiny.   14 Ways To Better Your Career With Self-Discipline [INFOGRAPHIC]

6 Easy Steps to Making Friends at Work

6 Easy Steps to Making Friends at Work Before entering the working world, sharing the same classes or living nearby to someone was a pretty sure fire way of striking up a friendship. But now that youre older and have your own life and clique outside of the office, its even harder for work friendships to blossom; its far easier to just keep to yourself. Here are    6 easy steps to making friends at work. So what is the recipe for a work friendship? Researchers at Washington State University found that, within their study, the transition from co-worker to friend was due to close-proximity, common ground and socialising outside of the office. But the most interesting point to take from their study is that sharing personal details, or even secrets, is the key to a closer and more genuine friendship. Thinking back to your school days, this makes sense, right? But in the working environment, the time and place for sharing secrets about your life is a lot harder to come by. The question, therefore, is how to perfectly curate a work friendship, without it seeming fake or forced. Heres how 1. Positivity Just like anything thats going to improve your life, you want to start it off on a positive note. Dont assume youll make friends by complaining in the hope that theyll reciprocate. Yes, work friendships are great for being able to have a moan away from prying ears, but if you can bring positivity to someones day, then youre the sort of person theyll want to spend more time with. After all, first impressions are very important. 2. Look for common ground By dipping your toes into the Netflix habits of your colleague, youll probably find some common ground to get you started. Failing that, just asking questions about their weekend, or mentioning yours will surely find a shared interest or love that you both hold. 3. Find them on social media You might already have them on Facebook because they popped up as recommended but dig deeper. Find them on other the networks you use; be it Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Vine, YouTube etc. The more you can learn about their out-of-work activities, the more youll have to connect over. Oh, and dont forget to interact with what they post! 4. Be patient Dont try and rush the process. While solid friend relationships need secrets to fully mature, you dont want to overload anyone too soon. Share small bite-size amounts of what makes you tick at first, and move onto the more secretive aspects of your life further down the line. 5. Dont just discuss work! Youve already established common ground that isnt your job, so make the most of it. By opening up about non-work topics, youll bring positivity to the conversation and even more mutual ground for you to bond over. 6. Spend more time together outside of work Start off with work get-togethers, like heading to the pub on a Friday, or management-organised events. As you get to know each other more, get their phone number. Make plans with them for lunch dates, invite them to your birthday drinks (but invite other work people, as they might not come alone), or attend work-based outings together. Plus, the more time spent bonding outside of the office means that, when at work, you wont appear to be excluding others (or wasting company time).

How Much NYC Resume Writing Service Do You Need?

How Much NYC Resume Writing Service Do You Need?In a perfect world, a resume writing service should never ask you to pay for their services. They are all out there for free - just keep an eye out for those that want a fee.In today's world, every service you can imagine is available for download for free. Even the most professional service providers will give away some of their program's secrets in exchange for your opinion and help. Still, it is usually advisable to find the right website for yourself. If you do, you'll be able to make sure you get the kind of resume writing service you need without paying extra.When you search for a resume writing service, pay close attention to the services they offer. Do they charge a fee? Or is there some sort of membership you have to pay for? A membership is something you can expect to pay a little bit extra for. There are some services that are good enough without the added service.You could also consider a website based in New York. The compa ny provides job search services in New York, along with a resume writing service for the greater New York area. For a small fee, the service can offer guidance with your resume (although many services will send your resume to them anyway), help with interview preparation, and other services you can use once you've started looking for jobs.When you sign up with a service in New York, you'll be working with someone from the NYC area. The service will try to keep you as updated as possible through emails and other means, and you can access their resources at any time you like. You can also contact them via phone or text messages. They will let you know if there are any further services you might be interested in, and they can also refer you to the New York job search site where you can start applying for jobs today.On the other hand, there are some services available to New Yorkers that don't charge for resumes or interviews. If you are looking for such a service, you can look for thos e in the New York area, but make sure they're not charging you to receive them. If they are, make sure to tell them this upfront, so that they can send you the help you need, at no cost to you.At this point, you should have a basic idea of what a resume writing service in New York can do for you. If you are still not clear on how much NYC resume writing can cost, you can contact one of the larger companies listed here. If you are still in the market for one of these services, however, you can search for one elsewhere - but make sure you get what you pay for.Make sure you stay in the loop about the latest job openings for resume writing service. You should also be aware of what sort of charge they offer you, so that you don't have to pay extra. This way, you can compare the prices offered by the various companies and choose the one that is right for you.

30 RESUME BASICS - Jane Jackson Career

30 RESUME BASICS - Jane Jackson Career Whether you are working with recruiters, making applications for advertised roles online, making a direct approach to companies you are targeting or networking, you need a resume.You may need a soft copy of your resume for emailed applications, a copy to attach to an internet application through a job search portal, a hard copy to produce when chatting over a coffee during a networking meeting, or the content of your resume readily available to include in your LinkedIn profile so your online presence is working for you.What to consider when crafting your resumeIs yours up to date? Does it contain what is required to capture the attention of your desired audience? Is it easy to read, concise and impactful?Is it just a list of responsibilities or have you included relevant accomplishments to demonstrate the tangible value you have added to your position?Have you included information that might create a bias (information such as your birth date, marital status, number of children, relig ion or state of health)? You might be amazed to know that I still see original resumes from clients that include information that does nothing to highlight their suitability for a specific role but may even hinder their chances of being selected for a screening interview.Here are a few suggestions to point you in the right direction:Choose a fuss-free layout, ensure you name and contact details (mobile phone and email address are requirements) are at the top and also a link to your LinkedIn profile. Include a career summary or professional profile that highlights your relevant experience, core competencies and technical skills. This should capture the attention of the reader instantly and place you in the ‘yes’ or ‘maybe’ rather than the ‘no’ pile for your target role.What else do you need in your resume?Professional experience, company names, job titles, dates that you held each role, scope of your roles and the all important bullet points with your accomplishments docu mented as impactful as possible.Academic qualifications, professional development courses, professional memberships and affiliations all have their own section in the resume too.You don’t need to include referee details unless asked.How long should the resumé be?Please keep it to 2-3 pages if possible. No-one wants to read a long rambling dissertation on your entire work/life history. A resume needs to be a synopsis of your career highlights that are RELEVANT to the reader.Make sure it’s easy to read â€" there is no point in squeezing a lengthy tome on to two pages in 8 point font with very narrow margins! No-one will want to read it â€" especially those people, like me, who have to get out their reading glasses for anything smaller than 10 point font. 10-12 point font is user friendly.Ensure decent margin widths and enough white space, which will make the resume more attractive to read.Remember that screeners look for good reasons NOT to read a resume, especially if there are hundreds of applicants.Of course you will have to tailor your resume to suit each and every application you make, highlighting what is most relevant to the potential employer.REMEMBER: Proof read, proof read, proof read!!! Get someone else to proof read it too â€" sometimes you can work so hard on your resume that you don’t even notice the little mistakes anymore.The resume is important, as a foot in the door on your way to your dream job â€" and so is your LinkedIn online presence after that you need to project your professional image, brush up on your interview technique and negotiation skills.I discuss LinkedIn, job  interviews, negotiation and much more in my other podcasts so do have a look for the episodes that are relevant to you right now.Let me know other topics youd like me to cover by sending me a message on Facebook at www.facebook.com/janecareercoach  If you need help with your resume, visit www.janejacksoncoach.com  and book in for a complimentary exploratory chat.

Is Fear of Failure Stopping You

Is Fear of Failure Stopping You There is nothing more universal than the fear of failure. It’s an epidemic in both our personal and professional lives, and left unchecked it could spell disaster. Worse, nobody in an organization is immune to it, at any level. And that can compound the problem as pressures from above invariably roll downhill. “People tend to translate failure into catastrophe,” says Laleh Alemzadeh-Hancock, a management and professional services consultant, and the founder and CEO of global professional services company, Belapemo. “They immediately focus on the worst possible result of their failure and it becomes paralyzing.” I asked Laleh if she could provide a few tools to put in your toolbox if this is something you’ve faced. Acknowledge that the fear might not be yours “We’re not as separate from each other as we like to think,” Laleh says. “Imagine that you’re a radio receiver and everybody is unknowingly broadcasting their thoughts, feelings, and emotions all the time. With everybody in an organization suffering from the same fear of failure, your first step should be to identify whether or not the worry is even yours! It can be as simple as asking yourself, ‘Is this even mine?’ and see what comes up!” Get out of your head When left on our own to stew in the anxiety, it can be very easy to start imagining the worst-case scenarios. The first step here is to acknowledge that fear is the anticipation of something that hasn’t happened yet. One of the most effective ways to combat that anticipation is with action. Focus on something you can do, something that is within your control, no matter how small, and go do it. Laleh also recommends getting more in touch with your body by this simple breathing exercise: In a comfortable sitting or standing position, take a breath from under your feet and bring the breath up to your head; then slowly release the breath back to your toes. Repeat this process two more times. Turn your “fear” upside down What if you were misidentifying excitement or anticipation as fear? From a physiological perspective, the two can be eerily similar â€" increased focus, elevated heart rate, perspiration, etc. So what if that presentation you think you’re afraid of giving is actually just excitement in disguise? Instead of buying into that narrative of fear, start asking yourself, “What else is possible here that I haven’t considered?” Play out the scenario in your head again but with that different energy attached. Instead of being nervous during that presentation, imagine yourself being authoritative and calm and see what that does to your mental state. You may find that all you needed to get over your fear was a different point of view. Ask more questions In addition to the self-defeating questions that are already bombarding your brain, like, “What if I screw this up?” or “What will happen if I lose my job?” Laleh suggests focusing on questions that can actually be a contribution to you, instead of a hindrance. A few examples include: What is really being asked of me? Do I have the information I need to get started? Do I have the skills to complete it the way it is required? If not, who or what can I add to my team/project to complete it the way it is required? What choices and options are available that I may not have considered yet? By choosing to move forward with this, what will it create for the company, the world, and me in 5 years? The key here is to start trusting your knowledge and be aware of the energy that comes up with every question you ask. If it makes you feel lighter when you ask the question, it’s probably true for you. Heaviness indicates a lie or an answer in the negative. Is more information required? This one bears repeating because the answer might be your awareness that you don’t have everything you need to be successful in whatever project or task you’ve been assigned. Trust that knowing, says Laleh. “What if your nervousness was just your awareness sending you a message?” Laleh suggests. “What if every time you went into the fear of something at work, you took the opportunity to ask what your intuition is trying to tell you? “In the end,” Laleh adds, “it’s the actual fear of failure that creates the conditions under which failure is more likely to occur. The kind of preoccupation and worry that fear engenders actually makes you less productive, more irritable, harder to work with, more likely to miss deadlines, and a score of other things which do more to harm you, than you would actually have done if you hadn’t let fear win the day. But, by asking questions and following what is right for you, you’ll be able to put that fear to bed for a while. Maybe even for good.” Join Dana Manciagli’s Job Search Master Class right now and immediately access the most comprehensive job search system currently available!