Are You a “Red Flag” Candidate?

By Mark Krajnik, CEO, Next Level Solutions

A red flag is a warning signal, something that provokes an irritated reaction or demands attention.

Hiring managers everywhere look for certain red flags on an application, in responses given during the initial telephone interview, and on site interviews to potentially screen out a candidate in the early stages of the hiring process.

To be certain that you will get past the initial screen, be aware of the following common candidate red flags:

1. No Home Address Telephone Number or E-mail Address
If they can’t find you, they can’t hire you. Without basic information and an easy way to contact you once interest is established, your chances virtually disappear.

2. Time Lapses Between Jobs
If the time between past positions is wide, you will have some explaining to do. Be certain you’re honest and provide all necessary information on gaps in employment up front. It is certain the new company will want to know.

3. Negative or Vague Reasons for Leaving Past Employment
Immediately, the worst case scenario comes to the mind of the hiring manager when you are negative or vague with information about past departures. There is no room for sour grapes. Instead, keep a positive outlook and give details around leaving your previous positions.

4. Inconsistent Answers
You may be asked the same question in a hundred different ways, so your responses to similar questions must be consistent at every step of the hiring process. Inconsistent answers or waffling leave a negative impression in the mind of the interviewer and will most likely eliminate you.

5. Unrealistic Expectations
Whether you want a certain percentage of travel, desire a particular commuting distance, have compensation issues, or long for relocation, unrealistic expectations on your part can lead to disaster and a quick exit. Know what you are willing to do and what your bottom line compensation number is before you get involved with an interviewing process.

6. Lack of Preparedness
Do your homework. Research the company online and develop intelligent questions prior to any interview. Prepare and impress the hiring managers. Take it seriously, and they will take you seriously.

7. No Career or Personal Goals
Where do you see yourself in two years? How about five years? Have a clear direction around both business and personal goals before entering an interview. Include action plans and rewards along the way. Share this information where appropriate. This shows the hiring manager you are focused, prepared and have a specific direction for your career. Share your plan.

8. Negative or Reactionary Attitude
It’s all about P.M.A., baby! Possess a “positive mental attitude.” Smile, provide a firm handshake and use eye contact. When you react to information in a negative way, you won’t get far. Don’t dictate what must be done; simply gather information and insight to keep the process moving in a positive direction. If negative information is shared with you, don’t react, simply write it down to discuss at a later date.

Popularity: 36% [?]

Success at Interview—The Zagorski Way

This could be another good example on how to success in the job interview, this may be not suitable for fresh graduates but you can image what will the panel of interviews will say if you could perform or display similar effort.  Anyway, read Zagorski Way

In the April 2000 issue of the Reader’s Digest magazine, Nick Corcodilos, a famous headhunter, recounts how Zagorski, a professional seeking a new job, wowed an interviewer at a big corporation and got the job.

Zagorski went for an interview at AT&T. At the outset, even before Zagorski could settle in his seat, the interviewer told him that he had only 20 minutes to spare. Instead of feeling belittled or nervous, Zagorski got up and walked up to the marker board. He then started writing down the challenges faced by the company. Fifteen minutes later, he wrote down his estimate of what he would add to the bottom line. When he paused to take a look at the interviewer, he found him completely dazed. The next thing he heard was interviewer telling him that there was no need for any further interview. The interviewer called in his team, introduced Zagorski to everybody and they began a working meeting, which lasted for two hours.

Popularity: 31% [?]

Three top tips to get a job in the USA

Three top tips to get a job in the USA
by Sacha DeVoretz

In the American market, your resume and job interview needs to both SHOW and TELL your qualifications as visually as possible. It’s your job to give energy to your resume and make your skills come alive in the mind of an employer.

As a foreign applicant, you are automatically at a perceived disadvantage as there are many Americans with the same qualifications and experience who are acclimatized to the US workplace ethos, ready to be hired - today. That’s why you need to counterbalance this prejudice: to prove yourself, your worth, and that you are worth waiting for.

Think about a job you really want and how you would show that you are right for the job. How you would tell your story? Here are some tips:

“SHOW” YOU CARE: You must know everything you possibly can about the company BEFORE you apply. Do your homework. Most companies today have a corporate website with the details of the business’s history, philosophy, product lines, achievements and marketing focus. Read through the entire website and tailor your resume and cover letter to the strengths, pride and products of the company. What do you see as their short and long-term goals? These are answers that employers love to see and hear – that you’ve actually put some thought and research into their business. SHOW them that you understand their firm and care enough to think about their needs; and think about how you can help their product or trade lines for them by hiring you. Make your case!

Popularity: 33% [?]

How to get hired - Job Interview

Another good example how you can excel during job interview. Please remember your performance during job interview is most critical part in deciding whether you are fit to the job or not.

What do you think of this video clips….

Popularity: 38% [?]

The Top 10 Tips for a Successful Job Interview

Job interviews in many organizations are getting sophisticated these days. Psychological tests, role plays, and challenges to one’s “quick intelligence” and street smarts are often part of the package. While it’s impossible to anticipate everything you may encounter, here are ten tips that will help you negotiate the interview process successfully.

1. Prepare and over-prepare.

It is assumed that you don’t go in with egg on your tie, spinach in your teeth, or without a thorough knowledge of the organization and position for which you are interviewing. Beyond that, there’s an important principle that will enable you to be much more confident. It’s called, “over-preparing.” It goes like this: Plan your strategy–your answers to all the possible questions you may be asked or the challenges that may be thrown at you–and then practice, practice, practice. Role play and repeat your best responses until they are entirely natural, until they simply roll off your tongue with the apparent spontaneity that comes only with successive repetition.

2. Be particularly clear on what you know and what you want to achieve.

If your interview is resume-based (you’ve had to supply a resume either before or concurrently), have the facts of your stated objective, relevant experience, education, etc. thoroughly memorized and mentally supported. As to your job objective, be clear on what you want, as well as what you don’t want. There’s little room in the job market for the applicant who’s willing to take anything; he or she will usually get nothing!

3. Make sure your responses match your claims.

If, for example, you’ve taken extra coursework to qualify for a particular position, license, or certification, tie it into your narrative, e.g., “When I took my coursework for my CPA, I learned that …” Build on your resume, but don’t refer directly to it (assuming the interviewer has it in his or her possession); make sure the connections are there, but do it subtly.

Popularity: 34% [?]

Graduan - Career and employment resource for Malaysian fresh graduates.

This site is not new in Malaysia, they have been in existence since 1995 and has actually served 40,000 fresh graduates.  GRADUAN is the only careers and employment resource to focus on Malaysian fresh graduates.  Graduan which also previosly known as Aspirasi Graduan was founded by Puan Elia Talib which is currently the Managing Director of BIZ Connexion Sdn Bhd.

The GRADUAN website, which holds valuable information also provides a recuitment system to match employers with first time employees. Fill in your resume and be part of a pool of competitive fresh graduates for Malaysian employers to choose from. Check out Shortstints for temporary jobs. Look at eGraduan for the latest on what fresh graduates need to know about starting.

For all your need, visit GRADUAN 

Popularity: 31% [?]

Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF)

If employee (certain category) can have their own union, MEF is basically a union for employers in Malaysia.  Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF ) is the central organisation of private sector employers in Malaysia recognised nationally, regionally and internationally.

Established in 1959, MEF promotes and safeguards the rights and interests of employers. MEF provides a forum for consultation and discussion among members on matters of common interest, and seeks for the adoption of sound principles and practices of human resource and industrial relations through information, advice, research and information, training and other activities.

The MEF portal provides update and info on latest Human Resources matters in Malaysia. For employers, this is the site that they cannot miss.

Visit MEF now.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Best of Jobstreets

No doubt, for me jobstreets is the best recruitment portal in Malaysia. One of the reason that can support this statement is on their LINA services. If you are registered member of jobstreet and opted to receive a relevant new job listing, you will experience the same too I guess.

Anyway, just yesterday I received another tips on Job Interview Guidelines which may useful for job seekers, and this tips have been carefully crafted based on feedback that they receive from Employer.

• Read the job description and company profile carefully so that you are aware of the job details when an employer calls you about your application. If the job advertisement does not contain enough information, ask the employer for more details.
• Remember to write down the name & contact number of the recruiter in case you need to call back later. Prepare for the interview by finding out more about the company, the job and the industry.
• Be punctual for your interview. Bring your resume, transcripts, certificates and relevant documents to the interview.
• IMPORTANT: If you cannot attend the confirmed interview for whatever reason, you must contact the employer beforehand to let them know. Not informing or attending the interview will create a bad impression about you. This may reduce your chance to secure future interviews with the same company. If you do not have the employer’s contact details, look under the Company Profile in the Application Status page of your MyJobStreet account or look in the telephone book or yellow pages.
• Send the employer a Thank You email after the interview. Follow up with the employer on the status of the interview after two or three days. This shows your interest for the job and may increase your chances of success.
• At JobStreet.com, employers have the option to blacklist you if you fail to attend an interview or falsify your resume data. Therefore, always be professional and courteous. We wish you all the best in your job search.

I dont really agree on the second last tips, I have also experience in the recruitment and the decision is best made on the interview performance + all qualification and experience. Follow up email for me is nothing .

This post has initially posted in my other blog.

Popularity: 17% [?]

Welcome to My Job Portal

This is my first post after the earlier wordpress has been deleted due to technical error. Nevertheless, I hope the idea to make this portal success can be achieved within my target time.

Not much I want to say in this first post, but anyway welcome and join our forum for FREE.

Popularity: 15% [?]