Getting job techniques tips

Getting job techniques tips

In today’s job market, searching for a job can be frustrating and disheartening. With many job seekers experiencing lengthy periods of unemployment, it can be easy to become discouraged and give up hope of obtaining an interview, much less being hired. However, making use of a variety of job search techniques can tremendously improve the odds of getting call backs.

1. Direct Contact
When searching for a job, it is crucial to remember that not all positions are advertised. Companies may limit publicity surrounding an opening for a variety of reasons. Some companies may want to avoid an overwhelming response, while others simply may not have access to funding to advertise the position.

Begin this job search technique by compiling a list of local companies and organizations with which employment is desired. Once the list has been composed, begin making cold calls. When the receptionist asks how to direct your call, request human resources or the manager of the specific department sought.

There is a good probability that your call will be forwarded to the proper person. Still, many of the appropriate contacts within companies may not take unsolicited phone calls. Therefore, this job search technique requires thick skin and an aloof perspective of rejection. However, as with most worthwhile opportunities, contacting companies directly may have a great payoff. Searching for a job in this manner offers less competition for the position, since few, if any, applicants are aware of its availability.

2. Social Networking
Sites like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter may seem like a mere way to pass time and identify with family and friends. Yet more and more companies are utilizing these networks as a means of reaching customers and potential employees. Additionally, ecademy and LinkedIn cater specifically to employment related subject matter, with features including resume posts, job searches and even groups associated with specific industries and companies, these social network sites are a must for anyone seeking employment. To find a job by networking as a job search technique is one of the most widely regarded methods in today’s job market.

3. Online Job Sites
With the advent of the internet, online job sites like Monster, CareerBuilder and SnagaJob.com have become a mainstream staple in the world of job hunting. These sites and the tools subsequently offered by them, allow users to take advantage of countless benefits, including visibility to potential employers, resume help services and articles on everything from interview questions etiquette to what items to eliminate from your resume or cover letter.

4. Employment Agencies and Temp Services
Once considered the gold standard for job seekers, these services are still considered to be a valuable asset. Many companies still prefer the personal attention they receive from employment agencies versus online job posting sites. Additionally, since the screening process through an employment agency is more thorough, an applicant who uses these types of organizations as one of his job search techniques may be regarded as a higher quality, lower risk candidate.

5. Newspaper Classifieds
Though one of the oldest job search techniques, the newspaper classifieds are, even now a significant source of employment prospects. Classified ads are generally updated on Sundays to reach an optimal number of readers. Thus it is the best day to review the newspaper classifieds.

6. Government Agencies
With unemployment at its highest percentage in decades, many state and local governments have begun to offer provisions for job seekers. These offerings include free or low cost education, free access to technology such as computers and fax machines and volunteers to assist with everything from email setup to resume and cover letter writing. To obtain a complete list of resources available in your area, contact a Career One Stop near you.

7. Internships and Volunteer Work
While the primary goal of a job search is to gain a paycheck, applying for an internship or volunteer position may be a great way to launch a lucrative career path. These types of positions, while unpaid, offer experience and knowledge that can give you a considerable advantage over other candidates. Not to mention that job offers are often extended as a result of impressive efforts.

8. Friends and Family
No, this is not a reference to nepotism. However, many times friends or family members may be aware of a position that is currently open or expected to be available soon. Casually mentioning to them that you are searching may spark the memory that they know where you can look next.

9. Prior Associates
Most job seekers would not consider contacting former colleagues or clients on of their job search techniques. Yet, in many fields, networking is an essential part of daily operations. Accordingly, some associates often become good allies. Perhaps a former client or coworker has knowledge about jobs with an emerging or competing company. It never hurts to ask.

10. Digital Resume
Of course a CV or resume is a critical component to every job seeker’s repertoire. Still in today’s complex world, the supplement of a digital resume can help demonstrate your ability to skillfully employ technology in everyday life. Stating technical proficiency on an application or resume is a common practice for most job seekers, but few are able to exhibit this prior to being hired. Having a personal web address devoted to your resume writing can give you a major edge over your competition.

Clerk Clerical job interview Questions

Clerk Clerical job interview Questions
Prioritizing Work
1)What system for prioritizing your work do you think works best?
2)Give me an example of a time when you had to juggle several things at once. How often did this type of thing happen? How did you handle it?
3)Have you ever had a situation when several people gave you assignments due around the same time? How did you decide what order to do them? Was that a successful approach to take?
Business Writing/Editing
1)When typing, what kinds of mistakes can you catch quickly and correct for the original writer?
2)When typing a document, which things do you feel comfortable changing without needing to check with the one who has assigned you the work? Which do you feel necessary to ask about before changing or rewriting?
3)What type of letters, memos, etc., can you set-up or write “from scratch.”
4)How much writing have you done from incomplete instructions or notes? Give me some examples, please.
5)What formats or form letters have you had experience working with?
Career Goals
1)What are some of the positive things about working in the clerical field?
2)How are you keeping up with the changes in software, technology, etc.?
3)What are your ultimate career goals? How are you going about reaching them?
4)What does “service” mean to you in this field?
5)What keeps you challenged, as a clerical or administrative support person? Is it enough?
Handling Clerical Pressure
1)Give me a recent example of a situation you have faced when the “pressure was on” and tell me what happened as a result and how you handled it.
2)How often have you had to deal with others’ frustrations? Give me an example of how you handled an upset person.
3)What is the busiest recent work situation you have worked under? How did you like it compared to other work situations? When did it become too busy? How did you cope?
4)How tight are the deadlines you have faced? Give me an example of a tight deadline you’ve faced recently.
5)In past work situations, when have you felt most overwhelmed by work pressures? How did you react?
6)Have you ever had a situation when someone was pressuring you for his or her work to be completed? How did you handle it?
Independence and Initiative
1)How have you organized your typical workday?
2)Give me an example of a complex assignment you have accomplished on your own. How did you get it started? Why did you set it up that way?
3)What amount of supervision do you feel most comfortable working under? Why?
4)What have you done when you have had “down” time at work?
5)How much training and guidance did you receive in past jobs?
6)What sort of directions do you want from a supervisor? Do you like detailed instructions or would you rather just know the highlights? Do you want them in writing?
7)What is a creative idea or change you’ve successfully put to work in a recent assignment?
Internal Relations
1)Give me an example of the kind of thing you have had to keep confidential. When was it most difficult to keep that confidence?
2)Which sort of manager (tenant, co-worker) do you find hardest to work with? What did they do that bothered you?
3)Give me an example of a recent conflict situation with a co-worker that you were involved in. What was your part in it?
Organization
1)How did you change a system or procedures you worked under in your last job?
2)What were your responsibilities for ordering supplies? How did you keep track of that responsibility?
3)What have you done that has organized others?
One of our biggest problems has always been keeping track of What suggestions do you have for improving this?
4)What is the most technical assignment you have had to organize? What part of it was easiest/most difficult for you?
Attention to Detail
1)Walk me through how you set up and complete an assignment. What were the most important trouble spots you anticipated?
2)Have you had assignments that had many tiny details? Give me an example.
3)Do you enjoy proofreading or correcting other’s work? Why or why not?
Assertiveness
1)Have you had to “speak up” recently to your boss or others who gave you work when it wasn’t comfortable to do so?
2)Have you had people who gave you assignments without complete instructions? How did you handle it? Please give a recent example.
3)Have you ever had a situation when you found mistakes on an assignment someone else gave you (to type, process, etc.)? What did you do about it?