Techie Job Hunting With an Old School Twist

Surely, you can wait to step out of college and dive into the “real world.” You’re tired of your early morning classes, your boring professors, or the bullies at school. You’re itching to get a job, earn hard cash, and party like a rock star. You daydream of having a fabulous career that can get you cars, houses, blings, and all sorts of glamorous trappings, like what you see on TV.

So you muster all your tech know-how to search for jobs online and post your resume from the convenience of your home. But now, you find yourself spending too much time on the computer, racking up internet connection and electricity bills by the minute, just to find a career match. You’ve tried every career engine and have sent your resume to more companies than you can count—but nothing, no calls, no results. Well, don’t fret! You’re not alone!

In a time of economic hardship and global competition for jobs, finding one can be really tough. What do you do when the jobs you want don’t come to you? Go after those jobs! Leave the computer, get out of your house, and do job hunting the old school style!

Take time to drop by companies or organizations that you can picture yourself working for. Be polite and ask the receptionist if she can direct you to the human resource department. From there, you’ll know if there are any vacancies. If there are no vacant positions, ask them if you can leave for your resume as an active file. This is an effective way to convey the message, “I really want to work for you.”

Keep in mind to be courteous always; leave a good impression. Chances are, you’ll be remembered as the likable applicant who had the initiative and perseverance to get what he or she wants. You can instantly get a call when there’s a vacant position.

And while waiting for a call from the companies you applied to, prepare yourself for the day that you’ll be offered a job. Read self-help articles and books for career advice. They can help you hone your employee skills and boost your confidence. They can also give you more information on alternative jobs that you may consider going into, just in case there would be no vacancies for a long time.

To increase your chances of landing your dream job—and turn your daydream into reality—why not bolster your techie job search with old school techniques? In a cutthroat competition, those who win are often those who cover all the bases.

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May: A Month to Create your Office Nest

You work eight hours for at least five days a week. You do the same work everyday: check your email, write proposals, do finances, talk to clients, attend meetings, etc. When stress gets to you, you might begin to see your office space as a precinct--you become imprisoned within the same routine and confines of your work.

Liven up! You can still transform your workspace into a personal comfort zone. Even if you have a small cubicle with only a computer and telephone at your side, you can make it your own space.

This month of May, focus on yourself and create your own office nest. Follow these easy steps and make your small workspace your personal haven:Tidy Up!
It's hard to work when there are too many things on top of your desk. There should only be your computer, phone and other essential equipment, plus indispensable office supplies and documents on your desk. Avoid paper clutter: banish from your desk any office documents dating from two months ago. Find a folder and collate these documents for future reference. Neatly stack them on your desk or file them in your drawer, so they'd still be accessible without being distracting.

A Corkboard Helps.

Keep your company's policy permits and list of rules visible to serve as reminders in your daily work. You can also post in your work area a small calendar to help you keep track of your deadlines. Tack these on a personalized cork board. You can scribble your name or post your favorite motto like: Seize the day. This can turn your desk into your "own zone" at work.

Spice Up Your Space with Photos.

Pictures of your family, friends, and even your pet can instantly put you at ease even in frantic times. These images can also inspire you to work even harder. Just remember not to display vulgar or large photos because they can distract your and your colleagues' attention from work. Try to keep the picture/s as simple (and small) as possible.

Add Color to Your Work.

Include the color green or blue in your office nest. David Johnson of Infoplease.com says that the color blue makes the body produce chemicals that make people feel peaceful and composed. The color green is also a calming and tranquil color that aids vision in the human eye. Use green in your office nest when your job requires you to use the computer the whole day. You don't need to change the color of the walls of your cubicle; you can just put the color blue or green on your screensaver.

Choose office-friendly decorations for your nest. Be as creative and imaginative as you can in decorating your work space, but keep in mind that you're still in the office.

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Dress for Success!

The phone rings and you get an unexpected call. You’re scheduled for a job interview the next morning! So you got your resume ready and you’ve researched on the typical job interview questions to help you give smart answers. Now, you need to ask yourself “What should I wear?”

“Dress for success,” might be one of the overused phrases in job hunting. But this still holds true. Remember, first impressions in job hunting are critical. You’re marketing yourself so you can be part of company that you applied to.

The safest route in dressing for a job interview is to dress conservatively. Wear simple yet comfortable clothes. For men, a solid colored (gray or navy blue) suit is a must. Your long sleeve shirt should be coordinated with your suit, or just be safe and wear white.

For women, a suit is also ideal for a job interview. Use a solid colored blazer matched with a skirt to show sophistication and professionalism. Use a coordinated blouse as an inner shirt to complete the “business” attire. Make sure the skirt you’ll be using is long enough so you can sit down comfortably and not expose too much skin. Avoid wearing too much jewelry and make-up because they might make you look too flashy or even cheap.

After choosing the right apparel, remember to polish your shoes, trim your nails, and have a professional and neat hairstyle. Dressing properly in a job interview will not guarantee your acceptance but it certainly gives you a competitive edge and a good first impression.

Finding the appropriate attire for your job interview doesn’t have to be expensive. Now as you rummage through your closet, keep these tips in mind. Just dress conservatively and you will look professional.

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Bag the MVP Medal at Work

The old catchphrase, “There is no ‘I’ in team,” still holds true for any group. To achieve the goal of winning, teamwork is pivotal in any sports team, in a company or association, or even between friends.

Major companies constantly look for a candidate who upholds teamwork and camaraderie. Top executives from Robert Half International, the first and largest staffing firm in the world, stated that team play is crucial in an organization. It enables the employees to meet deadlines, avoid office politics, and sets a positive office vibe.

Now, if you already have technical skills at hand, follow these tips to help you earn you Most Valuable Player medal. It might even make you indispensable to your company:

Focus, focus, focus.
The ability to multitask is a good skill, but make sure that you can focus on your priority tasks. Everyday, you face overwhelming and urgent demands at work, each of which screams for your attention. But don’t let the first thing labeled “urgent” that falls on your desk distract you from accomplishing your more important tasks, such as making a phone call to your client to seal a deal. Remember, an urgent task may not necessarily be a priority task.

Take time to talk to your colleagues and superiors. Get to know your priority tasks, deliverables, and deadlines. This will help you to keep your eye on the ball.

Stop politicking.

Given the varied and sometimes conflicting personalities of employees, gossip and politics are inevitable in the workplace. But don’t use this as an excuse for joining rumor sessions and becoming a gossip-monger. It may help to be aware of political episodes in the office, but be discreet about it, and don’t add fuel to the fire. Having a long tongue makes you unprofessional. Make it a point to practice diplomacy and open and respectful communication with your colleagues.

Don’t join the blame game.

When a colleague makes a mistake, don’t start or join in a blame game. Instead, think of ways to help solve the problem. This will help the entire team go forward. If you made a mistake, be accountable for your actions. This doesn’t make you cocky. Recognizing your mistake makes you mature.

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Give public kudos.

Being singled out for a job well done by your manager is a very good boost to your career. But more often than not, you work with a team and you were able to accomplish your task and exceed your manager’s expectations because of the effort put in by your colleagues. So remember to give credit where it is due. Share the kudos and the spotlight with your teammates. Sharing the company’s glory builds an excellent rapport between colleagues within an organization.

If you have time, try to do more for the team. When you see a coworker having a difficult time with his task, offer a hand. Have a can-do attitude and show your will to go the extra mile. It can give you extra points that can definitely earn you the MVP medal, even the congeniality award!

How to Outwit Non-Traditional Job Interviews

Job interviews have changed dramatically, thanks to advanced technology. It is now possible to hold virtual or online job fairs and conduct job interviews through video-conferences, phone, and chat. are also becoming more common these days. Never has it been easier, faster, and more convenient for companies to connect with jobseekers.

If you want to shine in these non-traditional job interview settings, read on!

Phone Interview
Remember to minimize distractions. Make sure to have a quiet and private spot for your phone interview. You can’t impress the employer if he hears your caterwauling pet, a blaring stereo, or the local TV soap in the background. Use the landline because its signal is more stable compared to mobile phones. You wouldn’t want to get disconnected in the middle of your interview.

During the phone interview, speak up. Since the interviewer can’t see your facial expression and body language, you will be only judged by how you verbalize your thoughts. Talk with confidence and enthusiasm. People who can articulate their thoughts will leave a lasting expression.

Also, make sure your resume is within reach. This can help you to remember your work experience, skills, and accomplishments, especially when you feel a bit jittery. Keep a pen and paper handy for taking notes as well.

Video conference
Being in front of the camera can be nerve-wracking. Ask your friend to do mock interviews with you using a video camera. The recorded interview can help you study areas that you need to work on. Focus on your posture, speech, and confidence. Rehearse, rehearse and rehearse. This way, you’ll be ready during show time.

Also, wearing an outfit that you would wear for an on-site visit or interview can help put you in the right mood. This will help you look professional even if you never left home for the video conference.

Virtual Interview
Second Life is a popular online community that holds virtual job fairs. If you are keen in joining this community, make sure to display professionalism. Use an appropriate avatar: Choose one that precisely depicts your character. Don’t use vampires, space alien or animal icons. You joined this virtual job fair to find a JOB! And don’t forget: always send messages with care, because you won’t be able to take them back!

And since you’re only communicating through instant messaging, refrain from using cyber slang. Emoticons can be cute and liven up conversations with your friends, but they can be a distraction when you’re trying to convey a professional image. Also, always proofread your messages. Focus on accuracy, spelling, and grammar to impress potential employers.

After your interview (and whether you got hired or not), show your class by sending a thank-you note to your interviewers. In this age of technological sophistication, a handwritten, personal note is still highly appreciated.

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