Your Interview Quotsecret Weaponquot

Writen by Murray Gray

Have you ever been on a date where you had nothing in common so you spent your time asking questions about the other person's past?

"Where did you work before that? Where did you grow up? Where did you move to after that? How many brothers do you have?"

You get the idea. Your brain is in escape mode and your mouth is simply buying time until you can leave.

Many people find themselves in the same situation at interviews and spend all their time talking about the past, trying to defend their resume. This a really bad sign and if you find it happening to you then you're probably not going to get the job.

But there is a devastatingly simple way you can turn the interview around.

What if you asked this question instead:

"You want to hire someone to make something *happen* - so what is it you want to have happen from this job?"

Asking an employer what outcome or what they want to happen from this job completely turns the interview around and an interviewer or employer will start to tell you what they want... Now you can give them examples from your PAST (your resume) that demonstrate you can deliver the outcomes the employer is looking for.

Now instead of talking about your past, you can now talk about your potential.

Now instead of giving the usual staid examples of how you handled a bad situation with a customer, you can talk about the job itself, and the challenges these guys are trying to overcome. You can then take them by the hand and reassure them that not only is your past not your potential but you'll show them how your talents, skills and experience can deliver all they're looking for and MORE.

Not bad, eh?

There's one caveat on this approach though. When you ask the "what do you want to have happen" question of the interviewer, they may not know the answer!

This can be especially true of HR people who spend their days thinking up hard interview questions and have NO idea that the people they hire are the fuel for their company's growth and innovation. If you were to ask the manager of a hotel restaurant what they want to happen when they hire a waiter you'll get a totally different response than if you ask the same question to the HR manager of the hotel.

Nonetheless, asking "What do you want to have happen if you hire me for this job?" gives you a fantastic opportunity to talk about the job and the challenges they're facing.

Hopefully the person you will be working for will be in the interview as well, but if it's just the HR people then ask the question and explore their answers. More than likely there will be a second interview in which case you'll most probably be interviewed by your potential manager. Make sure you ask them what THEY want to have happen and explore the answer with them.

So, before you head off to your next interview, make sure you print a piece of paper with the question "What do you want to make happen" printed on it and space to make notes underneath. (Yes! You are allowed to take notes in with you and to ask questions! Hard to believe I know!)

This simple thing will turn you into a candidate that stands apart and commands respect.

Hi - I'm a marketing junkie who gets off on helping job seekers find their talent at my site http://www.job-secrets-revealed.com. I'm also a paraglider pilot to which people suggest I have a death wish but to me it's more of a life wish.

Get A New Job Career Choices

Writen by Dale Lawrence

Career change is tough but rewarding

There are a number of reasons why people might be due for a career change:

• They don't like their current career. Maybe they took the job because they needed money at the time and it was the only work they could find to pay the bills.

• They don't like what they studied in school anymore. People grow and change. The things that interested you 10 years ago may not interest you anymore.

• People want to change careers because they're hoping for higher salaries or more advancement opportunities than what they have now.

Prepare for tough interview questions

You can prepare to change your career by making up for your lack of experience with education. Consider distance learning as a means for you to go back to school while you continue working. Update your resume to make it look right for your target career employers. Prepare for tough interview questions.

You're going to get questions from your interviewer dealing with your desired career move. Some are due to misgivings that the interviewer may have about your ability to handle the new career. Other questions may be the interviewer attempt to shake your confidence so that they have the upper hand in salary negotiations. Whatever the reason, make sure you're prepared for tough questions from the interviewer. If the interviewer has reservations about hiring you, you must change the interviewer's mind before you leave their office. Otherwise, you won't be hearing from that interviewer again.

Career choices you make today affect your earning capacity in the future

Don't learn the hard way. Career choices you make now can affect your future earning potential. How? Statistics show that people's starting salaries affect how much they'll earn over the years.

Work out your career plan as much as possible before the interview

Your career path often dictates how much you can make in your life. Once you get on a specific career track, it doesn't matter how hard you work, that work will only be worth so much. So even though a particular job might sound interesting during an interview, consider the long term impact that job will have on your career. Don't let a convincing interviewer make you take a job that isn't right for your career. It's your choice where you go with your own career. Only your choices are going to be the best for you.

Once you get going in one career, you'll find it a lot harder to switch later. Not because it's hard to switch careers but because later in life you usually have other responsibilities (i.e. bills and kids) that make it very undesirable to take a pay cut to make that career switch.

But don't ever think it's too late. With education so much more available to the "non-traditional" student, you're sure to find a distance learning program that can help you switch careers if you want to. Even if you decide not to switch careers, going back to school has never hurt one's career. By not doing anything, you are in effect making a choice about your career.

Change your career, change your life and get a new job!

To read more articles on changing your career, please visit my site...

Get A New Job - A Career and Education Resource
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Want To Sell Drugs Then Be A Drug Representative

Writen by Clint Cora

So you want to sell drugs and make a lot of money? And you want to drive a nice car while selling drugs without getting arrested? Well, there's a way that you can, legally! Of course we are not talking about dealing with any illegal or illicit drugs here. We are referring to a career as a professional drug representative for one of the many pharmaceutical companies out there.

Most pharmaceutical companies have sales forces of men and women who are professional drug representatives. They are highly trained individuals with expert knowledge on various pharmaceutical drugs, human physiology and sales techniques. They have to be as the main customer groups they deal with everyday are educated healthcare professionals like physicians, nurses and pharmacists.

The role of drug representatives, or drug reps as they are sometimes called, is to promote the use of their company's pharmaceutical products to healthcare professionals. It is up to drug reps to keep physicians up to date on all the benefits of prescribing their drugs. Drug representatives also make sure that local pharmacies are adequately stocked of their company's drugs products so when prescriptions come in, they can be filled.

What is somewhat hidden from the general public is that the pharmaceutical industry is quite competitive as drug representatives from different companies are all trying to get physicians to prescribe their products. It's a form of sales in a high level corporate type of way.

One can easily identify who the drug reps are when going through hospitals or medical clinics. They will be the smartly dressed individuals carrying brief cases that contain information as well as drug samples for the doctors.

Successful drug representatives can make very good money with overall financial packages up to six figures. Add in the use of company cars, expense accounts and corporate travel, the perks of being a drug rep can certainly add up to make a very nice career.

So if you may want to consider selling drugs legally as a career, do some research on the job of a drug representative. You just might have what it takes to be a successful drug rep.

Clint Cora is the author of the book "How To Get A Dream Job In Pharmaceutical Sales - Direct Inside Advice and Guidance from a Sales Manager". He had a very successful fourteen year career as a pharmaceutical sales representative, sales trainer, product marketing manager and a national sales manager. More information about pharmaceutical sales careers can be found at http://www.GetPharmaceuticalSalesJob.com

Your Salary What Are You Worth

Writen by David Richter

Why is it a good idea to determine your worth? Whether you plan to stay at your current job or seek employment elsewhere, your assessment of your worth can become a bargaining chip should you choose to negotiate for higher compensation. It's a reference point on your way to improving not only your standard of living but your sense of self as well.

There are many ways you're worth is determined for a particular job. One way is to look at your current earnings. That will at least tell you how your boss or company views your worth. Another way is to find out what the average job salaries are for people performing the same functions as you. Still another approach is to use a salary calculator to look at a salary comparison based on several factors including industry, geography and of course the level of the position itself. If you are interested in that approach, salary.com has a neat formula for calculating salary. You can go to their site for more information: http://www.salary.com/home/layoutscripts/homl_display.asp

If you want to make a lot of money, I suggest you look to your true worth. In most cases, your true worth is far greater than your current compensation. Your worth can be defined by what you bring to the table that is unique and valuable. Look at the skills, strengths, core competencies, marketable assets and accomplishments you can declare as your own. This is what describes your uniqueness. It is what differentiates you from the crowd.

Keep in mind that no other person possesses these same unique gifts. The things in life that are rare tend to be worth more than those things that are bountiful in nature. Extending this concept further, the rarest thing is a one-of-a-kind, which is priceless. There is nothing else like it. Have I just described you?

Having said that, what number would best describe your worth? Once you have arrived at a number, communicate this with your spouse or best friend for validation. You may be surprised by their response.

Salary negotiations based on your true worth take on a whole new dimension. No, you probably won't be compensated one million dollars; however, I have seen twenty to forty thousand dollars added to starting compensation through aggressive negotiations. It is common to negotiate signing bonuses, stipulations calling for substantial six-month performance-based increases, several weeks of additional vacation time and many other perks.

You have probably worked very hard to come to this point, so why stop short of getting what you truly want, and deserve. Wouldn't you rather be compensated on the basis of what you're worth than on some arbitrary figure designed to keep the status quo? Remember, what you receive now becomes your benchmark for future positions. Go for what you are worth – your life will never be the same!

Copyright © 2005 TopDog Group All rights reserved.

David Richter is a recognized authority in career coaching and job search support. He has spent many years in recruitment, staffing, outplacement, counseling psychology and career management spanning most industries and professions. David founded TopDog Group in response to the needs of job candidates to have a higher quality of career coaching and support available on the Internet. David understands the mechanisms for success. He has formulated specific strategies anyone can use to secure interviews and receive offers. His extensive knowledge and experience sets David apart in this field, allowing him to offer a wealth of information and a vast array of tools, resources and strategies not found anywhere else. He has shown countless job seekers how to differentiate themselves and leverage their potential to the highest possible level, making a real difference in their careers. David holds both a Bachelors and Masters in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. David's website address is: http://www.procareercoach.com

Telecommuting Job Idea Transcription

Writen by Nell Taliercio

Working as a transcriptionist is a great way to telecommute or work from home. Transcription simply means that you take spoken word and transcribe it into a written document. The person you are doing the transcription for usually speaks on a tape or records his voice as a digital file and then sends it to you. You simply type what you hear.

Of course there is software and hardware out there that will make the job easier by allowing you to slow down the recording you are transcribing.

Different Types of Transcription Positions

Medical Transcription

Medical transcription is probably the most common and best know type of transcription. Doctors and other medical staff record their comments and notes about a patient. The transcriptionist then transcribes the recording and the written document is added to the patients file. As a medical transcriptionist you should have a good understanding of medical terminology and their spelling. While a degree or course in medical transcription is not required, especially if you are working for smaller doctors' offices, it does help to gain more lucrative contacts and of course prepares you for the work ahead.

Legal Transcription

Almost everything in legal proceedings is recorded from interviews between attorneys and clients to actual trials. Many of the minor recordings are often outsourced to someone doing transcription from home. You could work for a few lawyers and turn their recordings into written documents that can be added to their client's files. As with medical transcription, there is quite a bit of specialized terminology, in this case legal lingo that you will come across when doing legal transcription. Previous experience in the field of law, or taking a class or home study course will help prepare you for your work as a legal transcriptionist.

Business

There is an increasing need for transcription in the business world. In addition to the traditional letter dictating work that you can pick up, there is an increasing demand for transcriptionists that will turn teleconferences and online meetings into written documents. It seems that almost any online business owner these days is holding teleseminars or teleconferences these days to communicate with both customers and business partners. While many people appreciate the option of listening to information, there are also quite a few who prefer to read a transcript of the call. You could stay busy just transcribing for a few online business owners, or work as a secretary taking dictations for a few traditional business owners in your area.

If you have good typing skills, transcription may be a great way for you to telecommute. Start with some general business or teleconference type jobs. If transcription is something you enjoy doing, it may be worth your wile to take a class or course to prepare you for medical or legal transcription, both of which require extensive knowledge of special terms in the respective field.

Nell Taliercio is the owner and founder of http://www.TelecommutingMoms.com – which is a leading resource website with work at home jobs and everything a telecommuting mom would need. Come visit us today!

Do You Have The Aptitude For That Get Tested To Steer You In The Right Direction

Writen by Kathryn Marion

"Face it; you're never going to be a singer or musician. Just keep your singing in the shower." Audiences the world over are rejoicing that I took the advice of that test administrator! But after coming to the hard realization that I had no future in music, the counselor who reviewed my test scores with me surprised me by pointing out some strengths I didn't realize I had and making some career suggestions that I never would have considered. So even though I had ideas about what careers I thought I'd like to pursue, my direction got much clearer after meeting with that test counselor.

Aptitude testing isn't only helpful to find out if you might have a future in the performing arts. It can pinpoint very specific types of skills that you may not even be aware you have. Maybe friends often come to you to help settle disagreements—did you realize that you were so strong in negotiation, interpersonal communications, and relationships? Your marketable skills are not just things like being able to keep financial ledgers, run computer software, or type quickly. Many less 'tangible' skills can be even more important to your future employer.

Getting yourself tested is an excellent way to help you find a career you'll love, but it can also show you what you can do in a job you already have to succeed even more. It can also point out weak areas that you may be able to work on to succeed to the max in the career you're most suited for. Testing can run the gamut from short, free online tests (but remember, you get pretty much what you pay for) to paid online testing (which is much more convenient, and not too expensive) to live testing at a counselor's office.

I've scoped out some of the best (and most fun) online testing sites for you. Take a look at these sites and see what works for you. Then get tested and...take their advice. If you find a job utilizing your strongest skills, you'll be the most successful, and the most happy, at work. And how many people these days can say they truly love their work? Be one of them!

Take a look at http://www.educationforreality.com/resources_career.htm for all the latest finds on the Net.

Kathryn Marion is President of Education for Reality™. in Erie, Colorado. Her book Success in the 'Real World:' The Graduate's Complete Guide to Making the Most of Your Career (and Your Life!) was released in April '05 in e-book format for its tenth anniversary--it was distributed through schools, colleges, and universities to nearly two million new graduates. Jam-packed with savvy insights and helpful advice, it covers everything from careers to money management to handling personal and even legal matters. Visit http://www.EducationForReality.com and sign up for the free monthly newsletter, Dose of RealityTM--it will give you a 'dose' of advice on your career, your money, and your life each month as well as point you to additional online resources which will help you in these areas--so you don't have to surf the Net (we do it for you!).

The Perfect Career For Your Personality

Writen by Molly Owens

Choosing a career path is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make—but how do you decide what is right for you? You may take a career path that uses the skills you have or the education you've gotten. You may even choose a career based on what you think you "should" do—because of what your parents or teachers have told you is right for you. But you may not know that you are naturally more suited for some careers than for others. Why? Each of us has an individual personality type that affects how much we'll like a job.

Think, for instance, about a carpenter versus a counselor. A carpenter works with concrete objects, according to specified procedures, and has a tangible result. A counselor works with people and their feelings; she has to judge success and the results of her work based on abstract concepts. Which of these sounds more appealing to you? Do you have a strong preference for one or the other?

Now, imagine if you had to make your less-preferred choice your career, and you will get an idea of the impact that your personality has on your job satisfaction. There is quite a bit of variation in how people think and process information, what they see as important, and how they make decisions. All of this variation can affect how happy or unhappy someone is in a work environment. Each one of us has different criteria for what a great job is, and to find your own perfect career, it is crucial to identify what is important to you.

The first step is to figure out your personality type. The most common personality test used for career counseling is called the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. This personality test measures four facets of personality:

• Extroverted/Introverted—Do you get your energy from being with people, or being alone?
• Sensing/Intuition—Do you see what's actual, or what's possible?
• Thinking/Feeling—Do you make decisions with your head or your heart?
• Judging/Perceiving—Do you like to make decisions, or keep your options open?

There are many ways to find out what your personality type is. Some people prefer to read about the types and choose what seems to fit best. There are also free quizzes on the internet based on the principles of the Myers-Briggs that can give you an idea of where you may fit.

However, if you are serious about finding out what type you are, the most reliable and accurate method is to take the official Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. This is a scientifically validated instrument that will identify where you fall in each of the categories. This assessment can only be administered by someone trained in its application, and must include a consultation with a trained coach or consultant according to its licensing guidelines. You can take the personality tests through a career counselor in your area, or online. If you take it online, you will typically get the results the same day, and you can usually request a special report that will go into detail about what is important to look for in a career.

Once you have figured out your personality type, you will want to look at the careers you are considering and evaluate whether they fit what's important to you. Some questions to ask yourself:

• How much time will I spend interacting with people? Will it be too much/too little?
• To what extent will I be expected to follow standard procedures? Will I feel restricted by too much structure? Will I feel frustrated by too little?
• Will this job require me to use logic and reason things out? Will it require me to use compassion and consider how decisions will make people feel? Am I comfortable with the extent to which I will have to act based on thinking or feeling?
• How much latitude will this job give me to make my own schedule? Is it too little? Too much?

It's important to be realistic about what a job entails, and to ask as many questions as possible about prospective jobs so that you can evaluate how well they'll fit you. As you learn more about yourself, you will become more able to judge which jobs will bring you satisfaction.

Molly Owens holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Psychology. She has a background in counseling, education, and the corporate workplace, and a passion for helping people discover the careers that will bring them lasting satisfaction. For information and consultation on career tests, including the Myers-Briggs, go to http://www.PersonalityDesk.com