For the Young Career Seeker: How to Set Up an Informational Interview

Thinking that you'd like to set up an informational interview in your chosen field? Good for you! An informational interview is not like a typical interview; in this case, there is no "want ad" to answer and no open position to fill. It's simply a way to make contact with someone who works at a company that interests you. It's a method of getting your name out there while learning more about careers in your industry.

If you're young and just starting out in your career, I highly recommend taking the initiative and seeking out an informational interview as a stepping stone to a great career doing something you really love. You'd be surprised how many young career seekers don't bother to set something like this up, and miss some really terrific opportunities because of it.

How to get the informational interview ball rolling:

Begin by speaking to someone in your social circle who already has a foot in the door. Also scan online for companies that appeal to you, and then ask if you can schedule an informational interview with someone in their office. You might even ask for an interview with a family member who works in a position or with a company that appeals to you.

Prepare in advance.

The very first thing you should do before this or any type of interview is update your resume. Include all of those resume basics, like your career objective, college degree, computer proficiencies, and especially any experience you may already have, including unpaid internships, temp jobs and so forth. If you need extra help with this, I suggest hiring a professional resume writer. Leave it to the pros to brush up your resume for you. You can find resume writers I recommend here: http://www.halliecrawford.com/resources.html.

Make initial contact.

When you feel ready to make contact, try sending an email first so they're not caught off guard by a random phone call. If you can't locate their email address, then the call is okay. Present yourself professionally; tell them something like, "My name is so-and-so and I'm interested in learning more about (X type of) careers at your firm. I'd love it if we could set up a time to talk." Of course, it helps to draft a couple of practice emails or do a few test-runs of your phone message before sending it out there.

Tips for a successful information interview.

1) Be clear.

Let them know up front that you're looking to set up an informational interview and would like 30 minutes or so of their time if they're willing. Tell them directly what you’re wanting help with, "I'd like to learn more about what it's like to actually work in this field." Or "I want to know if someone with my personality and skills can succeed in this type of business."

2) Be prepared.

This is your chance to ask questions about the company and the industry, so write up a list of things you want to know. When the big day arrives, don't hold back. If you feel nervous about this at first, then give your interviewer the floor for the first part of the interview. Later, after you've explained your personal interest in this type of job and your experience, you can ease into asking questions. Here are some good ones:

• What does a typical day on the job consist of?

• What do you like best and least about what you do?

• What qualifications and experience does someone need to have in order to get a job in this field?

• What is an entry level position in this field?

• What are best places to look for jobs in this field?

• How did you get started?

• Do you know anyone else who it would be beneficial for me to talk to?

3) Be respectful of their time.

Ask how much time they have (30 minutes, an hour?) and be respectful of that. Don't just call them out of the blue and expect them to be able to talk right then. Set a time and treat this just as professionally as you would a "real" interview where they're searching for someone to fill a position. If this is a friend or family member, don't let them side-track you with long-winded chatter about personal topics. Politely remind them that you don't want to take up too much of their time but would love to learn more about what they do.

4) How and where?

You can conduct your interview over the phone or in person, whatever they prefer. I like to suggest the phone as a first option. It's less formal and will save the interviewer preparation time as well as save you money on gas! However, if they prefer to meet in person, do what works best for them. Also know that if you're really feeling good about your future at this company, then you just might want to meet up in person. You'll get the inside perspective and have the chance to be seen as well as heard. Visual impressions go a long way - so be sure you're dressed to impress!

5) Send a hand-written thank you note.

Be sure to get the mailing address of the person with whom you're interviewing. If they referred you to someone else, let the original contact know if/when you connected with them and how it went. Thank everyone "in your path" who may have led you to the informational interview. If you don't feel very confident about your handwriting, then type your letter out on stationery and send by mail. It may be tempting to just flip them a thank-you by email, but I recommend sending a note of appreciation that they can hold in their hands. It's something to remember you by, and that's what you want - to be remembered.

By Hallie Crawford

Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

More Graduates, More Job Seekers

By Ira Boudway


It's graduation time at colleges around the world, and the job market is a little more welcoming to 21-year-olds than it was in the depths of the recession. Still, graduates are struggling to find their place in the workforce, with high rates of unemployment and underemployment in the industrialized world. Here's a sampling.
U.S.

A survey by the National Association of Colleges & Employers found that 24.4 percent of 2010 college graduates who applied for a job have one waiting after graduation, up from 19.7 percent last year.
Japan

According to a joint survey by the labor and education ministries, the employment rate for students who graduated in March is 91.8 percent, a 3.9 percentage point drop from last year and the lowest rate since 2000, when 91.1 percent of graduates were able to find work.
China

The Human Resources & Social Security Ministry hopes to place 70 percent of the graduating class by July and aims to push that figure to 80 percent withinthe year. Last year 68 percent of the graduating class was placed by July 2009 and 87 percent within the year.
Great Britain

A survey of 16,000 students by High Fliers Research found that of the 55 percent of final year students who have already applied for positions, 15 percent have received offers so far, slightly above last year's rate.

Boudway is a reporter for Bloomberg News.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Preparing for Your 2010 Job Search; 5 tips to get you ready

Robert Half International

job search

The good news: You have a job. The bad news: You'd like to find a new one, and the current state of the economy has undermined your efforts.

You don't have to wait out the storm. You can take steps to prepare for your job search. By laying the groundwork now, you'll be well-positioned once the job market recovers, giving you a valuable edge.

Following are five tips to get you started:

1. Update your résumé. The most essential element of any job search is an up-to-date résumé. If you haven't touched your résumé in awhile, dust it off and make sure it highlights your most recent skills, areas of responsibility and accomplishments. Taking a little time over several weeks to work on this document is better than rushing to complete your résumé all at once. Keep in mind that this draft of your résumé will serve as a starting point. You'll want to customize it to each position for which you apply.

2. Keep your profile current. Your professional profiles on networking Web sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook serve as an informal résumé for recruiters, who are more frequently using these sites to locate talented candidates. Make sure your profile is complete and current. Also, consider taking advantage of the extra features many of these sites offer. For example, LinkedIn allows you to secure recommendations from members of your network for display on your page. Adding a few to your profile can help you stand out from the crowd.

3. Put your best digital foot forward. In a competitive job market, a polished professional reputation -- both online and off -- can make or break someone's chances of landing a coveted position. As a result, it's important to get a sense of your digital footprint, or the presence you have on the Web. Building a strong reputation online, or remaking a poor one, can take some time.

Start by searching for yourself on several search engines. If you discover unflattering information, such as an embarrassing picture from a college trip to Mexico, remove it or ask the person who posted the information to do the same. You also should adjust your privacy settings on social networking Web sites to ensure that personal details or photos are available only to the people you select.

4. Make new friends. The best time to expand your network of business connections is when you don't need a job. Reaching out to new contacts now allows you to nurture the relationships. Maintain regular communication with your contacts and offer your assistance as necessary. When you launch your own search and you're in need, they'll be willing to return the favor.

5. Prepare your references. You'll need several people with whom you've worked to sing your praises to prospective employers when your search begins. So why not start identifying and reaching out to these contacts now?

Although most hiring managers ask to speak to three to five individuals, you'll want to prep more people than this. Like your résumé, your reference list should be customized for each opportunity. That means you'll want to be able to call on people who can speak to several different aspects of your career -- for example, your work ethic, management skills or ability to work with diverse audiences.

Check in with former managers and peers to ask if they would be willing to recommend you if contacted by a hiring manager. If it's been awhile since you've connected with a potential reference, arrange to meet for coffee or lunch, or send a note along with an article you think the person would find interesting. Let each person know you'll contact him or her if a prospective employer has requested your references.

Although you can't control the economy, you don't have to be a passive observer. By preparing for your entry into the job market now, you'll be ready to take advantage of new opportunities as soon as they arise.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

6 Steps for First-Time Job Hunters

Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor



Congratulations, you've done it! You made it through college, have your degree in hand and are finally ready to make your mark. You are now in the real world and it's time to get your professional life started.
If you are in the middle of this crossroad, it can be scary, exciting, confusing, overwhelming or all of the above. Following are some steps to make a successful college-to-real world transition.
Step 1: Pinpoint Your Direction.
After four (or five, or six) years of college, you are completely certain about what you want to do, right? If not, now is the time to determine what your strengths are and identify what kind of careers suit you. Are you someone who loves to be around people? Or are you happier crunching numbers or creating computer programs? Consider all of your strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes and interests when thinking about your career plan. Read about fields that interest you and talk to others who are doing jobs that you find interesting. Focus your direction on positions and fields that match your interests and talents.
Step 2: Do Your Research.
It is vital to learn as much as you can about the companies that interest you and to consider all of your options, says Pam Webster, a recruiting manager for Enterprise Rent-A-Car. She should know: Enterprise is the nation's largest recruiter of college graduates.
"You should be open-minded about opportunities in companies and industries you might not have thought of before," she says. Once you have identified companies that you want to target, Webster suggests looking at their Web sites, reading news articles and talking to current employees to learn as much as you can. "You also need to look at a company's stability," she says. "Is the company going to be there for the long term?"
Step 3: Assemble Your Toolkit.
It is important to have the right tools for any task. The tools needed for a job search are a résumé, cover letter and a portfolio of your work. Take the time to develop a résumé and cover letter that clearly convey your strengths and experience. Here are a few tips to remember:

Think about the type of résumé you need. A functional résumé, which highlights your abilities rather than your work history, is a good choice for first-time job seekers.

Focus on accomplishments and results you have achieved, rather than simple descriptions of experiences.

Use action words in your résumé and cover letter to describe your experiences, such as "initiated," "produced" and "managed."

If you are low on practical work experience, look to your part-time work, school activities or volunteer positions. "Evaluate all of your experience and translate how it applies to any job you might apply to," Webster says.

Step 4: Network.
One of the most important tasks in any job search is networking. Take advantage of any resources you have, including your school's career placement office, friends who graduated before you and are already working, friends of your parents, former professors, and neighbors. Send e-mails to ask if your contacts know someone who can help you. Pass your résumé around and ask others to do the same. Call your contacts to see if they know someone who works for a firm you are interested in joining.
Step 5: Play the Part.
If you want to join the professional world, you need to act -- and look -- the part. Buy a business suit and wear it to all of your interviews. "Make sure your e-mail address and voice mail greeting are appropriate," Webster says. That means if your e-mail user name is "crazygirl2005," you might want to get a new account. Webster says you should also remember to be professional at home. "Be prepared for a phone call or a phone interview at any time," she says. The more you play the part of a well-trained professional, the more people will see you as a professional.
Step 6: Don't Give Up.
The real world can be a real challenge. Set realistic expectations and recognize that you will probably have to start at the bottom and work your way up. You will likely face rejection as you start looking for your first full-time job, but everyone goes through it. Just remember to be proactive, be persistent and remain confident that there is a great job out there for you!

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Have a Great First Day

By Peter Vogt, Monster Senior Contributing Writer

Only a parent could offer the kind of advice Jessica Donnelly got when she started her first job: "My old-fashioned mother warned me to have my clothes ready and bag packed the night before," says Donnelly, a 2005 Marist College graduate who works for a New York City-based public relations firm. "She also told me to eat a good breakfast and arrive early."
But it turns out Mom's seemingly simplistic advice was more valuable than Donnelly thought. "Those little precautions helped to make a nerve-filled morning run more smoothly," she says.
Your first day of work will help define you in the eyes of your new coworkers. Make a good first impression, and you'll soon be viewed as a capable, respected colleague. But a bad first impression could mean months or years of trying to undo the damage. Here's what you can do -- both before and during your start date -- to be remembered for all the right reasons.
Before Your First Day

• Relearn How to Sleep: Two weeks before your first day, start establishing the sleep habits you'll follow when your new job begins. If you're usually out well past midnight on weeknights, get home earlier or, even better, stay home more often than not. And if you know your new job will require you to wake up at 6 a.m. to catch a 7 a.m. train, start going to bed at 10 p.m. or 11 p.m.
  "Most new graduates underestimate how exhausting it is to work a full eight hours," says Carol Vellucci, assistant to the president for communications at Towson University.
  
• Study the Organization: The more you know about your new company and its activities before you start, the faster you'll get up to speed.
  "I read everything I could on the company to prepare myself for my first day," says Mike Adorno, an Ithaca College graduate who works for Articulate Communications in New York City. That included not only Articulate's Web site but also its clients' Web sites.
  

On Your First Day

• Bring a Notebook -- and Use It: You'll be meeting new people and trying to remember their names, learning about office procedures, becoming familiar with the work environment and discovering how your work fits in with that of your department and colleagues. All of this information can be overwhelming.
  "No one can remember it all," says Michael Smith, a professor of mass communications at Campbell University who teaches a course for his department's interns. "So write it down."
  
• Listen and Ask Questions More Than You Talk: When you were in job search mode, it probably took awhile to adjust to talking about yourself and your many outstanding skills and achievements. Now it's time to listen and ask questions instead.
  "No one likes a mouthy know-it-all," says Patrick Gray, president of consulting firm Prevoyance Group. "Keeping your ears open can turn into a competitive advantage when you're able to crack the culture of your new home more quickly and become a more productive and insightful employee."
  
• Be Ready for Either Indifference or Instant Action: You might be welcomed to the organization with apparent indifference -- no cubicle, no security badge or even no work to do, says Gray. "Keep a smile on your face, and go with the flow for the first couple of days," he says. "Things will usually get sorted out."
  On the other hand, don't be surprised if you're tossed right into the proverbial fire. That's what happened to Cara Chancellor, a 2006 Yale University graduate who works for public relations firm O'Connell and Goldberg. The company immediately called upon Chancellor's fluency in French to pursue a media placement. "Six French phone calls and innumerable French emails later, we secured an interview with Le Monde, the largest and most popular newspaper in France," she says.
  What a way to start the day -- and a new job.
  
  
  
  
  careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy
  
  

Right Approaches To Medical Interviews

By: Jon Caldwell

In interviewing your patient, take note of the following problems in communication and try your best to provide solutions to them:

1. The interview situation is complicated and dynamic. Keep in mind that you have to listen well to your patient and not impose your thoughts upon the conversation.

2. There is a variety of personality types that a doctor or a patient can assume. Try your best to deal with these types and communicate using their preferred way of communication.

3. The patient's situation is complex and it could not be simplified right away. Patients might even be reluctant to discuss it, however encourage the patient to discuss it further.

4. Know the risks involved and let your patients know. They have a right to understand the potential dangers of your procedures and choose other options if possible.

Encourage your patients to get involved. Ask for feedback. Let them tell you their insights, concerns and plans. Try to know what they know and correct any misinformation that they may have. There is a great chance that they will have heard Mr. John Doe say that this kind of treatment causes certain death that's why they shouldn't be taking that, or read in the paper that pill x causes dizziness and pimples when taken regularly. Also, they may tell you that this procedure costs too much and they will take this cheaper yet irrelevant procedure instead. Neutralize these fallacious beliefs and assure them that they are in good hands.

In talking with your patients, you will be imparting information that will be very important to the state of their wellbeing. Because of this, you must be careful in the way you express your statements. Here are some guidelines:

Patients tend to forget 2/3 of what they hear and more so if they're under stress or pain. Confirm if the patient heard and understood what was said. Keep your words simple: simplify, categorize, prioritize, repeat yourself and let them repeat what you have said. You could make it even easier for them by setting ideas in a familiar context, making them more accessible and linking these with a person, image or metaphor.

In a medical interview, you would be judged according to the way you dress and the way you behave, but most importantly, by the way you answer the questions. Here are some topics that will likely be discussed:

Academic record: This includes grades, courses and anything which may catch their attention. If you have a failing grade, prove that you have compensated. If you have a research, prepare to defend it.

Extracurricular activities: Talk about your interests and their applications to the medical field

Motivations: Why did you choose a medical career? Give specific experiences and relevant skills.

Current issues in health care: Demonstrate your awareness, logic and sensitivity. Read on a variety of topics including ethics, culture and society.

Send your CV to as many agencies as you can. Just pick out the ones that will contact you first before passing out your details to companies. If you send it to more agencies, you will increase your chances of knowing a good job offer. Just do not tell the agency that you are sending your CV to others. Their goal is to try to persuade you to just register with them alone. If they will be able to do that, they will be willing to invest more time with you.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy