job seekers september 2015

How to find and secure the ideal job

by Toronto Training and HR

September 2015

CONTENTS3-4 Introduction5-6 Making a choice7-8 What are employers looking for?9-10 Stages of the job search11-12 Preparedness13-14 Self-branding15-16 The elevator pitch17-18 Why do they want me to…?19-20 Positive body language21-22 Resumes23-24 Turning an internship into a full-time job offer25-28 Rules to bear in mind when negotiating a job offer29-31 Effective interviews32-34 Create the right state for an interview35-36 Telephone and Skype interviews37-38 Group applicant interviews 39-45 Strategies for responding to specific interview questions46-47 The CAR technique for competency-based interview questions48-49 Interviews; the four Bes 50-51 Conclusion, summary and questions

Introduction

Introduction to Toronto Training and HR

Toronto Training and HR is a specialist training and human resources consultancy headed by Timothy Holden

10 years in banking

15 years in training and human resources

Freelance practitioner since 2006

The core services provided by Toronto Training and HR are:

Training event design

Training event delivery

HR support with an emphasis on reducing costs, saving time plus improving employee engagement and morale

Services for job seekers

Making a choice

Making a choice

• Love it

• Leverage it

• Lose it

• Leave it

What are employers looking for?

What are employers looking for?

• Ability

• Attitude

• Personality

Stages of the job search

Stages of the job search

• Preparatory stage

• Active-extensive stage

• Active-intensive stage

Preparedness

Preparedness • What is preparedness?

• Elements of preparedness

• Routine career renewal

• Coping strategies

Self-branding

Self-branding • What is a brand?

• What is self-branding?

• Components of developing a self-brand

• Questions to ask

• SWOT

The elevator pitch

The elevator pitch

• Who are you?

• What do you do?

• What are you looking for?

• Why are you the perfect candidate for this position?

Why do they want me to…?

Why do they want me to…?

• Take notes during the interview

• Want me to give a presentation

• Want me to take part in group activities with other candidates

• Want me to do a test

Positive body language

Positive body language

• Eye contact

• Smile

• Posture

• Gestures

Resumes

Resumes • First impression

• Layout and appearance

• Format and organization

• Job objective

• Qualifications

• Content relevance

Turning an internship into a full-time job offer

Turning an internship into a full-time job offer

• Show off your social intelligence

• Speak up, but know your audience

• Don’t assume you’re invisible to the people at the top

• Send isn’t always your friend

• Don’t join the wolf pack

Rules to bear in mind when negotiating a job

offer

Rules to bear in mind when negotiating a job offer 1 of 3

• Don’t underestimate the importance of likability

• Help them understand why you deserve what you’re requesting

• Make it clear they can get you

• Understand the person across the table


• Understand their constraints

• Be prepared for tough questions

• Focus in the questioner’s intent, not on the question

• Consider the whole deal

• Negotiate multiple issues simultaneously, not serially


• Don’t negotiate for the sake of negotiation

• Think through the timing of offers

• Avoid, ignore or downplay ultimatums of any kind

• Remember they are not out to get you

• Stay at the table

• Maintain a sense of perspective

Effective interviews

Effective interviews 1 of 2

• Before

• During

• After

• Follow-up

Effective interviews 2 of 2

• Research target employers and positions

• Compile supporting resources

• Prepare, practice, participate and be positive

Create the right state for an interview

Create the right state for an interview 1 of 2

• Choose the right language

• Physical preparation

• Have the right focus

Create the right state for an interview 2 of 2

• Physiology

• Focus

• Language

Telephone and Skype interviews

Telephone and Skype interviews

• Make sure your surroundings are professional

• Test your technology

• Have hard copies of the organization’s information, job posting, the resume and cover letter available

Group applicant interviews

Group applicant interviews

• Focus on why you are the best fit for the organization, not how you are better than everyone else in the room

• Listen to the answers from other applicants, and think about how you can build on what they have said

• Show eagerness when answering questions

Strategies for responding to specific interview

questions

Strategies for responding to specific interview questions 1 of 6

• Tell me about yourself

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?

• Why are you leaving your current job?

• Where do you want to be five years from now?

• What kind of salary are you looking for?

• How would you describe yourself?


• What specific training have you had for the role?

• Why do you want to work for the organization?

• What type of work environment do you like best?


• In what ways has your job prepared you to take on additional responsibility?

• What was your most significant accomplishment in your last position?

• What was the greatest challenge you faced in your last job?


• What are your long-range career goals?

• What do you think are your weaknesses?

• When you have multiple projects how do you prioritize your work?

• Why did you leave your last job?

• Why do you want to leave your current job?


• Please give an example of a time when you had a problem with a supervisor and how you approached the problem

• Why should I hire you?


• STAR

• Decision making and problem solving

• Leadership

• Team

• Motivation

• Communication

• Planning and organizing

• Customer focus

• Dealing with ambiguity

The CAR technique for competency-based interview questions

The CAR technique for competency-based interview questions

• Circumstance

• Action

• Result

Interviews; the four Bes

Interviews; the four Bes

• Be positive

• Be a good listener

• Be honest

• Be consistent

Conclusion, summary and questions

Conclusion, summary and questions

Conclusion

Summary

Videos

Questions

job seekers september 2015

Career