Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Applying for Jobs in Criminal Justice and Criminology

Applying for Jobs in Criminal Justice and CriminologyApplying for Jobs in Criminal Justice and CriminologySometimes, taking the first step can be the hardest part of any journey, if only because you dont know where or how to start. This is especially true if youre looking for jobs.If criminology is where you want to work, you need to know where to go and how to apply for jobs in criminology and criminal justice. Where to Look For Criminal Justice and Criminology Jobs Before you can worry about who to send an application or resume to, you need to know what agencies, departments, and organizations have job openings in the jobs youre looking for. In the case of criminal justice and criminology careers, the majority of your employers are going to be local, state or federal governments. The quickest and easiest way to learn about government vacancies is to visit their websites. More and mora public employers are advertising their vacancies - and accepting applications - directly onli ne. Across the country, states, counties, and municipalities are hiring all sorts of public service workers. All you need to do is visit the websites of governments youd like to work for and start searching. FindingPrivate Sector Criminology Careers In the private sector, things arent always so clear-cut. Heres where applying the keys to job search success - networking, informational interviews, cold calling and a lot ofperseverance -will really be important. Rememberthough, difficult does elend meanimpossible. All it takes is a little research and effort. First off, know whichprivate sector employers hire criminal justice and criminology professionals. Look forretailers, financial institutions, and even hotel chains. These organizations will likely have some form of loss prevention divisions, which may include investigations into financial and other so-called white collar crime. When to Submit Your Resume or Job Application and Who to Send It To Once youve got your potenti al employers narrowed down, you need to find out whether to send a resume or complete a job application. For most public sector jobs, your first step will probably be a standard job application. In some cases, you maybe required to submit a resume along with the application. For private sector jobs, chances are youll need to start with a well-written resume and cover letter. If youre going after a specific job opening, read the instructions in the job advertisement carefully. There will very probably be instructions on how to apply, what information to include in your resume and who to send it to. If youre cold calling, make sure your cover letter clearly paints a picture of who you are and what you want to do, and that your resume demonstrates what makesyouqualified to do it. Research your potential employers and find out who handles hiring in those organizations. Look for key terms like the hiring manager, recruiter, human resources, employee relations or similar titles. These ar egoingto be the people in charge of the hiring process and who will have a strong influence on who ultimatelygets hired. Applying for Jobs in Criminal Justice and Criminology To apply for jobs, youll need to look for specific job openings. The advertisements will have specific instructions on how to apply and where to submit the application. Its extremely important that you follow these instructions. When applying for the job, make sure you complete the job application, and any supplemental application, in its entirety. Make sure you dont skip sections. Answer all of the questions honestly, and do not leave out past employers if asked about them. Get Prepared in Advance to Have the Best Chances of Success Criminology and criminal justice careers are more than worth considering, but the job hunt can easily get frustrating if youre not well prepared. You can help your chances by taking steps to make yourself the candidate employers are looking to hire. To do this, research th e careers you may be interested in and find out exactly what kind of experience and education youll need. This will help you tomake good decisions on whatyou can do to get ready. By doing this, you can go a long way toward landing a rewarding career when you finally take the leap to apply for the job.

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Five principles from a golf coach to help you be the best leader you can be

Five principles from a golf coach to help you be the best leader you can beFive principles from a golf coach to help you be the best leader you can beAs an entrepreneur with a growing business, youre probably clamoring to maintain control as things change - I know I was with my own young company. Unfortunately, in my quest for control, I wasactually doing my business and gruppe a disservice. One of ur core values at my company is to elevate everyone around you. Yet even as a co-founder I was stuck in the weeds and getting in the way of the talented people we hired to get the job done.As I struggled with this problem, I was given a few pointers from a golf coach on my backswing (I used to tense up, grip the club too tightly, andslice the ball off course). He instructed me to loosen my grip and notlage tense up in that critical moment - leading to a better and mora consistent shot. Its counterintuitive, but this advice has given me both a better golf swing and a more effective way of working with my team.So here are the five rules Ive tischset for myself as I set out to really put this into practice in my business.Dont try to fix everything at onceAs a founder or executive of a growing company, youre likely overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of problems you see - I certainly was. Personally, I pointed out problems left and right, distracting my team from focusing on what really mattered. I was trying to fix everything at once, instead of fixing one issue at a time.Focus on the urgent and importantWhen I get overwhelmed, I use theEisenhower Boxto ask myself What is both urgent and important? I focus on that one thing and rally the team around it. This provides clarity and eliminates the cost of confusing priorities and context switching.Eisenhower categorized his work in degrees ofurgencyandimportance. As an entrepreneur, its easy to focus on whats directly in front of you. Theurgentdemands your attention right then. For me, completing the urgent task gives me a mental high and feeling of accomplishment. In contrast, theimportantitems might not always be in front of you, but those tasks contribute to longer-term goals and aspirations. If you always focus on the urgent, you wont have time to address theimportant. Eisenhower proposes that you first work on tasks that are both urgent and important, delegate the urgent but unimportant ones, and schedule time to work on the important but not urgent tasks.For example, we were working on student engagement challengesin the design of our online program. We wanted students to have the same sense of connectedness that benefits our on-campus students. This problem was challenging and requires concentration. Working on this isimportant because a successful online product drives our mission to teach as many people as possible how to code. However, was easy for me to get distracted by more urgent tasks like prospective student inquiries and customer service issues. I could easily fix the latter, so it m ade me feel confident to knock out what feels urgent even though it could easily be delegated to a team member. I had to consciously choose to categorize and work accordingly.Dont fix everything yourselfThis is the hardest rule for me. Take the time to explain why something must be fixed and empower someone else to fix it. You shouldnt do it yourself because youve hired talented people to solve these challenges specifically so you can focus on other things. Additionally, the team becomes better and more capable when youre not the only one solving problems. Most importantly, you can damage relationships with your team when you solve problems for them. It sends a message that you dont trust them to get the job done.Focus on results, not methodologyNow that youve empowered someone to get it done, dont micromanage how they do it. Focus on the results, not the methodology. People with different backgrounds and perspectives approach problems differently, and thats what makes working with others great. Clearly communicate what you want and get out of the way. Ateam member may solve the problem in a new way and you could learn something - their approach may even be more effective.For example, early on, my team learned that holding events helped us buildrelationships with prospective students. I personally felt obligated to coordinate these. But after staff planning with our marketing director, it became clear that having a dedicated events coordinator would free up people on the team to focus on what they do well. Focusing on the outcome of more events instead of how we were going to achieve them cleared the logjam, and it helped our makerting director feel more empowered around his own responsibilities within the organization.Now theres less on my own plate and I can focus on what I do best - I just have to show up to the events and share my enthusiasm.Be compassionate to yourself and your teamIm a software engineer by trade, and the mechanics and immediate gratifi cation of writing code issatisfying. You give the computer an instruction and it does what you want or throws an error. The immediate feedback allows you to change your approach. So it was an adjustment when I started to lead people. Feedback will not be immediate, and screwing up is a certainty.Be patient with yourself. Its a slow process, and things wont always be clear. As well, be compassionate with your team. I always try to share that Im learning and that Im also making mistakes. This helps open up auntersuchung on how we can communicate better in the future and do better moving forward.Dan Pickett, co-founder ofLaunch Academy, has been building web applications and technology teams since 2004. He has a passion for mentoring and educating aspiring developers.This column first appeared at BusinessCollective.

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Job Search Multitasking Does It Work

Job Search Multitasking Does It WorkJob Search Multitasking Does It Work1Multitasking is frequently touted as a great skill to have. However, many people question the effectiveness of working on two or more things at the same time, particularly during a job search. So, were here to explore job search multitasking and whether it works or not.Theres a lot that plays into effective multitasking, including the complexity of the task and your personal habits. For instance, many people can hold a conversation and open up mail. One is a simple, daily task that requires little thought, whereas the other requires a bit more attention. This type of multitasking is successful, and likely gives you a false sense of achievement.Now, consider two tasks that are more challenging and require the same level of attention. For instance, consider reading emaille while holding a conversation with your boss. Doing behauptung at the same time wont result in the same level of effectiveness if you were doing each task independently. In reality, it would likely cause a bit of a mess.Since job searching requires quite a bit of focus, its better overall strategy to focus on the task at hand, and move on. If you feel compelled to multitask, you might want to use extra caution.Here are some points to consider if you want to perform job search multitaskingTheres more room for error.When you arent giving your full attention to a task that needs it, youre opening up yourself and the process for mistakes. Mistakes can be minor, but over the long run, youll spend more time correcting errors than you would have used initially if you would have given it your full attention.Youll overlook important details.Job descriptions are not only to share details about the job. Hidden in there are specific instructions that you need to follow. If you are multitasking- reading job descriptions and talking on the phone- youll miss the details you need. Ultimately, it could cost you the job.Tasks will take longe r.When you split your attention, seemingly small and insignificant tasks take more time. Sure, it feels like you are accomplishing more since you have two tasks you are working towards completing. In the long term, though, it will take much longer to complete each task to the level of success it needs.Youll lose focus.What welches I doing? is a common thought many of us get when multitasking. During a job search, if you lose focus, you could lose your chance at the job. Your cover letter and resume need to match up with the company and meet the requirements, emails need to be answered promptly, and phone calls cant be forgotten. Try writing an email with kids running around. It will take SO much longer than if you simply found a quiet area and wrote the email up.Youll add more stress.Job searching is stressful enough, why add more by trying to multitask? Although our brains can multitask simple tasks, trying to do so with more complicated tasks can cause stress. Not to mention the i ncrease in stress from mistakes and lost productivity.Want to make the most of your time and your job search? Try these tipsMake a plan.Make achievable goals and set them out in a plan. Use that plan to decide how and when you will schedule things. Your plan will help guide you through your job search and ensure you are meeting the goals you set out for yourself.Stick to a schedule.It might sound silly to schedule your job search and its tasks, but it is an excellent way to keep you moving forward. Use your goals and plan to set up days and times that will work for you.Prioritize tasks.Ranking and prioritizing your tasks can help you focus on the most pressing of all your tasks. Then, when time is cut short, or you are in a pinch, you can do what is most urgent. Be honest here, or youll set yourself up for failure.Focus only on the job search.In a busy house and with a busy life, it can be difficult to put your focus on one area only. Try, try, try. Schedule in your job search durin g a time that allows you to sit down and concentrate on looking for jobs, tweaking your resume, and making phone calls. Youll feel way more productive and confident with your job search than if you simply did it on the fly.Although multitasking can be a useful skill, its best to leave it to simple tasks. Trying to multitask while job searching will lead to mistakes that could cost you the job. To obtain better job search results, its best to let go of the multitasking and hone in on each task one at a time.Find a Flexible JobReaders, do you think job search multitasking is useful? Share your job search stories with us below

Monday, December 16, 2019

Snake Robots Crawl to the Rescue, Part 1

Snake Robots Crawl to the Rescue, Part 1 Snake Robots Crawl to the Rescue, Part 1 Snake Robots Crawlto the Rescue, Part 1Snakes move rapidly through unstructured environments and avoid obstacles by going around or over them, or through small holes in the obstacle, such as a rock pile. For years, engineers have studied the remarkable locomotion capabilities of snakes to make snake-like robots that move in similar ways.Snake robots or snakebots are especially valuable in search-and-rescue operations. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from 20-30-foot-long snakebots that work on the ocean floor to tiny medical snakebots used inside the menschenwrdig body for surgical procedures. The CMU team prepares their snake robot for a search mission. Image Carnegie Mellon UniversityTraditional snakebots move using snake-like motions such as sidewinding and lateral undulation. But the next-generation snakebots are more modular in design, consisting of a series of ind ependent modules that are connected and programmed to work together. This redundancy allows them to continue to function even if several modules are destroyed.New advances in actuators, motion planning algorithms, force feedback, and modularity are taking snake robots to a higher level of complexity and functionality. Next-generation snake robots emerging from Carnegie Mellon University, Stanford University, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute labs are leading the pack.For You The latest in mechatronics from ASME.orgWhen the robot goes over bumpy terrain, the series elastic actuators allow us to not perfectly plan the footsteps, but rather let the robot automatically conform to the environment the way animals do.Prof. Howie Choset, Carnegie Mellon UniversityModular SnakebotsCarnegie Mellon Universitys Robotics Institute is considered by many to be the home of snake robot design and development. CMU engineers have made advances in force-sensing technology so the robot can determine h ow tightly it needs to wrap around an object in buchen to cling oneliminating the need to preprogram the robot based on best-guess conditions of its operational environment.These robots are of modular design, where segments or modules can be added or subtracted to change its length. Each module is a series-elastic actuator packed with sensors that enable controllable position, velocity, and sensitive torque control, as well as three axis inertial measurement. With six legs connected to a rectangular body, CMUs Snake Monster robot is actually not a snake. The legs, however, move with snake-like action. The actuators measure and regulate the force it exerts, as well as the forces upon it.The joints in the leg feel the force of the robot being pushed and then, in an effort to zero-out the force it feels, the robot walks in the direction it is being pushed, says CMU professor of robotics Howie Choset. The force feedback allows for very simple controls that can adapt to a wide range of t errains. When the robot goes over bumpy terrain, the series elastic actuators allow us to not perfectly plan the footsteps, but rather let the robot automatically conform to the environment the way animals do, he says.Part 2 of Snake Robots Crawl to the Rescue uncovers the type of robosnakes slithering out of Stanford University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.Mark Crawford is an independent writer.Read MoreTake a Spin and a Splash on the Hydro BikeThe Chain GangMRI-Safe Robots Treat Epilepsy

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Stop using the compliment sandwich to give feedback

Stop using the compliment sandwich to give feedbackStop using the compliment sandwich to give feedbackYouve heard this one. Manager to employee I really like how well you worked with others on this project, but it wouldve been better if you delved a lot deeper into this specific topic in your report. Youve been doing such afantastic job lately.You know when your manager gives you feedback by telling you what you did well, only to follow it with bad news, then more of the good stuff?This method goes by various names online, like the feedback sandwich, the compliment sandwich and the sandwich approach.While popular, heres the problem with it It doesnt work. Burying criticism between compliments often confuses the recipient about where the emphasis lies. Despite the fact that it makes us feel better about giving negative feedback, the compliment sandwich isnt an effective way to communicate. Here are a few reasons why supervisors should stop doling this confused rhetoric out by the poun d.Your employees arent listening to youThe biggest problem with the compliment sandwich is that the jig is up everyone is now trained to expect criticism after a compliment. Neither one gets heard. Adam Grant writes about what he learned from data on this topic in an article about the feedback sandwich on LinkedIn.Problem 1 the positives fall on deaf ears. When people hear praise during a feedback conversation, they brace themselves. Theyre waiting for the other shoe to drop, and it makes the opening compliment seem insincere. You didnt really mean it you were just trying to soften the blow, he writes.Its so easy to get caught up in what you did wrong, as opposed to what you did right.After describing another issue, Grant writes about four ways to make your criticism feel constructive, some of which feature cited evidence. He says to departure by telling them why youre making comments about their performance, then remove yourself from a pedestal, then ask if theyre open to hearing w hat you have to say, and finally to deliver it clearly- not in a manipulative way.It makes the positive feedback less specialWhen you pair compliments with criticism, you make compliments cheaper. Susan M. Heathfield explores this in an article on The Balance.Positive feedback is a powerful tool that managers can use to communicate the value of the employees work and contribution to the organization. It reinforces behaviors that youd like to see more of on the job. The feedback sandwich diminishes the value and the power of the positive, reinforcing feedback that is delivered during the same message or meeting, she writes.Dont lessen the impact of your positive words.The next time youre tempted to smother your constructive criticism in praise, resist the urge to do so.It doesnt help the person make changesCompliment sandwiches relay general opinions - both good and bad - but they dont guide the employee to change their behavior and do anything positive. More helpful feedback help s the employee know what they could improve and lets them take responsibility for making the change This report is good, but it could be better. How can we do that?Either way, a more direct approach helps people know whats expected of them. Compliment sandwiches arent getting things done, and its time to stop them.

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Understanding Bartender Resume Skills

Understanding Bartender Resume Skills To find out more on what it requires to be a Bartender, take a look at our complete Bartender Job Description. Therefore, the Bartender can receive a work anywhere. He or she is a very popular profession. Needless to say, a Server Bartender is a vital status in the establishment. If you want to make an application for a position of a waitress then you are able to benefit by employing a waitress resume template. In addition, you can look for bartender jobs on Monster. Because becoming a bartender usually takes a certificate, it is better to list your certifications next. Writing a bartender resume isnt too complicated if you stick to a very simple format. If youve worked as a bartender before then you can take advantage of the experienced bartender resume. The bartender resume samples ought to be utilised as references to produce your own resume accordingly. A server bartender resume needs to be simple to write. In many instances, you can need to seek the services of extra bartenders, servers and bar backs. Utilizing resume maker software may also make sure your resume makes the right impression. Spanish is incredibly beneficial in the United States, and Ive found French to be especially beneficial in the united kingdom. Writing a great bartender resume is the very first and most significant step in getting your foot in the door for a bartender at your community bar, pub or nightclub. Superior Memory Bartenders have to have good short-term and long-term memory. Item knowledge is vital to any bartender position. Irrespective of type you choose, the principles of developing a good resume would be the precise similar. Your private information wont be accumulated once youpersonally. For that reason, its important to compose a great portion of the skills for recovery in the CV. All you have to do is show that you could serve drinks and supply satisfactory customer support. What Is So Fascinating About Bartend er Resume Skills? The entire bartender job description can help you to develop your resume. Anyone whos looking to apply to get a job of a bartender or has experience for a bartender and is seeking to earn a resume for themselves can take advantage of the bartender resume samples. Since bartending is a job which involves lots of personal interaction with a range of people, its recommended to use your resume summary to demonstrate your communication abilities and bit of your personality. Being a real bartender relies a whole lot on experience and it can be very hard for young aspirants to apply with min work experience. The skills section also tells what you may increase the company for a cashier and not what youve been doing so long. You have to backup your abilities and qualities in the view of the job youre applying for. For someone without experience, youve got to concentrate on your abilities and qualifications. For instance, if you concentrate on a couple of your skills within the body of your letter, make certain that your abilities and the keywords match the keywords and description from the work listing.So prior to starting on your resume cover letter writing, what you need to do is usually to run a little investigating to provide you with an excellent edge over the others who will become trying to acquire the same position. When you want to land up a job in a reputable business house you will want to get a detailed resume. If you are searching for a job for a bartender for the very first time, it would be best in the event you compose an entry level resume. Though its the ideal job for individuals who get bored easily on the job.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Career Insider Story - Riley Sprat, Social Media Marketing Specialist

Career Insider Story - Riley Sprat, Social Media absatzwirtschaft Specialist Riley Spratt Social Media, PR Marketing SpecialistPosted August 29, 2017, by Jenny Sakr Riley is a country-turned-city girl who loves to spend her weekends eating all the smashed avocado available in Sydneys inner-west. She has been working as a Social Media, PR and Marketing Specialist for one of Australias largest e-commerce groups, Lux Group for almost two years. Heres her insider story about the job.... How long have you been in social media? Around five years What did you want to be when you were younger? I always wanted to be a famous actress What was your first job? My first job was behind the counter at a family owned and operated Bakers Delight while I was in high school I learnt a lot of valuable business lessons and ate a lot of bread. When did you first know you wanted to start a career in social media? I first had a crack at social media during a PR internship I completed at an agency while I was at university, and immediately decided this was the path for me What did you study? I studied Business Management (Retail Marketing) and also have completed a Digital Marketing Course. The best way for people to get into this industry is to intern and absorb like a sponge. Give us a rundown of a typical day in the sekretariat My day starts with checking the activity thats happened over night and flagging and enquiries that may have arisen with our customer service kollektiv. As for the rest, its a large mix of meeting with our different buying and creative teams to ensure our strategies are aligned, scheduling content and checking results and tweaking budgets to make sure theyre allocated correctly. Whats the most interesting thing thats happened to you while working in social media? Social media is such an interesting and evolving industry to work in, every new update or news story can get me excited The day Instagram allowed you to have multiple accounts at once was pretty exciting (nerdy I know). Name the best and worst partes of your job The best part is the people Im lucky enough to work with Im fortunate enough to have access to every department here at Lux Group and the team here are truly incredible (but its a close tie with our in-house massages) As for the worst part? Social Media never sleeps, so its fairly rare for me to have a break that involves me 100% switching off, even over the Christmas holidays Whats the most important career tip someone has given you? One of the General Managers at Lux Group always says Luck doesnt happen Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Im not sure where he heard it, but its such a great motto to keep in mind when thinking about your career. What advice do you wish someone had given you before starting in social media? Its not as easy as you think I think theres a big misconception that people who work in social media simply post pictures on Instagram all day theres a whole lot of data cr unching that goes on behind the pretty pictures. Name a career highlight Recruiting and training my first assistant who has proven to be an invaluable part of the team always makes me proud to think about As well as being part our philanthropic company mission to Cambodia last year, it was a truly amazing experience to help children less fortunate than us alongside my fearless colleagues. Whats next for you? This space is very dynamic, and I dont think anyone could tell you with certainty what my role will look like in 5, 10 or 20 years time but Im sure excited to find out. Keen to make your mark in Social Media Marketing and PR? Start by enquiring about our courses todayBachelor of Communication (Digital Media)Study modeOn CampuserreichbarPayment optionsHECS-HELPUpfront paymentEnquire Online Enquire OnlineSocial Media Marketing ResourcesSEM manager sample resumeSEM manager sample cover letterInterested in becoming a?Marketing AssistantSocial Media ManagerCopywriterSocial Media S trategistContent ManagerPopular Career Searchespr and communications coursespr courses sydneylist of pr courses in perth australiadigital marketing short courses perthdigital marketing courses tafeSocial Media Marketing CoursesCertified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) CourseEnquire Online Enquire OnlineDiploma of Social Media MarketingEnquire Online Enquire OnlineMaster of CommunicationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Marketing and CommunicationEnquire Online Enquire Online Jenny SakrJenny found her way with words while interning during uni, since, shes produced articles on it all from hair and beauty to homewares, travel, career advice and study tips. On a weekend youre most likely to find her lining up for a table at the latest cafe or restaurant.Related ArticlesBrowse moreGig EconomyUnusual jobs10 Gig Economy GigsA flexible schedule, setting your own rates and working from home are big benefits of the gig economy. Could it work for you too? Check out these 10 gig e conomy jobs.ProductivityThank you letter to employee11 Top Tips For Effective Time ManagementTime management is all about making the most effective use of your time and working smarter, not longer.Career progressionFuture trendsThe 10 Skills Youll Need By 2020 (And Beyond)We take a look at the top 10 skills employers and recruiters will be looking for by 2020 to help you future-proof your career

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Dos and Donts for the Consulting Interview

Dos and Donts for the Consulting InterviewDos and Donts for the Consulting InterviewThe search for a job, whether youre coming out of college or a senior executive, is never easy. It is a venture into the unknown, and that can be scary and daunting. But fret not While a healthy respect for the interview process should always be maintained, there are some tips that can help make your day go much more smoothly.Make a solid introductionAs my parents always said on the first day of school, you only have one chance to make a first impression After a few years, my siblings and I often jokingly recited these pearls of wisdom before they had a chance to tell us. And its advice that will last a lifetime. The introduction is a major step in the interview process, and there will be a lot of them to make. While it may seem obvious, there are a few simple steps to ensure that you always make a good first impression.- The handshake didnt develop into an almost universal gesture due to its lack of importance. Be firm, make direct eye contact and keep a smile on your face. Make the interviewer know that you are here to perform right off the bat. If you are waiting in a room for the interviewer arrive, try to keep an eye out and make sure you are standing up right away nobody likes a seated handshake- Say your name clearly Interviewers may see 10-15 people each day during the height of the recruiting season. So, while you might be about to produce the best interview responses they have ever heard, it wont help if they dont remember your name.- Dress to impress, but please, keep it professional. Consider the setting where you are interviewing. While you might look absolutely stellar in your ball gown or your faux-snake-skin suit, perhaps its not the right time to break those styles out of your closet (there are plenty of social events down the road to win the best-dressed trophy). Appropriate garb leaves the interviewer distraction-free, with full attention on your responses to the questions at hand. Remember, its your responses that will make or break your interview.Know your storyNobody knows your life better than you do (OK, maybe your family has memories from when you were too young to remember), but if somebody asks you question about what defines you as a person?, will you have a well thought-out answer ready or will you flounder your way down memory lane? Common interview questions on your background are just that, common, so prepare for what they might be.Practice, practice, practiceThere is no better advice for case interview preparation than to practice general interview and case questions. When you think youve practiced enough, convince a friend or family member to help you practice again. One key to case interviews is to realize that they are all basically Mad Libs question where the interviewer asks candidates the same questions, and looks to you to fill in the blanks and stand out in your answers.Youll have a good chance to make a strong show ing in the case question if you have a process for dissecting the case question into logical parts, think through your response, and drive toward the best answer in a logical, step-wise fashion. It doesnt matter if youre estimating the market size of meerbusen carts or nail clippers, practice is the key to successArrive armed with questionsThere is usually time at the end of the interview to ask questions. The best advice is to know your audience. If you have time for two questions, try to make one about the firm in general, and make one about the interviewers experiences. Doing homework in advance is always a smart move, and you can ask very targeted questions based on each interviewers background.Areas of cautionJust as there are two sides to every coin, the same is true for interview topics. There are certain subjects that you probably want to avoid when youre in a professional setting, especially when interviewing.- Social life What you do in a social setting should NEVER be dis cussed (outside of volunteer work or related activities). And never ask about the interviewers personal life.- Sob stories While there may be many defining moments in your life, many interviewers may view this as a guilt trip.- Applications at other jobs Sometimes you may be asked where else are you interviewing? The best response is to keep things at a high level. Dont lie, but dont get into specific firms. Remember, the only place you want to work is L.E.K.- Compensation and benefits Focus on getting a job offer first. Without the offer, it doesnt really matter what the compensation is. And you will always find out upon receiving the offer.- Overselling Tread lightly on using past internships or jobs to describe your industry expertise. Especially for those interviewing for the Associate role, know your limitations. While you can bring some experience to the table, you will be amazed at how much you will learn within the first week on the job.Lets face it, job interviewing can be tough While it is never without some level of stress, keep in mind these simple tips to make the process go as smoothly as possible.Good luckby Will G., L.E.K. ConsultingFor more on the consulting lifeincluding interview tips and advice on life inside a leading firmcheck out L.E.K. Consultings blog The Advisor. A version of this post also appears there.

Friday, November 22, 2019

What You Should Not Write in a Cover Letter

What You Should Not Write in a Cover LetterWhat You Should Not Write in a Cover LetterWhile the resume is a tried and true method for communicating important skills and experience to a prospective employer, a few short lines, dates and one line accolades can only go so far in flushing out your personality and qualifications. For this reason, many employers or job applications also ask for some gestalt of a cover letter.From the traditional, three-paragraph formatted introductory missive to mora detailed call and response narratives that answer an employers specific question, cover letters provide a more the in-depth cover letter to help narrow down their list of candidates. A knack for successful communication is key in pretty much any position or field, making a cover letter a useful tool and mastering the art of crafting one essential to a candidates chances at scoring a position. Before you go running out to draft up a pages long narrative, however, there are a few things you shou ld know about cover letter creation. Read on for our mobiltelefon list of what you should never write in your cover letter.Improper Spelling and GrammarWhether its on your resume proper or your cover letter, hiring managers have no bigger pet peeve than distracting errors in your job application. Spelling mistakes are easily caught and corrected with most faulen word processing programs. Grammatical slips are often harder to catch but preventable with a good proofread.Having these types of obvious errors in your cover letter indicates that youre not big on attention to detail a pretty large turn off for most modern employers. Before submitting your cover letter, be sure to look the document over one or two more times. Having a trusted friend or professional colleague review with a fresh pair of eyes also isnt a bad idea since theyre likely to find any errors you may have missed on the first go round.An old-fashioned salutationWhile your grandmother, grade school teacher or that clas sic miss manners book may have instructed you in the art of old-school opening salutations, your modern and professional cover letter isnt the place to put these pieces of sage advice into action. Dear Sirs or To Whom it May Concern may tick off the politeness boxes, but the salutations wont score you many points towards getting your application a second look.Take some time to research for a recruiter or hiring managers individual personenname in order to provide a more personalized address. Job openings will often list a position title of the person youll be reporting to but may leave off contact details. A little thoughtful internet research will help avoid your cover letter coming off as old-fashioned and may even set you apart from the crowd by drawing attention to your resourcefulness and professionalism.Overused ClichesSure, you may be goal-oriented and professionally driven towards career success but when it comes to communicating vital information to a prospective employer, its often difficult to translate colloquialisms into relevant descriptions that help set you apart from other candidates. Being a team player is a great thing, but much more impactful would be discussing how youve successfully led multi-person teams to achieve company milestones or how you coordinated that large project last year that earned industry recognition. Remember that in your cover letter cliches are, well, cliche and can quickly become overused and help you blend in with the application crowd rather than make your candidacy stand out.As a closing note for cover letter dont guidance, remember that the document is geared towards being a descriptive snapshot of your candidacy. As such, your cover letter should get down to facts quickly and convey the important aspects of your skills, experience, and personality that may be difficult to explain in the more concise resume. Think of the cover letter as your professional pitch to a potential employer and youll be well on your way to seeing dividends in the way of a callback or job offer.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Job Interview Question Are You Interviewing With Other Companies

Job Interview Question Are You Interviewing With Other CompaniesJob Interview Question Are You Interviewing With Other CompaniesInterviewing necessitates preparation on multiple frontsfrom buying nice clothes to researching the company and rehearsing answers to interview questions. But regardless of how well-prepared you may be, there are some dimensions of the interview process that always give candidates auszeit for example, it always feels a bit uncomfortable to discuss your other prospects. For that reason, this question is always complicated to field With what other companies are you interviewing and at what stage are you in their interview process?Of course you want to make it clear that you are a hot prospect who is in demand, but it is also important to be honest with your potential employers. Dont say you are currently interviewing if you are notlageits not the right way to start out your relationship with a potential employer. If you are interviewing, be upfront about timel ine details the interview team needs to aid them in their decision-making, but also be strategic about what you want to share and what you would prefer to keep private.Some consideration and practice will help you handle this question in a way that makes you feel comfortable and in control. Consider these approaches for each scenario in which you might find yourselfYou are interviewingSometimes it seems like interviews come in waveslike you wont get a single call for two months, and then you will receive two in a week. So lets say you had an interview earlier that week, and it went great and you are excited about it. Now in a subsequent interview that you are a bit less excited about, they pop the question Are you interviewing anywhere else? How do you respond?First of all, you want to be honest and upfront about the details of that process and how it impacts your subsequent interviews schedule-wise. Also, remember, you cant trust yourself in an interview to make decisions about the big picture. Even if you think you are leaning more towards one job than the other, the interview is not the place to decide that, so be on guard against disclosing too much about how you feel about your final decision. It is fair to say I interviewed earlier this week at xyz company, and I feel it went well.At this point it would be a good idea to restate your interest in the job and company where you are currently being interviewed and let the team know that you will inform them if there is a development with xyz company and then move the conversation forward. You indicate that you will relay any developmentsenough said. If they should ask more about the xyz company or position, it is fair to move the focus back to the job you are interviewing for and your enthusiasm around that opportunity. You are the one who gets to compare these two offers, not them.They may ask you what factors would be fruchtwein attractive to you as counter offerssuch as salary, paid time off, etc., and th at is fair game. Think carefully about what matters most to you, so that if this comes up, you know what elements of a compensation package are most important to you, and you can respond strategically.You are not currently interviewingThis is nothing to be ashamed of youve secured an interview, and you have to give yourself credit for that. Your resume rose to the top of scores of others. So feel confident you are already turning heads with your credentials.You do not have to inform them of interviews that you had but that didnt pan out. That is your private information, and your dont have any obligation to mention it. You do have to be honest, but you dont have to disclose all the details of your job search. Prepare an answer to the question that is honest, classy and strategic.Here are some ideasI am just beginning my search, and I am thrilled to say that this is my first interview since I started looking for increased responsibility in my field.I am very pleased to have the chanc e to interview for this position, and although I am actively looking for opportunities, this is the only position for which I am currently interviewing.Stick to your BoundariesYou have power in this conversation, and while those interviewing you have the chance to ask you a lot of questions, you have the authority to set your boundaries. The details of your job search are your private business. Be honest. Be prepared. Be confident and stick to your boundaries.Check out how to answer other common job interview questionsWhat Motivates You?What Major Challenges and Problems Have You Faced? How Have You Dealt With a Difficult Customer?Do You Have Any Questions For Me?Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years?Why Did You Leave Your Last Job? What Are Your Salary Requirements?Whats Your Greatest Career Accomplishment?