What is appropriate clothes for a job interview for a plumbing job?

I’m going on an interview at a plumbing company and other times i had the interviews after i finished my day at my current job and told the interviewer that i was coming straight from work and they were OK with that……Now i have the whole day off and are wondering what would be appropriate attire for an interview for a licensed plumber position?

Funny job interview scene – resume gets wings

Chronicles of an Interview Gone Wrong: A gentleman’s interview doesn’t even take off before it comes to a crash landing! For more videos, articles, and news about the job search, check us out at: Y: T: B: Don’t be JUST a resume! Let help you network to find the JOB YOU DESERVE….

How to sell your abilities in a job interview?

I have been having a hard time selling my abilities to job interviewers. My problem is this, I am from a culture where "tooting your own horn" is frowned upon. Hence, I don’t know what exactly how to sell myself or abilities. It is obvious in my resume I have the skills required for the job, plus I show a personable personality, but when I don’t get the call I am left in oblivion. I don’t know what others expect me to say or not during the interview. I usually research the company but many times I find that this does not tell me anything about the department I am interviewing for, the particular job, or the culture of the company. I talk about my abilities and past experience, plus I answer all their questions. How do you sell yourself in job interviews?

Job Seekers Only Have One Chance to Make a Good First Impression

There’s little doubt that, if you want to get a great job, you need a great resume. You need to be able, in the matter of a page or two, show prospective employers that you’ve got what it takes to fill a position: the experience, the education, the talent and the drive.

As a result, many recent college graduates, many who are looking for a better position or who are looking to change careers, seek out resume help. For some, this means sitting down at the computer and searching for resume help online. For others, it means reading books. For others still, resume help involves going to a local career center or sitting down with someone who writes resumes for a living.

In a competitive job market, a great resume is essential. Your resume, after all, is the thing that will get you in the door for an interview; your resume will be the thing that makes an employer look and say, “You know, we ought to talk this person.”

Your resume gets prospective employers to look at you.

But, What Gets Employers To Look At Your Resume?

No matter how much work you put into creating a great resume, no matter how much resume help you receive, without a great resume cover letter, your resume may not be noticed. Your resume cover letter is your chance to make a great first impression with a prospective employer.

Within your resume cover letter, you will be able to introduce yourself. You’ll be able to use your cover letter to show your enthusiasm for the position. With your resume cover letter, you will be able to put a spark in the reader’s mind; you will be able to draw his or her interest and encourage him or her to take a closer look at your resume.

Packaging Yourself Effectively

In effect, you will use the first paragraph of your resume cover letter to catch the attention of the reader; you might want to think about your resume cover letter’s opening paragraph like a movie promo poster that makes it to the cover of the DVD packaging. That first paragraph will be the thing that draws the employer’s attention.

Once you’ve started to reel in the person who is reading your resume cover, you’ll want to give them a bit more information. To continue the DVD packaging metaphor, the body of your resume cover letter should be similar to the plot highlights that you would find on the back of the DVD.

While you won’t want to go over the top and suggest that you’re the hero who will save the world from imminent disaster – or the worker who will save the company from going belly up – you will want to use the body of your resume cover letter to highlight your accomplishments, your achievements and your qualifications for the position.

Just as the back cover of a DVD package is meant to get the person reading it excited and eager to see the film, your cover letter is a chance to get the prospective employer interested in reading your resume and learning more about you.

Intrigue Your Reader And Deliver Results

With your resume cover letter, your goal is to get the person reading it intrigued. The goal of your resume cover letter is to entice the person who is reading it to look at your resume and to want to talk with you. Therefore, it essential to market yourself with your cover letter; by marketing yourself effectively, you’ll be able to motivate a prospective employer to glance over your resume and ask you to come in for an interview.

Again using the DVD metaphor – your introductory paragraph is like the front photo, the body of your cover letter is like the teaser copy on the back of the DVD case – the conclusion of your resume cover letter and your resume is like the intro sequence of the film. The way that you capture an interviewer’s interest involves creating an interest with the cover letter, drawing him or her into your resume, and then following through and living up to his or her expectations in the interview.

If, as you’ll read on many resume help sites, your resume is your doorway to the interview, it is important to keep in mind that your resume cover letter is your chance to knock on that door. A human resources manager might have a stack of resumes on his or her desk, and may only be willing to interview a few candidates: to get your resume read, it must stand out. Your resume cover letter is what will get you noticed.

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4 Steps to Increase Your Confidence During Job Interviews

So, you have finally moved beyond the prescreening phase and have landed the job interview! Your resume set the stage to get you in the door, and now here is your chance to ice the cake. The interview, as you are well aware, is what will either move you towards completion of your goal – or it will be the last step in a lengthy series of steps you have already undertaken. Question: how can you succeed within the interview?

Assuming that you have appropriately prepared yourself for the interview, then the interview should be easy. However, despite all of the preparation, even the best falter when sitting down face to face with a hiring manager or human resources staff. It is one thing to outline who you are on a piece of paper (the resume), it is something else to actually explain who you are in person and face-to-face with another person. The one question most of us dread having to answer is: “Tell me about yourself.” Do they want to know where you previously worked..or where you were born? I mean, there are just so many ways to go with that unbelievably dreaded question. Here is a quick tip: the “tell me about yourself question” is simply asking you to “tell me why you are sitting here, today, interviewing for this specific job?” That is it, nothing more.

So, what are the 4 steps to succeed within a job interview? The best career advice, as it relates to job interviews, career development, etc., is one that encourages the candidate to creatively customize the steps. So the following steps below apply regardless if you are seeking a position as an educator or a computer programmer, a manager or a salesclerk. The most important thing to remember is that every interviewer has a particular goal in mind. If you use these 4 steps, then you are likely to cover all the bases.

The four steps specifically deal with how you manage your response to the interviewer’s questions. Did you catch the word “manage” as it was used in the previous sentence? Yes, I am talking about how you manage the process – - take control of the interview – -. So, when the interviewer asks you a question (i.e., tell me how you handle an angry customer) here are the four steps, as promised:

1) Provide a brief description of the situation: “One of my customers was unhappy with our XYZ widgets.”

2) Add some detail to describe the specific task or role you were assigned to deal with the situation: “I was responsible for dealing directly with our department’s major clients and so, I was charged with turning the situation around for this unhappy customer.”

3) Provide one or two key action steps you took to handle the situation: “I contacted the customer directly and requested feedback. I authorized a refund or future discounts to this particular customer.”

4) As a RESULT of your action steps, what happened? “As a result of the refund and discount, the customer increased their orders by 25%.”

The four steps may be interchangeable – - you describe step 4 (the results) prior to step 1 (the situation), however, the key is to be able to list specific results that were gained. Most importantly, the results have to be tied directly to your action steps. Interviewers are looking for RESULTS, not just generalities (”I think I would make a good employee for your company”; or worse yet, “I am good with clients because I enjoy relating to others.”). They need hard facts, verifiable data. And you are the most qualified candidate who is prepared to give it to them.

A bit of caution: please do not create a script to memorize these 4 steps. Ok, if it makes you feel comfortable, and better prepared, then you can write specific responses to the typical interview questions and follow the 4 steps above. Review it, then throw the script away. What is important is that you remember the 4 steps and can apply them to your own career success stories.

The best type of job interview is one that unfolds into a content-rich discussion of how your specific qualifications match the needs of the company. It is important for the interviewer to be able to see how you fit within the company environment and culture. Of course, one interview may not provide all of this detail – - but you want to give yourself a good head start. Succeeding within the interview requires extensive preparation, an understanding of how to tailor your capabilities within the scope of the company’s needs, and your ability to provide details related to how you can provide desired results as a future employee.

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10 Tips to Job-Winning Interviews

These days, you have to work hard to get a serious job interview. After running just one want ad, recruiters will see thousands of resumes. So getting picked for an interview is a reason to celebrate.

But after celebrating The Call, plan for success. You’ll have limited time to impress an interviewer. Even if you decide you don’t want the job, I recommend using the opportunity to practice. An offer will build your confidence for the job you really want. And who knows? You may get invited to interview for a really desirable option

1. Do your homework: Investigate the company’s culture, finances and markets.

Publications and media reports will help — but you’ll usually get a biased picture. Get on the phone and call anyone who might be able to give you information. See if you can find somebody who knows somebody who had first-hand contact with the organization.

But once you’re in the meeting, resist the temptation to show off what you’ve researched (”I just read that you’re about to embark on a new product line”) unless you have a question directly related to your career. Interviewers can tell when you’re going through the motions.

2. Look like you belong.

Learn the company’s dress code and err on the side of conservatism. Some companies will expect you to show up in a classic suit even when all the incumbents are wearing shorts.

When you’re seeking a senior position based on industry experience, you’ll be expected to know the rules without being told.

3. Take charge of the interview!

The most successful interviews feel like friendly conversations. When your interviewer has an agenda (such as the infamous “stress interview”) stay relaxed. Think of playing a game.

When your interviewer refuses to be deflected from a series of prepared questions, raise a red flag. You may be dealing with an HR person who will disapppear as soon as you’re hired. That’s okay.

But if your boss seems to be reading from a canned program, she may be inexperienced, naive, rigid, overworked or lazy. Wait for the second interview before making a decision.

4. Assume everyone you meet will provide feedback to the decision-maker.

Some companies hand out comment forms to receptionists, security guards and potential peers who take you to lunch. You can bet your future boss will listen to the secretary who marches into his office to say, “If he gets hired, I quit.”

5. Communicate interest and enthusiasm, even if you’re not sure you’re ready to commit.

You’ll rarely have all the facts until you’re looking at an offer. When you make a good impression, you may get redirected to a different job. Your interviewer may move to a new position and remember you. And it’s always an ego-booster to say, “Thanks but no thanks.”

6. Bring extra copies of your correspondence as well as your resume, references, writing samples, portfolio and current business cards.

Interviewers lose documents and conversations move in unexpected directions. A neatly organized folder will help you stand out from the pack.

7. Create a relaxed, positive attitude by devising a realistic game plan.

I encourage my own clients to have a “next step” ready to implement after the interview, before you hear the decision. When your career isn’t riding on a single interview, you’ll have fun and make a confident, relaxed impression.

8. Write a thank you letter within forty-eight hours.

Create a low-key sales letter, emphasizing how your qualifications match the company’s needs. Present yourself as a resource, not a supplicant.

If you find yourself resisting this step, raise a red flag. Maybe on some level you don’t want the job. That’s okay: you can write a 2-line thank you note – even an email – just in case they’ve got another job waiting in the wings.

9. After sending the follow-up, forget about the interview.

Email or phone only if you’ve received a competing offer with a deadline. Silence does not necessarily mean rejection. One manager received an interview a full year after she applied for a job. By coincidence, she was just ready to make a move and her story had a happy ending.

Occasionally you may make points with follow-up mailings. A sports team public relations applicant sent puzzles, games and press releases — and she got the job. Use your intuition.

10. Keep notes of what you learned from the process. What worked? What would you do differently?

Use your notes as you move through the process. Consider spending a single hour with a friend or unbiased career consultant to discuss the process.

Be careful of unsolicited feedback. Clients always surprise me with career legends they’ve picked up from neighbors, in-laws, siblings and even total strangers they meet on a plane.

Finally: Don’t stop until you have a written offer with a start date, salary and terms, signed by a company officer or HR department. No written offers? Keep looking until you show up the first day and find a desk with your name on it.

And as soon as you begin your new job, make a brand-new career plan. Create your next safety net before you need one.

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Going After the Non-Job . . . An Exciting Alternative Strategy!

A non-job? C’mon! Of course, you’d expect that if you’re in the job market you’re going after a job. Makes sense. It’s what we’ve known for years.

But things have changed a lot in the past years, especially since 911 and Katrina. And the classic notion of a job as a well-defined description of an employment task has changed, too. Sure, you’ll still find job descriptions, as in advertised job openings online or in the paper. But they aren’t what they appear.

For example, in our research we’ve found that many advertised job openings or even non-advertised job descriptions are really crapshoots. Employers are trying to get feel for who’s out there. They’re really only doing a little market research of their own.

So, when you apply for one of these openings, your resume and job app information is thrown in the hopper with possibly hundreds of others. And some personnel staffer will sort them out to get a feel for what talent is out there. These are not hiring decision-makers reviewing this information. Chances are those folks will never even see your resume.

Why?

Well, put yourself in a busy manager’s shoes. You know there are some business needs that have to be filled by bringing someone new on board. Now, if you were anxious to make a hiring decision but you also have a hundred other important decisions you’re responsible for making as well, which of these two candidates would you prefer to meet within the limited time you can set aside?

1. Someone who has passed through a couple interview cycles conducted by an unrelated department and whose credentials are on a piece of paper (which focuses on what the candidate used to do for someone else).

2. Someone who’s been recommended to you by a pro in the business and who has made a personal introduction. By the way, this candidate has not submitted a resume, but has put together a thoughtful proposal showing how he/she would answer some organizational issues of importance to you. And the proposal has been submitted directly to you in advance.

Number two is the hands down winner in all the surveys we’ve conducted. But to get that meeting you have to treat this as a non-job.

In other words, if you think you’ll beat out the competition and go after a job by putting together a superior resume and jumping through all the hoops some lower level interviewers throw at you . . . I believe you can readily understand how limited your chances are, especially if your up against a savvy candidate like #2 who treats this as a non-job.

The non-job candidate approaches this as an opportunity to meet face-to-face with a decision-maker and help that employer solve some problems. And then, together, they shape the job description that will move the process forward.

It’s all part of the exciting alternative job search revolution using non-traditional career advancement strategies. It’s why non-job candidates are getting in front of employers in matter of days without all the resume and interviewing hoopla. And why they’re locking up great job offers in as little as two weeks!

Article Source: http://www.articlesauce.com

Paul Megan writes for EEI, the world-class pioneer in alternative job search techniques and non-traditional career advancement strategies . . . since 1985. Grab our stunning FREE REPORT: “How To Find A Job In As Little As 14 Days!” Click on RSS for instant info! www.fastest-job-search.com

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How To Make A Cover Letter For Your Job Application

It’s a bit of a misconception that the resume is THE most important part of the job application process. While having a resume that stands out is crucial, but it can fall flat on its face if it’s accompanied by a poorly written cover letter, or worse still, doesn’t even include one. There’s always so much focus on the resume, but applicants trying to get onto the Human Resources short list of potential candidates, really should know how to make a cover letter that compliments their resume.

It doesn’t matter what your field of enterprise or level of experience is, it’s really not that difficult to write an attention-grabbing cover letter which, in conjunction with a strong resume, should put you on the desk of possible interviewees and not in the bin under it with the pile of eliminations.

Put yourself in the place of the interviewers for a moment. Usually, when a company advertises a position within an organization, they are literally inundated with dozens, sometimes hundreds, and occasionally thousands of hopefuls, all of which have sent in their resume for consideration.

The good news for those of you reading this is that most of these applications don’t even see the light of day. So many folks just throw a bog-standard resume into an envelope and stick it in the post along with probably dozens of other applications to other companies. For them it’s a numbers game and they follow the rule that if you throw enough stuff out there, some of it is bound to stick.

But if you really, really want the position in question, then you need to know how to make a cover letter, but not only how to make it, but how make it stand out. Just think about the results you’ll experience in your job search when your cover letter gets opened and it has real attention-grabbing headline that is so unique and so persuasive that the hiring manager cannot put it down without reading further.

For the best part your cover letter does not have to be long-winded. In fact, unless it’s requested, you need to make it as short and to the point as much as possible. That said, there needs to be power in those there words, so think carefully especially about the headline, and avoid lame titles such as ‘College Graduate Desperate for Work!’. Be mindful that you never get a second chance to make a first impression!

You might want to kick off with a title something like; Are You Still Looking To Fill the Position of {Insert Job Title Here}? Here’s Why I Sincerely Believe I Could Be Exactly What You’re Looking for …

You then begin your cover letter with a strong opening paragraph and it’s this opening paragraph where your cover letter will make its second impression after the headline. You should also make reference to the enclosed resume in your cover letter so that they can compliment each other. If the cover letter warrants it, you may also want to make it an easy read by using bulleted points to methodically highlight certain items of importance and relevance to the application.

Whatever you do, don’t write long paragraphs as they’re heavy on the eye, and if you think about how many resumes and cover letters the interviewing manager has to plough through, it’s a sure fire way to get binned quickly, no matter how good the wording. It’s by far better to have 3 or 4 short paragraphs than 2 long ones.

There are a lot of resources available today for creating resumes and showing folks how to make a powerful cover letter. Heed what they teach and you’ll greatly improve your chances of getting that interview and job that you long for.

Article Source: http://www.articlesauce.com

Read more on jobs and employment issues including Jobs in photography, options with Music Jobs , and making money from Online Paid Surveys. Plus much more at Enough Jobs dot com.

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4 Steps to Successful Job Interviews

So, you have finally moved beyond the prescreening phase and have landed the job interview! Your resume set the stage to get you in the door, and now here is your chance to ice the cake. The interview, as you are well aware, is what will either move you towards completion of your goal – or it will be the last step in a lengthy series of steps you have already undertaken. Question: how can you succeed within the interview?

Assuming that you have appropriately prepared yourself for the interview, then the interview should be easy. However, despite all of the preparation, even the best falter when sitting down face to face with a hiring manager or human resources staff. It is one thing to outline who you are on a piece of paper (the resume), it is something else to actually explain who you are in person and face-to-face with another person. The one question most of us dread having to answer is: “Tell me about yourself.” Do they want to know where you previously worked? Or, where you were born? I mean, there are just so many ways to go with that unbelievably dreaded question. Here is a quick tip: the “tell me about yourself question” is simply asking you to “tell me why you are sitting here, today, interviewing for this specific job?” That is it, nothing more.

So, what are the 4 steps to succeed within a job interview? The best career advice, as it relates to job interviews, career development, etc., is one that encourages the candidate to creatively customize the steps. So the following steps below apply regardless if you are seeking a position as an educator or a computer programmer, a manager or a salesclerk. The most important thing to remember is that every interviewer has a particular goal in mind. If you use these 4 steps, then you are likely to cover all the bases.

The four steps specifically deal with how you manage your response to the interviewer’s questions. Did you catch the word “manage” as it was used in the previous sentence? Yes, I am talking about how you manage the process – - take control of the interview – -. So, when the interviewer asks you a question (i.e., tell me how you handle an angry customer) here are the four steps, as promised:

1) Provide a brief description of the situation: “One of my customers was unhappy with our XYZ widgets.”

2) Add some detail to describe the specific task or role you were assigned to deal with the situation: “I was responsible for dealing directly with our department’s major clients and so, I was charged with turning the situation around for this unhappy customer.”

3) Provide one or two key action steps you took to handle the situation: “I contacted the customer directly and requested feedback. I authorized a refund or future discounts to this particular customer.”

4) As a RESULT of your action steps, what happened? “As a result of the refund and discount, the customer increased their orders by 25%.”

The four steps may be interchangeable – - you describe step 4 (the results) prior to step 1 (the situation), however, the key is to be able to list specific results that were gained. Most importantly, the results have to be tied directly to your action steps. Interviewers are looking for RESULTS, not just generalities (”I think I would make a good employee for your company”; or worse yet, “I am good with clients because I enjoy relating to others.”). They need hard facts, verifiable data. And you are the most qualified candidate who is prepared to give it to them.

A bit of caution: please do not create a script to memorize these 4 steps. Ok, if it makes you feel comfortable, and better prepared, then you can write specific responses to the typical interview questions and follow the 4 steps above. Review it, then throw the script away. What is important is that you remember the 4 steps and can apply them to your own career success stories.

The best type of job interview is one that unfolds into a content-rich discussion of how your specific qualifications match the needs of the company. It is important for the interviewer to be able to see how you fit within the company environment and culture. Of course, one interview may not provide all of this detail – - but you want to give yourself a good head start. Succeeding within the interview requires extensive preparation, an understanding of how to tailor your capabilities within the scope of the company’s needs, and your ability to provide details related to how you can provide desired results as a future employee.

Information about the Author:

Career and Employment Articles: http://www.article-buzz.com

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12 Job Interview Tips You Should Know to Nail that Job

So you want to further your career and go for a manager job or something of the same level. That’s great – ambition is always good.

First, make sure your job resume is in good order. You can hire a professional resume writer if you want a great presentation or study some online resume writing tips if you want to have full control over your CV.

Once your resume is out there, the next thing you should do is prepare for possible interviews. Here’s where a little career planning is in order and so here we present not just a few but TWELVE job tips you should know before you face your interviewer for that manager job.

Job Interview Tip #1 – Know the Company.
It is good business etiquette to know as much as you can about the organization to which you’re applying. If you are quizzed about the company’s history it’s paramount you know something about them to prove you’re serious about work for them. Your manager job description will be tough to live up to if you know nothing about the people with which you want to work.

Job Interview Tip #2 – Prepare for Questions.
Our second interview tip is crucial. Be prepared to answer questions about the company and about yourself. There’s nothing more awkward than being stumped, flustered, and speechless. Avoid saying “Uhh” or “Ahhh” too much. Answer confidently by being knowledgeable about yourself, your goals, your skills, your achievements and what you can bring to the table.

Job Interview Tip #3 – Prepare Your own Questions.
Employers are impressed if you ask good, intelligent questions. Ask about work processes, quality control, common challenges within the company, and others. Demonstrate that you really want to understand the nature of your work so that you can function better in the organization.

Job Interview Tip #4 – Look Good.
You must be well groomed when showing up for an interview. Get a haircut if you need one; buy a new suit if your old one looks too tatty. Take a bath (heaven forbid you don’t!) and iron your clothes. If you’re a woman, wear moderate make-up, make sure your nails are manicured, and tone down the perfume. You don’t want to make the interviewer choke as he/she takes a whiff of your scent!

Job Interview Tip #5 – Be Punctual.
Tardiness is bad and will immediately put a damper on things. Leave early so you will get to the office early. Don’t waste your interviewer’s time by showing up late. If you really want that manager job, you must demonstrate responsibility and be determined to keep appointments.

Job Interview Tip #6 – Shake Hands Firmly.
A good handshake shows you are confident and willing to engage. Always make eye contact when shaking hands; this coordination can accomplish much in establishing positive vibes.

Job Interview Tip #7 – Don’t Overdo It.
Avoid unnecessary body movement; don’t fidget. Keep still and punctuate your points with limited hand gestures. Don’t ever point your fingers, especially at the person talking to you.

Job Interview Tip #8 – RELAX!
Many people panic at interviews and start biting their nails, toying endlessly with their wedding ring, drumming their fingers, or jiggling their legs. Stay calm, breathe deeply, and think of happy memories. Don’t worry yourself sick about something that can be dealt with positively if you just take time to relax.

Job Interview Tip #9 – Listen Closely.
Pay attention to what is being said. Maintain eye contact, especially when it’s obvious your interviewer is making an important point. Focus on the discussion at hand and keep your ears peeled for important details. If you mishear a word, don’t be afraid to clarify rather than pretend you understood what was said.

Job Interview Tip #10 – Communicate Clearly.
Speak clearly and choose your words carefully. You may want to make a humorous comment but what if it backfires? Also, don’t be obscure – use words and ideas that make sense and can be easily understood. Avoid being superfluous.

Job Interview Tip #11 – Don’t Ever Talk Negatively. About Your Current/Previous Employer.
This is very important – don’t be negative, especially when it comes to your previous employers or colleagues. It will only show that you have a tendency to bad-mouth other people and that’s not something to advertise when gunning for a manager job. Always be positive and enthusiastic.

Job Interview Tip #12 – SMILE!
Smiling is important so pay a tremendous amount of attention to your teeth. Make sure they’re immaculate and presentable. If you have discolored teeth (and most of us do), try a good tooth whitening product. There is a whole range of home tooth bleaching products to choose from that are effective and inexpensive; teeth trays are highly recommended.

You may not realize it but teeth bleaching is a powerful way to capture a person’s attention and admiration – and could very well lead to that manager job you so highly covet.

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