Top 10 Ways to Get Fired

Most employees start their jobs with the best of intentions, never thinking they could be fired. After all, that’s a fate reserved primarily for incompetents and workers caught with their hand in the company till, right? Wrong. You might not realize just how slippery the slope out the door can be.

Workplace Mistakes to Avoid

To guard your job security, be sure to avoid the 10 common pitfalls on this checklist from Jennifer Star, a New York City-based corporate recruiter and trainer specializing in administrative-support personnel:

1. Lie on Your Job Application or Resume: Tell the truth from the start, because you will be held responsible for the information you provide, and your employer will check it. Generally, education background checks can take up to a month after hire. I recently had a candidate fired from a large financial company after being there for a month, because she lied about her educational background, says Star. This woman did not need a degree for her editorial assistant position but said that she has one anyway, and one month later when the cat was out of the bag, she was immediately let go.

2. Be Indiscreet About Your Job Hunt: If you are in the market for a new job, don’t send your resume from your office computer, which most likely is monitored by IT. Assume your instant messages (IMs) and emails are fair game as well.

3. Gossip or Take Lots of Personal Calls: You never know who is listening, and in cubeland, walls really do have ears. The safest bet? Keep gossip to yourself, and never repeat anything you hear. Winding up on the wrong side of the rumor mill can cost you more than somebody’s trust; it can mean your job.

4. Taking Too Many Personal Calls Can Make You Look Just as Bad: Spending much of your work time orchestrating your own personal business, rather than your boss’s affairs, usually results in being given an opportunity to spend all of your time on the phone on personal business — looking for a new job, Star warns.

5. Drink at Work: One of the quickest ways to be shown the door is drinking too much at lunch and walking into a wall. Employees must keep things organized, efficient and clear, so maintaining your own clarity is extremely important. Staying on top of the mountain of details that go into making a business run smoothly requires focus — and sobriety.

6. Surf the Web Excessively: Spending much of your workday cruising around cyberspace puts you just a point-and-click away from unemployment. And checking out adult-oriented Web sites on the job is a definite no-no.

7. Become Romantically Involved with the Boss: While it may make for great watercooler discussion, a boss/direct-report romance can easily end with someone out of a job. (Hint: It’s usually not the boss.)

8. Forget to Double-Check Your Figures: When working with numbers, scrutinize your work carefully. One stray zero could make the difference between being employed and unemployed, advises Star.

9. Alienate Your Coworkers: To do your job effectively, you’ll need the cooperation, support and goodwill of those around you. If you don’t have these things, you probably won’t be an effective administrator. And becoming detached from those you work with could get you replaced with someone who can work well with others.

10. Point the Finger at Everyone but Yourself: Take ownership of your job. If you make a mistake, own up to it. Don’t try to sweep your mistakes under the carpet, or worse yet, blame somebody else, because the truth will usually come back to bite you on the bottom line. And nobody wants to trust or employ a liar, says Star.

BR,

Harikrishna Talent Circle HR Services Vadodara

10 Steps to a Killer Resume

You know the feeling. You spend hours, or even days, creating a resume. You pore over every word of your cover letter and agonize over what to say in your email. Then you hit ‘send’ and wait. And wait. And wait. No one calls. No one writes. You don’t know if anyone even saw your resume. When this happens, it’s easy to get dejected and worry that employers are not interested in you. Don’t! Remember, they haven’t met you. They have only seen your resume and that may be the problem.

If you’re not getting the response you want, try this ‘10 Step Program’ to get your resume working for you.

1. Is your resume the right length?

You may have heard that your resume should fit on one page. This is nonsense. Recruiter or hiring managers don’t care if your resume is one or two pages long. But they do care whether it is easy to read and gives key information upfront. Your resume can be one, two, or (occasionally) even three pages. If in doubt follow the (very general) rule of thumb that less than 5 years experience probably only requires one page and more than that may need two.

2. Does your resume clearly position you as someone who can meet the needs of the employer?

Think of a resume as an advertisement for a product, only this time the product is you. Positioning is everything. The person who receives your resume will scan it quickly ­ perhaps for no more than 20 seconds ­ to determine whether you can help the company. Your job is to say quickly, clearly and loudly that you can!

Don’t just launch into a chronology of your career history. Instead spell out your message at the start of the resume in a profile section which highlights your key strengths in an attractive, easy-to-read format.

3. Does your resume begin with an objective?

Are you following the right path in your career? HRPeople will help you figure out which specialty is right for you.

Recruiters and hiring managers don’t like resume objectives because they focus on the needs of the job seeker rather than the needs of the potential employer. Consider this objective statement:

Seeking a software engineer position with a progressive employer where I can contribute to the development of new technologies and work with bright, committed people.

This may be honest but it is irrelevant to the reader, who does not care what you want and only cares what you have to offer. Instead of an objective, use a positioning statement that clearly and concisely explains what you have to offer.

Senior Software Engineer with 10 years experience developing leading-edge technologies.

Now the reader can immediately see your value. (For even greater impact, tailor this statement for each position to highlight the match between the company’s needs and your skills.)

4. Have you outlined achievements as well as responsibilities?

Most employers already know what the main responsibilities of your job were. They want to know what makes you different from all the other applicants. An effective resume summarizes job responsibilities in a few sentences and then focuses on providing information about quantifiable achievements.

5. Does your resume contain specifics?

Don’t make vague assertions, such as “contributed to product design” as this tells nothing about your actual contribution. Instead be specific: “Conducted market analysis for (name of product) to determine design and mechanics and led changes to original specification. Received critical acclaim and sold over 4 million units.” See the difference? This level of detail shows the reader the contributions you have made in the past (and therefore the contributions you can be expected to make in the future.)

6. Are there any typos?

Proofread your resume over and over. When you are sure it’s perfect, have other people proof it! If even one word is misspelled the reader will assume that you didn’t know how to spell the word (this is bad) or that you didn’t care (this is even worse!)

7. Is the resume easy to read?

Design is crucial. A strong resume design will pull the eye through the document, making it easy to keep reading and will highlight your key strengths clearly. But if your resume is badly laid out, disorganized or hard to read, it will be discarded before the reader knows how qualified you are.

To see examples of how to lay out your resume, go to the library or bookstore and look in the career section. You will find collections of sample resumes. Take time to understand how the page has been laid out and then apply what you’ve learned to your resume.

8. Have you listed irrelevant information?

Don’t list your hobbies unless they directly support your qualifications for the position. Never mention marital status or the number of children you have. Leave out non-professional affiliations such as political or religious volunteer work. However proud you are of personal achievements, you should not run the risk of alienating someone before you even have your foot in the door.

9. Are you too modest?

Don’t be scared to blow your own trumpet. While you should never lie, you should definitely take credit for the things you’ve accomplished. Some people prefer to explain their achievements in an interview, but if your resume doesn’t spark interest, you may never get that opportunity.

10. Have you created an internet-ready version of resume?

If you are applying online, you will need a text-only resume since most online systems don’t support formatting such as bold, italics, bullet points or lines.

SUMMARY

Your resume must speak articulately on your behalf. It must make your sales pitch in a clear and compelling manner within 20 seconds. Invest the time to make it exceptional and you will see an immediate increase in the response rate.

Best luck for a great Job Hunting!

BR,

Harikrishna Talent Circle HR Services Vadodara 9274541254

Career Success Stories in Interviews and Networking

Companies hire you based on your ability to demonstrate what you can do for them and how you can solve their problems. While a hiring manager expects you to have all of the functional skills necessary for the job, they are much more interested in how you can use your special abilities to handle the challenges given to you if you were in the job. The big question is how do you demonstrate this ability in an interview when they haven't seen you at work yet? The most effective method is to tell a story.

Often during interviews you'll get the opportunity to highlight your unique talents. A very effective way to do this is to introduce your career success stories about how you overcame significant challenges. You may have suggested a creative idea to handle an employee performance problem. Maybe you instituted a step-by-step process to reduce customer complaints. Perhaps your persistence paid off to close a multi-year contract with the largest customer the company has ever seen.

All of these actions resulted in great accomplishments throughout your career. Now you get the chance to tell the story of how you did it. To help you tell your story in the most convincing way, you need a simple format to work from. Here's an easy, three-step process to put the pieces together for your success stories when you get the opportunity to tell them.

1. Describe the problem or opportunity you faced.

Here you should describe the situation you were up against. It may have been a special project that you were assigned or a highly volatile customer issue. Perhaps it was an aggressive sales objective never attempted before. You're setting up the plot of your story here.

2. What did you do?

How did you deal with the challenge? Perhaps you devised plans, assigned tasks, coordinated meetings, created a system, or mobilized a team to tackle the problem. Describe the process, step-by-step, of how you attacked the problem through to resolution. Remember, you are explaining and marketing your ability to solve problems.

3. What was the positive result?

Describe, as specifically as you can, the positive outcome of your actions. How did you save or make money for the company or department? What changed for the better as a result of your initiative? Did a difficult communication problem disappear after you got involved? Did you repair a big customer problem? The more you can point to specific, bottom-line results, the more convinced a hiring manager is that you are person for the job.

Another great place to incorporate storytelling is with your network. When your contacts have an opportunity to refer you to their contacts or even a potential hiring manager, they can tell your story. A memorable story shared with a new contact creates a place mark in their mind about you. That simple connection can help create a new relationship with someone influential in your career. We've all heard stories about the service provider who showed up and solved a huge problem at our homes or offices. It works the same way for job seekers. Your network is out praising your abilities to their contacts, and the connection is made.

BR,

Harikrishna Talent Circle HR Services Vadodara 9274541254

Why You Aren't Getting Hired ?

Frustrated by unemployment?

Job hunting is tricky business. Getting hired is a subtle mix of the right qualifications, enough experience, interview chemistry, and a dash of luck. Assuming you’re making all the right moves and avoiding the really obvious job seeker mistakes, there are a few points to consider that could be your ticket out of unemployment.

Get out of your job search rut and back in the game by fixing these mistakes you might be making:

1. Job Description

Read it. Do you meet every qualification listed? If you think you can get away by not having that extra few years of experience or make do without the requested higher degree, think again. Job descriptions are a baseline for hiring managers. With so many job applicants, recruiters are naturally going to pick the best of the best, and that means you’ve got to meet every single one of the job requirements, at the very least. But that doesn’t mean you should give up, either. If you find yourself not meeting a certain job requirement time after time, do something about it! Nothing shows dedication like taking action.

2. Word Play

It’s not enough to have a clean resume free of grammar and spelling errors; you’ve got to go that extra mile. No matter how amazing your resume looks, everything lies in the words. If the hiring manager has to decipher your resume jargon, don’t expect a call back. Phrase your resume with good Technical keywords. Use powerful words that imply action and sell your experiences by highlighting specific achievements and accomplishments. The right keywords are your key to getting your resume on top of the pile.

3. Job Search Tactics

Browsing through the classifieds? Going through Human Resources? Looking at company websites for job leads? One reason your job search may have hit a dead end is because your methods are outdated. Get with the 21st century and go online! The right social network can connect you directly with the job you want. Use sites like Monster & Naukri to find jobs and Twitter to reach out to a broad network. Spread yourself out and try something new — you never know which method will work!

4. Not the Right Fit

There is no perfect recipe to getting hired. You could do everything right — dress your best, arrive on time, and come fully prepared — and still not get the job. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of personality or a clash with the unstated corporate culture. At this point, qualifications don’t matter. It’s the sad truth — and completely legal. One consolation: It’s not you, it’s them.

5. Lady Luck

You’d think if you did everything right you’d be guaranteed a job. But job hunting isn’t always like an equation where the right steps will guarantee you the right answer. Lady Luck can play her hand and leave you in the dust. The position might go to another, equally qualified, candidate, or the timing will simply be off. Family restrictions may prevent you from taking the job or the company simply can’t afford to hire you right now. The best thing you can do in a situation like this is thank your contact for their time and keep that relationship alive. You just may be the person they call for their next opening!

6. High Expectations

It’s one thing to stay positive about your job outlook, and another to have false hopes about your prospects. Are you aiming at jobs out of your league? Expecting a certain salary range or health benefits? We’d all love to work at our dream job, but we take the job that’s good enough — because it is. Ask yourself what you’re willing to give up to get a job. Be honest with yourself. Changing your mindset can broaden your job search results drastically. You may find yourself on a regular payroll faster than you think!

BR,

Harikrishna Talent Circle HR Services Vadodara 9274541254

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Quit

It’s always exhilarating to quit a job you hate. You think of all the perfect ways to tell your boss to shove it — but have you thought about the consequences? Do you know what you’re going to do after the big event? Are you prepared to just leave your job?

Pause before you take any action. Go ahead and take a deep breath. Close your eyes. Sit for an hour or so and think about these issues before you storm into your boss’ office to quit.

Q-1: What’s My Next Step?

If you have a job lined up: If you already have another job lined up, this question is pretty easy to answer. You just need to figure out how much notice to give and how long you’ll take off before starting the next job. Make the transition as seamless as possible.

If you don’t have a job: But if you do not have another job, you need to have a clear plan of what to do after you are unemployed. Look into how to apply for unemployment. Have a goal in mind and set out a timeline to achieve that goal, whether it be finding another job, freelancing, or going back to further study. Make sure the timeline takes into account all the details about deadlines, expenses, and other minor details. Thinking about the details will help you make a more informed decision.

Q-2: Am I Burning any Bridges?

If you have a job lined up: Even if you have another job waiting in the wings, when or how you’re leaving could have some adverse effects. Be sure to give the required two weeks’ notice. If your employer asks for you to stay longer, tell them you’ll consider it, even if you are sure you can’t. And regardless of how much you hated the job, never cause a scene when you’re actually leaving. Be diplomatic and show them that you still care about the company’s success.

If you don’t have a job: Your employer will expect you to stay as long as they need you, as you have nowhere else to go. Prepare a legitimate excuse as to why you can’t stay longer, such as starting a part-time job as a Consultant or freelancing. Again, be respectful and give a diplomatic excuse for leaving, such as you’re looking to go in a different direction. No matter how horrible they are, your bosses remain be your references for later jobs.

Q-3: Do You Have Enough Money to Live on?

If you have a job lined up: You’ll need to make sure you have enough money to live on during any time you’re taking off, plus the time before you get your first paycheck at your next job — which could be as long as a month in some companies. Map it out before you decide on a start date, as it’s poor form to change your start date after plans are finalized.

If you don’t have a job: If you’re quitting without another job waiting, you will need to figure out every little financial detail of your life. You don’t know for sure how long you’ll be unemployed, no matter how marketable you are. Cut out all the extras in your life, put your student loans on hold, and cut your debt payments down as soon as possible.

Q-4: How Will This Look to Future Employers?

If you have a job lined up: Leaving your job doesn’t just affect the present. It can haunt your resume for the rest of your career. Are you leaving during a difficult time that will harm the company? Have you been there for less than a year? Are you leaving a high-profile position for something less important? These are all questions that could come up in job interviews later.

If you don’t have a job: This is a big question, considering you are leaving a good, full-time position to basically be unemployed. Think about your reasoning for leaving and how you can spin that in future interviews without bad-mouthing your current employer. If you can’t think of a good, solid reason, it might be better to tough it out until something better comes along.

Q-5: Does This Fit into My Long-Term Plan?

If you have a job lined up: Sure, you are frustrated with your job, but does leaving hurt your long-term career plans in human resources? Take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Is there a position at your company that you’d be happier in? How can you get from where you are to that position? Is it worth sticking it out? Leaving always seems like the best answer short-term, but with a bit of hard work, you could end up in a better place by staying.

If you don’t have a job: A gap in your employment could definitely have adverse effects on your long-term career. If you are determined to walk away from your job into unemployment, make sure that you are using your extra time to advance your skills and experience in a particular specialty. Too much downtime without any experience gained will raise major red flags with future employers.

If you have the answers to all these questions, then you are in a good position to leave. Just make sure you are polite and diplomatic when leaving, and be respectful of your former employer. You never know when one of your old coworkers could be your new boss!

BR,

Harikrishna Talent Circle HR Services Vadodara 9274541254

Do Unrelated Jobs Hurt Your Resume?

Do you have a lot of unrelated jobs on your resume? Many job seekers — mostly young professionals and career changers — worry that having dissimilar work experience can hurt potential job prospects. But is having several unrelated jobs on your resume really an issue? According to interviewers and hiring managers, the answer is not really — especially if leaving it off means having a gap in your employment history. More importantly, employers aren’t just looking for evidence of relevant experience, they want transferable skills — skills that hold their value across a variety of careers, environments, and positions.

So what job history should you include on your resume and what’s better to leave off? Here’s our cheat sheet for quick reference!

What You Should Include:

1. A “Relevant Experience” Subsection

Because many of your positions have required different skill sets, it’s a good idea to group the most pertinent in a subsection at the top of your resume. Use this segment to spotlight the skills and accomplishments most applicable to the potential employer’s needs. Doing so won’t only win the employer’s attention; it will position HR keywords at the beginning of your resume, bringing you to the attention of automated resume scanners.

2. Focus on Interpersonal Skills

These are abilities like work ethic, problem solving, and communication skills. So why are these important for your resume? Because good qualities like being an excellent problem solver or time manager are universal — despite the difference between the job you’re applying for and your previous positions. Employers find value in employees who hold both relevant experience and comprehensive abilities like analysis and efficiency skills. Candidates who demonstrate these all-encompassing traits will impress employers, no matter what their past experience is.

3. Include Related Hobbies or Projects

If your resume is deficient in related work experience due to a career change or relative newness to the job market (perhaps you just graduated from college), it’s a good idea to include volunteer work, hobbies and, non-work-related projects you’ve participated in on your resume. Just make sure it’s relevant! This shows employers where your interests lie, plus that you’re passionate and driven to attain employment in your chosen career path, even in this challenging job market.

What You Should NOT Include:

1. Every Company, Sport, Project, or Club You’ve Ever Participated In

Hiring managers can spot fluff from a mile away. So while it’s more than okay to include jobs and extracurricular activities on your resume, you must (must!) keep it relevant to the position you’re applying for. Your goal as a job seeker should be to make your resume as concise as possible, while still sufficiently summarizing your skills and experience.

2. Don’t Overload Potential Employers with Details

If your resume contains numerous unrelated jobs, it isn’t necessary to list all your specific duties at each. This can make your resume run long — something you definitely don’t want. Like we mentioned above, a resume doesn’t have to be long for it to be noticeable. On the other hand, if you’re running short on space but still want to include relevant jobs, it’s perfectly fine to describe your experience and duties for some positions and then list only a job title and reference for others.

3. Gaps

Gaps on your resume equal instant suspicion for hiring managers. What exactly were you doing for that time? If at all possible, you should avoid breaks in work experience. Now, that being said, most employers are aware of the economic climate and consequently the extra-competitive job market. If you find that you have multiple gaps on your resume (for example, due to a couple of layoffs), don’t be afraid to use a short part of your cover letter to provide an explanation. Just like describing your skills and experience while on the job, you should provide explanation for why you’ve been unemployed.

Just remember, past jobs are an important part of your career. The experience gained from them is significant — even if it’s not perfectly relevant. Be confident in your skills and stand behind your passion.

The job you want can be yours!

BR,

Harikrishna Talent Circle HR Services Vadodara 9274541254

Job Search Networking

Networking is the process of talking to people in order to get additional contacts or information about possible hiring opportunities. Studies show that as much as 60 percent of the jobs available are filled through this process.

To give you an idea of how effective networking can be, consider the following. The average person knows about 200 people. If you know 200 people and each of those people knows 200 people, you instantly have 40,000 potential contacts! As you begin to network, you'll probably be amazed at how many of them know someone who works in your area of interest.

Networking discussions are beneficial for providing information about employment trends, salary ranges, job leads, potential target companies or industries, and the names of individuals who make hiring decisions. They also yield tips that will:

• Expand your list of contacts
• Help you hone your interviewing skills
• Give you individualized feedback regarding your job search strategy and resume

Begin networking by contacting people in the following categories:

• Parents
• Alumni in your target industry
• Neighbours
• Relatives
• College professors
• Departmental advisors
• Community business people
• Former co-workers
• Classmates and school acquaintances
• Members of professional or social organizations
• Acquaintances and friends

Make a list of the people you know who fall into these categories. Include their full name, address, and home and work telephone numbers. Use a small notebook to keep track of your growing list of contacts and take notes about the conversations that you have with each one. For instance, if someone sounds eager to help you and encourages you to call back, write it down.

When you begin networking, clearly communicate your qualifications, desired position, geographic preference, and, if the topic arises, salary requirements. Be clear about your goals. It will be easier for people to help you if they know what you're looking to find.

When speaking with a contact, avoid simply asking for a job. Instead, mention that you're interested in a certain industry, and ask him/her if he/she has any suggestions about how to approach your job search. Ask if he/she knows anyone in the industry who might be willing to talk to you - not about a job, but about your job hunting strategy. If he/she suggests getting in touch with someone else, ask permission to use his/her name, and then follow up as soon as possible.

Keep a record of everyone you talk with. Include the correct spelling of their name, the date, and the content of your conversation. These notes are useful for recalling names and conversations, and as a reminder for thank you notes, which you should send to everyone who helps you.

Networking Letters

You may wish to make your initial networking contacts by mail rather than by telephone. In the letter, notice that the opening sentence mentions the name of the person who referred you to the reader. This establishes a connection with the reader before moving on to your request.

You can view a sample networking letters from net. Rather than simply copying it, try to communicate your own unique style and personality to the reader. Be sure to avoid asking for a job directly.

Typical Flow of Network Meetings

Gather information by talking with people who work in the type of industry that interests you. Save your best contacts for last, after you've had a chance to practice.

When you set up meetings with people, be sure to differentiate between informational interviews and potential employment interviews. Most employers are generally open to meeting for informal, informational interviews. If you've made it clear over the phone that you're looking for employment, however, it's appropriate to bring a copy of your resume with you to the meeting.

Acknowledge the support staff you talk to. They are sometimes your most direct link to the person who has the power to hire you, so their impressions of you can make a difference.

When calling to set up a meeting, try to remember the following points:

• Explain why you're calling. Be direct about whether you're calling to ask about the industry, or actually looking for a job, but never ask for a job outright.
• Ask whether this is a good time to talk. Give your contact a chance to speak with you now or to make arrangements for a time that is more convenient.
• Tell her why she is a special contact for you. If you have a mutual friend or acquaintance, mention his or her name.
• Describe your skills briefly.
• Let the person know how she can best help you. She can't read your mind, so depending on what you want, ask if she has time to meet with you, insights about the current job market in that field, or if she knows other people you should talk to.
• Be positive!
• Thank her for taking the time to talk with you - be sincere and professional.
• Keep a record of all interactions for future reference.

Many people are uncomfortable asking others - especially people they don't know well - for help. When asking for assistance, don't apologize, and don't take it personally if someone can't talk with you. You are not doing anything wrong by asking for assistance.

Think of how you would feel if someone called you at work and asked for help - especially if you were able to offer advice and support. When you approach people appropriately, they will usually be happy.

BR,

Harikrishna Talent Circle HR Services Vadodara 9274541254